"I won't lie... I'm an orphan," Tae confessed, looking at all of them.

"Tae, please," Soobin pleaded. "It’s not a lie, I swear! It’s just for your sake. If anyone asks, just tell them my parents are Kim Namjoon and Kim Seokjin, okay?"

"But lying is a bad habit, Hyung..." Tae hesitated.
.

"Do you like Jungkook Hyung?" Lisa asked, trying to change the subject.

"Hmm... He helps me. He buys me chocolate," Tae smiled.

"If you don’t lie, everyone will scold him," Lisa warned.

"Why?" Tae asked, clearly confused.

"For accommodating you here," Rose explained. "So just do it for him. It’s nothing big. After a couple of days, we can tell the truth to everyone. But for now, you have to keep this lie, okay?"

Tae thought for a few seconds before nodding his head. He didn’t want anyone to scold Jungkook because of him.

"That’s it, good boy," Soobin praised.

"Girls are good at manipulating people, aren’t they?" Yeonjun remarked to Jimin.

"No, boys are just bad at keeping things quiet," Lisa shot back with a smirk.

*************

As the evening settled in, Jungkook, Yoongi, and Hoseok returned home, accompanied by the rest of the family. Mr. Jeon and his wife entered, followed by Yoongi's younger brother, Jeon Yohan, and his wife, and their only sister, Jeon Yunhee, with her husband.

"I’m proud of you, Jungkook," Mr. Jeon said, pulling his grandson into a tight hug. "You’ve finally proven yourself as a true Jeon."

The others smiled approvingly, and Yohan added, "So, when are you planning to take over our businesses too?"

"Soon," Jungkook replied confidently.

"That's good, Jungkook," Mrs. Jeon praised. "You’ve set a great example for your siblings. Learn from him," she directed to the others, who nodded in agreement, except Jimin.

"Hmm... Who’s that?" Mr. Jeon asked, his eyes landing on Taehyung.

"It’s..." Jungkook started, but Jimin quickly cut him off. "It's  Taehyung.  dad’s friend’s son," he said.

Yoongi and Hoseok exchanged confused glances.

"Which friend?" Mr. Jeon pressed.

"Kim Namjoon," Jimin interjected, noticing Jungkook’s frown.

"Oh... I didn’t know you had a connection with him. What’s your full name, child?" Mrs. Jeon asked, looking from her son to Taehyung.

"Taehyung," he began, but a quick nudge from Yeonjun made him correct himself. "Kim Taehyung," he said with a small pout.

"You should always introduce yourself with your family name, child," Mrs. Jeon advised.

"Oppa, what about Kooki’s marriage?" Yunhee asked.

"He doesn’t like the girl," Yoongi replied flatly.

"I knew it," Yunhee said with a sigh. "Find someone yourself, Kooki," she teased, but Jungkook’s eyes drifted to Taehyung.

"But remember, whether it’s a boy or a girl, they must be of equal status to ours," Mrs. Jeon added firmly. "I’m going to rest now," she said, rising to her feet.

"Me too," Mr. Jeon agreed. One by one, everyone left the room, leaving Yoongi and Hoseok alone.

"He’s our son, Yoongi, not a machine the Jeon family owns," Hoseok said quietly, looking down.

"He carries the Jeon name, so he must follow its rules," Yoongi replied coldly. "And ask our younger child why he lied about that boy," he added before walking out of the room.

********

"Why?" Jungkook asked, looking at his siblings.

"For his safety, Jungkook..." Lisa answered softly.

"Safety? You’ve only made things more complicated! What happens when they find out he’s not real Kim?" Jungkook’s voice was filled with frustration.

"If they find out he’s an orphan, they’ll either throw him out or treat him like dirt. We know how our family is," Rose explained, her tone serious.

"I know how to protect him," Jungkook said, clenching his fists.

"Hyung..." Soobin called out, his voice gentle but firm. "Do you really think you can always protect him? No, you can’t. But for now, it’s safer for him this way. Taehyung is a sweet boy; everyone will come to love him. Once he’s settled, we can reveal the truth."

"I don’t know... But I don’t want anyone pointing fingers at Tae because of this lie," Jungkook said, his voice heavy with concern.

**********

"Liar..."

"I'm not!" Taehyung responded, his lips forming a pout.

"Then why?" Jungkook pressed, his gaze intense as he stared at Taehyung.

"Noonas and Hyungs kept insisting, but I refused... until they said everyone would scold you if I didn't," Taehyung admitted, his voice softening.

"So, you lied for me?" Jungkook's frown deepened, confusion and concern mixing in his expression.

"I just... I don't like it when someone scolds you," Taehyung murmured, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Sorry..." he mumbled softly.

Suddenly, Jungkook reached out, grabbing Taehyung's hand and pulling him close. Taehyung's delicate frame collided with Jungkook's firm chest.

"Owww..." Taehyung yelped, looking up at Jungkook with wide eyes. "Don't scold me, Jeoni..."

"Jeonnie!... I'm 12 years older than you. Call me hyung," Jungkook insisted, trying to sound stern.

"No... Please... I want to call you Jeonnie. It's so cute, just like you," Taehyung responded with a playful smile.

"Cute? Me?" Jungkook scoffed lightly. "You're the cutest, Mr. Adorable." He reached out and wiped a chocolate stain from Taehyung's lips with his thumb.

Taehyung instinctively licked his lips, his tongue brushing where Jungkook's thumb had just been. Jungkook couldn't help but stare, his gaze fixed on Taehyung. His arm slid around Taehyung's slender waist, pulling him closer.

"You smell nice, Tae," Jungkook murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I took a bath twice," Taehyung confessed, his voice light. "That shampoo was so good." He suddenly leaned in, inhaling softly near Jungkook's neck. "You smell good too, Jeoni..."

Jungkook tightened his embrace, holding Taehyung close. "Are you okay with me, Tae?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

"Yes, I am... Are you okay with me?" Taehyung asked, his tone innocent and sincere.

"More than anything," Jungkook replied, his voice filled with warmth. "Let's sleep in my room."

"No, I..."

"I won't do anything," Jungkook reassured him gently. "And the bed is big enough for both of us."

"Okay..." Taehyung agreed softly, pulling away slightly. "Let me go," he said, gently pushing Jungkook's hands away before climbing onto the bed. "Come on, let's sleep, Jeoni," he said, patting the spot beside him.

Jungkook joined him, a beautiful smile lighting up his face.

********

"Leave it, Jiminie... Everything will be alright," Soobin said soothingly. "Good night."

"Good night," Jimin mumbled, his voice low. As Soobin left, Jimin's thoughts drifted. Hyung can't escape this family drama... but I can. I can help Tae more than hyung can,
he reflected, a small smile forming on his lips.

He closed his eyes, his mind replaying memories of Taehyung—the way his eyes sparkled with mischief, his infectious smile, and his adorable pouts. If Jungkook can’t stand up to the family, I’ll be there for you, Tae... always, Jimin vowed silently. The thought of Taehyung brought him comfort, and he resolved to be a steadfast support for him no matter what.

With that comforting thought, Jimin let sleep envelop him, ready to face whatever challenges awaited.