LUPIN STRIKES AGAIN

Has Kim Namjoon's pen run dry?

Avid readers of the young best-selling novelist Kim Namjoon must have been quite stunned to realize the bookshelves and aisle displays that were supposed to be filled with his new thriller, scheduled for release yesterday, have remained desperately empty. The publishing house has yet to return our calls or issue a statement regarding the untimely delay, which leads us to think perhaps, this is due to the Lupin curse.

♠

"Park Jimin?"

"Speaking."

"This is Inspector Jeon."

"Oooh. So you've read my piece."

"I have, and let me just say this: if you want this Holmes-Watson thing to work out, you better stop printing articles without consulting me first."

"OK. First of all. I called you last night to get your thoughts on this, but you weren't home. Again. Second of all. Did I hear that right? Are you willing to partner up?"

"Yes, I am."

"You're just saying that to be able to censor me."

"No. In fact, as a token of my sincerity, I'm going to let you in on a little theory I have."

"Hold on. I'm grabbing a pen."

"You won't need one."

"Why not?"

"It's off the record."

"Fine."

"I believe the more you write about Lupin, the more you actually serve his purpose."

"What? How so?"

"If he's looking for attention, and you're giving it to him, then who wins?"

"Oh, I see. But it's too late now. The readers are eating it up. The number of subscribers to the Thames has practically doubled!"

"I don't care. Quit causing a stir."

"OK. Fine. But then you have to give me something to do. Like a mission or whatnot."

"Why?"

"I'll need an alibi to explain why I'm not putting out any more Lupin stories."

"Alright. Let me think about it. Will you be in your office later on to-mmm—"

Jungkook had to shut his mouth tight to choke down the moan threatening to come out as a pair of warm lips began nipping at the skin right below his left ear.

"Huh? What was that?"

"No-nothing. I'm going to —I have to — call you back."

"Are you OK? Because it sounds like you're not."

"I'm f-fine," Jungkook managed to breathe out.

"It actually sounds like you're — panting. OH MY SWEET QUEEN OF HEARTS! YOU'RE NOT HOME, ARE YOU?!"

"W-what?"

"That's why you didn't get my message last night! You stayed at Kim Taehyung's, didn't you?"

Jungkook sworn he could have heard Jimin silently squealing at the other end of the line.

"On second thoughts, don't tell me! I don't need to know. You're a grown man, Inspector Jeon. You do what you want. With whom you want."

"Quit it, will you! I wasn't feeling well — because of the storm — nothing happened."

"Nothing you're saying makes any sense, but I'll let you two be."

And without as much as an au revoir, the journalist hung up, to Jungkook's relief. The hungry lips that had mistaken his throat for breakfast turned into a smirk. "'Morning Kookie."

"Tae, was that really necessary?"

Jungkook let out a whine as he stared at his bruised neck using the reflection of a butter knife. Claude tried to go unnoticed as he took the candlestick phone away, but our young detective was determined not to make things any more awkward than they already were. "Claude! A good morning to you! What a lovely — mustache you have today!"

Yet he failed.

"Thank you, Sir. Would you like some coffee with your brunch?"

"Brunch? What do you mean?"

Taehyung let out a sleepy chuckle. "It's almost noon, darling."

Jungkook choked on his toast. "What? Why didn't you wake me up?"

He figured at this point, whining was the only way to conceal his embarrassment at being given such a loving pet name. Tae looked puzzled. "For the fine sleuth I thought you were, you're not very observant. Can't you tell, by my dressing gown and my messy bed hair, that I was busy getting my beauty sleep? Besides, you obviously needed the rest."

He winked at him from across the dining table. The flustered Jungkook suddenly took a great interest in the slices of bacon that were now being served on his plate.

"Now spill the tea. Who is the lucky person who was blessed with the sound of your lovely morning voice before me?"

"I was talking to Park Jimin."

"The reporter?"

"You know him?"

"I know he's good."

"How so?"

"Not only did he get you to confirm you were with me last night, but now he knows something definitely happened between us."

"You're — not angry?"

"Why would I be?"

"You don't mind me talking to the press?"

Taehyung shrugged. "You must have your reasons."

"Tae, rest assured that the only reason I'm talking to Jimin is to avoid the publishing of any more nonsense. And the stealing of Intel. Besides, he doesn't work for the Midnight Star, which only prints rubbish."

"I thought the pictures were nice."

The detective was stunned. "So, you have seen them?"

"I have. People who say they don't read the tabloids are lying. Everybody loves gossip."

Jungkook put his cup of coffee down. He had no clue where this conversation was heading, but he had to get to the bottom of this thing that was going on between them. "Taehyung, please tell me. Is that what we are? Gossip-worthy?"

The other must have sensed the earnestness of the query for he, too, set down his cutlery. "I guess I should have informed you of this implicit agreement the tabloids and I have."

Jungkook felt his heart sink to the pit of his stomach. "What — agreement?"

"They can stalk me all they want when I'm out and about, but in exchange, they stay clear of my estate. Which is why you weren't mobbed when you came."

Tae's eyes filled with solicitude at the other's disquiet. So he added, "I can guarantee you nothing that happens here leaves this house — unless you want it to."

This was big. Huge in fact. The young detective finally mustered sufficient courage to look Taehyung in the eyes. "So you're telling me whether we make this official or not is up to me?"

"Absolutely."

Jungkook could have sworn something within his ribcage was presently somersaulting. "I have another question."

"Go ahead."

"I'm positive we are way past friendship now, but I'm not sure what to call this new ... territory."

Taehyung slowly got up from his seat and walked over to close the doors to the dining room. He then went around the table and wiggled his way onto Jungkook's lap. "Tae?"

The only answer he got was an orange marmalade-flavoured bittersweet smooch on the lips. That's when he knew he could kiss Taehyung every day and it would always taste different. He eagerly responded, reveling in the wave of tingles that made his heart pump and his hair stand on end. This felt good. This felt right. From his prickly skin to the butterflies in his tummy. But would it last? Did he have it in him to turn this budding passion into something else? Something ... better? As the kiss came to an end, both opened their slightly hooded eyes.

"Tae — I really want this to work out."

"Why shouldn't it?"

"I don't want to be one among many."

The other tilted his head. "Don't you know the scandal papers make money off their ability to inflate my not-so extravagant love life? Do you honestly believe I am the Casanova they portray me as?"

"I'm sorry. That's not what I meant."

Taehyung looked hurt. "You think I'm using you — playing with your feelings—"

He tried to wriggle his way out of the thick thighs he was still sitting on but Jungkook firmly pressed his hands on the other's waist. "Tae, wait! That's not at all what I think! You just mentioned feelings — so you admit there are feelings involved!"

Jungkook was desperate to find the right words. He sensed Tae's stiffness loosen a little and so did his grip. "You just called me darling and got me all abashed. But the truth is, I loved it. In fact, I love every single moment we spend together. And what I meant earlier was, I too want to see your bed hair and hear your raspy voice when I wake up. Every day."

Taehyung's sweet grin emboldened him to continue. "To be honest with you, I want to be the only one who gets to see you first thing in the morning."

The only retort he got this time was a soft peck on the lips. And in an instant, Tae was gone. "Wait! Aren't you going to share your thoughts and feelings regarding — us?"

Taehyung blew him a kiss from across the room. "I trust you'll figure them out soon enough."

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