THE CONCUBINE || TAEKOOK ||

TWENTY NINE

In the early morning, Taehyung was half-asleep when he felt an arm slowly slide around his waist. A warm breath brushed against the back of his neck, sending a sudden chill down his spine. His body stiffened in surprise.

He turned around immediately.

Jungkook was lying beside him on the bed, a soft smile playing on his lips.

His familiar bunny smile.

He looked just as Taehyung remembered—handsome, calm, and unreal—dressed in black winter clothes that covered him from neck to toe, as if he had stepped straight out of Taehyung’s longing rather than reality.

Taehyung stared at him for a long moment, afraid to blink. Slowly, hesitantly, he reached out and pinched Jungkook’s cheeks—once, then again.

“Ow,” Jungkook hissed lightly, chuckling. “Tae… that hurts.”

That was all Taehyung needed.

Realising this wasn’t a dream, Taehyung surged forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Jungkook, burying his face into his chest as if afraid he might disappear again. His shoulders trembled as he held on, breathing him in.

Jungkook’s arms came around him instantly, firm and warm, pulling him closer. He pressed his forehead against Taehyung’s hair and closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Jungkook murmured. “I made you wait for so long… I shouldn’t have left like that.”

Taehyung shook his head against Jungkook’s chest, his voice muffled. “I thought you weren’t coming back.”

Jungkook tightened his hold. “Never that. Not in this lifetime.” He pulled back just enough to look at Taehyung’s face, his thumb brushing gently under Taehyung’s eye. “Forgive me, Tae.”

Taehyung swallowed, eyes glossy, then nodded slowly. “Just… don’t leave again.”

Jungkook leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Taehyung’s forehead, lingering there a little longer than necessary. “I’m here,” he whispered. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Taehyung only shook his head and snuggled closer into Jungkook’s neck, his arms tightening around him. The warm brush of Taehyung’s breath against his skin made Jungkook’s own breath hitch.

He hadn’t expected this—not from Taehyung, who was always so shy when it came to skinship, always the first to pull away, to hide.

But did Jungkook mind?

Not at all.

A small smile curved onto his lips as he wrapped his arms around Taehyung even tighter, pulling him closer until there was no space left between them. They fit together effortlessly, bodies molded into each other’s embrace, as if they had been meant to be like this all along.

For a while, the world simply faded away. No past, no fear, no unanswered questions—just warmth, steady heartbeats, and the comfort of being safe in each other’s arms.

After some time, they slowly loosened their hold, becoming aware of how they were lying.

Taehyung was on top of Jungkook.