SHOOT YOUR SHOT ;; TAEKOOK

12

"Alright," Taehyung inhaled deeply, inviting – and dragging – his 'calm' to come and work his beautiful, soothing spell on him. "What about this...? I agree to your terms, but only if you agree that I can work part-time while in college to help pay rent and other bills?"

Fan-flippin'-tastic! Surely he could not refuse this? This was fair. This was meeting in the middle. This – was a compromise.

Giving him a face that suggested Jungkook had just sniffed something rather foul, he responded, "Absolutely not."

Gah!

Insufferable man.

"Jungkook," Taehyung moaned, "Why on earth not? Please be reasonable! You can't expect me to leech off of you for the next four years?"

Jungkook cocked his head. "I most definitely do. Taehyung, I will not have you jeopardising your academics by working some menial, low-paying job when it is not essential. In fact, no working at all. What matters is that you concentrate on your studies. You are going through all of this to ensure that you further your education; why would you want to run yourself ragged and risk your grades slipping when there is no need to?"

"Jungkook, plenty of students—"

"I'm not interested in hearing about any other student, Taehyung," The older man interjected. "You are my only concern. I don't want to come out as a manipulative control freak; I think you're a wonderful young man with the world at his feet, and I never want to stampe your independence, but the answer remains no. Tell me, if your parents had enough money to send you to college and support you, would you work or would you choose to focus on your studies instead?"

Taehyung honestly felt like growling.

Trust Mr. Architect Extraordinaire to find the cracks that could pose a potential threat to any foundation.

"You can't argue that, Jungkook. It's different."

Jungkook cocked his head. "How so?"

Because I'm whoring myself out to you!

Taehyung shrugged, attempting to appear unconcerned. He didn't want to voice what he was thinking for fear of upsetting him. Jungkook didn't appear pleased with himself for calling someone a "whore" earlier in the evening.

"It's just the way it is."

Jungkook pressed his lips together and twirled his fingers through Taehyung's hair. "I don't think so. But, in any case, it's pointless. The answer remains the same. Taehyung, I want to look after you. Please don't argue with me about this."

Taehyung sighed, content with the feel of his fingers and the amazing sensations they were bringing. It was just so... nice to be near him. He couldn't come up with another word to describe it. Simply said, it was delightful.

Jungkook had a comfortable aura about him that he couldn't quite put his finger on. He wasn't sure what to make of his reactions, but he felt... safe, and almost... treasured. He had never genuinely experienced two things before.

Despite this, he remained a stranger to him. It was all quite alarming.

"It just doesn't feel right. I feel like I'm being selfish."

Jungkook gave him a sly grin. "How could you ever feel like that, Taehyung? When everything is being offered to you, you can't take advantage. I'm not concerned since I'm sure you'll want to stamp your foot at almost every turn. When there is an agreement in place that benefits both parties, it is not taking advantage."