CRIMSON LIES (TAEKOOK)

26. (GRANDKIDS)

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The house was unusually quiet, save for the occasional chirping of birds outside the window. Jin led Taehyung into the room with a casual “let’s talk,” leaving Jungkook and Namjoon alone in the living room. 

Jungkook, who had been suspicious from the moment his appa called Taehyung away, threw himself onto the couch with a dramatic groan. He adjusted twice before finally resting his head on Namjoon’s lap. Namjoon, seated like a sage, only raised an eyebrow at his son’s antics. 

“Comfortable?” Namjoon asked, his fingers automatically running through Jungkook’s hair. 

“Not really,” Jungkook muttered, closing his eyes. “I know appa's up to something. What could he possibly want to talk to *my boyfriend* about in private?” 

Namjoon smirked. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe he’s scolding Taehyung for corrupting you.” 

Jungkook snapped his eyes open, glaring up at his dad. “*Me*? Corrupted? I’m literally the innocent one in this relationship!” 

Namjoon raised a brow. “Innocent? You? The same Jungkook who used to climb trees to steal mangoes and blame the neighborhood kids?” 

“That was years ago!” Jungkook shot back, though a blush crept up his neck. 

Namjoon snorted, continuing to ruffle his hair. “Whatever you say, kid. But I’ll admit, I like him. He’s... refreshing.” 

Jungkook’s scowl softened into a small smile. “Yeah, he is, isn’t he?” 

Jungkook hummed. “It’s peaceful here... I forgot what that felt like.” 

Namjoon chuckled. “Maybe you should visit us more often. I’ll charge you rent next time for being a stranger.” 

“Dad, please, don’t ruin this moment,” Jungkook whined, but there was a playful grin on his face. 

Namjoon leaned back into the couch. “So... how serious are you about Taehyung?” 

Jungkook froze for a second, blinking up at the ceiling. “Why? Did appa say something to him in there? Oh God, is he threatening him? Please tell me he’s not offering him money to leave me.” 

Namjoon snorted. “Trust me, if Jin wanted Taehyung gone, he’d do something much more dramatic. Maybe fake an allergy to Taehyung’s cooking or set up a reality show-level scheme.” 

Jungkook groaned, covering his face. “That makes me feel worse!” 

Meanwhile, in the room, Taehyung was panicking. Jin’s serious face was giving him all sorts of bad vibes. As Jin sat down beside him, Taehyung jumped up from his seat like a spring. 

“Okay, I’ll say it before you do!” Taehyung blurted, his words tumbling out in a rush. “I’m not leaving Jungkook, no matter how much money you offer me! And even if you *did* offer me money, I wouldn’t take it—though it depends on how much—wait, no! I won’t take it!” 

Jin froze mid-motion, his face caught somewhere between confusion and disbelief. “What are you talking about?” 

Taehyung, now thoroughly flustered, waved his hands around. “I-I mean, isn’t this the part where you tell me to leave your son because I’m not good enough for him?” 

For a moment, there was silence. Then Jin burst out laughing—his iconic windshield-wiper laugh that left him doubled over and clutching his stomach. Taehyung stood there, mortified, as Jin struggled to catch his breath. 

“Oh my God,” Jin wheezed, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. “You really *have* been watching too many K-dramas. Do I look like the villainous chaebol parent to you?”