MY ONLY BLUE ROSE

08 || A Birthday Surprise 🎉

Ten days later...

Jimin's return to Los Angeles a week ago had been a whirlwind, fueled by the desperate need to be by Jungkook's side after his sudden illness. The memory of his arrival was a blur, overshadowed by the fear and worry that had gripped him upon seeing Jungkook's pale, weakened form.

Little did Jungkook know that he had been the subject of silent, watchful care during his feverish slumber, a guardian angel in the form of Taehyung. He had no memory of the illness, oblivious to the gentle touch and hushed whispers that had eased him back to health.

Taehyung, meanwhile, had been haunted by the events leading up to Jungkook's illness. Stephanie and Fernzt, two of his employees, had been careless, their negligence directly contributing to Jungkook's sudden decline. His initial instinct had been to dismiss them immediately, a swift and decisive act to prevent a repeat of the horrifying experience. But Jungkook, in his usual clueless innocence, had pleaded for them to stay. He had no idea of the danger they posed, simply unaware of the reason behind Taehyung's sudden desire for their departure. "No reason, no dismiss," Jungkook had declared, his voice filled with an unyielding loyalty that Taehyung found both endearing and frustrating.

Taehyung had been left with no choice but to comply. He couldn't bring himself to defy Jungkook's request, but the incident had left a bitter aftertaste. He had warned Stephanie and Fernzt, his voice sharp with barely suppressed fury, that any further missteps would result in their immediate dismissal, a threat he intended to enforce with unyielding resolve. Jungkook's safety was paramount, and he would not hesitate to protect it.

Jungkook's recent grounding, a consequence of his late arrival home two days ago, felt like a personal tragedy. He'd been lost in the electrifying atmosphere of the senior basketball games, the cheers of his friends echoing in his ears, time melting away. When he finally realized his blunder, the weight of his mistake crashed down. His driver, ever patient, waited, but by then, Taehyung was already at his school, his expression a storm cloud of disapproval.

Taehyung's voice, laced with a sharp edge of worry, cut through the air like a whip. His words were a torrent, a storm of concern and responsibility. Jungkook shrank under the weight of Taehyung's righteous anger, but his brother didn't offer him solace.

Instead, Jimin's own voice, though quieter, carried an even sharper edge of disappointment. He, too, launched into a lecture, his words a relentless barrage of disapproval directed at Jungkook's reckless actions.

Taehyung, his anger simmering, saw the flicker of fear in Jungkook's eyes, the way his lip trembled slightly. It disarmed him. His words softened, the threat of harsher punishment dissolving in the face of that vulnerability. "Don't make me worry, Poupée," he said, a hint of tenderness replacing the earlier harshness.

The punishment, while not light, felt more like a reprimand than a true consequence. Jungkook would spend the entire week accompanying Taehyung while he worked from home.

It was a strange dynamic. Taehyung, with his swift reprimands and even quicker forgiveness, had somehow become Jungkook's unexpected guardian. Jimin was relegated to the role of stern advisor, while Taehyung, the unexpected savior, basked in Jungkook's adoration.

🎉🎉🎉

The mansion, usually a haven of calm, buzzed with an unfamiliar energy this morning. Taehyung's family and friends, a boisterous bunch, were already gathered, their laughter echoing through the halls. Taehyung, still half-asleep, groaned in irritation. "Why are they all here so early?" he mumbled, his annoyance escalating when he heard a familiar thump-thump-thump followed by a muffled "Hyung?"

He peeked out of his bedroom door, only to see Jungkook rushing down the stairs, his eyes wide and frantic. "Why did they wake him so early?" Taehyung sighed, his annoyance morphing into gentle amusement as he went back to his room to shower.