Busan Express [Taekook]

58. Ex-Factor Chaos

Taehyung's brows furrowed in worry as he pressed Jungkook again, his voice soft but insistent, "Kookie, who is it? Why are you hiding?"

Jungkook's gaze flicked toward him as if caught off guard before he muttered, "It's Jin Hyung"

Taehyung blinked, the name stirring something in his memory. "Jin?" His face lit up as recognition dawned on him. "Oh, wait... Kim Seokjin? The model? Isn't he your ex?"

Jungkook nodded, a mix of amusement and bewilderment flashing across his face. Normally people get awkward or even angry when their partner's ex is mentioned, but not Taehyung. Of course not Taehyung. His husband's enthusiasm was uncontainable.

Taehyung's eyes sparkled with genuine excitement. "Why are you hiding from him?" His voice pitched higher, as though he was thrilled by the drama of it all.

Jungkook rubbed the back of his neck, still somewhat baffled by Taehyung's reaction. "He, uh... he told me to invite him to our wedding, but everything happened so suddenly, and he was abroad, so I couldn't." Jungkook let out a sigh. "Now I'm sure he's going to chew me out for it."

Taehyung chuckled, clearly entertained. "I want to meet him, Kookie! Come on, let's not hide—he's coming towards us!" Without hesitation, Taehyung lifted his hand and waved enthusiastically at Seokjin, who was making a beeline for them.

Jungkook's heart nearly jumped into his throat when he spotted Seokjin storming toward him. He could already tell by the intense look on his Hyung's face that this was going to be painful.

After Jungkook forgave Seokjin they realized they were better off as friends, and instead of holding on to old grudges, they embraced the opportunity to rebuild their relationship on a stronger, more stable foundation. Now, they are great friends who genuinely care for one another, both happy to leave the past behind.

"Jungkook!" Seokjin boomed, immediately launching into a full-scale rant. "Seriously?! Did you forget I existed? No invitation?! Who does that?"

Jungkook tried to speak, his hands flying up in surrender. "Hyung, I—"

But Seokjin wasn't done. "I wanted to be present at your wedding! You didn't even send me a 'Hey, by the way, I'm getting married' message?"

Jungkook blinked, his mouth slightly ajar. "...Hyung, I can expla—"

"No, no, no. No explanations!" Seokjin's arms waved like a man possessed as if swatting away Jungkook's weak attempts at reasoning. "I am beyond words! You didn't even think to—"

"Wait, wait!" Taehyung stepped forward with a bright smile, sliding in between them like a diplomat at a peace summit. "It's not his fault! Our wedding was so last minute and you were abroad! We barely had time to breathe, let alone send invites. Isn't that right, Kookie?" he said, tossing Jungkook a look like a lifeline.

Jungkook blinked, momentarily stunned by how sweetly Taehyung had swooped in to save him. "Y-Yeah! Exactly! Hyung, I swear, I didn't mean to—"

Seokjin's mouth pressed into a thin line as he took a deep breath. His arms dropped to his sides. "...Fine. I guess I'll let it slide this time," he grumbled, He glanced at Taehyung and finally extended his hand as if conceding defeat. "Kim Seokjin. I'm his-," he said but was cut off by Taehyung.

"I know!" Taehyung chirped, shaking his hand with gusto. "You're Kookie's ex! Kim Seokjin, the model! I've seen your pictures. You're even more handsome in person!"

Jungkook nearly choked on his saliva. Did Taehyung just...? He watched the exchange, his eyes wide, unable to comprehend how cheerful and bizarrely enthusiastic his husband sounded about meeting his ex. Wasn't Taehyung supposed to be at least a little weirded out? But no. It was Taehyung, so of course, nothing could be ordinary about him.