Ties of Fate

Reality

The morning sun streamed through the large windows of their bedroom, casting a warm golden hue. Taehyung stirred slowly, his mind caught in that delicate space between sleep and waking. The softness of the bed beneath him and the warmth beside him were a comfort, a reminder of where he was—home.

For a moment, he kept his eyes closed, savoring the quiet. He could hear the faint rustle of the curtains and the distant hum of the mansion waking up around them. But it was the steady rise and fall of Jungkook’s chest beside him that kept him still, their bodies naturally gravitating toward each other, as if they had been doing this for years.

Taehyung slowly opened his eyes, blinking against the sunlight. Jungkook was still asleep, his face relaxed, hair slightly tousled. He looked peaceful, almost boyish in the soft light. Taehyung smiled faintly, taking a moment to just watch him. There was something about seeing Jungkook like this—unguarded, vulnerable—that made Taehyung’s chest tighten with affection.

The teasing, the banter, the back-and-forth—they were all a part of their dynamic, but this? This quiet, shared intimacy was something Taehyung cherished deeply. It was in these moments that he felt closest to Jungkook, when the world outside seemed distant and irrelevant.

Careful not to disturb Jungkook, Taehyung shifted slightly, propping himself up on one elbow. He couldn’t help but reach out, his fingers brushing lightly across Jungkook’s cheek. The touch was featherlight, almost hesitant, as if he was afraid to wake him.

But Jungkook stirred at the contact, his eyelids fluttering before they opened slowly. He blinked a few times, his gaze still hazy with sleep, until his eyes focused on Taehyung.

A slow, lazy smile spread across Jungkook’s face. “Good morning,” he murmured, his voice rough from sleep.

Taehyung felt his heart skip at the sight of that sleepy grin. “Morning,” he replied softly, his fingers still lingering on Jungkook’s skin.

Jungkook reached up, his hand catching Taehyung’s and holding it gently against his cheek. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the silence between them comfortable and full of unspoken affection.

“You were staring,” Jungkook teased, his voice still low and groggy, but with a hint of his usual playfulness.

Taehyung’s cheeks warmed slightly, but he didn’t look away. “Maybe I was.”

Jungkook’s smile widened, and he pulled Taehyung down, their foreheads touching as he whispered, “I don’t mind.”

They stayed like that for a while, the morning stretching out lazily around them. Neither of them was in any rush to get up, to face the responsibilities of the day. It was as if time had slowed down just for them, allowing them this brief respite from the world.

But reality had a way of creeping back in. Eventually, Jungkook sighed, his thumb tracing idle patterns on the back of Taehyung’s hand. “We should probably get up. We have a lot to do today.”

Taehyung groaned softly, burying his face in Jungkook’s shoulder. “Can’t we just stay here?”

Jungkook chuckled, his chest rumbling beneath Taehyung. “As much as I’d love that, we need to get ready. Our families will be expecting us at the office soon.”

Taehyung sighed dramatically but knew he couldn’t argue. As much as he wanted to prolong this moment, the world outside their bedroom was waiting. They had business to attend to, meetings to sit through, and decisions to make. The honeymoon was well and truly over.

Reluctantly, they both got out of bed, the cool air of the room a sharp contrast to the warmth they had shared under the covers. Taehyung stretched, feeling the slight soreness in his muscles from their late-night activities. He caught Jungkook watching him, a smirk playing on his lips.

“You okay?” Jungkook asked, his tone teasing but with a hint of concern.

Taehyung shot him a look, though the blush on his cheeks gave him away. “I’m fine.”

Jungkook chuckled, clearly pleased with himself. “Good to know.”

They moved around the room, getting dressed for the day ahead. As Taehyung buttoned up his shirt, he couldn’t help but glance at Jungkook, who was already dressed and adjusting his watch. There was something about seeing Jungkook in his business attire—so composed, so confident—that made Taehyung’s stomach flutter.

As if sensing Taehyung’s gaze, Jungkook looked up, catching his eye. “What is it?”

Taehyung shook his head, smiling softly. “Nothing. Just... admiring you.”

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across his face. “I could say the same thing.”

Taehyung rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the smile that tugged at his lips. “Let’s just get this day over with.”

They headed downstairs, where breakfast had already been prepared by the mansion’s staff. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air, a welcome distraction from the impending business discussions that awaited them.

As they sat down to eat, Jungkook glanced over at Taehyung, his expression softening. “You know,” he said, his voice quieter now, “even with everything we have to deal with today, I’m glad we’re doing it together.”

Taehyung looked up, meeting Jungkook’s gaze. There was sincerity in his words, a reminder that no matter how overwhelming their responsibilities might be, they had each other. And that made all the difference.

“Me too,” Taehyung replied, his heart feeling lighter despite the day ahead.

With that, they finished their breakfast, ready to face whatever challenges the day might bring. Together, as always.