Resurgence ~VKOOK~

Chapter 12: A Moment Of Warmth

The mansion was quiet and still, shrouded in the heavy silence of the late hour. It was past midnight, the time Taehyung usually found himself alone in his home office, buried in work as the world outside slept. But tonight felt different—there was a restlessness in the air, a strange emptiness in the routine that tugged at him.

He glanced at the clock on his desk: 12:32 AM. Frowning, he realized what had been bothering him. His black coffee, perfectly brewed and paired with light snacks that Jungkook brought without fail every night, was missing. For the past month, this habit had developed as a result of Jungkook’s silent thoughtfulness. The younger boy would notice Taehyung’s fatigue and discreetly offer a snack and coffee as a gesture of care. Taehyung hadn’t expected it to become such a comforting ritual—a small reprieve amidst his long, grueling work hours. He didn’t usually crave snacks during his late-night sessions, but Jungkook’s presence and quiet attentiveness had changed that. Now, its absence was unsettling.

Pushing away from his desk, Taehyung stood up. “Where the hell is he?” he muttered under his breath, frustration flaring momentarily. It wasn’t like Jungkook to forget. Despite the late hour, Taehyung decided to head to the kitchen himself. Perhaps, he reasoned, he could grab something quickly and return before the irritation fully set in.

As he descended the staircase and approached the kitchen, a faint light spilled out from the doorway, accompanied by soft laughter. Surprised, Taehyung slowed his steps, coming to a stop just outside. Peering inside, he saw a sight that made him blink in confusion.

Jungkook sat at the kitchen table, flanked by the younger maids, Sara and Hana, and the elder maid, Yuna. They were gathered around a small cake, the soft glow of the kitchen lights casting a warm hue over their faces. Yuna, the kind, motherly figure of the household staff, was feeding Jungkook a piece of the homemade cake, her smile wide and genuine. The younger girls giggled as Jungkook tried to refuse politely, but his protests were half-hearted, his own smile radiant and shy.

The sight made something unfamiliar stir in Taehyung’s chest—something between surprise and… longing? He realized he had rarely seen Jungkook looking so unguarded, so free. Normally, the boy was composed, always focused on tending to Taehyung’s needs with unwavering dedication. There was a sense of genuine joy on his face now, a lightness that Taehyung couldn’t help but appreciate.

Jungkook’s ability to make people feel cared for was one of the traits Taehyung found himself growing strangely fond of. Even though he didn’t show it often, he had come to value Jungkook’s presence—his constant, thoughtful gestures, his quiet support, and the way he could intuitively sense Taehyung’s needs, filling in the gaps without being asked.

But as his gaze swept over the cozy scene, their laughter abruptly ceased. One by one, their heads turned towards the doorway, sensing his presence. The sudden tension was palpable, like a thread pulled taut.

“Sir!” Yuna exclaimed, her face paleing  as she rose to her feet. “I—we didn’t hear you come in…”

Taehyung stepped inside slowly, his gaze flicking to the cake and then to Jungkook, whose expression had shifted from joy to nervousness in an instant. “What’s going on?” he asked, voice calm yet curious.

The elder maid cleared her throat, glancing between her companions. “We were just… celebrating. It’s Jungkook’s birthday today, sir. He finally turned eighteen.”

For a moment, Taehyung stood still, absorbing the information. Jungkook’s birthday? He hadn’t known. The realization struck him with a strange pang, an odd mix of guilt and something he couldn’t quite place. His gaze shifted to Jungkook, who looked down, biting his lip as if expecting reprimand.