TAMING THE CHAOS

Chapter 16: Messy Relationship, Perfect Match

Jungkook stormed into his apartment, slamming the door behind him. His sweater sleeves were pushed up, and frustration rolled off him in waves. Taehyung followed, calm but determined, his scent thick with pine and amber, trying to ground them both.

“Why do you always have to be so stubborn?” Taehyung asked, shutting the door more gently behind him.

Jungkook whipped around. “Me? You’re the one acting like a possessive idiot! I told you not to interfere at work!”

Taehyung crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. “The guy was flirting with you. What was I supposed to do? Stand there and watch him undress you with his eyes?”

“You were supposed to trust me,” Jungkook shot back, hands clenched into fists at his sides. His chest heaved, emotions swirling. “I can handle myself, Taehyung. I don’t need you hovering over me like some kind of alpha bodyguard.”

Taehyung took a deep breath, his gaze softening for a moment before frustration flickered back. “I trust you, baby. But I don’t trust them.”

Jungkook scoffed, rolling his eyes. “This is exactly what I mean. You can’t keep jumping in every time someone so much as looks at me. I have a job, Taehyung! I don’t need saving!”

Taehyung stepped closer, towering over Jungkook, but his touch was gentle when he reached out to tilt Jungkook’s chin. “I know you don’t need saving. But you’re mine, and it drives me crazy when someone acts like they have a chance with you.”

Jungkook shoved his hand away, though his heart thudded at the possessive words. “Well, maybe if you keep acting like this, they will have a chance.”

The second the words left his mouth, Jungkook regretted them. Taehyung’s expression darkened, his hands dropping to his sides.

“So that’s what you think?” Taehyung whispered, his voice low with hurt. “That I’m the problem?”

Jungkook groaned, rubbing his face. “No. That’s not what I meant. I just…” He let out a frustrated breath, his emotions a tangled mess. “You overwhelm me sometimes, okay? It’s a lot to handle.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, both of them simmering with unspoken feelings.

“I overwhelm you?” Taehyung said quietly, hurt flashing across his features before he masked it with a wry smile. “You think it’s easy for me, Jungkook? You drive me insane half the time. One minute, you’re pushing me away; the next, you kiss me like I’m the only thing you want.”

Jungkook blinked, guilt creeping in. “I know,” he muttered. “I know I’m not easy to deal with.”

Taehyung stepped even closer, until their chests were almost touching. His amber-and-pine scent grew heavier, wrapping around Jungkook like a warm embrace. “Do you know why I put up with it?”

Jungkook’s throat tightened. “Why?”

“Because I love you,” Taehyung said, his voice unwavering. “With all your chaos, all your stubbornness, all your stupid little mind games. I love every damn bit of it.”

Jungkook’s breath caught, the sincerity in Taehyung’s words making his heart ache. “You’re crazy.”

Taehyung smiled, soft and teasing. “Only about you.”

Jungkook’s anger melted, replaced by something warm and vulnerable. He let out a shaky laugh. “I’m a mess.”

“Yeah,” Taehyung agreed, brushing a thumb across Jungkook’s cheek. “But you’re my mess.”

Jungkook exhaled, leaning into Taehyung’s touch despite himself. “I hate how much I like you.”

Taehyung grinned, tilting his head as he leaned down. “Admit it, baby. You love me.”

Jungkook huffed, but his lips twitched upward. “Maybe.”

“That’s good enough for me,” Taehyung murmured before pressing a soft kiss to Jungkook’s forehead.

Later, they lay on the couch, Jungkook curled against Taehyung’s chest, both of them too tired to move. The argument felt like a distant memory, replaced by the easy comfort of being together.

Jungkook traced lazy patterns on Taehyung’s hand, his voice quiet. “I’m still mad at you.”

Taehyung chuckled, brushing his lips against Jungkook’s hair. “That’s okay, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”

Jungkook sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Good.”

Because as messy as their relationship was, it felt right. And for the first time in a long while, Jungkook felt like he belonged exactly where he was—right there, in Taehyung’s arms.

Jungkook shifted slightly, resting his head against Taehyung’s chest. Taehyung's fingers ran soothingly through his soft hair, each touch deliberate, almost addicting.

“You’re really annoying, you know that?” Jungkook murmured, though his words lacked any real heat.

Taehyung smiled against the top of Jungkook’s head. “And you’re adorable when you’re pretending to be mad.”

Jungkook scoffed but didn’t pull away. The steady beat of Taehyung’s heart beneath him was too comforting to resist. “You always think you’re right.”

“That’s because I usually am,” Taehyung teased, placing a kiss on Jungkook’s temple.

Jungkook gave a half-hearted grumble, but his hand rested against Taehyung’s chest, his thumb tracing slow circles. “You’re impossible.”

Taehyung grinned, loving how easily Jungkook fit against him, even in moments like this. “And yet, here you are, in my arms.”

There was a moment of quiet, filled only with the gentle hum of the city outside and the soft rhythm of their breathing.

“Taehyung?” Jungkook’s voice was quieter this time, hesitant.

“Yeah?” Taehyung whispered, sensing the shift in his tone.

Jungkook lifted his head just enough to look him in the eyes. “What if I really am too much for you?”

Taehyung’s gaze softened, and he cupped Jungkook’s face, his thumb brushing lightly over his cheek. “You’re not. You could never be too much for me, Jungkook.”

Jungkook blinked, feeling his throat tighten. He hated how easily Taehyung could get under his skin, hated how sincere he sounded.

“And even if you were,” Taehyung continued, his voice low and steady, “I’d still choose you. Every time.”

Jungkook stared at him for a long moment, his heart thudding painfully in his chest. Then, without thinking, he leaned up and kissed Taehyung—a kiss that was soft, full of love.

When they finally pulled away, Taehyung smiled down at him, his amber-and-pine scent wrapping around them both like a warm embrace.

“I’m a little crazy, remember?” Taehyung whispered. “You’re stuck with me, baby.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes, but the small smile on his lips betrayed him. “Yeah, well… you better keep up.”

Taehyung laughed softly, pulling Jungkook even closer. “Always.”

And for the first time, neither of them needed to pretend—this messy, chaotic thing between them felt like home.

***