Melting Softly [[Taekook]]

Chapter 1

Jeon Jungkook woke up to the golden morning light streaming through the grand windows of his bedroom. The room, adorned with elegant furnishings and the finest luxury, felt vast and foreign to him, even after Ten years of living in the Min mansion. Everything gleamed with polished perfection, but he never quite felt at home amidst the opulence. The silk sheets rustled as he sat up, running a hand through his tousled dark hair. With a quiet sigh, he slipped out of bed and padded toward the adjoining bathroom.

He washed up quickly, the cold water splashing against his face helping to clear the remnants of sleep. As he brushed his teeth, his eyes caught his reflection; a young man soon be 21 old,1m78 with soft, round features, but a guarded, impenetrable expression. People had always found his face beautiful and handsome at the same time , yet his aura was distant and cold, a defense mechanism he'd perfected over the years.

Jungkook pulled on a black oversized hoodie, underneath a black shirt well tucked,the fabric swallowing his frame, paired with faded grey-black jeans. He laced up his black shoes, grabbed his backpack, and took a deep breath before heading downstairs. Today was his first day at the new university, transferred in the middle of the semester by his grandfather's orders.

Jungkook remained unsettled, haunted by memories of his past. The bullying he'd faced at his previous university still lingered, the words and taunts cutting deeper than he let on with his childhood bad memories. He had kept most of it to himself, but his grandfather eventually found out, and within days, Jungkook had been transferred. His grandfather's actions, though stern, had stemmed from a place of concern, but the cold exterior the old man maintained made it hard for Jungkook to feel safe

It was his grandfather's way of protecting him, though Jungkook knew better than to expect a gentle expression of care from the old man.

The familiar tension gripped his chest as he descended the wide staircase. The scent of a warm, hearty breakfast filled the air, but it did little to soothe his nerves. The grand dining hall came into view, where his grandfather, the head of the Min family, sat at the head of the long table. His uncle and aunt were seated nearby, their eyes lighting up when they saw him.

Jungkook hesitated, his fingers tightening around the strap of his backpack. His grandfather's presence, stern and overbearing, always made his pulse race with fear. The older man's gaze, though never outright hostile, held a strictness that Jungkook had never been able to shake. His aunt noticed the tension immediately and walked over with a gentle smile.

"Jungkook-ah," she said softly, her hand slipping into his and pulling him gently toward the table. Her warmth was a contrast to the coldness he felt inside. "Come, sit and have breakfast. You need your energy for today."

Jungkook let himself be guided to a chair, sitting down as his aunt served him a steaming plate of food. He picked at it slowly, eating bit by bit, the silence heavy around him. His uncle and aunt had already finished their meal but stayed by his side, quietly waiting, not wanting to rush him.

The air was thick with unspoken words, but no one pressured Jungkook. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he put down his fork, having eaten just enough. His grandfather stood up, his movements measured, and fixed Jungkook with a stern look.

"Let's go. We'll be late," his grandfather said, his voice low and commanding.

Jungkook flinched ever so slightly but quickly rose to his feet. He kept his eyes downcast, nodding without protest. Before he could take another step, his uncle placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. The warmth seeped through the thick fabric of Jungkook's hoodie, and he looked up to meet his uncle's kind gaze.

"Jungkook, son," his uncle said, his voice gentle but firm, "Yoongi will be there. He left early for basketball training, so you won't be alone. Don't be scared, all right?" His uncle leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Jungkook's forehead, a small act of affection that made Jungkook's throat tighten with emotion.

Jungkook nodded slowly, not trusting himself to speak. He turned and followed his grandfather, keeping his head bowed as he walked. The car ride was as silent as a tomb. Jungkook sat beside his grandfather in the luxury car, the plush leather seats offering no comfort. The driver maneuvered the vehicle smoothly through the streets, but Jungkook's heart thumped loudly in his chest, the tension thickening with every passing second.

The car pulled up to the university entrance, and Jungkook stepped out, feeling the cool morning breeze brush against his skin. As he followed his grandfather, he couldn't help but look around, his eyes wide with awe. Everything felt larger-than-life: the towering university buildings, the crowds of students bustling through the courtyard, and the palpable energy in the air. Despite trying to maintain his cold expression, there was an unmistakable curiosity in the way he took in his surroundings, like a child seeing something new for the first time.

They walked through the corridors, Jungkook's shoes barely making a sound on the polished floors. Suddenly, a burst of loud cheers and laughter echoed through the hall, making him stop in his tracks. He turned his head to see the source of the commotion.

Two boys had just stepped out of a sleek, expensive car, drawing everyone's attention. The first was around 174 to 175 cm tall, his lean, toned build evident even under his stylish clothes. His soft features lit up with a wide smile, full lips parting in laughter, and his expressive eyes seemed to sparkle in the morning light. His fluffy, light brown hair framed his face, accentuating his playful yet gentle demeanor.

Beside him stood the second boy, taller at around 179 cm, exuding an effortlessly confident aura. He had a striking, ethereal appearance: sharp, defined features, deep brown eyes that seemed to draw you in, and full lips that curved into a knowing smirk. His wavy dark hair fell in a way that looked unbothered yet perfect, adding to his allure. Both were dressed in rich, classy attire, sunglasses perched on their noses, looking every bit like celebrities.

Jungkook found himself staring, momentarily captivated by the boys' presence and the way they commanded the attention of everyone around them. The loud cheers, the laughter, and the way people gravitated toward them-it was like a scene from a movie.

His grandfather's voice broke the spell. "Tsk, these brats," he muttered, the disdain clear in his tone. Without pausing to wait, he continued walking toward the principal's office, his stern demeanor unshaken by the spectacle. Jungkook quickly composed himself, his cold expression slipping back into place as he silently followed his grandfather, his face carefully blank, betraying none of the thoughts or feelings churning inside him.

At the principal's office, Jungkook's grandfather strode in with an air of authority. The principal stood up from behind his polished desk, offering a warm, respectful greeting. "Welcome, Mr. Min Young-soo," he said, his voice carrying a tone of admiration.

Jungkook sat quietly next to his grandfather, his expression composed and unreadable, while his grandfather handled all the formalities. Introductions were made, and the principal explained a few rules and expectations. Jungkook stayed silent, letting the older men talk, his hands clasped tightly in his lap.

Finally, his grandfather turned to him, his gaze icy and unyielding. "Study well," he commanded, the words curt and devoid of any warmth. Without another glance, he left the office, leaving Jungkook behind.

Jungkook stood up, clutching the campus map and a stack of letters he had to hand to his teachers, each explaining that he was new and had been transferred. He felt the weight of his grandfather's expectations settle heavily on his shoulders as he stepped out of the office and into the bustling hallway.

As he was navigating his way through the crowd, focused on deciphering the map in his hands, a sudden force from behind threw him forward. Before he could react, he found himself crashing face-first onto the floor, his backpack slipping from his shoulder. A heavy weight landed on top of him, pinning him down and making it impossible to move.

His face was pressed uncomfortably against the polished tiles, and the sudden pain made his eyes water. Jungkook groaned internally, his cheek burning with embarrassment as he lay trapped under the unexpected intruder.

...//...

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