My love from the countryside ✅

chapter 23

As they arrived at the countryside, Jungkook couldn’t wipe the grin off his face as he looked up at the familiar house. The place that held so many memories, the one where he spent the happiest days of his youth—three months ago in this life. Everything felt so nostalgic, but now, there was a certain warmth, a feeling of completeness.

"Let's get to home," Taehyung said with a soft smile, extending his hand to Jungkook, who grabbed it immediately.

"And who’s going to carry the luggage?" Taehyung asked, looking at the younger with a teasing expression.

Jungkook blinked for a moment, clearly confused, before the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "You meanie!" he exclaimed, pointing a finger at Taehyung with mock anger.

Taehyung burst out laughing, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yeah, yeah, bratty bunny, I’m sure you’re used to having everything carried for you."

The playful banter felt so familiar, just like their first meeting, but now, Taehyung was in love with Jungkook’s bratty ways. He’d carry anything for the younger, even carry him if it came down to it.

With that, Jungkook dashed off like a little rabbit, sprinting into the house, already calling out, "Mumma! Mumma! Mumma!" His voice carried with excitement, and Mrs. Kim, who had been waiting anxiously inside, felt her heart swell with emotion at the sound of it.

“Oh my Koo is here, my piece of heart!” Mrs. Kim exclaimed, dashing down the stairs in a blur, and practically tackled Jungkook into a tight hug. She kissed his cheeks over and over again, a few tears escaping her eyes as she pulled him closer.

Taehyung stood in the doorway, a soft smile on his face, watching them, his heart warmed by the sight of the reunion.

But before he could even catch his breath, Mr. Jeon and Mr. Kim had finally arrived. Mr. Jeon stumbled into the house, looking absolutely miserable. He was holding his plastic toy gun as if it were the only thing keeping him from throwing up. He was nauseous after such long journey with the pinch of  his 'chase game '

“Oh gosh, I’m gonna throw up,” Mr. Jeon complained dramatically, his voice high-pitched as he collapsed onto the sofa, still clutching the plastic gun for dear life.

Mr. Kim rolled his eyes but couldn’t help chuckling. "You’re a grown man, Jeon, and you're acting like a child. Come on, pull yourself together." He set the toy gun down with a sigh, muttering, “I swear, I think you were more excited about the plastic gun than about being a father.”

Suddenly, Mrs. Kim walked over to Mr. Jeon, her expression turning serious. She grabbed his ear and twisted it lightly, her voice full of motherly authority. "Oppa, if you dare to put any pressure on my baby Koo, I am warning you, I will chop off your ears for sure," she said, her voice deadpan. "You’ve tortured my baby enough and then comes your 'chase game ."

Mr. Jeon yelped, trying to pull away, but Mrs. Kim held his ear firmly, her grip unyielding. "I swear, you’re  bratty not him ."

"Hey, that’s not fair," Mr. Jeon protested, grimacing. "I was just trying to add a little fun, you know?"

Mrs. Kim raised an eyebrow. "Fun? You call scaring my child with fake guns fun?" She let go of his ear and huffed, crossing her arms. "Next time, leave the villainous acts to the movies, okay?"

Mr. Jeon looked absolutely defeated but couldn’t help but laugh, realizing that he’d been outmatched once again.

Meanwhile, Jungkook, in his usual bratty fashion, was already causing chaos at the dinner table. The moment he saw the plate of veggies, he made a face and pushed them away, refusing to touch them.

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “Come on, koo. You know the drill.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes dramatically, putting on his best pout. “But hyungie ,I don’t want to eat these yucky veggies!” He crossed his arms over his chest, sticking his lip out in the most exaggerated way possible.

Taehyung let out a deep sigh, but there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Kookoo, you used to be so good about this, what happened?"

Jungkook stuck his tongue out at him, making a face. “I’ve outgrown it!” he said, as if that was a valid excuse.

Taehyung, ever patient, forced a bite of the veggies into Jungkook’s mouth, just like he used to do. Jungkook, with an exaggerated whine, tried to spit it out, but Taehyung held firm. “Eat it, Koo,” he said firmly, but his voice was laced with amusement.

The whole family watched in surprise as Jungkook, despite his antics, gave in and reluctantly chewed the veggies.

Everyone smiled ,  The bratty, cute Jungkook they all knew and loved was coming back to life.

After dinner, Mr. Kim and Mrs. Kim sat together on the couch, cuddling Jungkook between them. He sat there, squished between them, basking in the love and attention they showered on him, feeling right at home.

On the other side of the room, Mr. Jeon was sitting on the couch, happily munching on popcorn as he watched Fast and Furious for what felt like the thousandth time, still holding his plastic gun with excitement.

Taehyung, sitting alone, watched the scene with a mixture of longing and amusement. He didn’t mind that Jungkook was getting so much attention from his parents, but a small part of him wished they could spend some time together alone. With a small sigh, Taehyung gestured for Jungkook to come over to him, signaling for him to come to him .

Jungkook looked at him, then made a dramatic face, sticking out his tongue. A face that says “Nooo, I’m comfy here! You can wait!”

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, his patience running thin. He gestured again, this time with a bit more insistence. "Come on, Koo. Don’t leave me hanging."

Jungkook stuck his tongue out again, pretending to ignore him. Taehyung, not wanting to let this go, stood up and made his way over to the couch where Jungkook was sitting with his parents. He bent down, scooped Jungkook up in his arms with ease, and started to carry him toward the other side of the room.

Jungkook’s face immediately flushed bright red as he was carried like a child, especially in front of his now  in-laws. “Hyungie ” he squealed, his voice a mix of embarrassment and laughter. “Put me down!”

But Taehyung just grinned, lifting him higher. "You’re not getting away from me this time." He shot a playful look at Mr. Kim and Mrs. Kim, who both just laughed, their eyes filled with fondness.