Bloody MooN

~10~

The boys sat quietly near the edge of the clearing, hidden by the tall grass, observing the younger versions of their parents. The sight was surreal—like watching a movie unfold, but with actors they knew all too well.

“Wow,” Heeseung muttered, his eyes fixed on the scene before them. “Is Dad really standing there grinning like that? What is he even doing with his hair?”

Jake leaned closer, squinting at the younger version of J-Hope, their dad. “I think it’s supposed to be cool? Maybe? No, I don’t get it either.”

“Forget that. Look at uncle Taehyung,” Ni-ki whispered, pointing at the confident figure leaning casually against the pack house wall. “Why does he look like he owns the whole world?”

“Because he probably thought he did,” Sunoo said, rolling his eyes. “Papa says Uncle Tae was always dramatic.”

“And flirty,” Jungwon added, sighing as they all turned to watch Taehyung in action.

“You know, Jungkook-ah,” Taehyung said, his deep voice practically dripping with charm, “you could make a whole forest jealous with how you glow in the sunlight.”

Jungkook crossed his arms, his cheeks tinting pink. “Don’t you ever get tired of hearing yourself talk, Taehyung?”

“Why would I, when I can see that cute little blush of yours?” Taehyung replied with a wink.

"Uncle Jungkook is blushing,” Jay muttered, his voice incredulous.

“He does that,” Jungwon said, trying to sound unfazed but failing to hide his own embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Jimin marched onto the scene, his sharp gaze fixed on Taehyung. “Kim Taehyung, could you, for once, stop being so insufferable?”

“What did I do now, Jimin?” Taehyung asked innocently, his smirk giving away that he knew exactly what he’d done.

“You know what you did,” Jimin snapped. “Jungkook deserves better than someone who flirts with everyone they meet!”

Sunoo gasped softly. “Papa’s so protective!”

“Yeah, because Uncle Tae’s ridiculous,” Jake said, laughing under his breath.

“Jimin, relax.” The cheerful voice of Jihyo, cut through the tension as she walked over. “I think it’s cute.”

“Cute?” Jimin whirled around, glaring at her. “How can you call this cute? Taehyung is the worst!”

“He’s not the worst,” Jihyo argued, a knowing smile on her face. “He just likes Jungkook.”

Jungkook groaned, rubbing his temples. “Why do I even hang out with you two?”

“Because we’re your best friends,” Jimin and Jihyo said in unison, though their tones couldn’t have been more different.

Ni-ki stifled a laugh. “Uncle Jimin’s really serious about this.”

“He always is,” Sunoo said proudly. “Papa protects the people he loves.”

Jay crossed his arms. “I still think it’s funny how Uncle Jimin thinks uncle Jungkook needs protecting when Uncle Tae clearly only has eyes for him.”

“Yeah, but look at Papa,” Jungwon said, pointing at the younger Jungkook. “He’s so… shy.”

“Was he always like that?” Heeseung asked, tilting his head.

Sunghoon tapped Jungwon’s arm and signed: Maybe because he didn’t know how to handle Dad yet.

Jungwon smiled faintly. “Probably.”

The boys continued to watch as Jimin and Taehyung bickered, with Jungkook awkwardly caught in the middle.

“Heeseung, Jake, look at your Dad,” Karina said suddenly, nodding toward the younger version of J-Hope, who was chatting animatedly with Jihyo nearby. “Is it just me, or does he look like he’s trying too hard to impress your Mom?”

“He’s always trying too hard,” Heeseung replied, shaking his head. “But at least it works for him.”

“It’s so weird seeing them like this,” Jake said, rubbing the back of his neck. “They’re so… different.”

“Not that different,” Ni-ki pointed out. “My Dad’s still super serious.”

“And your Papa still glares at Uncle Tae every five seconds,” Jake added, grinning at Sunoo

As they watched, the younger Taehyung leaned closer to Jungkook, lowering his voice. “Jungkook, you can keep pretending you don’t like me, but I know the truth.”

Jungkook took a step back, crossing his arms. “And what truth is that?”

“That you’ve already fallen for me,” Taehyung said, his grin widening.

The boys collectively groaned, and Jungwon buried his face in his hands. “Dad, please stop,” he muttered under his breath, even though he knew the younger Taehyung couldn’t hear him.

Sunoo giggled. “I think it’s sweet.”

“It’s something,” Jay said, rolling his eyes.

Sunghoon tugged at Jungwon’s sleeve and signed: Do you think they’d believe us if we told them how they end up?

Jungwon glanced at his brother, then back at their parents. “Not a chance.”

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