𝐎𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚'𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝 [𝗄𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗏]

Chapter Eighteen

~~~

It had been fourteen years since Taehyung found his mate. Fourteen years of watching a small, fragile six-year-old grow into a formidable twenty-year-old man. In all that time, they had never been apart.

Taehyung made his way toward Jeongguk's room, his bare feet padding against the wooden floor. The midday sun filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the hallway.

It was nearly noon, yet Jeongguk was still in bed. Or at least, he should be.

Twisting the doorknob, Taehyung pushed the door open, stepping into the space that had always been so uniquely Jeongguk.

The room was large, with walls painted in deep shades of black and gray, exuding an aura of quiet dominance. A king-sized bed sat in the center, sheets slightly rumpled. A personal gym stood in one corner, weights stacked neatly, a punching bag hanging motionless.

Everything about the room screamed power—intimidating yet controlled. Just like him.

"Gguk?" Taehyung called softly, stepping toward the bed. The mattress was empty, the covers tossed aside, as if Jeongguk had left in a hurry.

Taehyung frowned, his eyes scanning the room until he heard the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. His shoulders relaxed slightly.

He hadn't left.

His gaze drifted to the nightstand beside the bed. Something was different. The usually tidy surface had shifted, revealing what looked like a locked compartment. His fingers brushed against the cool wood as curiosity flickered in his chest.

Without thinking, he reached beside the lamp, his fingers curling around a small silver key.

"Maybe this is it..." he murmured, bending down to inspect the lock.

Before he could insert the key, the bathroom door swung open.

Jeongguk stepped out, steam curling around his bare skin like a lover's touch. A towel hung low around his waist, droplets of water sliding down his sculpted chest, tracing the lines of hard muscle, disappearing beneath the fabric.

Taehyung froze.

His breath hitched, eyes darting up to Jeongguk's face. The younger's dark hair was damp, strands sticking to his forehead, making him look even more devastatingly handsome. He exuded warmth, freshly showered, his skin glowing under the dim lighting.

Jeongguk's sharp eyes landed on Taehyung instantly. His gaze flickered to the key in Taehyung's hand, then back to his face, something unreadable passing through his expression.

"What are you doing, hyung?"

His voice was husky, thick from sleep, and it sent an involuntary shiver down Taehyung's spine.

"I—I was just..." Taehyung swallowed, his throat suddenly dry.

He was caught.

Jeongguk took a slow step forward, his bare feet making no sound against the floor. His presence filled the room, overwhelming, intoxicating.

"You were just...?" Jeongguk echoed, his eyes never leaving Taehyung's.

Taehyung's fingers tightened around the key as Jeongguk neared, the air between them shifting, charged with something unspoken.

"I was curious," Taehyung admitted, his voice quieter now. "I didn't mean to invade your privacy."

Jeongguk tilted his head, amusement flickering in his gaze. "So you were trying to break into my drawer out of curiosity?"