𝐎𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚'𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝 [𝗄𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗏]

Chapter Twenty Two

~~~

After 21 long months away from his hyung, Jeongguk finally exhaled in relief as he zipped up his suitcase, his fingers lingering on the zipper as if sealing away every moment he had spent apart.

A stupid, lovesick grin stretched across his face, his dimples appearing as he whispered under his breath, "I'm coming."

His heart thumped with anticipation, his mind already racing ahead—imagining Taehyung's face when he saw him again. Would he be surprised? Annoyed? Happy? Would he finally...

"To be honest I missed Beauty too" Justin snorted.

"Stop calling him beauty you ass"

From the couch, Jaehyun, sprawled out like a lazy king, took a long drag from his cigar, the smoke curling lazily around his head.

His legs were crossed, one arm slung over the back of the couch like he had all the time in the world.

He exhaled, watching Jeongguk with amused, knowing eyes. "Damn, bro. Didn't know you had a long-distance lover."

Jeongguk, still caught in his thoughts, blinked. Then his eyes narrowed. "Shut up."

Jaehyun smirked, tapping the ash into an empty beer can on the floor. "So, this 'hyung' of yours... You're really that excited to go back home just for him?"

Jeongguk snorted as he folded that black hoodie and shoved it into his suitcase. "Well, yeah."

Jaehyun raised an eyebrow, the smirk never leaving his lips. "Couldn't be me." He leaned back, stretching, his muscles flexing as he cracked his neck.

"I'm staying right here. Not interested in finding my mate. The last thing I need is some stranger walking into my life and ruining my peace."

Jeongguk zipped up his second suitcase, barely paying him any attention. "Same, man. Finding my mate? Not even on my to-do list. I'm going back for my hyung."

Jaehyun, at first, nodded, as if he accepted the answer. Then he paused, his smirk growing wider. His gaze sharpened like a cat who had just spotted an easy prey.

"You sure it's not because you're madly in love with this hyung?"

Jeongguk's hands stilled.

Jaehyun grinned, sitting up. "The way your eyes sparkle when you talk about him... damn, it's actually kinda cute. You're like a schoolgirl with a crush."

Jeongguk's eye twitched. He turned, expression blank, but his fingers were curling into fists. "You need to stop talking."

Jaehyun ignored the warning. "Listen, bro. Age is just a number. My last girlfriend was 45—"

Jeongguk didn't let him finish. His fist flew so fast Jaehyun barely had time to register the movement before—

BAM.

A solid punch landed on Jaehyun's face.

Jaehyun yelped, stumbling backward, his cigar flying out of his mouth as he lost his balance. He flailed, knocking over the coffee table, sending empty snack wrappers and beer cans rolling across the floor.

And then, with a loud thud, he crashed onto the ground—taking the couch down with him.

There was a long, stunned silence.

Then—

"The fuck, Jeon?!" Jaehyun groaned, clutching his nose, which was now slightly red. "I think you broke my face!"