TROUBLE 38

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The living room was a total mess

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The living room was a total mess.

Two empty juice boxes lay crushed on the floor. Chips had somehow made their way between the couch cushions, and two pairs of mismatched socks had been kicked off in opposite corners of the room. The TV screen flashed rapidly with colorful graphics and loud sound effects, announcing the end of yet another match.

"NOOOOOOOO!" Jungkook shouted dramatically, flinging his controller down like it had personally betrayed him. "You cheated!"

Taehyung threw his head back, cackling. "What? How does dodging your badly-timed attacks count as cheating?"

"You picked the same character twice!"

"There's no rule against that!" Taehyung grinned, leaning back smugly, arms crossed like a champion awaiting his crown.

Jungkook huffed, plopping onto the floor, legs sprawled out as he reached for the chips again. "I hate playing with you."

"No you don't," Taehyung said, leaning over to steal a chip and pop it into his mouth before Jungkook could smack his hand away. "You love it when I'm not making you solve calculus problems all day."

"That's true," Jungkook mumbled through a mouthful. "This version of you is way cooler than Teacher Taehyung."

Taehyung chuckled and leaned back into the couch. "Yeah, well... Teacher Taehyung has been dealing with two chaotic gremlins for weeks. Let him rest."

"I am resting," Jungkook pointed out, sprawling like a cat on the floor, arms stretched above his head. "This is the best post-exam feeling ever."

Taehyung smiled. His little brother looked so at peace—no stress lines on his forehead, no grumbling about practice papers or formulas. Just a happy, goofy kid enjoying his break.

But then he checked the time.

"Alright," Taehyung said, voice gentle but firm. "Let's sleep, baby. It's already really late."

Jungkook peeked at him with one eye open. "But hyuuung, just one more round."

"No, no more rounds." Taehyung was already getting up, stretching his arms. "You need rest. You've earned it."

Jungkook groaned, flopping onto his stomach like a defeated pancake. "Why are you like thissssss?"

"Because I love you and I don't want you to be a zombie tomorrow."

"I'll be a handsome zombie."

Taehyung snorted and walked over to nudge him with his foot. "Come on, you brat."

"Only if you sleep with me," Jungkook mumbled, rolling onto his back again, eyes blinking up at him.

Taehyung paused. Then gave him a small, tired smile. "Yeah, alright. Let's go."

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