own it (it's yours) - taekook/vkook

chapter 9 ‼️

The drive to Jeongguk's house was relatively quiet—well, not Jeongguk's house, more like his father's house since that's where they're going to be staying for the night—and the older male doesn't force him to speak or to tell him what's going on. Jeongguk just reaches over and interlaces his fingers with Taehyung's own, rubbing soothing circles against the soft skin, and that was enough for Taehyung to let him breathe for a second.

Taehyung falls asleep fifteen minutes into the car ride, already leaning on the window while quietly clinging onto Jeongguk's hand, while the older male continues to drive carefully with one hand. It isn't too late yet, meaning there are still lots of cars outside and a lot of people walking on the sidewalk.

Almost an hour into the car ride, they arrive in his father's house with Taehyung still fast asleep. His father's house may be small but it's located in a secluded and secured village, and that doesn't define the money he gets from his photos because now, he's earning a shit ton.

The reason why he doesn't want this house demolished and renovated to a better and more modern one, that's something Jeongguk doesn't know. But he's got a hunch.

That maybe because this is where Jeongguk grew up and this was the house his mom, Jihye, bought after getting married with his father, Jonghyuk. At that time, his dad didn't have a stable job compared to Jihye, always having to post advertisements of his photos online but still getting three to four customers in every six months.

But that's just a hunch and he's too afraid of the answer to ask his father about it to confirm.

"Tae?" Jeongguk murmurs, unbuckling his seatbelt as gently as he can and turning to his side to face the younger male. He reaches out, caressing the other's cheek softly. "Hey, baby, wake up. We're here."

Taehyung doesn't move, just lets out soft puffs of breaths every now and then while he continues with his slumber. The older male flaunts a weak smile at the sight of Taehyung pouting a bit, lips jutting out, while leaning on the car's window and clutching onto Jeongguk's fingers tightly.

Jeongguk shifts, so that he's able to move comfortably while trying to wake the younger up. "Tae, wake up." He gently caresses the other's cheek, smiling when Taehyung only moves away from him, grimacing at the disturbance.

"Baby," Jeongguk tries, once again, because he swears to God that if the younger male doesn't wake up then he won't hesitate to carry the latter up to his room.

Taehyung flutters his lashes open a few times, eyes still sleepy and sluggish, then lets out a confused whine as he frowns at the older male. "Hmm?"

The other only chuckles, amused at Taehyung's state right now. "We're here. You can continue sleeping in my room in a few."

Taehyung then surfaces back into reality slowly, eyes blinking and fluttering drowsily a few times before the frown on his eyebrows grow, "We're....where?"

Jeongguk laughs, louder and clearer this time, as his mouth splits into a wide smile.

"My father's house."

It's like a switch has been flipped because Taehyung is suddenly awake—his eyes wide as saucers and his mouth opens before closing just a few seconds after he realizes he doesn't know what to say. Although, he opens his mouth to speak again.

"Right, fuck, I forgot. I'm sorry, I thought I was dreaming or something," Taehyung mutters. "How long have I been out?"

"Thirty minutes, tops. We just arrived here so you weren't out that long," Jeongguk states, twisting his car keys before the younger hears the engine shut off completely. "My dad might be sleeping by now, though. Not really sure. But we can just pass out or something, I'm tired too."