𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗚 || ᴛᴀᴇᴋᴏᴏᴋ

• C H A P T E R 17 •

The morning sun filtered through the large windows of the university principal’s office, casting long shadows across the floor. Namjoon stood by his desk, fingers lightly drumming against the wood as he stared thoughtfully at a message on his phone.

Jin had texted him late the previous night.

✚ “Jungkook’s been acting weird lately. Quiet, tired… I think something’s bothering him at school. Maybe even someone.”

The moment he read it, Namjoon’s heart clenched. Jin rarely worried out loud. If he had brought it up, it had to be serious. And if it involved Jungkook, well… there was only one person who immediately came to mind.

As if summoned by his thoughts, the door creaked open without a knock.

In sauntered Taehyung.

Tall, relaxed, and exuding his signature aura of controlled chaos, he strolled in like he owned the place, hands in his pockets, scarf dangling around his neck despite the warm weather.

“You wanted to see me, hyung?” Taehyung asked, voice rich with amusement, his signature smirk already in place.

Namjoon cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses.

“Close the door,” he said, a little too stiffly.

Taehyung did as asked and then leaned casually against the wall, eyebrow raised in curiosity. “This about the student council stuff?”

Namjoon inhaled deeply. “No. It’s about… Jungkook.”

There was a noticeable pause.

Taehyung tilted his head slightly, the smirk on his lips tugging a little higher.

“Ah. Kookie,” he said, almost fondly.

Namjoon narrowed his eyes. “Jin mentioned he’s been acting off lately. Said he’s dull, quiet, anxious. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

Taehyung didn’t respond at first. He just stared at Namjoon, his eyes gleaming with mischief, before slowly crossing the room and dropping into a chair like he had all the time in the world.

He stretched out, long legs sprawled, and then looked up at his cousin with that same unreadable smile.

“Define ‘bully,’ hyung.”

Namjoon blinked. “You are bullying him?”

Taehyung let out a low chuckle. “It’s just a little friendly bullying. Teasing, really. Nothing serious.”

Namjoon frowned. “Friendly or not, you shouldn’t be making any student feel unsafe. Especially not someone like Jungkook—he’s sensitive.”

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, the smirk not fading. “Oh, I know.”

Namjoon hesitated, lips twitching in a mix of concern and something close to… nervousness. Despite being the principal, Taehyung’s energy had always been hard to control. He was like a wild card—respected, admired, and a little bit terrifying.

“You know Jin’s worried. And if he’s worried, then I have to step in.”

Taehyung’s smirk curled even more devilishly.

“You’re just worried because it’s Jin,” he said, voice low and teasing. “Not because of Jungkook.”

Namjoon stiffened, his ears flushing slightly. “That’s not—”

“Oh, please,” Taehyung cut in smoothly. “You’ve had a thing for Jin forever. The way you straighten your tie around him, stutter when he compliments your boring cardigans—”

“Taehyung.”

Namjoon’s voice was firm now, a warning edge beneath the surface.

Taehyung just laughed and stood, stretching lazily.

“Relax, hyung. I won’t break your little crush’s baby brother,” he said as he made for the door. “Like I said, it’s just teasing.”

He paused in the doorway, glancing over his shoulder.

“…Though it’s kind of cute when he cries. You should see it sometime.”

And with that, he walked out, leaving Namjoon staring after him, torn between yelling and sighing.

The hallway buzzed with the usual morning chatter—students rushing to class, laughter echoing faintly, the clatter of shoes on the polished floor. Jungkook, with his hoodie pulled up and his backpack hugged tightly to his chest, walked briskly toward his lecture hall, eyes glued to the floor.

His steps were quick, anxious. He hadn’t slept well, again. His mind had been swimming all night with thoughts of him. Taehyung. That cold, teasing smile. The way he would lean in too close and ask for ridiculous things in front of everyone—“Give me a kiss, bun,” or “Hug me or I’ll carry you to class.”

Jungkook had started flinching at every shadow that looked remotely like Taehyung.

And today was no exception.

He was just about to round the corner when he suddenly crashed right into a tall figure.

Thud.

His bag slipped off his shoulder as he stumbled backward, landing awkwardly on his heels. His hood fell back.

Wide doe eyes blinked up—straight into Taehyung’s.

Shit.

Taehyung towered over him, his hair falling slightly into his eyes, scarf loose around his neck again like some sort of casual royal. He looked down at Jungkook with the same maddening smirk he always wore.

“Well, well,” he drawled, voice low and velvety. “Didn’t think you’d be throwing yourself at me this early in the day.”

Jungkook’s ears turned red instantly. “I–It was an accident,” he mumbled, quickly snatching up his bag, avoiding eye contact.

But Taehyung stepped closer, too close, his shadow completely enveloping the smaller boy. “You sure? It’s only been a day since I got my last hug. Maybe this is fate.”

Jungkook's eyes darted left and right. The hallway wasn’t too crowded—but enough people were watching. Whispering. Giggling.

He swallowed hard, shrinking under the intensity of Taehyung’s stare.

“Y-You said yesterday was the last one!” he said in a small voice.

Taehyung clicked his tongue, leaning in, voice dropping to a murmur only Jungkook could hear. “I lied.”

Jungkook’s knees nearly buckled.

He tried to sidestep, desperate to get away, but Taehyung casually draped an arm over his shoulder.

“You’re walking to class, right? Let me escort my little bunny.”

Jungkook froze, feeling the heat radiating off of Taehyung’s body. The weight of his arm felt like iron chains.

Students whispered as they passed—some smiling, some curious, others clearly entertained.

Jungkook gritted his teeth and stared ahead, doing his best to ignore it all.

“Y-You’re so annoying,” he muttered, cheeks burning.

Taehyung chuckled, that deep, teasing sound right beside his ear. “Cute when you say it like that.”

Jungkook didn't respond. He kept his head low, eyes stinging slightly. He hated how weak he felt, how his heart raced even now. He hated how Taehyung's presence wrapped around him like smoke—unavoidable, suffocating, and somehow addictive.

And worst of all… he hated that part of him didn’t want him to let go.

To Be Continued