𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗚 || ᴛᴀᴇᴋᴏᴏᴋ

• C H A P T E R 28 •

The lights of the club pulsed in deep reds and blues as the beat dropped into something heavier, bass vibrating through the floors. Jungkook, cheeks slightly flushed from the warmth and attention, let Jimin pull him through the crowd toward the bar.

His black dress shimmered under the lights, hugging his curves perfectly as he moved confidence blooming slightly with every step. Jimin wrapped an arm around his waist playfully, whispering something in his ear that made Jungkook giggle.

But neither of them noticed the pair of eyes following from behind.

A tall guy someone older, sharp-dressed, with a confident smirk had clocked Jungkook the moment he entered. And now, like a moth to flame, he trailed behind as the two made their way to the bar, his gaze dropping shamelessly down the expanse of Jungkook’s exposed thighs.

Across the club, Taehyung’s entire body tensed.

He had been trying , trying to keep it together. His jaw was tight, fingers gripping his glass so hard Yoongi was beginning to wonder if it’d shatter.

“Taehyung—” Yoongi began, sensing the shift in the air.

But Taehyung wasn’t listening.

His eyes were trained on that guy. The one now standing a little too close behind Jungkook. The one leaning over, trying to strike up a conversation while Jungkook was politely smiling, clearly confused.

Taehyung’s breath hitched when the guy leaned in closer brushing shoulders with Jungkook casually, like he had every right to.

And that was the moment Taehyung lean down to the couch, slow and silent, his stare murderous.

Yoongi raised a brow. “Don’t do anything stupid—”

The guy paused in his tracks the moment he fully registered Jimin the ever-smirking, sharp-eyed Park Jimin giving him a warning glance from the side.

There was no need for words. One look from Jimin, and the stranger knew better than to push his luck. He gave a half-shrug, a tight smile, and slowly backed off, disappearing into the crowd without confrontation.

Jungkook didn’t notice. He was too busy laughing softly at something Jimin had said as they finally reached the bar.

“Two shots of peach soju,” Jimin ordered smoothly, leaning on the counter before glancing at Jungkook with a teasing grin. “Unless you’re too baby for that?”

Jungkook narrowed his eyes, puffing his cheeks. “I’m not a baby.”

“Then prove it,” Jimin challenged, sliding one shot glass toward him.

Jungkook hesitated.

He had never drunk before not really. He’d sipped wine at Jin’s dinner once and hated the bitterness. But tonight... he didn’t want to think about Taehyung’s silence, his cold stares, the way his heart cracked seeing him with another girl.

He wanted to feel something else. Anything else.

He picked up the glass, stared at it for a beat, then threw it back in one gulp.

It burned.

Hard.

His eyes widened, face scrunching instantly. “Ack—it tastes like nail polish remover,” he coughed out, making Jimin burst into laughter.

“Second one’s better,” Jimin said, nudging the next shot toward him.

And despite the burn, despite the unfamiliar warmth rushing up his neck and into his cheeks, Jungkook took it too.