gave a polite nod. "Yes, it was alright. He drove carefully." "See?" Jungkook cut in. "I drive better than your husband." Somi turned toward him with a narrowed gaze. "Yah, don’t talk like that." And Han, Jungkook's father, didn't even glance at him.

He was already walking toward the house, mumbling, "Just open the door, Somi." Somi sighed at both of them and shook her head, fishing the old key from her pocket. Jungkook scoffed, muttering, "Oh, look at that attitude, it is really inspiring."

"Still like picking fights with him, huh?" came a voice right beside him. Jungkook turned slightly and grinned when he saw his grandfather standing there, arms crossed and a knowing look on his face. Jungkook grinned, playing innocent. "Of course not, Grandpa.

He's my lovely old man. Can't you see all the love between us?" older jeon raised a brow. "Mm. So lovely you call him an old man." "Affectionately," Jungkook said with a shrug. "It's all part of the bonding." "Sure thing," the older Jeon muttered,

already turning toward the house. "I'll try to believe that." Jungkook laughed under his breath, the sound light, easy. Then his eyes flicked toward Taehyung, who had been quietly observing their exchange from a few steps behind. He caught Jungkook looking and raised a brow,

but didn't say anything. "Let's go in," Jungkook said gently, voice softer now, and the smile he wore wasn't teasing this time, just quietly warm, meant only for him. And Taehyung simply gave a nod and followed Jungkook.

As he walked, his eyes drifted everywhere, quietly soaking in every detail. The front door caught his attention first—it looked old, hand-carved, worn smooth at the edges. Intricate designs stretched across the wood, wolves mid-run, humans standing beneath a full moon,

strange swirling patterns that looked like they had stories to tell if someone stared long enough. Inside, the pack house smelled like aged wood and dried herbs, earthy and familiar in a strange, comforting way. It was small, just as he'd guessed from the outside,

but it was definitely more than it appeared. The walls were lined with old drawings, faded tapestries, and shelves stacked with jars, scrolls, and things that seemed like they hadn't been touched in years. Taehyung’s steps slowed slightly as he took it all in.

Jungkook glanced over at him from where he was kicking his shoes off by the door. "You okay?" Taehyung nodded again, eyes still scanning the space. "I'm just… looking around." Jungkook came up beside him, close enough that Taehyung could feel the

warmth from his arm. "Come on," he said casually, nudging Taehyung's elbow. "Let's go to our room. We're staying here tonight." Taehyung turned to him. "We're sharing a room?" Jungkook gave him a look, like the answer was obvious. "Yeah? We're not gonna act like strangers in

front of my parents. If my mom finds out we are in separate rooms, she'll be devastated." Taehyung narrowed his eyes. "Emotional blackmail?" Jungkook shrugged, not even denying "It works." Taehyung huffed under his breath. He didn't bother arguing. "Fine."

— The hours in Busan slipped by quicker than Taehyung expected. After sharing a simple meal with Jungkook's family, he'd slipped out for a walk, needing some time alone to breathe in the cool mountain air and let the scenery really sink in. It was beautiful.

Quiet, peaceful, and untouched in a way he hadn't felt in a long time. He didn't regret coming. And Jungkook had given him space too, keeping to his mother's side for most of the evening, leaving Taehyung to his thoughts.

Later that night, after dinner, the two of them headed back to their shared room. Taehyung had seen it briefly earlier and had judged it—not because it was ugly, but because it was small. Really small. One bed took up most of the space,leaving just enough room to walk around it.

He hadn't said anything then, but now standing in the doorway again, the size felt more obvious. Jungkook stepped in after him, closing the door with a quiet click and locking it out of habit. The sound made Taehyung glance back briefly but he said nothing.

Jungkook's thoughts were wandering, of course. It was a small room, and the closeness was... a lot. But he wasn't about to say or do anything to make Taehyung uncomfortable. He just watched as the omega walked straight to the small window and pushed it open,

leaning forward to look out into the night. While Taehyung stood there, soaking in the view, Jungkook set down both their bags—the ones he'd carried in earlier from the car—then took a few slow steps toward him. He stopped just a little behind, close enough to speak

softly without startling him. His eyes lingered on Taehyung's face. "You wanna take a bath?" Jungkook asked gently. Taehyung turned his head slightly, his gaze meeting Jungkook's for just a breath before he gave a quiet nod. "Yeah… I think I do."

"Okay," Jungkook said, already turning toward the door. "Grab your clothes and come after me." Taehyung didn't say anything, just moved quietly toward his bag, picking out something to change into. He followed Jungkook out a few moments later,

the wooden floor cool beneath their feet. The hallway was quiet, dimly lit by a single bulb hanging near the ceiling. Jungkook led the way down toward the bathroom at the end of the corridor. "It's nothing fancy," Jungkook said, glancing back at him, "but it does the job."

He pushed the door open and stepped aside, letting Taehyung in first. After stepping in Taehyung looked around the small bathroom, then turned to Jungkook with a slight frown. "Why didn't they build bathrooms in the rooms?"

Jungkook leaned against the doorframe, one hand tucked into his pocket. "Our pack's pretty old, Taehyung. Back then, attached bathrooms weren't really a thing. And even more in the old days—bedrooms were considered kind of sacred.

They didn't want things they thought were... impure, like bathrooms, too close." Taehyung raised an eyebrow. "Impure?" Jungkook gave a small shrug, his tone light. "Not my logic. Just old traditions, you know?" Then, He stepped forward, heading toward the water

bucket in the corner, but paused a bit too close to Taehyung. Not in a pushy way—just naturally, like his body didn't register boundaries the same anymore. "You want me to heat the water for you?" he asked, glancing at him briefly. Taehyung blinked, thrown off for a second—not

just by the offer, but the closeness. He took half a step back, just enough to create space. "I can do it." Jungkook tilted his head, watching him. "You sure?" he asked, softer this time. "You don't have to be shy about asking me, you know."

Taehyung looked away for a second, then met his eyes again. "I'm not shy." Jungkook kept his eyes on Taehyung and said, "Okay, but seriously—I am only asking because that setup is no joke. Just look at it." He pointed toward the old stone hearth built into the wall,

its surface darkened by years of smoke. A soot-covered gamasot sat above the fire chamber. "Are you sure you can handle it?" Taehyung followed Jungkook's gesture, his eyes landing on the soot-darkened hearth. The gamasot looked heavy, worn smooth from years of use,

sitting like it belonged to another century,which, honestly,it probably did. He blinked, lips parting slightly. "…That's the water heater?" Jungkook tried not to laugh. "Yeah, sort of." Taehyung looked at it, then at Jungkook. "I thought you meant like… a switch. Or a knob."

Jungkook bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to grin. "I told you,our pack is really old. Everything in the pack's house is like that—old ways, old stuff." Taehyung huffed softly and crossed his arms. "So, all old people grew up with this?" "Mm-hm." Jungkook stepped closer,

just a little, eyes still warm. "Want me to handle it?" Taehyung hesitated. The idea of crouching down to light that thing didn't exactly thrill him, but he hated the thought of needing Jungkook's help. So, instead of admitting he might need a hand, he forced a confident

smile and said, "I have used worse. This thing is not that hard... so I can handle it." Jungkook raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it, but he didn't push. "Okay, if you're sure, then fine. Just... don't burn the place down." Taehyung shot him a sharp look. "Just get out."

— Jungkook lay on the bed, one arm tucked behind his head, eyes on the wooden ceiling. He'd been waiting to check on Taehyung, just to make sure the omega hadn't blown up the bathroom trying to heat water—but his phone buzzed before he could get up. Eri.

He answered with a quiet, "Hey." From other side came her familiar voice, "Jungkook. You ghosting me now?" He huffed a short laugh. "You called five seconds ago." "Anyway," she said, "listen—we are all going on that night ride next Friday. Like we used to. You in?"

He paused. "Probably not." "Come on," Eri said. "Everyone will be there. You have to come!" "I really can't," he muttered, rubbing his forehead. "You always say that lately. You turning old already?" Jungkook let out a short laugh but didn't answer.

Eri's tone softened a little. "Seriously. What's going on with you? Is it because of your rut?" There was a beat of silence before she asked, lower, "You really don't want my help?" "I have told you a hundred times," Jungkook said, voice flat now, "I don't."

"Okay," she said slowly. "But how are you going to go through it alone?" He rolled his eyes, sitting up on the edge of the bed. "Are you forgetting something? I am married. I have an omega." "You and I both know he won't help you," Eri said, not unkindly—just matter-of-fact.

Jungkook looked away from where he was looking, jaw tightening. "Still," he said, voice quieter, "I don't want your help. I already fucked up enough spending my ruts with others before. That's done. Now, I just wait. Until he accepts me." There was a long pause on the other end

before Eri sighed. "You should have gone after him from the start." Jungkook leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, eyes blank on the floor. "Wouldn't have made a difference." "You don't know that," she replied. "You never tried. Taehyung might have said yes to you back

then. Without you forcing him. But now you have messed everything up for yourself." He dragged a hand down his face, irritation bubbling under his skin. "I regret telling you about him, for real." Eri let out a laugh. "Oh, please. You didn't tell me anything—