Normal people have no idea
how beautiful the
darkness is.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The mansion buzzed with quiet anticipation as Taehyung was led through the main hall, his mother at his side. Taehyung adjusted his shirt nervously, glancing around the hall until his gaze settled on a boy standing by the grand staircase.

The boy looked slightly older—maybe by a year or two—dressed sharply in dark attire that contrasted with the mansion's bright, airy atmosphere. His stance was confident, almost commanding, with an expression that was unreadable yet somehow intense. He seemed to be taking in the room, but his gaze shifted as soon as Taehyung and his mother entered.

“Taehyung,” his mother said, her voice warm as she gestured toward the young man, “this is Jungkook. He’ll be staying with us from now on.”

Jungkook’s eyes met Taehyung’s with a steady intensity, and he offered a polite smile. “Nice to meet you, Taehyung,” he greeted, his voice smooth yet carrying an undertone that made Taehyung’s heart skip a beat.

Taehyung managed a shy smile, feeling slightly overwhelmed by Jungkook’s presence. He wasn’t used to someone looking at him so directly. Jungkook’s gaze made him feel almost exposed, as though he could see beyond the surface.

“Hi, Jungkook,” Taehyung murmured, his voice soft and a bit unsteady. He glanced down, fidgeting with his hands, unsure of what else to say.

Jungkook took a step closer, extending a hand. “I hope we can get along well,” he said with a charming smile that softened the intensity of his stare.

Taehyung hesitated before accepting the handshake, his hand feeling small and fragile in Jungkook’s firm grip. Jungkook’s fingers lingered just a bit too long before finally releasing him.

“Well,” Taehyung offered with a small smile, trying to ease the tension building in his chest, “I can show you around, if you’d like?”

Jungkook’s gaze softened, a hint of warmth appearing in his eyes. “I’d like that.”

____

As Taehyung was showing Jungkook around the mansion, he couldn’t help but notice Jungkook’s eyes fixed intently on him. The elder's gaze lingered, taking in every detail, making Taehyung feel slightly self-conscious. Suddenly, Taehyung was startled when Jungkook intertwined their hands. Feeling awkward, he gently pulled his hand away, only to receive a sharp glare from Jungkook.

Ignoring the look, Taehyung carried on with the tour. By the end of it, he led Jungkook to the garden—his favorite place. They strolled through the lush greenery, the sun's rays casting a soft glow on the dewy grass, which crunched lightly beneath their feet as they walked toward a wooden bench.

Taehyung gestured for Jungkook to sit, and the elder complied, patting the space next to him, signaling for Taehyung to sit closer. Reluctantly, Taehyung took a seat beside him, but he left a noticeable gap, much to Jungkook's annoyance.

"So, what are your hobbies?" Jungkook asked, breaking the silence.

"I love to paint!" Taehyung exclaimed, his face lighting up as he launched into an animated ramble about his favorite artists and the stories behind their works.

Jungkook, on the other hand, was focused solely on Taehyung, a smile forming as he watched him talk so passionately. Taehyung’s habit of rambling when discussing something he loved was endearing to him.

He was so engrossed in watching Taehyung that he didn’t realize the younger had stopped speaking and was now staring at him, puzzled.

"Hyung?"

"U-uh, yeah?" Jungkook stammered, snapping back to attention.

"Um... I-I wanted to ask you something," Taehyung said, lowering his gaze to avoid Jungkook's intense stare.

“Yes?”

“Why do you... um... why do you try to always initiate skinship? I... I’m not really used to it…” Taehyung admitted hesitantly, voicing his discomfort.

"I told you, I don’t want us to be awkward. We'll be living together from now on," Jungkook replied, his tone authoritative, his gaze sharp as he looked at Taehyung.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you, Tae,” he demanded, grabbing Taehyung’s cheeks a bit harshly to make him face him.

Tears welled up in Taehyung’s eyes. He wasn’t used to being handled roughly; Mrs. Park had always treated him gently, like he was fragile.

Jungkook’s expression softened slightly as he realized the impact of his actions. "I'm sorry, Tae. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Please forgive me." His voice softened, and he let a tear slip down his cheek.

Panicking a bit, Taehyung wiped Jungkook’s tear away. “Don’t cry, hyung! It’s okay,” he reassured him with a boxy smile.

Jungkook’s P.O.V.

I don’t regret my actions. My baby deserved that for being rude to me. I wouldn’t have apologized if I hadn’t seen the maid giving us a questioning look.

I was about to continue the conversation when I heard someone call Taehyung’s name. I looked up to see a boy running towards us, panting slightly as he stopped in front of Tae.

Who is he?

Taehyung quickly stood from the bench, his face lighting up as he spoke to the unfamiliar boy, both of them smiling as they ignored my presence.

Why is he smiling at him?

“Who is he?” The midget asked Taehyung.

“O-oh! H-he’s Jungkook, and he’ll be living with us!” Taehyung stammered.

“Why?” the boy asked, his tone uncomfortable as he scrutinized me.

Fucking midget.

“Because…” Taehyung began to answer, but I cut him off. “Because my parents are dead.”

They both looked at me—Taehyung with sympathy, and the midget with shock.

“Oh…” The boy looked taken aback. “By the way, I’m Jimin! Nice to meet you. I work in the garden and am Taehyung’s best friend.”

I forced a smile. “Nice to meet you, Jimin.”

“Well, Tae, I need to go now. I’ll see you soon,” Jimin said, giving Taehyung a hug.

“Take care,” Taehyung replied, hugging him back without hesitation. “Bye, Jiminie!”

Huh?

Taehyung didn’t even flinch when Jimin hugged him. He’d just said he wasn’t comfortable with skinship! Was he lying to me? He needs to be punished for lying. But not now.

“I need to go to our room,” I said sweetly, and Taehyung nodded, leading the way. I’d already memorized the mansion, but he didn’t need to know that.

When we entered the room, we found maids arranging the space, making room for my things.

“We’ve placed Mr. Jungkook’s belongings in the closet. If needed, we can arrange another bed,” one of them offered.

“No, it’s fine. We’ll share one bed. Is that okay with you, Tae?” I asked, flashing him my bunny smile.

“Of course, hyung!”

That’s my good boy. Someone just saved himself from getting punished.

“Alright, we’ll take our leave,” the maids said, bowing and exiting, closing the door behind them.

“What is Jimin to you?” I asked abruptly.

“W-what?”

“He hugged you, and you didn’t mind. But when I held your hand, you pulled away,” I snapped, gripping his wrists so he couldn’t back away.

He couldn’t.

“You’re hurting me, hyung.” Tears started streaming down his face, and I couldn’t help but admire how beautiful he looked like that.

“J-Jimin is just my b-best friend. We’re close because I’ve known him since I was seven, and he’s the only one my age in the mansion,” Taehyung explained between sobs.

They shouldn’t be close. I’ll make sure of it.

I released his wrists, letting out a shaky breath, and pretended to cry. After all, I’m good at faking things.

“I-I’m sorry, Tae. I just... I just thought you didn’t like me,” I said in a broken tone. “I thought I’d be alone after my parents’ death…”

Taehyung’s gaze softened, and he gently wiped away my “tears,” surprising me by wrapping his arms around me. He initiated the hug, and I didn’t mind. Burying my face in the crook of his neck, I inhaled his intoxicating scent.

He smells so nice.

“It’s okay, hyung. Tae will never leave you alone,” he whispered with a boxy smile.

Wow.

He’s so naive.

And all mine.