The Chaos Heir [TK]

The aftermath of that chaotic, hilarious training room scene still clung to Jungkook's skin like static. He’d barely survived the Taehyung-level flirting, Jimin’s screeches, and Namjoon’s unsettling clipboard energy. Even now, hours later, he could still hear Hoseok humming the wedding march.

But the sun had dipped, painting the sky in bruised purples and warm peach. And with that, the world slowed.

The estate grew quieter, buzzing only with distant footsteps and cicadas in the shadows. Jungkook, dressed in a black long-sleeve shirt and loose joggers, wandered out to the rooftop garden—a space he hadn’t known existed until now.

Up there, it felt like floating.

The air was cooler, scented faintly with night-blooming flowers. Lanterns hung along the edges of the stone walls, their amber glow soft against the twilight. The city lights blinked below, unaware of the empires built in silence above them.

And leaning against the far railing—was Taehyung.

Alone.

He hadn’t changed from earlier. Same black-on-black outfit, same tousled hair. But under the dim lighting, he looked less like the infamous mafia boss, and more like... a man lost in thought.

Jungkook stepped closer, unsure if he should interrupt.

But Taehyung turned before he could speak. His voice low, like velvet soaked in dusk. "Couldn’t sleep either?"

Jungkook shook his head. "Too much chaos. My brain’s... still trying to reboot."

Taehyung chuckled softly. "You’ll get used to it."

A pause. Then, without looking at him—

"Come here."

Jungkook obeyed before he realized it. He moved to stand beside Taehyung at the railing, hands brushing the cool metal.

The silence was warm. Companionable.

Below them, the world continued. But up here, it felt like time bowed out.

"You’re adjusting fast," Taehyung said, eyes still on the city. "Most people break before they find balance. You bend. But you don’t break."

Jungkook glanced sideways. "Is that a compliment or a warning?"

Taehyung’s mouth twitched. "It’s... respect."

Those two words hit harder than Jungkook expected.

They stood like that for a while. Just breathing.

Then Taehyung turned his head, and in the soft glow of the lanterns, his expression changed—something open, something vulnerable.

"You looked good with the gun."

Jungkook choked. Again.

Taehyung smiled, just a little. "I meant it. You were focused. Controlled. It suits you."

Jungkook looked away, flustered. "You’ve gotta stop saying things like that."

"Why?"

"Because it makes my heart do backflips and I’m already dangerously unstable."

Taehyung laughed, low and husky, and Jungkook thought it might be the best sound he’d heard all day.

A gust of wind passed by, ruffling their hair. Taehyung lifted a hand and gently fixed a strand from Jungkook’s forehead.

"Better," he murmured.

Jungkook blinked rapidly. "I swear, you’re gonna be the reason I fall off this rooftop."