Chapter 7: Envious

“Some people search their whole lives to find what I found in you.”

Jimin's playful banter with Taehyung filled the air, a subtle flirtation that left Taehyung feeling strangely comfortable. He couldn't quite explain it, but he found himself drawn to Jimin's easy charm, a connection blossoming between them.

"By the way, Tae, do you want to drink something?" Jimin asked, settling down beside Taehyung, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Can I eat too?" Taehyung inquired shyly, his hand instinctively going to rub the back of his neck.

Jimin chuckled, his fingers running through Taehyung's hair in a gesture that was both playful and endearing.

"Sure, I'll cook ramen for you," Jimin replied, his voice laced with a teasing lilt as he rose from his seat.

He sauntered towards the kitchen, leaving Taehyung alone with his thoughts. Jungkook emerged from his room, a picture frame clutched in his hand, his expression unreadable. He had just removed a photo of Taehyung from his wall, a silent gesture that spoke volumes about his growing unease.

"Why are you alone?" Jungkook asked, his voice a low rumble as he settled down in front of Taehyung.

"Jiminie hyung cooking," Taehyung replied, his voice soft and innocent.

"Jiminie?" Jungkook questioned, a hint of suspicion creeping into his tone as he poked his cheek.

"Uhm, he's cute and I like him," Taehyung confessed, a shy smile gracing his lips.

"You already like him, you still didn't know him," Jungkook scoffed, his eyes rolling internally as he fought back a surge of jealousy.

"He looks angelic, I guess I can trust him," Taehyung shrugged, his faith in Jimin unwavering.

"Angelic my ass," Jungkook muttered under his breath, his voice laced with sarcasm.

"Huh?" Taehyung tilted his head, his confusion evident.

"Nothing," Jungkook mumbled, his tongue darting out to lick his cheek as he tried to mask his true feelings.

Taehyung sighed, choosing to ignore Jungkook's cryptic response.

"Who is he, Jungkook?" a feminine voice asked, a hand reaching out to intertwine with Jungkook's.

Taehyung looked up, his gaze falling on the woman beside Jungkook. He felt a pang of confusion as he observed their close proximity, a sense of familiarity hanging in the air.

"Wait, aren't you Kim Taehyung? The son of the richest family here? What are you doing here?" the woman asked, her voice laced with a hint of amusement as she chewed on a piece of bubblegum.

"Yes, that's me, and you are?" Taehyung replied, his voice polite but cautious.

"I'm Victoria, Jungkook's girlfriend," Victoria declared, a smug smile playing on her lips.

"Victoria, I told you to stop saying that you're my girlfriend," Jungkook sighed, shaking his head as he gently removed her hand from his arm.

"Don't be embarrassed, you should be proud that I'm y--" Victoria's sentence was abruptly cut short as a soft piece of bread was shoved into her mouth.

"Aish Victoria, you're being insane again. Shut up your mouth, you're being annoying," Jimin interrupted, his voice calm but firm.

He turned to Taehyung, a charming smile gracing his lips as he placed a steaming bowl of ramen in front of him.

"Enjoy, it might be cheap but the taste was delicious," Jimin said, his eyes sparkling with warmth.

"Thank you, hyung," Taehyung replied, his smile mirroring Jimin's.

He settled into the meal, his eyes fixed on the ramen as Jungkook's gaze remained fixed on him. Victoria, noticing the silent tension, decided to make her presence known in a dramatic fashion. She reached out, her hand grabbing a small flower vase from the table.  With a swift movement, she pulled it down, sending it crashing to the floor.

"Ouch!" Victoria hissed, a sharp pain shooting through her foot as she saw blood welling up around the wound.

Jungkook flinched, his attention immediately drawn to her.

"What the heck are you doing? You should be careful," Jungkook said, reaching for a napkin from the table.

Taehyung rolled his eyes, his gaze fixed on Jungkook as he knelt down to help Victoria.  In a seemingly accidental move, Taehyung slightly bent the cup of ramen, the hot water spilling onto his hand and down his lap.

"Argh!" Taehyung cried out, tears welling up in his eyes as the heat seared his skin.

He frantically blew on his hand, trying to ease the pain.

"Tae," Jungkook uttered, his voice filled with concern as he rushed to his side.

"Huh-hurts kookie," Taehyung whimpered, his lips forming a pout as he fought back tears.

"It's okay, let's wash your hand, hm?" Jungkook said softly, his hand gently wiping away the tears from Taehyung's cheeks.

"Buh-but what about my clothes, they're wet," Taehyung mumbled, his voice laced with distress.

"I'll let you borrow my clothes, now, don't cry," Jungkook said, his voice firm but comforting as he gently shushed Taehyung. His actions surprised both Victoria and Jimin, especially when he leaned down and kissed away Taehyung's remaining tears.

Jimin nearly choked on his ramen, his eyes wide with astonishment as he watched the unfolding scene.

"Let's go, I'll wash them and put an ointment before it gets worse," Jungkook said, his voice filled with determination.

Taehyung stood up, his gaze fixed on Jungkook as he followed him into the kitchen. Jungkook turned on the sink, the water cascading over Taehyung's hand as he gently cleaned the burn. Taehyung glanced at Victoria, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.

"Wait, I'll get the ointment," Jungkook said, excusing himself as he headed towards his room.

Victoria rolled her eyes, placing a band-aid on her own wound. Jungkook returned, drying Taehyung's hand with a towel before carefully applying ointment to the burn.

"These clothes are small on me, you can wear them," Jungkook said, handing Taehyung a white jacket with a pocket and black pants.

"Thank you," Taehyung replied, his smile radiating gratitude.

"You're welcome, go to my room, there's a bathroom inside, you can change there," Jungkook said, ruffling Taehyung's hair in a gesture of affection.

Taehyung giggled, his heart fluttering as he headed towards Jungkook's room. Jungkook sighed, his gaze falling on the shattered vase as he began to sweep up the pieces.

"You really ignored me and helped him instead," Victoria complained, her voice laced with annoyance.

"He's my guest, of course, I will help him," Jungkook retorted, his tone firm and unwavering.

"I'm your guest too," Victoria snarled, her jealousy simmering beneath the surface.

"No, you just came here without my permission. Him, I invited him here," Jungkook replied, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation.

"If I were you, don't flirt with him. His parents were rich as fuck, and you? You're nothing compared to him. I'm sure his parents will hate you too, they hate poor people like us. You should flirt with me instead, I can flirt back," Victoria said, her voice dripping with bitterness as she licked her lips.

"If you don't shut up your mouth, just please leave. I don't have time for you," Jungkook said, his gaze hardening as he glared at her.

"I don't want to, I'll stay here," Victoria retorted, her defiance unwavering.

"Jungkook, they're still big on me," Taehyung said, his voice laced with a hint of sadness as he emerged from Jungkook's room.

Jungkook smiled, his gaze softening as he looked at Taehyung.

"It's alright, you're cute anyway," Jungkook said, his fingers gently ruffling Taehyung's hair.

"When we're going back to your cabin? I want to hang out there with you," Taehyung said, his voice laced with a hint of excitement.

"Tomorrow, after your class, is that fine?" Jungkook replied, his voice soft and reassuring.

"Sure, but you have to promise to pick me up at my university," Taehyung said, extending his pinky finger towards Jungkook.

Jungkook chuckled, a soft sound that filled the room with warmth.

"Fine, I promise," Jungkook said, his pinky finger intertwining with Taehyung's.

"Are you really serious Jungkook? You? Picking him? What's gotten in you?! And cabin? You never mention that! Why the heck you're inviting him instead of me?!" Victoria exclaimed, her voice rising in anger as she stood up from the couch.

"Tae, let's go, your parents might get worried. I'll take you back," Jungkook said, taking Taehyung's arm in his hand.

Taehyung hummed in agreement, nodding his head as he followed Jungkook. Jungkook picked up Taehyung's bag, pulling him towards the door.

"Jungkook!" Victoria yelled, her voice filled with frustration as she watched them leave.

Jungkook placed the helmet on Taehyung's head, his fingers gently guiding it into place. He hopped onto his motorcycle, the engine roaring to life. Taehyung climbed behind him, his arms instinctively wrapping around Jungkook's waist.

Meanwhile, Jimin sat back, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched the unfolding drama, enjoying his ramen with a sense of amusement.