✨10✨

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It was later in the evening. Tables were sat outside on the patio around which the women gossiped while all the men barbequed shirtless. Taehyung has laughed at his father's small bump when he had seen him discarding his shirt like a male lead of some movie.

He had found it cute.

What made his heart melt was his mother blushing red when his father winked at her.

Taehyung loved how his parents were still so in love. Even after spending years together, they flirted with each other like newlyweds.

Taehyung smiled to himself.

Shaking his head, he looked around in search of a certain someone only to find him focused on barbecue. Jimin's father and Cian were also there but Taehyung focused on the eye candy Jeon.

The muscles in his back rippled like the waves in the sea as he worked with the tongs with one hand while the other held a beer which he sipped occasionally.

Laughter and talks filled the evening breeze along with the rich aroma of barbeque as sun prepared to go down the horizon. The water in the distance sparkled orange bidding goodbye for the day.

"I'll go and help Uncle Jeon." he said to Sera who nodded. He left the group of his cousins who were discussing some movie they watched last night. Turned out everyone wasn't asleep when Taehyung had woken up drenched in sweat.

They were actually watching some movie in Sera's room.

He was stopped by his aunt Somi. "Tae, sweetheart where's Jimin?"

The question made him look around himself. That's when he realized he hadn't seen his cousin for some time now. He shrugged his shoulder. "Dunno. He must be here somewhere. Do you want me to look for him?"

The woman shook her head. "No... It's okay. Let it be."

He nodded smiling. He was to walk away when his father offered him a piece of grilled chicken. "Tell me how it came out?"

"You grilled it, Dad?" Taehyung asked surprised. His father wasn't very good at cooking and stuff. Mr. Kim gave him his knowing smile he only reserved for his son. "You know the drill."

Taehyung chuckled. Of course he knew.

His gaze drifted back to Jungkook, whose focused expression seemed even more intense under the softening hues of the sunset. His uncle looked effortless—like he belonged there in that moment, surrounded by warmth, laughter, smoke and the scent of charcoal.

None of the males were good at barbeque except Jungkook. He had always been an exception to everything. Sometimes Taehyung wondered just to how extent a person could be so perfect. 

Every summer, they had such barbeque nights. The chicken was grilled by Jungkook actually. Like always. It was fun watching all the men acting to be working so hard to show their wives how good their husbands were at it.

Everyone knew but nobody talked about it. In their defense, they were learning. They were getting better at things every year. And efforts are what mattered actually.

Taehyung took the piece his father offered and took a bite. The juices flowed out of the tender meat and melted into his tongue making him moan. "It's delicious." Just a bit spicy than what he could handle but the burn in his mouth was worth it.

"Is it?"

He nodded readily.

"Then take another one." His father offered another piece for which Taehyung thanked him. Chewing on the hot chicken, he licked the oil off his finger and left the elders to flirt among themselves.

Blowing air to help the burn in his throat, he walked over to Jungkook. "Hi..." He whispered leaning in slightly. Cian and Jimin's father have gone.

Jungkook spared him a glance. "Hey..." He offered him the beer in his hand with his eyes focused on the grilling chicken. "You alright?" He asked so softly that Taehyung wanted to melt.

Instead, he nodded taking a sip of the cold liquid. The chilled beer was a welcome relief, soothing the heat left by the spicy chicken. Taehyung's gaze wandered over Jungkook's profile as he handed the drink back, noting the way Jungkook's brows were slightly furrowed in concentration.

"Thanks. Needed that," he murmured, licking his lips still watching Jungkook for a reaction.

Jungkook finally looked at him, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Too spicy for you, huh?"

Taehyung gave him a fake chuckle. "I can handle more than that."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, turning back to the grill with a knowing grin. "I'm sure you can." He picked up a piece of freshly grilled chicken, offering it to Taehyung with his hand. "Here, see if you can handle this one."

Taehyung looked at him for a moment before he leaned in, he took the chicken straight from Jungkook's hand, deliberately letting his hot tongue lick at his uncle's fingers, their eyes meeting briefly.

He felt the familiar burn of spice hit his tongue but kept his composure. Licking his lips, he suppressed a sniffle.

"Not bad. Though, I think you're testing me on purpose." he managed fanning himself with his hands, fighting back the sting as well as tears in his eyes.

Jungkook chuckled, shrugging innocently. "Just wanted to see how much you could take." He took a sip of his beer, his gaze flicking back to Taehyung, as if assessing his reaction.

Taehyung wiped his nose subtly. "I can take more than your girlfriend." He gave a slight tilt of his head. "Give me a chance to show you."

He watched Jungkook pausing in the process of turning the meat over only to look at him in surprise as if he never expected Taehyung to say something like that. "I am afraid we are not talking about the same thing here"

"Not at all." Taehyung shook his head suggestively. "I am not talking about some stupid grilled chicken."

"Stupid grilled chicken?"

"Yeah... spicy one at that." He added.

Jungkook let out a small laugh. "You really don't know when to stop... do you?" Taehyung let out a breath through his mouth subtly as it burned, his brown eyes glassy. "You are not actually stopping me."

Jungkook offered the can of his beer to Taehyung again. "Stop, Taehyung." he said going back to his work. Taehyung took a sip and fanned his face as the tears he was controlling so hard threatened to spill.

"Look at me and tell me you actually mean i-"

"I mean it." The man stated looking right at him. "Stop being a brat. You shouldn't flirt with your uncle."

Taehyung blinked taken aback for a minute. He actually didn't expect the other to say it right on his face straight. He really had a feeling at the back of his head that his uncle was also just as interested in it just as he was.

He almost pouted. 

"What if I don't?" He questioned looking back at the man. He had made his mind. He wasn't stopping. He didn't care who they were to each other.

His stubbornness made the other laugh. Taehyung felt the same butterflies coming to life as that silky laugh travelled down his body wrapping it in a hazy embrace. Jungkook pushed his hairs back while Taehyung took a sip of the beer.

The man shook his head still laughing. "Okay... keep doing whatever you are doing then. It's not going to take you anywhere...." 

"You sure?"

"Pretty damn sure."

"Let's see how long it takes for me to fuck with your mind then." He used Jungkook's words from last night. "I can't get you out of my system without having you. It's just a matter of time." He winked.

Jungkook poked his inner cheek as he turned towards Taehyung completely, his black eyes shining so bright that they appeared even deeper than they always did. "You are enjoying it too much... are not you?" 

Taehyung couldn't stop himself from smiling this time. He dropped the stubborn face and shrugged. Enjoying? He was loving every second of it. "You can't blame me."

"You are treading dangerous waters, kid."

"Am I?" He questioned. "I don't see any danger, of course until you want the same thing I want." he winked. "Thanks for the beer though. I'll see you around." He said and walked away from there purposefully swaying his hips. He looked over his shoulder only to find his uncle staring.

Taehyung's lips curled up into a bright smile. Just a matter of time.... didn't he say that?

He bit on his lower lip and walked away from there. 

The sun had gone down the horizon and lights have come to life. Taehyung looked around in search for Jimin, but he was still nowhere. The boy made a confused face and pulled out his phone. He called his best friend, but he didn't answer.

The furrow in Taehyung's eyebrows deepened even more.

Taking some barbequed meat for himself in a plate, he went to sit on the edge of the swimming pool with his feet submerged in water. His brown eyes searched for Vera. That was the woman his best friend was spending most of his time, but she wasn't there too. 

Taehyung ignored it and plugged his headphones on. Turning his playlist on, he went to eating. It was spicy but it was too tasty. He couldn't stop. That burn made his eyes tear but also seemed to open the blocked veins to his mind.

It was such a stupid thought. He knew.

He was breathing through his mouth blowing air here and there when he noticed someone walking over to him. The boy removed his headphones noticing Jungkook picking up Taehyung's plate and replacing it with other.

"This one is less spicy." Jungkook explained.

It was Taehyung's turn to raise his eyebrows in amusement, but Jungkook didn't comment. Instead, he placed a bottle of juice there and walked away nodding at Taehyung slightly.

What? Taehyung almost gave a laugh in disbelief.

His gaze followed his uncle who went to sit with the elders. The man said something which made all of the women laugh. Jungkook dragged a chair closer to the group and sat down eating the meat from Taehyung's plate.

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Hey there, everyone.... How's life? Unserious replies only!🫣😂

Anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter. Do share your thoughts and opinions about the chapter as well as the story. I'd like to read them 🫂

Also, I have my practicals next week so you guys might not get an update. I'll try my best to find some time to write.... But let's see

Till we meet next time, take care of yourself, babies 😘. I love you ❤️❤️