CHAPTER - 10

Time skipped. It was recess. Tae walked toward the rooftop, expecting nothing but silence-but there he was. Jungkook. Standing there, alone. The moment their eyes met, Tae felt the familiar pull, but instinctively, he turned to leave.

Jungkook - Don't go... please

Jungkook's voice stopped him.

Tae froze. He looked into those wide, shimmering eyes, filled with nothing but raw love and pain. And for the first time, Tae's hardened heart softened. He opened his mouth, ready to speak-but Jungkook interrupted, his voice trembling yet firm:

Jungkook - Hit me.

Tae frowned, confused.

Taehyung - What?

Jungkook - Why did you stop bullying me, Master?

Tae looked away, guilt twisting in his chest.

Taehyung - I... I just... stop calling me that now.

Tears welled up in Jungkook's eyes, glistening like morning dew. He took a small step forward, voice breaking, desperate.

Jungkook - Slap me. Punch me. Insult me. Bully me... do whatever you want, Taehyungie, but don't... don't avoid me. Please!

The nickname, spoken so tenderly, twisted Tae's stomach. He felt his chest tighten, his pulse quicken, but the sight of Jungkook, pleading like that, made him swallow hard. His voice came out low, shaky.

Taehyung - You're free now. I don't want to bully you anymore.

Jungkook's hands clenched into fists. His voice, raw and unrestrained, cut through the quiet:

Jungkook - DID I ASK YOU TO DO SO?

Tae flinched at the intensity, looking down, murmuring,

Taehyung - No...

Jungkook softened, taking a step closer, his voice trembling with need.

Jungkook - Please... don't avoid me, Master. I... I really need you.

Tae's chest tightened. The urge to gather him in his arms, to never let go, fought against the cold walls of his pride. He swallowed hard and spoke, voice stiff

Taehyung - I'm bored of you now. You should be happy-no one will hurt you. You have Jimin, don't you? So why do you need me? You know I'm straight. Why waste your time?

Jungkook said nothing, his silence a weight that pressed on Tae's chest. He turned to leave, but a sharp, trembling voice stopped him:

Jungkook - JUST TWO WEEKS!

Tae froze.

Taehyung - Huh?

Jungkook looked down, voice soft but steady.

Jungkook - Be with me... just for two weeks. I... I promise I won't show you my ugly face ever again. But... you have to act like you love me.

Tae chuckled, incredulous.

Taehyung - And why would I do that?

Jungkook - You want that Gucci bag, don't you?

Shock flashed across Tae's face.

Taehyung - How... how do you know?

Jungkook - Be with me for two weeks, and it's yours

Jungkook said, a small, confident smile tugging at his lips.

Tae laughed, shaking his head.

Taehyung - Do you even know the cost of that bag?

Jungkook - Five hundred dollars

Jungkook said without hesitation.

Tae's eyebrows shot up. And yet... the pull in his chest was undeniable. For the first time, he heard the quiet insistence of his own heart: accept this offer. Not for the bag-but to know Jungkook, truly.

Taehyung - Okay

He finally said, expecting Jubgkook to jump, to explode in joy-but instead, he only smiled softly.

They decided to start their two-week "deal" on Monday. The bag would be delivered the next day. Tae had a condition, of course.

Taehyung - But i have one condition

He said.

Jungkook's knowing smile didn't waver.

Jungkook - Don't worry, it'll be a secret. No one will know. I promise.

Tae nodded. He knew Jungkook would never break that promise.

Class awaited. They left the rooftop side by side, an uneasy truce lingering between them.

Time skipped to evening. Tae lay on his bed, cursing himself.

Taehyung - Fuck, Kim Taehyung... who told you to say yes to that nerd? What if he tells everyone? Everyone will laugh at me. Okay... okay, i can still call him and cancel this deal, right?

He reached for his phone, searching desperately for Jungkook's number-but he didn't have it. Frustration boiled over.

Taehyung - No... no way. How is this even possible? Never in my life... I've never regretted something so much before. Whatever. Deal's deal. Two weeks. Just two weeks. I can handle it.

Tae finally got up to shower, trying to wash away the chaos in his mind.

On the other side, Jungkook was sitting with his mom, pleading with her, his eyes shining with determination.

Jungkook - Mom... please give it to me.

Mrs. Jeon - No, baby, I'll submit it myself day after tomorrow.

Mrs. Jeon replied softly.

Jungkook - But Mom, he said we need to submit it in advance!

Mrs. Jeon - No... I'll handle it...

Jungkook - No, Mom! You can't!

Jungkook suddenly shouted, making her flinch.

Mrs. Jeon - Why, baby?

She asked, worried.

Jungkook softened, voice tender, coaxing

Jungkook - I can go, Mumma. And... you haven't told Dad yet, right?

Mrs. Jeon shook her head.

Jungkook - No... not yet. You can't, Mom. Not until I say so.

He insisted, eyes shining with quiet determination.

She looked down, biting her lip, and finally nodded.

Jungkook smiled, lifting the money in his hands, the sunlight catching on the bills.

Jungkook - I'm going to live my dream... in these two weeks.

He whispered, a soft, bright smile spreading across his face.