Jungkook didn’t sleep that night.

He couldn’t.

Because Taehyung’s words wouldn’t leave his head.

“Are you going to leave?”

Jungkook had never been needed before.

Not like this.

Not in a way that felt like he mattered.

And now, he wasn’t sure if he could walk away.

Not when Taehyung looked at him like that.

Not when Jiho clung to him like he belonged here.

Not when this place already felt like home.

—

The Morning After

Jungkook expected things to feel awkward.

To feel different after last night.

But when he walked into the kitchen, Taehyung was already there—humming softly as he bounced Jiho in his arms, flipping pancakes on the stove.

He turned when he saw Jungkook, smiling.

Like nothing had changed.

“Morning,” Taehyung greeted, voice gentle.

Jungkook blinked. “Morning.”

Jiho kicked his tiny legs, reaching for Jungkook immediately.

And just like that—everything felt normal again.

Like last night’s conversation had never happened.

Like Taehyung wasn’t waiting for an answer.

And Jungkook didn’t know whether to be relieved or frustrated.

—

A New Routine

The days started blending together.

Mornings spent with Jiho curled against his chest while Taehyung prepared breakfast.

Afternoons training in the backyard while Taehyung sat nearby, watching with soft curiosity.

Evenings spent in quiet comfort, Jiho asleep between them on the couch.

It was too easy to get used to this.

Too easy to forget that Jungkook wasn’t supposed to stay.

Too easy to pretend that maybe—he already had.

—

The First Time Jungkook Holds Jiho To Sleep

It happened one evening.

Taehyung was exhausted.

He had barely slept the past two nights, and it was obvious from the way his head kept nodding forward, eyes barely open as he rocked Jiho in his arms.

Jungkook sighed.

“Give him to me,” he muttered, reaching for the baby.

Taehyung blinked sleepily. “You don’t have to—”

Jungkook ignored him, scooping Jiho into his arms with ease.

The baby barely stirred, only sighing softly as he nuzzled against Jungkook’s chest.

Taehyung watched, eyes wide.

Jungkook didn’t look at him as he adjusted Jiho’s tiny body against him, murmuring, “Go to sleep, Taehyung.”

Taehyung hesitated.

But then—his lips curved.

Soft. Grateful.

Something else Jungkook couldn’t name.

And as he finally curled up on the couch, watching Jungkook hold his son—

Jungkook realized something.

He didn’t feel out of place anymore.

He felt like he belonged.

And that thought—was terrifying.