The morning air was crisp, yet Jungkook felt like he was burning.

It had been two days since Taehyung held him — two days since the boy pressed his soft, delicate body against his large, scarred one and whispered: “Let me love you.”

And Jungkook hadn’t known peace since.

“Your Grace?”

Jungkook snapped his head up, his throat constricting when he saw him.

Taehyung stood at the doorway of his study, dressed in a delicate lavender dress that hugged his small waist and emphasized the roundness of his chest. The dress swayed gently around his thick thighs, and his long dark hair was tied into a loose braid, a few strands falling delicately around his face. His plump lips parted slightly when their eyes met.

Jungkook’s heart lurched painfully.

“Ah… Taehyung,” he rasped, his voice dry. “Is something the matter?”

Taehyung smiled sweetly, walking toward him with a tray of food. “You skipped breakfast again.”

Jungkook’s stomach tightened. “You shouldn’t trouble yourself. I—”

“It’s no trouble,” Taehyung interrupted softly, placing the tray on his desk. “I don’t mind.”

Jungkook clenched his fists.

Gods, why does he have to be so kind… so beautiful…

As Taehyung arranged the plates, his dress slightly slipped off his shoulder, revealing his creamy skin. Jungkook immediately averted his gaze, his throat going dry.

“You… you should cover yourself,” he croaked, his voice strained.

Taehyung blinked innocently. “Hm?”

“Your shoulder… it’s exposed,” Jungkook rasped, his fists tightening.

Taehyung looked down at himself and then smiled — a knowing, teasing smile. “Oh… is it distracting you, Your Grace?”

Jungkook’s entire body locked. “N-No—! I mean—”

Taehyung took a slow, deliberate step closer, his soft gaze never leaving Jungkook. “You always look away when I’m near you,” he murmured softly. “Why is that, Your Grace?”

Jungkook’s massive form tensed. “I do no such thing.”

“Yes, you do,” Taehyung whispered. Another step closer. “It’s almost as if… you’re afraid to look at me.”

Jungkook’s breath caught painfully. “I… I’m not afraid.”

“Then why won’t you look at me now?” Taehyung challenged, his voice laced with something sultry.

Jungkook’s jaw clenched. His thick fingers dug into his thighs, trying to suppress the unbearable heat flooding his chest.

“Stop it,” Jungkook rasped. “Don’t… don’t tease me like this.”

Taehyung’s smile softened. “I’m not teasing, Your Grace.” His voice dropped lower. “I’m simply wondering why a man as kind and gentle as you refuses to look at me.”

Jungkook couldn’t breathe.

Taehyung took another step closer until his soft, round chest nearly grazed Jungkook’s arm. The smell of vanilla and honey flooded Jungkook’s senses — Gods, he smelled so sweet.

Jungkook snapped to his feet, his large belly heaving. “You should go.”

Taehyung froze. “Your Grace—”

“Leave,” Jungkook rasped, his voice shaking. “I… I can’t be around you right now.”

Pain flickered in Taehyung’s eyes. “Why? Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” Jungkook growled, his voice strangled. “It’s me. I—” He swallowed thickly. “I don’t trust myself around you.”

Silence.

Then Taehyung smiled softly.

“Then don’t push me away,” he whispered.

Jungkook’s heart cracked. “I have to.”

Taehyung’s voice trembled. “Why?”

“Because if I don’t…” Jungkook’s voice cracked painfully, his fists shaking. “I’ll want to touch you. And if I touch you… I’ll ruin you.”

Taehyung’s heart broke.

“You won’t,” he whispered desperately.

“I will!” Jungkook roared, his voice cracked with agony. “I am a man filled with greed and lust, Taehyung! You are soft, delicate, and precious — I’ll destroy you!”

Taehyung’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Is that really what you think of me?”

Jungkook staggered back, his heart hammering painfully. “Please leave,” he rasped. “Before I lose what little control I have left.”

Taehyung’s chest ached. Without a word, he turned and left the room.

And when the door finally closed behind him — Jungkook collapsed onto his chair, clutching his heaving chest as hot, bitter tears flooded his eyes.

⸻

Later that evening

Jungkook was on his way to the stables when he heard it.

Taehyung’s soft, melodic laugh.

He turned his head sharply — and what he saw made his blood run cold.

One of the young stable boys, a tall and lean lad, was speaking to Taehyung — and the boy was laughing. His eyes sparkled, his cheeks flushed, and his hand lightly touched the young stable boy’s arm.

Jungkook froze.

An ugly, unbearable heat burned in his chest. His large, scarred hands curled into fists, and his stomach twisted painfully.

Why is he smiling at him like that? Why is he touching him?

Jungkook clenched his jaw. You have no right to feel jealous, he scolded himself. Taehyung is not yours. He never will be.

But then — the stable boy reached out and touched Taehyung’s waist, laughing softly.

Something snapped.

Before Jungkook realized what he was doing, his large body stormed toward them, his massive round belly jiggling slightly as his fists clenched at his sides.

“Taehyung,” he growled darkly.

Taehyung turned, his eyes widening. “Your Grace—”

“You,” Jungkook turned to the stable boy, his voice dangerously low. “Get your hands off him.”

The stable boy froze. “I-I’m sorry, Your Grace, I didn’t mean—”

“Leave. Now,” Jungkook snarled.

The boy stammered an apology before scurrying off.

Jungkook turned to Taehyung, his chest heaving. “Why were you letting him touch you?”

Taehyung blinked. “What—?”

“His hands were on your waist,” Jungkook growled, his voice laced with something primal. “Why did you allow it?”

Taehyung stared at him, stunned. “Why… do you care?”

Jungkook froze.

“Why does it bother you?” Taehyung whispered. “You keep telling me you don’t want me… so why does it hurt you to see someone else touch me?”

Jungkook’s large body trembled. “I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do,” Taehyung stepped closer, his voice shaking. “You feel it too, don’t you? This… this unbearable pull between us.”

Jungkook’s heart hammered painfully. “Taehyung—”

“Why are you fighting it?” Taehyung cried.

“Because if I touch you,” Jungkook rasped, his voice breaking, “I won’t be able to stop.”

Taehyung’s breath hitched.

And for the first time, pure, raw desire flashed in Jungkook’s dark eyes as he looked at him.