Jungkook had never lived in a house before.

Not a real one, at least.

He had grown up in cheap, rotting apartments where the walls were thin and the ceilings leaked when it rained. Then, when that was gone, he had spent years sleeping wherever he could—underground gyms, the backseats of abandoned cars, cold concrete floors in places no one would bother looking.

That was home.

So standing here, in the middle of the outhouse—which was bigger than any place he'd ever stayed—Jungkook felt out of place.

"This will be your space," Taehyung said, setting Jiho down on the plush carpet. The baby wobbled slightly before curling his tiny fingers into the fabric, letting out a soft gurgle.

Jungkook shifted his weight. This was too much.

The outhouse wasn't just some rundown, empty guesthouse. It was fully furnished. Warm lighting, sleek wooden floors, a modern kitchen, and a bed big enough for someone to actually stretch out in.

Jungkook eyed the room with unease.

"You don't have to go easy on me," he muttered. "I've slept in worse."

Taehyung turned to look at him, an unreadable expression on his face. Then, slowly, he walked toward Jungkook, stopping just a few feet away.

"I don't believe in treating people badly just because they're used to it."

Jungkook's chest tightened.

He swallowed, turning his gaze away. He didn't know how to respond to that.

A small, comfortable silence settled between them before Taehyung spoke again.

"The security system is connected to my house," he said, walking over to the panel on the wall. "You'll have access to everything from here. If anything happens, you'll know."

Jungkook nodded, grateful for something practical to focus on. "Got it."

Taehyung smiled softly before glancing down at Jiho. The baby was now on his back, tiny feet kicking the air.

Jungkook didn't know much about babies, but he looked happy. Content.

It was strange, watching someone so small and vulnerable feel completely at ease.

Jungkook exhaled through his nose.

"You trust me that easily?" he asked before he could stop himself.

Taehyung looked up. "What do you mean?"

Jungkook gestured toward Jiho. "Letting me be around him."

Taehyung blinked, then let out a soft hum. "Jiho trusts you."

Jungkook frowned. "He doesn't even know me."

"He doesn't cry when you're near," Taehyung pointed out. "He doesn't get fussy. Babies can feel things, you know? They know when someone isn't safe."

Jungkook didn't know what to say to that.

So he said nothing.

Taehyung watched him for a moment before shaking his head with a small laugh. "Besides, if I thought you were a threat, you wouldn't have stepped one foot in my house."

Jungkook believed him.

Taehyung might've looked soft, but there was something unshakable about him.

Something firm beneath all that warmth.

Jungkook wasn't sure if that made him feel better or worse.

Taehyung yawned then, rubbing his eyes. "You should get some rest."

Jungkook tilted his head. "You're the one who looks like you need sleep."

Taehyung let out a quiet chuckle. "That's just what happens when you have a baby."

Jungkook frowned.

Taehyung was young. Younger than Jungkook had expected when he first saw him.

And yet—he carried himself like someone who had already lived a thousand lifetimes.

Like someone who had learned the world's cruelty early.

Jungkook wasn't sure why, but that realization made his chest ache.

"You're raising him alone?" he asked before he could think better of it.

Taehyung's smile wavered slightly, but he nodded. "Yeah."

Jungkook hesitated. "And the father?"

"Gone," Taehyung said simply. "I don't even know who he is."

Jungkook frowned.

One-night stand, then.

Some nameless, faceless bastard who left without looking back.

Jungkook had never cared much about what people did with their personal lives.

But for some reason, the thought of Taehyung going through pregnancy alone, giving birth alone, raising Jiho alone—

It didn't sit right with him.

Jungkook clenched his jaw.

"I'll protect him," he said before he could stop himself.

Taehyung's gaze snapped up.

Jungkook wasn't sure what made him say it.

Maybe it was the exhaustion in Taehyung's voice.

Maybe it was Jiho's tiny fingers curling into his mother's robe, completely dependent on him.

Or maybe—just maybe—Jungkook needed this job more than he thought.

Taehyung studied him for a long moment.

Then, he smiled.

A real one this time.

One that was small, tired, but genuine.

"...Thank you, Jungkook."

Jungkook looked away, a strange warmth settling in his chest.

He didn't know what he had just signed up for.

But for now, he would stay.