The Arrangement

50

"I think it's best if you talk to them first, Kook," Taehyung told Jungkook back at their apartment.

After receiving the call from his parents, Jungkook knew there'd be no stalling this confrontation. To his parents' credit, they did a good job withholding their anger on the phone. They simply demanded an address so they could come speak to both boys.

The younger was familiar with this approach. His parents feigned calmness in order to get what they wanted, then, they'd let their anger run free.

This encounter was likely to be no different.

"They might give you a chance to explain if they don't see me just yet," Taehyung continued, running his thumb over the younger's cheek. "And I'll be right in our bedroom if you need me."

Jungkook groaned, not wanting to do this now. He wanted to spend his last few hours home with Taehyung in their own little world. If this was the last time they'd be seeing each other for weeks, he needed to hold the elder tight to his body and not let go until the last moment possible.

A steady stream of knocks sounded from the door and both boys turned towards the sound.

"Jungkook . . ." Taehyung murmured, drawing the boy's attention. Once he had it, the elder softly kissed him, their lips effortlessly contouring to the other's.

"I'll call for you when I need you, Tae," Jungkook broke away, his heart hammering in his chest.

Taehyung nodded and walked to their room as Jungkook headed towards the door. His parents were still knocking, refusing to stop until their son greeted them.

Jungkook pulled open the vibrant blue door to face his parents. They immediately let themselves inside, eyes scanning over the beautiful interior.

"Where is he?" Jungkook's father said, making to walk down the hallway. "He has no right to touch my son and get away with it."

"If he did something I didn't want, why would I be living with him?" Jungkook countered, hands balling into fists at his side. "Now will you please sit down and let me explain?"

Jungkook's mother marched up to him. "There is nothing to explain, Jungkook. We know he's taking advantage of this whole set up. This is just the sort of thing we knew would happen, isn't it honey?" She looked towards her husband, who was stalking around the living room.

"Has he tried touching you other times, too? Or was that kiss the first?" His father asked loudly, his booming voice surely reaching where Taehyung was in their bedroom.

His parents spoke above him, refusing to let Jungkook get a word in. He never lost control of his emotions in front of them before, but with Taehyung being attacked like this, his grip was steadily loosening.

"We should've never let you work with him," his mother droned on, shaking her head in disappointment. "We knew he was a playboy and slept with anyone he could get his hands on, so I blame us for not pulling you out of this situation."

Jungkook's control slipped completely as he thought of Taehyung hearing all these hateful words about him.

"I will give you one more chance," he said with a deadly calm tone. "Unless you let me speak, I will ask you to leave."

His parents huffed, clearly debating their course of action. The fact that his parents didn't immediately want to hear him out hurt, but he didn't want to focus on that right now.

Finally, his mother nodded at him. "Fine. Try to explain this all away and -"

"Do you remember my childhood friend, Kim Taehyung?" Jungkook interrupted, seeing his mother's annoyance but not caring.