Bound to You

Chapter 12

Taehyung barely paid attention to Viper's report as he strode toward his room. He was exhausted after the flight and all he wanted was his bed.

"Later, Viper," he said, punching the code in on the keypad and pushing the door open.

He went still as his brain short circuited at the sight that greeted him.

Jimin was sprawled on his bed, silky navy-blue sheets tangled at his legs, he was giggling at something on the TV, his curls in disarray, eyes forming crescents. And if that wasn't one of the most beautiful sight Taehyung has seen. He was wearing a light yellow sweater which came down to his thighs—Taehyung hadn't even known he owned something like that — Are those sweater paws? Really? Wait, how did he even find it?

"What are you doing here?" Taehyung heard himself say.

Jimin turned his head and stared at him, his smile fading.

Before the guy could respond, Viper, who still stood behind Jimin, cut in hurriedly, "Look, I told the brat to leave, but he didn't obey. He—"

"Get out," Taehyung said, his eyes trained on Jimin.

Pursing his lips, Jimin sat up, but Taehyung bit off.

"I'm talking to you, Viper. You're dismissed."

A beat passed before Viper nodded and left. Taehyung stepped inside, letting the door close, lock clicking back into place.

They were alone now.

After a moment, Jimin shifted his gaze back to the TV, staring at it with a great deal of interest—perhaps with too much interest for that to be genuine. Taehyung followed his gaze and only then realized what Jimin was watching.

"You're watching anime," Taehyung deadpanned. He dropped his suitcase on the chair and started unbuttoning his jacket, but his gaze kept returning to the guy still lounging in his bed. His sweater was too big on Jimin, leaving his milky white neck and sharp collarbone exposed. Despite Taehyung's exhaustion, his cock twitched and started thickening. Taehyung gritted his teeth, irritated by his body's reaction to this man once again.

"I love anime," Jimin said lightly. His hand, Taehyung noticed, was gripping one of the pillows.

"You love anime," Taehyung repeated. "Are you an actual child?"

"Don't be so judgemental now. Anime is not just for kids you know," Jimin said, keeping his eyes on the screen. "Also, we all have a little bit of kid inside of us. I love kids, and I love watching anime with them. They teach us valuable lessons sometimes." He smiled a little.

This is fucking ridiculous. Park couldn't have possibly produced this strange boy. Nope. I'm not buying this.

"I used to babysit in secret," Jimin provided, breaking the silence. "I'd love to have my own kids someday."

"You?" Taehyung didn't bother to hide his amusement.

Jimin finally dragged his eyes from the screen to glare at him. A disgruntled kitten, indeed. "Yes, me. What's so funny?"

"You're a baby yourself," Taehyung said, taking him in from head to his bare toes.

"Appearances can be misleading," Jimin said, flushing. "I'll have you know I'm great with babies. It's always been my dream to have a big family, have lots of kids." He hesitated before adding, "And a loving husband."

Taehyung felt his lips curl in distaste.

"What?" Jimin said, his chin lifting. He turned the TV off. "You think there's something wrong with it? With being gay?"

"With being gay? Personally, I never got the appeal, but I don't care what other people want" Taehyung loosened his tie. "But don't you think it's unnatural to want a family with another man?" There was something objectionable about the idea of Jimin having a "loving husband."

Taehyung didn't like it.

Jimin cocked his head to the side, his curls falling into his chocolate brown eyes. "I understand why you might feel that way," he said, his voice soft. "I know homophobia is still quite prominent in the society. But you're wrong. It's not unnatural. Just different from the norm."

Jimin's fingers were still clenched.

"You aren't as nonchalant about it as you pretend," Taehyung stated as he started unbuttoning his shirt.

"I'm not," Jimin admitted with a sad smile. "I already told you about my dad's views. I tried hard to be 'normal' to make him happy. I changed the way I dressed and the way I acted, but I couldn't change what I wanted, no matter how hard I tried to like girls. And I tried. But eventually, I gave up. I like men. I've made peace with it. If I was born that way, it can't be wrong or unnatural."

"Why don't you tell that to your father, then?"

Jimin dropped his gaze and shrugged, the sweater slipping off his shoulder. "I'm...Okay, yeah, I'm scared of his reaction." He bit the inside of his cheek. "I'm not ready to come out to him. I guess he will find out when I meet the man of my dreams and decide to settle down."

Taehyung shrugged his shirt off. "The man of your dreams," he said, not bothering to hide the mockery in his voice. "And who would that be?"

Jimin's fingers drew patterns on his bare thigh, more of a nervous gesture than anything else, his long eyelashes almost touching his creamy skin. "I don't know," he said slowly. "I guess I'll recognize him when I see him? Obviously he must be attractive, and he must have the balls to stand up to my father. But first and foremost, he must be good-natured and nice." He looked at Taehyung through his eyelashes, dropping his gaze immediately. "He must love kids and want the same things as me." A faint blush tinted his cheeks. "And he must adore me, of course."

Of course.

Taehyung threw his shirt in the laundry basket a little harshly.

Flinching, Jimin looked up. His gaze swept over Taehyung's bare chest before meeting his eyes. The silence stretched, taut and tangible.

"You look...angry," Jimin murmured.

"I'm never angry," Taehyung said. That was true, well to an extent. He couldn't remember the last time he showed his anger outwardly. Any strong emotion was a potential weakness. He had distanced himself from the majority of his family for a reason. They were safer that way. It was easier that way for him, too.

"You returned early," Jimin stated. "Did something happen? Is there any news?" His dark eyes were wide and beautiful, and his lips looked soft, juicy and very pink. It was irritating. Everything about the man irritated him: the way he looked, the way he talked, the way he fucking breathed.

Taehyung felt his jaw clench. In a few long strides, he crossed the distance between them and yanked Jimin up by the collar of his sweater. "Do you think you're a guest here?"

Jimin blinked slowly. "No?" he said, his voice still irritatingly soft and melodious, even as his breathing became unsteady.

"You seem to think you're entitled to answers," Taehyung said, only a few inches separating them. "That I owe you any explanation."

"I..." Jimin said, looking a little flustered. He stared at Taehyung, the expression on his face earnest and open. "I just want to know why I'm here—what you want with me. I think that's fair, don't you think?"

Fair?

"I think...," Taehyung said, letting his voice acquire an edge he reserved for dealing with enemies he had every intention of crushing. "...I think I've been too soft with you."