Still My Venus

Apple Pie🥧

The heavy air cleared, replaced by warm food, silly stories, and genuine laughter.

Taehyung forced a smile at first, not wanting to ruin the night, but it quickly turned real.

Between Mrs. Kim’s maternal warmth and the comforting scent of Jungkook’s cooking, he was a goner.

'Was this what home felt like?

If yes, then he is completely defenseless against it.'

The rest of the night melted into an effortlessly beautiful rhythm filled with hilarious childhood tales of Bam and Mrs. Kim’s infamous kitchen fails.

Meanwhile, Jungkook became the ultimate glance-stealer, low-key obsessing over every boxy smile and soft giggle Taehyung let slip.

Just 24 hours in, and they were already acting like two poles of the SAME magnet, attracted by an irresistible, quiet pull neither was brave enough to voice yet.

Mrs. Kim, meanwhile, felt her heart expand to twice its size for the boy sitting at her table. Learning about his lost family and how he was trying to rebuild his broken life in a brand-new country made her want to pull him into a permanent hug.

But she held back, tucking her deep fondness safely to the side for now.

And she quietly made a promise to herself. She wouldn't smother him with pity, he was too precious for that.

But this boy with a heart of gold deserved a real family, and she was more than ready to claim him as theirs.

She needed a bulletproof plan.

It was close to midnight when Taehyung finally stood from the plush sofa, brushing down his clothes.

"It's getting really late. I should probably get going, Auntie," he said softly.

Mrs. Kim nodded with a tight, reluctant smile, though every maternal bone in her body wanted to lock the front door and keep this absolute angel safe under her roof forever.

Taehyung leaned in and wrapped her in a gentle hug, which she returned instantly, holding him tight.

Turning to Jungkook, he gave a polite bow.

'Wow, okay. Full-on formal.'

He crouched down to ruffle Bam’s silky fur one last time before offering a sweet, quiet, "Good night," to the pair and heading towards the front door.

Maybe his mind was buzzing with too many thoughts, or maybe the universe was playing wingman, but as he reached the threshold, his foot caught the edge of something. His steps faltered, and with a sharp, undignified "OW!" he butt-landed on the cold floor.

If this were a K-drama, there would have been

a heroic swoop.

a perfect slow-motion catch.

And

intense eye contact while he was held securely by the waist.

But..

Reality offered zero romance, just a painful, clumsy fall and immediate embarrassment.

“Oh my God.. Vi-hoo are you ok?” Mrs. Kim was the first to say what someone else was expected to act upon.

Jungkook was already moving, dropping to his knees alongside his mother to help him up.

Together, they gently hoisted Taehyung back onto his feet. His tailbone was throbbing, but the real shock hit the second he put weight down, his ankle twisted.

“Ouchhhhh”

His leg gave out completely, but this time, he didn't hit the ground. Strong, muscular arms instantly locked around his waist, catching his full weight before he could stumble.

The heat of Jungkook's grip burned straight through his shirt, sending a jolt through places in Taehyung that had known nothing but coldness for a very long time.

He felt a sharp heat, one that Taehyung tried hard to gulp down.

Jungkook held him impossibly close, his chest pressed flush against Taehyung's back, his jaw tight with protective panic.

Mrs. Kim stared at her son’s white-knuckle grip on the boy’s waist, then down at Taehyung’s swollen ankle.

‘Well,’ she thought, a brilliant, scheming spark igniting in her eyes as she crossed her arms.

‘Looks like the universe just handed me my master plan.’

“Oh no.. looks like his sprain. It’s only going to get worse if he tries to walk,” Mrs. Kim said, eyeing Taehyung's pained expression.

“Kook pick him up.”

Both boys snapped their heads up, staring at her as if she’d suddenly started speaking alien language. She met their wide-eyed glares with an unwavering look to confirm that yes, they had heard her correctly.

“Take him to the guest room, he is staying here tonight.”

“No Auntie.. its.. o-ok.. I can walk.. I can go to my apartm- Owwwww…”

A sharp pain shot straight from his ankle all the way up to his throbbing butt, both pain so romantically coordinated.

Yeah. He wasn't going anywhere.

Jungkook didn't hesitate for a single second. Stepping forward, he pulled Taehyung close and scooped him up into a bridal carry in one sweeping motion.

Caught off guard, Taehyung could only wrap his arms tightly around the man's neck, anchoring himself.

His soft, petite skin brushed against the firm, muscular chest.

For one breathless second, their eyes locked, their faces inches apart.

Before the heat rising in Taehyung’s chest could turn his cheeks a bright pink, Jungkook deliberately averted his gaze, clearing his throat and striding toward the guest room with him.

Mrs. Kim stood back, grinning like a mastermind as she watched the two of them walk toward their destiny on one set of legs.

Then, something bright red on the entryway floor caught her eye.

‘An apple?’

‘Wait... where did that come from?’

Her confused gaze scanned the floor, trailing from the fruit straight to the culprit sitting proudly beside it: Bam.

Yeah.

The errant "apple of destiny" from Taehyung's apartment, the exact one Bam had secretly hunted down and carried over during his earlier expedition without anyone noticing.

Mrs. Kim let out a low smirk.

Bam slowly trotted over to her, stopping right in front of his prize. He planted one paw firmly on top of the apple and looked up at her with pure pride.

She read his expression instantly-

‘I am IN. Mission accomplished.’