- I'm sorry, I got carried away a bit yesterday. The big and important scene that I told yesterday needs some more contexts.

You will see the start of it today, but it will take few more chapters to finally get there.. sorry if I gave false alarm to anyone.. I think I just got overly excited for that part..

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Taehyung walked out of the bathroom to see Jungkook already laying down on the bed. However, the younger didn't had any trace of sleepiness in him. Actually, he looked like he was thinking very hard about something.

Taehyung wordlessly got on to his side of the bed and pulled Jungkook in to his embrace. "What are you thinking about, Koo?"

Jungkook's answer came after few seconds of pause. "About what happened today. With that Bogum guy."

Taehyung knew he would have to have this conversation and was glad the younger brought it up. The last thing he wants was another misunderstanding between them.

"Koo, are you really mad at Jimin?" Taehyung asked in a careful voice. "Cause you know he didn't mean any harm right?"

"Of course I know, hyungie." Taehyung could sense the younger's pout even without seeing it. "I was just... jealous, I guess."

Taehyung chuckled a bit at that. "You have nothing to be jealous about, baby. My eyes can't see anyone except you."

It was a little reassuring but Jungkook couldn't fully let go of the doubts he had. If Taehyung is only interested in him, why wasn't he marking Jungkook?

"Hyungie?"

"Hmm..? What is it, Koo?"

"You know we promised to not keep anything in mind and always talk to each other about how we feel, right?"

"Of course we did." Taehyung rubbed his thumb over Jungkook's waist softly. He knew by heart how this gesture always soothes away the younger's worries. "You can ask or tell me anything. And I will answer to the best way I can."

"Okay." Jungkook took a deep breath to calm his heart. "So.. I met Bogum later today too."

"What?!" Taehyung immediately pulled out of the embrace a bit to look at Jungkook's face. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Jungkook rolled his eyes and pulled Taehyung back in to his arms. "I'm telling you now, aren't I?! So can you please listen without yelling at me?"

"Okay, sorry." Taehyung mumbled quietly. "Please continue."

"Thank you." Jungkook huffed dramatically. "So I met him and he said... uhh... some stuff to me."

"What kind of stuff?"

"Mostly bullshit. He said some stupid stuff about how our relationship might not be lasting long and I told him we were mates. And.."

"And..?" Taehyung managed to sound calm, even though he's gritting his teeth furiously.

Jungkook took another few seconds pause before answering. "He asked me why you haven't marked me yet then."

There was a few minutes of silence after that. And with each second passing, Jungkook's worry began to grow even more. He was dreading the answer, but he was not regretting the question.

Taehyung was in an internal battle in his head. He couldn't decide how to answer that.

""

V's voice didn't sound scolding or accusing but Taehyung couldn't help but feel bad. He had, unintentionally, tried to run away from the problems again.

"" V said in a much softer tone this time.

"But what if it makes him sad? I don't want to see him sad anymore, V."

""

Taehyung couldn't argue with that. Jungkook was far from the delicate and soft boy he used to be. Taehyung needs to remember that.

He took a deep breath and gave a kiss to Jungkook's forehead. "If I tell you the reason, will you promise to listen until I finish? And try to understand my side, if you can?"

Jungkook's answer was immediate. "Yes, I will."

"Okay. It's because of the prophecy, Koo."

Jungkook wanted to protest so badly but he kept his mouth shut. He gave his word to listen till the end.

"We may have decided be together despite the warning but we would be fools if we disregard it completely. You're anyway in danger of falling under my power just because you're an Omega. The last thing I want is to have more power over you. Marking you will make you be even more submissive to me. And I don't want that, Koo. With the mate mark, you will not stand a chance against me, if the prophecy indeed come to pass."

Jungkook silently pondered what the elder was saying and couldn't help but feel that he's right. Of course Taehyung will only have Jungkook's best interests at his heart. Jungkook didn't knew why he ever thought otherwise.

"Bogum was being an asshole. He had no right to say those stuff to you and please don't let it upset you, okay? I'm all yours. Heart, mind and soul. Everything. No one will have even the slightest chance with me. You know that right?"

Taehyung waited for few seconds for an answer and when he didn't get one, he untangled himself from Jungkook's arms. He raised his upper body to rest on his elbow and looked at the younger's eyes.

"You know that, right Koo?"

Jungkook slightly squirmed under that intense gaze before breathing out an answer. "Yes, hyungie."

Taehyung raised his other hand to gently stroke the younger's cheek. "Never doubt that okay. No one can ever take me away from you."

"Of course. As if I'll let anyone steal what's mine."

Taehyung chuckled a bit at the younger's pout and laid back on the bed. "That's right. You're my strong baby."

"Yes, I am." Jungkook snuggled more in to Taehyung's chest. "I'm very strong now, hyungie."

"I'm very proud of you, Koo. I regret the way things happened, I really do. I never wanted to hurt you the way I did. But I'm just so proud the way you changed for the better."

"Thank you."

"And you've become little possessive too, if I might add. I enjoyed the way you handled that guy."

Jungkook huffed as he remembered the conversation he had with Bogum. "He was asking for it. And next time, I think I'll let my fist speak, instead of my mouth."

"My little ruffian." Taehyung said affectionately. "No wait, I have a better one. My Knight in shining armour."

Jungkook didn't said anything but the shy smile on his face was a clear enough answer. Yes, he will be happy to be Taehyung's Knight in shining armour.