Chapter Fifty-Three "Phoenix in His Arms"

 

The Tension in Class

Jungkook strolled into the lecture hall, feeling refreshed and victorious from the previous night. He took his usual seat, pulling out his notebook and stretching lazily. Today’s first class was none other than Professor Kim’s lecture—a long and exhausting one scheduled right before lunch. He groaned inwardly but remained unfazed. After all, he had survived worse.

What Jungkook didn’t know was that his professor was in complete turmoil.

Taehyung stepped into the classroom with his usual grace, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit. His expression was as cold and unreadable as always, but inside, he was a mess. The moment he spotted Jungkook, seated in the middle row, scribbling absentmindedly in his notebook, the memories of last night came crashing down on him. The cuffs. The teasing. The way Jungkook had controlled the situation entirely.

His fingers twitched as he adjusted his cuffs, swallowing hard.

This was going to be hell.

“Good morning,” he greeted, his voice sharp and professional. The students responded in unison, but Taehyung barely heard them. He had to focus. He had to get through this class without losing his mind.

Jungkook, on the other hand, sat there completely unaware of the storm he had created in Taehyung’s head. He lazily spun his pen between his fingers, waiting for the lecture to start, oblivious to the way Taehyung kept shifting uncomfortably at the front of the class.

As Taehyung began writing on the board, his mind wavered. The chalk slipped from his fingers, clattering loudly against the floor. The room fell silent.

Jungkook blinked, tilting his head. “Professor, are you okay?” he asked, voice filled with innocent concern.

Taehyung clenched his jaw. The way Jungkook was looking at him—so clueless, so unaffected—made his blood boil. He could still hear the brat’s amused laughter from last night. He took a deep breath, nodding stiffly. “I’m fine,” he muttered, bending down to pick up the chalk, avoiding Jungkook’s gaze.

The students exchanged glances, whispering to each other. Their usually composed professor was acting strange.

Clearing his throat, Taehyung tried to resume the lecture, but it was impossible to concentrate. Every time he glanced at Jungkook, memories of last night flashed in his head. The way Jungkook had straddled him, the wicked smirk on his face, the feeling of being completely helpless under him—it was infuriating.

But Jungkook just sat there, completely unbothered, taking notes as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t reduced Taehyung to a flustered mess just hours ago.

Taehyung scowled. This brat was dangerous.

He turned back to the board, gripping the chalk tightly. No matter what, he had to get through this lecture without letting Jungkook get to him again.

But deep down, he knew it was already too late.

---

As the lecture finally came to an end, Taehyung dismissed the students, still avoiding Jungkook’s gaze. He needed to get out of here fast before his thoughts betrayed him any further.

Jungkook, however, lingered. Something felt off. His professor, who usually scolded him at least once per lecture, hadn’t even looked at him properly today. That wasn’t normal.

Deciding to check on him, Jungkook made his way to Taehyung’s office. He knocked lightly, waiting for permission before stepping in. Taehyung sat at his desk, fingers massaging his temples, clearly exhausted.

When he looked up, his brows furrowed in question. “What do you want, Jungkook?”

Jungkook hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, voice quieter than usual. “I just... I wanted to say sorry.”

Taehyung blinked. “For what?”

Jungkook shifted on his feet, looking down. “For last night. I was angry because of what happened with Professor Jenny. I didn’t like the way she was touching you, and you didn’t do anything to stop her.” His voice wavered slightly, guilt laced in his tone. “I wasn’t thinking. I just wanted you to understand how I felt. But I don’t want you to be mad at me or ignore me…” His voice trailed off, and when he looked back up, his eyes were shining with unshed tears.

Taehyung’s chest ached at the sight.

With a sigh, he got up and walked over to Jungkook, effortlessly lifting him up and settling him onto his lap. He ran a comforting hand through the younger’s hair. “I’m not mad at you,” he murmured. “And I wasn’t ignoring you.”

Jungkook sniffled, blinking up at him. “Really?”

Taehyung chuckled softly. “Really. If anything…” His voice dropped lower, teasing. “I was avoiding you because every time I looked at you, I kept remembering just how beautiful you were last night.”

Jungkook’s breath hitched. He stared at Taehyung with wide eyes before a deep blush covered his face. “R-Really?” he asked, voice small.

Taehyung smirked, his grip on Jungkook tightening just slightly. “Hmm. Too beautiful,” he murmured, eyes darkening. “To the point that if I hadn’t been cuffed, I would’ve lost all control.”

Jungkook made a small sound, face burning as he quickly buried himself into Taehyung’s chest, trying to hide. Taehyung chuckled, his arms tightening around him protectively, a rare soft smile gracing his lips.

Maybe last night wasn’t all bad after all.

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