Chapter Seventy-seven "Phoenix in His Arms"

 

 

The Moment of Weakness

The rhythmic pounding of the basketball against the polished wood of the court echoed through the air, blending with the sharp squeaks of sneakers and the distant cheers of students scattered around the gym. The scent of sweat and determination clung to the atmosphere, thick and intoxicating.

Professor Kim Taehyung stepped into the basketball court, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. He had come here for one reason: to speak with Professor Hoseok about the upcoming basketball tournament. However, the moment his gaze landed on a particular figure, his breath hitched in his throat.

Kim Jungkook.

The younger man moved like liquid fire, his body in perfect sync with the game. Clad in a navy-blue vest jersey that clung to his sculpted torso, and every ripple of his toned muscles was on full display.

The dim gymnasium lights cast a golden sheen over his sweat-slicked skin, highlighting the sharp lines of his arms and the firm ridges of his abdomen as he weaved through defenders with effortless grace. Each time he jumped for a shot, his biceps flexed, veins pulsing beneath his skin, his sheer power radiating with every movement.

Taehyung swallowed, his fingers curling into a fist at his side. The sight was... mesmerizing. Teasing. The way Jungkook's powerful thighs tensed with every sprint, the way sweat glided down the slope of his collarbone, disappearing beneath the fabric of his jersey—it was hypnotic. His dark, damp hair stuck to his forehead, framing those sharp eyes that burned with intensity, his lips parted as he panted lightly from exertion.

For a fleeting moment, Tae forgot why he was even there.

Jungkook dribbled past another student before leaping into the air for a flawless three-pointer. The ball swished cleanly through the net, earning a round of cheers. He turned to his teammates with a triumphant grin, his chest rising and falling rapidly. The flicker of his pink tongue darting out to wet his lips sent an unexpected shiver down Taehyung’s spine. His heart was hammering in his chest, and he cursed inwardly for his lack of composure.

A low chuckle snapped him out of his trance.

“Enjoying the view?”

Taehyung flinched, turning swiftly to see Hoseok standing beside him, arms crossed, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. The amusement in the sports professor’s eyes was unmistakable.

Taehyung cleared his throat, straightening his posture as if that would erase the seconds he had just spent utterly captivated. “I came to talk about the upcoming tournament,” he said, his voice level, though he was certain Hoseok had caught the slight hesitation.

“Right,” Hoseok drawled, clearly unconvinced. He cast a glance toward Jungkook, who was now wiping the sweat from his face with the hem of his jersey, unknowingly exposing even more of his taut abdomen. “You sure that’s all you came for?”

Taehyung shot him a warning glare. “I’d appreciate it if you focused on the tournament schedule instead of making baseless assumptions.”

Hoseok laughed, raising his hands in surrender. “Whatever you say, Professor Kim.”

With one last glance at the court—specifically at Jungkook, who was now standing near the hoop, his body still radiating pure energy—Tae turned to leave. As he walked past Hoseok, he added in a steady tone, “Send Jungkook to my office after practice.”

Hoseok grinned behind him, watching as Taehyung exited the gym, his usual air of indifference barely masking the storm he was clearly trying to suppress.

“Oh, this is going to be interesting.”

-----------------------------------------------

Jungkook entered the office, closing the door behind him, when suddenly, strong hands gripped his waist and pinned him against the wall. Before he could react, his lips were captured in a fierce, heated kiss, Taehyung's mouth devouring his own as if starved.

The intensity made Jungkook’s mind go blank, his breath stolen as Taehyung’s tongue invaded his mouth, taking complete control.

A soft whimper escaped Jungkook’s lips as he clung to Taehyung’s shoulders, trying to steady himself while the older man deepened the kiss. Their tongues tangled, their breaths mingled, and the heat between them was overwhelming.

Taehyung’s grip tightened around Jungkook’s waist, pressing him further against the cold wall, their bodies flushed together. The kiss was relentless, almost punishing, filled with raw desire and unspoken emotions.

Fifteen minutes passed before Taehyung finally managed to regain control over himself. With one last lingering peck, he pulled away, leaving Jungkook panting, lips swollen and red, eyes hazy with desire.

"Baby, why you always have to make things difficult for me? Hmm?" Taehyung murmured, his voice husky as he buried his face into Jungkook’s warm neck, inhaling his scent deeply.

Jungkook, still catching his breath, giggled softly, the sound light and teasing. "I did nothing, Hyungie," he answered cheekily, a mischievous glint in his dark brown eyes. "I’m just irresistible."

Taehyung groaned at the bratty remark, nipping at Jungkook’s neck in response before whispering lowly, "You are still young, that’s why I am controlling myself. But the day my patience breaks, I will break you very badly. There is a side of me you aren’t familiar with yet."

The warning sent a delicious shiver down Jungkook’s spine, but rather than fear, a flicker of excitement and mischief danced in his gaze. His lips curled into a small smirk, teasing but saying nothing.

Taehyung sighed, shaking his head at the younger’s antics, before scooping Jungkook up effortlessly in his arms. Carrying him to his desk, he settled into his chair with Jungkook curled up in his lap like a baby koala.

Jungkook instinctively clung to Taehyung’s shirt, nuzzling against his chest, feeling comforted and safe.

The exhaustion from practice, combined with the warmth of Taehyung’s embrace, lulled Jungkook into a peaceful sleep.

Taehyung’s arms held him securely, one hand resting on Jungkook’s waist while the other slipped under his t-shirt, lazily massaging the smooth skin of his back. His eyes fluttered shut, basking in the rare moment of quiet closeness, his heart content.

Meanwhile, outside the office, Jungkook’s friends were searching for him. After wandering around, they finally asked Professor Hoseok, who nonchalantly revealed that Jungkook was in Taehyung’s office.

Suspicious and curious, the group arrived outside the cabin, debating whether they should knock or wait for Jungkook to come out on his own.

Just then, Professor Seokjin approached, raising an eyebrow at the gathering. "What are you all doing here? Is Taehyung not inside? Are you waiting for him?"

The group hesitated before spilling everything, explaining how Jungkook had been inside for a while, and they weren’t sure whether to interrupt.

Seokjin's lips curled into a mischievous smirk. Without a second thought, he pushed the door open and stepped inside unannounced, the group following closely behind.

And what they saw left them completely shocked.

Jungkook, peacefully curled in Taehyung’s lap, his face nestled against the older man’s chest, Taehyung’s hand under Jungkook’s shirt, holding him close. The sight was both intimate and undeniably possessive.

Jin cleared his throat loudly, snapping Taehyung out of his content daze.

The tension in the room shifted instantly, and Jungkook stirred slightly at the noise, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

A stunned silence filled the air before chaos erupted.

"Oh my GOD, WHAT IS THIS?!" Jimin shrieked, eyes wide.

"Taehyung-hyung?! Jungkook?!" Soobin gasped dramatically.

Niki covered her mouth, muffling a laugh, while Hoseok simply smirked, thoroughly enjoying the situation.

Seokjin, ever the dramatic one, placed a hand over his chest. "Well, well, well, what do we have here? Care to explain, Taehyung?"

But instead of showing any fear or embarrassment for being caught in that state, Taehyung merely turned his dark gaze toward them, his voice deep and unwavering.

"Get out."

Without another glance at them, he resumed patting Jungkook, soothing him back to sleep, completely ignoring the others’ presence.

Everyone stood frozen, stunned by Taehyung’s sheer audacity.

Jin huffed, setting a file down on the desk. "Namjoon asked me to give this to you," he said, then turned toward the door with a smirk. "Bye-bye, lovebirds."

As he walked out, the rest hurriedly followed, still reeling from what they had just witnessed.

Niki, grinning mischievously, quickly snapped a few pictures before running out with the others, not forgetting to close the door behind her.

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