Chapter 5: The First Fracture

The morning sun painted golden streaks across the silk sheets as Jungkook stirred awake, blinking against the light. It took him a moment to register where he was.

Taehyung’s bed.

Not just his bed—their bed now, he supposed.

But more importantly, Taehyung was still there.

Still holding his hand.

The quiet intimacy of the moment settled like a warm blanket over Jungkook’s chest. Their fingers were loosely entwined, resting between them on the space where two people learning to love might eventually meet.

He turned his head slowly. Taehyung was already awake, eyes open, staring at the ceiling like he’d been lost in thought for hours. His hair was a bit messy, the strong line of his jaw unclenched in the calm of morning.

“Did you sleep?” Jungkook whispered.

A pause. “A little.”

Jungkook gave a small smile. “That’s a start.”

Taehyung turned his head slightly, looking at him. “You didn’t let go.”

“I didn’t want to,” Jungkook admitted.

Taehyung’s eyes softened—for a second. But then he blinked and sat up, the warmth of his hand slipping away.

“You should get ready,” he said, voice cool again. “We’re flying to Italy today.”

Jungkook sat up slowly, heart catching in his throat. “Italy?”

“There’s a Jeon-Kim estate near Lake Como. It’s time you see the other side of this marriage.”

Jungkook frowned. “What side is that?”

“The political one.”

---

The flight was long, luxurious, and silent.

Jungkook sat beside Taehyung in the private jet, sipping on tea as the city of Seoul vanished below them. He glanced sideways at his husband—the word still felt foreign in his mind. Taehyung was deep in files, fingers tapping against the tablet screen, expression unreadable.

Even now, even after that night of quiet intimacy, it was like the man could shut a door inside himself and throw away the key.

Jungkook turned to the window with a soft sigh.

He didn’t expect Taehyung to gently place a blanket over his lap twenty minutes later when he began to doze off. It was silent. Thoughtful.

Just like him.

---

The villa in Lake Como was like something out of a dream. Vine-covered stone walls, soft lights, and a lake that shimmered under the moonlight. The air was crisper here, fragrant with Italian herbs and old roses.

They were greeted by Italian-speaking staff and a waiting table set for two under the pergola outside.

Jungkook’s breath caught at the beauty of it all—but also at the subtle tension he felt from Taehyung. It wasn’t cold exactly. Just… restrained.

Dinner was quiet. Delicious. But Jungkook barely tasted a bite.

He kept looking at Taehyung. Studying him. Waiting for something.

Finally, after dessert, Jungkook placed his napkin on the table and leaned forward slightly. “Why do I feel like you brought me here for a reason that has nothing to do with our families?”

Taehyung set down his glass of wine, his eyes meeting Jungkook’s with sharp intensity.

“You’re smart.”

“You’re hiding something.”

A pause.

“I wanted to know if you could handle this side of me,” Taehyung said quietly. “The business. The legacy. The… power.”

Jungkook tilted his head. “You mean the mafia?”

Taehyung’s gaze flickered—surprised, but only slightly. “Who told you?”

“No one. But I’m not stupid, Taehyung. You’re too precise. Too feared. No one rises to your level without blood behind them.”

A longer pause.

Then Taehyung stood up slowly, walked to the edge of the terrace, and looked out at the dark lake.

“Do you want to run?” he asked without turning.

Jungkook stood, walked over, and stood beside him. “Do you want me to?”

Taehyung finally looked at him, his face unreadable but his eyes stormy.

“No.”

“Then stop testing me like I’m a fragile toy,” Jungkook whispered. “I didn’t run when you were cold. I didn’t run when you told me the marriage was just strategy. And I won’t run now.”

Taehyung’s jaw clenched, the flicker of emotion breaking through the control. He turned sharply, stepping close—too close. Jungkook’s breath hitched.

Their bodies were inches apart.

“I’m not gentle,” Taehyung warned. “Not in bed. Not in love. Not in life.”

“Then don’t be,” Jungkook whispered, voice trembling.

That broke something.

Taehyung reached for him, his hands rough but controlled as they cupped Jungkook’s jaw, pulling him in—closer, closer, until their lips finally met.

The kiss wasn’t soft.

It was fire. Months of tension. Weeks of restraint.

Taehyung kissed like a man who didn’t know if he’d get another chance. Jungkook kissed like someone who had been waiting for this his entire life.

And when Taehyung’s hands slid down his waist, gripping tight, Jungkook gasped into his mouth. He didn’t resist when Taehyung swept him into his arms and carried him into the villa, straight to the master bedroom.

Their clothes hit the floor piece by piece. Heat bloomed between them like wildfire.

Taehyung was careful with him. Not gentle—but precise. Intentional.

“Tell me to stop,” he whispered against Jungkook’s throat.

Jungkook wrapped his legs around his waist, pulling him closer.

“Don’t you dare.”

And then there were no more words—just moans, sighs, skin against skin.

It wasn’t just sex.

It was an unspoken promise.

And when it was over, and Taehyung was holding Jungkook close in bed, their limbs tangled, their breathing slowing—he whispered something that made Jungkook’s heart flutter painfully.

“I’ve never wanted someone the way I want you.”

---

Three weeks later, Jungkook stared at the pregnancy test in his trembling hands.

Two pink lines.

He sat on the bathroom floor of the villa in stunned silence, his heart thudding wildly.

He didn’t know how it happened—well, biologically he did, but he didn’t think it would be this soon. Not now. Not when they’d just started falling. Just started becoming.

The door creaked open.

Taehyung stood in the doorway, shirt unbuttoned, hair still wet from the shower.

“What’s wrong?”

Jungkook looked up at him, eyes wide, cheeks flushed, lips parted in disbelief.

“I… I think I’m pregnant.”

Time stopped.

Taehyung stared at him, every emotion flashing through his eyes at once—shock, panic, fear, awe.

And then, slowly… he stepped forward, dropped to his knees beside Jungkook, and took the test from his shaking hand.

Silence.

And then:

“You’re carrying my child?” His voice cracked. “Ours?”

Jungkook nodded slowly. “I don’t know how… I didn’t plan—”