Chapter Text
They decided not to head home just yet. Jimin sent a quick text to his friends, along with a location to meet. They gathered at the local park, sitting under an evergreen tree. The soft glow of nearby lampposts filled the area with light. People lingered, scattered around, enjoying the evening after a long day at the fair.
“You see,” Jimin began as he waited with Taehyung for the others, “Jungkook was born with a rare condition—he just didn’t have a fucking brain,” he explained, his tone nonchalant. Taehyung nearly choked on his own laughter, almost believing the seriousness in Jimin’s voice. But a mischievous grin slipped out, betraying him.
“So, when he was born,” Jimin continued, deadpan, “they had to use any brain they could find to keep him alive. And they just happened to grab a monkey brain.” Jimin sighed, the seriousness of his words almost convincing. Taehyung lost it, bursting into laughter. The tension broke in an instant.
“He thinks we’re dating?” Taehyung asked, wiping tears from his eyes. He tried to catch his breath, but laughter still threatened to spill out again as Jimin nodded. “I thought he was bullying me.” He went on to recount everything that led to that very moment—the spicy food, the stolen banana bread incidents, the posturing, the cryptic threats. The more Taehyung shared, the more absurd it all sounded, but somehow, it all made sense in a way. The whole situation was a mess, and Jungkook had somehow convinced himself that Taehyung and him were an item.
Jimin wiped his cheeks, still laughing. “Man, I knew that kid has a monkey brain, but this takes it to another level. Wait until Seokjin hears about it.”
“He also speaks like my father sometimes,” Taehyung added after a moment. He tried to recall clear events. “He uses old expressions.”
“He does that,” Jimin nodded, “he spends a lot of time with his father. They even participate in bridge tournaments. You know the card game?” Taehyung nodded, taking in the information. Everything seemed surreal that he still expected it to be some elaborate prank. “He is an old soul in a young body.”
The rest of the group arrived. Soft drinks and snacks were passed around. Taehyung found himself sitting between Jungkook and Seokjin. Yet again, he couldn’t help but feel the strangeness of the situation. One moment, he was soul deep in despair due Jeon Jungkook, The Psycho, the next he was sharing banana milk with his friends.
Once more, Taehyung recounted the events, adding more details that he remembered.
“You see,” Namjoon began as Taehyung finished his story. “Jungkook was born with a rare condition—he didn’t have a brain,” he explained, his tone serious.
“They gave him a monkey brain?” Taehyung chuckled at the same time Jungkook exclaimed “I have one!”
Namjoon completely ignored Jungkook’s outrage. “Not monkey but pig brain,” he corrected with a nod.
“Monkey brain!” Jimin and Seokjin insisted.
“Pig brain,” Namjoon retorted immediately. “He eats like a pig most of the time and doesn’t even gain weight!”
“Horse brain,” Yoongi shared wisely as he reached for more chips.
“I agree,” Hoseok nodded along. “He runs really fast.”
“I would say bunny brain,” Taehyung said, giving it a thought. “He has the bunny teeth, athletic body, and he is smart too.” He couldn’t deny that Jungkook was among the smartest, if not the smartest, in the class.
“I have a human brain,” Jungkook said with a small voice, tugging on Taehyung’s sleeve. The others were too busy arguing to notice them.
Taehyung turned his head to look at Jungkook. He found him smiling, eyes sparkling with amusement. Somehow, under the soft glow of the sunset and lampposts, Jungkook did not look as terrifying as he once did. Instead, Taehyung noticed the pretty almond shape of his eyes, the whiteness of his bunny teeth peeking behind full lips. He noticed the softness of his hair and the wild strand falling on his eyes.
Maybe, just maybe, they would be fine.
“So, about the courting,” Jungkook said softly, almost embarrassed.
“You don’t have to buy very expensive gifts, or share extremely spicy food,” Taehyung retorted, interrupting the blushing alpha. “Simple gifts will do.”
Jungkook’s eyes gleamed with relief and happiness. Their courting remained, and that alone was enough to brighten his day and week. “Simple gifts, it is” he said, grinning with that characteristic innocence of youth.
Taehyung decided that if Jungkook had a monkey brain, then he too had one, because letting the alpha court him sounded like a fine idea.
Yes, they would be fine after all.
Taehyung turned back the rest of the group, trying to win the argument. Jungkook remained by his side, sharing snacks. The breeze blew carrying the gentle scent of wildflowers and new beginnings.
And in the distance, the sky exploded in pink and golden hues.