Chapter Text
After a short whirlwind engagement, Taehyung found himself back in Busan, walking down the aisle of a gorgeous wedding hall. He couldn't believe it. He and Jungkook were actually mating each other.
On live TV.
Cameramen, reporters, and paparazzi shouted Taehyung's name from the pews, fighting for his attention. "Taehyung, your wedding is the television event of the season! How does it feel?"
"It feels kinda weird, honestly," Taehyung said. "I didn't think I was gonna have to answer to reporters in the middle of the wedding."
"But isn't it true you're only having your wedding on KME for exposure?"
Taehyung froze as the reporters continued to hound him. "Wasn't your entire romance actually scripted by producers?"
"After two seasons on KME, would you say you're addicted to fame?"
A sea of strangers flooded the aisle, blocking Taehyung's path and his view of Jungkook. "Let me through! This is supposed to be our special day!"
"Don't you mean your special day?"
"Our sources say you don't care about Jungkook at all!"
"That's not true!" Taehyung felt like the walls were closing in on him, his breathing coming faster and shorter. "I…I…Jungkook!"
Taehyung jolted awake in his train seat, blinking as he took in his surroundings. When he was sure it had all been a dream, he sighed in relief. He and Jungkook were going to have a perfect drama free wedding. He sank back into his cushy seat and gazed out the window at the familiar Busan surroundings as the train approached the station.
After a quick limo ride through the streets of Busan, Taehyung finally arrived at the KME mansion. He took a deep breath, inhaling the salty ocean air. "I don't think I'll ever get sick of this place," he murmured to himself.
"Taehyung, you made it!" He turned to see Minghao waving at him from the doorway. "And right on time too."
"Well, you know me." Taehyung smiled. "I never keep my public waiting."
"Public?" Minghao let out a laugh. "I don't think so. I'm KME's newest junior producer so you technically answer to me now."
"That's right!" Taehyung exclaimed. "Now that Hoseok is the showrunner, they needed another producer to fill his shoes. I just hope you know that I trust you completely. Hoseok made a good call promoting you. You'll be a great producer."
Minghao smiled. "Thanks, Taehyung. Hoseok taught me everything he knows. I just hope I can put those lessons to work."
"I'm sure you'll get the hang of it in no time," Taehyung said.
"I'm just happy you're back," Minghao said. "Whatever happens, I promise I'll help guide you through the competition-"
Taehyung cut him off in confusion. "Competition? What competition?"
Minghao froze, his eyes widening. "Shit, I wasn't supposed to tell you yet." He sighed. "But since the cat is already out of the bag, there were some last-minute changes to the show. The execs decided to let a secret group of fans vote to bring another KME couple back. As part of the show, your wedding is gonna be judged against the other couple's."
"I didn't even know there was another KME couple," Taehyung said. "At least one that's already engaged. Who's our competition?"
"You rang?"
Taehyung's entire body tensed at the sound of Minsoo's voice. And it only got worse when he turned toward the alpha and found Jimin with him. "Surprise!" Jimin smiled. "We're the other couple Korea voted back on the show!"
"You two are engaged?" Taehyung asked incredulously. "This has to be some kind of trick! A month ago, you were barely even friends! And now you're supposedly in love? I call bullshit!"
Jimin glared at him. "So what if we had a whirlwind courtship? That doesn't mean we're any less in love than you and Jungkook."
Minsoo wrapped an arm around Jimin. "Pay him no mind, darling. He probably just feels threatened."
"He should," Jimin said. "We're going to win this competition whatever it takes." Smirking, he and Minsoo waltzed into the mansion together.
Taehyung rounded on Minghao. "I should've known my 'dream wedding' was too good to be true! Why did the execs even do this?!"
"Sorry, Taehyung, but they only tell junior producers so much," Minghao said. "If you want the full scoop, take it up with Jackson. In the meantime, can I cheer you up by showing you where you're staying?" He beckoned Taehyung to follow him away from the mansion.
"What kind of surprise do you have up your sleeve, Minghao?" Taehyung asked, a little bit excited, a little bit wary due to the first surprise of the season.
"Follow me and see for yourself," Minghao said.
Taehyung followed Minghao all the way to the edge of the KME property where a charming blue cottage was nestled on a quiet corner of the beach. "You and Jungkook will live here while we film the wedding special," Minghao said. "What do you think?"
"It's adorable!" Taehyung gushed. "I'm so excited to live here! Having an entire house to ourselves, overlooking the ocean, I can't imagine anything better!"
"I'm glad you think so," Minghao said. "We figured since you're newly engaged and all, you and Jungkook would want some privacy. And truth be told, the executives told us we couldn't house the couples in the mansion. Apparently they have some plans for it."
"Where are Minsoo and Jimin staying?" Taehyung asked.
"In the other guest house all the way across the property," Minghao said. "You'll hardly ever see them, I promise."
Taehyung smiled. "That's what I like to hear. How about you give me the grand tour?"
Minghao shook his head. "Your tour guide is waiting for you inside."
Taehyung looked at Minghao curiously before entering the cottage where he found Jungkook waiting for him. "I had no idea you were already here!" Taehyung ran across the room and flung his arms around Jungkook.
Jungkook hugged Taehyung tightly. "After a whole month of not seeing each other, I wanted the chance to surprise you."
"Consider me surprised," Taehyung said. "I can't believe the executives kept us apart for so long. It's been too long since I've kissed you."
"We should probably fix that," Jungkook chuckled. Smiling, Taehyung closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to Jungkook's in a deep passionate kiss. Jungkook wrapped his arms around Taehyung's waist, keeping him close. His kiss warmed Taehyung from the inside out. Taehyung basked in that warmth for a moment more before pulling away. "Was it worth the wait?"
Taehyung grinned. "You have no idea."
Minghao poked his head into the cottage, beaming at the two of them. "Look at you two lovebirds! I'm glad I got to be the one to reunite you."
"Believe me, we appreciate it," Taehyung said. "I just wish we had more alone time before filming starts."
"I may be able to help you there too," Minghao said. "Jackson doesn't need you in Confessional just yet. If you want, I can stall him for a little while so you two can catch up."
Jungkook smiled. "That would be great! I'm dying to show you around the house, Taehyung. Besides, it's been so long since we've seen each other and this might be our last chance to grab a moment alone before filming starts."
"You know what, I'll take you up on that offer," Taehyung decided.
Minghao nodded. "I'll find some way to stall Jackson. As long as you make it to Confessional within 30 minutes, we're golden." With a wink, Minghao left Taehyung and Jungkook alone in the guest house.
The two of them grinned at each other. "Okay, Jungkook, give me the grand tour."
"Happy to!" Jungkook took Taehyung's hand in his. "We'll start in the kitchen."
They headed into the kitchen together and Jungkook snatched an apple from the bowl on the table, biting into it. "I see you're feeling right at home already," Taehyung mused.
Jungkook shrugged. "What can I say? I'm adaptable." He smirked as he tossed Taehyung an apple.
Taehyung sank his teeth into the apple, savoring its flavor. "Gotta love the KME crew."
"For giving us free food?" Jungkook asked with a laugh.
"For one thing, yeah." Taehyung nodded. "But also for giving us the privacy we deserve. The mansion was cool and all but I like this so much better. I finally get you all to myself."
Jungkook grinned. "Just think of what we can do now that we won't have cameras watching our every move."
Taehyung's cheeks started to grow warm. "Trust me, it's all I've been thinking about since we got here."
"Sounds like we're gonna have lots of fun this season." Jungkook gently nudged Taehyung and motioned back toward the kitchen door. "Let's hustle! We've still got a lot of house to explore."
The two of them made their way to the living room where Jungkook flopped down onto the couch. "Taehyung, you would not believe how comfortable this is. It's like sitting on a cloud." He crooked a finger at Taehyung to join him.
Laughing, Taehyung settled down next to Jungkook, sinking into the cushions. "Comfortable is an understatement. This is the perfect place for a Netflix binge!"
Jungkook sighed. "Sadly, internet and cable are the two things this place doesn't have. But they gave us a bunch of DVDs!"
"In that case, we're in for a ton of marathons," Taehyung said. "Just picture us snuggled up here eating popcorn…"
"Watching endless hours of dumb romantic comedies…" Jungkook added on.
Taehyung smiled. "And thanks to this couch, our butts won't even get tired!"
"That's my future mate," Jungkook said. "Always looking on the bright side." He pressed a kiss to Taehyung's cheek before jumping up from the couch. "Come on, I saved the best room for last." He led Taehyung into a luxurious master suite.
Taehyung admired the plush bed, private hot tub, and gorgeous beach view. "I can't believe this is our view!"
"It's not just our view, baby," Jungkook said. "It's our beach. We get this strip of sand all to ourselves." He sighed wistfully, gazing out the window. "This place is seriously amazing. It's like a page out of a Better Homes and Gardens."
"I cannot picture you reading that magazine," Taehyung said.
"Reading is a strong word," Jungkook said. "I used to skim through the pages at my dad's office. We lived in this tiny apartment. When I was little, I thought houses like this were something out of a fantasy." He cringed at himself. "It sounds so dumb when I say it out loud."
Taehyung shook his head. "it's not dumb at all. It's really sweet. I never took you for the traditional type. It's a completely different side of you. And I'm happy I got to see it."
Jungkook smiled. "Really? You're not disappointed to see my Tough Omega exterior crack?"
"Disappointed?" Taehyung let out a laugh. "Jungkook, I'm thrilled! I know how hard it is for you to trust people with this kind of stuff."
Jungkook beamed, his expression softer than Taehyung had ever seen it. "I'm so lucky I met you, Taehyung. No one's ever understood me the way you do."
"I'm your partner, Jungkook," Taehyung said softly. "I'll always have your back."
"Right back at ya," Jungkook said. "Whatever you need, I’m here for you."
"I'm glad to hear that," Taehyung said. "Because right now, I need to kiss you."
Jungkook grinned. "Then come and get me." Taehyung swept Jungkook into his arms, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. Jungkook pulled back to trail kisses along Taehyung's jaw then down his neck. His teeth grazed Taehyung's throat gently, causing him to shiver. For a long, blissful moment, Taehyung was lost in the feeling of Jungkook's lips against his skin. "We should probably stop now before this clears the 15+ threshold."
"Right." Taehyung sighed. "I'm supposed to go to Confessional."
"Trust me, I'd much rather keep you here," Jungkook said. "But I don't wanna piss Jackson off on our first day back."
"Meet me in the mansion when I'm done?" Taehyung asked.
Jungkook nodded. "It's a date."