Ch 9: A Game of Control

Taehyung’s Dilemma

Taehyung sat on a crate, staring at the flickering lightbulb overhead.

He was trapped.

Not physically—he could leave if he wanted to.

But the Jeons would follow.

And the worst part?

They were smarter than he expected.

Jae-hyun watched him too closely.

Jungguk always tested his reactions.

And Jungkook?

Jungkook was dangerous.

He never asked questions outright, but his eyes—they saw everything.

If Taehyung slipped up even once—

They would know.

They would figure out who he really was.

And that—that couldn’t happen.

Because if they found out he had already lived through ten years of the apocalypse...

They’d never let him go.

And Taehyung needed freedom.

Not obsessive, possessive bodyguards disguised as saviors.

The Jeons’ Approach

Jungkook leaned against the wall, watching Taehyung with an unreadable expression.

He was too still. Too quiet.

Jae-hyun was flipping through a book, but his eyes flickered toward Taehyung every few seconds.

Jungguk, as usual, was the least subtle.

He plopped down next to Taehyung and grinned. “Let’s play a game.”

Taehyung raised an eyebrow. “What kind of game?”

Jungguk smirked. “A question game.”

Taehyung’s stomach dropped.

Jungkook chuckled. “Every answer you refuse to give—”

Jae-hyun cut in smoothly, “—you lose a piece of control.”

Taehyung frowned. “Control?”

Jungguk leaned in, grinning mischievously.

“If you refuse to answer, you have to listen to one of our commands.”

Taehyung’s blood ran cold.

This was a trap.

But if he refused outright, they’d just get more suspicious.

So, he forced a smirk. “Fine. But that rule applies to you too.”

Jae-hyun’s lips curled slightly. “Agreed.”

Jungkook’s smirk widened. “Then let’s begin.”

Round One

Jungguk went first.

“What’s your biggest secret?”

Taehyung scoffed. “As if I’d tell you.”

Jungguk grinned. “Then you owe me.”

Taehyung’s fists clenched. “Fine. What do you want?”

Jungguk’s eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Let me sleep in your room tonight.”

Taehyung gaped. “What?! No way!”

Jungguk pouted. “A deal’s a deal.”

Jae-hyun nodded. “Rules are rules.”

Taehyung gritted his teeth.

Damn them.

Jungkook’s turn. “Why were you so prepared for the apocalypse?”

Taehyung froze.

Too dangerous.

Too risky.

He couldn’t answer.

Jungkook’s smirk was pure satisfaction.

“I’ll decide your punishment later.”

Taehyung’s skin prickled.

Jae-hyun’s turn.

His voice was calm, but his gaze was sharp.

“Are you afraid of us?”

Silence.

Taehyung didn’t answer.

He wouldn’t give them that satisfaction.

Jae-hyun’s lips curved slightly.

“You belong to us now, Taehyung. One way or another, you’ll understand that soon.”

Later That Night

Taehyung sat on his cot, glaring at the ceiling.

Jungguk was snoring beside him.

Jungkook had claimed Taehyung’s hoodie as his own, wearing it smugly before going to bed.

Jae-hyun had taken the spare mattress on the floor—but only after threatening to tie Taehyung down if he tried to run.

Taehyung was officially doomed.

He needed a new plan.

Because if the Jeons were this possessive before the apocalypse even started…

He didn’t want to know what they’d be like when the world ended.

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