Chapter 11: The Roast of a Lifetime
The tension in the pack's hall had barely settled before Taehyung's sharp wit took over. Jungkook's stepmother, though now humiliated by her failed attempt to take control, wasn't the type to back down easily. She tried to mask her irritation, but Taehyung could see right through it. She was still plotting, still scheming. And he wasn't about to let her get away with it.
Taehyung leaned back against the doorframe of their room, arms crossed, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. Jungkook was pacing back and forth, clearly still wound up by the confrontation.
"You know, Tae, I swear, she's like a cockroach. No matter how many times I squash her down, she just keeps crawling back," Jungkook muttered, raking a hand through his hair.
Taehyung chuckled, stepping forward to join him. "I think you're giving her too much credit, Kook. A cockroach at least has some survival instincts. Your stepmother? She's more like a moldy loaf of bread that nobody wants to eat, but it keeps lingering in the fridge because no one has the heart to throw it away."
Jungkook snorted, clearly amused despite the situation. "You sure know how to cheer a guy up."
"You should thank me," Taehyung said with a wink. "Where else are you going to get someone who roasts your stepmother and makes you laugh at the same time? Nowhere. I'm basically a one-man comedy show."
Just as Taehyung was about to say something else, they heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Taehyung's eyes flicked toward the door, and he immediately knew what was coming. He grinned.
The door swung open, and there she stood-Jungkook's stepmother, looking like she was about to start a war. But Taehyung wasn't fazed in the slightest. If anything, he was ready for round two.
"Oh, look who it is. The walking disaster herself," Taehyung quipped, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What's the matter? Did you lose your way to the kitchen? Or are you here to try and find a way to squeeze your way into our lives again?"
Jungkook's stepmother narrowed her eyes, but Taehyung wasn't done. Oh no, not by a long shot.
"You know," he continued, "I'm starting to think you're like that one annoying guest at a party. You know, the kind who shows up uninvited, eats all the snacks, and then doesn't know when to leave. Seriously, if you didn't bring all that drama with you, I'd almost feel bad for you." He let out a dramatic sigh. "Almost."
Jungkook's stepmother's lips curled into a tight smile, but it wasn't one of amusement. "You're a fool, Taehyung. You think you can just walk around here making jokes and insults while you drag Jungkook down with you? You're nothing but a distraction, a weakness. And I'll make sure that everyone sees that."
Taehyung raised an eyebrow. "A distraction, huh? That's rich coming from someone who can't keep their mouth shut for five seconds without trying to cause chaos. If you're looking for someone to distract Jungkook, maybe you should take a look in the mirror. It's like watching a bad soap opera unfold every time you walk into a room."
Jungkook couldn't help but chuckle at Taehyung's roasts. The tension in his shoulders seemed to ease, just a little. Taehyung's ability to turn everything into a joke was one of the things he loved most about him. It was like Taehyung could lighten up even the darkest of situations.
His stepmother, though clearly seething, tried to maintain her composure. "You think you're so clever, Taehyung. But I will make sure you regret ever crossing me."
Taehyung put a hand to his chin, as if considering her words. "You know, I have to admit, that's a pretty good threat. If only you weren't about as intimidating as a kitten with a bad haircut."
Jungkook snorted, unable to suppress his laugh this time. "Damn, Tae, you're brutal."
"I mean, I have to be," Taehyung replied, turning to Jungkook with a wink. "If I don't roast her, who else will? You can't expect me to just sit here and let her make all these empty threats. Someone has to teach her that talking big isn't the same as actually being big."
Jungkook's stepmother's face was now red with anger, but Taehyung wasn't backing down. If anything, he was just getting started.
"So, tell me, is your plan to just keep insulting my mate, or do you have a more creative way of ruining our lives?" Taehyung continued, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Because, honestly, I'm not impressed. I've seen more of a challenge in a game of rock-paper-scissors."
She opened her mouth to retaliate, but Taehyung quickly interrupted.
"Oh, wait, wait! I know. Maybe you should take some advice from your friends and get a personality makeover. You know, like one of those makeover montages where you get a new wardrobe, and suddenly you're supposed to be all charismatic and lovable. Except-" he paused dramatically, looking her up and down, "-you're missing the charisma, the love, and the basic hygiene. So, it might be a little more difficult than you think."
Jungkook was now openly laughing, his earlier frustration dissolving into amusement at Taehyung's sharp tongue. Taehyung was effortlessly roasting his stepmother, and it was almost too good to be true.
Her lips trembled with rage. "You think this is funny?"
"I think you're hilarious," Taehyung responded without missing a beat. "No, seriously. You could be the next big comedy act. Just, you know, without the fake threats and trying to ruin people's lives."
Jungkook took a step forward, his eyes cold. "You've had your fun, but don't think for a second you've won. I'm not backing down from this fight. Taehyung and I-we're a team. And no one is breaking us apart."
The stepmother's expression hardened, but she said nothing. She knew she had no more ground to stand on. Taehyung had thrown enough shade her way to last a lifetime, and Jungkook was unwavering in his loyalty to his mate.
"Good luck with that," she said, her voice dripping with venom as she turned on her heel and stalked out of the room.
Taehyung waited a moment, then burst into laughter. "Well, that was fun."
Jungkook rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You sure know how to handle her, Tae."
"Of course I do," Taehyung replied, grinning. "It's not hard when you have zero respect for someone. Honestly, if she's going to keep acting like a villain in a bad drama, I might as well enjoy the show."
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To be continued...