As Jimin gently laid Rosalia down on her bed, he couldn’t help but marvel at the peaceful expression on her face. She looked so serene, her hair splayed across the pillows, a small smile playing on her lips as she drifted into a comfortable sleep. His heart swelled with affection; this beautiful woman was now his girlfriend, and he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her at all costs.

He tiptoed out of the room, careful not to disturb her, and made his way to the living room. The atmosphere was a stark contrast to the intimacy they had just shared. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated his surroundings, casting a warm light that felt both inviting and comforting. Jimin grabbed his phone, taking a deep breath as he prepared to update the boys on the mission and ensure everything was in order.

He dialed Jin’s number, his mind still lingering on the moments they had just shared. The image of Rosalia's blush as he teased her about being his dessert replayed in his mind, and a smile crept onto his face. He loved how they could switch from playful banter to deep intimacy so effortlessly.

“Hey, Jimin! How’s everything?” Jin’s voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him back to reality.

“Hey, hyung. Everything’s good on my end. Just... got back from a little adventure,” Jimin replied, his tone light but careful to keep the details vague.

“Sounds like you had a good time,” Jin teased, knowing Jimin well enough to read between the lines. “We were all worried about you after the mission went south. Any updates?”

Jimin ran a hand through his hair, recalling the intensity of the mission and the near-miss they had experienced. “Yeah, it was rough, but we handled it. Just had to deal with some unexpected complications. Nothing we couldn’t manage, though.”

“Good to hear. You know we’re all here if you need backup. What about Rosalia? Is she okay?” Jin asked, concern lacing his voice.

“She’s fine,” Jimin replied, his voice softening. “She’s actually resting now. I wanted to make sure she felt safe after everything.”

“That’s good. You know, you should really keep her in the loop. She deserves to know what’s going on with you, especially now that you’re dating,” Jin suggested, his tone shifting to something more serious.

“I know, I know. I just… I don’t want her to worry. I thought it would be better to keep her away from the chaos for a little longer,” Jimin confessed, a hint of guilt creeping into his voice.

“Just make sure you’re not pushing her away. Communication is key in relationships, Jimin. She’ll feel more secure knowing you trust her enough to share what’s happening,” Jin advised.

“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll talk to her about it. Just trying to figure out the best way to approach it,” Jimin replied, glancing back toward Rosalia’s room, a warmth spreading in his chest as he thought of her.

“Just remember, we’re all here for you. You’re not alone in this,” Jin reassured him.

“I appreciate that, hyung. I really do. I’ll keep you updated on anything else that comes up,” Jimin said before ending the call. He took a moment to collect his thoughts, feeling a mix of emotions swirl inside him.

As he walked back to Rosalia’s room, he couldn’t shake the feeling of protectiveness that washed over him. He wanted nothing more than to keep her safe from the dangers that surrounded his life. The world he was part of was dark and unpredictable, and he couldn’t bear the thought of putting her in harm’s way.

Jimin paused at her bedroom door, taking a moment to simply watch her. The way her chest rose and fell gently with each breath brought a sense of calm over him. She was everything he had ever wanted, and now that he had her, he felt an unbreakable bond forming between them.

He stepped into the room quietly, making sure not to wake her. The soft moonlight filtering through the curtains cast a serene glow around the space, and he felt a sense of tranquility envelop him. He picked up her favorite blanket from the chair and draped it over her, ensuring she was comfortable.

Just as he was about to step back out, Rosalia stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open. “Jimin?” she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.

“Hey, beautiful. Just checking in on you,” he replied softly, a smile creeping onto his lips.

She blinked sleepily at him, a hint of confusion crossing her face as she tried to shake off the remnants of her dreams. “What time is it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Still early. Just wanted to make sure you were okay,” he said, taking a seat on the edge of her bed. “You had a long day, so I thought you could use some rest.”

“Did you just get back from your call?” she asked, her eyes slowly adjusting to the light as she propped herself up on her elbows.

“Yeah, just had to update the guys on the mission,” he replied, his tone casual as he tried to mask the seriousness of the situation. “Everything went well, but I need to keep them in the loop.”

She nodded, her gaze lingering on him as she took in his features. “You look tired,” she observed, her voice laced with concern.

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” he assured her, though he knew the weight of his responsibilities was growing heavier each day. “I just need to focus on what’s important right now.”

“Is that me?” Rosalia asked, a teasing smile breaking through the haze of sleep.

“Always,” he replied, unable to hide the fondness in his voice. “You’re always on my mind.”

Her cheeks flushed at his words, and he felt a surge of warmth in his chest. “What about you? You shouldn’t be too hard on yourself,” she said, concern etched across her features. “I mean, you’ve been through a lot.”

“It’s part of the job,” he said with a light shrug. “But I want to make sure you’re safe. That’s my top priority.”

Rosalia reached out, placing her hand on his arm. “Jimin, you don’t have to protect me from everything. I can handle things, you know,” she said, her voice firm yet gentle.

“I know you can,” he replied, appreciating her strength. “But I care about you. I don’t want you to feel like you’re part of this dangerous world I’m in.”

She took a deep breath, her expression serious. “I want to be part of your world. I want to support you, Jimin, not just stand on the sidelines. I love you, and that means facing everything together.”

He felt a rush of emotions at her words, a mix of gratitude and adoration flooding his heart. “I love you too, Rosalia,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “More than you know.”

Their gazes locked, and in that moment, everything felt right. Jimin knew they were meant to navigate this journey together, no matter the obstacles. He reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers as he squeezed gently.

“Just promise me you’ll be careful,” she said, her voice softening. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I promise,” he replied, his heart heavy with the weight of that promise. “But I need you to promise me something too. If things get tough, if I seem distant or secretive, just know it’s not about you. I’m trying to keep you safe.”

“I can handle it, Jimin. I trust you,” she said, her confidence shining through her eyes.

“Then let’s face this together,” he said, feeling the bond between them strengthen. “I’ll do everything I can to protect you, and I hope you can do the same for me.”

“Always,” she affirmed, her smile brightening the room.

As they sat together, fingers intertwined, Jimin felt a renewed sense of purpose. He had Rosalia by his side, and together they would face whatever challenges came their way. With her, he felt invincible, ready to take on the world.

But as much as he wanted to revel in this newfound connection, he knew he couldn’t ignore the realities of his life. The mission loomed over him, a reminder of the dangers that surrounded them. He would need to strike a delicate balance between his responsibilities and the love he felt for Rosalia.

“Let’s get some rest,” he said finally, brushing a stray hair from her face. “We can tackle everything tomorrow.”

She nodded, her eyes heavy with sleep once more. “I’m glad you’re here, Jimin.”

“Me too,” he replied softly, leaning down to press a gentle kiss on her forehead before rising to leave the room.

As he stepped back into the living room, he felt a renewed sense of determination. He would protect Rosalia with everything he had, no matter the cost. And as long as they had each other, he knew they could weather any storm.

He took a moment to gather his thoughts, feeling the weight of his responsibilities pressing on his shoulders. But for now, he allowed himself to cherish the quiet moment of peace and the love that enveloped him.

After all, tomorrow would bring new challenges, and he needed to be ready. With Rosalia by his side, he was ready to face anything that came their way.