TWO DAYS LATER

"You know that all I want is to see you safe, right?" 

You don't need to look at him to realize Tae's standing in your doorway. Hell, you don't even need to hear him. 

It's been two days since your argument. Two days since you've spoken with him. It wasn't really intentional; originally, you only wanted to be a bit cold to him. Jimin's been as good as he can with ignoring it, but it's obvious he hates the tension between you and Tae. Maybe it's best that this gets solved now.

When you don't answer, Tae shuts the door and sits on the other side of the bed. Your backs are facing each other, no words being exchanged at first. 

"I'm sorry," he admits. "I shouldn't have yelled at you. I got overprotective and jealous over Jungkook being here. That's not your fault. You're right, about everything." 

You turn and shake your head. "Tae, you had no right to yell at me, but at the same time, this isn't an average situation. I'm hiding from the mafia and I kept a boy none of us trust yet in our house overnight. That was irresponsible of me. Don't only blame yourself. We're both in the wrong here."

Tae meets your gaze. "You don't have to pretend you're not pissed." 

"I am," you say with a shrug. "I hate being yelled at. I already got yelled at every day by my parents, so when people raise their voices, I despise it. Doesn't mean I'm going to hold it against you forever. I don't know who I am, but I'd like to think I'm not that type of person." 

Tae cracks a smile. "I'd like to think that too."

Silence falls back over you. Then, seconds later, like a dam breaking, all of you and Tae's emotions come out at once. The two of you crawl across the bed to hug, Tae holding you closely and rocking you back and forth. 

"I'm sorry," he repeats. "I'm sorry I've been so possessive and toxic. You deserve better." 

"You're more than enough for me, Tae," you whisper as you dig your fingers into his shirt. He accepts the harsh nature of your grip, even moving closer to hold you tighter.

"You don't have to say that to make me happy." 

You shush him. "I'd never lie to you. Ever. You're not toxic or possessive: you're doing your job. When this is all over, you better keep in contact with me." 

He chuckles. "Only if you want me to." 

You pull back and place your hands on his cheeks. You barely notice it, but Tae's body freezes at the proximity. 

"There's nothing I'd want more," you whisper. 

And just like that, he's hugging you again.

~~~

Jungkook kicks the dirt. "My parents came back." 

She goes still at that. 

He laughs, but there's no humor in it. "Hell of a way to start a conversation, right? They came back and suddenly everything got hectic again. It feels like everything's going to hell. What about you? The thing that Hans and Jae mentioned. Everything okay?" 

Amira shakes him off. "What they said isn't even close to as important as your parents coming back. What the hell's going on there? I thought they only came once a year." 

"So did I," he replies. "Apparently they weren't too happy with us for pulling a magic trick and disappearing. I told them to get out or I'd make them, told them I'd kill them if they ever hurt Yuri. That seemed to work."

"Jesus. I'm sorry, Koo. You didn't deserve that."

She cuddles up against his side, Jungkook smiling and wrapping an arm around her. "They're gone. That's what matters. Yuri and I are safe, same with you, I hope?" She nods, him relaxing at that. "Then everything's okay. We have nothing to worry about."

It's normally pretty cold in Korea, so right now, at night? Everything, although pretty, is cold. They're using their body heat to stay warm right now, Jungkook's leather jacket strapped around his girl. Can't have her getting cold. 

She shivers despite her arms being covered, her naturally leaning closer to him. His heart pumps at the sensation that shoots into his core. That simple action almost made him laugh and say 'God I love you'. Jungkook has to gulp the words down.

"Well, we have one thing to worry about," she replies. 

He raises a brow. "Hm? What's that, babe?" 

"Sex. Why aren't we haven't it right now?" she asks. 

He sighs. "And I thought I was horny. Maybe because it's cold out and neither of us initiated anything?" 

She lets out a 'pfft' sound. "That's pretty lame of us." 

"Lame of us?" 

She hums. "Very lame. I mean really, why aren't we smashing right now?" 

"Smashing," he mocks, hiding his laugh. "You're something else, Winters."

She nudges him. "You always call me by my last name. Why?" 

"Would you prefer it if I called you Jeon?" 

Amira playfully whacks his chest. "Not until we say the 'l' word." 

"I like you," he teases, coming closer and pecking her forehead. She giggles and wraps her arms around his waist, pressing her chest up against his.

"We're dumb kids falling in love, aren't we?" she asks. 

"Falling? We're not already there?" he asks back. 

"Don't make me blush, Jeon."

He tilts her chin up with his index finger, kissing her lips softly. The kiss, albeit gentle, provides them a passion that Jungkook hasn't felt in a while. A passion he can't describe. It's not desire or longing, it's something else. Something deeper than that.

They part, Amira sniffling and hugging him. He grunts at her harsh embrace, then relaxes and hugs her back. 

"Everything okay?" Jungkook asks.

"Kind of," she murmurs, nuzzling her head against his body, "but everything's going to be okay, right?" 

"Of course. You know I'd always protect you, right?" 

She chuckles. "Strange, I don't feel like I need protection anymore. It's almost like for once I should take care of myself."

He strokes her hair. "You do. I've seen you stand up to rude customers before. I've seen you eating healthily and writing schedules. I've seen you socializing and having fun." 

She snickers. "I don't think that's what I meant, Jungkook."

"Amira, baby, taking care of yourself isn't fighting and punches. Taking care of yourself is staying strong and healthy, both mentally and physically. That's exactly what you're doing. So what if you have some overprotective boys who want to fight your battles for you? What matters is you're fighting the battles that you need to fight, and so far you've won every single one."

She squeezes him tighter. "So have you." 

And it's that that makes him cry. Jungkook places his cheek on the top of her head, stifling the noises that threaten to break free from his mouth. 

"Thank you," he whispers, knowing that if he speaks any louder, he'll sob. She nods against him and rubs his back. 

"You're welcome."