Taehyung stirred again, a soft sigh escaping him. He could feel Jungkook's warmth beside him, and the protective weight of his hand. Despite the lingering ache in his head, a wave of blissful contentment washed over him. He blinked his eyes open, trying to catch Jungkook's gaze.

Jungkook, lost in his thoughts about their diverging worlds, felt Taehyung shift. He looked down, his expression still contemplative.

"Bunny Boss," Taehyung mumbled, his voice still a little raspy, drawing out the words. He gently squeezed Jungkook's hand, trying to pull his attention fully. "You're thinking very hard."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, a faint, wry smile touching his lips. "I am. About many things."

Taehyung pouted, his lower lip jutting out slightly. "Are you thinking about boring mafia things? Like... like money and guns?" He nudged Jungkook with his shoulder, a weak but persistent demand for focus. "You shouldn't be thinking about boring things when your dramatic darling is in pain and needs attention!"

Jungkook let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "You're in pain, but you're demanding attention? Only you, Taehyung." He gently ran his thumb over the back of Taehyung's hand.

"Of course!" Taehyung declared, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I'm injured! I'm a victim! I almost died for you, Bunny Boss!" He looked up at Jungkook with wide, theatrical eyes. "Don't I deserve all of your attention? Every single bit?"

He squirmed slightly, trying to get more comfortable, his eyes searching Jungkook's. "Tell me you won't leave me alone again. Tell me you'll stay and look after your dramatic darling until I'm all better. And maybe... maybe sing me a song? Like I sang for you?" He blinked, a hopeful, slightly mischievous glint in his eyes.

Jungkook sighed, a long, drawn-out sound that was more affectionate than exasperated. He looked at the ceiling for a moment, then back at Taehyung's expectant face. This boy, even half-sedated and recovering from a serious injury, was an absolute magnet for chaos and attention. And Jungkook, surprisingly, found himself completely captivated.

"Alright, dramatic darling," Jungkook conceded, his voice soft, a hint of amusement in his tone. He gently squeezed Taehyung's hand. "I'm not going anywhere. And I'll look after you. Now, stop trying to make me sing. And try to rest." He settled more comfortably, silently acknowledging that his plans for future retribution might have to wait just a little longer. Taehyung's immediate needs, as always, took precedence.

Taehyung, despite his injuries, seemed to be regaining his usual vitality with remarkable speed. After Jungkook's reluctant promise to stay and his gentle reassurance, a new thought, far more pressing than dramatic declarations, stirred in his mind.

"Bunny Boss," Taehyung mumbled, stirring slightly. He tilted his head back to look at Jungkook, his big eyes now wide with a very different kind of longing. "I'm hungry."

Jungkook blinked, surprised. He'd been expecting more dramatic demands, not a request for food. "Hungry?" he repeated. "You just woke up. You might be nauseous."

"But I'm starving!" Taehyung insisted, his voice suddenly stronger, tinged with a whine. "The sedative made me sleep all the good hours, and now my stomach feels empty. Do they have banana milk here? Or something sweet? My mouth tastes like... like hospital." He made a face.

Jungkook sighed, a small smile playing on his lips. "You really are something else. Fine. I'll see what the kitchen can manage."

Just then, a soft groan came from the chair beside the bed. Jimin slowly stirred, rubbing his eyes. He blinked, saw Jungkook and Taehyung awake, and then stretched with a loud yawn.

"Food?" Jimin mumbled, his eyes still half-closed. "Did someone say food? Because I'm absolutely starving too. I haven't eaten since... since before Taehyung decided to get hit by a car." He looked pointedly at Taehyung. "My stomach thinks my throat's been cut."

Taehyung immediately perked up. "See, Bunny Boss! Jiminie's hungry too! It's a universal need! Do they have, like, fancy hospital food? Or can we order pizza? I'm craving something really greasy."

Jungkook looked from Taehyung's hopeful, eager face to Jimin's equally expectant one. He let out a long, put-upon sigh, but a hint of amusement sparkled in his eyes. His plans for war might be raging outside, but in here, he was suddenly demoted to a concierge.

"Alright, alright," Jungkook conceded, pushing himself up carefully from the bed so as not to disturb Taehyung. "I'll see what the kitchen has. But no pizza, Taehyung. You're recovering. And I doubt they have banana milk on tap for adult patients." He gave Taehyung a pointed look. "And you, Jimin, whatever they bring, you'll eat it."

"Thank you, Bunny Boss!" Taehyung chirped, beaming. "You're the best mafia wifey ever!"

Jimin, despite his weariness, managed a hopeful smile. "Anything, Jungkook-ssi. Anything edible."

Jungkook simply shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips as he walked towards the door. The peace might have been temporary, but the domestic chaos, in its own strange way, was a welcome distraction from the brewing storm.

Jungkook returned a short while later, carrying a tray with surprising care. The aroma of something wholesome filled the air, a stark contrast to the sterile hospital scent. He placed the tray on the adjustable table beside Taehyung's bed.

"Alright, your royal highnesses," Jungkook announced, a hint of dry humor in his voice. "The kitchen's finest. Don't say I never provide."

Taehyung, who had been watching the door with expectant eyes, immediately perked up. He leaned forward, trying to get a better look. "Ooh! What did you get, Bunny Boss? Is it banana milk?"

Jungkook pulled a bowl from the tray. "For you, dramatic darling, a sensible vegetable soup. Doctor's orders. Light and easy on the stomach." He held the bowl out, a spoon ready.

Taehyung's face fell dramatically. "Soup? Vegetable soup? But I wanted something greasy! Or sweet! My poor taste buds are suffering!" He looked at the bland-looking liquid with utter disappointment.

Jimin, however, let out a delighted gasp as Jungkook presented him with his own bowl. "Noodles! Actual noodles! Jungkook-ssi, you're a lifesaver!" He grabbed the bowl eagerly, already starting to slurp.

Taehyung glared at Jimin. "Hey! How come he gets noodles and I get boring soup?! That's not fair, Bunny Boss! He didn't even get hit by a car for you!"

Jungkook merely raised an eyebrow at Taehyung, a hint of his usual sternness returning. "Because Jimin wasn't just in an accident, Taehyung. He also didn't try to pull a fire alarm in my headquarters. And he doesn't have a concussion. Now, eat your soup." He picked up the spoon for Taehyung. "And if you finish it all, maybe we can discuss a treat later."

Taehyung sighed dramatically, but the mention of a treat seemed to temper his defiance. He reluctantly opened his mouth as Jungkook brought the spoon to his lips. "Fine," he grumbled, taking a careful sip. "But it has to be a really good treat. Like, involving chocolate or something very, very sweet. For my suffering."

Jungkook just shook his head, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips as he fed Taehyung another spoonful. Jimin, meanwhile, was happily slurping his noodles, the comfort food a welcome antidote to the day's trauma. The recovery room, for a brief moment, felt almost domestic, a strange blend of quiet care and predictable Taehyung drama.

The soft clinking of the spoon against the bowl and the occasional slurp from Jimin filled the quiet recovery room. Jungkook patiently continued to feed Taehyung, his hand steady, his gaze attentive. Taehyung, despite his initial protests, was slowly but surely finishing his vegetable soup, his hunger overriding his dramatic complaints.

"See?" Jungkook murmured, bringing another spoonful to Taehyung's lips. "Not so bad, is it?"

Taehyung swallowed, then sighed contentedly. "It's... acceptable, Bunny Boss. For hospital soup." He then nudged the spoon away. "I think that's enough, though. My tummy feels warm now."

Jungkook nodded, putting the bowl back on the tray. He reached for a napkin and gently dabbed at a stray drop of soup on Taehyung's chin. The close proximity, the simple act of care, felt surprisingly natural.

Jimin, having devoured his noodles, let out another satisfied sigh. "That was glorious. My compliments to Jungkook-ssi for his excellent kitchen-wrangling skills."

Taehyung beamed at Jungkook. "You're the best, Bunny Boss! My personal chef! When I get out of here, you can make me all sorts of delicious things!"

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Oh, is that my new job description? Mafia boss, personal chef, and full-time dramatic darling wrangler?"

"Exactly!" Taehyung chirped, utterly delighted. "It's perfect! We'll be inseparable!"

Jungkook simply shook his head, a soft, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. He picked up the tray, signaling that the meal was over. He glanced at the monitor beside the bed, checking Taehyung's vitals, then looked at Jimin.

"You should get some proper rest too, Jimin," Jungkook suggested, his tone softer than usual. "Go back to the dorm. I'll stay here."

Jimin, though still tired, looked hesitant. "Are you sure, Jungkook-ssi? I can stay, if you need anything."

Jungkook met his gaze, a quiet understanding passing between them. "I'm sure. Taehyung needs quiet. And I have things to handle. You've done enough." He gave a subtle nod towards the door, a silent command for Jimin to leave.

Jimin took the hint. He knew Jungkook had his own operations to manage, especially after the revelations about the accident. "Okay," he said, getting up slowly. "Call me if anything happens, okay, Tae? Get well soon." He gave Taehyung a quick, gentle pat on the shoulder, then slipped out of the room, leaving Jungkook and Taehyung alone once more.

Jungkook watched the door close, then turned his full attention back to Taehyung. The playful banter had masked the underlying tension of the day, but now, in the quiet, a more serious resolve settled over him.

"Now," Jungkook said, his voice low and firm, as he settled back into the chair beside the bed. "Let's talk about what happens next, dramatic darling. We need to make sure this never happens again." His eyes held a chilling promise, not just for Taehyung's safety, but for the retribution he was about to unleash.

Jungkook's words hung in the air, a chilling prelude to a confession Taehyung was not yet ready for. "We need to make sure this never happens again." The gravity in Jungkook's voice was unmistakable.

But before Jungkook could delve into the grim details of the assassination attempt, a different, more immediate worry surfaced in Taehyung's mind. His eyes, still slightly hazy from the sedative, suddenly widened in genuine alarm.

"Oh my god," Taehyung whispered, a new kind of panic rising in his voice. He tried to push himself up again, ignoring the dull throb in his head. "Luna! My Luna! Jungkook, we have to go! We have to go right now!"

Jungkook frowned, confused by the sudden distress. "Luna? Who's Luna? Taehyung, you need to stay calm. What are you talking about?"

"My pet! My boa constrictor!" Taehyung exclaimed, his voice laced with desperation. "She's at the dorm! All alone! I haven't fed her since... since yesterday morning! She's probably starving! What if she gets lonely? What if she gets cold?" He started to struggle against the blankets, a frantic energy possessing him. "She needs her warm mice! She needs me!"

Jungkook stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. A boa constrictor? His "dramatic darling" had a snake? And he was panicking about its feeding schedule while recovering from being hit by a car?

"A boa constrictor?" Jungkook repeated slowly, his voice flat with disbelief. "Taehyung, you have a snake?"

"Yes! She's beautiful! And she's probably terrified without me!" Taehyung insisted, tears welling up in his eyes again. "She's never been alone for so long! Please, Bunny Boss, we have to go get her! She's hungry!"

Jungkook rubbed a hand over his face, a sigh escaping him. Just when he thought he had a handle on the chaos, Taehyung presented him with an entirely new level of absurdity. A snake. A hungry snake.

"Taehyung," Jungkook said, trying to maintain a semblance of calm, "you are in no condition to go anywhere. You are recovering from a concussion. You cannot leave this bed."

"But Luna!" Taehyung wailed, looking genuinely distressed. "She's family! What if she thinks I abandoned her? She's probably shivering in her tank right now! She needs her warmth! And her mice!"

Jungkook closed his eyes for a brief moment, mentally counting to ten. The severity of the assassination attempt, the danger lurking outside these walls, felt miles away when faced with the genuine, frantic concern for a pet snake.

He opened his eyes and looked at Taehyung, who was now staring at him with the most heartbroken, pleading expression he had ever seen. "Fine," Jungkook conceded, running a hand through his hair. "Alright. I'll send someone." He pulled out his phone. "What's her name again? Luna? Where exactly is she? And what does she need? And what kind of mice?" He sighed, already anticipating the ridiculousness of the orders he was about to give. This boy, his dramatic darling, was going to be the death of him, in more ways than one.

Jungkook listened with a mix of disbelief and growing fondness as Taehyung rattled off instructions for his boa constrictor. The idea of a snake, a boa constrictor, in his highly sterile, private medical facility was absurd. But Taehyung's earnest, tearful plea was surprisingly effective.

"She needs her heat lamp, Bunny Boss! And her water bowl! And a few of her favorite branches to climb on!" Taehyung rattled off, his voice still a little weak but firm in his demands for Luna's comfort. "And her hidey-hole! She gets scared without her hidey-hole! And tell them not to be scared of her! She's very friendly, but she looks big! She's Luna!"

Jungkook sighed, running a hand through his hair. He pulled out his phone, his expression a mixture of exasperation and reluctant resignation. He opened a secure line, his voice dropping to a low, firm command.

"Minwoo," Jungkook spoke into the phone. "I have a new directive. Immediate priority."

Jimin, who had been silently watching the entire exchange, stifled a giggle, wondering what kind of order Jungkook was about to give.

"Go to Taehyung's dorm apartment," Jungkook continued, his gaze fixed on Taehyung. "Find his pet. It's a boa constrictor named Luna. She's in an enclosure. I want the entire enclosure, with all its contents – heat lamp, water bowl, branches, and anything else that looks like part of her habitat – brought here, to Recovery Room Five."

There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end of the line. Minwoo, unflappable in the face of threats, kidnappings, and rival gang wars, was clearly momentarily speechless by this particular request.

"Boss?" Minwoo's voice came back, a hint of utter disbelief in his tone. "A... a boa constrictor? Here?"

"You heard me, Minwoo," Jungkook's voice brooked no argument. "Carefully. Without disturbing her. And make sure she gets here swiftly. She needs to be fed. Warm mice, apparently." Jungkook paused, then added, almost as an afterthought, "And for God's sake, tell your men not to be scared. She's 'friendly'."

Another beat of silence. "Understood, Boss," Minwoo finally managed, though his voice sounded strained.

Jungkook ended the call, then looked back at Taehyung, who was watching him with wide, hopeful eyes. "There," he said, a touch of weary triumph in his voice. "Your Luna will be here soon. Satisfied?"

Taehyung's face lit up, a brilliant, relieved smile spreading across his features. "Oh, Bunny Boss! You're the best! My Luna will be so happy! And then she can cuddle me! You're really the best mafia wifey ever!"

Jungkook just shook his head, a soft, exasperated chuckle escaping him. He squeezed Taehyung's hand, already picturing his highly trained, battle-hardened men carefully transporting a snake enclosure through the pristine halls of his private hospital. The things he did for his dramatic darling.

The hushed, sterile calm of Jungkook's private hospital was about to be profoundly disrupted. While Jungkook sat by Taehyung's bedside, a faint smile playing on his lips as he imagined his men's perplexed faces, a commotion began to build outside the recovery wing.

First came the distant sounds of muffled shouts, then the distinct rumble of wheels. Moments later, the double doors at the end of the corridor swung open, and Minwoo appeared, his usually impeccable demeanor slightly ruffled. Behind him, two of Jungkook's largest, most intimidating security personnel struggled with an enormous, glass and mesh enclosure. It was easily six feet long, and surprisingly heavy.

"Boss," Minwoo said, his voice flat, gesturing to the approaching spectacle. "Luna has arrived."

Jungkook turned, his earlier amusement vanishing. His jaw dropped. The enclosure was far larger than he had envisioned. And inside, coiled regally on a branch, was a truly massive, thick-bodied boa constrictor, its scales gleaming under the corridor lights. It wasn't just 'big'; it was enormous.

"Six feet?" Jungkook muttered, his voice barely a whisper of disbelief. "Taehyung said 'big'! Not a small dinosaur!"

The medical staff, drawn by the commotion, began to emerge from examination rooms and offices, their faces a mixture of confusion and outright alarm. A few nurses gasped. One doctor, an older, stoic man who had seen many horrific injuries, simply stared, his mouth agape.

"Mr. Jeon!" the head nurse exclaimed, rushing forward, her voice a hushed but frantic whisper. "What is... is that a snake?! A boa constrictor? You can't bring an animal, let alone a reptile of that size, into a sterile recovery ward!"

Jungkook shot her a cold, unyielding look. "It's not an animal, Nurse. It's Luna. And she's Taehyung's emotional support boa constrictor. She stays with the patient." His gaze dared anyone to argue. "Careful with that, Minwoo. Don't jostle her."

Minwoo and the security team, looking decidedly uncomfortable, carefully maneuvered the massive enclosure into Recovery Room Five. It barely fit through the doorway, scraping against the frame. They positioned it against the far wall, immediately plugging in the heat lamp and checking the thermometer.

Taehyung, roused by the commotion, blinked awake. His eyes instantly lit up when he saw his pet. "Luna!" he chirped, a wide, blissful smile spreading across his face. "Bunny Boss, you brought her! Oh, Luna, my darling! Are you hungry? Did you miss me?"

Jungkook, still grappling with the sheer size of the reptile, watched as Taehyung's eyes, despite his concussion, filled with unbridled joy. The absurdity was overwhelming, yet the sight of Taehyung so happy, so utterly unconcerned by the chaos Luna's arrival had caused, made something in Jungkook's chest soften. He ran a hand over his face.

The head nurse, meanwhile, looked like she was on the verge of a full-blown medical crisis. "Mr. Jeon, this is highly unsanitary! And dangerous! It's a boa constrictor!"

Jungkook turned to her, his expression unyielding. "She's cleaner than most of your patients, Nurse. She eats pre-killed mice, not cafeteria food. She's staying. Any issues, you come to me directly." His tone left no room for debate. He then looked back at Luna, who was slowly uncoiling, surveying her new surroundings. And for the first time, Jungkook admitted, the large snake actually looked... a little majestic.

The head nurse scurried away, defeated, leaving Jungkook to stare at the enormous boa constrictor now residing in Recovery Room Five. He was still trying to wrap his head around the sheer scale of Luna, a silent testament to Taehyung's utterly unpredictable nature.

Just then, Taehyung, with a surprising surge of energy, pushed himself up slightly in the bed, his eyes fixed on his pet's enclosure. "Luna! Come to your papa!" he cooed, a soft, affectionate tone Jungkook had never heard from him before.

Jungkook's jaw, which he thought couldn't drop any further, promptly did. Taehyung, still recovering from a concussion, reached over the side of his bed, his bandaged head momentarily forgotten. With surprising grace, he unlatched the top of the large enclosure.

Then, with an ease that suggested years of practice, Taehyung reached inside. He gently nudged Luna, who slowly began to uncoil, her massive, muscular body sliding out. Taehyung's hands, surprisingly gentle, guided the heavy snake. Luna, seemingly eager for contact, flowed out of her enclosure and began to drape herself over Taehyung's arm, then across his chest.

"Oh, Luna, my beautiful girl," Taehyung whispered, burying his face in the cooler, smooth scales behind Luna's head. He looked utterly, completely comfortable, stroking her with an almost serene affection. The six-foot boa constrictor, whose size had just given battle-hardened security personnel pause, was now draped over a recovering patient like a living, breathing, giant scarf.

Jungkook stared, wide-eyed. He saw the faint constriction of Luna's coils around Taehyung's body, the way her head gently rested on his shoulder. It was mesmerizing, and terrifying. This was the same boy who had once been so terrified of a simple spider that he'd screamed the house down. And now he was cuddling a boa constrictor.

"Taehyung," Jungkook finally managed, his voice a strained whisper, "What are you doing? Is that... safe? She's... she's huge!"

Taehyung looked up, a soft, blissful smile on his face, oblivious to Jungkook's alarm. "Of course she's safe, Bunny Boss! She loves me! She's my cuddle buddy! See how happy she is?" He gently patted Luna's head, and the snake seemed to respond by slowly flicking her tongue. "She just needed her papa."

Jungkook could only stare, his mind reeling. The sight was surreal. His dramatic darling, his bandaged, recovering dramatic darling, was currently engaged in a tender embrace with a creature large enough to be a serious threat. It was a stark reminder of just how unpredictable and utterly unique Kim Taehyung truly was. And how deeply, inexplicably, he was now entangled with him.

Taehyung, blissfully unaware of Jungkook's internal turmoil regarding his scaly companion, continued to cuddle Luna, stroking her smooth scales with contented sighs. Luna, for her part, seemed perfectly happy draped across Taehyung, occasionally flicking her tongue.

"Bunny Boss," Taehyung said, looking up at Jungkook with wide, innocent eyes. "Luna must be hungry. She hasn't eaten since yesterday. Can you ask your men to bring her some mice? Warm ones, please. She likes them warm."

Jungkook, still grappling with the sheer size of the boa constrictor, felt his stomach churn at the mention of mice. Warm mice. He closed his eyes for a brief second, trying to compose himself. He was a mafia boss, he could handle anything. Except, apparently, feeding a giant snake.

He pulled out his phone, his hand visibly tightening around it. "Minwoo," Jungkook barked into the phone, his voice a strained whisper, as if the very word 'mice' might make him gag. "The mice. For Luna. Bring them now. And make sure they're... warm."

Almost immediately, the door to the recovery room opened. Minwoo stood there, flanked by two of Jungkook's men. All three had their hands clapped firmly over their noses, their faces a mixture of dread and valiant attempts at professionalism. One of them held a small, insulated container with tongs.

"Boss," Minwoo managed, his voice muffled by his hand over his nose, "The... the sustenance is here."

Jungkook stared at the container, then at the men's disgusted faces. The thought of witnessing Luna consume her meal, combined with the lingering scent of "warm mice," was suddenly too much. His carefully cultivated composure threatened to unravel. He hadn't eaten anything since yesterday, and his stomach was already protesting.

"Excellent," Jungkook said, his voice clipped, forcing himself to sound nonchalant. He took a step back from the bed, putting distance between himself and the impending meal. "Taehyung, your... Luna's dinner has arrived. Make sure she eats well." He shot a pointed, almost desperate look at Minwoo. "You handle it."

Taehyung's face lit up. "Oh, good! Come here, Luna! Dinner time!" He gestured eagerly towards the container.

Jungkook took another step back, his face visibly paling. He had faced down rival gangs, orchestrated intricate heists, and maintained an empire with an iron fist. But a live, or even warm, mouse being fed to a six-foot snake was a boundary he simply could not cross.

"I'll just... step out for a moment," Jungkook muttered, turning on his heel. His pace quickened as he walked towards the door, his hand instinctively going to his own mouth, covering it. "Just... give me a call when she's finished. And make sure the room is... aired out."

He practically bolted from the room, leaving a bewildered Taehyung, a delighted Luna, and three stoic but disgusted men to handle the reptile's feeding. He closed the door behind him, leaning against it, taking deep, clean breaths of the sterile corridor air. He could face a declaration of war, but he couldn't face Luna's dinner. Not without losing his own.

The next morning, the recovery room was bathed in the soft glow of the rising sun. Taehyung was propped up in bed, looking significantly better, though the bandage on his head was a stark reminder of the previous day. Luna was quietly coiled in her enclosure, seemingly content after her meal.

Jungkook, true to his word, was feeding Taehyung his breakfast – a bland, but nutritious, bowl of oatmeal. Taehyung, despite his dramatic flair, was eating it without complaint, perhaps softened by Jungkook's attentive presence.

"Open up," Jungkook murmured, bringing a spoonful to Taehyung's lips. "Good boy."

Taehyung swallowed, then looked up at Jungkook, a contented sigh escaping him. "This is nice, Bunny Boss. Having you feed me. You're very gentle. Are you always this nice?"

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Only when you're behaving. And when you're recovering from a concussion." He paused, setting the spoon down. This was the moment. Taehyung was alert, stable, and calm. It was time.

"Taehyung," Jungkook began, his voice losing its softness, becoming serious and firm. "We need to talk about what happened yesterday. About the accident."

Taehyung's brow furrowed slightly. "Oh, right. The drunk man. And my poor head." He rubbed the bandage. "It still aches a bit. But I'm fine now! You're here!"

Jungkook's gaze hardened. "It wasn't just a drunk man, Taehyung. And it wasn't just an accident."

Taehyung's eyes widened, a flicker of confusion. "What do you mean?"

"The CCTV footage from the intersection," Jungkook continued, his voice low and deliberate, watching Taehyung's reaction carefully. "It shows everything. You were pushed. Into the path of that car."

Taehyung stared at him, his mouth slightly agape. The color slowly drained from his face. "P-Pushed? What? No... no, I just stepped off the curb. I was distracted."

"Someone deliberately shoved you," Jungkook stated, his voice flat, leaving no room for denial. "It was an assassination attempt, Taehyung. They tried to kill you."

The words hung in the air, heavy and chilling. Taehyung's eyes, previously full of innocent curiosity, now filled with a dawning horror. His breath hitched. "Kill... me? But... why? I don't... I don't have enemies! I'm just a college student! I don't do anything to anyone!" His voice rose, tinged with a raw fear Jungkook had rarely seen from him. "Who would want to kill me?"

Jungkook reached out, taking Taehyung's hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "They didn't want to kill you, Taehyung. They wanted to send a message. To me." His eyes, dark and unyielding, met Taehyung's frightened gaze. "They targeted you because you're close to me. Because you're... mine."

Taehyung's face was a mask of shock, then a profound, almost child-like terror. His hand trembled in Jungkook's. The reality of his life, the true danger lurking beneath the surface of his dramatic antics, had just brutally collided with his innocent world.

Taehyung stared at Jungkook, his hand trembling violently in the mafia boss's firm grip. The vibrant color drained from his face, leaving him ashen. The playful, attention-seeking dramatic darling was gone, replaced by a terrified young man grappling with a horrifying truth.

"Because... because of you?" Taehyung whispered, his voice barely audible, filled with a raw, disbelieving horror. His eyes, wide and unfocused, seemed to see not Jungkook, but the shadow of the unseen enemy. "But... but I'm just me! I don't know anything about... about this! Mafia? Assassination?" A shudder ran through him. "I could have died! I almost died!"

A single tear tracked down his temple, disappearing into his hair. It wasn't a dramatic tear this time; it was born of genuine terror. "And it's... it's because of you? You brought this to me?" His voice was laced with a fragile accusation, the reality of the danger he was now in, simply by being near Jungkook, crashing down on him.

Jungkook's jaw clenched. He saw the terror in Taehyung's eyes, the dawning understanding of the brutal world he inhabited. The accusation, though softly spoken, hit him hard. He had brought this to Taehyung. He had dismissed him as a harmless nuisance, a dramatic plaything, and now that plaything was a target.

"I know," Jungkook said, his voice surprisingly soft, filled with a regret he rarely allowed himself to show. He squeezed Taehyung's hand, his thumb gently stroking his knuckles. "And I swear, it will never happen again."

His eyes hardened, their previous softness replaced by a cold, protective fire. "They tried to use you to get to me. They miscalculated." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, intense murmur, meant only for Taehyung. "And now, because they touched what's mine... their world is going to burn."

Taehyung, however, seemed oblivious to the menacing promise. His gaze was still distant, his mind replaying the terror of the car. "But... what if they try again? What if they come here? What if... what if they find Luna?" He looked around the pristine room, suddenly feeling exposed.

Jungkook gently released Taehyung's hand, then slid his arm around Taehyung's shoulders, pulling him closer, until Taehyung's head rested against his chest. He held him firmly, securely, letting his steady heartbeat be a reassurance.

"No one is coming here," Jungkook stated, his voice absolute. "This place is impenetrable. And no one, no one, will ever get near you again without going through me first." He pressed his cheek against Taehyung's bandaged head. "You are under my protection now, Taehyung. Completely. They will learn very quickly that targeting my dramatic darling was the biggest mistake of their lives." His words were a blend of comfort and a terrifying declaration of war, all for the boy trembling in his arms.

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