Mafia's Caretaker; The Devil's Cure

#23 Always On You

Edited version 🖤🦋

Author; a wandering soul 🗿

The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of the modest house, its quiet presence a stark contrast to the man sitting in the passenger seat. Jeon Jungkook—feared by many, respected by all—had come here not as a ruthless businessman, but as a man visiting someone who felt like family.

“I am sure Mom is going to be so happy seeing you,” Taehyung said, turning the engine off and smiling warmly. “Thank you, Boss Jeon, for coming.”

Jungkook merely gave a small nod, his gaze fixed on the house in front of him. It had been a while since he last visited.

“But, Boss Jeon, you shouldn’t have come alone,” Taehyung added, his voice laced with concern. “It could be dangerous. You know how things are—”

“Do you really think I’m scared of dangers?” Jungkook cut him off, arching a brow. His tone was calm, but there was an underlying sharpness to it—an edge that made it clear he was more than capable of handling whatever came his way. “Nothing will happen. Stop worrying and park the car properly. We’ve arrived.”

Taehyung sighed, shaking his head. His boss was the most stubborn man alive.

Still, he obeyed, and soon enough, they were stepping out of the car, the quiet afternoon air settling around them.

As they entered the house, a familiar warmth enveloped Jungkook—a feeling he rarely got to experience anymore.

“Mom!” Taehyung called out loudly as they walked inside.

In her dimly lit room, a frail woman lay against the headboard, her hands expertly weaving yarn loops together. The moment she heard her son’s voice, she paused, looking up in surprise.

“Tae?” she called weakly, her eyes softening at the sight of him. It hadn’t even been half a day since he left—what was he doing back so soon?

Taehyung grinned. “Mom, look who’s here to see you.” He stepped aside, making way for the figure standing in the doorway.

The moment she saw him, her tired eyes widened in pure happiness.

“Jungkook!”

A small, rare smile tugged at Jungkook’s lips as he walked toward her, settling down beside her on the bed.

“How are you, Auntie?” His voice, though calm, held an undeniable warmth.

The elderly woman reached out, her wrinkled fingers brushing his hand gently. “You came to meet me after so long,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “Won’t you hug me, my boy?”

Jungkook hesitated for a second—not because he didn’t want to, but because the feeling of maternal affection was something he hadn’t experienced in a long, long time.

But then, before he could even decide, she pulled him into her arms.

Jungkook stiffened slightly at first, unaccustomed to the gesture. But as her hands ran gently over his back, the tension in his body melted away. A warmth spread through him, seeping into the cold corners of his soul.

He missed this.

The gentle caress of her fingers on the back of his head, the soft scent of her clothes, the faint sound of her breathing—it was all so familiar, yet so distant.

For the first time in a long while, Jungkook allowed himself to close his eyes and just exist in the embrace. No responsibilities. No burdens. Just peace.