THE KIMS

The Calm

The atmosphere in the Kim household was one of quiet relief after the intense events of the evening. The media had their sensational story, the police had their criminals, and justice had been served. Now, all that remained was for the family to recover from the ordeal.

The Kims and Jungs gathered in the living room, the tension of the night slowly ebbing away. Mrs. Kim, always the pillar of strength, looked around at her family, noticing the exhaustion etched on their faces. She took charge, her voice gentle but firm.

"Everyone, let's call it a night," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "It's been a long day, and we all need to rest—especially Hoseok and Taehyung. It's not good for you both to be under so much stress."

Hoseok, seated beside Namjoon, gave her a small smile, appreciating her concern. Taehyung, who was visibly tired, nodded in agreement, his hand resting protectively on his baby bump. Jungkook was already at his side, ready to help him to their room.

As the family members began to disperse, heading to their respective rooms, Namjoon turned to Hoseok. There was a softness in his gaze, a silent plea for forgiveness and understanding.

"Hoseok," Namjoon began, his voice low. "I know the guest rooms aren't as comfortable. Please, take my room for tonight. You need to rest properly."

Hoseok looked at him for a moment, surprised by the offer. There was still so much unresolved between them, but in that moment, he could see the sincerity in Namjoon's eyes. Hoseok nodded, not trusting himself to speak, and accepted the gesture.

"Thank you," he whispered.

Namjoon's shoulders relaxed slightly, a small weight lifted off his chest. "It's the least I can do," he replied softly.

With that, everyone headed to their rooms. The Jungs made themselves comfortable in the guest room, grateful for the Kim family's hospitality. Taehyung, with Jungkook's help, settled into their bed, finally allowing himself to relax after the day's stress. Jin and Yoongi, too, retired to their room, finding solace in each other's presence.

In the quiet of the night, the Kim household slowly drifted into a much-needed sleep. But as Namjoon lay down in one of the guest rooms, his thoughts lingered on Hoseok, who was now resting in his bed. He knew there was still a long way to go to mend what had been broken, but for now, he was content knowing that Hoseok was safe and cared for.

As the house fell into silence, a sense of peace settled over the family. They had faced darkness, but together, they had emerged into the light. And though the path ahead was uncertain, they knew they would navigate it as a family—stronger and more united than ever before.

*The Next Morning*

The next morning, the Kim household slowly came to life as everyone woke up one by one. Namjoon was the last to join them, looking noticeably better than he had in weeks. The dark circles under his eyes, which had become a permanent feature, were less pronounced, and he seemed more rested after the much-needed sleep.

Breakfast was a quiet affair, as was Mrs. Kim's long-standing rule: no business talk or gossip at the table. Instead, they focused on enjoying the meal and each other's company. The atmosphere was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous night.

After breakfast, the family gathered in the living room. They settled onto the couches, but there was a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. Everyone's eyes were on Namjoon, who was sitting alone on a single couch. His gaze, however, was fixed on Hoseok, who was seated beside Mrs. Kim, engrossed in a book.