The Innocent and The King

Chapter Ten - A Storm Within

The days following Jungkook's return passed in a blur. The tension in the safe house had eased, but Reva could sense a storm brewing beneath the surface. Jungkook's eyes, though softer when they rested on her, were often shadowed with unspoken thoughts. His men were more vigilant than ever, speaking in hushed tones and moving with purpose.

Reva spent her mornings in the garden behind the safe house, finding solace in the company of the animals that seemed to frequent the area. Birds chirped in the trees, and once, she'd even spotted a timid fox darting through the underbrush. It brought her a sense of peace, however fleeting, in the chaos that now defined her life.

She was sitting on a wooden bench one morning, her sketchbook balanced on her knees, when Jungkook appeared. He was dressed casually, a stark contrast to the sharp suits he usually wore, but the intensity in his gaze remained the same.

"You've been out here a lot," he said, his voice soft as he approached.

Reva looked up, offering him a small smile. "It helps me clear my mind. Everything's been... overwhelming."

Jungkook nodded, sitting beside her. "I know. And I'm sorry you've been dragged into this."

"You don't need to apologize," she said, placing a hand on his arm. "I chose to stay with you, Jungkook. I knew what I was walking into."

His lips pressed into a thin line. "You say that now, but you don't know how dark it can get. You haven't seen everything."

Reva frowned, setting her sketchbook aside. "Then show me," she said firmly. "Stop trying to shield me from your world. I can handle it, Jungkook. I want to handle it. For you."

His eyes searched hers, a flicker of something vulnerable breaking through his hardened exterior. "Reva..." He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his dark hair. "You don't understand what you're asking for."

"Maybe I don't," she admitted. "But I can't just sit here, waiting and worrying every time you leave. If we're going to do this-if we're going to be together-I need to know the truth. All of it."

Jungkook stared at her for a long moment before nodding. "Alright," he said quietly. "But you have to promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"That you won't look at me differently afterward."

Reva reached for his hand, her fingers intertwining with his. "I promise."

---

Later that evening, Jungkook led her to his study. The room was dimly lit, the warm glow of a desk lamp casting shadows on the walls. He gestured for her to sit on the couch while he retrieved a leather-bound file from a locked drawer.

"This," he said, placing the file on the coffee table between them, "is the reality of my life."

Reva hesitated before opening it. Inside were photographs, documents, and handwritten notes. The images were startling-men in suits exchanging briefcases, cars riddled with bullet holes, and faces she didn't recognize but could tell were no longer alive.

Her hands trembled as she flipped through the pages. Each piece told a story of betrayal, violence, and power struggles.

"This is what I deal with every day," Jungkook said, his voice low. "This is why I'm so protective of you. Because this world doesn't have rules, Reva. It doesn't have mercy."

She looked up at him, her heart aching at the pain in his expression. "How did you end up here?"

Jungkook leaned back, his gaze distant. "I didn't have a choice," he said. "My father was the head of the Jeon family before me. When he died, everything fell on my shoulders. I didn't want this life, but I couldn't walk away. Not without putting everyone I care about in danger."

"And now?" she asked softly.

"Now, I've accepted it," he said. "I've made peace with the fact that I'll never have a normal life. But you... you deserve better, Reva. You deserve a life free of fear."

She shook her head, her voice firm. "What I deserve is to make my own choices. And I choose you, Jungkook. I don't care about the risks. I care about you."

His jaw tightened, but he didn't argue. Instead, he reached out, pulling her into his arms. "You're too good for me," he murmured against her hair.

Reva smiled faintly, resting her head against his chest. "Maybe. But I'm not going anywhere."

---

The next morning, Reva woke to find Jungkook already gone. Namjoon was in the kitchen, sipping coffee as he scanned a tablet.

"Good morning," he said, glancing up.

"Morning," Reva replied. "Where's Jungkook?"

"He went into the city," Namjoon said, his tone casual but his eyes watchful.

Reva frowned. "Alone?"

"Not alone," Namjoon assured her. "He's with Taehyung and Jimin. They're handling some business."

Her stomach twisted with unease. "What kind of business?"

Namjoon hesitated before responding. "There's been movement from the rival family. Jungkook wanted to deal with it personally."

Reva's heart sank. She knew what "dealing with it" meant.

---

Hours passed with no word from Jungkook. Reva tried to distract herself, but her mind kept wandering to him. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

When the sound of approaching cars finally broke the silence, she rushed to the window. Relief flooded her as she saw Jungkook step out, but her relief was short-lived.

Blood stained his shirt, though it didn't seem to be his own. His expression was grim as he made his way inside, his movements tense.

"Jungkook!" Reva exclaimed, running to him.

"I'm fine," he said quickly, holding up a hand to stop her from fussing. "It's not my blood."

"Then whose is it?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"One of theirs," he said simply, his tone devoid of emotion.

Reva swallowed hard, her gaze searching his face. "What happened?"

"They ambushed us," he said, running a hand through his hair. "We handled it."

She reached out, her fingers brushing against his arm. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine," he said again, softer this time. He placed a hand over hers, his touch reassuring. "But I need to shower. I'll be back soon."

Reva watched him disappear down the hallway, her chest tight with worry. She knew this was his world, but seeing it so closely was harder than she'd imagined.

---

That night, Jungkook sat beside her on the couch, his hair still damp from the shower. He was quiet, his usual confidence replaced by something more subdued.

"Jungkook," she said softly, breaking the silence.

He looked at her, his dark eyes searching hers. "What is it?"

"Do you ever think about leaving this life?"

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, she thought he wouldn't answer. But then he sighed, leaning back against the couch.

"Sometimes," he admitted. "But it's not that simple, Reva. Even if I wanted to leave, the people who rely on me wouldn't let me. And the enemies I've made... they'd never stop hunting me."

Reva reached for his hand, her fingers lacing with his. "What if we found a way? Together?"

He looked at her, his expression softening. "You'd do that for me?"

She smiled faintly. "I'd do anything for you."

Jungkook leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "You're my everything, Reva," he murmured. "And I'll protect you, no matter what it takes."

As they sat together, the weight of the world pressing down on them, Reva knew one thing for certain: she and Jungkook were in this together, no matter how dark the road ahead might be.