𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞 || 𝐉𝐉 & 𝐊𝐃 ||

Chapter 18: Neutrality

TIMESTAMP: 19:15 (7:15 PM)

Location: Joo Nabi Estate: Main Home

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The smell of freshly made white rice wafted around the main Joo Nabi Estate kitchen.

However, instead of Jaekyung's personal chef being responsible for the heavenly scent, it was Kim Dan. Mere moments before they had arrived in the kitchen, the chef had clocked out for the day and was already on the road home.

So, albeit reluctantly, Jaekyung allowed Dan full use of his kitchen, considering he had important work himself.

Now that he was all done for the night, it was time to face the potential damage his newly assigned shipper had made while he was off.

Entering the kitchen, he was surprised to find it completely empty, furrowing his brows in confusion, but his mouth did most of the work. "What the hell...?" Just seconds after his voice echoed, he could hear light footsteps approach the kitchen from the right; reentering was the missing brunette.

With his sleeves rolled back down to cover his bandages and an unreadable look in his eyes, Dan and Jaekyung made eye contact.

"Come." Dan uttered, nudging his head as he retraced his steps back to the hallway from whence he came, with Jaekyung, strangely mindlessly, following behind. "I finished cooking and eating."

Just as Jaekyung was about to inquire what Kim Dan had eaten, he was startled to find that his informal dining table had small food items plated.

An assortment of rice, kimchi, kimchi soup, and sunny-side-up eggs.

"What the hell?" Jaekyung cursed, glaring at the spread. "If you've already eaten, then what the hell is all this, Kim Dan?"

Without missing a beat to Jaekyung's sudden anger, Dan gestured towards the spread. "If I'm right about your schedule, you probably haven't eaten yet, so I made you something to say thank you."

"I don't care for a fucking thank you." Jaekyung snarled. "I didn't ask for this either." Folding his arms across his chest as his veins bulged and twitched.

"You didn't have to. Just eat it, or I can throw it away. Your choice." Dan pushed, pulling out Jaekyung's seat for him. "If you're worried it was poisoned, don't be. It really is just a token of gratitude, and I, for one, don't believe in trying to kill the person who admittedly saved me from a high chance of death."

Jaekyung stood there, his dark eyes wavering between the platter and Kim Dan's stoic but pushy expression on his face.

After debating for what felt like eons, Jaekyung let out a scoff and began to walk towards the chair, pushing Dan aside as if to say he wasn't needed to do that.

"I know it's not an equal comparison to what you've done, but I hope you like it." Dan added softly, a bit glad Jaekyung decided to give in.

Joo Jaekyung, the Don of the Onyx Devil Mafia, had not only saved his life but also helped him tend to his injuries. Even though Dan knew to be on guard, he couldn't help but feel like his guardrails were lowering by an inch.

"It's not terrible..." Jaekyung mumbled under his breath, choosing to ignore the small twinkle in Dan's eyes. "In any case, I have some news, so you may want to have a seat."

Without fail, Dan pulled out the seat beside Jaekyung, holding in a wince as he eased himself into it and scooted closer to the table. Fidgeting with his hands, he gave the don a nod to go on.

"They've found several bugs in your apartment and car. None in the office you work in, but they want to keep you out until tomorrow afternoon to get things done and secure in your apartment." Jaekyung explained, slowly sipping at the tea Dan provided. "It's a fucking hassle, but there's not much I can do, so for now you'll spend the night here, or you can contact Heesung to let you stay with him."

"Your choice."

A quiet, quick groan escaped Dan as he gazed at the polished marble table. At his obscured reflection. "Here may be best for me. Heesung has far too many issues of his own, and I would hate to bring it to him right now."

"You're partners, are you not?" Jaekyung reminded. "Considering some of my research, it seemed like you two would be thick as thieves, so spending the night shouldn't be too bad."

Dan shrugged. On one hand, he could respond and explain that this situation was more than just the recently deceased Randy Booker coming after him, but that would lead to a can of worms he didn't want getting out any time soon.

"We are. But some things it's best not to have other people involved in. Occasionally for their safety, but mostly for yours." Dan answered, hoping Jaekyung would want to agree and leave it at that. "Given that you're a top Don, I'm sure you understand that better than anyone."

Instead of the typical bob of the head, Jaekyung gave Dan an unreadable look and clicked his tongue. "Staying on guard at all times. I have no intentions of ever letting anyone catch me off guard."

Dan bobbed his head along as a strange tension began to fill the room the closer Jaekyung got to finishing his food. "I take it you'd know firsthand considering how long you've been doing this. It's tiring, isn't it? Even if you aren't completely paranoid, it must be monumentally exhausting staying on edge and wondering what everyone's intentions are."

Jaekyung glanced away for a moment before turning back at Dan, who now held a look of muted curiosity. He didn't know why he was indulging in these questions. Considering not too long ago he had told Dan to stop prying.

Jaekyung naturally hated inquisitive people, as their intentions were never fucking clear. More often than not it was rooted in some downright shady backstabbing tactics.

It wouldn't be too long before he'd question himself as to why he answered Kim Dan's question.

"It is. But as you saw with Booker, who kept testing me, or even better, with Lee Dae-ho, it's not like I can let it down with anyone." Jaekyung truthfully admitted, moving aside the now-empty dishes and cup. "Do you plan on being one of them?"

"As if I'd answer that so honestly. Anyway, I can't tell the future exactly. I can only hope, just like you." Kim Dan answered, his tone gone softer. "You are one scary man, Joo Jaekyung, but in a way, I get it."

As Auburn locked in with deep onyx irises, Dan sucked in a breath.

"I think... Nothing is more humiliating and nightmarish than to be coaxed into letting down your guard and letting someone in, only to have your trust shattered and be betrayed." Dan whispered, only loud enough for them to hear. "Not to go in too deep, but I truly think being truly alone is the fucking worst, so if you have to keep people at a distance, with your guard up, then so be it."

Kim Dan could feel his wounds sting, but not as much as the pain that lingered in his chest.

Great. Just great.

He took quick blinks, hoping to distract himself from any more unwanted thoughts about his past. And it was only when he came back to it that he noticed the blank but still calculating expression on Jaekyung's face.

Letting out a huff, Dan rubbed the back of his neck. "But, in this case I guess none of that really matters now, does it?"

"And what exactly do you mean by that?" Jaekyung raised his brows, finally speaking after Dan's little ramble. "Are you implying something?"

Dan shook his head. "The B.L.A.C.K. Project. It took this long to merge, and it'd take way longer to unmerge and stop operations. There's too much on the line for either of us to be not truthful to the other when needed, do you disagree?"

Giving it a second to process, Jaekyung briefly nodded along. "Point made."

That right there.

As if lights had gone off, a subtle shift was beginning to form and take over.

Neutrality was at play.