[ complete ] 𝐌𝐀𝐅𝐈𝐀'𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐅𝐄 || 𝐉.𝐉𝐊 𝐅𝐅

63. Unspoken Fear

It started with the smallest shift in her breathing. She was sitting at the edge of the bed, her arms folded tight across her chest, her nails digging into her own skin like she was trying to hold herself together. Her legs were curled up beside her, bare feet cold against the wooden floor.

I knew that look.

It wasn’t just fear. It wasn’t even doubt.

It was panic.

"Y/n..." I said gently, stepping closer.

She didn’t answer. Her gaze was lost somewhere in the past, somewhere behind the walls of this room. Maybe back at that kindergarten. Maybe in the eyes of that teacher she was so certain wasn’t who he said he was.

I kneeled down in front of her, my hands resting on her knees.

"Hey. Look at me."

She blinked, then slowly met my eyes.

"You're shaking," I whispered.

"I just... I don’t know why it feels like him," she said. "Everything checks out. I know that. I know it doesn’t make sense. But when I saw his face... those eyes... Jungkook, it felt like my heart dropped into ice."

I gently tucked her hair behind her ear.

"You think I’m losing it, don’t you?" she asked, her voice cracking.

"Never," I said. "Never. You’re not crazy. You’re aware. That makes you smart. But also..."

"Also what?"

I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

"...you're exhausted. You haven’t breathed properly since we left the school. Let me help you come back to this room. To me."

She swallowed hard. Her lips were trembling.

I tilted her chin up, eyes locked to hers. "Let me distract you the way I do best."

Before she could argue, I leaned down and kissed her. Soft. Unhurried. Like a promise. Like a tether.

She gasped slightly against my lips, then melted into me. Her hands reached up to clutch my shirt as I deepened the kiss, her tension slowly uncoiling under my touch.

I pressed my forehead against hers, whispering, "You're safe, love. With me. Always."

Just then—

"Appa? What are you doing?"

The tiny voice cut through the air like a pin popping a balloon.

I froze.

Y/n's eyes widened, and she pulled away so fast I almost lost my balance.

Standing by the doorway were Advait and Aarohi, both holding their plush toys and staring with innocent curiosity.

I cleared my throat, glancing at Y/n, who was now furiously adjusting her shirt and trying to look like she wasn’t just seconds away from losing herself in my arms.

"Ah... well," I said, standing up and brushing off imaginary dust from my pants. "Appa was just... talking to Umma."

Advait tilted his head. "With your mouths?"

Aarohi frowned. "Is that how grown-ups talk secrets? With kissing?"

I laughed awkwardly. "Sometimes, yes. When grown-ups love each other."

Y/n covered her face with both hands. "Oh god..."

Advait climbed onto the bed and looked between the two of us. "Did Umma cry again?"