PROJECT K001

Untitled Part 54

The morning after Jungkook's painting, the mansion was unusually still, but not with the silence of old. No longer was it the quiet of suppressed breath or the eerie peace of a home too large for its dwellers. It was the charged silence of three hearts beating in sync beneath layers of veiled emotions. A new rhythm—formed from shared touches, melted tension, and the unspoken promise that none of them would be left to stand alone again.

Jungkook awoke sprawled between the twins, the room suffused with the soft warmth of golden morning light streaming through the tall glass windows. His cheek pressed against Taehyung's chest, the steady rise and fall beneath his skin now a familiar comfort. V was behind him, one arm hooked loosely around his waist, the pads of his fingers pressed gently to Jungkook's stomach beneath his sleep shirt.

He didn't dare move.

Not when Taehyung's leg was tangled between his, or when V's breath tickled the back of his neck in slow, grounding exhales.

It was a pocket of peace.

But even Jungkook could feel it—it wouldn't last much longer.

A faint hum vibrated through the wall. Phones. Tablets. Communication lines starting to flood with messages, requests, questions, demands. The aftermath of Koo's unveiling hadn't faded overnight. If anything, it had sharpened. The media had latched onto the mystery with gluttonous curiosity.

And now the world wanted to know more.

Who was Koo?

Why had his identity been hidden for so long?

And more dangerously... Who was he to the Kim Empire?

A slow shift behind him signaled V waking. Then Taehyung stirred, and Jungkook instinctively buried his face deeper into his chest.

"You're awake," Taehyung murmured, voice thick with sleep as his hand lifted to Jungkook's nape. "You okay?"

A nod against his collarbone.

V's lips brushed the shell of his ear. "You painted yesterday."

Jungkook nodded again, cheeks flushing.

Taehyung's eyes opened fully now. "Do you want us to see it?"

"I... yes." His voice was muffled, hesitant. "But later. It's not ready."

Neither twin pressed. Instead, they wrapped around him tighter, a quiet understanding passing between them like static through silk.

"You won't be doing any public statements," V said eventually, voice crisp, calm. "Not now. Not ever unless you want to."

"We've locked down everything," Taehyung added, fingers idly playing with a strand of Jungkook's hair. "Gallery's made a statement about maintaining the artist's privacy. Yoongi's running digital surveillance to trace anyone pushing deeper."

"And Niki?" Jungkook asked softly.

"She's been protected since day one," V answered. "No leaks from her. She's clean."

Jungkook exhaled.

The weight of their planning, their coverage, their control—it pressed against him like armor tailored for his size. He didn't know how to lead, but they made sure he never had to walk alone.

Still, a question lingered like smoke.

"But... do I belong here?" he whispered.

The reaction was immediate.

V sat up halfway, hand tightening on Jungkook's waist as he turned him slightly, eyes boring into his.

"Don't ever ask that again."

Taehyung's fingers stilled. "You belong here more than we do."

Jungkook's eyes widened. "What?"

"We lived in this place like ghosts," V said, softer now. "You brought breath back into it. Into us."

"And the quiet?" Taehyung smiled faintly. "You destroyed it beautifully."

That drew a small, sheepish grin from Jungkook. "I was really loud yesterday."

"You climbed on the piano to pretend it was a pirate ship, baby," Taehyung chuckled.

"You pulled a whole tray of pastries off the counter because you didn't want to share," V added with a snort.

"And then cried because we still gave you two extra," Taehyung finished.

Jungkook's hands covered his face in embarrassed protest, but the warmth radiating from the twins—his twins—soothed the moment into laughter.

"Don't worry," V murmured, brushing soft kisses along the side of his neck. "We love your chaos."

"It keeps the house alive," Taehyung whispered, lips ghosting over his cheek. "Keeps us alive."

—

Later that day, Jungkook found himself in the garden, barefoot on the stone path, loose pants dragging slightly behind him. His fingers were stained with paint, hair tied loosely in a half-up bun.

The twins watched from a distance.

He was dancing.

Not in any practiced, formal way—but spinning lightly, arms extended as he weaved between sculptures and flowerbeds. The light from above hit him just right. His shirt flared, sleeves like wings.

And in that moment, they both saw it:

He wasn't running anymore.

He was free.

A sound behind them made V turn.

It was Min Yoongi, tablet in hand, suit rumpled as usual, but eyes razor-sharp.

"There's going to be a gala."

Taehyung raised a brow. "Explain."

"High-profile event. Invitation-only. Art, philanthropy, business fusion. The Kims are on the top of the guest list."

V's jaw tightened. "Who's hosting?"

"Han Jae-Hwan."

That name made even Taehyung still.

"CEO of Atelier Dusk?"

Yoongi nodded. "And rumored to be behind several anti-competitive acquisitions. He's making a move."

"On Koo?"

"Not directly." Yoongi's voice lowered. "But he'll use the gala to pull you out. To test whether you're shielding someone... or hiding something."

There was a long pause.

Then Taehyung's eyes drifted back to the garden.

To Jungkook, now sitting in the grass, nose buried in a rose.

"We're going," he said simply.

V nodded once. "We protect him better in plain sight."

Yoongi smirked. "Then I'll have the suits delivered."

As he left, Taehyung turned to V.

"You realize what this means, don't you?"

V's gaze was far away, cold as glass.

"If they come for him again... they'll be doing it in our house."

Taehyung smirked faintly. "Then let them try."

Their fingers brushed.

And across the garden, as if sensing their promise, Jungkook turned and smiled.

Unaware of how brightly he now shone.

Unaware of how many had begun to watch.

But certain of one thing—

He was no longer alone.

[To be continued in Chapter 61...]