"You don't look very strong."

Jungkook straightens his back, looking right into Zion's eyes. It's almost like they're challenging each other—boxers figuring out who should throw the first punch. In the light of the hospital room, everything has a dismal edge to it. But Zion and Jungkook go against the grain. They're both very much alive.

"What makes you say that?" Jungkook says. His stance is a bit awkward, like he doesn't quite know what to make of my brazen brother.

Zion sits up, squinting a bit like he's trying to make out a mystery. "I expected more muscles."

Jungkook shuffles, scratching the back of his head. "You don't have to have muscles to be strong."

"That's new info to me," Zion says. His chin is raised. His hands are curled at his sides. At this moment, he doesn't seem weak at all.

Jungkook's mouth twists to one side. "Well, it's nice to meet you." He makes a show of turning slowly, like he's going to leave.

"Wait." Zion's guard lowers a little, and his eyes have a sheen to them that I can only describe as a mixture of emotions.

Jungkook turns back. I want to roll my eyes. He really is meant to be a performer. His brows are slightly raised, the strong line of his body showing through the fabric of his jeans and denim jacket.

I realize how nervous I am when I run my palms down my shirt. Sweat pulls away. Of course, I want my brother to like Jungkook and vice versa. But I never realized how badly I wanted this until now. Jungkook is a part of me now, and if Zion doesn't accept him, two parts of my life will always be at war.

"Thank you for protecting my sister," Zion says, voice quiet. "I appreciate it."

Jungkook gives a small smile. "Your sister protected me too. I owe her just the same."

"I'm coming over to the mansions once I'm better," Zion says. "Maybe we can play basketball together."

I stifle a laugh, air coming fast out my nose. "There's no basketball court there."

"Mr. Fame can make one," Jungkook says. "I'm quite good at basketball."

"I don't think you'll be able to beat me," Zion says. And his smile means that he approves. Relief runs over me like a cascading waterfall.

"We'll see about that," Jungkook says. When he turns to me, he gives me a shrug. Almost as if to say That's the best I can do. Take it or leave it.

"Where's Mom and Dad?" I ask Zion.

Zion opens his mouth to respond, but he stops when his eyes shoot to the doorway. "Hey!" he says. "You guys are late."

"We got caught up outside," my dad says. "Some people trying to interview us. I guess you can thank your sister for that."

My mother steps forward without a second to spare, all potential awkwardness banished to the dark realms. She grabs both of Jungkook's hands, holding them like they're the world's most precious treasures. "You must be Jungkook," she says.

Jungkook smiles shyly. His feet shuffle against the floor. "That's me."

"Thank you for fighting alongside my daughter," she says. "I appreciate it more than you could know."

My father comes between them. He holds out a hand, which Jungkook takes into a firm shake. "Jungkook, isn't it? You have my thanks as well. I understand you don't have family here. But from now on, you're part of this family. Count on us for anything you need."

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Yang." Jungkook's cheeks have a slight flush to them. Like he stepped out into the cold for a few minutes.

Mom fusses over Jungkook for a bit, asking him whether he's already had lunch and what he needs for his new home. Even though Zion's surgery is tomorrow, and the unknown looms before us like an endless abyss, it certainly feels like we've found some semblance of peace. My father goes by Zion's side, the two of them talking about the new basketballs and toy robots we can afford because of our newfound wealth. For a good amount of time, I'm just an observer. I feel like a bird perched in the corner, watching my family unfold into a new normal.

"Did you hear me, Cosma?" Mom's looking at me, a bit concerned. I guess I was staring off into space for a bit too long.

"What did you say?" I ask.

"Your father and I are picking up dinner," she says. "You and Jungkook can wait here with Zion. We can eat together."

I nod, but it's like I'm still watching from outside my body. I guess this whole event seems abnormal. Jungkook and I, finally safe, meeting my family like there's a bright future that's inevitable. All of it doesn't seem real—like we're drenched in some sort of fantasy.

Zion engages in talk about sports with Jungkook, while I go off to search for more chairs. The hospital light makes me dizzy, and even when I find the chairs in the hall I can barely lift them a few inches. I know I'm safe now, that my family approves of Jungkook, but still I have a weight in my stomach that hasn't left since the beginning of League of Fame.

"Let me help," Jungkook says, appearing behind me.

I carry one chair, and he carries one on each hand. "My family likes you," I say.

"Maybe because I'm handsome or something," Jungkook says.

The weight within me eases a bit, like it's being shaved off with each second in this boy's presence. "I guess you can say that."

When we return to the room, Zion is close to sleeping. His breath is coming out evenly, like he's at peace. I set down the chair and stand beside Jungkook, waiting for my parents to return. Jungkook places one arm around my shoulder, pulling me close so that we're perfectly aligned. We watch my brother. I know both of us are thinking of what awaits us in the future. Whether there will be thousands of more times where my family could share a moment of peace. Whether Mr. Fame will allow us even that.

A/N: Thank you for reading! I really am so grateful if you've made it this far.