Jungkook's POV -

The sun was burning low in the sky as I stepped out of the black SUV, my boots crunching softly against the gravel road. The village was quiet-deceptively so. But my mind was a war drum. Every rustle in the trees, every shadow, I scanned like a man who'd already lost too much in another life.

I walked forward, toward the gate. That old iron one with the faded paint and little squeak when it moved-Y/n always said it made her feel like a kid again. To me now, it just marked the boundary between danger and my reason to breathe.

My hand curled into a fist, and I knocked. Once. Twice.

A moment later, it creaked open.

Her father.
Grey-haired, sharp eyes, calm expression. The man who had once looked at me like I wasn't good enough to breathe the same air as his daughter now opened the gate with something softer in his gaze.

"Jungkook," he said, nodding slowly.

I gave him a small, respectful bow. "Appa."

"You came fast," he said, stepping aside.

"I had a jet and a reason," I replied with a faint smirk, walking in.

"She's inside. With your Amma. Kids are bouncing off the walls," he added with a chuckle.

I glanced around quickly-security stationed at discreet corners, my men blended in with the local clothes, eyes sharp and weapons hidden. Good.

Before I could get another step in, he placed a hand on my shoulder. "They're safe. You kept your word."

I met his eyes. "That's all I've ever tried to do."

He gave me a rare, approving nod. "Come in, son."

Son.

It took everything in me not to let my throat tighten at that word.

As we stepped into the courtyard, the scent of turmeric, old rose plants, and frying papad hit me. Memories and tension tangled together in the air.

Y/n's mother was sitting in a chair, stringing jasmine flowers, her fingers still deft and gentle as ever. She looked up and smiled when she saw me.

"Ah, Jeon Jungkook! You finally brought your face here!"

"Amma!" I grinned and walked over, immediately touching her feet.

"God bless you, son. Are you feeding yourself or just posing shirtless for magazines again?" she teased, patting my cheek.

"You're the only person allowed to scold me like that," I said, pulling out the bags from behind me. "I brought some things."

I passed the gifts to her and Appa-fabrics, spices, imported sweets, some silk scarves from Seoul, and books I knew Y/n's father loved. I didn't miss the way he touched the edges of one like it was gold.

"For all of you," I said genuinely. "And something extra for Amma's tea collection."

She beamed. "Now you've really won me over."

"I thought I already had."

"You did," Appa muttered, pretending to be gruff but clearly amused.

I was just about to ask where Y/n was when I heard tiny footsteps thudding rapidly across the corridor.

And then-

"Appaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

Aarohi flew toward me like a meteor, bunny toy clutched in one hand, hair bouncing in loose braids.

I dropped everything and opened my arms.

She crashed into me, tiny arms wrapping tight around my neck as I lifted her off the ground and held her against my chest like I was holding the sun.

"You came!" she squealed. "You really came!"

"Of course I did, princess," I whispered into her hair. "You think I can survive without your hugs?"

"I told Nani you were magic. You said you were coming, and you came!"

I pulled back and cupped her cheeks. "Because when you call me, my whole world moves."

She giggled. "You smell like the city and your cologne."

"And you smell like mangoes and mayhem," I teased, kissing her forehead.

Just then, I heard a door creak.

I turned, and there he was.

Advait.

Hands in his pockets. Expression blank. Walking like he wasn't eight, but eighteen. Blue eyes narrowed slightly, hair tousled, chin tilted up like he owned the land he walked on.

He stopped in front of me, arms crossed.

"Took you long enough," he said, cool as ice.

I raised an eyebrow. "Missed me?"

He shrugged. "Not really. Just wanted to see if the jet broke down."

I smirked. "It didn't. And guess what? I brought your mouse."

That got him.

He tried to hide it, but his eyes lit up, just a flicker. "Gaming mouse or the regular one?"

I pulled it from my bag and tossed it to him.

"Laser. Limited edition. Just like you."

He caught it one-handed. "Hm. Acceptable."

I leaned closer, smirking. "I missed you too, you little copy of me."

"I know," he said, turning away, but I caught the smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Aarohi was still clinging to my leg, smiling up like the world was back in orbit.

And just then-

I heard it.

The soft sound of anklets.

I turned toward the hallway-

And there she was.

Y/n.

Hair in a loose braid, dupatta slipping off one shoulder, her eyes meeting mine with a storm of relief, love, and something so fragile it almost undid me.

My heart forgot how to beat.

But I knew one thing for sure-

I was home.
And God help anyone who ever tried to take this away from me again.

There she was.
Standing right there at the edge of the hallway like she hadn't just been the ghost in all my dreams for the last three days.

Y/n.

Barefoot, hair braided, a small red bindi dotting her forehead - something she only wore when visiting her parents - and that pale blue cotton kurti I loved on her. The one with the tiny sunflower embroidery near her shoulder. The sunlight from the window hit her just right, and for a split second, I was convinced she wasn't real.

Until she spoke.

"Don't just stand there looking like you've seen a ghost," she said softly, her voice the kind of calm that always, always settled me - and killed me.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

"You are a ghost," I murmured, taking slow steps toward her. "You haunted the hell out of me."

Her eyes dropped for a second, but that small smile curled at the corner of her lips. I saw her fingers twitch - like she wanted to reach out but wasn't sure how. She didn't need to. I closed the distance and stopped just an inch away.

The scent of her. Home and warmth. Coconut oil and sandalwood soap. The very center of my peace.

I raised a hand and cupped her jaw gently. "You okay?"

She nodded slowly. "Now that you're here..."
Her eyes welled up. "Jungkook, someone was so close. They-"

"I know," I whispered, pressing my forehead to hers. "I saw the bottle. I saw the message."

She shut her eyes. "I was scared. Not for me. But for them. For the kids. My parents."

I slid my arms around her waist and pulled her into me fully, burying my face in her neck. "No one's touching them. No one's touching you. Ever again."

Her arms wrapped around me, tight. Like she was afraid I'd disappear if she loosened her grip.

"I didn't want to tell the kids," she whispered. "I didn't want to panic them. So I just told them Appa was coming because he missed their cuddles."

I chuckled softly. "You weren't wrong."
I pulled back slightly and kissed her forehead. "But now I'm here, and I'm staying. No meetings, no jet, no empire stuff. Just this house, this family, this fight."

She looked up at me, eyes shimmering. "You mean it?"

I gently pinched her cheek. "I just turned my billion-dollar company into airplane mode for you, baby."

She laughed through her tears, and that sound...
That sound was worth burning every kingdom I ever built.

Just then-

"Ayoo, stop being cheesy!"
Advait stood there, arms crossed again. "Can we eat now or will you keep flirting until next year?"

I turned, one hand still around Y/n's waist, the other gesturing toward him. "This little menace. Did you hear that mouth?"

Aarohi giggled. "Appa flirts a lot! Nani said you'll never stop!"

Y/n facepalmed. "Oh my god-"

"I do flirt a lot," I smirked, pulling Y/n closer. "But only with one girl."

"Disgusting," Advait muttered, walking off. "I'm going to check the drone feed with Taemin uncle."

"Wait, what?!" Y/n shouted. "Why is my eight-year-old checking drone feeds?!"

I waved casually. "He's got my eyes, my brain, and my access codes."

"Jungkook!"

"I locked the weapons cabinet, don't worry!" I added quickly. "Mostly."

She glared. "Mostly?"

I kissed her cheek before she could shout again. "Let's just eat, sweetheart. I brought your favorite rasmalai."

Aarohi shrieked. "RASMALAAAIIIII!"

The courtyard burst into chaos again - laughter, shouting, Y/n chasing after Advait who was bragging about surveillance drones, Aarohi jumping up and down asking where I hid the desserts, and Y/n's mom calling from the kitchen, "If you're done hugging, come take the puris before they get cold!"

I stood there for a second in the middle of all of it.
The breeze, the smell of fried food, the ring of family and love echoing louder than any threat ever could.

And I smiled.

Because the danger might still be out there.
The world might still be waiting to take everything from me.

But right now-
Right here-
This was mine.

And I'd protect it with blood if I had to.
Because the gates had opened.
And the devil had entered heaven.
Not to destroy it.
But to guard it with everything he had.