A Crack in the Ice.

Night fell over the mansion.

For once—

it was quiet.

No alarms.

No shouting.

No chaos.

Most of them had gone back to their usual routines.

Kim Namjoon was in his study.

Kim Seokjin in the kitchen (still offended).

Jung Hoseok and Park Jimin somewhere arguing about security.

Jeon Jungkook training downstairs.

And Min Yoongi—

was walking down the hallway.

Quiet.

Calm.

Observing.

That’s when he heard it.

A faint sound.

From one of the balconies.

He stepped closer.

Slowly.

Carefully.

And then—

he saw him.

Kim Taehyung sat on the cold floor, back resting against the railing, knees pulled close.

No chaos.

No laughter.

No teasing.

Just… still.

The night wind brushed through his hair.

His face was turned toward the sky.

Expression unreadable.

Yoongi didn’t move.

Didn’t announce his presence.

He just… watched.

For the first time—

Taehyung looked…

quiet.

Too quiet.

“…you’re bad at sneaking,” Tae’s voice suddenly broke the silence.

Yoongi didn’t react.

“Didn’t try to,” he replied calmly.

Taehyung hummed.

“Figures.”

Silence settled again.

But this one felt different.

Not tense.

Not dangerous.

Just… there.

Yoongi leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

“Why aren’t you causing trouble?”

Taehyung smiled faintly.

“Taking a break. Even professionals need rest.”

“Professional what?”

“Menace.”

A small pause.

Then—

Yoongi asked, low and direct—

“You’re not scared.”

Not a question.

A statement.

Taehyung didn’t answer immediately.

His fingers traced invisible patterns on the floor.

Then—

he chuckled softly.

“Should I be?”

Yoongi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Yes.”

Taehyung tilted his head, looking at him now.

And for a second—

that usual playful spark wasn’t there.

“Hmm…” he murmured.

“…too late for that.”

Something about the way he said it—

felt wrong.

Too calm.

Too accepting.

Yoongi noticed.

Of course he did.

But Tae suddenly stretched, breaking the moment.

“Anyway, your scary house is kinda nice at night.”

Yoongi scoffed lightly. “It’s not meant to be nice.”

“Well,” Tae shrugged, “you’re failing at that too.”

A faint smirk tugged at Yoongi’s lips before he could stop it.

Silence again.

But softer now.

A few seconds passed—

Then Yoongi spoke again.

“Why don’t you try to escape?”

Taehyung blinked.

Then laughed quietly.

“Where would I go?”

“You have a home.”

That made Tae pause.

Just for a second.

Then—

he looked away.

Smile returning.

Careless.

Easy.

Fake.

“Not really.”

The answer was light.

But it landed heavy.

Yoongi didn’t reply.

Didn’t push.

Just watched.

The wind grew colder.

Taehyung shivered—

barely noticeable.

But Yoongi saw.

Without a word—

Yoongi took off his jacket.

Walked forward.

And dropped it beside him.

“Don’t catch a cold,” he said simply.

Taehyung stared at the jacket.

Then at him.

Suspicion.

Confusion.

Something softer.

“…wow,” Tae said slowly, “is this kindness? From a mafia king? I feel honored.”

Yoongi rolled his eyes. “Don’t overthink it.”

Taehyung picked up the jacket.

Held it for a moment.

Then—

put it on.

It was big.

Warm.

Smelled faintly like him.

“…thanks,” Tae said quietly.

Yoongi didn’t respond.

But he didn’t leave either.

They just stood there.

In silence.

Under the night sky.

And for the first time—

one of the kings…

didn’t see Taehyung as just a problem.

Yoongi’s gaze lingered slightly longer than necessary.

Thoughtful.

Curious.

“…you’re strange,” he muttered.

Taehyung smiled softly.

“Yeah.”

“…I get that a lot.”

But this time—

his smile didn’t look like a weapon.

To be continued…

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