“Jeon Jungkook!!!”

The shout cracked through the house like thunder.

Jungkook froze halfway up the stairs, one foot hovering in the air as his entire body stiffened.

His wings—if he’d had any—would’ve snapped shut.

Slowly, very slowly, he turned his head.

At the bottom of the staircase stood his mother, Jin, arms crossed tightly over his chest, expression sharp enough to cut glass.

At his feet lay the remains of a once‑beautiful vase—now nothing but glittering shards scattered across the floor.

The same vase Jungkook had barely touched.

Poked, really.

A gentle poke.

And then it had exploded like it had been waiting its whole life for an excuse.

“Y‑Yes, Mom?” Jungkook whispered, his soft, nervous, angelic voice wobbling at the edges.

Jin pointed at the shattered mess. “What is this?”

“I… um…” Jungkook stammered, shrinking in on himself, fingers twisting together.

His voice came out even softer, barely above a breath. “I didn’t mean to…”

“You broke my favorite vase,” Jin said, narrowing his eyes with the precision of someone who had been through this exact scenario far too many times.

“It was an accident,” Jungkook whined, cheeks puffing out as he pouted. “I just poked it and—poof—it shattered.”

His voice stayed soft, angelic, pleading, like he hoped sweetness alone might glue the vase back together.

Jin pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re just like your father.”

“Who’s just like—” Namjoon began as he stepped into the hallway, only to stop dead when the doorknob he was holding snapped clean off in his hand.

He stared at it.

Blinked.

Blinked again.

Jin threw both hands into the air. “You two are walking destruction magnets.”

“Honey—” Namjoon tried, but Jin cut him off with a sharp look.

“Why,” Jin demanded, “did I get stuck with a husband and a son who destroy everything they touch?”

With a dramatic huff, he spun around and marched back into the kitchen, muttering under his breath.

The house fell silent.

Jungkook and Namjoon stared at each other, identical wide‑eyed expressions of guilt and confusion plastered across their faces.

“Well…” Namjoon finally said, clearing his throat. “Go comfort your mother.”

“Me!?” Jungkook squeaked, voice jumping an octave. “He’s your wife.” He pointed accusingly toward the kitchen.

“You go.” His soft angelic voice made the protest sound more like a plea than an argument.

Before Namjoon could even open his mouth, Jungkook vanished—his body dissolving into a shimmer of pale light as he teleported straight out of the living room and into the safety of his bedroom.

He reappeared on the soft carpet with a tiny huff, cheeks puffed out in frustration.

With a dramatic flop, he sat on the edge of his bed, knees drawn up, and stared out the wide window that overlooked the distant horizon.

Far beyond the rolling hills and quiet forests, a massive human city glittered like a cluster of stars fallen to earth.

Neon lights.

Towering buildings.

Streets buzzing with life.

Humans.

Jungkook’s heart fluttered the way it always did when he looked at that place.

He had been fascinated by the human world for as long as he could remember.

His father and his uncle J‑hope used to tell him stories—some funny, some terrifying, some so magical they made his eyes sparkle for hours afterward.

But every time Jungkook asked to visit, Namjoon shut the idea down immediately.

Too dangerous.

Too unpredictable.

Humans can be cruel.

If they find out you’re not one of them, they’ll target you.

The warnings echoed in Jungkook’s mind as he chewed on his bottom lip, shoulders slumping.

His pale fingers curled together in his lap, and he let out a soft, defeated sigh.

A sudden burst of air cracked behind him.

“Hey, Kookie.”

Jungkook yelped—an adorably soft, startled sound—as he whipped his head around.

His wide Bambi eyes blinked up at J‑hope, who had just teleported into the room without warning.

J‑hope took one look at Jungkook’s expression and immediately burst into laughter, doubling over as he clutched his stomach.

“Oh my god,” he wheezed between laughs. “You’re so easily scared.”

“Meanie…” Jungkook whispered in a soft, angelic voice, lower lip jutting out in a pout.

J‑hope wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, still grinning. “So, what are you doing up here all alone?”

Jungkook turned back toward the window, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“Looking out at the big city,” he said in that same soft angelic voice, full of wonder.

“Mhm… so your father still won’t let you go, huh?” J‑hope asked, leaning against the bedpost.

“No,” Jungkook murmured, voice small and pouty. “He says it’s too dangerous.” His fingers brushed over his pale hands, almost self‑consciously.

“He says people would hurt me if they found out I wasn’t human.”His voice faded into a whisper, fragile and longing.

J‑hope stretched out on Jungkook’s bed like he owned the place, propping himself up on his elbows as he watched Jungkook stare longingly out the window.

“Why don’t you just sneak out?” he said casually, as if suggesting a midnight snack. “They wouldn’t notice. And even if they did, you’d probably get to explore a little before they tracked you down.”

Jungkook’s pout deepened, his bottom lip trembling just slightly.

“Wouldn’t I get hurt though?” he whispered in that soft, angelic voice of his, eyes big and worried. “And wouldn’t they be mad at me if I go to the human world?”

His voice grew even softer, like he was afraid the walls might tattle on him.

J‑hope shrugged, completely unbothered. “Mh… if you’re careful, you won’t get hurt.” He waved a hand dismissively. “And they’d only be mad for a few centuries. Maybe less if you bring back souvenirs.”

Jungkook’s eyes widened in horror.

J‑hope laughed and nudged him with his foot. “Kookie, you’re nineteen. You should be able to go out and explore the world. You’re not a hatchling anymore.”

Jungkook brightened instantly, a soft smile blooming across his face.

“Okay,” he said in that sweet angelic voice, excitement bubbling beneath the surface.

J‑hope held up a hand. “But—if you do decide to go to the human world, you have to follow the rules I’m about to give you.”

“Okay,” Jungkook repeated, smiling even wider, nodding eagerly.

J‑hope cleared his throat dramatically.

“Rule one,” he said, raising a finger. “Do not show your powers or anything you can do to anyone. And I mean no one. Not a single human. Not even a cute one.”

“Okay,” Jungkook whispered obediently.

“Rule two,” J‑hope continued. “Do not interact with a lot of humans. Try to stay in the dark, stay hidden, stay away from crowds. Blend in. Be a shadow.”

“Okay,” Jungkook said again, voice soft and airy.

“Rule three,” J‑hope said, leaning forward. “Do not trust anyone. Don’t take food from anyone. Don’t take drinks from anyone. And definitely don’t go into anyone’s home. Humans are unpredictable.”

“Okay,” Jungkook murmured, nodding seriously.

“Rule four,” J‑hope said, lowering his voice. “Don’t let anyone see your eyes or your teeth. If you need blood… find an animal. Or a human who’s alone and looks weak.” He paused. “Preferably someone who won’t scream too loud.”

Jungkook swallowed. “Okay…” he whispered.

“And rule five,” J‑hope said, reaching into his pocket.

He pulled out a delicate silver necklace with a small glowing charm at the center.

“Wear this the moment you get there.” He placed it gently into Jungkook’s hands. “It’ll make you look like a normal human. Do not lose it. Do not break it. And don’t take it off around anyone.”

Jungkook held the necklace like it was made of starlight, his soft angelic voice barely audible. “Okay…”

“Don’t forget those rules—and don’t break them,” J‑hope said firmly, his playful tone slipping into something older, wiser. “You’ll stay safe as long as you follow them.”

“I will, hyung,” Jungkook whispered in his soft, angelic voice, a small smile blooming across his lips.

“Good.” J‑hope nodded, expression softening. “Tomorrow morning, when your parents are asleep, that’ll be the best time for you to leave.”

His voice dipped, a rare seriousness threading through it. “Just… make sure you’re careful. So you don’t get hurt… or worse.”

Jungkook giggled softly, the sound light and airy. “I will, hyung. I promise.”

“Good,” J‑hope repeated, though this time his voice carried a hint of affection. “I don’t need my favorite nephew getting hurt or killed.”

Jungkook’s smile widened as he looked down at the necklace resting in his palms.

The charm glowed faintly, like a captured star.

It felt warm—alive—almost as if it recognized him.

“I’ll see you later,” J‑hope said as he stood from the bed, stretching lazily. “And make sure you bring me something back from the human world.”

He flashed a mischievous grin. “Preferably a cute human, if you can find me one.” He winked dramatically.

Jungkook let out another soft giggle. “Okay, hyung.”

With a shimmer of light, J‑hope teleported out of the room, leaving the air warm and humming with leftover energy.

Jungkook stared down at the necklace again, fingers brushing over the charm with reverence.

“Finally…” he breathed in that soft angelic voice, a smile tugging at his lips. “Tomorrow is going to be fun.”

He moved to the window, settling onto the cushioned seat beneath it.

Outside, the world was quiet—dark forests stretching out beneath the night sky, and far beyond them, the faint shimmer of the human city.

Its lights flickered like distant fireflies, slowly winking out one by one as the night deepened.

Jungkook watched every change, every dimming glow, every passing car that looked like a tiny streak of color from so far away.

His heart fluttered with excitement.

He imagined humans walking down crowded sidewalks, laughing, talking, living their strange human lives.

He imagined their clothes, their food, their voices, their expressions.

He imagined stepping into that world for the first time.

He knew he would have to be careful—hide his eyes, hide his teeth, hide everything that made him different.

He knew he’d have to stay in the shadows, keep his distance, avoid trouble.

But still… he felt confident.

Or at least hopeful.

He pressed his forehead gently against the cool glass.

“Hopefully,” he whispered to himself, “I won’t get into trouble… or get hurt.”

But the soft smile on his lips said he was already dreaming of adventure.