#hitman!jk

[writemywaytoyourheart]

Aim For The Heart | FINAL Chapter 35: Agapanthus

Pairing: hitman!jungkook x female reader

Genre: romance, drama, angst

WC: 20k

Warnings for this chapter: strong language, amnesia, panic attacks, mentions of past betrayal, pining, heartbreak, mentions of unhealthy coping, lots of tears, ANGST, brief mention of blood, anxiety, lots of feels okay.

Here we go babies...

summary; Jeon Jungkook is an infamous hitman, known for his inability to fail at whatever job is thrown his way. At least, up until now. Y/n, a kind-hearted and full of life teacher, is his newest target. Jeon isn’t sure who would put a hit on this seemingly innocent girl, but fortunately, that isn’t his problem. All he has to do is pull the trigger.

Previous

One year and five months later...

"Are y-you guys ready for s-s-summer??"

The class of tiny humans erupts into cheers, melting your heart.

They gather their backpacks and form a line, laughing and talking with their classmates. Then you lead them out of the room and down the hall towards the front. 

Like always, you wave to each and every child until the last one is picked up, then you turn and head back inside to clean up your room and make sure you don't leave anything over the summer. 

After submitting the last of the paperwork, you hear your phone ringing. 

"Hello?"

"Heyyy, you ready to party??"

You laugh at Jimin's excitement, "M-More than ready!"

"Good, because I'm parked out front."

You giggle and grab your bag, slinging it over your shoulder, "Coming!"

Then you hang up and head for the door, leaving it unlocked so the custodian can come in and clean while you're not here. 

You glance down the hall where Mr. Baek's classroom used to be. 

It's been so nice teaching without him breathing down your neck and insulting you every chance he gets. 

One of the other teachers told you that someone had called anonymously the summer before school started the year you were in the hospital and told them he was abusive to staff and quite possibly the children, so after they looked into it and got enough evidence, he was fired. 

They had been looking into it when you were in a coma, and months later when you were able to return, he wasn't there. 

Whoever it was, you'll be eternally grateful for them calling in. 

Stepping out of the front doors and feeling the sun beaming down on your face, you smile. 

This summer is going to be the best one yet, you can feel it. 

Last summer you still had to be extremely careful because of the coma you had come out of the Christmas before. 

This year you're going to do all the things you couldn't.

The honk of a car horn makes you squint in the direction of a red car and smile when you see Jimin leaning out of the front seat and waving, "Come on! We've got dramas to start binging!"

You run clumsily down the steps and to the car, opening the passenger door and climbing in. 

"Hi!"

"Hellooo," Jimin sings as he pulls into the street, "Did you have the best last day ever?"

"Mhm!" You jump up and down in your seat, "It w-was awesome."

"Glad to hear it!" 

You and Jimin talk about work for both of you today as he drives to your place. 

-

You keep blabbing on and on as you climb the steps and go into your apartment, the familiarity of it bringing you a wave of comfort. 

"Mmmmm," You plop down onto the couch and wiggle around excitedly, "I c-can't wait to sleep innnnnnn!"

Jimin laughs and sits next to you, "You can sleep in all you want after we have a good drama binge," he grabs the remote and turns on the TV. 

"Wait! L-let me get sn-snacks!" You jump up and run to the kitchen, but you stop abruptly and grab the counter to stop your momentum, "I also n-need to be comfy!"

You turn and scurry to the bedroom to change into something more comfortable. 

A few minutes later, Jimin laughs when you run into the kitchen, a huge t-shirt going down to your knees the only thing you've got on. 

A moment after going to the kitchen, you hurry to the living room, taking tiny but quick steps as you clutch two tubs of ice cream under your arms and two huge spoons in your fists. 

Jimin reaches out for his ice cream, and you hand it to him before climbing onto the couch and curling up in a blanket, your legs quickly going out of sight. 

You dig into the ice cream, "Go ah-head," you say, staring at the TV. 

-

"P-Pumpkiiiiin," you whine, holding your arms out for the cat to come to you. 

The orange fluff ball quickly runs over to the couch you're lying on and hops up, curling into your bosom as you smile, petting her fur gently. 

"I l-love you, baby," you whisper, scratching under her chin, "You've g-gotten so big."

You're scrolling on your phone and petting Pumpkin when Jimin's face pops up on your screen as it rings. 

"H-Hello?" You answer right away. 

"Hey, ____."

You frown, "You s-s-sound upset, what's wrong?"

He sighs and gets right to the point, "I got a call from Mina today."

Your heart seizes up in your chest with a horrible pain. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to tell you. But I knew you'd find out eventually and I knew it would be better coming from me."

You gulp, "W-what did she say?"

"Well, they were going to do a retrial for her case."

You say nothing, so he continues. 

"The lawyers wanted her to do it, but she refused. They told her they thought they could lessen her sentence if they had more proof that she was mentally unstable at the time."

When Jimin doesn't hear a response, he sighs sadly, "I'm so sorry, ____."

You clear your throat, "It's f-fine, I'm fine."

"Do you want me to come over?" He asks gently. 

You shake your head, even though he can't see you, "No, I k-kinda wanna be alone r-right now."

"Alright, will you let me know if you need me?"

"Mhm."

You say goodbye and hang up, then you look at Pumpkin who is staring at you with huge curious green eyes. 

You try to smile back at her but end up dropping your head into your hands so that she doesn't see you cry. 

She seems to sense it anyway, because she nudges you with her head until she's able to climb into your lap and start nuzzling at your chin. 

"Thank y-you, Pumpkin," you cry softly, grabbing her into a hug and holding her against your chest, "I l-love you," you whisper. 

After crying quietly for a few minutes, you thought you'd be alright, but your chest is starting to hurt really bad. 

You set the cat down and put a hand to your chest, trying to breathe in and out slowly. 

The panic attack is already setting in though, making itself at home. 

A short sob escapes your lips as you force yourself to keep breathing slowly. 

Suddenly, the room feels almost like it's caving in, the walls creeping closer and closer as your breath escapes you. 

Before it can get any worse, you jump up from the couch and try to run to your room. 

But you had left your bag near the end of the couch, and your foot caught on it in your blind panic, sending you tumbling to the floor. 

You keep grabbing at your chest, begging the air to go in so you can breathe. 

Knowing there's only one thing that will make it better, you start crawling towards your room, trying not to think about the walls of the hallway closing in on you faster and faster. 

Finally making it to the room, you crawl hurriedly over to your bedside table and grab your inhaler, taking a few puffs of it until you can get a shuddering breath in. 

Then you open the drawer on the table and reach your hand inside, feeling around for a moment before your eyes widen in horror. 

You stand up shakily and look in the drawer. 

It isn't there. 

Why isn't it there?

Where is it?

You pick up the tiny paper swan from the drawer and place it carefully on your nightstand even as you're panicking. You don't want to lose that too. A sob rips from your chest as you dig around in the drawer frantically, but still come up with nothing. 

You run over to your closet and start tearing through the clothes, looking through all of the pockets as you continue to cry your heart out. 

When you can't find it anywhere in there, you crumple to the floor and curl your knees in, sobbing hysterically. 

A knock on the front door goes unheard by you. 

You keep crying loudly until you see Jimin run into your room. 

"____! What happened?" He kneels next to you but doesn't touch you. 

"M-m-m-my p-p-p-ic-pic-"

He knows exactly what you're talking about. 

Before you can even get the words out, he's jumping up and running out of the room. A moment later he comes back in with a tiny piece of folded up paper, "Here it is, ____, here it is," he pushes it into your hand, "It was in your bag, ____. You put it in there earlier, remember?"

You clutch the paper to your chest, the sobs turning to small whimpers as you unfold it and look at the picture drawn there. 

"Oh," you say in a tiny voice, "I th-thought I l-l-lost it."

Jimin shakes his head, "You're never going to lose it, okay? It means a lot to you, and you always take care of it. You're never going to lose it."

You nod shakily, keeping your eyes on the pencil drawing. 

Jimin gulps and sits down on his bottom. 

It's quiet for a bit as the two of you just sit there. 

After a little bit, Jimin scoots closer, "May I see?" He asks kindly. 

You nod and tilt the picture towards him. 

He looks at the little sketch that always calms your anxiety; it's of a tiny dandelion surrounded by a field of bigger dandelions looming over it as the small flower appears to be trying to reach for the sun. 

He hums softly, "It's beautiful."

You nod and turn it over to show him the other side, a little black cat curled on a pillow. 

"Those drawings are really good," Jimin looks at you, "Where did you get this? I forgot."

You shrug, "I d-don't remember."

He nods sadly, looking at you for another minute in disappointment before he sighs and looks away. 

Sometimes he wishes he could just scream it all out loud until it all comes back to you. 

-

It takes a few days for you to get back to your old chipper self, but you eventually do. 

Jimin knows the whole Mina thing has been weighing you down for over a year. If he could, he wouldn't tell you anything about it. But you always ask him to fill you in and he doesn't want to lie to you. Besides, someone else will tell you if he doesn't.  

It was so much worse because you didn't remember anything about it. 

You woke up and asked him about where Mina was when she never came to visit you. 

He had to be the one to tell you that your best friend turned herself in for assisting in an attempted murder. 

Your murder. 

The last thing you remembered was Mina leaving on a business trip. Other than that, you had bits and pieces of memories of Jimin coming back and the two of you growing closer.

Nothing more.

You had no idea that she had wanted you dead. 

Jimin worked with you though, for a long time, making sure you got to your therapy appointments and that you would be able to sleep at night. 

It took the full year and a half since you woke up to get you where you are now, and he'll be damned if he doesn't make sure you don't go down that hole again. 

He's never seen someone as resilient as you, in all his years. 

"Hey, d-do you want to g-g-get ice cream?" You ask, looking over at him from behind your giant octopus stuffie. 

Jimin chuckles and nods, "Sure, are we taking the giant octopus?"

You make a face at him, "No, and h-his name is C-Cookie!"

"My bad, sorry Cookie."

You make the octopus wave one of its big tentacles at your best friend and respond in a silly voice, "It's ok-kay, I f-forgive you~"

Jimin laughs loudly, "Thanks, I appreciate that."

You set Cookie down on the bed and put the small blanket over him, patting his head gently before leaving with Jimin to go to your favorite ice cream stand. 

-

You're sitting in the grass, eating your ice cream as you watch a few birds fly by. 

"Hey, ____?"

You look at Jimin, "Hm?"

He swallows his bite of ice cream before continuing, "You're still into like...art shows and stuff, right?"

You nod, "Oh d-definitely!"

"Awesome."

You look at him curiously, "W-Why do you ask?"

"Oh no reason," he lies on the grass and closes his eyes after setting his ice cream down, "I may or may not have planned a day in Busan for us to go to one of your favorite artist's shows."

You put your ice cream down and crawl over to him, shaking him a little, "This isn't a j-joke, right? Th-this is real, right? Is it K-Kim Junsoo?"

Jimin keeps his eyes closed but he nods, a small smile on his face. 

Jumping up from the ground, you squeal in excitement, "No w-way!!! Jimin, I l-love you!!"

He laughs as he watches you spin around, not able to contain your joy, "Well, I certainly hope you do."

"Oh, w-when is it? When is it, J-Jimin?"

"It's this Friday."

"AHHHHHHHH!" You jump up and down, your sundress bouncing around as you do, "And w-we get to spend th-the whole day in B-Busan??"

He nods, a huge smile plastered on his face. 

"I n-never been to Busan!" You squeal in excitement. 

Jimin's smile falters for a moment, but he gathers himself before you see. 

____________________

The rest of the week flies by as you wait for Friday to finally come.

The night before, you beg Jimin to have a sleepover so you two can plan out tomorrow and talk about it. 

"Are you all packed?" Jimin asks with a smile as he sees you putting together your favorite bag with all your essentials for a full day outing. 

You nod in satisfaction, your hands on your hips as you look at the bag proudly. 

"I'm r-ready!"

"Do you have your little picture?" Jimin makes sure, and you nod. 

"Mhm! I put it in th-the pocket of the sk-skirt I'm wearing tomorrow."

"Alright, we'll double check before we leave tomorrow, sound good?"

You nod. 

Before bed, the two of you watch some of the drama you're in the middle of, then Jimin sleeps on the couch as you go into your room. 

The next morning is a flurry of excitement as you get dressed and brush your hair (after Jimin reminded you to.)

"H-How do I l-look?" You ask, bouncing on the balls of your feet. 

Jimin sees that you're wearing a short black skirt and a huge yellow and white striped shirt with a cute strawberry near your heart. The shirt is so large it goes down far enough so that only a small bit of the skirt can be seen. 

"Cute!" He assures you, giving you a thumbs up, "Definitely artsy."

You giggle and thank him as you pull on your chunky sneakers, "You r-ready?"

"Indeed I am," Jimin hands you your bag when you stand up, "Double check your pocket?"

You put your hand in your pocket and pull out the sketch, then you give him a thumbs up and put it back. 

Jimin calls a taxi to take you to the train station, so that he doesn't have to worry about leaving his car in the lot all day. 

An hour later, you're sitting on the train, trying to keep yourself still because you're just so excited you can't handle it. 

Jimin ends up pulling out his booklet where he writes things down when he's working on an article, "Wanna play tic-tac-toe?"

-

When the train pulls into Busan, you and Jimin make your way around the station to the front where he waves to a taxi. 

"To the convention center please."

The taxi driver takes the two of you there, then promptly leaves. 

You run up to the doors of the convention center and you're about to go inside when Jimin calls to you, "____, wait."

Stopping and looking to where Jimin points, you see a flyer on the door talking about the art show. 

But it says Sunday. 

"Darn it," Jimin mutters, "How could I have messed up the days this bad?"

You shake your head, "It's f-fine! I've done th-that so many times!"

Jimin smiles sadly, "Thanks, but what are we supposed to do now?"

You think for a moment, "Should w-we head home and c-come back?"

Jimin shakes his head, "We shouldn't waste a trip to Busan, we just got here."

He looks around and sighs, trying to think of what you guys might be able to do today to at least make it worthwhile before heading home and waiting for Sunday. 

"Do you," he scratches his neck, "Do you just want to spend the weekend here?"

You look at him in surprise and he shrugs, "I just don't think it's worth it to ride the train four times just because I messed up the dates. We might as well make it a weekend getaway, ya know? We can head back on Monday morning."

A smile spreads on your face and you nod, "That s-sounds like f-f-fun! We should!"

He sighs in relief, "Awesome, then let's see if we can find a hotel, shall we?"

-

The two of you agree that you'll have plenty of time to look around the city on Sunday before the art show, and both of you would rather spend most of the weekend in a more rural area. 

After a bit of digging, Jimin finds a small hotel that seems to be out of the way, tucked in a more secluded place. He decides to rent a car so that you won't have to rely on a taxi the whole time.

When you get there, Jimin books two rooms right next to each other and you're led upstairs by a kind old woman that shows you the rooms, then heads back downstairs. 

One look around the small room and you're already in love with it; it's so beautiful and homey, and there's a gorgeous view outside your window. You can't imagine why there aren't swarms of people wanting to stay here. Apparently, Jimin found a hidden gem. 

After familiarizing yourselves with the hotel, you and Jimin drive to a few local stores to get some clothes for the weekend. A good excuse to get more clothes since you didn't pack anything expecting to stay overnight. 

A few hours later, everything is nicely set up for your stay. 

But now you're starving. 

"I'm starving," Jimin moans, lying on your bed. 

You laugh as you fiddle with the piece of paper in your pocket, "M-Me too, you r-read my mind."

"Should we see what we can find to eat around here? There isn't much for miles."

You stand up, "I th-think we co-could find something delicious, let's g-go!"

Jimin was right. 

There isn't too much around here, which is probably why not many people come to that hotel, preferring to stay nearby places that they won't need to take a car to. 

But after driving for a little while in the car Jimin rented for the weekend, you see a small building up ahead, only a few cars parked at it. 

"Is th-that a restaurant?" You ask. 

Jimin squints at it, "I think so...? Should we check it out?"

You nod, dying of hunger and not wanting to take the chance of passing by somewhere that has food, "It m-might be another h-h-hidden gem, let's try it."

Jimin parks the car and gets out, you following closely behind him as he climbs the steps and opens the small creaky door. A bell clangs when he opens it.

When he steps inside, he sees small tables around the floor of a big room, cushions around each table. A few people are at different tables, talking and eating. He turns to you, "It's definitely a restaurant."

A very old woman hobbles around the corner at the sound of the bell above the door ringing. 

"Ohh, well hello there dears! Just two of you today?"

Jimin nods, "Yes, please."

You follow him as he follows her to a smaller table in a corner of the room, clearly meant for only two people. 

You thank her and take a seat on a cushion, Jimin sitting on the cushion across the table from you. 

"I'll be back with some water," she says kindly before walking away. 

You glance around the room at the people eating and chatting, "It's so c-cozy in here," you say quietly to your best friend, who nods, "I agree, and the food smells freaking heavenly."

Nodding in agreement, you try to sneak a peek at what the table closest to you is eating. 

"I w-want what they have," you whisper, trying not to laugh. 

Jimin glances over, "I'm up to try anything, that looks phenomenal. I think we might've actually stumbled upon a hidden gem for the second time today!"

You clap your hands quietly, "S-See? If you hadn't m-mixed up the dates, w-we never would've gotten to come here! Everything h-h-happens for a reason!"

The old woman comes back with two glasses and a pitcher of water, setting it on the table, "There you are, de-"

You and Jimin look at her in surprise when she stops mid-sentence and just stares at you. 

"A-Are you alright?" You ask gently, and she seems to snap out of it as she nods. 

"Yes, sorry..." She looks at Jimin, then back at you, "What can I get for you?"

-

A few more people come into the restaurant while you wait patiently for your order and you busy yourself with people watching, you and Jimin being nosy as ever. 

A young man with bleach blonde hair comes out of the kitchen with a few plates of food and brings it to a table where the people all thank him heartily. 

"Thank you, Beomgyu!" One of the younger girls calls, making the young man blush. 

You turn and giggle with Jimin about how she must have a crush on him, then someone is setting a few dishes on your table. 

You look up to see a girl with long light brown hair smiling as she gives you the food. 

"Oh, thank you!" Jimin helps make sure the water is moved so there's room for the plates to go. 

"My pleasure, is there anything else I can get for you two while I'm here?"

You both shake your heads, "No, th-thank you!"

She bows, "Oh, and there's one more side dish that will be out in just a minute."

-

"I need you to bring this side dish to the small table in the corner," The waitress hands it to the young man that just finished drying his hands after washing what felt like hundreds of dishes. 

"Why me? Why not him?" He jerks his thumb towards the tall dark-haired man bent over several dishes as he tries his best to make them look pretty. 

"He's busy," she laughs, "And I have more tables to attend, the rush is starting."

He sighs and shakes his head, "Fine."

Maneuvering around her, he makes his way out of the small kitchen as he grips the side dish, being sure not to run into Beomgyu or halmeoni as they make their rounds. 

He glances around the room before his eyes land on the small table in the corner. 

And the two people sitting there. 

Freezing in the middle of the room, he feels his heart shoot to his throat. 

You laugh at something Jimin said, your whole body reacting as you clap your hands and start coughing. 

Jimin shakes his head and scolds you about being careful not to choke. 

Before either of them can look up, he turns and bolts back to the kitchen. 

"Jungkook, why didn't you give them the side dish?" She sighs and takes it from him, "Here, I'll do it."

Taehyung looks up to see his best friend standing there, completely frozen in shock. 

"Hey, what's the matter?"

When he doesn't get an answer, he walks over and touches his shoulder, "Kook? You in there?"

Jungkook's whole body quivers slightly as he stares at the sink that has a few dishes in it. 

Then he turns and goes into the backroom. 

Taehyung frowns, then grabs the waitress gently when she comes back in, "Yeona, what happened?"

She shrugs, "I'm not sure, I just asked him to bring a table a side dish and he came back with it and looked all freaked out."

Tae's brows furrow, "What table was it?"

"The small one in the corner."

Taehyung nods, "Alright, keep working. I'll take care of this," he pats her gently on the hip before leaving the kitchen. 

When he steps into the eating area, he sees you immediately, sitting there and talking to Jimin with a huge smile. 

"Oh, fucking hell."

-

Tae barges into the backroom to see Jungkook curled up in the corner, his knees to his chest as he tries to breathe, his chest rising and falling sporadically.

"Jungkook."

"I- I think I'm h-hallucinating, hyung," Jungkook chokes out, his eyes brimming with tears, "I sw-swear I didn't dr-drink-"

Taehyung crouches next to him and puts a gentle hand on his knee, but the younger one still doesn't look at him. 

"I-" Jungkook chokes out a pained laugh, "I thought I saw her."

He presses a hand to his mouth to stop the sob that's threatening to come out, his eyes squeezing shut as a few tears fall. 

"Jungkook-"

"She was right there," Jungkook whispers hoarsely, "Sh-she was more vivid than she's ever been. I- I know I see her sometimes b-but not like that. Not that clear."

Tae nods, "I know."

Jungkook points a shaky finger towards the door, "Please go l-look at the small table in the c-corner, and tell me she isn't there."

Tae looks down. 

"I can't do that, Jungkook."

Jungkook covers his face with his hands, his entire body starting to shake more than it already was. 

"Don't- don't say that."

"Kook-"

He shakes his head, his dark hair swinging gently, "I don't want you to say anything."

"I know," Tae sighs, "Just let me figure out what's going on-"

"Nothing's going on," Jungkook snaps, "Nothing. It isn't her, both of us just didn't sleep last night. It's someone that looks like her, that's all. I have stuff to do."

The elder sighs when Jungkook stands up harshly and wipes his eyes before leaving the backroom. 

-

"This food is literally so good," Jimin moans, stuffing another bite into his mouth and pretending to cry. 

You nod, "M-My favorite is the- oh!"

The girl that called to Beomgyu earlier steps back in surprise when she sees what she did. 

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!"

You laugh and pick up the cup that she knocked over and onto your clothes, drenching you. 

"It's a-alright!" You assure her. 

She keeps apologizing but you shake your head and adamantly tell her not to worry about it. Then you tell Jimin you're going to look for a towel to clean up the mess so the servers don't need to worry about it. 

Moving through the tables, you make your way to where you saw the staff going in and out. 

The kind old woman steps out just as you're coming over, carrying a few plates of food. 

"Oh, how can I help you, sweetie? Is there something wrong with the food?"

You shake your head, "No, n-not at all! I was j-just hoping I could g-g-get a towel, I accidentally sp-spilled something."

She laughs gently and nods behind her, "You are more than welcome to go into the kitchen, one of my servers will help you."

You thank her as she continues into the eating area, then you walk over to the kitchen she gestured to. 

Walking around the corner, you run right smack into a hard chest and stumble back. 

"Oh! I'm s-so sorry!" You bow to the young man you just ran into. 

When a moment goes by and he doesn't answer, you look up slowly to see him staring at you, his eyes as big as saucers. 

You look down to see that he was holding a bowl of cold noodles, the broth now soaking his shirt as a result of your clumsiness.

"Oh m-my gosh," your hands fly to your mouth, "I'm so sorry, I- I- I didn't mean to-"

You grab a cloth that was hanging on a hook next to you and start trying to mop up the mess on his shirt. 

When it proves futile, you glance up to see him gulp, still frozen as he stares at your hands. 

"I-" you kneel down and start cleaning up the broth that fell on the floor, "I'm s-such a clutz, I'm sorry."

When you stand up again and see him still staring at you, you start getting fidgety. 

Why won't he stop staring at you?

It makes it worse that he's extremely handsome; his dark hair falling into one of his eyes, piercings going up both of his ears, and his huge dark eyes boring into yours. 

You clear your throat and look down, forcing yourself not to stare at the tattoos covering one of his arms, his sleeves pushed up to show they go up farther than his elbow. 

Then you notice the bracelets on his wrist and your brow furrows before he seems to snap out of it and puts his hand behind his back, hiding the bracelets before you get to look at them for too long. 

"I-..."

You take a step back, feeling terrible for ruining his clothes and the food he was bringing to a customer. 

Just then, another tall man comes from behind him. 

"JK-"

He stops when he sees you. 

You feel your bottom lip start to tremble, feeling like a burden now that you've disrupted their work so much after making a mess. 

The second young man grabs the shoulder of the one you bumped into and shoves him back into the kitchen, "Go clean yourself up," he says to him lowly before turning back to you. 

He smiles at you kindly and you feel tears prick in your eyes for some reason unknown to you. 

"Sorry about him, he's out of it today."

You shake your head, "It w-was my fault, I bumped i-into him..."

He takes a step closer, "It isn't your fault. Can I help you with something?"

Eyes falling to the floor, you mumble to him that you needed a towel to clean a mess you made. 

The kind young man tells you to go back to your table and he'll get one for you. 

A few minutes later, he comes over with a towel and makes quick work of cleaning the water up. 

Eyes locked on his wrist, you stare at the purple and blue bracelet there as he wipes up the mess. 

You see Jimin's jaw clench and eyes widen when he first sees him, then you see the waiter shake his head a little at your best friend before leaving. 

What the heck is going on?

Jimin urges you to finish eating and you do, but you can't help glancing in the direction of the kitchen every once in a while. 

You don't see either of the young men with dark hair again, only the old woman, the young woman, and the boy with the bleached hair. 

Jimin pays for the meal and ushers you towards the front, not letting you do or say anything else as you make your way out. 

But just before you walk out, you turn your head to see the waiter that wiped up your table going back to the kitchen after bringing out some food. 

He makes eye contact with you briefly, a sad smile on his face before he disappears around a corner. 

_________________________

Pulling into the dirt lot in front of the hotel, Jimin sighs as he parks the car. 

"Well, that place was delicious after all."

You stay quiet, staring out the front window. 

"What's wrong?" He asks after a minute. 

Coming out of your trance, you grab Jimin's wrist and bring it over to yours and hold them next to each other. 

The purple and blue bracelet on Jimin's wrist that matches yours is the same one that both of those workers wore. 

"W-Why did I m-make this with purple?" Your voice is so quiet he almost doesn't hear you, but he does. 

Jimin gulps, "I guess you just liked the color-"

You shake your head, "Your f-favorite color is bl-blue, mine is yellow. W-Why would I make our fr-friendship bracelet with purple and n-not yellow?" 

Your eyes move to the yellow and black bracelet on your wrist, your mind flashing back to the worker you bumped into. 

Did he have the same one?

That would be impossible, you made this yourself...

Why did you make this for yourself?

Confusion clouds your brain. 

No. 

The one that cleaned the water definitely had the same purple and blue bracelet on. You're not crazy.

"Those w-workers had the s-same bracelets as us...A-Are you sure I m-made these?" You ask softly. 

Jimin clears his throat and pulls his wrist back gently, "I'm not sure, ____. It was over a year ago when you gave it to me, maybe you picked them up somewhere."

You swallow thickly and nod, "You're pr-probably right."

You head inside, saying a quick hello to the old woman at the front desk before making your way to the rooms. 

"G-Goodnight, Jimin," you say before going into your room and shutting the door. 

Crawling into the bed, you don't even bother changing out of your clothes, you just pull the covers up to your chin and hold the sketch of the little dandelion up to look at before falling asleep.

________________________________________________

"Jungkook..."

Tae's elbows rest on his knees as he looks at his best friend's face. 

When he doesn't get a response, he whispers, "I'm sorry. I don't know anything more than you do. I was just as shocked to see her today."

Jungkook just keeps looking out the window, his face void of any emotions. 

It's a perfect mask for what's happening on the inside. 

But not perfect enough to fool his closest friend. 

"Talk to me, Jungkook-"

"I did everything I was told to," Jungkook seethes, "I left because I was told to, I stayed away because I was told to, I tried to live my life because I was told to. For her sake."

Tae swallows thickly when he sees Jungkook's eyes water. 

"Why does the universe hate me so fucking much?" Jungkook chokes out, "Why would it put her right in front of me when it knows I'd do anything to be with her?"

"I know it hurts-"

"You know?" Jungkook's gaze turns hard as he looks at Tae, "You know? You don't know anything."

"Kook-"

"No, you don't fucking get it, do you?"

Taehyung shuts his mouth before shaking his head slowly. 

"How do you think you know what it's like to see her again? To see her right in front of me, looking at me without a single ounce of recognition?" Jungkook's voice gets caught in his throat, "I tried everything I could to help with the pain since I left because I was told to move on for her sake, but nothing worked. Not a single fucking thing," He gestures out his tattooed arm and Tae knows exactly what he's talking about. 

The pain in his heart never ceased, no matter how much physical pain he put himself through to distract his mind and heart, "Because I don't want to fucking move on, I'm selfish and I want what I want. I want her. And then she's in front of me, and this time I'm not just seeing things. And all I can do is stand there like a fucking idiot because if I let my walls down, I wouldn't have been able to control myself."

The elder gulps and looks down. 

"I'm sorry-"

"Don't be," Jungkook looks back out the window, "You've got Yeona, how could you possibly know enough to say sorry?"

Tae's jaw clenches and he stands up, "You're the one that told me to accept Yeona, that told me not to give up on something that I cared about."

Jungkook ignores him, staring at the grass blowing in the summer breeze. 

"She was my friend too," Tae says hoarsely, "And I know that doesn't mean fucking shit compared to what she was to you. I'm sorry I was careless with my words just now, okay? I have no fucking idea how much it hurts for you right now. I don't know how to help you."

Jungkook gulps, but still doesn't look at him. 

"Don't shut me out, okay? I only ever wanted the best for both of you."

The younger just blinks, not acknowledging that he heard him. 

"Jungkook-"

"Just leave me alone."

Tae bites his tongue before he can say anything else, then he leaves, the door shutting behind him. 

Jungkook finally looks away from the window, his hand slipping into the pocket of his lucky jacket and pulling out a torn and bloodied letter along with a few band-aids. 

The memory of you giving him the band-aids when he helped you clean your classroom the first time comes flooding into his brain. 

“I i-insist. I have p-plenty, and you n-never know when y-you’ll need a b-bandage.”

He gulps. 

The bleeding ache in his heart is going to need a hell of a lot more than a band-aid.

A few tears slip down his cheeks before he wipes them away and looks at the letter from you that Dae tore to pieces. 

He can only make out some of the words, but he read it so many times before the incident that it's burned into his brain anyway. 

"Fuck," Jungkook wipes at his eyes in frustration. 

It was a freak coincidence. 

He's never going to see you again after today. 

For your sake, he needs to pull himself together. 

For your sake he needs to bottle it up to make sure you live the life you always deserved, the reason he left anyway. 

For your sake. 

“P-Promise me, y-you won’t fall in love w-with me.”

Jungkook swallows the lump in his throat as he messes with the bracelets on his wrist, whispering in his mind the words he promised to say every day, no matter what, the promise he refuses to break, to this day. 

I love you, ____.

__________________________________

The next day, you still can't get those questions out of your head. 

Jimin notices that you're distracted during breakfast and while the two of you go to the beach and look out at the water. 

"What's on your mind?" He finally asks, knowing it has something to do with yesterday. 

"I j-just want answers," you say quietly, staring at the sea. 

Jimin clears his throat, "Are you sure you didn't just buy them at a stand somewhere?"

You shake your head, "N-No, it's the bracelet design I m-made when I was l-little."

He wants to tell you, he wants to tell you everything. 

Honestly, he's been looking for those two ever since they disappeared from the hospital. 

He knows they meant the best and that you were already struggling. He knows that Jungkook didn't want to drag you back into the hell you escaped from after losing your memories. 

But he also knows that you're meant to be together, there's no denying that. 

Searching high and low for almost a year and a half and he always came up with nothing. And now the two of you run into them in Busan? Over a year later? Only because he happened to be lucky enough to get tickets because of a cancellation, and then to mix up the dates and come early and then stay at that specific hotel and eat at that specific restaurant?

No one will convince him it isn't meant to be. 

But right now, is the best plan of action telling you everything? Or is the best plan of action letting you fall in love with Jungkook again naturally?

Did Jungkook find someone else in all this time? 

Maybe he's not even interested in pursuing you, as unbelievable as that seems. 

But he needs to make sure. 

He can't just tell you that that worker was the one you were so hopelessly in love with, the one you wanted to be with forever, the one that put you above himself in everything. 

Because what if Jungkook doesn't feel the same anymore?

As your best friend, he can't put that story into your head just for it to be ripped away from you because he found someone else. 

He needs to be one hundred percent positive and make sure everyone else is on board. 

What good is a wingman if he lets the love of your life get away?

As your wingman, he needs answers. 

And those will only come from one place. 

"I j-just want to go b-back and make sure I'm not crazy," you pout. 

Jimin gulps, then he nods, "Okay, we should go back."

You look at him, eyes bright, "Really?"

"Of course, besides, the food was out of this world."

________________________________________

Yeona smiles at Jungkook as she hands him a few dishes that need to be cleaned, "Think you can handle more?"

He just nods and takes them, dunking them into the water and scrubbing furiously. 

She frowns and walks over to Tae, who is busy plating food. 

"I'm worried about him," she whispers. 

Taehyung finishes up the plates he was doing, sends them out with Beomgyu, then takes her elbow gently and leads her to the back. 

"Did something happen?" She asks, worry creasing her brow, "Please don't keep stuff from me, especially when it's about you two. You know he's like a little brother to me."

Tae bites his lip, "I know."

"So, what's going on?"

"The table you served the other day, the one with the girl and guy in the corner..."

She looks thoughtful, "Oh, the one with the sweet girl that had the cute stutter?"

He nods, looking away. 

"What about them?" Yeona asks softly, touching his arm. 

Taehyung sighs, then he leans against the closed door. 

"Do you remember when we first met?"

She laughs, "Of course, I wasn't sure if you'd return my bike that day."

Tae smiles sadly, "Do you remember why I needed that bike?"

She thinks for a moment, then she nods, "You said you needed it because a friend needed help, right?"

He nods, "Yeah. Well, that girl was the friend."

"Ah," She looks a little confused, "Then...if she was your friend, how come she acted like she didn't know anyone here?"

"Because she doesn't remember us," Tae whispers brokenly, "She lost her memories a little bit before Jungkook and I came back here."

Yeona looks deep in thought as she tries to understand. 

"Is she the one..."

Before she even needs to say it, he nods, "She's the one he's in love with."

Yeona puts a hand over her mouth, tears filling her eyes. 

"But she doesn't remember him at all?"

Taehyung shakes his head, "No."

Yeona turns away for a moment, wiping her eyes. 

"I feel terrible for trying to have him bring that side dish over," she whispers tearfully, "I can't believe he had to go through that."

"It wasn't your fault," he says gently, taking her arms and pulling her into a hug, "You didn't know."

"That doesn't make it any better," she sniffles, "Poor Kook...I can't imagine the pain he must be in right now."

Tae holds her against him, trying to gather his strength, "He's in more pain than I can ever explain."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you everything, just not today."

She looks up at him, "Does this have to do with you being an ex-hitman?"

He gulps and nods. 

Yeona stuffs her face back into his chest, "Ok, I'll wait for you to be ready."

________________________________

Jimin pulls up next to a small blue car sitting outside of the restaurant a little after one in the afternoon. 

"So, what are you planning on doing?" He asks curiously, looking over to see you fiddling with your fingers. 

"Oh," you wave your hand dismissively, "I'm j-just gonna look at th-their bracelets, maybe ask th-them where they got them fr-from."

Jimin nods, "Sounds like a solid plan. And I will enjoy the heavenly food."

You laugh, your nerves quieting down as he chuckles. 

You're not sure why you were so nervous anyway, you just want to know where they got them and if you had just forgotten about buying them from somewhere. It's probably just a silly coincidence and you made up the memory of having designed them when you were little. 

-

The little bell clangs above the door as Jimin steps in and holds it open for you. 

The same old woman from last night hobbles around the corner and smiles brightly at the two of you. 

"Well, what a nice surprise! It's always wonderful to see returning faces."

"We couldn't stop thinking about your food," Jimin tells her sweetly, "I don't think I'll ever be able to eat anywhere else and be satisfied."

She laughs delightedly and thanks him, making small talk with him as she leads you two to the same table as the night before. 

"Thank y-y-you," you smile at her and she smiles back, but there's an almost sad look in her eyes that confuses you. She covers it with a bigger smile and says she'll be back with water. 

Jimin looks around, taking in the simple decorations, "It's so homey, I can't get over it. We're gonna need to make trips to Busan more often just to come here."

You nod in agreement, but you're a little distracted thinking about why she looked at you like that. It almost looked as though she had found a puppy she lost years ago. 

It made your heart ache and you aren't sure why. 

"You okay?"

You snap out of it and look at Jimin before nodding, "Yeah, j-just didn't get m-much sleep last night."

"Ah, wanna take a nap after lunch?"

You're about to answer him when the boy from last night with bleach-blonde hair comes over with cups and a pitcher, "Good afternoon, here's some water for you folks."

Jimin thanks him as he gives him a cup, then turns to hand one to you. 

He freezes for a moment, his eyes widening for a split second before he seems to come to his senses and hands you the cup. 

You thank him and he bows before leaving. 

"J-Jimin."

"Hm?" Your best friend looks at you from over his cup of water that he's currently gulping. 

"Do th-they seem like they're a-a-acting weird to you?"

He sets the cup down and sighs in satisfaction before shaking his head as he wipes his lips, "No, why?"

"Oh...m-maybe I'm more t-tired than I thought."

Jimin watches you carefully for a moment, then the old woman comes back over to take your order. 

A few tables have people eating at them, but not as many as last night. It must be a quiet time for business around this hour. 

Both of you are fidgety, but neither of you notice the other one glancing around nervously. 

"Um, I think I need to use the restroom," Jimin says, standing up, "Too much water," he laughs a bit awkwardly. 

You just nod, "...o-okay."

The dark-blonde stands there for a moment, then he bites his lip and moves away to look for the restroom.

-

Turning the corner where it has a sign for the restroom, Jimin glances back to see you looking at your phone. 

The oversized floppy brown turtleneck you're in is practically swallowing you whole, the short black jumper dress over top of it bringing the outfit together perfectly. He smiles, knowing you would be delighted to hear how cute the outfit turned out, since you weren't so sure this morning. 

He makes a mental note to tell you after he's done with what he needs to do. 

Turning to look for the way to the kitchen, he bumps into someone. 

"Oh, pardon me."

The girl smiles at him kindly, "Can I help you with something?"

He nods, "Yes, actually. Is Taehyung working today?"

She seems a little surprised that he seems to know one of the workers, but she recovers quickly and nods, "Yes he is- wait a minute.. oh, you were here last night!"

He nods, "Yeah, my friend and I came back to try more dishes."

"Oh, wonderful!"

Jimin scratches his neck, "Um, would I be able to speak with him?"

"Tae?"

"Mhm."

"I'll go and see if he's got a minute, I'll be right back."

"Thank you."

______________________

You thank Beomgyu when he brings over the food, noting that he's acting normal this time around. 

Maybe you really did just imagine things earlier. 

You look around for Jimin, wondering why it's taking him so long in the bathroom. 

-

"Jimin?"

The blonde turns to see Taehyung walking over, a look of concern on his face. 

"Hi, Tae."

"Hey," Taehyung swallows the lump in his throat, "What's going on? I didn't think we'd see you guys again after last night."

Jimin purses his lips, "We're staying in Busan for the weekend. I had no idea you guys worked here."

"You couldn't have known," Tae says softly, "I guess the world works in mysterious ways."

"You can say that again," Jimin sighs, "I need to ask you something, and I need you to answer me honestly, don't sugarcoat a single thing. Do you understand?"

Taehyung nods, a serious look on his face. 

"I've been looking for you two since you left."

He sees the younger gulp at that but doesn't say anything. 

"I know you meant to stay hidden, and I understand. I have no doubt that you only did what you knew was best at the time. But now that we've all run into each other again, I need to know..."

Jimin bites his lip nervously as Tae watches him carefully. 

"Is Jungkook seeing someone else?"

Taehyung immediately shakes his head, "No."

"Has he seen anyone else?"

Another head shake, "Not a single soul."

"Nothing? No one? He hasn't even considered seeing another girl?"

Tae looks behind him, then he moves closer so that only Jimin can hear him, "I know it's been a long time. But Jungkook hasn't even so much as glanced at another girl. To distract himself he just started working out a lot and getting tattoos and shit to feel the adrenaline."

Jimin frowns. 

"Yeah, I know it wasn't the best coping mechanism. They look radical as fuck though, you should see them."

Jimin is about to say something when Tae cuts him off, "Every single tattoo he has is meaningful to him."

"Oh, I'm sure they are," Jimin assures him, "I wasn't judging-"

"I didn't think you were, I just meant," Tae moves closer and whispers, "The kid tattooed his body with reminders of her. You don't have to worry about him seeing anyone else."

Jimin gives him a smile, "Sounds like a simp."

"He's always been a simp for her," Tae pretends to gag. 

"Well, what are we supposed to do?" Jimin asks after they compose themselves. 

"I don't know," Tae leans against the wall, "I was up all night thinking about it. Now that I know you two are staying at least for a few days, it makes things easier...I think."

-

Jimin has been gone for at least fifteen or twenty minutes and the food is getting cold. 

You sigh and stand up, moving around the tables and walking over to where a sign points to the restroom. After walking around the corner and seeing the bathroom door open and the light off, you frown. 

What the heck?

Where did he go?

You walk further down the hall and end up at a back door made of glass. Outside, there are a few big trash cans and some pieces of scrap metal. 

Right before you turn around to head back, you see a flash of black out by the dumpsters. You stop and look out again to see the young man from last night. 

The one you spilt cold broth all over. 

There’s a black cat with a red collar circling his feet, its tail brushing against his legs.

Your cheeks burn a little as you watch him throw a few trash bags into the dumpster, his sleeve tattoo on full display. Even from here you can see a few bracelets adorning the wrist of the tattooed arm. 

Aha. 

You knew you weren't just seeing things. 

But you'll need to get a better look to confirm they're the same as yours. 

You're about to make yourself walk back and look for Jimin when you see him pull down the top of his unbuttoned button-down shirt so that only his shoulders are visible. He runs his hands through his hair and fans himself with his hands as he looks at the sky, facing away from you.  

Gulping, you try not to stare at the tattoo on his left shoulder that's not hidden by the muscle shirt he's got on under the button-down. 

It's a lotus flower. 

Pretty...

clangclangclang!

"Ah!"

You trip over a piece of metal that was sitting on the steps after the door swings open suddenly. 

You hadn't realized you were leaning against it. 

Barely catching yourself before you faceplant, your arms swing in the air as you stumble. 

Looking up, you gulp when you see the young man staring at you, his eyes wide. The cat is gone, having took off like a bullet at the ruckus you made.

He's already pulled up his shirt and closed it, having done so when he heard someone coming. 

He didn't know it was you though. 

Jungkook feels his breath get caught in his throat when he sees you looking up at him through a mess of hair. 

Why does the universe hate him so fucking much?

You fix your hair clumsily and flash him one of your best smiles, hoping he doesn't yell at you for being out here. 

"S-Sorry, I was looking f-for my friend and got a b-bit lost."

He doesn't say anything.

Why did he have to have that one split second of hope, to think that you might have remembered him and come to find him?

Your look of complete and utter calmness and unrecognition stabs him in the heart.

The universe is so fucking cruel. 

"I hope I d-didn't break anything," You say as you turn to see the piece of metal lying on the ground, "I didn't s-see it there-"

"Are you hurt?"

You turn back to him, a smile finding its way to your face at the sound of his voice. 

Shaking your head, you look at him with those huge eyes he could never resist, "Nuh uh, I'm f-fine."

Thank goodness. 

He bites his lip as his fists clench. 

He needs Tae or someone, anyone, to come out here and save him before he fucks everything up. 

You fiddle with your fingers, looking down. 

"Fucking hell."

"Hm?"

Jungkook startles when you look up at him and he realizes he just cursed out loud. 

"Nothing, sorry."

You smile at him again and he swears to God his heart has never hurt more than this. 

He's been through hell and back countless times his entire life, but nothing has hurt like this, not even close. 

Why can't he just escape pain for once?

Taking a step closer, you frown when he takes a step back. 

"So-sorry," you mumble, stepping away again. 

Jungkook gulps, tears welling up in his eyes as he stares at you, silently begging you to just remember him. To please not freak out if he embraces you right now because he can't fucking control himself.

He lets out a shaky breath and turns away to start walking in a random direction. 

Anywhere that isn't near you. 

He can't do it. 

He can't control himself, and he is not about to touch you when you think of him as nothing more than a stranger. He'd never forgive himself if he scared you like that. 

So, he needs to get away. 

"W-Wait!"

Jungkook freezes, a huge lump forming in his throat that he's pretty sure is his actual heart leaving his body. 

Please, don't make this harder for me. 

"I d-don't mean to bother y-you, but I was w-wondering if I could ask y-y-you a question?"

Jungkook's jaw clenches as he mentally tells himself to keep fucking breathing. 

He finally turns around to face you again, but his eyes stay locked on the ground. 

For a split second, they land on your chunky white tennis shoes. 

They're still tied the way he did it, so you could slip them on and off, he'd swear those were the same knots he made so long ago-

"A-are you okay?" Your small voice reaches his ears, and he nods numbly after a minute. 

"What did you want to ask me?" His voice is hoarse, and you wonder for a brief moment if he needs a drink of water or something. 

"Um, it's a s-silly question, but c-could I see your bra-bracelets?"

You watch as he pulls his bottom lip between his teeth and gnaws on it gently. 

"Why?" He eventually asks. 

You gulp, not expecting him to question you. You thought maybe he'd just let you have a look and be done. 

"I just- I th-thought I remembered-"

His head shoots up and the look he gives you takes your breath away; the pain in his eyes making your heart hurt.

"You reme-" he cuts himself off when he sees the confused look on your face. 

Of course she didn't remember.

Idiot. 

Jungkook takes a step back, needing to be farther from you so he can think clearly. 

He's gotta get out of here before he does something stupid. 

All his instincts are screaming at him to hold you and never let you go again. 

But he can't. 

For your sake. 

"I- uh...j-just thought we m-might've gotten them at the s-same place," you whisper, very unsure of yourself now. 

Jungkook holds his arm out and you stare at it for a moment, stunned. 

Then you snap out of it and move closer, inspecting the three bracelets there. 

Hm.

You pull up the floppy sleeve of your sweater and hold up your wrist to place it next to his, not missing the beautiful ink decorating his arm and contrasting against your bare one.

His bracelets...

They aren't just similar to yours...

They're exactly the same. 

He has the yellow and black bracelet, the purple and blue bracelet, and even the silver bracelet with the exact same two charms as yours: the crescent moon and the angel wing.

You slowly look up and see him staring at you, his eyes a little shiny but his face emotionless. 

 A nervous laugh slips out of your mouth as your gaze falls back to your wrists, "They're th-the same."

It's quiet for a moment, then you hear him whisper, "I guess we have similar taste in jewelry."

You nod but continue staring at both of your wrists. 

Then your eye catches the image of two of your favorite flowers tattooed on his arm.

Dandelion and Agapanthus...

Wow, you must have the same taste in flowers too.

Not being able to control yourself, you let your gaze wander over more of the tattoos and see a few words just below the inside of his elbow. 

Live for what you love.

Your eyes slowly trace up his arm and to his dark ones that still bore into you. 

It feels like he's reading your very soul. 

"Who a-are you?" You whisper, not even aware of the words coming out of your mouth until there's no taking them back. 

He pulls his arm back and you see him gulp, eyes never leaving yours. 

"No one," his voice is barely above a whisper as it shakes slightly. 

"____?"

You and Jungkook flinch at the sound of someone calling your name. 

You turn and see Jimin standing on the little concrete steps, holding the door open and looking at you in surprise. 

The other waiter from last night is standing behind him, a soft smile on his face as he looks back and forth between you and the young man behind you. 

You turn and bow to the dark-haired stranger, "S-sorry for bothering y-you, I'll be go-going now."

He doesn't say anything as you hurry over to the steps and climb them clumsily, grabbing Jimin's hand when he reaches for you so you don't fall.

You smile and bow to the other worker and he gives you a tiny bow back, the gentle smile never leaving his face. 

Jimin leads you back down the hallway. You only turn once to see the tall man going through the back door. 

-

"What happened?" Tae asks gently as he approaches Jungkook, who is still standing in the same spot, looking a bit sickly. 

"She just came out of nowhere," Jungkook chokes out, his eyes finally leaving the ground and traveling up to his best friend's smile, "Why are you smiling?"

Taehyung sighs, "Why do you think I'm smiling, Kook? They're staying in Busan for the weekend, it's fate-"

"It's not fate," Jungkook snaps, fixing his sleeves and clearing his throat before walking around Tae, "Don't pull that bullshit on me."

"Hey, now wait a fucking second," Tae grabs Jungkook's arm, ready to start an argument. 

But Jungkook beats him to it; the bottle coming uncapped and the agony inside exploding. 

"What the fuck am I supposed to do?!" Jungkook shouts, his voice breaking, "For over a goddamn year you told me to move on! You told me to move on for her sake!! Now you're telling me it's all clear?!"

He gets up in Tae's face, "You suddenly decide it's okay for me to love her? Now that she shows up and still doesn't remember a single fucking thing about my existence?! When she looks at me and sees nothing but a blank slate? Now it's safe for me to love her?!" 

Taehyung closes his eyes, letting Jungkook scream at him all he wants. 

He deserves it.

"I hate you for making me leave! I hate you for telling me not to be selfish and move on so that she can move on and live her life!! I hate that I can't fucking hate your stupid ass because you did it so I wouldn't be arrested, and you were right!! Is that what you want to hear?! You were right!! I never deserved her-"

"I never said that-"

"YOU THOUGHT IT!!" Jungkook screams, tears building up in his eyes, "WE ALL FUCKING KNEW IT!!"

Tae feels tears well up in his own eyes as he opens them to look at his best friend.

He shakes his head, "I didn't, I've never thought that."

Jungkook's jaw clenches and he almost looks like he's about to hit Tae in the face. 

But the glass door opens and Yeona calls out to them before he can throw a punch. 

"What's going on??" She hurries down the steps and shoves her way between them, keeping them each at an arm's length away. She turns to Jungkook, "Kook, what on earth happened? Why are you crying?"

He steps back and wipes at his eyes, confused when he feels that they're wet. 

Didn't realize he was crying...

When he doesn't answer her, she looks at Tae, "What happened?" She asks fiercely, "And don't you dare say nothing, Kim Taehyung."

He sighs and looks over at Jungkook, who is shutting down. 

"The customers can hear you guys screaming out here," Yeona scolds, looking at them both, "Would you care to explain why?"

Tae's face pales, "Did they hear what was said?"

Yeona shakes her head, "No, thank goodness. Just a bunch of shouting. Now, tell me what happened or I'll make sure halmeoni scolds both of you." 

Taehyung glances at the youngest again before pinching the bridge of his nose, "____ came back here and spoke to him."

"Don't say her name," Jungkook growls. 

Yeona looks back and forth between them, "I'm guessing this is the girl," she says softly.

When neither of them says anything, she turns to Jungkook, "Did Tae push it too far? Did he say something insensitive?"

Jungkook hesitates for a moment, then he shakes his head. 

"Are you sure?" She presses gently. 

He knows she always scolds Tae for being mean and he's grateful that she keeps him in line, but he just wants this whole thing to be done. So he nods, "I'm sure."

Yeona glances at Tae suspiciously, who holds up both hands in defense. 

"I'm gonna step away, I expect no one to throw a punch."

She steps away, then she sighs when no one moves. 

"Thank you. Now, Tae you have dishes you need to prepare. Jungkook, would you like to take your break?"

He nods and walks away before she can say anything else. 

Yeona turns back to Tae, who looks after the youngest helplessly, "You need to let him calm down."

He nods dejectedly, "I know."

"Would you like to help me in the kitchen?"

Tae nods again, letting her take his hand and lead him inside. 

_________________________

"Why doesn't he want to try to get close to her again?" Yeona asks quietly as she and Tae make the food side by side. 

"It's not that he doesn't want to," Tae sighs, "It's that he's been convincing himself for almost a year and a half that she's better off without him. He won't admit it, but he's scared to drag her into his life again because he thinks she was happier before she met him."

Yeona frowns, "But they were in love, weren't they?"

He nods, "More than I've ever seen between two people. I don't know how to describe it...they never actually made it official because of all the bullshit happening. They didn't date like normal people do."

She just listens quietly as he tries his best to explain. 

"It was different, you could almost feel it. The way they looked at each other when the other wasn't looking. They always wanted nothing more than the other to be happy and safe. It was almost tangible when you walked into the room, but it was never awkward. I fucking hate couples, they're gross, but with these two; it was almost like the room was physically brighter when they were together..."

Yeona smiles softly as she gazes at him, "I've never heard love described that way from someone on the outside looking in."

Taehyung chuckles sadly, "I've never described it that way being the one on the outside looking in."

"If he loves her as much as he does, how is he able to keep himself from her?" Yeona asks as she pours seasonings into a big pot. 

"That's exactly it. He loves her so much that he lets himself hurt just to make sure she's happy, yet he still calls himself selfish," Tae plates up some food, "He really thinks she was happier before she met him."

Yeona stays silent as they finish up the last few orders in the small rush. 

_______________________

Jungkook looks up from his bed when he hears a knock on the door. 

"Come in," he says, knowing who it is already.

The door cracks open and he sees Yeona slip in. 

She frowns when she sees him sitting on his bed, his eyes rimmed with red. 

"Jungkook..."

He won't look at her, just stares at the wall. 

"Can I sit?"

He gives her a quick nod. 

She sits on the edge of his bed and joins him in staring at the wall. 

After a brief silence, she sighs. 

"You know you're like the little brother I never had, right?"

Jungkook nods but continues to stay silent. 

"Do you mind if we get deep for a minute?"

He hesitates, then he shrugs and mumbles, "I guess not."

"Alright," she turns to face him, "You were the one that made sure Tae and I could be together. He kept pushing me away again and again, until finally he let me in. And we both have you to thank for that."

Jungkook shakes his head, "You two are meant to be together, you would've ended up together anyway."

"And yet, how many years would we have wasted if his best friend didn't urge him to face me?"

He gulps, starting to understand her point. 

"Taehyung only briefly spoke about her to me all this time, and although I know a little more now, I still don't know everything."

She looks back at the wall he's staring at. 

"Would you tell me about her?"

"I- I don't know..." Jungkook whispers uncertainly, he's never even told Tae in detail all about what he sees in you, too scared to be vulnerable. 

Because look at where being vulnerable has gotten him. 

"Let's start easy, what's her favorite color?"

Jungkook feels a painful jab in his heart but he forces the word out anyway, "Yellow."

"Aw, cute...and what kind of stuff does she like to eat?"

"She loves sweet things... but there's a tteokbokki stand in Seoul that was always her favorite, and she would-" He cuts himself off when he realizes he's going off. 

"And she would what?"

"Never mind," Jungkook puts a hand to his head, "None of this matters anymore, it's not like it's useful to me."

Yeona frowns, "Why are you refusing to let her get close to you again?"

"Tae probably already told you, his big fucking mouth-"

"I want to hear it from you."

Jungkook sighs in irritation, she really is like an older sister, nagging at him all the time. 

"Because she's better off without me, okay?" He snaps.

"What makes you say that? Clearly she's taken an interest in you even though she doesn't remember-"

"Yeona. The first time I saw her, I was figuring out the best way to fucking kill her."

She looks at him in surprise. 

"She was my hit," Jungkook mumbles, "And she was the most innocent human I ever met."

She stays quiet, sensing that he's finally opening up as he gets this faraway look in his eye. 

"She always had this light in her eyes, no matter what happened. The light never dimmed, it was like she saw the world through the eyes of a kid. She saw beauty in the world that leaves us after we grow up, the magic that we all stop believing in."

He drops his head in his hands, "Then it was gone. There was no light left, nothing. I did that to her..."

"Jungkook-"

"I did, I took that light away from her. And now she has it back," his voice breaks, "And if she gets dragged into my life again, she'll lose it forever."

Yeona stays quiet.

"She was and is happier without knowing me."

"Why can't you let her decide that, though?" Yeona whispers, "Why do you get to make that decision for her? Why should Tae get what he wants and you need to suffer? Yes, things happened that hurt all of you guys, but it's over now, isn't it?"

Jungkook gnaws on his lip.

"You're done with the hits, no?"

He nods, "Yes."

"So you haven't done a single hit since the last guy...Dae?"

Jungkook's jaw clenches at the sound of his name, but nods to confirm her question. 

"And the hits were more or less the center of it all...am I wrong?"

He shakes his head a little. 

"So, everyone needs to keep healing, it's going to take a lot of time...but, if she loved you as much as I'm sensing she did; don't you think she'd like to heal with you instead of alone?"

Jungkook gulps, "I wish it was that simple. But if she doesn't remember me, how is that going to work? I'm not going to lie to her and pretend like we didn't meet until now if we get closer. Nothing good has ever come from lying to her. I'm not going to do that."

"Good, because that would be the worst idea ever."

"So, what the hell am I supposed to do?"

She shrugs, "Well for starters, let Tae back in. He's the one that knows you two better than I ever will. And he said something about her friend...Jimin? He said that Jimin wants to find a way to get you two back together."

Jungkook feels his chest tighten, "It's not going to happen unless we tell her everything. And I am not throwing her back into those memories, I'm not going to do that to her for my own selfishness, not when she's finally happy again."

He stands up and walks to the door, "I'm going to the shops, halmeoni told me we needed some things earlier."

The door shuts behind him harshly and she sighs, hoping that he will at least take her words into consideration.

_____________________________________

Jungkook grabs a few bushels of the vegetables halmeoni asked him to get, walking around the little stands where people are shouting different prices and what they have to offer. 

"Can I get five please?" He asks the little old man at the stand with cabbages. 

He pays the man, grabbing the bag and thanking him before moving on. 

At least halmeoni made him bring the cart this time. Usually, he insists he can carry everything, not wanting to lug around this silly thing. But there's definitely more to carry this time than usual. 

Jungkook walks over to the peach stand, glancing over them. 

The memory of you laughing and joking in his old apartment as the two of you make peach-filled mochi floods his brain. 

The peaches in front of him blur and he bites his lip harshly. 

Get it together, Jungkook. 

You don't get to be selfish anymore.

"What can I get for you, sweetie?"

He clears his throat and is about to answer, when another voice speaks up and he realizes the vendor wasn't even talking to him.

"C-Can I please get t-two?"

The sound of your stutter squeezes his heart painfully as he turns to the side to see you standing there, eyes wide as you look at the plump fruit. 

The lady at the stand nods and bags up two peaches, telling you the price as she hands them to you. 

"Thank y-you," you dig into your wallet and pull out some money to hand to her, then you frown when you realize you don't have enough.

"Um, o-one second," Rifling through your change purse, you bite your lip, then you hand the peaches back to her, "I d-don't have enough c-cash-"

You and the peach lady look to the side in surprise when someone holds out a few bills.

"Will this cover it? I'd like to get four myself please."

The lady nods and smiles, winking at you before taking the money in his outstretched hand and bagging up four peaches for him. 

"How is your halmeoni, Jungkook?" The old woman asks kindly. 

You just stare at him, shocked that you've run into him again for the second time today. 

Jungkook...

That's a beautiful name...

"She's doing alright, thank you," Jungkook says politely, but you can hear a slight strain in his voice. 

He bows and turns to move on. 

You can't help but follow him to the next stand, missing the way his body stiffens at the close proximity. 

"Your n-name is b-beautiful," you say, coming up to his side as he forces himself to look at the radishes. 

"Thank you," he mumbles. 

"D-Don't you want to know m-my name?" You ask. 

Your name has been etched into my brain for two years, ____. 

"Jungk-kook," You try it out when he doesn't answer, smiling brightly. 

His throat closes up and he needs to stop for a moment, his hand gripping the handle of the cart until his knuckles turn white.

How can someone saying his name physically hurt like this?

It isn't just someone, though. 

It's you. 

Suddenly he can't breathe. 

Jungkook grabs at his chest, his breath becoming shallow as his eyes water. 

"A-are you okay?"

Your voice is faint in the background as the world turns fuzzy. 

The next thing he knows, he's kneeling on the ground, clutching at his bleeding heart and gasping for air. 

"Hey, are y-you okay??"

When he feels you touch his arm gently, he flinches away, not letting himself see the hurt in your eyes. 

"Please stop," his voice breaks painfully as he stands up and grabs the cart, "I can't take it anymore- just stop."

You watch sadly as he leaves, pushing through people in a hurry to get away. 

________________________________

"____? What happened?"

"I- I ran into the b-boy from the restaurant," You whisper. 

Jimin's eyes widen, "Oh? Well, what did he say?"

"He t-told me to stop," You say sadly, "I d-didn't realize I'd made him unco-comfortable."

He frowns, knowing that Jungkook hadn't meant it in that way at all, but not sure how to tell you. 

"I got p-peaches though," you say with a tearful chuckle, holding up the bag. 

Jimin smiles softly, "I bet they're delicious."

You and Jimin grab a few more things before heading back to the hotel. 

Up in your room, you and Jimin eat some of the peaches as you talk. 

"So, what makes you so interested in him?" Jimin asks as he lays on your bed while you lounge in the comfy chair by your window, "Is it because he's hot?"

Your cheeks heat up instantly, "Jimin..."

"What?" He laughs, "Am I wrong? Those tats are pretty sexy-"

"S-stop!" You throw the pillow you were hugging at his head, making him laugh harder. 

"In all seriousness though," he says after he's finished chuckling, "Why him?"

"I d-don't know," You mumble, picking at a piece of thread on your jumper, "I just f-feel drawn to him for s-some reason...I guess...I d-don't know, it's silly-"

"It isn't silly," Jimin says gently, sitting up and looking at you, "Some souls are connected, I fully believe that."

"What d-do you mean by that?"

He swallows the lump in his throat, "I don't know, maybe you knew him in another life," he whispers, watching you closely. 

You look down sadly before shaking your head, "Or I'm j-just being a w-w-weirdo."

Jimin flops back onto the bed, deciding to change the subject, "Are you ready for the art show tomorrow?"

Your eyes light up and you nod, "Mhm! I c-can't believe I actually get to s-see Kim Junsoo's w-work in person!"

Jimin smiles, "I wonder if he'll be there..."

Jumping off the chair, you point at him, "D-don't put that idea in m-my head! I would d-die."

He laughs, "Well, it is his show. Hey, did you hear about how he's going to be showcasing some other artists' work?"

You shake your head, "I didn't, wh-who else's work is g-going to be there?"

"I'm not sure, there was an article I read about it last night that said he wanted to include a few unknown artists' work as well because he remembers the days when no one knew who he was. He said he wanted to give them the chance that he never got early on."

"That's s-so awesome," You flop down onto the bed next to him, "M-maybe we'll get some n-new artists to love!"

"That would be great," Jimin smiles at you. 

______________________________________

The next morning, Jimin knocks on your door and lets you know he's up and getting ready for the day and you call back to him that you're going to take a shower. 

You get in the shower and wash away all the sweat from last night. You're not sure why you were hot all night long, but it was a pretty icky feeling. 

"Ha," You sigh in satisfaction at the feeling of the water washing all the grime away. 

After your shower, you look through some of the clothes you bought on Friday. They had so many cute things that it was hard not to buy everything. 

Hmm, you want the outfit to be just right today...

Finally, you decide on the sheer white long-sleeved shirt that's sleeves are slightly puffed. Over that, you put on a pale pink dress with ruffles on the bottom of the skirt and ruffled two-inch sleeves; the rest of the dress is covered in strawberries and bunnies. Pulling on some white stockings, you look into the mirror and smile in satisfaction. 

Perfect. 

After pulling on your shoes, you meet Jimin in the hallway. 

"You look great!" He exclaims and you blush. 

"Thank you."

He nods, "Definitely the right choice. What do you want to do until the show starts? It isn't starting until five tonight."

You nod, "I w-was trying to think of th-things last night. Sh-should we just g-go and look around the city?"

Jimin nods, "Sounds good to me! Let's go."

The drive to the city isn't too awfully long. You and Jimin walk around and look at the shops, grab a bite to eat, and then keep walking. 

It really is beautiful here. 

-

"Where are you going so early? I thought the show didn't start until five."

Jungkook looks up from tying his shoes to see Tae leaning against the doorframe. 

"I just felt like getting out," Jungkook says quietly, "I'm too cooped up in here; it always feels stuffy when we're closed."

Taehyung nods, "I agree. Halmeoni said she and Beomgyu will be there. Yeona and I will meet you at the show later too, that's still the plan right?"

The younger nods as he finishes tying his shoes, "If that's what you guys are still wanting to do it's fine with me."

Tae sighs quietly, then steps in front of the door when Jungkook tries to leave. 

"Wait."

Jungkook looks at Tae, not a single emotion showing on his face, "What?"

"I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry. I never meant for this to happen."

"For what to happen?" Jungkook asks. 

"This, all of this. I just wanted to protect you, I didn't want you to hurt anymore. But, I fucked up and I'm sorry."

Jungkook swallows the lump in his throat, then he looks at Tae, his face softening, "I know you didn't mean to hurt me, that's why I got so angry, because I knew deep down that it was me who did the hurting. You really only told me once to move on for her sake, I was the one that drilled it into myself for so long. And I know you only said that in a panic to try and help."

Tae purses his lips, not saying anything. He still feels responsible. 

"What were you supposed to do, Tae?" Jungkook asks quietly, "You were the one that saved me from being locked up the rest of my life. You didn't make her lose her memories. I guess fate just doesn't like me very much."

Taehyung gulps as Jungkook pats him on the shoulder, "At least I get to walk around outside, eat normal food, watch my best friend fall in love, feel the sun, and see that she's happy. Knowing she's doing well is what matters to me the most, even if seeing her is killing me. If it wasn't for you, I'd miss all of this. Thank you, I mean it."

Tae nods, a lump stuck in his throat as Jungkook moves past him to leave.

__________________________

It's a few hours until the show and you and Jimin are walking around the park. 

You climbed the jungle gym a few times and slid down the slide a lot, now you're trying to convince Jimin to play hide n' seek with you. 

"What if you wander off and get lost?" Jimin cries. 

"We h-have phones!" You guffaw, holding it up to prove your point. 

"Oh yeah..." Jimin thinks for a moment, then he nods, "You know what, ok. Let's do it. You hide first and I'll find you."

You take turns counting and hiding, laughing your heads off when you find each other. Then you tell him the boundaries for the game are bigger now because it's too easy. He agrees but only because you promise to call him if you make a wrong turn. 

He sits on the swings, covers his eyes and starts to count. 

"One...two...three..."

You take off for the trees that you've been eyeing for a while, trying to contain your giggles as you run as quickly as you can. 

There's a path through the trees that you run down, looking back to see Jimin still sitting on the swing. He's too far to hear though. 

You keep running down the path, turning your head every once in a while to make sure you can still see him. 

When your lungs are finally starting to burn, you glance back once more to see the Jimin speck moving. 

He's done counting already???

You squeal and turn back to the front to keep running, but you end up crashing into someone instead. 

Flying backwards from the impact, you land on your bottom with a grunt of pain. 

Looking up to apologize, you see Jungkook stumbling a bit before catching himself. 

"Oh."

He looks up at the sound of your voice. 

You see something flash across his face, but you can't tell what emotion it is. 

Jumping up from the ground, you grab his hand and pull him behind the big tree you were heading towards in the first place. 

Startled by your action, Jungkook doesn't even resist as you yank him with you, making him crouch and putting a finger up to your lips. 

"J-Jimin is looking for me," You whisper, eyes wide as you look at him, "Be q-quiet."

He nods, then his brows furrow before he leans closer to whisper, "Why don't you want him to find you?"

"It's a g-game," You giggle.

"Ah," He nibbles on his bottom lip, forcing himself not to focus on how fucked up the universe is for this. 

What are the fucking chances?

"W-what is that?"

Jungkook snaps back to the present and sees you pointing at his chest. He looks down to see that the chain with his mother's ring on it has come out from under his shirt. 

"Shit," He tucks it back in, "It's nothing."

"That n-nothing is beautiful," You whisper. 

Jungkook closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths. 

Don't fucking cry, you fucking wuss.

"She m-must be spe-special to you," you say quietly, looking at him carefully. 

Jungkook opens his eyes and looks at you, his gaze drifting over your face and for the first time since seeing you here, actually takes you in. 

He's not been letting himself look too closely, out of fear of fucking up. 

But he can't resist anymore, he just can't. 

He's too weak. 

And for the first time in forever, that doesn't bother him. 

"She is," He whispers. 

You smile at him, then you look around the tree trunk and put a hand over your mouth, eyes wide. 

Jimin has come farther onto the path, looking around carefully. 

Jungkook gulps as he just watches you, his heart breaking a little more every second, until it feels like a glass that's shattered to pieces. Too broken to be put together again. 

I love you...

_________

Jimin ends up finding you because you couldn't keep your giggles under control. 

But when you turn back to thank Jungkook for not exposing your hiding place, he's gone. 

You look around sadly, not seeing him anywhere. 

He was so quiet, he slipped away too quickly. 

Part of you thinks you might have hallucinated the whole encounter because Jimin didn't even see him. But then you see the leaves that Jungkook was crouching on all crunched up and you know he was actually here. 

Hm. 

___________________

Walking up to the convention center, you feel your heart starting to beat faster and faster. 

"I bet he's inside those doors-"

"Jimin, st-stop!" You cry, hands cupping your cheeks as the excitement starts to take hold, "You're n-not helping!"

"Sorry," He chuckles, "Just remember, he's a man in his sixties that makes beautiful art, just a human like you and me."

You give him a long side glance, "He m-might be a human, but he's n-n-not like you and me."

Jimin guffaws and grabs the door, opening it and holding it for you to walk through. 

"Fair enough."

You step inside and immediately see a bunch of people milling about, soft music playing over the speakers as people dressed in white and black uniforms walk around with trays carrying tall glasses of bubbling liquid.

You and Jimin stand there in shock for a second, your jaws on the floor as you take it all in. 

"Well," Jimin eventually gulps, "At least we aren't underdressed."

You nod numbly, still in awe of how beautiful it all is and you haven't even seen the art yet. 

"How d-do they know who b-b-bought tickets?" You ask, then a second later, a man dressed in a burgundy outfit that looks like the ones the servers are wearing waves to you. 

Oh, he'd been standing there at a small podium looking thingy the whole time, you just didn't see him. 

"Good evening," He says politely, "May I have your tickets please?"

Jimin takes them out of his pocket and hands them to the man that bows after putting them in a little booklet you can't see very well, "Have a splendid time."

"We will," You say, smiling brightly before grabbing Jimin's hand and pulling him into the crowd. 

A lot of people usually make you nervous, but the excitement is overpowering that right now. 

"How c-can there be so m-many people?" You turn around in a circle, looking at the fancy dresses and suits, happy that you went with this outfit. It isn't as glamorous as some of these dresses, but it's definitely you. 

Chandeliers hang from the high ceiling of the spacious hall. 

"Where d-do you think the art is?" You ask jumping up and down. 

"I saw a sign that said it would be on the second and third floors, but they aren't opening it to the guests until five."

"Ohhhh," you look around until you see a staircase leading up and next to it is an escalator, one side going up and one down. There are a few security guards standing at the bottom and top, no doubt making sure no one tries to get up there early. 

"This is way more than I expected," Jimin says in an almost dreamlike state as he looks around. 

You nod, "M-Me too."

"I wonder if they have food?" Jimin muses, trying to see around people.

You laugh, "I th-think they do! I s-saw someone with some ch-cheese."

"Cheese?! Ok, I need to find that food table."

You and Jimin walk around for a while, looking at a few pieces of art that aren't a part of the show everyone's here for, but they're beautiful just the same. 

While looking at the different decorations, you stumble upon the food tables. Fruits, cheeses, crackers, and other little finger foods galore. 

You and Jimin gather as much as you can on the tiny plates, then you go to a corner where you can eat in peace. 

A few judging looks are thrown your way as the two of you sit on the floor out of the way and eat. Neither of you really care though, it's not like you're in their walkway. 

After eating the snacks you got, Jimin throws away the plates and walks back to you, "It's still about fifteen minutes until they open the second and third floors to guests, and even then, it's just walking around when you want, we don't need to rush or anything. Are you good while I go to the restroom?"

You nod and he pats your shoulder before walking away. 

It didn't take him long, but when he comes out again, he runs into a few familiar faces from high school. 

A text buzzes your phone and you grab it, opening it to see a message from Jimin. 

Jimin: I got nabbed by some old friends. They literally won't stop talking, I'll be over there as soon as I can, sorry.

You laugh and text him not to worry because you're fine and that you're just gonna walk around the hall and look at the art you didn't see yet. 

As you're walking around, trying not to get into people's way, you see everyone start moving in a certain direction. 

Looking at your phone, you realize it's five o'clock. 

bzzzzzt. 

Jimin: Hey, where should I meet you? They opened the upstairs and I finally got away. 

You reply quickly, telling him to meet you at the top of the escalators. 

A few minutes later, you're met with Jimin's smiling face as he waves at you, "There you are!"

-

Walking around the art gallery of one of your favorite artists is so surreal; it almost feels like you're walking on clouds as you look at all the gorgeous pieces he created throughout his life. 

After a while, you and Jimin decide to play a game and split up. You each have to find a piece of art on the second floor and the third floor that you think best describes the other person on the outside and on the inside. 

You find one on the second floor almost immediately after leaving Jimin. 

It's a giant painting of the seashore, so realistic you feel almost as though you can smell the ocean breeze and feel the water spraying your face gently. 

There's just something about it that reminds you of him. 

You make a mental note of where it is so you can bring Jimin back to it and show him, then you make your way around, glancing briefly and knowing that you can come back with Jimin and look at the art closer. 

Deciding to go to the third floor, you pass Jimin on the escalators, trying not to laugh as he makes a silly face at you. 

You see a lot more statues on this floor, inspecting them carefully and trying to see if any of them give you Jimin vibes. 

Nothing yet. 

You turn a corner and see a line of gorgeous paintings, your mouth dropping open as you walk in and see an older man looking at one of the paintings. He's the only other person in the room.

Keeping a distance so he doesn't feel uncomfortable, you look at the painting he's in front of. It's one of your favorites, always has been. 

The painting is of a bathtub, bubbles forming at the top of the water and covering most of the body of the woman inside, her hands pressed to her face and her hair in a knotty bun on the top of her head. 

The white tub is lined with gold, and if you look close enough, the woman has a streak of gold leaving her eye from behind her hands, the shiny tear going all the way to her chin. 

You always wondered if she was crying tears of joy or sadness. Nothing else in the picture gives you the answer, leaving you to figure it out yourself. 

"This one was always my favorite," The old man whispers, startling you. 

A smile spreads on your face after the initial surprise and you turn to him, "Really? M-Me too!"

You see a smile of his own light up his face before he turns to look at you. 

He looks kind of familiar...you probably saw him around the city earlier.

"What's your favorite part about this one?" He asks. 

"Mm, it's g-g-gorgeous, but I th-think my favorite part is th-that I can relate to it no m-matter what I'm feeling."

"How so?"

"I c-could never figure out if sh-she was crying because she w-was happy or sad..." You muse, looking at the image closely, "When I'm s-sad or happy, I f-feel like this p-picture is relatable and I c-can connect with h-her. I feel n-not so alone," You whisper.

He nods and looks back at the painting, his eyes a little watery before he blinks rapidly.

"Do you like to paint?"

You nod, "W-When I can, b-b-but I mostly draw because I always have c-colored pencils."

His smile grows a little more, "What kind of stuff do you like to draw?"

You hold up a finger and then reach into your bag, pulling out a few pieces of paper and handing them to him proudly, "I l-l-like to draw cute things m-mostly, just things I l-love."

He takes the pictures and looks at them, seeing childish drawings of bunnies, flowers, and candy. 

"These are beautiful," He says genuinely with a kind smile, "I can see the love you have for these things through your work."

Feeling a bit choked up at his words, you thank him quietly as he hands you the drawings back. 

"Don't ever give up on the things you love, okay?"

You nod, keeping the pictures pressed to your chest. 

"It appears as though I'm being summoned. I hope you enjoy the rest of the gallery," he says before bowing and walking over to a group of important looking people that waved to him. 

That's when it hits you. 

You turn and hear one of the men call him 'Mr. Kim' and your heart stops in your chest. 

Oh my gosh...

Your legs suddenly turn to jelly and you stuff the pictures into your purse before all but running from the room, avoiding his eye as you hurry past him. 

Did you literally just meet one of your favorite artists of all time?

Just by chance?

You need to tell Jimin. 

Trying to find your way back to the escalators, you start getting anxious because of the amount of people coming your way. Suddenly everyone decided to come to the third floor apparently. 

You try your best to get through them, but it gets harder and harder and you can't see over them. 

Now you're getting panicky. 

A man that jostles you roughly is what breaks the last bit of control you had not to freak out. 

You push past people, not wanting to hurt anyone but needing to get out of this throng. 

When you finally get out of the most crowded part, you look around frantically for a sign to the restroom. Seeing one almost immediately, you make a B-line for it. 

Against your best efforts, tears start to stream down your face and your chest gets painfully tight. A few people give you weird looks, but you ignore them as you finally get to the third-floor restroom. 

Inside the door, there's a fancy lounge area and two more doors, one for men on the left and one for women on the right. 

Since there's no one in this area, you hurry over to a couch and sit down, sobbing into your hands for a minute before scrambling through your bag and pulling out the drawing. 

You take a deep breath and focus on the little dandelion. 

"Give me anything, everything you can. I can carry it."

Your brows furrow when the voice echoes through your mind. 

Not knowing why it made your heart ache so bad, you put a hand on your head as you try to figure out where this memory is suddenly coming from. 

Just then, you hear a door creak and you turn to see the men's bathroom door is open and a young man is stepping out. 

Jungkook...?

He freezes when he sees you, then you see a concerned look flit across his face and he walks over to you. 

"Hey," he says softly, "Can I sit?"

You nod as you wipe your tears, a bit embarrassed that he's seen you like this.

Jungkook sits next to you on the couch, a gentleness about him. 

"Are you okay?"

You nod, "J-Just a little o-overwhelmed."

"Ah," he nods in understanding, "It is pretty crazy out there."

You tuck the small picture into your pocket and sigh gently before turning to him, "You l-like art?"

He gulps and nods, a sad look in his eyes as he gazes at you, "I love art."

"Me t-too," you sniffle and wipe your nose. 

It's quiet for a minute, then Jungkook looks back at you, "How are you feeling?"

Just being next to you is killing him. 

But he can't run, not now. Not when you need someone to be here with you. 

Not when you need him. 

"I'm o-okay," Your voice is a little shaky as you turn to smile at him, "How a-are you?"

Jungkook chuckles lightly, "I'm doing fine, thank you."

God, how he wishes he could just pull you into his arms and never let you go. His heart feels like someone just impaled it with a million tiny thorns as he watches you wipe your nose with the back of your hand and then use your thumbs to wipe at your eyes.

He was supposed to be the one to dry your tears, he was supposed to be the one that was always there and making sure that the only tears that slid down your cheeks were ones of pure joy. 

How could everything have gotten so utterly fucked up?

How is he going to be able to let you leave him for the second time?

"W-where is she?"

Jungkook startles at the sound of your teary voice, then he notices you looking at something and looks down to see that he's holding his mother's ring between his fingers, stroking it mindlessly. 

"Oh," He doesn't say anything else. 

You just watch him quietly, waiting to see if he'll tell you. 

"She..." Jungkook swallows the lump in his throat, "She's finally living the life she deserves...I hope."

You nod, watching as he hides it in his shirt again. 

"I'm s-sorry," You whisper. 

Jungkook can't tear his eyes away from the white carpet, "Me too."

"You m-must have really loved her..." 

He nods. 

I do.

It's silent again for a couple minutes, both of you just stuck in your own minds. His presence alone calms your nerves immensely.

Then, there's a voice over the speaker, announcing that the rooms with the new artists' work will be opening in just a few minutes. 

"I sh-should probably find my fr-friend," You say as you stand up, Jungkook following suit, "Thank y-you for talking to m-me."

"Thanks for letting me keep you company," Jungkook says gently, giving you what seems like a sad smile, "I think I'm gonna head out soon." 

"We'll prob-probably run into each other a-again," You laugh lightly as Jungkook nods, "Probably. See you later."

You bid him goodbye and leave, texting Jimin that you'll meet him at the rooms where the new artists' work will be shown. 

Jungkook watches the door swing shut behind you before he lets himself sink back down onto the couch, his head falling into his hands and his chest aching so deeply that he briefly wonders if his heart might actually stop beating. 

-

"Hey, are you alright?"

You nod to Jimin and give him a small smile, assuring him that you'll fill him in later. 

"I didn't think we'd run into you here."

You turn to see the other young man that works at the restaurant with Jungkook, a huge smile on his handsome face. The sweet waitress is next to him, also smiling brightly as she waves.

"Oh, hi!" Jimin exclaims, "What a small world."

"Were you guys here to see the new artists' gallery?" Taehyung asks. 

"Well, technically we came to see Kim Junsoo's work, we didn't know about the new artists until the other day, but we're definitely going to check them out."

The young man smiles kindly at you even though you hadn't been the one speaking, "I think you'll love it."

You smile back, a small ache in your heart once more that you again can't pinpoint.

"Well, we'll see you guys around," He gives you one more smile before walking away with the girl that slips her hand into his. 

Taehyung looks back at you when you aren't looking. 

Come on, ____. I know we're in there somewhere. 

_______________

"Wow, look at this," Jimin points to a statue that looks like it could be a million different things depending on the angle you're looking at it from. 

"C-cool," You muse, walking around it and inspecting it carefully. 

Your heart has been hurting ever since you were in that lounge area, no matter what you do to try and make it feel better, it won't. 

Walking around and looking at all the pieces, you and Jimin whisper about what you think the artists were going for or what might have inspired them. 

After a while, you get to a section that veers off a bit from the others, big and small paintings lining the white walls. 

Just walking into this area makes your body feel all warm and tingly. 

The first painting you see is one of a lotus flower, floating in the water. A closer look shows the reflection of a small boy holding a woman's hand. 

At first glance, one wouldn't even notice it. 

Gosh, it's beautiful. 

Tears spring to your eyes for some reason unknown to you. 

The next painting looks like a butterfly inside a cocoon, so lifelike and pretty.

You turn to see Jimin looking at a painting of a girl standing on the edge of a cliff. 

Walking over for a better look, your brows furrow in confusion. 

The girl's hair is flowing in the wind, and you can tell her arms are crossed in front of her as she hugs herself. 

It's gorgeous, but what confuses you are her clothes. 

She's wearing a short white skirt and a baby blue sweater. 

You have that exact outfit...

Even her socks and shoes look like yours...

"She looks like you," Jimin says quietly, turning to look at you, "Hey, she's even got your hair."

You swallow and nod, then you turn slowly and your breath gets stuck in your throat. 

The next painting your eyes land on is a girl lying in a bed, her hair covering most of her face as she sleeps soundly on a white pillow. It looks like it's through the eyes of the person lying next to her.

Jimin steps up next to you, "Is it just me, or does that also look like you?"

You turn again and see one of a girl wearing a flower crown, looking up to the sky as her arms are stretched above her head. It's only the back of her, so you can't see her face. 

But she's wearing another outfit that you could swear is in your closet and her hair looks just like yours. 

Huh?

Jimin points at another painting, "Ok, you can't tell me that isn't you."

You breathe out shakily as you come closer to the one he's pointing at. 

The girl is on her knees, a pillow under them as she holds a needle and string in her fingers, seemingly trying to thread the needle.  

The view is from above, so you can't fully see her face, but you can see enough of it. 

Your heartbeat picks up as you force your legs to keep walking, eyes scanning the paintings. 

The same girl is in every single one. 

She's hiding behind a purple teddy bear you could swear looks just like Bonbon, she's running in a field of purple flowers, she's holding a giant cotton candy duck that covers her face, she's sitting between the viewer's legs as they run a brush through her hair. And she's always wearing clothes that you know you own.

In all of them, it looks like the painter is capturing how in love they are.

What is going on?

Jimin watches as you start hurrying from one piece of art to the next, until you stop in front of one. 

"Holy shit," Jimin breathes when his eyes land on what you're staring at. 

The girl is sitting in the cart of a Ferris wheel, lights of the fair behind her as she looks up at the person behind the painting. 

The lights shining in her eyes look like a million stars in the night sky. 

Her face is clear as day.

It's you.

You take a faltering step back. 

There's no denying anymore that the girl in the paintings is you. 

You're so confused. 

Breath becoming short and quick, you take another step back. 

You don't know what's going on. 

How could you be this artist's inspiration if you've never met them before?

These things never happened to you...did they?

You turn to leave so that you can clear your head, but you're met with the last painting in the small hall that takes the last of your breath away. 

Jimin stands frozen, staring at the painting that you're standing in front of. 

A tiny dandelion, trying its best to reach the sun despite the larger dandelions looming above it and attempting to cover its humble beauty.

"What the fuck," Jimin whispers, scanning the painting that perfectly matches the drawing in your pocket, the only difference being the size and the fact that it has color. 

You can't tear your eyes away from the image, an overwhelming feeling of grief striking your heart. 

Suddenly, you're at a small dining table, looking at the tiny picture and talking about how beautiful it is. The face of a handsome boy smiling shyly at you appears as he takes it and walks over to his nightstand to put it in the drawer there. 

The one you'll open later and take the picture from, tucking it into your pocket so that he doesn't see.

Being yanked back to the present, you stumble back, a hand pressed to your mouth as the whole summer before you fell into a coma comes crashing into your brain like a fast-forwarded movie. 

"____!" Jimin cries as he jumps forward to catch you as you trip over your own feet trying to back away from the painting. 

He's a second too late as you land on your bottom, whole body shaking violently as tears stream down your face. 

The last memory you had of him, lying in a pool of his own blood, causes a broken sob to leave you as you clamp your hands on your mouth tightly. 

Jungkook.

"We lost him..."

Another sob leaves your throat as more people start to come into the hall, looking at the crying girl on the floor in confusion.

That's when it hits you. 

He isn't dead...

...he isn't...dead?

Jimin flinches when you scramble to your feet, tears pouring down your cheeks as you take off running down the hall. 

"Jungkook!" You run into the crowd of people, catching the attention of a certain young man that was about to enter the hall you were just in. 

"____?" Tae whispers in disbelief as he sees you sobbing and pushing through a crowd, screaming his best friend's name. 

"P-Please move!" You cry, shoving past people and not looking back once as you head for the restroom. 

Slamming into the lounge area, you look around frantically but don't see him anywhere. 

Did he leave already?

You turn and run out, now making your way to the escalators. 

"Jungkook!"

Finally getting through the mass of people, you run for the stairs next to the escalators and grab the railing to keep your balance as you practically fly down them. 

-

"Jeon Jungkook!!"

Jungkook is about to walk through the front doors when he hears someone screaming his name at the top of their lungs. 

He turns to see you running across the giant hall, tears streaming down your face as your hair falls in tangles around your face. 

"____?" His voice seems miles away as he takes a step towards you. 

A sob tears itself from you as you reach your arms out for him. 

Before he can even think, his feet are moving and he's meeting you halfway, catching you when you throw yourself into his arms.

"J-Jungkook," You cry hysterically as you stuff your face into his shoulder, crying your heart out, his name falling from your lips over and over again. 

His hand cups the back of your head as he tries to understand what's going on, tears streaming down his face unashamedly as he holds you tightly. 

Do you really...remember him?

"I th-thought you d-died," You whimper, squeezing him.

"I'm right here," Jungkook's voice shakes uncontrollably, "I'm alive, I'm okay."

"You d-died, you died in m-my arms," Tears continue to pour down your soft cheeks. 

"I'm right here, sweetpea," Jungkook whispers, petting your hair, concentrating on the feeling of you in his arms, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." 

This is real. 

This is real. 

It's not another dream. 

You're here in his arms and you know him. 

This is real. 

Neither of you care about the stunned onlookers staring at you two in confusion.

Running across the hall and stopping a small distance away, Taehyung and Jimin freeze when they're met with the sight of you and Jungkook wrapped in each other's arms. 

"Holy fucking shit," Tae rasps, "She remembered."

You feel Jungkook pull you impossibly closer, "I missed you so fucking much, ____,” his voice breaks as the tears fall endlessly down his face. 

"I missed you t-too," You whisper into his neck.

Jungkook gulps and forces himself to keep breathing even as his brain and heart race. 

You finally pull away just enough to see his face. 

Laughing tearfully, you gently wipe his wet cheeks, "Y-You're alive," you whisper, salty tears still flowing even as a huge smile breaks out on your face, "You're a-actually alive."

He nods as you brush under his eyes, "I'm alive," he says quietly. 

Jungkook lowers you to the ground so he can cup your face with his trembling hands, "I love you, ____." It takes everything he has not to break down into uncontrollable sobs.

Your heart thunders in your chest as he leans down to slot his mouth against yours, the soft touch of his lips bringing fresh tears to your eyes after not feeling him for over a year. 

Jungkook's heart aches deeply in his chest, but this time, for the first time in so long, it's a good ache. 

It feels like he's drowning in you, and he doesn't want to come up for air. He's not going to let go of you again. He won't lose you, never again. 

"I l-love you too," You whisper when he finally pulls away to get a breath, your eyes staring into his, like you're reading his soul. 

It feels as though you're watching all of the agony he went through all this time. 

"I'm s-so sorry I forgot," you choke out, "I'm sorry I d-didn't remember you."

Jungkook shakes his head and smiles at you so softly it breaks your heart, "You came back to me, that's all that matters now."

"I'm n-never leaving again," You promise, lifting your hand and linking your pinky with his. 

After he wraps his pinky around yours and seals the deal, he pulls you into another kiss. 

Taehyung quickly brushes under his eyes before anyone can catch the few tears that escape as he fights a smile. 

I knew you'd come back, ____.

__________________________________________

4 months later...

"Come on, hurry up, slowpoke."

You grumble at Jungkook's words as you climb the rocks going up the cliff. 

"Y-you did this l-last time," you huff and puff grumpily as Jungkook laughs, "There's a p-path and you a-always make me cli-climb this."

Jungkook reaches down and takes your hand, pulling you up the last few feet, "This is more exciting though, don't you think?"

You can't help the smile that spreads on your face as he winks at you. 

Looking around, you sigh happily, not so irritated now that you're at the top and get to look at the gorgeous view. 

"H-Has it really b-been so long?" You muse, walking over to the edge and looking out over the water, remembering the day Jungkook took you here for the first time. It's still hard to believe he was planning on killing you here. 

Jungkook smiles at the sight of your hair blowing in the wind, just like it was back then. 

Feeling his arms wrap around your waist, you let yourself relax into him as you watch the sunset; gold and pink clouds splattered across the sky. 

Jungkook tucks his face into the juncture between your neck and shoulder, "Love you, sweetpea," he mumbles before leaving a sweet kiss there. You smile and rub his hands that rest on your hips, "L-Love you too, s-silly."

He inhales deeply, breathing in your sweet scent and sighing happily. 

"Do you think Pumpkin and Yin are behaving?"

You laugh quietly, "They l-love Tae, Yeona too. I'm s-sure they're being good."

Feeling his tickly breath against your neck, you giggle. 

Jungkook smiles and kisses your neck once more before pulling away. 

You pout and turn to him, "W-why did stop?"

He visibly gulps and you look at him in concern, "H-Hey, are you okay?"

Nodding, he puts a hand in his pocket as he gulps again.

You're about to ask him what's wrong when the words get stuck in your throat as he kneels on the ground and gently takes your hand. 

You can feel his hand shaking slightly. 

"J-Jungkook..."

He pulls his other hand from his pocket, and you see a small black box. 

Your heart races as he looks up at you. 

"____...I-"

It's your turn to gulp as he pulls himself together enough to say what he's been wanting to say for so long. 

"My entire life, I was always searching for a way to be whole. I could never even imagine loving myself, let alone another person," Tears brim in his eyes as he squeezes your hand gently, "I never thought the person I would fall so deeply in love with would be you. And through loving you, I grew to learn how to love myself too."

You resist the urge to wipe the tears from your eyes. 

"I thought loving someone meant growing up, but that isn't what happened with you. I became a kid again and I've gotten to love you with no conditions, no strings attached, no worries to hurry and grow up. I can love you with everything I have and not worry that either of us will ever need something more."

Breathing out shakily, Jungkook opens the little box and you see the ring he's kept with him for so long, your heart pounding frantically. 

"All I want, all I need in this world is you, ____."

You cover your mouth with your hand so you can muffle the cries threatening to come out. 

"It took long enough for us to get here, and I don't want to waste any more time. I want to always be with you, spend every waking moment making you smile, drying your tears, and battling whatever fears come your way. I want to give you the life you deserve."

A soft cry falls from your lips as you nod excitedly at the silent question in his pleading eyes. 

He slips the ring on your finger carefully as his hands shake, a tear slipping from his eye when he sees that it fits perfectly. 

Jungkook stands up and pulls you into a gentle kiss, then he pulls back and smiles softly, "I want to live for what I love."

Remember, only give this precious gift to the person you fall in love with. It has magical powers and you will be together forever if you give it to them! Don't laugh and just believe me, okay?

You'll be okay, Koo.

Tag list; @hopekookies ​ @moonchild1​ @barbellastyles98 ​ @teresaisla ​​ @ggukkieland​ @scuzmunkie​​​ @jaebeomsblackgf @sugaslittlekookies​​​ @moon-asia​​ @bangtannie7​​​ @yoonchrisgull​​​ @njkbangtan @dlwrlmajaykay​​​ @higashikatasgf​​​ @sweetonkookieandtae @voidswan-recs​​​ @sadxaries​​​ @shadowmoon21​​​ @jinfused​​​ @taehyungiev13​​​ @gaeguuliii​​ @kimnamjoonluvbot​​ @jungkooook @mutterseelenalleinn​​​ @surilirani @patpus​​​ @yukiehyukie​​​ @crypticsabbat @ohyeahjk​​​ @steffiiirose @the-falling-star​​​ @telepathytae​​ @erenkook-blog​​​ @rosiekoo​​​ @neverthefirstchoice​​​ @bubbless-world​​​ @yeow6n​​​ @purpleunicorn051​​​ @canarystwin​​​

#jeon jungkook #jungkook fluff #bts fluff #bts reactions #bts angst #jungkook angst #bts #bts fanfic #jungkook scenarios #jungkook fic #jungkook smut #bts jungkook #kim taehyung #kim seokjin #min yoongi #jung hoseok #park jimin #kim namjoon #bts smut #hitman!jk

[hritika13-tamboli]

J𝑒𝑜𝑛 J𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑘𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑠 2...

Series :

Day by day @hansolmates

Summary : a series of drabbles about two best friends raising a child together

Aim for the heart @writemywaytoyourheart

Summary : Jeon Jungkook is an infamous hitman, known for his inability to fail at whatever job is thrown his way. At least, up until now. Y/n, a kind-hearted and full of life teacher, is his newest target. Jeon isn’t sure who would put a hit on this seemingly innocent girl, but fortunately, that isn’t his problem. All he has to do is pull the trigger.

Bedeviled @writemywaytoyourheart

Summary : Money. Fame. Power. Love. Health. Courage. Strength. Humans will trade their souls for anything, unaware of how their selfish desires will fade away as they do; growing feeble and pathetic, until there's nothing left but the ghost of their youth, cowering in a corner until old age disposes of it.  Convincing yourself to go to the Underworld? Easy... Walking through to get something that you've waited many years for, accompanied by a demon that will stop at nothing to make sure your soul belongs to him? Maybe not so much. Making deals with the devil is a tricky business; one you might not have realized could end in something much more painful than death itself if you make a single mistake.

Animal - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 @cutaepatootie

Summary : “I don’t want to go without telling something.” The girl frown looking at the old man “What do you mean, Mr. Jeon?” “I don’t want to die without telling someone about her,” he says, his voice softening when he says ‘her’. “I don’t want to disappear without the world knowing about her and what she did for me.” “About her?” the girl frowns. Maybe his daughter? His sister? The man turns his head and faces the girl, a soft, distant smile plastered on his lips. The gesture is nostalgic, sad, almost loving. “Y/N,” he murmurs, the name rolling off his lips softly, just as softly as the waves of the sea roll over the sand. “Her name was Y/N.”

Into the woods @junqkook

Summary : getting hurt and stumbling upon a goblin in the forest leaves you completely at his mercy, though you aren’t sure if that’s necessarily a bad thing.

One-shot :

The habits of the broken heart @softykooky

Summary : jungkook and you are soulmates. so says the matching crescent moons on both your wrists. however, things are never as easy as they seem, and you are quick to learn that falling in love with someone who does not believe in love is a one-way ticket to heartbreak.  alternatively, “You still are, you know. Worth it.” You release a shaky breath. “But I was stupid to think that I am too.”

Something in the heir @hisunshiine

Summary : The king of your empire will be leaving soon to head off to fight against Soiros, a foreign enemy, and his seven knights of the order of Bangtania will lead the way. One of the seven, Jeon Jungkook, with his dark eyes and easy smile, is someone you long for. Children believe he has slain dragons, and adults think he’s killed over one thousand Soirian soldiers. Everyone thinks he is a heartbreaker, making his way through every unwed wench in the land...but all he wants is you.

Miracle of the season @cybrsan

Summary : Cast out of Heaven after a painful betrayal, you find yourself having to navigate the intricacies of human life without any guidance from the Creator or the family you have always known. Things only get worse as the holiday season reaches its peak, with reminders of the life you left behind everywhere you look. When a familiar face pops up, you aren’t sure whether to consider it a blessing or a curse.

Amortentia @jungkxook

Summary : jungkook loves everything strawberry but the simple pleasure is always kept hidden, stowed away as if some hideous secret to protect the rumours that had built up around him — until a love potion outs him.

Black magic   @hansolmates

Summary : a witch with an ambition for learning, you stumble across a crushing spell in the middle of the forbidden section. of course you have to try it out! what happens when the crushing spell not only has jeon jungkook crushing on you, but you crushing on him?

(Un)crushed    @hansolmates

Summary : you’ve liked jungkook for the longest time, but you believe it’s time to cut the cord—literally 

What's wrong?  @oddinary4bts

Summary : Reader overhears Jungkook talk to his friends and mention how she’s always clinging on to him and doesn’t let him breathe sometimes and that she’s annoying because she’s too loud and energetic. When he comes back home she acts the complete opposite and tries to avoid him without letting him know what’s going on, until he realises that he actually prefers her clingy and loud🥺

High demand @bunnyhugs77

Summary : modern day Romeo and Juliet

Coin toss @yoondoze

Summary : you and jeongguk go way back, even before you were the menacing duo many knew you to be, even before he brought you into the mafia and left you there to join the city’s detective agency. a call for cooperation comes out of a common enemy, requiring the two of you to reconcile for one last mission.

#bts ff recs #jeon jungkook #angst #smut #fluff #jeon jungkook ff #jk #jk ff #jungkook ff #jeon Jungkook recs #jungkook recs #jungkook fic recs #jungkook x reader #jungkook #btsff #bts #hitman jungkookff #devil jungkook #dad jungkook #angel jungkook #witch au #bts series #bts oneshot #witch jungkook #bts jungkook #goblin au #goblin jungkook #hitman au #angel au #jungkook masterlist

[yarrayora]

a meme from twitter

current favorite: shirota mahiru from servamp. where else can you have canon that textually says "actually his shounen protag heroism stems from abandonment issues and suicidal tendencies" ...probably shirou emiya from fate but if you can't handle nasuverse fanservice please try servamp

comfort character: arago hunt from arago. this one is hard because i don't really use the term 'comfort character' lol. but anyway arago is the reason i have my current group of friends so he's comforting i guess?

by design: sawada tsunayoshi from khr. after many commissions including armors from fire emblem and ffxiv i started enjoying figuring out how to draw khr's jewelries. also it's always satisfying when i managed to pull off his hair

by plot: koyama haru from jk haru is a sex worker in another world. i was tempted to draw mahiru again but haru needs more love. the plot revolves around deconstructing the usual misogynistic isekai power fantasy by narrating it through the eyes of a prostitute

guilty favorite: akashi kaoru from zettai karen children. a child of prophecy who will destroy the world because the world is a cruel place for people like her... can the bonds she creates as she grows older saves her from that lonely fate? she is also a grade schooler who loves acting like a perverted middle aged man lol.

all time favorite: jamie bennett from rotg. the alpha and omega. the origin. the reason im so into plain looking brunets.

#servamp #arago #katekyo hitman reborn #jk haru wa isekai de shoufu ni natta #zettai karen children #rise of the guardians #shirota mahiru #arago hunt #sawada tsunayoshi #akashi kaoru #koyama haru #jamie bennett #mahiru shirota #tsunayoshi sawada #kaoru akashi #haru koyama #yarra draws stuff

[keirientez]

a draft that ill never finish so ill post it here

#man i hate making commitments but istg ever since i lost my wacom stylus i cant do shit #which has been 7 months. my skills have been locked up in prison or sth #but anw. context for this was supposed to be hitman’s kiss #but i changed the idea midway for it and it turned into its own thing. but yeah the prologue was tsuna kissing onto the CZ75 barrel #you can think of the dialogues on ur own or yk. think of it and send me an ask. and i might just finish this (definitely not baiting you) #hahahaha jk but what if. haha jk but still. still #katekyo hitman reborn #r27 #sawada tsunayoshi #reborn #fan art

[squea]

Just wanted to let you know that I'm still using soft eyes by squea and you can pry them from cold dead hands. I've explored other eyes options and none of them have been able to hold a candle to soft eyes by squea.

you......... when i get my hands on u.......

#and the thing is u make them look GOOD! #sending a tumblr hitman to terminate ur blog then youll see #jk thanks for always loving them even tho ur wrong! #squestions

[meavitamin-notes]

day 72: haha im back :,D

all days

#oh look it's ___ #katekyo hitman reborn #sawada tsunayoshi #khr #IM DONE WITH COLLEGE AAAAHHHHHHHHH #off to become a struggling artist™️ #jk hoping to make (web)comics and open an online store :DDD #WOOOO OKAY I HAVE LIKE. 20 DAYS OF TSUNA TO MAKE UP LMAO

[ellenchain]

Lucas being an absolute dog lover is immediately being adopted into my belief system. They love him unconditionally and he loves them back just as fiercely. Which dog breeds do you think Lucas prefers? My vote is for absolutely gigantic breeds.....that shed a lot. 47 is in a constant battle with dog hair and teaching them not to sleep in their beds. Too bad Lucas and his samoyed, great pyrenese, husky and mastiff can't hear him over the husky's 'talking' and Lucas telling them what good digs they are

I love that!! Because yes - Lucas loves his doggos BIG. Not because they’re more terrifying or intimidating, no, because there is more to hug and to fluff!

I can imagine that he loves to take long walks with them, going on little adventures and have fun throwing sticks

And of course they all sleep in Lucas' bed, where else are they supposed to sleep?? In their super expensive dog beds 47 bought? Or in the shed outside of the house?! That’s almost considered animal cruelty, so no, the babies must sleep next to their daddy

47 can sleep on the couch ♥️

#hitman asks #nah he won’t let that man sleep on the couch jk #but it’s what it is #I love the idea of Lucas being surrounded by huge dogs #and everyone is super happy #except 47 who is covered in dog hair #no more Yves Saint Laurent at home

[dgtn]

Scooter Braun on Instagram: “ It is always fun to witness history. These are the moments. This is a BIG one.”

And Scooter Braun capitalized BIG. Just exactly what do the have in store for us. And of course the actual video has no sound so no sneak peek 😭😭😭.

I am so very excited to see what is in store for us! And Watt has produced music for Justin Beiber. And JK is a big fan of Beiber……Hmmmmm. Just saying….

Good things on their way!

#jungkook #jk #watt #scooter braun #hitman #Instagram

[ririarts]

Tae the mafia boss and jk the assassin AU 🐯🐰

like some of you know earlier this year i ruined this drawing beyond saving and these are the last wips i have of it. I had to sc them from my stories so they were super low quality, i tried my best to fix them even a bit :(

#my art #my artwork #bts art #bts fanart #bts #bangtan #art #artists on tumblr #taehyung #jungkook #jk #v #taekook art #taekook #mafia au #hitman au #Instagram

[seoul-bros]

JK in the recording studio

with Grammy winning producer Andrew Watt (lately working with Iggy Pop, Ozzy Osbourne and Eddy Vedder from Pearl Jam).

Hitman Bang Instagram

The company has BIG plans for Jungkook.

SB IG Story

Post Date: 10/04/2023

#jungkook #jk in the studio #hitman bang #andrew watt #bts #bangtan

[yorugurt]

HAHAHA SHE’s PREPPING TO DO A LOW SWEEP ROUNDHOUSE KICK (NOT THE BEST DANCER SADLY) I never noticed how much khr characters wear dark pants as a default wardrobe choice 😳 TYL!Lambo does though, so maybe she doesn’t stand out TOO badly hehe

(Mission Success, Yoruka has infiltrated the canon??)

I went through the tag and my jaw dropped!! Your oc artworks are SO SO good and you even draw comics and art with backgrounds I’m still gushing—! Honestly it looks canon from the manga standpoint too—I’m so convinced ���

And don’t worry, I wrote the wiki + fanfic series because I’m more of a writer than an artist 🥲 Time to reblog them from my other khr blog >:)

@kinoshitayuri

#khr oc #katekyou hitman reborn #khr #家庭教師ヒットマンreborn! #katekyo hitman reborn #katekyou hitman reborn oc #maybe we can gush our ocs together via pm haha…. jk…. unless? #I love yuri already🥺 #you obviously work very VERY hard too!!

[writemywaytoyourheart]

Aim For The Heart | Chapter 33: The Price I Pay

Pairing: hitman!jungkook x female reader

Genre: romance, drama, angst

WC: 18.8k

Warnings for this chapter: strong language, compulsive lying, unhealthy coping, misunderstanding, panic attacks, past abuse, seizure, mentions of past murders, mentions of past death, mention of fatal gun wound, ANGST, a lot of blood, knives, murder, physical violence, detailed descriptions of said violence, this is some sad shit u guys be prepared. pls tell me if there is anything i missed and need to mention for triggers.

also, im sorry, pls forgive me. 

*This chapter gets heavy guys, pls look at the warnings and read only if you won’t be triggered.*

summary; Jeon Jungkook is an infamous hitman, known for his inability to fail at whatever job is thrown his way. At least, up until now. Y/n, a kind-hearted and full of life teacher, is his newest target. Jeon isn’t sure who would put a hit on this seemingly innocent girl, but fortunately, that isn’t his problem. All he has to do is pull the trigger.

Previous > Next

The sun shining through the windows doesn't wake any of you the next morning.

No one even stirs until almost noon. 

Tae is the first one to come out of it, his mind a groggy mess as he groans and looks around in confusion. 

"Where the hell...?"

He rubs his eyes until the room becomes clearer, along with his memories of why you guys are here. 

"Fuck me," He moans in exhaustion as he drops his head back down onto the pillow. 

Another few minutes pass before he lifts his head and forces himself to look at the clock on the side table between the two beds. 

12:02

"Shit, really?" He grumbles, then he glances over to the bed where you and Jungkook sleep. 

He sees a mess of hair and assumes you're on the side closer to him. 

Jungkook must be closer to the bathroom. 

Tae yawns and stretches his arms over his head. 

What a shit week. 

He sits up and looks over to again see the back of your head and all your unruly hair. He looks further over your shoulder to see Jungkook sleeping soundly, over on his side of the bed, curled up in the covers. 

Taehyung smiles and shakes his head. 

He's not gonna wake you guys up, clearly you all needed the sleep. 

He rubs his eyes and sighs deeply. 

"Tae?"

He startles at the sound of your voice, whipping his head over to see your eyes peeking at him from the bird's nest that is your hair. 

"W-What time is it?" You whisper. 

"A little after twelve," Tae whispers back, not wanting to wake the last of the trio. 

You blink owlishly at him for a minute, he knows you're probably just as surprised that you all slept this long. 

Then you sit up very very carefully, looking over to make sure Jungkook hasn't woken up. 

He hasn't. 

You breathe a sigh of relief and start climbing out of the bed. 

But just as you're halfway out, you see Tae is halfway out of his bed too. 

You both freeze and stare at each other, instantly knowing what the other is doing. 

He shakes his head, "Nah, girl. I woke up first- ____!" He hisses as you bolt out of the bed and make a run for the bathroom. 

You're almost there when he snags your wrist and yanks you back. 

"No, you don't," Tae refuses to let go of your wrist when you try to pull away. 

You glare at him and try to tug loose again, "Let m-me go, I n-need to pee!"

"Yeah? So do I!"

You gape at him when he sticks his tongue out at you, but that just gives him the time to slip around you and make a run for it. 

"Tae!" You whisper-shout, grabbing his shirt and holding on tight as he struggles to get free. 

"Let me go, you little deviant!"

He finally pries your hands off and goes to run again when he smacks right into something hard. 

Taehyung stumbles back before realizing what it was he ran into. 

Jungkook. 

The last one to wake up is standing there in confusion, arms crossed over his chest as he looks at the two of you acting like toddlers. 

"What the hell is going on?"

You and Tae both start talking at once, pointing accusing fingers at each other like you just got caught fighting over toys and your father is demanding an explanation. 

"T-Tae won't let me use th-the-"

"I woke up first and I was ahead of her and-" 

 "-bathroom and I r-really need to pee!"

"-she tried to cut me in line!"

"And-"

Jungkook holds his hands up, "Shut up, both of you."

You both snap your mouths shut and glare at each other. 

"Tae, what did you say?" Jungkook asks in exasperation, rubbing his temple.  

While they're distracted, you decide to take a chance. 

You're almost past Jungkook when one of his arms shoots out and wraps around your waist, effortlessly lifting you off the ground. 

"Hey!" You grumble. 

Tae laughs as he sees you dangling from Jungkook's forearm, your socked feet swinging in the air. 

"P-Put me down!" You whine. 

Jungkook moves his arm forward and inwards until you're trapped in his chest with his arm caging you in.

You give your best pout as you stare at his chest.

You really need to pee.  

He looks down at you and lifts your chin so that you look at him, his heart fluttering at the messy hair in your face. 

"You don't need to go and be a cheat," He says sternly, but you can hear the fondness in his voice, "Go to the bathroom," He releases you from his hold.

Tae's laughter at you getting in trouble cuts short, "Wait, what?!"

You giggle and stick your tongue out at Jungkook's glowering best friend as you skip around your boy and run to the bathroom. 

"What the fuck you take her side for?" Tae grumbles. 

Jungkook laughs quietly, "You weren't even in front of her."

"How do you know?"

"Because I was awake, dumbass."

Tae reddens at being caught in a lie, "Yeah well, that doesn't make it any better. Why'd you let her go first? She wasn't in front of me either."

"Haven't you ever heard of ladies first?"

"Well damn," Tae mutters, "Might as well go and be a lady, damn."

Jungkook laughs at Tae's grumbling until you come out not too long after going in. 

Taehyung sticks his nose in the air and walks past you, "Humph."

You smile at him as he walks into the bathroom and shuts the door. 

"He's s-so moody," You laugh lightly. 

Jungkook nods, "He's been like that for forever."

You nod, noticing that Jungkook tries to give you a smile, but fails miserably. 

It's quiet for a minute before you hear him speak again. 

"He likes you, you know."

"Hm?" You look up, slightly startled by the unexpected sound of his voice. 

"Tae."

"T-Tae, what?"

"He likes you," Jungkook gives you a small smile, "I just want you to know that."

You nod absentmindedly. 

"H-How do you know?"

"If he didn't like you, he would be avoiding you, not fighting you for the bathroom like a little sister," Jungkook chuckles softly, "People know when he doesn't like them, he makes sure of it. I'm really glad you two get along so well."

You nod again, "Oh, w-well, I'm glad he doesn't h-hate me."

"No one could hate you, ____-..."

Jungkook realizes his words the second they leave his mouth.

You look down at your fingers and wiggle your toes mindlessly. 

"I-" Jungkook clears his throat, "I mean that."

You look at him and he knows what you're thinking. 

If someone didn't hate you, there never would have been a target on your head for more money than your apartment is worth. 

"Not even Dae hated you," Jungkook says, despising the way that name tastes in his mouth, "He's just a psycho bastard that can't take no for an answer."

He sees you staring at the ground again, "I w-wish he hated me," You whisper. 

"____-"

"M-Mina hated me."

Your voice is so quiet that he barely hears you.

His heart pinches in his chest. 

"Mina didn't know what she had until she lost it."

You look back at him again, something twanging in your heart that you've never felt before. 

"Your family didn't deserve you," He whispers, reading your mind. 

You sigh, "It's okay, y-you don't have to r-reassure me."

Jungkook lost his mother and now he's comforting you, it's all wrong. 

He smiles, "I'm just saying what's coming to my mind."

Deciding to move, you walk over and wrap your arms around his waist. 

"Thank y-you," You whisper. 

He just places a tiny kiss on the top of your head in response, his arms circling around you. 

Taehyung comes out of the bathroom and walks past you two, still grumpy. 

He walks to the mini fridge and pulls out last night's leftovers, "If anyone's hungry that's too bad, you can go and find your own food."

You feel Jungkook's chest rumble with laughter, "Alright, ____ and I will go find some fresh food. Enjoy your cold steak."

Tae hesitates as he sets the food on the coffee table in front of the couch. 

Then he sighs loudly, "Fine, you can eat some of the leftovers."

Jungkook gently pushes you towards the couch, signaling you to go get some food. Then he goes to the bathroom.

"I'm gonna take a quick shower," Jungkook calls out to you and Tae as he shuts the door. 

-

The food tastes delicious even after being in the fridge for hours, you wonder how good it would've been when it was fresh last night. 

Tae shovels mashed potatoes into his mouth at record speed and you briefly wonder how the heck he hasn't choked yet. 

"Don't w-worry, I know the H-Heimlich maneuver if you ch-choke," You say calmly as you take a bite of your steak. 

Tae stops for a moment, fork midair and almost in his mouth, a mile-high mountain of mashed potatoes topped with a piece of steak sits there precariously. 

Then he grins, "You'd like that wouldn't you?" He proceeds to shove the whole bite into his mouth and chew vigorously, "Don't stress, you ain't gotta worry about me, babe."

You shake your head with a laugh. 

rrrrrrrring!

You both freeze at the sound of a phone ringing. 

rrrrrrrring!

"Oh, shit that's mine," Tae jumps off the couch and flies to the bed where his phone is tucked under the pillow he slept on. 

"Hello?"

You see his face change as he recognizes who called. 

At first, he looks serious, then his eyes light up a little and a small smile appears, "Really?"

You take another bite of steak, watching him. 

"Fuck yeah, thank you. Can I get them today?"

Looking back down at your plate, you pick at your food as he says a few more things before hanging up. 

"That was Namjoon," he says as he joins you on the couch again. 

"Oh, w-what did he say?"

"He didn't just find the polaroid camera, he found all the photos I told you about, remember?"

You nod with a small smile, "The ones w-with small J-Jungkookie."

"Yeah," Tae smiles brightly, then it turns sad. 

"Um, I know it might seem weird right now because of what happened yesterday," He pokes at the broccoli on his plate, "Jungkook isn't going to mourn like people normally do."

You swallow thickly. 

"He's been terrified of losing his mother since he was like six. Now that it's happened, I don't think it has fully registered in his mind, you know?"

You nod.

"Jungkook is going to deal with it in the way that works for him. When I lost my grandparents, I became angry and hateful. I can't say what Jungkook might do."

The sound of the shower is still going, so Tae doesn't worry that Jungkook might hear him. 

"We need to act as normal as we can even though it's killing me," He sighs, "I knew her since I was six. She was like a mother to me too. But what I need to worry about right now is Jungkook. If I lose my cool, so will he."

You frown. 

They have only ever lived like this, hiding their emotions out of fear for everyone else. 

They don't know anything more. 

Jungkook won't show that he can be vulnerable because he was raised to believe that being anything other than closed-off is weak and weak is bad, Tae won't crumble because he fears Jungkook will follow him. Both of them fully believe that if you are anything but guarded, you will pay dearly for it.

It's a nasty cycle that needs to break. 

But you don't know how to break it. 

-

Jungkook is leaning his shoulder against the wall of the shower. 

It was cold when he first leaned against it, but it's warmed up now. 

He stares at the small shampoo bottle that they give guests, his eyes locked on the flowers covering the label. 

The water is rushing down his back, which always makes his scars feel weird and he hates it. 

But that isn't even on his mind right now. 

He can't think of anything but his mother's face. 

Terror consumes him every time he thinks he might have forgotten what she looked like. 

What she sounded like. 

How comforting her hug was. 

How beautiful her singing was. 

He's scared to not think of her every second he's awake. 

He might forget her. 

She died yesterday, but it almost feels like it was a hundred years ago. 

She died so long ago in his brain, but he still misses her more than ever. 

How is he supposed to live now?

He was living for her.

That was always what kept him going, what woke him up in the morning and made him get out of bed. 

She was always his number one priority, and he knows she would hate that if he had ever told her. 

She was the reason he didn't give up. 

Now what is he supposed to do?

Jungkook sees your face flash in his mind and his heart breaks just a little more. 

He doesn't deserve you. 

He never did and he never will. 

"Fuck," Jungkook mutters, dragging his eyes away from the shampoo bottle as he moves to lean his back against the shower wall. 

He winces a little at the cold touch on his scars when he adjusts. 

His hands move to cover his face. 

Dae needs to be stopped. 

But Jungkook refuses to let it end with him only paying for it behind bars. 

It isn't ever going to end until that bastard bleeds to death from his hands alone. 

Then he needs to go back to Seokjin and Yoongi. 

Shit. 

All of this, and it's going to end with him locked up and his mother gone. 

No matter what happens, that's how this is going to end. 

What is he supposed to tell you and Tae?

You can't live your life waiting for him to get out, he isn't going to let you do that. 

He won't make you run away with him to live your life in fear of getting caught by the police. 

He's going to be arrested and he's going to spend the rest of his life in prison. 

And he needs you to move on from him, to be happy. 

That's all he's wanted for you and all he will ever want. 

And Taehyung...

He sacrificed his entire life for him and this is what he gets for it?

Jungkook's stomach twists with guilt. 

Tae is never going to forgive him for leaving him alone, and he doesn't deserve that forgiveness anyway. 

He doesn't even realize that he's crouched on the shower floor.

He's never going to see you or Tae ever again. 

_____________

"Where did Tae go?" Jungkook asks when he comes out from the bathroom. 

You look over to see his wet hair dangling around his face. 

He's so pretty. 

"____?"

You snap out of it, "Huh?"

"Taehyung left?" Jungkook asks. 

"Oh, y-yeah. He just w-went to get something."

"Oh, ok."

"You sh-should eat something," you say softly, pointing at the food that Tae didn't devour. 

Jungkook rubs his hair with the towel once more before tossing it into the bathroom and walking over to sit next to you. 

"Is it good?" He asks as he stabs a piece of steak with a fork. 

You nod, "Very."

He hums with satisfaction at the bite in his mouth, "You're right."

You smile; it's nice to watch him actually eat something. It feels like forever since you've seen him eat anything even close to a meal. 

Jungkook doesn't notice you watching him chew, he just starts eating faster, reminding you of what Tae was eating like not too long ago. 

Did they get enough food when they were young hitmen? Maybe they had to eat as quickly as they could to get enough of it when they had the chance.

The thought passes your brain briefly before you feel Jungkook touching your thigh and you snap out of it. 

"D-Did you ask me something?" You ask quickly, glancing at his hand that's resting just above your knee then looking at his face. 

You automatically assume he had asked you a question when you blanked out again. 

Jungkook smiles softly and shakes his head, "I didn't ask you anything."

"Oh," Your voice is small in confusion. 

Jungkook goes back to eating, chewing like a rabbit just like always. 

You look back down at his hand that's still resting on your leg and see him start to gently rub your knee with his thumb.

When you glance up at him again you realize he's doing it subconsciously. 

You don't think it's even registered in his brain that he's touching you. 

Jungkook stabs a piece of broccoli and puts it in his mouth. 

The angry look on his face as he chews makes you giggle.

He's so cute. 

He looks over at you, confused at your sudden laughter. 

"What's so funny?" He asks, mouth still full of food. 

"Oh, nothing, sor-sorry," You purse your lips and look away. 

Jungkook stares at you for a moment longer before shrugging and going back to his food. 

-

You and Jungkook toss the last of the trash into the garbage bin, then you sit on the couch again. 

He grabs the TV remote before joining you.

"Why are you so far away from me?" Jungkook asks. 

You look over to see him on the other side of the couch. 

"Y-you sat there, I w-was sitting first," You stick your tongue out at him and turn back to the TV that he had turned on. 

A squeal bursts from your lips when you feel his arms wrap around your waist and he lifts you off your bottom. 

You hadn't even noticed him standing up. 

Jungkook carries you over to the other side of the long couch and plops down, making you sit in his lap. 

Your cheeks burn like crazy at the proximity. 

"You're being a brat," He mumbles into your shoulder, keeping his arms locked around your waist, "Why?"

You gulp, not used to him being so forward like this especially when Tae could walk in at any moment. 

Your heart stops in your chest when you feel Jungkook's lips brush against your neck before leaving a kiss there. 

"J-Jungkook-"

He swipes the hair from your neck and plants another kiss a little below your ear, sending shivers down your spine, "Mm?" He hums, the arm still around your waist tightens a bit more. 

"I-"

Jungkook puts his fingers under your chin and turns your head gently so that you're looking at him, "What's wrong? Too fast?"

You shake your head slowly, not wanting him to stop but also scared for him to continue. 

"What's on your mind?" Jungkook whispers. 

"I- I want you t-to keep going, but I'm sc-scared."

He nods, keeping his eyes on you. 

You've never felt so heard before. 

He hasn't said a word, but you can tell he knows exactly what you're trying to say. 

It's such a relief to not have to struggle with your words to explain what you mean. 

No one has ever given you that before. 

"I'm not going to do anything you aren't comfortable with," Jungkook says lowly, watching you closely. 

You nod, knowing that he would never pressure you into anything. 

It just doesn't feel like the right time for anything right now. You're still trying not to cry over his mother every few seconds and you only ever met her twice. 

His and Tae's way of dealing with stuff is not the same as yours and it's hard to try and shove yourself into that mold so suddenly. 

You heard his heart break yesterday, you felt the agony seeping from him, saw the life leave his eyes.

It has yet to come back. 

Jungkook looks back and forth between your eyes, "You're thinking about her, aren't you?" He asks gently. 

You gulp and nod. 

It's freaky how good he is at reading you. 

He lifts your chin to look at your eyes again when you duck, "Look at me."

You do so and see a deep sadness in his eyes that you could only imagine someone who has lived hundreds of years and lost everything would be able to portray. 

"I'm okay," He whispers. 

He sees your face change, morphing into one of such sympathy and sadness he almost breaks. 

"She's in a better place," Jungkook says, "It hurts like hell, but I'm not going to give up until my job here is done. She did what she set out to do, now we need to do the same."

You nod, still not convinced that he's doing as well as he claims. 

Jungkook has you turn so you're fully facing him, your knees tucked under you as you sit between his legs. 

"I'll cry when I'm ready," He promises, holding his pinky out to you. 

You hesitate for a moment before wrapping your pinky around his. 

Jungkook pulls your hand towards him while your pinkies are locked, making you come forward too. 

You only realize at the last moment what he's doing, so you move your head just enough for him to miss your lips and kiss your cheek instead. 

He pulls back, shocked and faking offense as he looks at you. 

"Alright, you asked for it," He lets go of your hand in order to cup your face. 

"Ah!" You squeal and wiggle away from him before he can kiss you, jumping off of the couch and making a run for it. 

Jungkook catches up to you before you make it very far though, swooping you up into his arms and chuckling at your shrieks of laughter.

Next thing you know, he's literally tossing you onto the bed, your limbs flailing before you hit the mattress with a bounce, your hair falling all into your face so you can't see. 

But you can feel him get on the bed, which scares you enough to be able to get under the covers and hide. 

You feel him tickling you and you wiggle around, "Stop!"

All you can hear is him laughing at your predicament. 

Jungkook finally stops tickling you long enough for you to come out from the covers. 

You peek your head out to see him smirking at you. 

"Y-you're evil," You pout. 

Jungkook pulls the covers off of you and crawls closer, "I'm not evil."

"You are."

"No, you're just being stubborn."

You finally break a smile when he leans forward and kisses your forehead, a sweet gesture that's so soft you almost cry. 

Then he kisses between your eyebrows, then your nose, cheeks, and chin. 

You know what he's doing, but you don't say anything. 

Jungkook pulls back and looks into your eyes for permission. 

You gulp and nod right before he surges forward and presses his lips to yours for a second.

"J-Jungkook, wait."

He pulls away and looks at you. 

"Tae m-might walk in-"

Just as you're saying that, the lock beeps on the hotel door and it swings open, Tae waltzing in with a look of satisfaction on his face as he tosses a satchel he's carrying to the side where it lands with a thump. 

He freezes when he sees you on the bed, your eyes wide as you stare at him. Then his eyes travel higher up to see Jungkook hovering over you, also looking at him in surprise. 

"Uhhh..."

No one moves for a second. 

Jungkook is the first to snap out of it as he moves away from you quickly. 

Taehyung's mouth twists in amusement, "Sorry, dudes."

You drag your eyes from Tae over to where Jungkook is clearing his throat, his cheeks tinted pink. 

"Did I.. interrupt something?" Tae is fighting demons as he tries his damn best not to laugh. 

Jungkook's face immediately turns irritated as he gives Tae a look. 

"I said sorry, I didn't know y'all were gonna jump each other's bones while I was gone-"

"Shut up, you idiot!" Jungkook barks, climbing off the bed. 

"Ok, ok, ok," The eldest holds his hands up in defense, "I don't know why I'm being growled at, damn. I wasn't the one locking lips-"

You gasp as Tae ducks just in time to miss a swing from Jungkook's fist. 

"Damn, JK! Calm down!" Tae laughs and runs around the younger, narrowly escaping as Jungkook turns to glare at him. 

"It was a joke, it was a joke!" 

Tae shrinks back onto his bed when Jungkook steps closer. 

The sight has a laugh bursting from your lips. 

Usually Tae is the intimidating one, but you guess he pushed Jungkook's buttons a little too hard this time. 

"I'm gonna kick your ass next time I've got you alone," Jungkook points a finger at his idiotic best friend. 

"Oh shit, sounds like a fun time, I'm in."

"You fucking-"

"Ahh, let me go!" 

You're rolling around on the bed, stomach cramping from laughing so hard as you watch Jungkook wrestle Tae, who as it would turn out, is quite the squirmer. 

Taehyung is cackling the whole time while Jungkook seems far from amused. 

Finally, Jungkook has Tae on his stomach, his arms pinned painfully behind his back, "Holy shit," Tae pants with laughter, "This escalated quickly."

You wipe at your eyes, literally crying at the polar opposite looks on both of their faces. 

Jungkook smacks the back of Tae's head in annoyance, pushing his arms up more, just to teach him a lesson. 

"Ow! Shit!" Tae laughs even as he cries out in pain. 

"Shut up," Jungkook snaps, glad he finally won a fight. 

"Yes, daddy."

A scream of laughter rips through you as Jungkook shoves Tae off the bed, "Dumbass!"

Taehyung falls to the ground in a heap of laughter so intense he can't even get a breath in. 

"Fuck, I'm sick you, you fucking shithead," Jungkook steps over him and walks to the bathroom to splash water on his face. 

He's got to calm down or he'll really snap Tae's neck. 

Your stomach is seizing up from how hard you're still laughing, looking at Tae rolling around on the floor and crying from his own laughter, tears streaming down his face. 

Jungkook dries his face off and steps out to see you and Tae extremely red in the face as you both struggle to breathe. 

A smile tries to fight its way onto his face, but he smothers it. 

"Idiots," He mutters as he runs a hand through his hair.

Taehyung finally settles down enough to pick himself up off the floor and get onto the bed, his face still a shockingly unnatural color as he fans himself to cool down. 

"Shit," He pants, "I've never laughed so hard in my fucking life, holy fuck."

You've got your face stuffed into a pillow, forcing yourself to take deep breaths and stop laughing. 

"Ow!" Tae exclaims suddenly, looking down at his abdomen in a panic, "Ow, it hurts."

He stands up and turns away from you and Jungkook to lift his shirt and look at his stomach. 

"I think I gave myself a hernia," His voice is laced with such concern you find yourself slapping a hand over your mouth so as not to laugh again. 

Jungkook scoffs, "Serves you right, fucking dipshit."

You're trying so hard not to cackle that you find yourself crossing your legs and humming, just like you used to do when you did yoga to calm down. 

Anything will do at this point. 

Tae looks over at you, then looks at Jungkook, then back at you. 

"The fuck you doing?"

You open your eyes to see them both staring at you.

"Anyway," Tae says slowly, "I-"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you," Jungkook interrupts him without thinking, "I need to go somewhere today."

You uncross your legs and look at him curiously. 

"Where?" Tae is the one to finally speak. 

"I just need to get something," Jungkook brushes it off, "But I'm gonna go soon, I don't want to waste any more time."

"Do you want us to-"

"No," Jungkook is quick to say, "I'm fine."

"Ok," Tae reluctantly agrees. 

You don't know what to say. You're anxious about him going out, especially alone. After everything that's happened, you don't want the three of you to split up anymore. It seems like bad things always happen when you do. 

No one moves for a second, then Jungkook snaps out of his thoughts and moves for the door, "I'm just gonna go now, I'll be back soon."

Neither of you say a word as he slips his shoes on, grabs a keycard and his motorcycle keys, then he's gone. 

The sound of the door shutting somewhat loudly, is what breaks the silence in the room. 

"That was weird," Tae mumbles, looking at the door with a frown. 

"You d-don't think he's g-go-going to do anything dangerous, do you?" You ask worriedly. 

Tae shakes his head, "No, he's smarter than that. I just don't think he should be alone after what happened yesterday."

You nod, eyes downcast. 

It feels like he just keeps running away, moving further and further from you each day.

You wish you could help him like he's helped you all this time. 

Part of you is afraid that he's never going to let you in. 

-

Jungkook opens the door to his old house, glancing left and right to make sure that there still isn't anyone watching him.

When he goes in, he heads straight for the back towards his old room. 

He immediately sees the small green safe in the corner of the room and walks over to it quickly, moving to his knees to unlock it. 

-

You feel the weight of Tae sitting next to you on the couch almost half an hour after Jungkook left. 

You look over to see him holding the satchel he came in with. 

He reaches into it and pulls out an old polaroid camera, handing it to you before reaching into the satchel again. 

You turn it over in your hands, inspecting it carefully. 

It feels so weird to hold something you know they held when they were so young. 

"____."

You look over and see Tae holding a bunch of photos.

Setting the camera down next to you, you lean closer as he tilts the photos towards you. It's almost like you can feel the smile radiating off of him as he shows you the first picture. 

It's of Jungkook sitting in a chair, facing a vanity, his reflection making your heart ache. 

Taehyung is clearly behind him in the mirror, but it looks as though Jungkook doesn't know that he's taking a picture. 

The young boy seems to be in the middle of saying something, too distracted by the conversation to even see the camera in his friend's hand. 

"He's s-so small," You whisper, tearing up already. 

Tae nods, "He was sixteen here. We were talking about a hit Namjoon gave us, it was the first time we were going to be far from Busan. We were really nervous and excited," You can hear the emotion in his voice. 

Taehyung goes to the next picture, "Ah, this was when Namjoon threatened to ground us both for accidentally setting the shed in the backyard on fire."

You chuckle, "How d-did you manage th-that?"

He shrugs, smiling at the picture of Namjoon shaking his finger in Jungkook's face. 

"We were idiots."

"W-were?" You ask slyly, making Tae laugh. 

You look back at the photo and smile at Jungkook's wide eyes, "His eyes h-have always b-been huge, I g-guess."

Tae chuckles, "Yeah, definitely. And this was when he was growing into them too, he was sixteen here as well."

The next photo is of Tae hanging on Jungkook's shoulders, laughing about something. Jungkook's shy smile makes your chest all fuzzy as Tae tells you about what was happening. 

"I hadn't known Joon hyung took the picture until a few years later. He broke his own rule... I think Jungkook might have been seventeen here. This is one of the few memories I have of Kook smiling ever since the first hit..."

"W-What made you guys l-laugh?"

Tae furrows his brows, "You know, I don't remember..."

For some reason, that hits you straight in the heart, a piercing pain that makes you almost physically wince. 

He moves on to the next one, "Oh this is one of my favorites," Tae's smile grows as he shows it to you. 

Jungkook has on a winter hat, the puffball at the top covered in snow and his eyes looking at a huge icicle almost dreamily, one of his gloved hands raised as he points at it. 

"It was so fucking cold that day," Tae reminisces, "We had a hit that morning, it was over and done with quickly, but Namjoon had told us he couldn't get a ride for us to get back because of a blizzard that was coming, so we had to walk to a motel that was five miles away."

"Oh, g-gosh," It's almost like you can feel the chilly air through the photo. 

"Jungkook was pissed, and I was pissed and we were frozen at this point, we were probably about halfway to the motel," Tae bites his lip, "Then we saw this massive icicle hanging from a tree branch. Jungkook looked so enchanted by it that I couldn't help but get a picture. I was lucky I'd randomly thought to bring the camera."

You swallow thickly, "I'm gl-glad you did."

The look on sixteen-year-old Jungkook's face is something far from anger, it looks almost like he forgot what he was doing at the time, only focusing on the beauty in front of him. 

It hurts to look at but also brings a warmth to your aching heart. 

He doesn't look like someone that had murdered someone not too long before the photo was taken. He doesn't look capable of something like that. 

Tae moves on, "I think you'll like this one."

He hands it to you and you bring it closer to your face. 

Jungkook is sitting crisscrossed on the floor of the same room where the vanity picture was taken, and in one of his hands is a bowl of something, a spoon in his other hand that's being lifted to his mouth. 

His gaze is focused on something outside of the frame. 

You smile sadly, "W-What is he looking at?"

"The TV," Tae says quietly, "We used to watch this weird kid's show that came on one of the only channels we got. I don't even remember what the fuck it was called. But it always seemed like it calmed him down when we watched it."

You run your thumb along the picture, trying not to cry at his zoned-out look. 

"He was fifteen," Tae informs you gently. 

You nod. 

"He's s-so little," A frown paints your features as you start to notice how small he actually was. 

Tae nods slowly, "This was when he finally started eating better."

You look at him, "W-What?"

"He couldn't stomach a lot of the food for a while when we first did hits regularly, couldn't stomach the fact he was a hitman."

Your own stomach turns at the thought. 

"He was always small," Tae whispers, handing you the next photo. 

You take it and see Jungkook lying on a bed, reading a book.

He looks almost sickly. 

"He was fourteen in that picture. His father didn't feed him a lot," Tae swallows, "Like I said the other day, from when he was six until he was thirteen, he got most of his food from me."

Your heart feels like it tears into two at the reminder. 

Looking at Jungkook now, you would have never suspected that he was malnourished as a child. He has so much muscle on him and he's tall too, nothing even close to the kid in this snapshot from the past. 

A single tear slides down your cheek as you gently touch Jungkook's sweet face, running your finger over it and wishing he never had to suffer.

After going through all the pictures, it almost feels like you could physically see Jungkook's personality change. He was small, innocent, and afraid at the beginning, and with each picture; he seemed to grow harder, angrier. 

It hurts to see it. 

You can't imagine what Tae felt like, seeing his best friend go through that. But then again, Tae went through the same thing, so maybe it wasn't as jarring for him as it looks in the photos. 

Your heart aches for them, especially because there is nothing you can do to fix it. 

Taehyung slips the photos back into the satchel and takes the polaroid camera back to put it with the photos where it's safe. 

"Thank y-you, for showing m-me."

He nods with a smile, "You're welcome."

__________________

Jungkook grabs what he needs from the safe, then he makes his way back out of the bedroom and through the empty house. 

rrrrrrring!

For the first time in the past few months, the sound of his work phone ringing doesn't cause chills to go down his spine. 

He knows who it is. 

Pulling out the phone to see an unidentified number, Jungkook doesn't react. He simply answers it and holds it up to his ear. 

"Hi, Lotus. I wasn't sure you'd answer."

____________________

"Hey, Kook."

Jungkook forces a smile on his face when he sees you and Tae sitting on the couch, watching TV.

"Hey."

"Did you get what you needed?" Tae asks carefully, confused when he doesn't see Jungkook holding anything. 

Jungkook nods, looking at the TV to see some random cooking show. Then his gaze lands on you. You're sitting on the couch, your legs folded up and your hands in your lap as you play with your fingers, avoiding his eyes.

"What did you guys do while I was gone?" Jungkook asks, trying desperately to sound casual. He can tell neither of you fall for it, but at least he tried. 

"Uh, we sat around and talked, and watched TV," Tae gestures at the big screen that's now displaying a man quickly chopping up a bunch of green onions. 

Awkwardness falls over the three of you as Jungkook nods, his lips pursed. 

"Cool."

Tae's eyes slowly look around, not sure what to focus on, "Yeah."

Silence settles around the room, making the tension feel even more tangible, almost like a thick fog that's going to choke all of you to death. 

The sound of a text breaks through the seemingly impenetrable fog. 

Taehyung stares Jungkook dead in the eyes, but the younger doesn't flinch as he looks back at him steadily. 

"I'll be right back," Jungkook says before turning and leaving the room again. 

Taking Taehyung by surprise, you get up off the couch suddenly and stomp towards the door of the room, opening it and letting it go when you step out. 

The door shuts roughly as Tae stares at it, startled at your sudden anger. 

He's irritated with Jungkook too, but he thought that out of the two of you, he would be the first one to snap.

-

After walking for a minute through the halls, you see Jungkook standing over by the couches in the fancy seating area. He's looking down at his phone; reading something intently. 

No doubt the text he just got. 

"Jungkook."

He looks up in surprise at the sound of your voice. 

You sound pissed. 

You look pissed too, marching towards him with a serious face. 

"____, what're you-"

"D-Doing out here? I'd l-like to ask you the s-same thing."

You see him swallow, "I'm just taking care of something-"

"What?" You snap. 

He just looks at you for a second, taken aback by the tone of your voice. 

"It's-...It's nothing you need to worry about, ____-"

"Yeah, I'm- I'm sure."

Jungkook turns the phone off and slips it into his back pocket, "____-"

"Don't l-lie to me," You whisper fiercely, "I've h-had enough of it."

Jungkook's face falls at the angry look on your face, "I'm not lying."

Your eyes narrow more, "Oh r-really?"

He takes a step towards you, his heart breaking a little when you take a step back. 

"I th-thought we were over this," You say quietly, "I thought y-you were done lying."

"I am," Jungkook swallows thickly, "I-"

"Liar."

His chest physically aches at your bitter accusation. 

You stare at each other for a minute, neither of you saying anything. 

"I c-can see right through you," You finally say, "You're lying t-to me."

"Yeah?" Jungkook snaps, suddenly getting pissed off, "You wanna talk about lying?"

He doesn't know why he's doing this, why he always does this. 

Why does he feel the need to sabotage himself just because he's convinced someone will do it anyway?

He moves forward, "You think you're the only one that knows better, ____? I can see right through your lies too, don't even try to act like you're innocent."

Your brows furrow, "What are y-you talking about?"

He scoffs, "You and Tae? You lied to me. Think I really believe you watched TV and talked the whole time? Fucking bullshit."

You look at him in confusion, "What a-are you accusing m-me of?"

"I don't know ____, you tell me."

You take another step back, disbelief clouding your mind. 

He can't possibly think something happened between you and Tae. 

He's just making this up, to get you to forget that he's lying.

Jungkook doesn't flinch, his glare trained on you. 

"Nothing to say?" Jungkook pokes at your silent response. 

That makes something snap in you and you stomp towards him. 

"You're th-the one that makes up lies t-to cover up what you're doing," You seethe, pointing an accusing finger in his face, "You're the one th-that compulsively l-lies."

Jungkook's jaw clenches as you go off, "You li-lied to me, over and o-over again. I've alw-ways come clean. Y-You want to know what w-we did? Tae showed me pic-pictures of you from when y-you were younger."

His face softens at that, realization hitting him, along with the guilt of accusing you. Just because he was mad that you exposed his lies. 

Shit, he's an asshole. 

He can see the tears building in your eyes even as you hide them with anger. 

"How d-dare you accuse m-me of anything more," You whisper, "How dare y-you stoop so l-low just because I c-called you out. B-Because I'm scared f-for you."

The childish light in your eyes is gone, which makes his heart hurt even more than it already had. 

"____-"

"No," You snap, "My reasons f-for lying were to pr-protect you, in case you d-didn't want to relive the past. W-What are your reasons?"

He stays quiet. 

"N-Nothing to say?" You throw his words right back in his face.

After another beat of silence, you look back and forth between his eyes, "You d-don't deserve m-my trust." 

Jungkook swallows, "I-..."

You hate that he's made you angry with him, after everything that's happened. He just lost his mother, the last thing you want to do is be mad. But the fact that he won't stop lying and doing things that can cause him to get hurt, kindles a flame in your gut that you can't extinguish. 

It’s as if anger is a mask for the fear.

You glare at him for another second, then you turn to walk away. 

But Jungkook grabs your wrist before you can get very far. 

"Wait-"

"Let m-me go!" You yank your wrist from his grasp, ignoring his hurt look. 

When you turn again, you feel his hand on your arm, "____, please-...don't walk away."

Your heart feels like it's bleeding, but you push his hand off anyway. 

"D-Don't touch me," You try to breathe, willing yourself to calm down. 

What has happened to you?

You used to be the most forgiving person, you never thought ill of anyone, no matter what they did to you. 

You know he's hurting, but it's almost like you can't stop the anger that's planted itself in your heart. The fear and anger are in control right now, and it honestly scares you. 

Jungkook sees you look back up at him after a minute, your eyes full of bitter tears, an ache behind them so deep it takes his breath away. 

The only thing going through your head is how wrong you were. 

You were so so stupid. 

Living in this stupid world like there wasn't a single thing to worry about. 

"You're different," Jungkook says slowly, pain clear in his voice. 

You shake your head, "I was j-just shown how cr-cruel this world really is," then you turn and march back down the hall, your steps soundless since you've only got socks on, having rushed out of the room to follow him. 

After a second, he goes after you. 

He's not going to lose you, not like this, not because of his careless tongue and self-destructive idiocy. 

"Leave m-me alone, Jungkook," You huff, determined to get to the room without him stopping you. 

"____, please," He says as he catches up to you, "Please let me explain."

"No th-thanks, I'm tired of this g-game."

Jungkook snags your wrist again, making the anger boil over inside you. 

You whip around to give him a mouthful, "I sa-said don't t-t-t-to-to-touch-..."

Confusion clouds your brain as you stumble, losing your balance for a second. 

"Whoa, hey, hold on," Jungkook takes your arms as you shake your head. 

"D-do-don't touch me," You mumble, your words starting to slur together as you falter again. 

Jungkook sees the unfocused look in your eyes as you blink rapidly. 

"____, listen to me, you need to sit- fuck," Jungkook keeps a hold of you when you start to go limp. 

"Shit," He carefully lowers you both to the ground, still holding you gently, "____, you still with me?"

He doesn't get a response, but he wasn't really expecting one. 

Jungkook sighs, keeping you cradled in his arms as he sits in the middle of the hallway. 

Your back is pressed to his chest, his arms wrapping around you protectively as your muscles start to spasm a little. 

He swallows the lump in his throat before sighing shakily, "You're okay," He whispers, "I'm right here."

Jungkook kisses the top of your head, his eyes welling up as he gently caresses the back of your twitching hands. 

"You're okay." 

Only a minute passes before he feels you start to come back to your senses. 

Neither of you says anything for a minute. 

You just sit there, staring blankly at the wall across from you, even though you know the seizure is over. 

"I'm t-tired," You whisper after a bit. 

"I know," Jungkook whispers against your hair, his voice breaking, "I'm sorry."

His arms tighten around you for a second, "I'm a fucking idiot, I shouldn't have said those things back there."

You don't say anything, too drained to think about what to say. 

The feeling of him rocking you slightly brings a rush of comfort over you, "I didn't mean any of it," Jungkook says, his voice thick with guilt, "I was just mad. I'm so sorry, ____."

You nod, acknowledging his apology but still far too wiped out to do anything more. 

He continues to rock you gently back and forth, keeping your tired body upright in his arms. 

"I know it feels like this world is nothing but cruel," Jungkook says quietly, "But you taught me that there's more than that."

"I th-think maybe I was wrong," You whisper weakly, a single tear rolling down your cheek. 

Jungkook holds you a little tighter, "Please don't say that."

You continue to stare at the wall, wondering why you're fighting so hard. 

What's the point?

"It's just a bump in the road," He says, "But we're together, and it'll be better because of that."

"How can w-we be together?" You ask slowly, "There's s-so much that's always trying t-to rip us apart."

"Exactly. So much that's trying to rip us apart. It hasn't worked though," Jungkook assures you, his thumb rubbing the bracelets on your wrist that match his. 

You're not so sure. 

He's still lying to you. 

He hasn't stopped. 

Nothing beautiful and strong can be built on so many lies. 

You say nothing though, not wanting to fight with him again. 

Choosing not to speak anymore, you just lean back on his chest, resting your head and letting your eyes close. 

You don't care that you're in the middle of the hallway, it's not like anyone goes around much up here anyway. 

_____________

Taehyung keeps his eyes glued to the man stuffing dumplings on the TV when the door opens a little while later. 

He can see out of his peripherals that you go into the bathroom and close the door. 

Jungkook sits next to him a second later, his head dropping to his hands. 

After a minute, he mumbles, "She had another seizure."

Tae looks over at him, "Is she okay?"

He nods, "For now, but it can't stay like this. She needs to get home; we can't keep running and dragging her around with us."

Taehyung nods, "You're right. So, can we take her back?"

Jungkook sighs heavily, "We don't have a choice. I'm going to meet with Namjoon tomorrow. Can you bring her back for me?" 

"Tomorrow?" Tae clarifies. 

Jungkook nods. 

"Where do I take her?"

"To her apartment," Jungkook says quietly, "I'll let Jimin know to expect you."

"She isn't going to go without you."

"I know, but you need to make her."

"Why? Why not wait till you're done meeting with Namjoon? Then we could all just go together-"

"Because she needs her medicine," Jungkook snaps, beyond stressed out at this point. 

Realization dawns on Tae as he nods slowly, "Ok. I'll get her there, don't worry JK."

_____________

That night, you're lying in bed, facing the bathroom. 

Jungkook slept on this side of the bed last night, but you felt like sleeping here tonight and he didn't mind. 

You can hear Tae and Jungkook whispering about something before someone turns out the lamp on the bedside table and then you feel Jungkook's weight as he climbs into bed next to you. 

An arm wraps around your waist and you feel his breath against your neck, "Is this okay?" He asks softly. 

You nod, "Mhm."

The soft and warm touch of your skin brings a comfort to Jungkook he hasn't felt in a long time. 

He's lost so much; he can't lose you too. 

"What the fuck do you want?"

"I figured you would want a rematch, see who wins this time. Maybe it'll be another tie until the next time-"

"Next time?" Jungkook spits, "I'm going to fucking kill you, you bastard, there isn't going to ever be another next time."

Dae laughs, "You're confident, I like it. Especially since I've seen you at your weakest."

Jungkook doesn't say anything, rage consuming him at the mere sound of this pathetic fuck's voice. 

"I'll send you an address. If you think you can actually beat me this time, I'll be waiting there tomorrow."

The line disconnects as Jungkook clenches his fist. 

He's going to get rid of him once and for all. 

You'll never have to live in fear again. 

Jungkook sighs and pulls you impossibly closer, trying his best to memorize the feeling of your soft body against his. 

He can't lose you. 

"Please forgive me," he whispers when he can tell that you've fallen asleep. 

____________________

"____, would you like some pancakes?"

You give Tae a half-hearted smile and nod, "Sure, th-thanks."

You walk over and sit next to him on the couch, watching silently as he carefully puts a few pancakes onto a plate and hands it to you. 

"Thank y-you," you whisper. 

"You're welcome," Tae says as he hands you the syrup. 

You take it numbly and pour it over the pancakes.

Jungkook comes out of the bathroom a few moments later, "That was fast," he says as he takes a seat on your other side. 

Tae nods, shoving a huge bite of pancake into his mouth and talking around it, "Yeah, the kitchen staff are quick as fuck here."

"Can I have the syrup?" 

You hand Jungkook the syrup without a word. 

"Thanks," he mumbles, pouring it onto his food. 

The pancake feels like it's stuck in your throat with every bite as you try to choke down your breakfast. 

Everything is so wrong. 

To avoid more awkward silence, Tae turns on the TV. 

It's some show where these celebrities are doing different challenges. 

Taehyung laughs loudly as some idol slips and falls on his ass, "Ha! Never liked that guy anyway."

Jungkook and you watch the show quietly, not really reacting to it much. 

After breakfast, you walk over and sit on the bed to check your phone that's plugged into the charger Tae bought last night for all of you to use.  

Seeing a text from Jimin after your phone has been dead for days, you stand up and head for the door. 

"I'm st-stepping out for a s-second," You call to them before leaving and making a straight shot for the sitting area down the hall. 

"She's pissed."

Jungkook sighs at Taehyung's observation. 

"I know."

"She's not going to go; she's going to know something is up. She won't believe that dumb lie."

"Well try to convince her," Jungkook hisses, standing up and walking over to plug his phone into the charger you left. 

"It won't work."

"What do you want me to do, Tae?" Jungkook's voice raises considerably, "We don't have any other options!"

"Yes, we do."

"What?" Jungkook snaps, exasperated. 

"I'll meet with Namjoon, you take her back. I can give you whatever Namjoon gives me, and ____ won't even question going back with you-"

"Tae-"

"-and you won't have to lie to her again."

That makes Jungkook stop for a second. 

Tae knows he got him with that one. 

Then Jungkook shakes his head, "It's for her own good."

"Don't do this, Jungkook. Don't make me lie to her for you, I won't do it. Not again."

"Why do you care so much?"

The older of the two stands up, walking closer to his friend, a look of anger flashing in his eyes. 

"You seem to forget that she's my friend too. You're not the only one that cares about her."

Jungkook's brows furrow at Tae's choice of words as he looks at him. 

"Don't be daft," Taehyung scoffs, "You know that's not what I meant."

"What did you mean?"

Tae grabs Jungkook's shirt, bunching it in his fist as he drags him closer, "Stop acting like I don't care about you," he growls, "Why can't you see that I'm doing this for you?" He shakes him a little, "Why can't you see that?"

"How are you-"

"I won't just stand here and let you ruin shit for yourself!" Tae hisses, "You don't stop lying, and she's never going to trust you again."

"I'm doing this for her-"

"No, you're doing it for you."

Jungkook glares back at Tae's accusatory look. 

"You want her to believe you? Then grow up," It hurts his heart to say this to his best friend, but he needs a reality check, "Stop fucking lying to her. Don't be surprised if she stops coming back to you. And don't be surprised if I stop defending you when she does."

Jungkook gulps and rips Tae's hand from his shirt, "Fine," he spits, "Tell her the truth, I don't give a fuck. Tell her I'm not going with you and that I'm staying to meet Namjoon but get her ass on that motorcycle and back to Seoul. I don't care how you do it."

____________________

"Hello? ____?"

You smile sadly at Jimin's voice, "Hi, J-Jiminie."

"Oh praise the heavens!" Jimin exclaims, "I've been worried sick over here. Your location wasn't showing up for days."

You laugh, "My l-location?"

"Yeah, I figured out how to track your location with your number. But it wasn't working and I was freaking out."

"Why d-do you track m-my location?" The amusement is clear in your voice. 

Jimin laughs, "Maybe because my girl is always being whisked away by two crazy ass dudes that are dark and mysterious and I'd like to know where she is?"

A smile breaks out on your face at his words, "F-Fair enough. I think it probably d-d-didn't work because my ph-phone died."

"Oh, yeah that might explain that...Anyway," Jimin sighs, "When are you coming home? What's going on?"

"I'm c-coming home today," You whisper. 

"Oh, thank God," Jimin cries, "Finally, I can't wait to see you."

"Me t-too," Tears spring to your eyes at the overwhelming week it's been and how relieved you are to be heading home. 

You, Tae, and Jungkook nearly died. 

Jungkook's mother did die. 

You feel like you're turning into something you're not; something bitter and angry.

You don't know how much more of this you can handle. 

"Are you okay?" Jimin asks softly after a moment. 

You sniffle and wipe your nose, "I'm fine."

"Liar," he says gently, unjudging. 

You're not sure why, but that is the one word that makes you break. 

Jimin stays quiet as you cry, trying your hardest not to be too loud since you're in the hallway and anyone could come out and see you at any second. 

"I'm so sorry, ____," Jimin whispers. 

He can hear the sound of your heart breaking through your tears, his own heart ill with worry for you. 

"When will you be home?" He asks when you've calmed down a little. 

"I th-think we're leaving soon," You hiccup, "Tae is t-taking me back."

"Tae is?"

"Yeah."

"Why not Jungkook?"

"They said h-he had to do something r-really quick but he'd be right behind u-us."

"Oh..."

"Yeah, I d-don't believe it either," You scoff and wipe your tears, "He's probably m-m-meeting up with Namjoon or something."

"Why wouldn't he tell you if he was?"

"Be-because that's who h-he is," You say bitterly, one last tear rolling down your cheek and dripping from your chin, "Apparently, I c-can't be trusted with th-the truth."

Jimin sighs angrily, fed up with all the lies and bullshit you've been put through because of those two idiots. 

"I'll be relieved when this is all behind you," he says, his voice low with exhaustion and worry.

"I'm sorry, J-Jimin," you say tearfully.

"What for?"

"For pu-putting you through this."

He laughs lightly, "I can take care of me, ____. You're the best friend I've ever had and I'm glad we reconnected. Nothing can scare me away again."

________________________

"I'll see you in Seoul," Jungkook says quietly to you a few hours later. 

You keep your eyes on the ground, "Sure."

"____-"

"I know y-you're lying, but I w-w-won't ask why. You won't t-t-tell me anyway."

Jungkook swallows, not knowing what to say to that. 

He just wants to keep you safe; he's not going to lose you. 

You feel him take your hands, butterflies swarming your belly even though you wish they wouldn't. 

"I'm sorry," he whispers, finally catching your eye. 

You shake your head, "Tell m-me that when we're b-b-back home."

He knows you're tired of his apologies, and he's tired of having to give them. 

You deserve so much better than he can give you, and that hurts like a fucking bitch. 

But once he gets done with this, it will be better for you. 

You won't have to live in constant fear of Dae getting out and hurting you. 

You can finally start to heal, and that's all he wants. 

Whether he's in that equation or not. 

All he cares about is you finally being free to be who you are and not go to sleep at night wondering how you're going to make it through the next day. 

"I'll be quick," he assures you, squeezing your hands gently, "I just need to meet with Namjoon for a bit."

You nod, knowing now that you had been right in your suspicion earlier and grateful he decided to be honest. 

Jungkook leans forward and kisses your forehead, "I'll be right behind you guys."

"Ok."

He pulls away and walks over to grab his keys and phone, then he calls to Tae, "I'll see you later. Thank you."

Taehyung nods, "Yeah."

He's relieved that Jungkook at least decided to be truthful with you and tell you the truth about how he was going to meet Namjoon. At least now there are no more lies. 

Neither of you suspect Jungkook's true intentions as he walks out the door. 

You both thought maybe he had finally been honest this time. 

I'm sorry, you guys. 

The door shuts behind him and he makes his way down the hall towards the elevators. 

____________________

"Are w-we leaving now?" You ask as Tae walks over to sit on the couch. 

"Yeah," He yawns, "Let's get our stuff together."

It takes longer than you thought it would, only because you suddenly can't find your phone. 

You and Tae are searching the hotel room top to bottom, but your phone is nowhere to be seen. 

"What the fuck?" Tae exclaims as he takes the sheets off of his bed, "Where the hell could that motherfucker have gone?"

You sigh, "I have n-no idea, I was t-t-talking to Jimin before and set it on th-the bed, but now it's gone."

You toss the pillows around, looking under them. 

"Do you th-think Jungkook accidentally gr-grabbed it instead of his?" You ask suddenly. 

Tae thinks for a minute before shaking his head, "Nah, I saw him grab his phone and he didn't have anything else but that and his keys."

You huff and cross your arms, looking around the room. 

Where is it?

______________________________

Jungkook turns off the motorcycle, looking over at the abandoned apartment buildings he's parked in front of. 

How utterly ironic. 

He pulls his keys out and slips them into his pocket before zipping up the thin jacket he picked up at his old house. 

Tae had brought it for him the day he got you out of the school. 

It's been his favorite jacket for years, almost acting as his lucky charm. The chill in the air plays no part in the reason why he's wearing it now. He just wanted a little bit of luck. 

Jungkook swings his leg over the bike as he gets off, standing up next to it as he stares at the dilapidated complex. 

"Please say you'll stop, Koo. Promise me."

His mother's words ring in his head, but he shakes them out. 

"I'm sorry, mom," he whispers as he stuffs his hands into his pockets and makes his way towards the front door that has long since disappeared. 

_____________________________

"I found it!" Tae hollers in victory, holding your phone aloft as he stands precariously on the couch. 

"Ah! W-Where was it?" You cry, running over and taking it when he hands it to you, "Thank y-you!"

"Sure thing. It was under one of the couch cushions."

You make a face of disgust, not wanting to dwell on what else might be under those cushions. 

Taehyung grabs the satchel, where he also puts the charger he bought, then he turns to you. 

"We should go."

You nod. 

Jungkook is probably already on the way to Seoul at this point, seeing as it took you forever to find your darn phone. 

"I'll let Kook know we're on the way," Tae mumbles as he texts him, "Don't want him freaking out because he gets there first."

You walk over and open the door, holding it for Tae as he thanks you and walks out. 

The two of you are just reaching the sitting area when Taehyung groans in annoyance, "Shit!"

"W-What?"

"I forgot my damn wallet," Tae sighs, then he pats his pockets, his eyes wide, "Damn it! I left the key cards in the room!"

You laugh, "I'll g-go get a worker."

You walk towards the elevators as Tae walks back towards the room, grumbling. 

Right before you get to the elevator, you see a worker walking down the hall. 

"Oh, exc-cuse me!" You wave him down and he follows you back towards the room. 

"It happens more often than you'd think," The worker laughs after you explain what happened. 

You see Taehyung standing outside of the room a minute later, a frown on his face as he looks at his phone. 

"I f-found someone!" You call, making him look up. 

"Oh, awesome."

The worker lets you guys into the room, then he goes on his way. 

"Where d-did you leave it?" You ask as you step into the room, looking around. 

When Taehyung doesn't answer, you turn to see him holding his phone up to his ear, a look of concern on his face. 

"W-What's wrong?" You ask quietly. 

"Jungkook isn't answering," Tae says bluntly, trying again, "It's going right to voicemail."

"Did his phone d-die?" 

He shakes his head, looking down to text him again. 

"No, it was charged," he mumbles, "I wouldn't usually think anything of it, but these days, he answers right away. Whether he's with Namjoon or not, he'd answer."

"T-try Namjoon?" You suggest, then you realize he's already doing that. 

He gives you a grim smile and nods, the phone up to his ear. 

"Hello?"

A look of relief crosses his face, "Hey hyung, I was just wondering if you could tell Jungkook to turn his phone on, he's a dumbass."

"Huh?"

"Never mind, can you just tell Jungkook we're on the way to Seoul now?"

"Why would you need me to do that? Tae, I'm not with Jungkook."

"Shit, he already left? That was faster than I thought-"

"Left? Wha-...Tae, what are you talking about?"

You see a look of fear flash over his face as he looks at you. 

"Jungkook wasn't meeting with you today?"

"I haven't heard from Jungkook for a while, Tae. I wanted to give him space because of his mother."

"Ok, thanks."

Taehyung hangs up the phone, then he heads for the coffee table and grabs his wallet, "He didn't say anything to you?" He asks as he walks over to you. 

You shake your head, "He w-was more honest w-with you than me."

Your stomach turns with anxiety as Tae sighs, "Apparently not," he growls. 

"Where did he go?" He mumbles to himself, thinking as hard as he can, "Why would he lie to me? Me?"

That's when it hits you. 

"Oh no."

Tae whirls on you, "What is it?"

"It hurts like hell, but I'm not going to give up until my job here is done. She did what she set out to do, now we need to do the same."

"J-Jungkook, he s-said something the other d-day..."

I'm not going to give up until my job here is done. 

You look at Taehyung, your eyes wide with fear, "I th-think he's g-going after Dae."

"God damn it!" Tae cries, grabbing at his hair, "Fucking fuck!"

It feels hard to breathe all of the sudden, panic surging through you like a massive wave. 

Where could he have gone to meet him?

"W-we gotta go," Tae stutters, "We need to get him."

You nod, hands turning sweaty as you wring them, "How d-d-d-do we find him?"

Taehyung takes a few deep breaths before calling Namjoon again. 

"I need you to find Jungkook," he says the second the elder answers. 

"What's going on, Tae?" Namjoon asks darkly. 

"Jungkook went after Dae," Tae has a hand in his hair, gripping it tightly, "You need to track his location."

-

"I can't find him," Namjoon sighs after a few minutes, "His phone is off."

"Fuck, there must be some way you can track him."

"Did he have anything else with him? Anything he would have kept on?"

Taehyung sighs deeply, "If he turned his phone off, he didn't want us to find him...shit."

When Tae walks back over to you, you look up at him expectantly. 

"Did he say anything else?" He asks seriously, his face void of anything but anger. 

You shake your head, "N-No."

"He had to have let something slip," Tae mutters, running his hand through his hair, "He had to have slipped up-"

"W-wait.."

"What? What did he say?"

"N-Not him...Dae," You whisper, "I'm s-sure Dae came up with th-the location."

You look at Tae with wide eyes, "He l-loves to play with p-p-people. It would n-need to be somewhere that m-maybe linked with Jungkook. It w-would need to be funny t-t-to him."

Taehyung's eyes darken at your words. 

He puts his hand to his head, thinking hard. 

Where could they be?

Where the fuck could they be?

Where would he want Jungkook to be when he killed him? Somewhere it could make his little game more fun...

"I've got it!" Tae hollers, startling you, "Fuck, I think I know."

"Where?" You stand up. 

"The place that started all of this shit," Tae whispers. 

___________________

Jungkook walks through the doorless doorway, his nose scrunching at the rancid smell coming from the old building. 

He brings a hand up to cover his nose, "Shit."

Walking in further, the sound of leaves and broken glass cracking under his feet echoes around the empty lobby. 

Jungkook looks around, refusing to let the anxiety consume him. 

He never thought he would ever step foot into this godforsaken building ever again, as long as he lived. 

Jungkook slips his small frame through the front door after opening it slightly, flinching when it creaks on its ancient hinges. 

He looks around fearfully, fully convinced that at any second a ghost is going to appear in front of him. He can almost visualize the pale face and huge dark eyes staring at him from one of the dark rooms. 

He wants to go home. 

He doesn't want to be here. 

The hitman walks towards the stairs. He knows exactly where they are even though it's been over a decade since he's been here. 

Turning on his flashlight, Jungkook lights his way up the stairs, willing himself not to dwell on the fact that he lied to you and Tae again. 

He hopes you'll forgive him. 

Flinching at the sound he caused by tripping on a stone, Jungkook tries his best to hype himself up. 

He isn't going to call Tae. 

He needs to do this himself; he can't always run for help. 

The young boy takes a few deep breaths before walking up the stairs, the flashlight on his phone lighting the way for him, the beam shaking slightly on the ground. 

"Third floor, third floor," Jungkook whispers, coming to a stop on the level he needs and seeing a big door in front of him. 

He grabs the handle and pulls as hard as he can, panting with exertion as the door slowly opens, inch by painfully loud inch. 

The loud groan of the door on the third floor doesn't even make him flinch as he yanks it open and walks through; letting it slam shut behind him, the sound bouncing around the hall. 

Jungkook walks down the hall with purpose, not stopping to think about the last time he walked these cursed halls. 

Finally, he stops in front of a door. 

3C...

Jungkook wrings his hands, closing his eyes and telling himself not to be such a weakling. Just get in there and do it. 

His small fingers wrap around the doorknob and twist. 

_______________________________________

You follow Tae down the hall, running as fast as you can to keep up with him. 

Taehyung slams his hand on the button, "Fuck, please hurry," he growls at the elevator. He whips his head around, "Where the fuck are the stairs, damn it?!"

You look around, confused at the fact that there really aren't any stairs to go down. 

bing!

Taehyung rushes into the elevator with you right behind him. 

He aggressively pushes the button for the lobby, his foot tapping anxiously on the ground. 

The doors start to close. 

"Anyone stops these doors and they die by my hands," he seethes. 

The doors close and the elevator starts to move. 

Thank you. 

You watch the number go down, trying to keep your breathing steady. 

The number nine flashes above the doors. 

Then the lights flicker. 

You look at Tae, realizing that he didn't even notice. 

He's looking at his phone. 

"Why the fuck is there no service?" He hisses. 

Just as you pull out your phone to check, the lights flicker again. 

Tae notices this time. 

"What the shit-"

A scream leaves your throat when the whole elevator suddenly jerks to a stop, flinging you to the ground. The lights flicker once more before turning off completely. 

There's nothing but darkness and the sound of you and Tae breathing heavily. 

"Oh, God," Tae whispers in horror, "Fuck, no."

Your hands are clamped over your mouth, your whole body shaking violently with fear on the floor of the elevator.

"____, are you alright?" You hear him ask shakily. 

You whimper and pull your hands from your mouth, "Y-Y-Yes, I'm okay."

Then there's suddenly a light shining on you. 

Tae's phone flashlight. 

"It's alright," his voice shakes uncontrollably even as he tries to reassure you, "We're fine. It's just a-...just a-..."

You look over to see him squeezing his eyes shut as he crouches in the corner, "Just a small m-malfunction," he finally grits out, "Easy fix."

You nod even though you know he can't see you. 

You're terrified and the fact that Tae seems to be faring no better is making it a lot worse. 

He's supposed to be the brave one, not you. 

You can't even stop shaking long enough to get a grip. 

"We gotta push the button," Tae finally rasps, "The emergency button."

The buttons that usually light up are completely dark now. 

You don't think the emergency button is going to work. 

"Ok," you whisper. 

But neither of you makes a move. 

You look at him again to see that he's still in the corner, his eyes pinched shut and his whole body trembling slightly. 

You've never seen him so afraid before; it's unsettling. 

You'll just have to be the one to do it...

You look over at the buttons again, only being able to see them because of Tae's flashlight beam. 

Ok, you can do this, ____. 

The fear in your stomach is making your whole body clench up. 

You're convinced that when you move, it'll make the whole elevator drop and fall all the way to the bottom. 

Of course you had to stay on the tenth floor. 

The feeling of being suspended in the air with no idea what's holding this metal box, is horrifying to say the least. 

But you grit your teeth and slowly uncurl yourself anyway. 

You can do this. 

Be brave, for once in your life. 

You start to crawl painstakingly slowly, towards the buttons. 

"Shit, shit, shit," Tae mutters when the elevator creaks. 

You breathe out shakily, forcing yourself to keep going. 

Don't stop. 

Don't stop. 

Don't stop. 

Finally, after what felt like forever, you reach the panel of buttons. 

Your trembling hand reaches up and presses the emergency button. 

But nothing happens. 

You press it again. 

Nothing. 

"Is s-something supposed to h-h-happen?" You whisper. 

Tae nods, "Yeah, did you press it?"

You nod and turn to look at him, "It's not- not working," you whimper. 

He gulps, "Fucking shit."

You curl up beneath the button panel and force yourself to breathe. 

If you hyperventilate, you will pass out. 

A few minutes pass in silence, then you hear Tae clear his throat. 

"I don't think anyone's coming to help us."

You keep your face hidden in your hands. 

"We need to get out of here ourselves," he says, a bit unconvincingly. 

"How?" You ask. 

"I'm still thinking about that," Tae laughs nervously. 

You sigh and pray to whoever might be listening that you two get out and to Jungkook on time. 

-

After a while of trying desperately to call someone and shouting in hopes that someone might hear you, both of you sit quietly, defeated. 

"Why a-a-are you scared of elevators br-breaking?" You ask quietly after a few minutes in silence. 

Tae looks at you, "Well, this right here is pretty shit."

When you don't say anything, he knows you're not convinced. 

"I got stuck in an elevator when I was a kid," he mumbles, looking at his fingers, "My grandpa brought me with him to this big fancy bank. I was so fucking excited."

You listen intently as he picks at his nails, "We went all the way to the top floor, it was one of the coolest views I'd ever seen."

Tae leans his head on the wall, "The elevator was made of glass, you could see everything...I asked my grandpa if I could go ride it again while he was talking to some dude about boring stuff. He said I could, so I did."

You can guess what happened at that point. 

"The elevator got stuck not long after leaving the top floor. It was the scariest thing that had ever happened to me. I was alone and had no way of reaching my grandpa. I kept pushing all the buttons until finally pushing the emergency one...they got me out quickly, but it still fucked with my head."

"I b-bet," you whisper, "I'm s-sorry Tae."

He shrugs, "I can't tell which is worse. I can't see how far up we are, but we also actually can't reach anyone."

You nod, staring at the ground. 

"At least I'm not alone this time."

You look at him to see him smiling at you. 

You smile back, "Yeah."

Silence falls over you again. 

"Do y-you think Dae will h-h-hurt him?" You ask after a while, your tummy turning again. 

Tae shakes his head, "No, he couldn't take Jungkook on. Not even if Kook brought a knife to a gun fight."

"Then w-why are you so sc-scared?" You whisper. 

He closes his eyes, knowing you're aware there's something more going on. 

"Because he promised."

"Hm?"

You see Tae blink, making the tears fade away. 

"The last thing he promised her, was that he wouldn't kill another soul."

Your heart tears into two at his words. 

"I can't let him break his promise," he whispers brokenly. 

After another second, Tae clears throat, "I'm not going to let him," he stands up abruptly, startling you. 

"We gotta get the hell out of here."

______________________________

Jungkook walks into 3C, the stench inside the room somehow even worse than outside of it. 

Looking over the room, his stomach twists with anxiety at the memory of this place. 

Sitting in the far corner across from him, is a pile of splintered wood. 

Jungkook walks over slowly, not trusting his own eyes when he sees the body of a man lying on the pile, a bullet wound in his head and blood spilling everywhere. 

The young hitman stands there for a second, staring at the body in horror. 

Then it fades away, disappearing into thin air as his hands shake slightly. 

The only thing that's left is a decade old splatter of dark blood on the wall. 

It was never cleaned off. 

Swallowing thickly, he takes a faltering step back. 

"Do you like it?"

Jungkook whips around to see Dae standing in the doorway, a smirk on his face. 

Looking him over briefly, he sees that his shoulder is bandaged from when he shot him. 

There's still a look of utter calm in his eyes, far more unsettling than the crazy glint Jungkook had seen in Kihyun's gaze. 

"I picked it out specially for you," Dae singsongs, stepping into the room. 

Jungkook doesn't move a muscle, keeping his ground. 

"You really don't have anything to say? Not even a thank you?" Dae asks with a slight pout. 

"Why the hell would I ever thank you?" Jungkook grits out. 

"Ah, the boy does speak."

Jungkook watches his every move as Dae slowly makes his way into the room. 

"That was a nice trick you pulled last time. Wonderful acting skills."

He doesn't give him the satisfaction of answering him. 

Dae's smirk grows, "Unless.. it wasn't an act?"

A beat of silence passes before a low chuckle echoes off the walls, "So, it was just luck that your buddy showed up after all, huh? Guess you had a lot of that this year, didn't you?"

Jungkook moves to the right as Dae comes closer on his left, keeping a safe distance between the two of them. 

"Oh wait..." Dae's expression morphs into one of mock sadness, "Oh shit, I forgot. How could I be so heartless? Condolences on your mama's passing."

Jungkook's heart seizes in his chest. 

"How utterly unfortunate. My men didn't even need to kill her, she was already dying," Dae smiles at the look of murder on the young man's face, "It's a good thing you didn't shoot your little whore to save a woman that was already gonna leave you."

Clenching his fists, Jungkook forces himself to stay level-headed. 

Dae is trying to fuck with his head. 

He's not going to let him. 

____________________________

"What are y-you doing?" You ask as Tae carefully makes his way over to the elevator doors. 

"What I should've done a long ass time ago," he sighs. 

You see him start pushing on the doors, trying to open them. 

"Oh n-no," You hide your face in your hands. 

"I need you to help me," he pants after a second, "Get that satchel and hand it to me please."

You do as he says, watching as he finds the metal buckle that's on the strap. 

"Can you push from this side?" Tae asks, gesturing at the door. 

You're not sure how much help you'll be, but you nod and join him anyway. 

On his count, both of you push on the door. 

It's difficult because of the awkward side angle you're pushing it at. 

You hear Tae grunting with strain behind you just before the door opens the tiniest bit. 

"Ah!" You shout, "It's o-opening!"

Tae quickly wedges the metal buckle into the door, keeping it open just the tiniest bit. 

"Shit," he pants, "That was harder than I thought it would be."

You nod, trying to catch your own breath. 

After a second, Tae looks through the crack. 

"Oh shit."

"W-What?"

"I can see the ninth floor."

"Huh?"

"I can see the ninth floor," Tae rasps, "The elevator hasn't completely left it yet."

Relief floods through you, but then you frown. 

"How c-come I can't see th-the light?" You ask, looking through the crack. 

To be fair, Taehyung is quite a bit taller than you. 

Tae points and you see a little tiny bit of light peeking through at the top of the crack. 

Oh. 

"The top of the elevator is at the bottom of the doorway," Tae says, inspecting it closely, "Even if we opened the doors, there's not enough space to climb out."

You wring your hands anxiously, "What d-do we do?"

You see him bite his lip for a second, then his eyes light up. 

"____, I have an idea but I need your help."

You nod, willing to do anything to get out of here. 

"I'm going to lift you up to the ceiling-"

"W-What?"

"It's alright," Tae says as he shrugs his jacket off, "I'm not going to drop you, I swear. Jungkook would murder me."

You look at the ceiling of the elevator uncertainly, "Ok," you say slowly. 

Tae kneels on the floor over by the back wall, "Get on my shoulders."

"I d-don't think I can-"

Taehyung looks at you and you can clearly see the desperation in his face even in the dim light shining from his phone. 

"Jungkook needs you, ____."

You walk over, not needing any more convincing than that, "I don't w-want to hurt you."

"It'll take more than this to hurt me," he promises you, gesturing for you to stand on his shoulders. 

You climb onto his shoulders carefully, holding the railing on the wall for support. 

"I c-can't reach- ah!"

You grab at the wall in an effort not to fall when Tae suddenly stands up. 

"W-w-w-w-what do I do now?" You cry frantically, your head touching the ceiling. 

"See if you can loosen any of the ceiling tiles up there," Tae says calmly, which helps your nerves. 

You push at the ceiling, "They w-won't move-" you grunt. 

Then one finally gives way, "Ah! I got it!"

"Hell yeah," Tae sighs, "Push it up and off if you can."

It takes a few minutes of struggling and balance until you've got the ceiling tile off and can peek out into the black void. 

"I s-see the doors to the n-ninth floor!" You cry with relief. 

Taehyung taps your leg, so you look down to see him holding his jacket up to you. 

"Take it."

You grab it. 

"Put it up there, I don't know what's on the outside of this elevator."

You lay it down where the two of you will climb out, praying there aren't any spiders. 

"Ok, d-done."

"Ok, I'm going to jump. I need you to get your ass up there. We've only got one shot at this because it's probably gonna kill me."

You sigh at his words, "Alright."

"On the count of three...One, two, three!"

Tae had crouched for the first two seconds, then he jumps up.

Thankfully it was just high enough for you to get through the opening, struggling to pull yourself up. 

"I'm up," you gasp, clinging to the jacket for dear life. 

You always liked this part in the Toy Story movie, you never thought you'd be living it though.

Thankfully, the elevator is close to the walls, so there's no way for you to fall unless the whole thing falls, taking you with it. 

"Can you get to the ninth floor?"

"Y-Yes, but the doors are cl-closed."

Tae nods, he figured as much. 

"I'm gonna come up," he calls, "Here, catch,"

You grab the satchel he tosses up to you.

You see him climb on the handrail and grab the ledge of the small opening, heaving himself up and through easily. 

"Alright, let’s get the fuck out of here."

_______________________________

"I'm offended that you're not happier about where I chose to meet," Dae pouts, sitting on the floor with his back to the wall, practically lounging. 

Jungkook hasn't moved from where he's been standing this whole time. 

"It seemed fitting you know," Dae says absentmindedly as he picks at his nails, "To end everything for you where it began."

"How did you know-"

"I've got my ways," Dae snaps, looking at the young man in front of him. 

Jungkook clenches his jaw, mentally going through everything he's going to do to this sick bastard. 

"Where are your men?" Jungkook asks calmly, "I'm surprised you're not cowering behind them. Oh yeah, I forgot, they're all dead."

Irritation flickers across Dae's face briefly before he stands up and walks towards Jungkook. 

"You think I don't have more? Silly boy. I have more people working for me than your little friend could handle."

"And yet, you couldn't even handle the three of us," Jungkook shakes his head, "Pretty pathetic, don't you think?"

"Not as pathetic as sweet Mi-Young holding on for so long just to-"

Dae falls right on his ass when Jungkook throws the first punch, blood already trickling from his nose. 

He flinches as Jungkook grabs his collar and drags him closer, "Keep her name out of your filthy mouth," he spits. 

"Or what?"

"Or I'll make it slow," Jungkook whispers sadistically, a crazed look shining in his eyes. 

Dae smiles, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth, "Go ahead."

Jungkook straightens up, keeping his hand locked on Dae's collar as he drags him across the floor and pins him against the wall, making him choke as he tries to get a breath in. 

"Gladly," Jungkook says quietly, pulling a switchblade from his back pocket. 

Dae flinches slightly when Jungkook presses the knife to his throat. 

"I could slice your throat right now and you'd be dead in seconds."

The man pinned to the wall looks between Jungkook's eyes, trying to gauge how serious he is. 

"I've killed people that weren't even half as deserving as you," Jungkook whispers, his face an inch from Dae's, "You seem to forget I'm a hitman. I won't feel an ounce of guilt for killing you this second."

"Then do it," Dae grunts. 

"Noo, no, no, no," Jungkook hushes him, "See, that wouldn't be any fun, would it?"

He moves the knife to a point on his neck, "See, if I cut you here, you'll be dead in less than a minute. You'll bleed out quicker than you can realize what's happening. That's no fun, especially for someone like you."

Dae trembles slightly, making Jungkook chuckle, "You like that, huh? You like games, don't you? Let's play a little game then."

The bloodied man crumples to the floor when Jungkook lets go of him. 

Then Jungkook crouches next to him, "Let's play a game where we see how loud I can make you scream, see how long it takes for you to beg me to just kill you already."

"You won't do it-"

"Wanna bet?"

"____ would never look at you the same, you wouldn't want her to know what you're capable of," A twisted smirk lights up his face. 

Jungkook licks his lips and leans in close, "I don't think you realize. I already lost my mother and I'm going to jail anyway. I'm going to lose ____ and my best friend no matter what happens here."

Dae's eyes widen at his next words, "You shouldn't be so confident around a hitman with nothing left to lose."

Dae gulps, "You don't have it in you."

Jungkook leans even closer, a maniacal glint in his dark eyes, "Let's find out, shall we?"

_______________________________

Taehyung grunts loudly as you both push on the doors, then he bangs on them angrily.

"Someone help us! Fuck!!"

You pant as you continue to slam your fists into the door. 

Finally, you hear something. 

"Are you a ghost?"

You and Tae startle at the small voice coming from the other side. 

Tae is the first to recover, "No, we're not ghosts. We got stuck in the elevator. Is your mommy or daddy there?"

"Um, mommy is in the room-"

"Go get your mommy!" Tae hollers. 

You shush him and get closer to the doors, "Sweetie, c-can you please go g-get mommy and t-tell her that p-p-people need help in the elevator?"

"Ok."

The tiny voice says nothing more. 

A few minutes pass in agonizing silence. 

"The kid pulled one over on us," Tae growls. 

You shake your head, "N-No, he didn't. He'll b-be back."

Just as you're saying that you hear a little knock on the doors. 

"I got mommy!"

"Th-thank you!" You cry, "Hello?? Is s-s-someone there?"

"I'm here!" You hear a woman call out, "I've called the front desk already, they're sending someone up, hang tight!"

Tae sighs and leans against the doors as he closes his eyes, "Thank fuck."

_______________________________

Dae groans loudly, his face bloodied and bruised. 

"You're a fucking psycho," he spits at Jungkook. 

The younger bends down and jabs his fist into Dae's bruised ribs, making him groan again, "I'm just getting started, doll."

Dae glares at the mockery dripping from Jungkook's lips. 

"Giving up already?" Jungkook pouts, imitating Dae's typical behavior with his victims. 

"Hardly," Dae whispers, a smile spreading on his lips. 

Jungkook stands up, then he kicks Dae in the stomach, making him double over as he coughs violently. 

"You wanna live?" Jungkook pants, voice tinged with insanity, "Then fucking beg."

Dae just flops to the floor, an arm around his stomach. 

Jungkook chuckles darkly at the form on the ground, "Well, look at that. The big bad boss, defeated with a few words and a good punch."

Dae kicks out his leg suddenly, but Jungkook steps to the side, effortlessly avoiding his attack. 

"You can't possibly be this pathetic," Jungkook shakes his head. 

"Yeah?" Dae rasps, "Wanna know how pathetic I am?"

Jungkook doesn't bother saying anything. He really doesn't give a flying fuck what this guy has to say. 

Dae struggles to sit upright, "I'm just as pathetic as you," he whispers, a smile growing when he sees the flicker of confusion cross Jungkook's face. 

"That's right," he pants, "I fell for her too."

Jungkook's jaw clenches. 

"I guess we have a thing for innocence," Dae says tauntingly, "It just falls right into our laps, where we can taint its beauty and make it our own ruined perfection."

Jungkook's hands start to shake, a newfound rage boiling inside him that he's never experienced before. 

Jungkookie, don't l-listen to him. 

He flinches when he hears your voice in his head, clear as day. 

He shakes his head to clear it. 

Dae chuckles, "Want some tips on how to deal with her?"

Jungkook's eyes lock back on him and suddenly all he can see is white. 

The next thing he can see is Dae's face scrunched in pain, blood dripping from his shoulder. 

Jungkook stumbles back when he realizes he stabbed him, the knife still lodged in his shoulder as he screams. 

His whole body is trembling with a hatred so strong that he can physically feel it pulsing through his veins. 

"Damn it, fuck," Dae coughs, gripping his shoulder and glaring daggers at his opponent. 

Kookie, pl-please stop! You promised.

Don’t give in to it.

"No," Jungkook's voice shakes.

You're not here. 

It isn't you. 

Dae grabs the knife and pulls it out, screaming in pain and anger as he lunges at a disoriented Jungkook. 

They tumble to the floor and Jungkook immediately goes for the wound, punching it with as much force as he can muster, ripping another scream from Dae. 

It's a tangle of bloody limbs and curses as they both fight to be the one on top. 

clink clink clink

Jungkook's switch blade goes tumbling across the floor, well out of reach. 

At least that means Dae doesn't have it. 

Jungkook punches him in the face. Then again, and again, and again, until his face is practically unrecognizable. The rage consuming him is in control. 

"I'm gonna fucking kill you!" He screams, never ceasing his pummeling on the nearly unconscious man on the ground, "You did this to her, you fucking bastard! You ruined her life! You're the reason she's suffering so much!"

Jungkook lifts Dae enough to smash him against the ground again, his head smacking the concrete with a loud crack. 

He only stops when Dae goes completely limp. 

Then he rolls off of him, hacking up a lung as he struggles to breathe, his own chest bruised beyond what he's ever experienced. 

Jungkook lies on the ground, staring at the ceiling as it spins and spins. 

The room starts to warp like mirrors in a fun house. 

It's getting harder for him to get a breath in. 

"Shit," he mumbles. 

Jungkook finally manages to get onto his hands and knees, swaying as the room continues to spin violently. 

He coughs a few more times, then he starts to get to his feet, praying the room stops going around like a carousel at least long enough for him to get out. 

He never heard Dae getting up behind him. 

shlunk...

Jungkook freezes, then he looks down to see a knife sticking out of his abdomen. 

He stares at it in confusion for a second before a hand grabs it and yanks it out, then proceeds to stab it into him again. 

Jungkook falters on his feet, stumbling backwards into Dae as the crazed man pulls the knife from him a second time. 

Dae wraps an arm around Jungkook's chest and yanks the hitman into him, "You really thought you were going to win?" He whispers with effort. 

A pained gasp leaves Jungkook as the knife is buried into him for the third time. 

"Fucking pathetic," Dae giggles, "I didn't think you'd actually believe you had the upper hand."

The fourth stab is what brings Jungkook to his knees, Dae cackling as he kicks him to the ground. 

Blood seeps out of the wounds in Jungkook's abdomen, staining his shirt and quickly pooling onto the floor. 

He gasps in a breath, his body wracked with immeasurable pain. 

Dae kneels next to him, "Want another one?"

Jungkook pinches his eyes shut when Dae drives the knife into him for the last time. 

He can't even scream, his body seizing up painfully. 

Dae unzips his jacket pockets and pulls out his keys and phones, looking at them before tossing them to the side. 

The crinkling of paper in the other pocket piques his interest as he digs in it and pulls out a folded-up piece of white paper, now stained with Jungkook's blood. 

Dae pulls the knife from his body carelessly and stands up, unfolding the paper and scanning it before bursting into laughter. 

Jungkook doesn't react when Dae waves it in front of his face, "This is the best thing I could've hoped for."

His breath gets slower with every passing second, his vision blurring and clearing up sporadically as he blinks slowly. 

He can feel himself growing colder. 

"Dear Jungkook," Dae begins to read the letter, holding in his laughter. 

"Please be nice to this dandelion. It may be a weed, but it is also beautiful. You may think it has no purpose but it does. Did you know that dandelions symbolize hope, love and happiness?" Dae glances at Jungkook to see that he's closed his eyes, but a single tear has trailed down his bloody cheek, his body trembling slightly. 

"Remember that, even when you're feeling sad and like you have no purpose, you bring happiness to people around you. Thank you for today, Jungkook. I had so so much fun. You are a good friend. Sincerely, ____..."

Jungkook's heart hurts more than the wounds Dae gave him. 

He stays curled up on the ground, letting a few more tears slip down his cheeks. 

It's quiet for a minute as Dae stares at the letter and the picture of the dandelion that you drew. 

"Huh," he eventually says, "Damn, that sucks."

He crouches next to him, "How long was this in your pocket?" 

Jungkook opens his eyes but doesn't say anything, just gives Dae a watery glare. 

"Want to hold it for the last time?" Dae asks, handing it over. 

Jungkook's bloody fingers wrap around it, holding tightly to the last thing he has to remind him of you. 

When he has a grip on it, Dae yanks it back, tearing the letter in two. 

"No!" Jungkook screams weakly, clutching the torn piece still in his hand to his chest, refusing to let Dae get the rest of it even as he attempts to pry it from Jungkook's fingers. 

"Whatever," Dae scoffs, standing up and ripping the rest of the letter, dropping it unceremoniously onto Jungkook's body. 

"Guess my job here is done," Dae snickers as he nudges Jungkook with his foot, causing a groan to leave his lips. 

Jungkook closes his eyes again, feeling himself fade quicker with each breath struggling to pass his lips. 

"Thanks for the fun," Dae says before turning to leave. 

-

You run into the room moments after he leaves, you never even saw him. 

You and Tae had split up to look for them. 

When you see Jungkook lying on the floor, surrounded by a pool of his own blood, a scream rips itself from you as you run over and drop to the ground, "Jungkook! Jungkook w-w-w-wake up!" You cry, tears pouring from your eyes as you shake him, "Don't d-do this. Please wake up! Taehyung!!"

You press on his abdomen in an attempt to stop the bleeding, then you gently slap his cheeks, "W-Wake up," you urge him, smacking harder each time. 

When his eyes flutter open, your heart stops in your chest. 

"Jungkook!"

His brows furrow slightly as he croaks, "____?"

You nod, "It's m-me," you choke out, "I'm right h-here."

A small smile pulls at his lips, "____."

"Yes, y-yes," you cough, your tears dripping onto his broken body. 

"Please don't leave me," he whispers weakly. 

You shake your head, "I'm n-not going to leave y-you, I'll never leave y-you again."

His smile gets a bit stronger, "I'm okay."

A sob bursts from your lips, "You'll b-be okay, we're g-g-going to save you."

"You already did," he says softly, reaching up a shaky hand to touch your cheek. 

You grab his hand, shaking your head frantically, "Do-don't-..."

"____..."

"Jungkook, d-don't leave me," you whimper, "Please, don't do th-this, please stay a-awake."

The hand that was on your cheek drops lower to take your wrist. 

You look down to see him fiddling with the three bracelets you always wear.

The two charms on your silver bracelet make a weak smile appear on his face, "Pretty," he mumbles, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he touches the angel wing charm that matches the one on his. 

His eyes travel back up to yours and you feel your heart sink at the look he gives you. 

“____?”

“Mm?” You choke on your tears. 

“D-did he get his happy ending?” Jungkook asks, voice strained. 

“W-who?” You whimper, not knowing what he’s talking about, your mind in a blur of panic. 

“The Velv-veteen Rabbit,” Jungkook whispers, his teary eyes begging you to tell him. 

You nod tearfully, “Y-Yes, he got his h-happy ending.”

Jungkook smiles weakly.

"I broke our deal," he whispers, "I'm not sorry."

Your mind flashes back to when he agreed he would never fall in love with you. 

"____..."

You gulp, grasping his hands and holding on for dear life, "Don't l-let go," you whisper, "Don't y-you dare let go."

You see his chest rise and fall slowly as he tries to get air in. 

The panic fully consumes your mind; you have no idea what to do. 

Fumbling, you grab your phone out of your pocket and shakily dial the number for an ambulance, "Hold on, K-Kook," you whisper. 

"119, what is the emergency?"

"S-Someone's been st-stabbed," you whimper, "Please hurry, h-he's dying-"

"Where is your location?"

"The o-old apart-"

When the line cuts out, you look at your phone in a panic, "Wha-"

You try calling again, but all you get is a beeping sound. 

"No, no, no," you cry, "Please n-no."

Jungkook swallows with an effort as he looks at your face, seeing the tears streaming down, his blood streaking your cheek. 

"____."

You shake your head as you grasp his hands again, "D-Don't say goodbye, I w-won't listen."

A tear slips down his cheek as he takes a deep breath, "I'm sorry I lied to you."

You feel your hands shaking uncontrollably as you shake your head again, "No, hm," you hold in a whimper as you brush his hair from his face, "Stop."

Pulling back, you look around frantically for anything that can help you. 

"Taehyung!" You scream, "C-Call an ambulance!"

You don't know why your phone won't work. 

Refusing to sit here and do nothing, you look around again, then you have an idea. 

You unbuckle your overalls and grab at the shirt tucked into them, ripping off a huge chunk until it's in tatters. 

Jungkook just watches you quietly, not strong enough to say anything. 

You look at him to see his eyes are closing. 

"K-Keep your eyes o-open," you beg. 

He winces when you lift his shirt. 

The sight of his bleeding abdomen makes your stomach lurch. 

There's so much blood. 

You can't even see where he's been stabbed because of all the blood. 

Your mind starts to shut down, hands shaking violently as you stare in horror. 

Snap out of it. 

Snap out of it and save him, you idiot.

SNAP OUT OF IT!

You flinch as you suddenly catapult back into your body. 

Don't you dare give up. 

Pressing the cloth to his abdomen, you gently slap his cheek again until he opens his eyes slowly. 

"Keep your e-eyes on me," you say softly, "Just l-look at me, okay?"

He nods weakly, "Ok."

"TAE!" You scream at the top of your lungs, turning your head towards the doorway.  

Where is he?

Looking back at Jungkook, you see him fighting to keep his eyes open. 

"____," he whispers, his hand grabbing at yours. 

You can see a flicker of fear in his eyes as he breathes quicker. 

"Sl-slow breaths," you remind him, keeping pressure on the wounds. 

"Ineeda tell something," His words slur together, you can't tell what he's saying.

"Hm?"

"Need to- tell you something," he repeats himself, his voice cracking, his eyes darting around your face. 

"W-What is it?" You ask gently, praying that he won't let go. 

"I-...."

You cup his face with your free hand, "It's okay," you whisper, "You c-can tell me."

_________________________

Dae turns just before he leaves the building when he hears the sound of footfalls on the stairs. 

Taehyung stalks towards him, his face void of any emotion as he walks up to him and throws a punch. 

Dae dodges the first one, but the second hits him in the ribs, making him double over with a groan. 

"Shit."

The third hit brings him to the ground. 

Taehyung is about to grab him, when a sharp pain flares up in his leg and he realizes that Dae stabbed two broken pieces of glass into his thigh. 

"Fuck," he curses, grabbing the first piece of glass and pulling it out. 

It gives Dae just enough time to grab the plank of wood next to him. 

Tae drops the glass but doesn't have a moment to think before a pain shoots through his skull and everything goes black. 

_________________________

You can't stop the tears as they fall down your cheeks, your heart in your throat as Jungkook struggles to speak. 

"I-...thank you," he breathes heavily.

A broken sob rips from your chest, "Pl-please- please don't leave me."

Jungkook gulps, the pain starting to dwindle as the shock shuts his body down. 

"Please be happy," he pants, grabbing your hand, "Please promise me?"

You shake your head, "N-Not without you," you sob. 

You feel him take your cheek in his hand, more of his blood smearing onto your skin, "Please," his voice breaks as the tears fall, "Don't let th-...this world break you."

His other hand reaches up shakily so he can cup your face, "L-Look at me."

You do, but you can barely see him because of the tears blurring your vision. You blink harshly, the panic rising as his sad smile comes into view. 

"____-..."

"Don't-"

"I love you."

Your heart shatters into a thousand pieces as he wipes the tears from your cheeks. 

More of his own tears trickle down, "M' sorry it took me so long t-to say."

You shake your head, "N-No, I- I don't wan-want you to say that-"

You start to hyperventilate. 

You're losing him. 

He's letting go. 

Please don't let go. 

"Don't yo-you dare leave me," you whimper, "Please, J-Jungkook."

You see even more tears slide down his dirty cheeks, leaving streaks on his pale skin. 

"I'm sorry," he whispers brokenly. 

"Hey," you whisper softly, cupping his cheek, "it's okay, y-you're okay."

He knows that isn't true, but he nods anyway. 

"Please tell Tae that I'm sorry," he says tearfully, his eyes darting between yours.

"Y-You're gonna be okay. W-We're gonna fix you up and you're g-g-gonna stay with me and T-Tae forever, okay?"

He gives you a small nod even as he feels himself slip further into the tempting sleep that tugs on him relentlessly. 

"Don't f-fall asleep-"

He hears your voice but it's faint, slipping into the background as the room blurs. 

He's trying to stay awake, but the sleep that's calling to him feels so nice. 

You see him glance behind you and a small smile tugs at his lips. 

"M-Mom?" He whispers. 

You throw yourself onto him, hugging him as tight as you can. 

"I l-love you, Jeon Jungkook."

A small sob escapes his lips at your words. 

You're sobbing hysterically as his shivering body starts to slowly relax. 

"Please d-don't give up," You cry desperately, "I c-can't- I can't go on without y-you."

"I love you," he mumbles, his hands slipping to the ground as you scream his name. 

"Jungkook!! No, p-please no!"

You're hugging his limp body as if he's the very source of your strength, the sobs tearing through you. 

It doesn't register in your brain when someone lifts you roughly. 

"NO!" You scream, kicking and sobbing as you're dragged away from him. 

The last thing you see is Jungkook curled in the pool of his blood, then something smashes into the side of your head, and you fall to the ground, blackness swarming over you. 

-

Taehyung drags himself through the doorway by his arms, his legs practically useless at this point, dragging behind him and leaving a trail of blood. He looks around, the room spinning like crazy. 

When he sees you lying on the ground, blood trickling across the floor from under your head, he gulps painfully as a cry gets stuck in his throat.

A turn of his head to see his best friend motionless and covered in bright red blood makes a sob escape him as he crawls over to Jungkook. 

"Kook?" He whimpers, shaking him gently, "Wake up, please."

When he gets no response, tears cascade down his cheeks as his body shakes in disbelief. 

"J-Jungkook, open your fucking eyes you fucking asshole-"

"Shit, looks like you were too late this time."

Tae turns his head to see Dae standing over you, a smirk spreading on his face.

The room fades away as he stares at the man responsible. 

He grabs the knife lying next to Jungkook and struggles to stand, a pained scream leaving his lips when he finally gets to his feet, wobbling as he tries to keep his balance.

The room is tinged with a red hue, the rage coloring his vision as he takes a step towards Dae. 

The older man just smiles cockily, "Damn, I can't give you a break, can I?"

Tae takes another step towards him, ignoring the blood seeping from his thighs to the ground. There are still pieces of glass lodged in his legs from him dragging himself up the stairs and down the hall. 

"I'm going to kill you," Tae's voice cracks as his fist tightens around the knife. 

"Aw, that wouldn't make your family very proud, would it?"

Tae takes the last few excruciating steps before grabbing Dae's collar and yanking him close, until their chests are pressed together. 

"You took the only family I had left," he whispers, "I'm going to slit your throat and you're going to die slowly."

Dae just chuckles. 

"I don't think you have it in you anymore, Judicium."

"My name is Kim Taehyung," Tae seethes, a tear slipping down his cheek, hands quivering with hatred, "Remember that, because my face is going to be the last one you see."

A flicker of recognition passes Dae's face, then he bursts into laughter. 

"No way. Kim? Kim Taehyung? So, it was you."

Tae narrows his eyes, gripping the knife harder. 

"You're the one those old bastards begged me to spare them for."

The room spins around him as Tae's breath quickens. 

"What?" 

"They were my first hit," Dae whispers, "Were always my favorite to think back on. The way they were begging on their knees for me to spare them, only for the sake of their dearest grandson, taetae."

Dae's face blurs and warps like a fever dream as Taehyung's body shakes violently. 

"Too bad they had been framed for something they didn't even do."

He chuckles at the devastation on his opponent's face. 

"At least they went knowing their grandson would be okay."

A ringing sound pierces Tae's ears. 

"Oh wait, they didn't. They died knowing someday I would kill you in the same way I killed them, with a knife to the heart," Dae whispers in amusement as he sees more tears stream down the young man's face, his eyes wide with betrayal and enraged grief. 

Taehyung brings the bloodied knife back, his hand shaking like a leaf before he plunges it deep into Dae's heart, keeping him against him so he can't get away. 

Dae gasps as the blood drips down his chest, choking violently before his eyes roll back in his head and he falls, taking a now unconscious Tae to the ground with him, both of their blood staining the floor of the room where it all started. 

_________________________________________

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#jeon jungkook #jungkook fluff #bts fluff #bts reactions #bts angst #jungkook angst #bts #bts fanfic #jungkook scenarios #jungkook fic #jungkook smut #bts jungkook #kim taehyung #park jimin #kim namjoon #kim seokjin #min yoongi #jung hoseok #bts smut #hitman!jk

[hellbornsworld]

JUNGKOOK FANFIC RECOMMENDATION (1)☆・°🪐🤍📀°・☆

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♡touch me wherever | Innocent jk x Innocent reader | SMUT | @bangtangalicious 

♡The price of Love | Teaser | Yandere jk X Reader | @aajjks

♡campus affairs | Friend jk X Reader | @kooktrash

♡Tokyo Drift |Street Racer! Jungkook x CEO Daughter! Reader | secret relationship @miraclesatnightfall

♡warrior jk | warrior!jungkook x princess!reader | @jungkookschin

♡Hieros Gamos | God!Thanatos!Jungkook x Goddess!reader | @girl8890

♡Bedeviled | demon!jungkook x female reader | series | @writemywaytoyourheart

♡Streams & Sheets | gamer!jungkook x reader | established relationship | @astralmono

♡Alexithymia. | Demon!Jungkook x Reader | series | @minjoonalist

♡Perfect Love | tattoo parlor owner Jungkook! X florist and cafe owner! Reader | @i-am-baechu

♡Spring Day Still with You | hybrid!Jungkook x reader | @yoongsisbae

♡Anonymous ask | stepbrother!jungkook x reader | forbidden | @aris-ink

♡deep six: watch yourself | biker!jk x reader | secret relationship | @bratkook

♡Pi Gasu | vampire!jk X reader | series | @jungk0oksthighs

♡affluenza | jk X reader | richkids | series | @yoon2k

♡tutus & tiaras | husband!jk X pregnant!reader | series | @1kook

♡lovefool | bf!jk X reader | series | @citrustan

♡anti-fairy-tale | dilf!jk X reader | series | @citrustan

♡Aim For The Heart | hitman!jk X reader | series | @writemywaytoyourheart

♡Cruel Intentions |mafia!jk X reader | series | @explicit-tae

♡Caught in his Web: No way out | yan!spiderman!jungkook x reader | @aajjks

♡the other woman | yandere!jk X reader | @trivia-yandere

♡LOVE SHOT | yandere!jk X reader | series | @redsaurrce

♡REIGN OF TERROR | yandere!jk X reader | series | @thepinkproof

♡ Slave 19990319 | alien/prince! Jungkook x human! reader | series | @explicit-tae

♡Seneschal | vampire!jk X reader | series | @jikookiekosmos

♡DEMONS OF MY MIND | YandereDoctor/DemonSlayer!jungkook x fem!reader | @redsaurrce

♡Yours Insanely | yandere!jk X reader | @smileyoongle

♡hell is empty | drug lord!jungkook x reader | series | @aquagustd

♡love lies | yandere!jk X reader | series | @kooktrash

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OTHER POSTS:

JUNGKOOK FANFIC RECOMMENDATION(1)

JUNGKOOK FANFIC RECOMMENDATION(2)

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JUNGKOOK FANFIC RECOMMENDATION(4)

ALL BTS MEMBERS WATTPAD RECOMMENDATIONS(1)

BTS X READER WATTPAD RECOMMENDATIONS(2)

#jungkook x reader #jungkook fic #bts masterlist #bts imagine #bts ff #jungkook seven #jungkook icons #jungkook moodboard #jungkook smut #yoongi #namjoon #jeon jungkook #jeon jeongguk #bangtan #masterlist #bts jk #jk recommendations #taehyung #tae #jungkook rec #fic rec #bts jungkook #bts #bts army #bangtan sonyeondan #bts gif #run bts #bts icons #jungkook fanart #jungkook

[chimcess]

A Picture’s Worth || jjk (I)

Pairings: Jungkook x Reader Other Tags: Ex-Art Thief!Reader, Ex-Assassin!Reader, Ex-Gang member!Reader, Gang member!Jungkook, Assassin!Jungkook, Hitman!Jungkook, Thief!Jungkook Genre: Strangers to lovers, gang AU, mafia AU, Fluff, Angst, Smut     Word Count: 23.2k+ Summary: After pulling off the largest art heist of her career, Y/N has put that life behind her. However, after 4 years out of the business, she comes home to find a stranger in her house. Warnings: violence, blood, gang activity, mafia activity, mentions of death, actual death, crime, robberies, pickpocketing, graphic depictions of injuries, guns, knives, mentions of past torture, body branding (not too graphic), major character(s) injured, STRONG LANGUAGE, Gang tattoos, Abuse (not JK and Reader), JK is a bit of a himbo, but only with his friends, he’s actually quite scary, I’m not a gang member or anything so I could be wrong about that stuff, I tried my best, eventual smut, mutual pining, kissing (let me know if I missing anything) Author’s Note:Things were getting out of hand, so I made the executive decision to split this into two parts. This one is establishing plot so no smut (yet). Thanks so much for reading. She’s a big girl.

Listen to the Playlist || cross posted to ao3: here

Five years ago

There comes a point in a child’s life that they begin to ponder over what they will become. Some girls I knew dreamt of becoming lawyers, doctors, or astronauts. I remember there being a time when I had thought of more than the mountains I had lived in, possibly moving to California and starting my life over after I was finished with school. I had even played with the idea of owning a salon. I hoped that I would be pretty when I grew up with bright red hair just like Ariel. It was strange looking back on that time and how little had truly changed. 

While I had, in some ways, deviated from the life my family had wanted for me, I was still lurking in the shadows and biding my time. Instead of hiring me for hits, the players I worked for enjoyed the finer things in life. Patrons of the arts if you will. Staring up at the Rembrandt painting, it was not a wonder as to why.

Looking over my shoulder, I was relieved to see Hoseok in position. Locking eyes momentarily, I gave him a small, polite smile and returned to the painting in front of me. To the security cameras, we were simply two strangers who had a small moment in time. I knew that we were trying to use signals as much as we could without looking suspicious. A smile normally meant that I was confident I could pull this off. Hoseok’s returning nod was his way of saying he was happy with his own assessments.

The heist would take a few more weeks to plan out. Our buyer wanted 18 different art pieces from this museum, something that was doable with our team, as well as 38 pieces of jewelry. Taehyung and Jimin would be in charge of the operation. Walking away from the Rambrandt, I looked over other pieces with the same intensity to not raise suspicions. While the cameras here were not of great quality, they could still see us and that alone was enough to bother me. 

Stealing has always come naturally to me. Second nature. When I was young I pickpocketed, the artform far more refined now that I was much older, and my parents enjoyed how sneaky I could be when I wanted to be. We never stayed anywhere for too long, the last place I had seen them was Aspen six years ago, but my favorite years were London. The Underground was a perfect place to pickpocket. In a day I could swipe over 100 items and no one would be the wiser.

My tastes changed as I grew. There was a time when I hated the idea of being a criminal like my parents were. I disdain violence at the best of times, but there were very few ways of getting out unscathed. It was when I managed to steal jewels from a heavily secured store that I caught the eyes of The Saints. Hoseok was impressed by my attention to detail and offered me a way to get out of my family home. I was sixteen and impulsive. A little over ten years later I was still standing here, pickpocketing the wealthy and giving it to those just as fortunate. It had stopped bothering me years ago, the guilt, but there was always a piece of me that longed for those far away dreams of cutting hair. It almost made me laugh just thinking about it.

“It’s a beautiful painting, isn’t it?” A soft voice asked, suddenly beside me.

Turning, I was confronted with a familiar face. Yoongi hardly changed, his set lips and keen eyes unwavering. There was a long, jagged scar that ran down his forehead, over his eye, and down his cheek. He got the scar when he was still in the Irish Mob back in Boston. He was an earner with those boys and they gave him hell about leaving. Still, he had managed to walk away only to join a different side of organized crime.

“Yes, but not really to my taste,” I joked.

I had never been the biggest fan of abstract work. I liked it a great deal more than landscapes, it was at least interesting to look at, but the lack of effort had bothered me. It would never take off anyway. No one liked over priced paint splatters. Yoongi hummed.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it.”

Taking the cue, I stood as he walked off and began counting back from 500 in my head. Everyone would be heading back to the command now. Everything had been squared away for now. Taking one more passing glance at the Rembrandt, I sighed. Hopefully, when this is all done, I could walk away.

With my head held high, I slowly drifted toward the exit. Taking the time to look over art was another great way to cover my tracks. In order to stay a nobody, I had to be a nobody, and only a nobody would stop to look at a still-life of a bowl of fruit. I never did understand why these things were popular. Then, finally, after five more minutes of “ooo”ing an “ahh”ing at pieces I’ve seen every week for the last month, I was out of the door.

Three years ago

Blinking, I stood motionless as I stared at the cracks in the little apartment’s ceilings. It had been a difficult find, something so cheap in San Diego was a steal even if it was only 300 square feet. Smiling, I threw my duffel bag of belongings onto the futon I had brought earlier that day. Finally, things were going to start looking up.

I had flown in from Kansas the week prior and had made the most of cheap motel rooms until I scored this place. I had always loved California and finally I had made it home. Looking around, I found I was not as upset by the lack of space or functioning stove. In fact, it had been the lightest I had felt in a very long time. Only second to when I graduated from Aveda last fall.

Deciding to pick up what little boxes I had with me, I broke them down and tore them into strips that were easily thrown away. I was lucky the place had come with a small, countertop fridge and microwave. The only sink was in the bathroom, a room that was floor-to-ceiling covered in tile with a toilet, small sink, and a shower head. I would have to wear flip flops just in case. The landlord had recommended using a bucket since the hot water only lasted for about 10 minutes.

I did not have much. I had gotten into the habit of packing light and living even lighter, but I was determined to try this differently. I’ve gotten what I have always wanted and I was going to let anyone, or anything, take it away from me. Going to my duffel bag, I began packing out my folded clothes and organizing them into different piles before putting them away. I had bought a tall, skinny wardrobe at the same GoodWill I had gotten the futon from. 

Calling out to my phone, I asked Siri to play some music and got to work. I hated silence. Using the small drawers on the left side, I stuffed my underwear and pajamas on that side of the wardrobe. The right side was meant to hang nice things on, but I did not own nice things anymore. Instead hung were two pairs of jeans, a few dresses, and some shirts. I only owned black now. It was the dress code for every salon I had ever worked at- including the newest one. My shoes went on the shelves above the drawers and I made a mental note to buy a better pair of sneakers. I wanted to get outside more often.

Putting away the rest of my things was just as quick. My makeup was stored away on the desk that was attached to the wall beside the fridge. It was meant to be a dining area, but I doubted I would ever have company over to make use of it. My few skincare products were safely stored away in the bathroom mirror, and my kit was under my bed for safe keeping. I was suddenly acutely aware of just how sad everything truly was.

“Well,” I mumbled to myself. “Hopefully I can get enough clientele to get out of this shithole.”

At least, I thought to myself, at least I was free. 

With that in mind, I grabbed my keys and headed out into the city. It had been hours since I last stopped for anything and I would have no luck here for the night. Slipping into the hallway, I realized that I was happy. For the first time in a while I felt unadulterated. Things were going to be fine.

Two years ago

Clutching the pizza box with one hand and balancing it on my hip, I cradle my phone with my shoulder as I open the door to my building.

“The earliest I’ll be available is Thursday,” I said, my voice sickeningly sweet.

The customer, Jules, cheerfully asked if I had any availability on Sunday instead. Rolling my eyes, I reminded her that the salon was closed on both Sunday and Monday. This would be the third time I had to repeat myself.

“What about Saturday?” She asked, still as clueless as she had been since I had picked up.

“I’m free from 2pm until 3pm, but if you want a haircut and balayage I will need longer than an hour.”

“How long do you need?” Finally, I heard a hint of frustration slipping through her otherwise cheery voice.

“If you want the full layered balayage it can take up to three hours for hair as long as yours is. It can be shorter if you just want a partial- between 45 minutes to an hour and a half.”

Huffing up the stairs, I struggled to open the door to my floor and used my foot to keep it open while I awkwardly hobbled. Rolling my eyes, I wanted to pull my hair out. This would be the fourth time now.

“I can put you in Thursday morning from 8am until noon. I can also do Friday from 5pm until 8pm. I’m not available again until the following Wednesday.”

Jules hummed, unable to stay silent I found. We had been on the phone for twenty five minutes and I was beginning to get a migraine. She was sweet, and I appreciated her never ending patience, but I was not blessed with the same superpower. I had never been known for my temperament or politeness. I only had patience when money was involved. Shoving my door open with my shoulder, I willed those thoughts away. That was the last thing I needed to think about right now.

Jules was going to make me go rob a fucking bank at this rate. Banks weren’t even my thing. That brought a smile to my face and I put the pizza down on the single counter I had in the kitchen. 

“I guess Thursday will work then. I was just hoping to get it done before my birthday.”

Pausing, I sighed heavily. Wonderful. She was a guilt tripper. Little shit.

“What day is your birthday?” I asked.

“Oh! It’s Tuesday. My girls and I are going to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate.”

And despite my better judgment, I opened my calendar and began looking at my schedule on Tuesday. Knowing I had taken the bait hook, line, and sinker, I just went right out with it. 

“We can try something if you’re open to it.”

“Sure, what’s up?” Jules asked, voice perking up.

“I can give you a partial balayage Tuesday and then you can come back Thursday to finish the rest if you want to after seeing the results.”

Jules squealed and began talking very quickly, her excitement palpable. I cringed away from the speaker of my phone.

“That would be Ah-mazing! What time on Tuesday could you see me?”

“I had a cancellation first thing in the morning. I’m free from 8am until 9:45. We’ll get as much as we can during that time.”

“Oh! I can definitely make that. Can we do the haircut on Tuesday instead of Thursday?”

Biting my tongue, I had to stop the smart ass comment I wanted to make from coming out. She was obviously very young or had little experience going to a salon. Still, it’s common sense that we would cut first. I’m not wasting products like that.

“That’s what I was thinking, too,” I settled on.

“Thanks so much, Y/N! See you Tuesday!”

“See you then, Jules. Before you go, can I get some information from you so I can put you down properly?”

After getting her full name, phone number, and email address, I let her go and logged into the salon’s appointment system to add her in. Our receptionist had quit two months ago and we were having a hard time finding a replacement. I tried to tell Tony he needed to raise the pay but he was not budging. Right now we were all stuck keeping track of everything ourselves. 

The pizza was not very hot anymore but was warm enough to not be too bothersome. Happy to have some extra money coming in, I went to the fridge and grabbed a soda from it. I bought a small cart to put my microwave on. The mini fridge just happened to fit perfectly below it. The small Keurig I bought myself for Black Friday was right beside the microwave. A snug fit but it worked. Taking a bite of the pizza, I leaned against the counter and groaned.

I was so happy to be home.

Home. It was a word I was still hesitant to say. It was hard to believe things were permanent even after all this time. Some nights I stared up at the ceiling and waited for a knock on my door. Even if Hoseok promised emergencies only it was difficult to know what the guys would consider an emergency. That world was so far removed from this new reality of mine that I feared I was losing my edge. Would I even be able to help them anymore? 

With doubt and a recurring nightmare, I fell asleep and dreamt of casinos and Rembrandt.

One year later

Sweeping up the floor, I glanced around the room to find myself alone. 

“Great,” I huffed. “I’m going to have to talk to Tony about this bullshit.”

It had been the third time the new hire, Sasha, had left without helping with cleanup. First he snuck out of the back when he was helping Tiesha, and the last two times had been with me. While we tried to keep the boss out of the personal issues we had at the shop, I was not about to let some 19-year-old walk around like he’s above it all. Angrily, I kept sweeping and hoped that the bastard got stuck in the worst traffic getting back on the I-5. 

Walking over to Andrea’s station, I rolled my eyes. She always forgot to put her combs in the sterilizing solution. Making quick work of that, I went around checking everyone’s stations to be sure it was all in order. Even Sasha’s. His desk was immaculately cleaned and I gritted my teeth harder. Seems like he’s one of those people. Feeling petty, I skipped sweeping under his vanity and kept going. Not like it made much of a difference anyway. Maybe I should steal his wallet tomorrow and help him look for it.

Fucking idiot.

No, I scolded myself. I am not that person anymore. I would definitely not go back to that lifestyle for Alexander Ivanov. Reminding myself that he was just a spoiled little brat, I continued sweeping hoping it would calm me down long enough to clear my head. If I let any of those ideas foster that would be bad. I’d have every valuable item that boy owned by lunch.

Suddenly the front desk phone began to ring and I chose to ignore it. It was five minutes after closing time and I did not feel like dealing with anyone else today. Sasha had pissed me off enough. I did not want some snotty customer adding to it. The ringing stopped and I was satisfied that they simply left a voicemail. 

Turning to go back to the staff room to gather the Swiffer, I was stopped in my tracks by the phone. A part of me wanted to answer it now. It had to be the same person. Still, I was off the clock and that was not a part of my job description. Destiny would handle it in the morning. The ringing stopped. I started walking. It started up again.

Peeved but resigned, I walked to the front desk and checked the number flashing on the screen. It was from out of state. Figures. Usually clients who wanted to come in on vacation called without realizing the time zone difference. Forcing a smile to my face, I picked up.

“Mane Street, this is Y/N speaking. How can I help you?”

“Ten minutes.” The line died.

I knew that voice from anywhere. Shaking, I placed the phone back on its modem and took a second to gather myself. Whatever the emergency was, I only had ten minutes to finish cleaning and get outside. Knowing Hoseok, he would be waiting for me near my car. Better yet, he’d already be in the passenger seat.

Scrambling, I began to mop the floors and Windex the mirrors. I refused to let this unexpected visit stop me from performing my job. I was happy Sasha had left. I probably looked like I’d seen a ghost. You have definitely heard one, my subconscious screamed.

I was locked up eight minutes later. I had been keeping count in my head just as I always had before. It was unsettling just how quickly I had transformed back into the person I had once been. Who was I fooling? I’ve been covering her up with scissors, a shitty studio apartment, and take out. That did not change the overseas accounts, fake names, and stolen jewelry I’ve kept. That doesn’t change the stolen art hanging on my walls.

Rounding the back of the store, I was not surprised to see my vehicle was the only one still there. Squinting, I could see the silhouette of a person’s head in the passenger side. The street light just in front of the pickup was facing the front, their side profile obscured by the light, but I would recognize Hoseok anywhere. He was hard but soft, jagged but gentle, and most importantly, his face was oval with a pointed chin. Anxiety bubbling in my stomach, I put on a brave face and marched forward. I would be right on time.

Hoseok did not say a word as I slid into the driver’s seat or when I closed the door. Not waiting for him to make a demand, I started the engine and turned on the AC. It was stuffy. Hoseok continued to look straight while I buckled my seatbelt and put the truck in reverse.

“Don’t go home,” He finally said.

Dread filled my stomach but I did as he said. Instead of turning left, I went right and headed for the little diner I enjoyed getting a late dinner at. It was the best place for steak and eggs. I was not sure if Hoseok would be hungry but I did not care. We never really thought about those things before.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing what you like,” He spoke again, his voice still gentle. “You look very nice, too. Like the new hair.”

I was always unnerved by this side of Hoseok. He was typically a very loud, energetic, and passionate man. Soft spoken and Hoseok had never gone together. Then again, it had been almost five years since I had seen him. A lot could change within that time. That, or whatever he was going to tell me would require softness. I hoped it was just a personality change from getting older. 

“Yeah,” I said. “I’m glad to see you’re healthy.”

Finally, he cracked a smile. “Hadn’t realized you thought about me at all.”

I scoffed, “Of course I think about you. I think about all of you very often.”

This seemed to throw him for a loop. It was weird to speak so openly about my feelings. We had always gone about life with coldness. Being sharp and intense was the only way to survive out there. If anyone saw you as weak or vulnerable then you were finished. That was why Yoongi usually acted as a middle man. He was the hardest, coldest, most impenetrable wall there ever was. Just looking into his eyes you could see that. Shivering, I recalled the time he killed a man with a set of chopsticks while we were in Korea. 

“We think about you, too,” Hoseok said, sounding far away.

Turning into the diner’s parking lot, I turned off the engine and got out. Hoseok followed closely behind me and I asked him if he wanted anything.

“I hear the steak and eggs are nice,” He commented, eyes downcasted.

“Is Taehyung keeping tabs on me?” I sneered, anxiety turning into anger.

Taehyung was the tech guy when he wasn’t stealing jewels. He was also a royal pain in the ass who never knew when to cool it. He had been the most upset when he heard that I was leaving the crew and I would not put it past him. Taehyung was just that kind of guy. The gesture was kind, I was certain of that, and came from a place of love. Still, I had asked to be left alone. It seemed like no one really accepted that.

“I tried to stop it but it’s impossible to keep track of everything he does,” Hoseok admitted. “After a while we just accepted the fact that he wouldn’t give it up. He is trying to check in less and less, though. He’s just worried someone will come around and we won’t know about it.”

“And that’s how you knew where I worked?”

Holding the door open, Hoseok thanked me before going inside. Doris smiled at me when I walked inside. She was an elderly woman who liked to help me with my Sudoku puzzles on Sunday mornings. Eyeing Hoseok curiously, I waved at her before finding an open booth. I normally sat at the bar but I did not want prying eyes. Doris would not go away if we sat there and Hoseok was obviously wanting privacy.

“Hey sugar,” Dixie, a waitress from Alabama, greeted us.

She put down two menus and asked us what we wanted to drink. Hoseok ordered a coffee while I got a glass of chocolate milk. The man looked me up and down, amusement coloring every one of his features. I waved him off and looked at the menu. If he ordered steak and eggs I would order something else. Hoseok was a big fan of sharing food even if we both had our own portions.

Hoseok, like many of the guys from the crew, was South Korean. He was born in Gwangju, a city in the southern part of the country, and moved to the US with his friend Namjoon during university. Namjoon went on to become a campaign manager in New York City while Hoseok became an associate of the Gambino family after killing a few guys. Over time the two went their separate ways, but Hoseok always spoke fondly of him. Last he heard, Namjoon had moved to Seoul and was working at the Blue House.

“You all figured out what you want?” Dixie asked, reappearing with our drinks.

Hoseok ordered the steak and eggs while I got their “Rising Roadhouse'' meal. It came with waffles and I knew that would make Hoseok happy. When we were alone again, Hoseok sighed.

“It’s Jimin,” He said.

Bracing myself, I leaned in closer so we could speak quietly. The diner was almost empty at this time of night and I was nervous. This was shit no one needed to hear about. Hoseok got closer to me.

“What’s going on?” I demanded, whispering harshly.

“He’s gotten into some shit with Winter Hill again. Yoongi bailed him out but things are going to shit. They want us to get some things for them to make up for it. We weren’t sure where to go, and Georgie was very specific.”

I breathed through my nose. Jimin was my closest friend during my time with the crew. We thought the most alike, worked the best, and trusted one another. However, we were also hot heads. I had worked on myself tremendously over the years, but Jimin had the worst kind of anger. Talking out the mouth. And to talk to somebody in Winter Hill the way I assumed he had? Jimin was asking to lose a finger. That’s if he hadn’t already. Looking at Hoseok, he seemed to know what question I had on my mind.

“Yoongi made him cut the first joint off. I told him to write an apology letter in blood. I also sent the boss the piece in a medicine jar. Just to be sure.”

Grimacing, I rubbed my forehead. I had almost forgotten the way they do things in the mafia. The letter in blood, however, seemed more of a New York thing. I’d have to get clarification on that later. Leaning back in my chair, I shook my head.

“Unbelievable,” I mumbled absentmindedly.

On one hand, I was very angry that either of them would humiliate Jimin like that. On the other hand, I knew that the boy had put them in a very, very fucked up spot. Either they make amends and punish him or they lose the entire East Coast. If Boston doesn’t want anything to do with them, New York will become weary as well. Even if Hoseok was a Red Pull at one time, he is still an outsider. He was still just an associate. 

“What is he looking for?” I finally asked, leaning back in.

“Jewelry. Said they wanted something ‘your old girl’ would like. Said you’d know what to do.”

I smirked. Georgie Boy had always been impressed with my taste. Still, I was not sure about getting involved with all of this. In order to do so would mean helping them stake out a place and I was not going there. I had made my peace. Still, I could not help the part of me that felt excited. I squashed it like a bug.

“I’m not helping you with anything,” I said.

“I’m not asking you to,” He replied. “Just tell us if you’ve seen anything noteworthy lately.”

Dixie came back with our food and I used it as a distraction. I needed time to think. Hoseok and I ate off of one another and I continued to sit and ponder over the new things I had seen at the museum in town. I had gone many times, I had always tried to desensitize myself to the feeling I got when I walked in, but each time I looked around. I knew where every single camera was, I knew how to get into the back, and I was familiar enough with the security system to work around it. Every detail of a heist had already formed in my head that I refused to act on. Just as I knew every museum all the way up to Orange County. There were quite a few jewelers that had caught my eye as well. Still, I knew my answer after a few minutes of silence.

“His daughter’s birthday is soon, isn’t it?” I clarified, making sure my memory serves me well.

“In a few weeks,” Hoseok nodded.

“There’s a pair of earrings at Beverly Hills Jewelers,” I started. “They’re 2 carat, T.W, diamonds. They’re heart shaped. Halo. They’re beautiful.”

“Price?”

“I believe $15,000. They have some nice tennis chains as well that could match.”

He hummed, “I don’t know if it’ll be enough.”

I nodded, “I’ll include a personalized letter as well as a ring from my own collection if that helps.”

Hoseok smiled brightly at me. I knew that had pleased him. Georgie Boy would also be happy. His little girl gets some nice gifts and he gets to wave his dick around like the narcissist is is. In my head, I was already trying to remember the layout of the store. I had only gone inside twice when I took a trip to Beverly Hills. I was having a rough day and I wanted to get back in my element for a while. Scoping out places was always a relaxing thing for me to do. I ended up buying a necklace while I was there so they wouldn’t become suspicious of me. Still, I would have to see it again and show the guys what I was talking about so they could do the hit. That place was heavily secured.

“Thanks, Y/N,” Hoseok said, pushing the last piece of steak closer to me.

Grinning at him I replied, “It was an emergency.”

And then I popped the steak in my mouth and savored the taste. Just for now I would have a little bit of chaos. It would just be Hoseok and I, so that made the guilt lessen. At least this wasn’t something I would have to actually perform. Still, I thought to myself, I was incredibly bored without the little bit of chaos I had before.

Present

Laughing, I cut another piece of brown hair off. Jules stared at me, her hands covering her mouth, while she shook. She was a regular now, always got the same treatment, but when she called about her appointment last week she asked for a bob. Well, giving it to her, it was difficult to imagine just how upset she would become.

Her mother had recently been diagnosed with cancer and she wanted to show her that she was standing with her. The chemo had made chunks fall out and her mother decided to buzz her head. I had been the person to do that and give her a pamphlet of local stores she could go to and buy nice wigs. Jules, however, had called me late and said she wanted to donate her own hair for her mom. Tony had recently registered the salon with Locks of Love and trained us all in it. Sasha had been the most excited about the prospect. His mother had died from cancer when he was in highschool. 

Jules’s hair was thick, dark brown, and wavy. Everything about it was perfect and she was a dream to work with. She always took things in stride and tipped well. Today, I was worried if she would ever come back. 

Her hair was long enough that we could keep it at her shoulders. She had always kept it past her butt, just barely grazing her upper thighs, and took pride in it. I was still planning to give her plenty of highlights and a blowout- on the house. I had nothing but love for the girl and I knew how difficult this would be for her. Glancing at Tiesha, she smiled.

“Girl, what are you crying for?” She joked, parting another section of her client’s hair.

I recognized her but was not sure of her name. She always came in for installations or silk presses. Tiesha was always happy to see her, at the very least, so I knew she was a nice enough person. 

“I don’t know,” Jules whined back, sniffling and rubbing her reddening eyes.

“Now, you are too damn pretty to be looking like that,” She replied, braiding back another section. “Make an appointment with momma and I’ll hook you up.”

I scoffed, “I can do extensions, too.”

“Oh, I know. But you’re most definitely a colorist. Julie, baby, Ty will take good care of you, okay?”

“Your mom will be very happy,” Sasha chimed in, his Russian accent thick. 

Jules nodded, “Yeah, she will.”

I smiled to myself. That was the best motivator to get through this. I kept as much length as I could and I was still going to try to make her feel pretty with the new style. She had said her friends were excited but her boyfriend was conflicted. He loved her hair. That made me frown. Who the fuck says that to their girlfriend? Especially one who’s doing it for their sick mother.

“I’ve never gone this short before,” Jules said, her composure coming back. “It’s scary.”

“Don’t worry,” Sasha soothed, cleaning up from his last client. “You’ve got the best in the house. Y/N’ll take care of you.”

I winked at the boy. Sasha had grown on me considerably since he was first hired. I had not gone to Tony about his skipping after all, instead I cornered him at work and told him if he ever ditched me again I would get him fired. We were rocky after that but I knew his respect for me had gone up. A friendship blossomed when he confessed he was clueless about doing color. Sasha was an amazing stylist and his precion was otherworldly, but Destiny was right to never give him color clients. I spent a few nights helping him practice on some mannequin heads and he followed me around like a puppy. He had even agreed to clean up alone for two nights while I was in Beverly Hills helping Hoseok scope out the place. We were thick as thieves after that.

“I know that,” Jules cracked a smile. “She always takes care of me.”

“I’m flattered,” I finally said. “Don’t worry, I’ve got plans for you.”

Her smile grew. Jules had been very excited about free coloring. I had told her I was giving myself free reign, and I wondered if she thought I was going to go manic pixie on her. Hopefully some lowlights and babylights would suffice. We had never gone darker before and I thought it would suit the new cut well. 

Cutting in her layers, I was happy with how it looked. Her hair framed her face nicely and she would still have enough length to play around with it if she wanted. Jules was a fan of those half-up, half-down looks. Using my comb, I ran through her hair and cut. So far, she had not looked back at the mirror. She seemed nervous too. 

“Do you want me to cut your bangs blunt or keep them split?” I asked.

Jules perked up, “Oh! I was actually thinking about trying a new bang style.”

I nodded, “Do you have a picture?”

She opened her gallery and pulled it up. I smiled to myself. Jameela Jamil really did pull off the schoolgirl bangs. 

“So in between?” I walked around so she was facing me. 

“Do you think it’ll look nice?” She asked, chewing her bottom lip.

I studied her face for a moment. 

“You’ll look great, but it might take some time to get used to. They’re a bit more maintenance than blunt or curtain.”

She smiled, “I figured that.”

Working quietly, I began to trim her bangs into the correct shape. They will look their best after I finish styling the rest of her hair. Jules loved it when I straightened her hair after our visits. She never had the patience for it at home and it made her feel special when she got it done here. I would have to let her know that her bangs will look pretty if she curled the longer side pieces to blend them in with her natural waves. With the cutting done, it was time to start the lowlights.

“When is your next appointment?” I asked Sasha.

He was sitting in his chair and texting someone on his phone. He glanced at me before getting back to his screen.

“About twenty minutes. He’s new.”

“Oh, a man?” Tiesha dramatically emphasized the man part. It was not often that men booked with us. Sasha had gone to barber school and did amazing work, but for some reason the idea of going to a salon bothered most men. “He from out of town?”

“I think so,” The Russian nodded. “He definitely sounded foreign. I couldn’t tell where from. Maybe Asia?”

I froze for a moment. I took a breath. There was absolutely no way that any of them would do that. Then I thought of Taehyung. Absolutely not, I scolded myself. That boy feared me more than anybody else. I would ring him by his neck and then let Yoongi know about it. Besides, I said emergencies only. They would have scheduled with me if they were trying to talk. Walking back to my chair, I placed the dye and bleach down on the metal tray next to me. Opening one of the drawers at my desk, I grabbed some latex gloves and foil.

Getting started was simple. Getting the brown, I began painting sections of her hair and foiling them. The foil was not really necessary, but I always got nervous that the parts I did not want colored would get touched. Lowlights were more sparsely added, and unlike highlights, never layers. Making my way around her head, I was excited to see if she would like it. I only went a shade darker than her natural color, so the color contrast was not extremely stark. The highlights were the most important part of the look.

Foiling the last piece of hair, I took the bowl to the sink near the back as well as the brush I was using. Tossing them in and removing my gloves, I heard the bell chime and Sasha’s customer service voice begin. No one could beat Tiesha’s, that woman had client relationships like no one I had ever met. They adored her.

“Come sit and we can get started,” Sasha seemed more excited than usual.

I guessed the guy wanted something a bit different from his normal caseload.

“Alright,” I sighed, clapping my hands. “Let's get this bleach started.”

Walking back into the main room, I paid no mind to the customer sitting in Sasha’s chair. Jules was FaceTiming with someone and I grinned when I recognized her mom’s voice. She seemed very cheery today.

“Oh, I love that length on you,” Martha gushed, her accent only picking up on certain words.

“Gracias, mami,” Jules beamed. “Do you think Carlos will like it?”

Martha waved her hands around animatedly when she talked. I had learned that from the many times she came to the salon with Jules. Now, she was shaking them violently.

“Who cares?”

I laughed and got to work on her highlights. 

“I said the same thing,” I chimed.

The three of us talked as I worked. Martha always enjoyed asking me about the craziest customer of the week, and I usually indulge her. This week it had been a very convoluted, pastel rainbow color job. She wanted the top half white and the bottom portion colored. She booked out my entire day, gave me hell about every insignificant detail, and then left a $2 tip. Sasha got to hear me rant and rave about it when we were cleaning that night.

“She’s never allowed in my chair again,” I finished, setting a timer for everything. 

The lowlights had been sitting for twenty minutes while the babylights would need about 15 in order to develop the way I want them to. Thinking, I was certain the lowlights would be fine going two minutes over the usual time. They would be hardly noticeable regardless. 

“You’ve had worse,” Sasha pointed out.

“Yeah,” I nodded. “But those women tip well. I don’t care how rude you are- money is money. That chick is a pain in the ass without the benefits.”

“She has nothing on Kimberly,” Tiesha joked. 

I groaned, “God, don’t even put that name into the universe. She’s due back soon.”

Sasha laughed. “She does pay very well. Don’t blame you.”

“Who’s Kimberly?” Jules asked.

I gave Tiesha a look before answering her.

“She’s a regular. Tony was her go-to guy, but he’s only in twice a week and it doesn’t line up with her schedule. He sent her over to me. Let’s just say she takes picky to a new level.”

Jules snickered, “What does she like to get?”

“Usually a platinum blonde, layered cut. On paper it’s not the most difficult thing in the world, but she makes it much more complicated than it needs to be.”

“Complicated?” Tiesha exclaimed. “That woman is super rude, always late, and acts like she knows everything. I’d tell that bitch to kick rocks.”

Her client laughed out loud.

“That might be true,” I reasoned, checking the foils. “But, she always tips well and shouts me out on her socials. So, can I really complain? Besides, I’m used to her.”

Checking the foils again, I was happy with the color they were and decided to take the foils off early. Stopping my timer, I asked Jules to walk over to the rinsing station. I was happy this was my last client. Sweeping up the hair, I left it in the dustpan until I was ready to begin the tedious task of preparing it for donation. Putting on a new pair of gloves, I willed this day to be over already.

I knew something was off when a new motorcycle was parked out front. Briefly checking the plates, I was even more weary when they were from Jersey. I knew far too many people in that corner of the US. Still, I told myself that it could be anybody. Perhaps one of my new neighbors was from Hobokan. That was highly unlikely, though. Eyeing the red leather jacket hanging from one of the handles, I only knew one person who owned something like that. I guess I will be seeing Jimin tonight. The thought bothered me far more than I thought it would.

Taking my time going up the stairs, I considered calling Hoseok and demanding to know why Park was sniffing around my apartment. I knew I should have moved out, should have tried something new, but the thought of leaving the only home I ever knew bothered me. Using the time climbing to my advantage, I slowly steeled myself. Jimin could smell weakness from a mile away. He was also one person who could convince me to do bad things.

The excitement that ran through me at the idea sickened me.

Starting at the 4 on the door, I braced myself. When I walked into that hallway all traces of the new me had to disappear. There can be no laughter, no crying, and no open hostility. I would have to be a blank slate. With one small breath, I pulled the door and went into the hall.

There wasn’t a body in sight, but I knew better than to go off of that. Jimin could get into my apartment with relative ease. No one would notice either. Everyone else that lived was too busy making ends meet to pay attention to the stranger sneaking into my house.

Taking my keys out of my purse, I unlocked the door and walked inside. I could smell him. It was, however, not Jimin. Jimin only wore Orange Blossom by Jo Malone. Whoever this was smelled like baby powder and flowers. My guard completely up now, I continued further into the studio and kicked the door closed behind me. Whoever it was, I knew had been standing behind the door. The smell was not as potent as it had been before. 

Going into the kitchen, I shrugged my coat off before throwing it behind me. I heard it hit something and it was a blur after that. I quickly snatched a kitchen knife from the drying rack and threw myself to the ground. The man grabbed my hands. Kicking his inner thigh, I rolled from underneath him and shot up. He threw his arms up.

“Stop!”

Ignoring him, I threw the knife. The man reacted quickly, catching the blade in between his hands before throwing it down on the floor. While he was distracted, I slid on the floor and grabbed the pistol from under my bed. Pointing it at the man, he rolled his eyes dramatically.

“What are you going to do? Shoot me?”

Without saying anything, I aimed for his left shoulder and fired. The silencer muzzled the shot, though the pop was still nasty. It worked better with a pillow added to the equation. I doubted any of my neighbors would notice the sound, however. The man shouted, stumbled back, and leaned against the fridge.

“You shot me,” He exclaimed, shocked.

“Who the fuck are you?” I barked, aimed for his other shoulder.

“You wait to ask me after you-”

I shot again. He gritted his teeth and sank to the floor. The wounds were leaking blood but I tried to not let it bother me. This guy broke into my house. This time, I aimed for his right knee.

“Who are you?” I asked again.

“Jungkook,” The man, Jungkook, answered. “I’m with The Saints.”

Lowering the barrel of the gun, I stared at him for a second. He was with my crew? Since when? 

“Who sent you?” I asked, aiming at his chest now.

If he was going to get found out, he might be more inclined to lunge before I could call anyone.

“Yoongi.”

Slowly, I reached into my back pocket and got my phone. I was relieved the screen hadn’t cracked during the outfall. Slowly, keeping my eyes on Jungkook, I started typing in the number I knew by heart. If he was lucky, Yoongi would pick up. If not, then we weren’t moving until someone did. After the second ring, a rough voice greeted me.

“August.”

Training my gun on his head, I spoke.

“There’s someone claiming they know you in my apartment.”

After a few seconds, Yoongi’s voice was hard when he replied.

“Who is it?”

“Says his name is Jungkook,” I replied evenly.

I was fully prepared to pull the trigger. Jungkook stared the barrel down without fear. I only hoped he would go down quickly and quietly. 

Yoongi sighed harshly, “Fucking Jimin.”

Gripping the handle tightly, I placed my finger on the trigger. I only needed the okay now.

“He’s fine,” Yoongi was annoyed. “I sent Jimin but I guess he got the kid to go instead.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, I put the gun down. Jungkook visibly relaxed then and moaned in pain. Raising a hand, he cradled his left shoulder and hissed in pain. 

“Fucked him up,” I admitted. “He was in my apartment when I got home.”

Yoongi hummed, “Take care of him. He’ll let you know what’s going on. We have a problem.”

He hung up before I could respond.

I hated when he did that. I had no idea who Jungkook was, or what he was here to tell me, but we were on the same team. And I just shot him. Twice. Putting the gun back in its original spot, I reached a little further behind it and retrieved my first aid kit. Jungkook sagged in relief. 

“Sorry,” I apologized, helping him take his shirt off. “Didn’t realize you were with us.”

Jungkook hissed when I applied alcohol to the wounds. It would take me a while to get his patched up, but I was capable of doing it. Years of friendship with The Saints would do that to you. Looking at Jungkook, I was taken aback by how attractive he was.

All of the Saints were good looking, but this guy had an aura about him. His hair was wild, pitch black, and down to his shoulders. His skin was gently tanned with small moles dotted sporadically across his body. What caught my attention the most was the shiny, silver lip ring he donned. That was an oddity in our world.

“My fault, shouldn’t have broken in without a warning,” He replied.

“I saw the bike outside and thought you were Jimin.”

He hummed then winced. I knew those bullets did not feel nice. Taking my time and trying to be gentle, I used a pair of tweezers to get them out. Jungkook bit his lip so hard he drew blood. 

“Yeah,” He breathed out. “Let me borrow it for the ride.”

“Park,” We both knew what I meant by that.

For the next hour we sat in silence. He let me work and I listened to every sharp intake of breath, groan, and moan. I felt guilty about everything, but I also had a certain level of apathy. The guy was nobody to me. Not really. Same crew doesn’t mean we’re friends. Still, if they sent him here then that meant they trusted him enough to come. That told me a lot about him.

After I placed gauze over the stitches, Jungkook finally spoke again.

“Jin hyung said you were harmless,” He chuckled. “I’ll let him know he’s wrong.”

Ignoring his comment, I went to find him something to wear. I doubted he would be able to fit any of my things. He was huge, a tall man with big arms, but I could make something work. Grabbing a loose fitting dress, I threw it to him.

“I don’t have anything for a man, so that will have to do.”

He nodded and put the dress on without complaint.

“I’ll pick up something for you later,” I continued. “Did you come alone?”

Jungkook shook his head, “Hyung’s around. He was going to come but an old friend called so he sent me.”

“Kai?” I wondered, already knowing the answer. 

Jimin and Kai were good friends. They had known one another since they were kids and got involved in crime together. I’d only met the guy in passing the few times he had visited Boston, but I was not very familiar with him. I knew he was a drug runner on the west coast but that was where my knowledge stopped.

“Yeah, said they had business or something.”

I hummed, “Would you like to lay down for a moment?”

Jungkook was very obviously in pain. He tried to deny it for a minute but ultimately took my offer. Going to the fridge, I pulled out a can of Ginger Ale and gave it to him. He accepted it readily.

“Sorry about the gun,” I offered, sitting on the floor. “Jin’s right. I’m usually pretty harmless. I didn’t even own a gun until I left The Saints.”

Jungkook shook his head, “Don’t worry about it. You weren’t expecting company.”

Opening my own drink, I eyed him. He was far too calm. My guess was this was not his first time being shot. Trying to find other wounds was pointless, however, he was too clothed. I hadn’t even thought to check when I was helping him earlier.

“Why’d you come inside anyway?” I asked.

Jungkook grinned ruefully.

“Hyung said he’d call you.”

That pulled a laugh out of me. Park probably forgot about it. For someone as dangerous as he was, he could be irresponsible. I remember when we were scoping a jewelry store together a few years back, Jimin had completely forgotten where the cameras were by the time we left. I had to go back myself a few days later to make sure his guesses were right. We had never let him live it down. Yoongi did not think it was very funny.

“Typical,” I said.

“Yeah.”

Jungkook’s eyes slipped closed. He was so completely at ease in my presence it was unnerving. Taking a sip of my drink, I looked at him in bewilderment. He was so much like Taehyung, trusting and easy going. It was difficult to imagine what role he played in the crew. He could have taken my place but I doubted he was as good. He had come here, hid behind my door, and then ambushed me. Then he was surprised when I acted like he was an enemy. Chuckling, I put my drink down. Yeah, just like Taehyung.

“What’s funny?” He asked, eyes still closed.

Wiping the smile off my face, I replied. “Just thinking.”

We did not talk again. I was sure Jungkook had dozed off, but he kept waking back up again. Getting up, I began looking for some pain medicine to no avail. I had not needed to put myself to sleep in a long time. Grabbing my keys from the floor, I told Jungkook I was heading out for a bit. I got no response. Patting myself down, I knew I did not have my phone and picked it up from beside the bed. Jungkook was lightly snoring.

Slipping from the room, I locked up and went downstairs. Typing in the last number I had for Jimin, I was not surprised that it was no longer in service. He changed phones like you change clothes. Deciding to call Taehyung, I went to my contacts to find him. He was the only person I saved.

“Hello?” His voice was deep and hoarse. 

Glancing at the time, I realized it was much later than I thought. 

“Sorry about the time,” I replied. “It’s Mouse.”

I heard shuffling on the other side. Taehyung had gotten himself a girlfriend, Jennie, and I was almost positive she was relatively clueless about his life. The last time I talked to Hoseok, he had said she thought he was a tech guy who was helping a start up. He must have been with her now if his silence was anything to go by.

“Sorry,” He said, voice low. “I’m not alone.”

“I just need Park’s number and you can get back to bed.”

Saying the numbers slowly, I typed them into my keypad as I made my way through the dark streets. 

“Thanks,” I stopped walking once I got to the gas station around the corner. “Get some sleep.”

“It was good to hear your voice,” He replied, more awake than he had been. “I’ll be seeing you.”

“Night, V.”

“Night, Mouse.”

Hanging up, I stuffed my phone into my back pocket and walked into the store. It was deserted except for the cashier. Giving me a stiff nod, I ignored the man before going to the back of the store and getting some bottled water. I never trusted the tap in the building. Afterwards, I got a bottle of Nyquil and Advil before going to the register.

“Let me get a pack of Marlboro Black Menthols,” I told the cashier.

Taking out my phone, I took my ID from the attached wallet as well as my debit card. The man held the pack of cigarettes and took my ID. Briefly looking it over, he scanned the barcode before scanning the cigarettes. Handing the ID back to me, he began scanning my other items before bagging them.

“Your total is $26.87.”

Nodding, I inserted my card and typed my pin. Putting my card back into the small wallet, I put my phone into my pocket and took the bag.

“Have a good night,” I said.

“You too,” He replied.

Leaving the store, I opened up my keypad and pressed the call button. Jimin picked up after four rings.

“Hello?” He answered, voice brightly and bubbly.

He always answered unknown numbers like that just in case. Jimin always prioritized having the upper hand over anything else. Anyone looking for Park would never connect him to the voice on the other side. I, however, was familiar enough with him to see through the facade.

“You got your boy hit,” I said, cutting right to the chase. “I had to give him a dress and Nyquil after popping two in him.”

Jimin laughed loudly, his fake voice gone. This was why we were friends. Our senses of humor were far too warped due to our upbringings. In another world we would have been enemies belonging to different clans, but I liked this timeline far more. Park was a great guy when you looked past the insecurities, anger issues, and tendency to seek violence.

“Jungkook’s wearing a dress?” He exclaimed, still laughing. “God, you have to take a picture for me.”

I rolled my eyes, “Explain why he’s here. I would ask him but I stepped out to get some medicine for him.”

Jimin’s laughter abruptly cut off. That feeling of dread returned. If Park was getting serious then that meant whatever the situation was must be more than I thought it would be. I was expecting them to need me to help them with a heist, but I was getting the feeling it might be more than that. Jimin sighed.

“I can’t get into specifics right now, but you need to get the fuck out of California.”

Going up the stairs of my complex, I paused. 

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re not safe here anymore.”

Growing angry, I shouted. “Enough with the cryptic messages, Park!”

Continuing to go up, I kept looking around every corner I went to. This was the worst fucking timing I could have had. Things were finally going well for me, I had friends and a job that I actually liked, and I had to give it all up again. Tears filling my eyes, I shoved open my door and slammed it behind me.

“I told you I can’t get into specifics, but there’s a reason I’m with Kai right now. You and Jungkook need to get out of that apartment as soon as possible. I don’t care where you go but you need to leave.”

Jungkook sprung up when I kicked the edge of my bed. Pointing to my phone, I mouth ‘Jimin.’ Getting on my knees, I pulled out my duffle bag from underneath the bed and threw it at the other man. He looked at me when he stood up. I noticed the way he winced and held up the bag in my hand.

“Copy,” Was all I replied.

“Get to Boston. Don’t take the truck.”

“Give me something to work with,” I demanded, taking the Advil out of the bag and tossing it to Jungkook. “I can’t be blind.”

“Cмерть не за горами.”

My entire world stopped spinning. I could hear my heart beating, feel my lungs pushing the air out of my body, while my eyes were frozen. Every single inch of my skin shivered, goosebumps springing up, and I broke out into a cold sweat. This was no heist. 

Hanging up on Jimin, I went to the window above my bed and opened it. Throwing the phone as far as I could, I turned to find Jungkook waiting for instructions. Staring at him, I decided to take a leap of faith.

“Ты один из нас?” I asked.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow at me. “What?”

Gritting my teeth, I snatched the duffle from him. Jungkook continued waiting for me to tell him what to do. I pointed to my bathroom.

“Take everything from the mirror cabinet and put it in the bag. After that, grab what you can from the wardrobe and stuff it. Only take one pair of shoes and a pair of heels. That’s all I’ll need.”

He got to work quickly. Going back to the bed, I took out my gun and the spare ammo I kept locked up at the very back corner. Placing the ammo in the duffle, I took my first aid kit from the kitchen floor and tossed it in as well. 

“Do you have a gun?” I asked Jungkook.

“Yeah,” He replied. “It’s in the jacket downstairs. I thought you would feel more comfortable if I wasn’t armed.”

Packing my small makeup collection, I felt myself shutting down. Bad girls don’t have feelings, and I was fucking heartless. Yes, I told myself, heartless. It was harder to pretend now than it had been, I was rusty and in desperate need of a distraction. The thought of finding my old family in the shadows was always frightening, but the thought of them looking for me was far more unsettling.

“Done,” Jungkook announced.

Realizing I had zoned out, I quickly put my makeup in the duffle bag and closed it. I had no time to dwell or be afraid. Heartless, Mouse, Heartless. I hated that name. Shaking my head, I pulled myself together enough to sling the duffle over my shoulder. Jungkook went to take it but I held my hand up.

“You’re not carrying this with your injuries. Just take that bag and this-” I handed him my gun. “I don’t know how quick you are but it’s probably better than me. I’m rusty.”

He nodded and we made our way down the stairs. Thinking, I began to categorize the cars that were in the parking lot and on the street. My truck was near the front but the streets were shrouded in light at this time. Jungkook’s bike was also out front. The back had security cameras but was pitch black at this time. I decided the front was the risk I was more willing to take and went through the hallway door on the first floor. Passing the doors, I paid no mind to Jungkook. He was capable and stayed in step with me effortlessly. 

We would drive for a few hours, probably stopping at a diner so I could get another car, and keep going until we hit Arizona or New Mexico. I had not decided yet. Going out the front doors, I waved Jungkook away while I walked down the street. He went to get his jacket but left the bike behind. He was back beside me in a few seconds. 

Crossing the street, I had my eyes on a Honda Accord parked on the curb. It was definitely a ‘97 model. I could start her up in a heartbeat. Unzipping one of the side pockets of my bag, I pulled out a switchblade and zipped it back up. Going to the driver’s side, Jungkook stayed at my back while I tried the handle. To my surprise, it opened. Stepping to the side, I gently tapped Jungkook’s back. Turning, he quickly shoved the gun into the backseat as I opened the door. After seeing that the coast was clear, I motioned for him to go around the car while I popped the truck. He said it was fine.

Nodding at him, I got into the car. Kicking the steering wheel, I heard the column lock break before swapping the ECUs. Taking my knife, I ripped off the lower center cover. Getting back out of the car, I opened the backseat and threw my duffle inside. Putting my knife back in its pocket, I opened the long side pocket along the front and pulled out my old screwdriver. This was far from the first jacking I had done.

Getting back into the car, I began to pry the steel cover away. Asking Jungkook for a light, I waited while he pulled out his phone from the pocket of the red jacket. He was lucky no one had taken it. With the flashlight on, I turned the switch from off, past run, to start. The car came to life instantaneously. Waving the light away, I threw the screwdriver into the center console and placed the car in drive. Finally closing the driver’s side door, I peeled off into the night.

The radio came to life and Amy Winehouse sang loudly as I got onto the I-5.

“Til’ the chips were down

Know you were a gambling man.

Love is a losing hand.”

Jungkook was very quiet. I had just followed exit sounds and continued to drive toward Arizona. It was the least exciting state, and the people who lived there were far too judgemental outside of Phoenix, but it was the best way to get to the airport. That airport was far too big and strangely laid out that I knew we would be difficult to pick out in a crowd. Glazing over at Jungkook, he was holding the pack of cigarettes I had bought earlier.

“They’re for Jimin,” I suddenly said, switching lanes. “They were his favorite last time I saw him.”

“I think he’s smoking Camels now,” Jungkook replied.

“Can’t win them all.”

Sighing, I relaxed a bit more in my seat. So far, we have not been followed. Then again, I could be missing something. Tracking was not a strong suit of mine, and in my experience, the Russians were very, very evasive when they wanted to be. Still, I allowed myself a moment to breathe. 

“How do you know the boys in Brighton?” Jungkook asked, voice quiet and soft.

I thought about it for a moment. It was a rather long story, but knowing that we were familiar with the same people made it feel easier. Deciding to probe him for information first, I formed a plan in my head on how to go about this conversation.

“Have you ever heard of the person called Pыбка?” I asked, my American accent showing through. It had been a very, very long time since I had spoken Russian, and even then it had always been a second language that I learned from my time with the Shulaya.

“Ivan’s girl, right? The one who was murdered a few years back? What about her?”

Sparing him a quick glance, I spoke.

“Do I look dead to you?”

Jimin and I had known one another longer than anyone else in The Saints. He had been the last person to join the crew, and was deep within the Shulaya before he went to Jersey to join Hoseok’s team. I would never forget the look on his face the first time he saw me, or the fact that it took him all of ten minutes to get fully committed to keeping me safe. Everyone called me Mouse. Jin had come up with it after joking about me being able to live in someone’s attic and they would never know. It caught on and it was the only name anyone on the streets knew about. The ‘Little Fish’ of Shulaya long forgotten after the first two years of hiding. However, it seemed like my face had been seen by somebody and Ivan was not happy about my disappearing act. 

“Holy shit,” Jungkook said in awe. “We’re so fucked.”

I laughed, “Have some faith. Ivan is scary, but he’s also impulsive. I know him better than most and trust me- he doesn’t know how to keep his cool. Between Boston and NYC, I doubt he’ll get very far into their territory without raising hell.”

Jungkook made a strange noise.

“I’d be far more afraid of Yoongi than any of those Wiseguys.”

Scoffing, I saw the exit I needed to take in order to pull up at the last Holiday Inn before the long stretch of nothing at all. Jungkook seemed to see where my mind was going and began to look out of the window. After briefly going over what food options we had, we landed on Taco Bell. 

Ordering our food was simple enough. Jungkook was a huge tomato hater and was very upset to find that his Crunch Wrap had been ‘ruined.’ The motel seemed to have a few quests and I hoped we could get a room. Jungkook offered to pay. The frontdesk lady was kind and found us a room within 5 minutes. 

Using the elevator, I asked Jungkook if he still had the ‘thing’ with him. He nodded but said no more. It was probably better that way. Throwing my duffle bag onto my bed, I realized that Jungkook was still wearing a dress with the pants he had come inside in. 

Digging through my bag, I found a pair of sweatpants that would fit him well enough as well as an oversized nightshirt I rarely ever wore. I usually slept naked. Tonight, I will try to make my partner feel comfortable.

Throwing the clothes on his bed, Jungkook perked up a bit and seemed to be fine with their sizes. I wondered if he had been wearing more uncomfortable clothes at one time and shook my head. He had walked into this motel wearing that. Yes, Y/N, he has definitely been far more uncomfortable than tightly sweats. 

“You can take the bathroom first,” I pointed to the door. “You need it more than I do.”

Jungkook nodded, “Would you mind helping me get out of this thing? It still hurts to move my arms around too much.

Looking at him, I pinned him with an unimpressed look. We were not having one of those moments. Still looking at Jungkook, I unzipped the pouching with my switchblade in it and pulled the knife out. Walking to Jungkook, I quickly worked on the right side of the fabric. The left side was even quicker. Gently lifting his arm just enough to see his armpit, I cut the short sleeve from the bottom, following up with the top, and up the high neckline. Repeating it on the other side, the blood-soaked garment pooling to the floor. 

Jungkook seemed frozen. Looking at his face, his eyes were wide and staring at the blade in my hand. Thinking he might be uncomfortable with me standing so close to him with a weapon, I walked back to my bed.

“If you need help getting the shirt on, just let me know.”

“Thanks,” Jungkook replied.

Picking up the spare clothes, he walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. The water was on a few seconds later. Fully alone in the room, I looked around and decided to throw out the dress. With the torn up dress safely put away in my duffle, I tried to figure out what to do while I waited. 

Taking Jungkook’s phone off of his bed (he used a flip phone just like Yoongi did on the job), I quickly found my way to the contacts. Hovering over Jimin’s number, I paused. Not thinking about it for too long, I pressed it and placed my phone to my ear. He answered quickly.

“Where are you?” Jimin asked, voice very low.

“Are you safe to talk?” I replied, voice just as low.

I could hear the way Jimin rolled his eyes, a small groan leaving his lips.

“I’m fine,” His voice was still soft. “I’m at a casino right now. Did you steal his phone?”

My blood ran cold. Most of our guys loved gambling, but Jimin had always thought it was a dumb pastime. I knew Ivan had been trying to expand the Russian influence in Los Angeles, and I hoped that he knew what he was doing. Jimin tended to run into situations without contemplating everything. Instead of grilling him, I decided to ease his worries.

“We’re safe. Heading east.” I looked around the room distractedly. “And no. I’m using it while he’s taking a shower.”

Jimin sighed in relief, “Kook is a good guy. He’ll keep you safe long enough to make it back to Boston. I’ll be on my way back in a few hours.”

It was better to keep things vague. Just like I had not said where we were headed, Jimin’s answer could mean anything. I heard Jungkook cry out but he was quiet soon after. I hoped the work I had done was keeping. I had told him to keep the stitches covered.

“See you soon,” I forced a smile on my face. “I got you a pack of cigarettes.”

Jimin laughed, though it sounded more forced than normal.

“Stay safe. I have to go.”

I hung up without another word. If he had to go then he had to go. The shower was still running and I was bored again. Looking at the door, I was tempted to walk around for a while. I had a feeling I would get myself into trouble if I did, but I was curious to see if I could get some extra clothes for Jungkook. Possibly a set of car keys, too. Looking at the bathroom door, I figured he was going to be there for a while.

“Fuck it,” I said under my breath.

Getting my room key, I slipped out of the room quietly. 

The hallway was deserted, not a body in sight, but I had a feeling I could get something if I looked hard enough. Going to the elevator, I spotted a young couple laughing. Slowing my walk, I was happy to see that they were getting on the elevator.

Angling my body, I was practically jumping up and down when my eye caught on their room key. This would be too easy. The elevator chimed signaling someone was getting off. Quickly moving my body, I relied on their clinginess to sneak into the corridor without a problem. A group of people pooled out of the elevator and I drifted into their numbers.

The couple stood to the side and waited for us to pass. Using my foot, I tripped a young woman in front of me. She stumbled while I placed myself in a position to trip over her. The both of us dropped. The woman fell into the man. Falling, I shuffled closer to the man’s hand while the woman began apologizing profusely.

Quickly snatching the card from him, I slipped it into my pocket while I stood up. Adjusting my clothes, I quickly apologized as well. The couple waved the both of us off, seemingly unbothered, before getting on the elevator. Nodding to the woman, I turned toward the way the couple had come from. Looking at the keycard, I made my way toward the door with the number on it. I was lucky the woman and I had similar hair styles, but I was aware of Holiday Inn well enough to say that most of their cameras did not work.

Glancing up at the camera in the middle of the hallway, I was positive it was not working. Typically there would be a small, red dot that showed it was recording. Today, it was off. Letting myself in, I knew I had to be quick and clean.

Tonight I would only get clothes. Car keys were something I would have to snatch in the morning over breakfast. Someone would notice their keys missing in the middle of the night. Locating a large, black suitcase on the floor by the foot of the bed, I pulled it up onto the bed and unzipped it.

Carefully sifting through the clothes, I only pulled out enough for two outfits before gently placing everything back smoothly. They would probably be a bit big on Jungkook, but I doubted he would mind very much. I swore he was wearing a belt, but I had not been paying enough attention to know for sure. 

Going to the pockets of the bag, I was happy to find a container of hair pomade and hoped it might make Jungkook happy. He would be able to do his hair if he wanted. Grabbing a pack of hair bands and a pair of boxers, I was ready to leave. Going into the dresser, I pulled out the complimentary bag they gave every guest, I shoved the clothes in it before leaving the room. With the keycard in my hand, I dropped it in the spot the couple had been before making my way back to my own room.

Jungkook was sitting on his bed drying his hair when I came in. He was wearing the sweatpants and t-shirt I had given him. I was glad he was able to get it on alone, but I felt bad I had not been here to help him. Holding up the bag, I tossed it his way.

“The first robbery I’ve done in four years,” I shook my head. “You should feel special.”

Jungkook opened the bag and grinned at me. His hair went just past his shoulders when it was wet, his fluffy curls weighed down by the water. Sifting through the bag, he seemed the happiest about the hair ties. 

Getting my own clothes, I let him know I was going to take a shower. Getting under the hot water was a healing experience, and for the first time today I let a few tears slip out.

I was terrified, frustrated, but mostly- pissed.

Twelve years ago

Hands bound, I let my body relax. Ivan’s eyes were blazing, his anger palpable, but I refused to look away. He would never think I was weak again. Walking closer, the Russian yanked me up roughly, one of the straps of my sundress breaking.

“What the fuck did you do?” He seethed, his accent thick and almost incoherent through gritted teeth. “You always ruin everything you touch.”

Slowly, and with great care, I pooled spit into my mouth. With a quick gurgle, I spit in Ivan’s eye. My rebellion had angered just as much as it had excited Ivan. The thought made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to be as far away from him as possible, his hands burning my skin. Slamming me down, Ivan roared in anger before delivering a swift kick to my stomach.

Gasping, I tried my hardest to keep the vomit down. I refused to give him the satisfaction. I wished I was with Alexei. He would never have treated me like this. As if the thought had transferred over to the man beside me, he kicked me again.

“Alexei is dead, Лох,” He shouted. “You’re mine now.”

With another swift kick, I cried out. Then, without warning my stomach twisted. Another kick. Finally, I threw up all over the concrete floor beneath me. 

For now. I was yours for now.

Present

With a new set of car keys in my hand, I walked into the parking lot. Jungkook was on the phone, but quickly hung up when he saw me approaching. Raising an eyebrow at him, I waved him over and we began walking together. Clicking the unlock button, I smiled when I saw the yellow Porsche. The two of us placed our things inside without a care in the world and drove off quickly after. 

I had found the targets for today the night before while walking around the hotel late last night. It was a young woman and her mother. The two of them had been a whirlwind and gave the staff hell. Unable to sleep, my head headaches from exhaustion, and their bickering only pissed me off more. Unfortunately for them, they had made a big show of their money and decided to brag about their car.

It took a few minutes to switch out license plates and even less time to steal her car keys this morning during breakfast. They were staying for another day and had not planned on leaving the hotel at all. Jungkook laughed once we were a safe distance away.

“I’m still in shock at that woman’s entitlement,” He shook his head. “Did you see the way she flipped out when they ran out of bacon before her ‘precious angel’ could get any?”

Chuckling, I kept my attention on the road.

“Her attitude was the only reason I swiped this thing. I would never get into something so obvious.”

“It was as easy as stealing candy from a baby.”

Feeling confident from the jacking, I decided to play along.

“Do you steal from babies often?”

Jungkook giggled cutely, “I’ve cut down to twice a year.”

“Oh?”

“Halloween-” He counted with one finger, and lifted another, “-and Easter.”

“Easter?” My eyebrows pulled in as I laughed incredulously.

Jungkook grinned lazily. 

“Stockings are so last year.”

It was becoming increasingly more difficult to think of him as a member of the mafia. While my age had made others test my abilities far more often than the others I never believed anyone doubted who I was. There was a look in your eye, this coldness, that separated you from the rest. I could pick out a killer in a line up- we were one in the same. However, Jungkook was impossible to get a read on. His boyish charms and good looks were not uncommon, but the innocence in his smile and the brightness that remained in his eyes were unsettling. Everything about him was unnerving. He was disarming and that alone was frightening.

Realizing the car had become quiet, I turned the radio on. It was a habit of mine. I did not like the silence. I hated it. Some trashy pop song blasted but I did not care. Jungkook did and began to look for something he liked more.

“What do you like?” He asked, pressing the screen to change the stations.

“Pick whatever,” I replied, flipping off the guy who cut me off.

Arizona was the worst state I had ever been to. The drive was not as awful as Texas, nothing will ever beat the twelve hours of hell to still be in that damned state, but it was not much better. Outside of Phoenix the towns were not as grand. Tucson gave her a run for her money, but never came close to the busy city. Driving through the desert, I asked Jungkook to pull up the directions to the airport. I no longer knew my way.

“How did you meet the guys?” I asked, eyes on the road.

Jungkook picked a pop station and leaned back in his seat.

“Through Jimin,” He replied. “They needed help dealing with someone. I had just left New York and we ran into each other in Vegas. I liked everyone so I decided to join.”

Raising an eyebrow, I quickly turned my head so he could see my expression.

“Ivan let you leave?”

“I wasn’t a member,” Jungkook mumbled. “Just an acquaintance. I was for hire.”

That was not what I had expected. Jungkook did not seem like a killer, but I had been proven wrong many times. When I lived with my parents I had met many assassins I would have never guessed who they were just looking at them. Even talking with them it was impossible to detect. Looking at the man, I found it hard to believe that we were from the same background. While I had ran from that life, Jungkook ran toward it with open arms. In fact, he seemed to pay it little mind.

“What family are you from?” I asked. “My family was under The Table.”

Jungkook’s eyebrows shot up.

“You’re from the Underground?”

I nodded, “I never really wanted that life. I’m a much better thief anyway.”

Jungkook rubbed his bottom lip. I forced myself to focus on the road. Even if we were the only people out here, I did not want to risk anything. I had stolen the car and the plate and getting stuck out here would be hell.

“I’m with Sacarii.”

The Sacarii was the sister organization to The Table. While my family had mostly dealt with members of gangs and high profile families, members of the Sacarii were the people who went after other assassins. Stealing another look at Jungkook, I looked at the tattoos on his arm and tried to find his symbol. All of us got one, mine was a tiger on my right side, but the ink was too difficult to look at while driving.

“I have a tiger lily,” Jungkook said, noticing my assessment. “I have a few of them, actually.”

Lilies are from Japan, but I knew Jungkook was Korean. His name alone gave him away. Waving my hand, I asked him to explain when he got it.

“My family moved to Japan when I was fifteen. I had my first kill there so we decided that I would get something to represent that. The prayer hands on my back were done by the organization after the ordainment.”

Ordainments were very common. It was the process an assassin went through to become an official member of their organization. Their families were no longer defined by blood but the common experiences each one shared. The Table and the Sacarii were one big family, but oftentimes we did not get along with one another. Civil at best and competition at worst. Prayer hands with a rosary were the tattoos everyone got. It was large, covering the entire center of the back, with the family oath written above and below it. 

“I never got mine,” I admitted. “I ran off before my ceremony. That’s when I met Alexei.”

“How old were you?”

Smiling sadly, I replied. “Thirteen.”

“Oh,” He said. “I didn���t know they got people that young.”

“Well, he saw me kill someone and wanted to keep me. I doubt you knew him- he died a few years ago.”

Jungkook nodded, “Yeah. What was he like?”

Laughing, I spotted a gas station and decided to stop. We were at half a tank, but I wanted to be safe. Jungkook took out his wallet and handed me a twenty. 

“He was a better man than his brother,” I answered, taking the money. “He knew how to stay calm and respect other people. Alexei always kept good relationships with the other families. Ivan is an idiot who can’t handle criticisms of any kind.”

“He’s that awful? I mean, I only know him through brief meetings.”

“I’d rather be dead than serve him again,” I opened my door. “But you already know that.”

Settling in my seat, I glanced over at Jungkook. He looked tired and I let him know it was fine to sleep. He nodded and slipped his eyes closed shortly after. Taking my new phone out of my pocket, I decided to make a quick phone call before we took off. Jungkook and I had picked up a flip phone from Walmart on our way to the airport. It was more secure than any smartphone. Dialing the number, I waited.

“Hello?” Hoseok picked up.

“I’m landing in Massachusetts,” I replied, knowing he was aware of the situation by now. It had been a day and a half. “Pick me up at our spot.”

“Jin will be there.”

“Copy.”

Hoseok sighed heavily, “Is the kid okay? Heard you shook him up.”

Glancing at Jungkook, I was shocked he was snoring. 

“He’s fine,” I replied. “He’s definitely in pain, and tries to keep his movement to a minimum, but hides it from me. Attempts to, I should say.  I took care of him as best I could but Agust should get his hands on his ASAP.”

Hoseok hummed and I knew he was nodding. He was a very animated, lively person and could not sit still for long. He got into a fist fight with a Russian who took offense to his hand movements. 

“See you when I see you.”

“Three o’clock,” I said before hanging up.

Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I finally buckled my seat. Shaking Jungkook awake, I told him to put his belt on. He grinned at me lazily before doing it. He fell asleep again quickly. 

Happy to have a window seat, I watched as we began to take off. It had been a while since I was on a plane. The last time was when I was running to California as quickly as I could. Kansas had been nice when I had first left The Saints, but it quickly became suffocating. The silence and mundane town life made my skin crawl. California had seemed like it would be better, more fun, but it had become just as mundane after a while. 

I had always gotten bored easily. It was why I enjoyed pickpocketing. As a kid, my little hands and unassuming looks had made it easy. I never planned on getting good at it. At the time it felt less damning in comparison to what the people in my life wanted me to do. 

There was a time when I was happy killing, pleasing my family had always felt good, but that faded when my teenage years approached. Running away to New York was a quick, impulsive decision I had made when I was afraid of my future. Staring at the clear, blue sky, I scoffed. 

I had run away from one hell into another. I went from that one into another. The Saints were my family, but I would be lying if I said I felt they were any different from what I had always done. Kansas had been my first attempt at normalcy, and San Diego had been me living in that world.

And I loved it, in my own way. It was nice to have a routine. It felt good to have friends, even if they were the most surface level friendships I could allow myself to have, and I owned my own things. I had earned what I had. 

Now I was flying back to a place I was not sure I belonged anymore. I felt two halves of myself fighting one another. One half wanted to run again, to disappear, and get as far away from this place as possible. Then there was the other side of me, the twisted, dark, nasty side of myself that was reveling in all of this. My excitement was hard for me to figure out, and I began to doubt myself.

Had I ever really wanted this life? Has it all been a dream? A fantasy of a perfectly serene, normal, and legal lifestyle I had never known? Finding a cloud, I rubbed my temples and sighed. 

I doubted I would ever have an answer to that question.

Five years ago

Standing around the table, all of us went over the plan again. They were doing construction on the roof, so that would be the quickest, and easiest, point of entrance. I would go first while Hoseok and Jin dressed as police officers to take out the security guards in the back. Taehyung would take care of the cameras before this. Yoongi would follow behind me along with Jimin. I would lead the team after we had taken over the museum.

Looking over at Jimin, he was already looking at me. Everyone knew that this would be my last mission, and he had taken it the worst. We hardly spoke and he actively ignored me. I was surprised he was acknowledging me at all. Breaking eye contact, I went back to explaining the pieces we would be taking.

“Don was very specific about these three pieces,” I said, pointing to the Rembrandt and two pieces of jewelry. “These are our high payouts. Get these first. After that we can make quick work of the rest.”

“Who did you say the others were going to?” Yoongi asked.

“The rest are split up between some vendors I know,” I replied. “Freddie Newman, Diane Pollack, and Dwayne Smith. The jewels are for Georgie Boy, Archie, and two others. Park’s handling that.”

“This is a big job,” Hoseok mumbled. “Will the six of us be able to get it done?”

I nodded easily. 

“Yes, we’ll have all the time in the world once those guards are taken care of. I’m planning on this being an hour- two at most.”

Looking back at Jimin, I was happy to see he was grinning at me. We would be fine. Deciding we had gone over everything, I walked away from the table. 

“We’ll leave at midnight.”

“Copy,” Jimin replied.

Smiling to myself, I left the room and went to the kitchen to find something to eat.

Getting off the plane, I kept Jungkook close as we made our way to baggage claim. Being on the East Coast again was uncomfortable. I knew this airport like the back of my hand, knew every nook and cranny of these streets, but I still felt out of place. I was even more unsettled knowing there were people looking for me. 

Standing by the conveyor belt, we waited for my duffle bag to come out. Jungkook looked around, his scouting looking natural, and I kept my eyes on the bags. It came out a few minutes later, and I slung it over my shoulder. Jungkook wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into him.

“They’re here,” He whispered, a soft smile on his face. Lips brushing the top of my head, he started walking and kept me close. “They don’t know me, so we’ll be fine.”

Forcing a smile on my face, I wrapped my arm around his waist. My heartbeat quickened, and I found myself enjoying the way his body pressed into mine. Allowing myself a small glance around us, I saw two familiar faces near the escalators. Dimitri and Anton. As we neared the escalators, I knew they would notice me unless I acted very differently than what they remembered. 

Deciding to commit to our charade, I lifted my head up towards Jungkook. Kissing his cheek, I was able to hide my face from the two men. Jungkook stepped onto the elevator first. Turning him to face me, I grabbed his face and pressed our lips together. He was soft, gentle, and tasted like the licorice he’d gotten on the plane. He wrapped his arms around my waist and melted into the kiss. Pulling away, head pressed against his, I looked at the steps. 

“We’re almost at the top,” I mumbled.

Jungkook nodded and slowly moved away from me. Angling his body towards the front, he kept an arm firmly around my waist as we got to the top. Sparing a single glance behind me, the two men were none the wiser. Smirking, I ran my hand up and down Jungkook’s back in silent praise. 

Walking further and further away from the others, Jungkook’s arm did not move. I stayed close to his side, happy to have someone to lean on. It made sense now. Jimin sent him because he was less known to the others. Ivan would know him, and the people closest to him, but someone like Anton would be blindsided by his presence. They were expecting one of my boys. Stepping into the sun, the two of us were quick to hail down a taxi and slip inside. 

“We’re running a bit late,” I announced, buckling in. “Can you take us to the Hood Milk Bottle?”

“No problem,” The cab driver replied.

It was barely a 10 minute drive, but airport traffic made it feel like forever. Jungkook and I did not talk. Our closeness from earlier was officially stopped, and I felt silly for missing his warmth. Looking at him out of the corner of my eye, I grew shy. Just moments ago, his arms were wrapped around me. Catching sight of the tiger lily on his elbow, I had to quickly look back out of the window.

God, he was fucking hot.

Pulling out my phone, I found a new message on it. 

Unknown: Eating a lobster roll outside

Rolling my eyes, I replied.

Y/N: Of course you are. Two minutes.

Unknown: Lunch on me

Flipping the phone closed, I shoved it back in my back pocket. Looking out of the window, I did feel nostalgic. It had been such a long time and yet things stayed the same. There were a few new shops where old ones used to be, but the places I remembered the most fondly were still around. The mixed feelings I had were beginning to weigh down on me. 

Pulling up, I smiled. Hood was such an iconic, fun place. Looking back at Jungkook, I was touched to see him paying the cabby. Saying goodbye, the two of us got out of the car. The duffle had been in my lap. Jungkook stared up at the giant milk bottle in awe.

“Jin said he'll buy us lunch.”

Jungkook smirked, “What do you recommend?”

Walking toward the snack stand, I shrugged my shoulders.

“I’m getting a lobster roll, but if you’re not into that, the soft serve is great.”

Walking around the side, I saw Jin sitting on one of the picnic benches eating. I was more surprised to see he was still enjoying his food than the purple hair. Jimin must have convinced him to do that. Whistling, I smirked at Jin and waved.

Jin was the oldest out of all of us, and spoke the least amount of English, but we were close. Standing, he offered me a hug which I happily accepted. Clearing my throat, I began speaking in Korean.

“You look nice,” I ruffled his hair. “This color looks really good on you.”

“Thanks,” He shoved my hand away. “Lobster roll? Thought you might have missed the New England taste.”

Nodded, I turned to Jungkook.

“What do you want?” I asked in English.

He shook his head at me, “Chocolate ice cream.”

When he spoke Korean, his voice was much deeper. Grinning at him, I looked back at Jin.

“One lobster roll and one chocolate soft serve.”

Going to order our food, Jin told us to sit and wait. Jungkook sat down next to me, his elbow on the table with his head resting on his fist. I was unsure of what to make of the look on his face. He seemed so… fond of me. No one had ever really looked at me like that before. I was used to anger, annoyance, or fear, but fondness was uncharted territory. The closest person I could think of had been Alexi, but even then he had always looked at me as a child. Jungkook did not.

“I didn’t know you spoke Korean,” He said, speaking the language.

“I know a lot of languages,” I replied. “I’m mostly fluent in English and Russian. My Korean is good, but I’m not fluent by any stretch of the imagination. I speak a decent amount of Spanish as well.”

“That’s so cool. Mine are Korean, Japanese, and English.”

Jin was back with our food. 

“Eat it in the car,” He said, “Everyone is waiting for us.”

“Is Park back in town?” Jungkook asked.

Jin shook his head, “Not yet. We haven’t heard from since yesterday.”

I knew we would talk more once we were out of the public eye. There was only so much we could say out here. Taking my roll, I followed Jin. Jungkook ate his ice cream happily, his eyes sparkling with joy. It was my turn to smile fondly. 

Pulling into a small driveway, I was confused. I did not recognize the house. Painted a calming sky blue with black shutters, a well-groomed lawn, and a small flower garden, it was unassuming and plain. Looking over at Jungkook, he seemed happy to be here. 

“Where are we?” I asked.

Jungkook smiled at me, “Yoongi’s.”

Taken aback, I froze. That had been the last person I had thought of. The last time I had seen everyone, Yoongi and Hoseok were living in a shitty condo in South End. While I was confused, and even unsettled, by the changes I was also pleased. It felt good to see Yoongi living more civilly. I wondered what had changed.

Hopping out of the Jeep, I met up with Jin and Jungkook at the hood before following behind them. The house was pristine and the small cul de sac was quiet. Eyes bulging out of my head, I fought back the urge to laugh out loud at the sight of a bird feeder on the edge of the lawn. 

Standing on the small porch, the three of us huddled close together. Jungkook gently moved my body in front of his, successfully shielding my body from the street. Leaning back slightly, I brushed my back against his chest quickly before straightening my back. I was beginning to lean into my growing attraction, but knew better than to take it any further than small touches. The airport had been for survival- nothing more. 

Jin knocked, the rhythm the only familiar thing about this place, before the door swung open. On the other side, a woman peered out at us. Her hair was short, wildly frizzy with unkempt curls, and bright red. Her eyes were brown and skin alabaster. The green dress she wore looked nice on her full figure. She smiled brightly at Jin, saying hello with joy. Her voice had hints of an accent but it was too faint for me to pick up.

“It’s nice to see you Johanna,” Jin greeted, kissing the woman’s cheek before gesturing towards me. “Johanna, Mouse. Mouse, Johanna.”

The red head gave me a polite smile before offering her hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mouse.”

“Y/N,” I corrected, glaring at Jin. “Y/N is fine outside of business.”

“This is business though, isn’t it?” Johanna tilted her head at me, a mischievous glint in her eye. I decided right away that I liked her. “Come in. Hello Kookie.”

“Hey Jo,” The man replied.

Stepping inside, I looked around. The inside was just as perfect as the outside. Brightly colored walls with pops of color scattered around, mostly in the art hanging on the walls, with plants everywhere. It smelled like apple cinnamon and Pinesol. The hardwood floors were loud as we walked along them. The size of the living room was bigger than my entire apartment. Catching sight of a collage of photos, I looked over them the best I could as I walked.

All of them were nice photos, family photos, but one caught my eye. Yoongi was smiling, a rare sight, and his eyes were shining brightly. He was on the beach, arms wrapped around Johanna tenderly, while she had a large bouquet of flowers in her hand. She wore a white dress that hit her just at the ankle, a long, thin veil clipped onto the back of her head. The Saints were there along with a few people I did not recognize. Belatedly, I realized that I was looking at a wedding picture. A wedding I had missed. A wedding I had never been invited to. A wedding I had never even knew. Eyes glued to the photo, I cause a glimpse of Jungkook in a far-off corner, almost completely cut out, but he had been there. 

I knew my hurt feelings were unjustified. I had been the one who told them to leave me out of their affairs. I had said emergencies only. Still, I found myself growing increasingly alienated. I truly had no place here anymore. The only purpose I had ever served was monetary gain. The friendships I had built along the way were as fickle as the ones I had in New York. 

Arguing with myself, I struggled to stay present. As we walked deeper into the house, the need to run presented itself all over again. Everything I had known was gone. Everyone was different. Everything was different. Sparing a glance over at Jungkook, a seed of resentment began to grow in my chest. 

No one had ever referred to me as affectionately as they had Jungkook. No one had ever seemed endeared by my failures. Hell, none of these guys even acknowledged my feelings half the time. Staring at the back of Johanna’s head, I found that I didn't really like her that much anymore. She was loved. I was tolerated.

Still, I told myself that they had come for me. They had wanted to keep me safe. And yet, the insecurities that had always lived in my head reared their ugly head and reminded me that it was for their own good. I was useful. As long as I would be of use to them, then I would be protected. It would never be the same reasons they would fight for Johanna. They would fight for her because they wanted to keep her safe.

I could feel eyes on me, but I ignored them. I did not want comfort from Jungkook. I just wanted to get this over with so I could go back to San Diego. Even if they were surface level, those friendships were still more loving than whatever the fuck I had here. I hated Boston. I hated New York. I hated the entire East Coast. 

“Y/N?” Johanna called out, looking back at me with concern. “Are you alright?”

Nodding, I replied. 

“I’m fine. Just lost in my head.”

I hated the edge my voice had taken on. I hated just how much I had to control myself around these people. I wanted to scream, shout, cry; whatever. I just wanted to feel myself lose control for a little while. The woman did not believe me but offered me a smile regardless. 

“I asked if you would like a drink.”

“Water’s fine,” I replied.

Jin seemed suspicious of me but said nothing at all. He had always known I liked my space. Still, I could tell he was worried. I knew my thoughts were out of line, I knew that I was over thinking and attempting to overcompensate, but it was impossible to stop it from happening. The downward spiral was difficult to manage. 

Suddenly, an arm was wrapped around my shoulder. Jumping, I whipped my head around to see Jungkook smiling at me. It was a goofy smile, one that he pulled when he was feeling playful, before he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“What happens when you get water on a table?” He asked.

Taken aback, I opened and closed my mouth several times.

“What?”

“It becomes a pool table.”

Mouth agape, I blinked in disbelief before shoving him away. I let out a small laugh and shook my head at him. Where in the world had that come from?

Seokjin was laughing, hands clapping, and praising the younger man for the joke. Jin was a big fan of dad jokes and enjoyed making them up whenever he could. Typically, you would have to know enough Korean for them to make sense, but they never failed to get a few chuckles out of me. The ridiculousness of the jokes coupled with the corny delivery was always funny. Johanna placed a glass in front of me smiling fondly at Jungkook.

“He’s a mess,” She said, looking at me in faux exasperation. “I don’t know how you survived the trip here. He talks too much.”

Shaking my head, I took a large sip of the water.

“It’s better than the awkward silence Yoongi brings along.”

She laughed, knocking her head back.

“Touche,” She giggled. “He is a bit intense sometimes.”

“You’ve been in Boston for an hour and you’re already turning my wife against me.”

The voice had come from behind me. Spinning around dumbly, I was face-to-face with Yoongi. The scar on his face was just as prominent as it had always been, taking up his entire left cheek into forehead, but his eyes seemed lighter than I remembered. He was skinnier than the last time I saw him, too. He was wearing a simple black shirt with a pair of jeans. He seemed completely at ease. 

“Hey kid,” He greeted Jungkook with a grin. “Heard Mouse got you good.”

Jungkook flushed, ducking his head while rubbing his neck.

“Oh?” Jin chimed, his voice mocking. “The great Sacarii taken down by a little mouse?”

Rolling my eyes, I sighed heavily.

“He didn’t even try anything,” I admitted. “I was the aggressive one.”

“He was just an idiot,” Jin teased.

Yoongi tsked, “Park was the bigger idiot of the two. He’s going to give me an aneurysm.”

“You’re too hard on him,” Johanna gently scolded. “You know Jimin has a roundabout way of being right.”

 Jungkook laughed, “A broken clock’s right twice a day.”

A silence fell over our group. It felt unnatural to be standing in a nice kitchen talking over mundane topics with everyone. It was a long ways away from the roach infested alleyways and closed off apartment complexes. I lived with Jin, Jimin, and Taehyung when I was in Boston. Our small one bedroom was always cluttered, overcrowded, and was the main spot for our meetups. The conference room had been stuffed between two twin-sized mattresses with a large, round table in the middle of it all. I slept on the pull-out sofa in the front. 

“I guess we should talk,” Yoongi said, looking me up and down. 

“I guess so,” I replied.

Walking over to him, I realized that no one else was following. Looking back at the other three, they simply looked back. Sighing, I let it go. Being alone with Yoongi was not an unwelcome thing, but it had always made me feel like I was in trouble. Laughing at myself, I followed the man out of the kitchen and into the dining room. This time I was the one who was in trouble. 

Walking out of the dining room, we were now in a small reading room with a staircase. A green, stand-up piano was tucked away between tall bookshelves and more plants. Following Yoongi upstairs, I refrained from looking too closely at things. The house was much bigger than it looked. Walking past a few doors, we stopped before Yoongi opened one. 

Gesturing me to follow, I smiled at the sight of the old table. It was far too large, held six chairs, and was cheaply made. Someone had refurbished it and I wondered if it had been Johanna. She seemed to like everything to be nice and neat. It was an aesthetically pleasing layout, but this room was all Yoongi. The dark colored walls and furniture were in stark contrast to the otherwise white house. Taking a seat at the table, I pulled out the chair directly across from him.

There was a line up of photos scattered on the desk along with a few letters. I recognized two of the women but the others were unfamiliar to me. Looking around, I scowled when I saw a picture of Ivan. I would be lying if I said he was physically unattractive. Ivan had always had this air around him and coupled with his angular features and blue eyes it was no wonder why women chased him. I knew him, however, and the slope of his cheekbones and the perfectly groomed dirty-blonde hair did nothing but repulse me. He looked everything like his brother. He looked nothing like his brother.

Picking the photo up, I looked closely. It was candid. Someone had been hiding when they took it since the man seemed to be unaware of the camera. He was smoking a cigarette and behind him was a beach. Trying to figure out where he could be was hard, but it was nowhere near New York. It was too sunny, the waves too high, and I could see a surfer in the background. 

“Johanna took that,” Yoongi suddenly said. “We were in California. It’s where we got married.”

Mind racing, I kept looking at the picture. Ivan had been close to me. Very close, in fact. Trying to figure out how I could have been traced, I thought of Kimberly and winced. It would take no time at all to figure out if it really was me. He could just send some random into the salon after seeing a post. I looked different but I was still me. He could have scouted out the place for months without me being any wiser. Closing my eyes, I dropped the photo.

“He’s known where you are for a while,” He continued. “He had asked Jungkook to take care of you a few weeks ago, but the kid refused. He knew your face. Ivan’s been trying to figure out the best plan of getting to you without pissing us off.”

“So he thought forcing me back to New York was the best option?” I spat.

Yoongi nodded, “In his mind, you’d be under his claim again so we’d have no authority. Either he’s crazy or stupid.”

“Both,” I replied. “Always both.”

“I’ve noticed.”

Eyes searching the pictures for more signs, I grew angry. 

“Why are you only just now telling me?” I demanded, picking apart each detail of the photographs. “I should have known from the very beginning.”

“I thought so, too,” Yoongi defended. “It was Jimin telling us to cool it. He thought he could get it under control since he’s known Ivan for so long. It didn’t work out and Jimin was kicked out of the family.”

“What?” I shouted.

Ivan was losing his damn mind. Jimin was the closest thing to Alexi those boy had after Ivan took over. They loved him, I loved him, and to watch him get kicked out over me would have been a massive blow to Ivan’s credibility. Loyalty was gone from New York it seemed, and it would only be a matter of time before Ivan came to the same conclusion. They don’t make them like Jimin anymore. He was only trying to keep the peace. Thinking of my friend, I willed back my tears. He had wanted me to stay in California. He didn’t want me to come back.

“They’re not doing well,” Yoongi admitted. “Georgie Boy and I talked and he’s with us regardless. The Italians haven’t been appreciating Ivan’s ways either. Hoseok spoke with the Gambinos and they said they’ll light up the Russians if they get into their territory again.”

“Again?”

Yoongi smiled without humor.

“Ivan’s boys were selling in the Gambino’s turf. Didn’t end well for them. They aren’t going to tolerate that shit again, and the other families are on the lookout as well. Have to say, the boy has lost his fucking mind.”

Going over the information, I felt more confident than I had before. Ivan was hoping to get me back into his arms first. Then he’d kill me. Or keep me. It was impossible to know for sure. Either way, he had a rude awakening if he thought my boys were going to let it happen without consequences. Thinking back to my thoughts when I first came inside, I reminded myself that we were connected. I meant more to them than property. They weren’t Ivan. 

They weren’t Alexei either.

Shoving that thought down, I refocused on the photo of Ivan. He looked worse than I had last seen him. His age was beginning to show, and I sneered at the sight of the family tattoo. I had been claimed by many groups in my life. The tiger for my family, the slope-edged star on my collar bone for Alexei, the clerk on my ribs for my skill with a blade, and St. Anthony for The Saints. Ivan’s name had been cut into my skin by the man himself after I killed a rival without permission. The scars were faded now, but I never liked to show my stomach anymore. You could still see the carving and I would always know they were there. 

 Eyes zeroing in on Ivan’s calf, I saw red as I caught sight of the dagger entwined by a snake. It was in the same spot as mine. They all represented something. 

The star was commonplace for all Russians while my clerk was far more specialized. I got it after I helped Alexei take care of a snitch. I hated thinking about that night, but it earned me my stripes. I got my dagger a few months later. The dagger was rare, only given out to a leader of a “suit” of thieves. Alexi had promoted me, and I controlled my own section of New York alongside him. Ivan did not deserve that tattoo even if he was the boss.

“Can I ask you something?” Yoongi said.

I nodded.

“Why would he want you back so badly? He hates you.”

I smiled ruefully, looking up from the picture. 

“I’m Alexei’s girl and he finds great pleasure in keeping me around just to spite him. Even if he’s dead, it’ll never be enough. Breaking me down was always the goal.”

“Were you and Alexei…”

Yoongi did not need to finish the sentence. It was a fair question and one that everyone asked at some point. The Saints never liked picking into my past too much. They knew it had been rough, they knew what Ivan and I’s relationship was like, so they put it to rest. Yoongi had seen my stomach once, said he was going to kill him one day, and never brought it up again. Latching onto the memory, I further reinforced that they cared for me. This was not a dangerous place. These are my friends.

“No, Alexei would never. I was only 13 when we met. He was 19. We were like siblings more than anything. More than he and Ivan ever were.”

“Ivan was jealous?” I nodded. “Typical.”

“He’s the one who killed him, you know,” I leaned back in the chair. “I was there that night. That’s why Ivan hates me. I know too much.”

Yoongi shook his head in disbelief. It was a completely different world than he was used to. The Irish took care of their own. While it may have involved violence and punishments being handed out from time to time, there had always been unwavering loyalty to one another. For Hoseok it was the same. Snitches were snitches but you always had people you knew were on your corner. When Ivan saw an in he took it, even if it meant killing his older brother, and everyone suffered for it. I had not said anything out of the code of ethics we built, but that never stopped word from spreading. Everyone knew Ivan killed Alexei but no one could prove it.

Yoongi sucked his teeth, “They know you came home. Jimin let us know about that. He and Kai have been all over this shit.”

I hummed, “They had a couple guys at the airport. Jungkook and I got past them easily, though.”

Yoongi looked at me strangely now. It was in between concern and pride, but I figured it was the closest thing to friendly I would get from him. It was not his fault his face looked the way it did. Wanting to lighten the mood, I decided to ask him about his wife.

“So, who’s Johanna?”

Yoongi actually cracked a smile.

“She’s a nuclear engineer. Works at BU and moved to America seven years ago.”

“How’d that even happen?”

Yoongi shrugged, “I don’t even know. We met at a restaurant Georgie took me to. She was there with some friends. We bumped into one another and she gave me her number. I didn’t call but we ran into each other again at a bar. Stuck like glue ever since.”

Gently smiling I replied, “Sounds nice. I’m glad you found someone.”

Yoongi looked down bashfully. He was like an entirely new person now. Yoongi had never been one to show emotions outside of anger and annoyance. Even with us he had been a hardass. It was strange but nice at the same time. I liked it more than the robot I was used to.

“She’s a good person,” He whispered, suddenly serious. “Sometimes I wonder if I should have left her alone. She deserves better than a life of crime and being entangled in my bullshit.”

I understood where he was coming from.

“You could always leave. Runaway to Iceland and never look back.”

Yoongi grinned, “I thought about it but I don’t have any skills outside of this. What would I do? Unlike you, some of us have never thought past our horizons. Besides, I have other people to think about.”

I also understood that as well. I had been afraid of change for a long time, and I had known I wanted it for a while. I was unsure how long they had known one another, or had been together, but Yoongi had always said he’d die in Boston. I doubted he thought that way now. 

“It’s okay to be selfish,” I mumbled. “Things haven’t been easy and there were times when I missed the craziness, but I can say it’s an experience everyone should have. I love both of my lives, but I’d be lying if I said I’d choose this over California.”

Yoongi nodded in thought. We would drop this conversation and likely never pick it back up again, so I knew I should say my peace now. Whatever he decided to do would ultimately be on his shoulders, but I thought it would be okay to push him to follow his heart’s desires. I was a dreamer and I hoped the others would find a dream to hold onto as well.

Walking downstairs, I was tired. The traveling had finally caught up to me and I wanted to get some rest while I could. Walking into the kitchen, the three of them were still talking. Johanna had started to cook something. It smelled nice but my stomach churned at the thought of food. Making my presence known, I yawned loudly and stretched my arms above my head.

“Sleepy?” Jungkook asked, completely at ease. 

He looked right at home here. Briefly I wondered if he stayed here often enough for that to be the case. Yoongi hated other people in his space, but he had changed since I last saw him. Jungkook, however, did not seem like someone who would like living with other people. He was mostly quiet, sweet, but standoffish at times. Jin grinned at me.

“Sorry to say I’m full,” The older man took a sip from a glass. I could not tell what it was and did not care to know. I rubbed my eyes dramatically and yawned again. “Jimin and I are rooming together. I doubt you want to take the sofa. Let’s just say I’ve been taking advantage of his absence.”

“I’ll take what I can get at this point,” I replied with another yawn. Shaking my head, I groaned. “God, I hate it when that happens.”

“Jungkook can keep you,” Johanna offered. “I’d let you stay here but my niece is spending the weekend. I don’t want to put her in a bad position.”

I knew what she meant. I would not want to put a child in the middle of this bullshit either. Looking over at Jungkook, I raised my eyebrow in silent questioning. He nodded back at me with a grin. I smiled back at him.

“We should go while we have daylight,” Jungkook said, a pair of keys in his hands.

I had no idea where they had come from.

“I can wait,” I protested. “You should eat first.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes.

“I’ll be fine. You haven’t slept since yesterday.”

“Y/N!” Jin scolded.

I non committedly waved him off. Scrunching my face up at Jin, I mumbled something close to ‘leave me alone,’ but I was doubtful it came out properly. Fighting to keep my eyes open, I leaned into Jungkook’s side as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. Guiding me away from the kitchen, I knew I heard Jin make a comment about how close we were.

“You’re just jealous she likes me more than you,” Jungkook snapped back.

“Does not,” Jin replied, childishly whining.

Johanna laughed and I could hear Yoongi coming down the stairs. Jungkook lead me back into the reading room and turned left. Going down two steps we were in front of a door.

“Be safe!” Johanna called out.

“Always, noona,” Jungkook replied.

Leading me to the room, I realized we were in a garage. I was again surprised. There were two cars, both of them very nice and sleek, surrounded by expensive tools and equipment. Back in the day, I would have swiped everything in this room and stole one of the cars. Now, I was being led toward the black Marcedes on the farthest side of the room. 

“This one’s mine,” Jungkook said, attempting to fill the space.

“First one we haven’t stolen,” I joked.

Sliding into the passenger seat, I melted into the seat before Jungkook was in the vehicle. Opening the glovebox, I moved my legs out of the way as the man dug around the compartment. Finally he pulled a smartphone out and quickly turned it on. A few minutes later, the garage door was opening and we were pulling out of the large driveway. We passed Jin’s Jeep on the way out and Jungkook could not help but make a snide comment about the ugly car. I felt comfortable enough to try and fall asleep.

“You know,” Jungkook announced, making my eyes snap open. “You’re the coolest person I’ve ever worked with.”

I chuckled, my drowsiness making it difficult to focus. 

“Thanks. You’re not that bad.”

“I’ve been useless for the entire trip,” Jungkook argued. “You stole the cars, got me clothes, made sure we were able to get flights without getting into some shit for it, and you always tried to make me feel more comfortable.”

Snorting, I looked over at the man.

“I shot you.”

Jungkook burst out laughing.

“I broke into your house.”

“Eye for an eye,” I offered, laughing.

Jungkook spared me a look in order to flash one of his blinding smiles. I noticed now that his front teeth were slightly bigger than they should be. 

“Really,” Jungkook was serious again. “I feel bad for being dead weight. I’ll make it up to you, though. I’m not really known for stealing cars or running off into the night, but I know how to kill someone.”

Looking at me again, Jungkook’s boyish smile and light eyes were on. In their place were hard lines, a slightly down-turned pout, and a coldness that surrounded him I was unaccustomed to. While earnest, his expression felt wrong. Jungkook was sunshine and this felt like an eclipse.

“No one is going to touch you. I’ll cut their fucking hands off finger-by-finger if need be to get my point across.”

“Why would you do that?” I asked, confused.

We did not know one another. Hell, I shot this fucking guy. And yet here he was devoting his life to keeping me safe. It was crazy. Then again, this life was like that. Putting myself in Jungkook’s shoes, I thought about it the other way around. Would I kill for him?

“Because you’re my friend,” He answered without hesitation. “You’re my friend and I would like to get to know you better.”

Yes, I thought, I would kill for this kid.

Humming, I decided against saying anything else. I was far too tired for this conversation. Letting my body win, I closed my eyes and leaned against the car window. I fell asleep quickly, but I found no peace. Ivan’s face flashed through my mind, his eyes alight with anger, and my blood was all over his hands. My screams echoed in the background. He placed his knife against my skin again and drew a “V” right next to the “I.”

Eleven years ago

Standing beside Hoseok, I stared up at the apartment complex wearily. It was small, bricked, and disgusting. I could smell trash and smoke everywhere and people were yelling. I did not like it here. Not at all.

Looking over at the older boy, I made sure to show him my discontent. I could admit that South End was nicer than my old place in Brooklyn, but only for the quieter atmosphere. Everything else was just as nasty. Hoseok shoved me forward and scolded me for acting like a “freak.”

“People are going to know you’re new,” Hoseok complained. “Then  I’m going to have to break their fucking head open for stepping out of line. Then Yoongi is going to dislike you. So, just fucking walk and keep your head down.”

Anger flaring, I stopped. Hoseok bumped into my back. Groaning loudly, he went to yell at me again. Scowling, I elbowed him in the stomach harshly. When he groaned and grabbed his stomach, I turned around and punched him in the face. While he barely moved, eating the hit easily, it seemed to get the message across.

“Don’t talk to me like that, bitch,” I seethed. “You’re not my dad.”

Waiting for Hoseok to hit me back, I stood there with my fists balled up. He looked at me intensely, his hands still clutching his stomach. His eyes went from my face to the small patch of exposed skin on my stomach. Knowing exactly what he was looking at, I pulled down the too-short shirt and yelled at him again to hit me.

Instead of violence, Hoseok simply took up straight. Breathing through his nostrils, he seemed to be calming himself down. I could see the start of a blackeye forming where I had hit him. My regret began eating away at me instantly, but I refused to back down. He deserved that hit. He needed to know I was not going to be his little plaything. 

Hoseok just continued to walk, telling me to follow, and I could tell he was trying to be nicer this time around. Confused and more uneasy than before, I kept my hands ready for a fight. I was not sure when this nice-guy act would stop.

Being shaken awake, I realized we were at Jungkook’s. Glancing at the time, I was shocked we had driven almost two hours. We were parked in a small lot with a large brick building to the right. Jungkook turned the car off and got out. Quickly following him, I wondered where we were.

It was a nice place. They looked like townhomes and I could smell someone barbecuing. Jungkook looked back at me, a few paces ahead, and continued to walk around to the front. Every house had large bushes in the front yards. Hydrangeas grew vibrantly along the walkway with spaces to make way for the entryway to homes. Jungkook turned and I followed.

The front was identical to the others. The only difference I could see was Jungkook’s ‘no shoes’ sign right out front. Rubbing my eyes, I continued to wake up and get the crust off of my skin.

“It’s small,” Jungkook suddenly said, “But it’s nice.”

“Where are we?” I asked, stepping into the house and kicking off my shoes.

“Chatham,” He replied, shrugging his jacket off. “It’s out of the way but I like the beach.”

The first thing I noticed was the large, beige sectional in the living room. On the wall was a large television above a faux fireplace. The entire house smelled like wood polish and oranges. I liked the carpeted floors and was pleasantly surprised by how clean everything was. There were no photos or personalized art hanging on the walls, but I guessed Jungkook never really liked those sorts of things. He was personable but in the moment. Jimin was a photo monster.

Thinking of my friend, I hoped he was alright. It was unlike him to go full radio silent. At the very least he would have called and checked in. Perhaps he had and no one bothered to tell me. Catching a glimpse of myself in the large, gold framed mirror hanging above the dining table, I flinched. 

I looked just as bad as I had begun to feel. I was tired, my eyes puffy, and I was embarrassed by the drool dried at the corner of my lip. My shoulder was stiff and uncomfortable from sleeping in the car and my clothes looked a mess. Jungkook had my duffle bag on his shoulder and I belatedly realized I have never even thought to grab it. I had not even brought it inside.

“Thank you,” I said.

Jungkook smiled at me. 

“It’s no problem. The room’s not being used anyway.”

“No,” I shook my head and walked up to him. Carefully taking the bag, I slug it over my shoulder with a knowing look. “Thanks for grabbing my shit. And for the room. I appreciate it.”

Jungkook scratched the back of his neck and turned red. He was not good with compliments no matter how much he seemed to enjoy them.

“Friends, right?”

I nodded, “Yeah.”

Walking past him, I distracted myself from my racing heart by figuring out where his washing machine was.

After taking a shower, I tip-toed my way back to the room Jungkook had given me. I had been on edge since I got here. He was kind, caring, and attentive. I had never really seen someone show all three at the same time, and never toward me. My friends and I were subtle types, so to have someone so open and honest with their feelings was a hard pill to swallow. In California it was safe, in California it was expected, in California it was sacred; in Boston it was nerve wracking.

I could never be sure of how genuine Jungkook really was. When I was in his presence, it was easy to say that he was just that simple. Once I got alone it took all of me not to sneak out of a window and run. Hoseok had always said I needed to work on trusting people, so I would try.

I knew my behavior was only heightened by my attraction to him. Attractive people were the worst. Liking Jungkook would not do any favors for either one of us. I would get swallowed up by the life I so desperately wanted to leave, and Jungkook would be stuck in an awkward situation with the rest of the crew if it came to the light. No one would win and the outcome would be the same if I said anything or not. I was leaving Boston as soon as the situation was handled.

Luck was not on my side. As I turned the corner to reach the door of my bedroom, Jungkook was coming up the stairs. Carrying two cups, he flashed me a small smile and walked the rest of the way up. I froze in my spot. Caught red handed, I tried to play off my unsuccessful sneaking and took the cup with a smile. Jungkook did not seem to buy it but looked more amused than anything.

“What’s this?” I asked, smelling it.

“Cocoa,” He replied. “It’s not winter but still chilly.”

I nodded and took a generous sip. It was warm and silky. Humming in satisfaction, I took another sip and licked my top lip. Cocoa was one of my favorite things when I was a child. It was one of the few fond memories I had. Jungkook looked happy.

“Do you want to watch a movie?” He asked. “To get your mind off things?”

It was funny that he thought Ivan was what had been plaguing my mind. I may not be a very violent person now, but there was a time I was ruthless. The Russians did not scare me as much as they once had either. My initial response had been mostly shock, anger, and most of all, frustration. I had not been scared in a very long time. I doubted I ever would be.

“Sure,” I said, keeping my thoughts out of the conversation. What Jungkook did not know will not hurt him. He was only trying to help. “I’m not picky.”

Going down the stairs, I felt the same nervous butterflies growing in my stomach again. We were going to be closer than I would like to be. I was afraid of what that might do to the both of us. I did not know where Jungkook’s head was, but I was not foolish enough to believe that I was immune to any advances. The ball would stay in his court. I had enough self control to let that be a rule.

Sitting on the couch, I curled up on the end and waited. Netflix was already pulled up and waiting. Jungkook sat two cushions away. Picking up the remote from the coffee table, he began scrolling as we talked about possible movies to watch. We ended up on a random Jason Statham film. I watched mindlessly since every one of his movies were practically the same.

“Are you hungry?” Jungkook asked me fifteen minutes in, clearly bored and disinterested in the action sequence. I could not blame him. There was no way anyone could use a gun like that in real life, and I was becoming annoyed by the plot armor. “I have ramen.”

I nodded, “That’s fine.”

Moving to stand up, Jungkook waved me off and went to the kitchen himself. Not arguing, I got more comfortable and zoned out once more. It was hard not to feel the pull towards him. All I kept thinking about was the way his lips felt at the airport. Refocusing on the movie, I rolled my eyes at the bomb scene. There was no way in hell you were getting up and walking away from something that big.

Of course, Jason Statham had done just that. 

Jungkook came back a few minutes later, two large cups of ramen in hand, and sat down at the sofa. We ate in silence, neither one of us interrupting the bad movie again. When I went up to bed I could only think about how his hands would feel on me.

Taglist: @ippid @jkslaugh97 @destructive-memories @ash07128 @heartjiminie @adventures-in-bookland @canyon-lwt​ 

#jungkook fanfic #jungkook fanfiction #jungkook x you #jungkook x reader #jungkook x y/n #jeon jungkook #jungkook #jungkook angst #jungkook smut #bts #bts x reader #bts x y/n #bts x you #bts smut #bts mafia au #bts angst #bts fic #bts fanfiction #bts fanfic #bts fics #park jimin #jung hoseok #min yoongi #kim taehyung #kim namjoon #kim seokjin #bts gang au #bts assassin au

[infinityinakiss]

avatrice au fic recommendations:

i don't think there is a single avatrice au fic that i haven't read so here are some my favorites. i tried to find ones that weren't as popular, so hopefully there are couple here you haven't read.

I want to believe by puppybusby @yashastrongarms - x files au - basically 23k of avatrice flirting while being incredibly reckless with alien shit. unfortunately, it is only a one shot that doesn't delve into their relationship, but it is so worth it. and the tension. woof.

Truly a Steadfast Love by StoicLastStand - medieval au - they have a whole series of ficlets, but this is one of my favorites. there's a tournament to win ava's hand in marriage, ava goes undercover to fight for her freedom, but she ends up falling for the very knight who everybody wants to win. i also love their lucifer au, Greater Sacrifices.

a lover, or something of mine by Smokestarrules - reincarnation au - each chapter is a different life with a different story, and i promise you, if you have anything that even resembles a heart, you will cry. i keep going back and rereading chapter 4 because apparently i love to hurt myself. i also love the world is just illusion (trying to change you) by them, it's a road trip au.

i should love you (and i swear i do) by Noteveryonefitsintothebadbitchgenre - harry potter au (fuck jk rowling) - its that trope where they're married and they talk about each other constantly but nobody actually knows they're married. their students all think that professor silva and professor young have a friendly rivalry, but there are a couple of moments that don't add up.

purple by sxftmelody - hitman au - technically, but really it's just sad, i always cry at the end. beatrice helps ava run away after a job, and slowly they open themselves up and start to fall in love. tw: major character death. also love turning page by the same author, mercenary/princess au.

in our corner of the world by definitelynotthere - roommate au - i know, i know, there's a thousand roommate aus, why would i recommend a fic that isn't even finished and will probably never get finished? i don't know, i just really love this one, and if you're like me, you'll go "ooh, two cakes" and read it anyway.

The last hero of Ogygia by jessnope - percy jackson au - specifically calypso au, ava is calypso and beatrice is the flirty hunter that washed up on her shore. it's super cute.

stay there, 'cause i'll be coming over (while our blood's still young) by britishngay - spiderman au - ava's character voice is actually designed to be spiderman, and bea is the perfect doctor lady that patches spidey up when she gets hurt. plus beatrice telling lilith to "shut up and sit down" will never not be iconic.

sunday people (sunday shines for you) by gilligankane @piratekane - another roommates au - jealous ava is back again and out for blood, specifically jenn-with-two-ns blood.

this is my prayer (I'm in love with you) by nyxtyka - my best friend's wedding/spies au - i'll be honest, this fic went to my marked for laters to die. i don't know if it'll ever be finished, but it is one of my favorite aus, i promise it'll be worth the pain.

spellbound by onomofication - witch au - beatrice is the witch in the woods that ava goes to to finally find a way to explore the world like she has always wanted to. but as she gets to know the surprisingly kind, serious, kinda-sorta witch, she discovers that maybe the world was smaller than she had once imagined. i also love another fic by this author, hit me with you best shot, which is basically a cupid au, where ava runs around trying to stop jc, a cupid, from shooting the love of her life, beatrice.

the celestial glow is blinding by understreetlights - firewatch au - did i think ava and beatrice sitting around, looking at trees, and falling love with each other through walkie talkies was going to be interesting? no, but the world loves to prove me wrong.

too cold, it's withdrawal by KatieQgle - captain america au - give this one a chance, even if you don't like marvel. beatrice is hot as fuck as bucky and honestly the winter soldier plot line needed a little sapphic yearning. come on, avatrice in the army in the 1940s, being badass and fighting nazis together? who wouldn't love that?

i have a ton more, reach out if you want them!

#is it clear that i love 15k one shots? #i'm sorry for all the unfinished ones they're just too good #and hey maybe you can manifest them updating #just don't harass the writers #fic writers are like cats stuck under a building #you have to lure them out with gentle words and treats #warrior nun #avatrice #warrior nun fanfic #avatrice fanfic #avatrice fanfiction #avatrice fic #avatrice au #also i'm sorry if i didn't tag everybody on tumblr i just suck at tumblr sometimes #some accounts i just couldn't find #if there's an account that i forgot to tag please let me know

[whatifyoulivelikethat]

dark and dangerous, m | jjk

pairing(s): jungkook x reader

you were the love of my life the darkness, the light this is a portrait of a tortured you and I is this the end? – up in the air by thirty seconds to mars

warnings: rated M (18+) for language; blind reader; hitman!au (basically John Wick universe; I was inspired by Donnie Yen's character Caine); violence + body disfiguration from violence; reader being forced + blackmailed back to service; tbh, many feels; smut (fem reader, choking / erotic asphyxiation, ink appreciation, a lot of sensual touching, slight D/s due to the situation, mild restraint, cowgirl); non-idol!BTS - retired hitwoman!reader x current hitman!JK; sub!JK; JK’s POV

--

He hadn’t seen her in a long time.

Time was a bitch.

She had defied it in some ways, as he knew she would. Pristine, glossy waves of hair cascading down her left shoulder. Longer than he had ever seen it. Gleaming skin, with that little mole under the right side of her lower lip. A little prefect imperfection under a perpetual faint smile. Blouse with a ruffled collar. Clean black longline trench. That was all he could see from this angle, above the bobbing heads of the packed train car. They were both forced to stand, along with many others. No free seats available. Her shoulders were forward, as if her hands were resting in front of her body. Not holding on to any railing, her back only vaguely leaning against the steel pole.

She wore dark-tinted glasses now.

Cat-eye-shaped, with silver accents. Actually, probably palladium. She had expensive taste.

The train approached a tunnel.

There was chattering, but mostly it was the low buzz of the general public. A mass gathered but not interacting. Passengers politely in their own worlds with the collective backdrop of a thundering train speeding through carved darkness.

The gunshot tore through the murmur.

Everyone began screaming.

He was standing in the corner of the train car, towards the door. Looking very much like a businessman ready to punctually take his leave, and suddenly he was one of the many flattened against the metal walls, crushed past the doors and into the train map. The mass became one. Earsplitting panic ricocheting. The awareness of being contained, confined, trapped, heightening and getting louder. He paid attention to none of it, instead narrowing his eyes and focusing on the way the crowd parted, right at the center.

Right where the woman in dark-tinted glasses was standing.

Her body was ever-so-slightly turned.

It must have been less than a second.

It was so fast that he barely had a chance to see the crouching man with arm extended, and then there was another blast of sound. The fear pitched, piercingly sharp. Instant, whirling black as she closed the distance. Long, thin, rod-like, rising. He finally found out what she kept in her hands in front of her body.

Thwack!

The sound cracked through the air as startlingly as the gunshots. Even faster, perhaps, because there was no hesitation. The untrained eye would be unable to keep up, but he was no untrained eye – one strike, onto the hand, where the delicate bone of the thumb was immediately snapped. The gun flew out of his hand and into the crowd, causing more alarmed screeching as people stampeded away from it, throwing themselves against the sealed doors. The disarmed gunman had no time to shriek. Two strikes to the arm and he was crumpling. Two more. Shoulder, head bowing as the body involuntarily cowered to protect itself and the last, side of the head behind the ear.

The gunman hit the floor with a crunch, groaning wetly.

The hysteria was racing towards critical level, but the train slowed and the doors burst open despite the mechanical reminder to stand back. No one noticed. No one cared. Flinging themselves out, scrambling over each other, clawing to be the first ones to escape. Crying, tripping, running, and then.

Silence.

“The doors are closing. Please stand back.”

The whirr reinstated after the doors closed and the train began moving again. A metal shell was oblivious to human terror.

The woman in dark glasses remained.

There was a gleam of silver towards the top of her cane. Something wicked hiding within.

Her hand shifted and snapped it shut.

She flipped the cane in her hand, the bulbous handle pointing downward.

The man on the ground grunted, shifting.

Crack!

Completely still now.

The gun was still on the floor, all the way to the other side of the car.

The woman stood in the middle. The cane in her hand flipped back to its correct alignment, the tip rapping the floor. It moved forward, to the body, poking it several times. Gingerly. Her lips twisted into a pout of discomfort, muttering something under her breath that sounded like, just one, the disrespect, and she crouched down, sweeping her coat aside.

Ping. Ping.

A familiar sound.

She stuck her hand out and calmly patted down the fallen man. There was a distinct tapping motion rather than a grazing along the body. Manicured nails, and then those nimble fingers flitted under the collar of the jacket her assailant was wearing. An exhale and she pulled, hard, plucking something from the body. A small metal disc, no more than a couple centimeters, with an engraving on it. It looked like a stylized ’S’ with flowers made of blade-like petals.

Her thumb ran across the surface.

“Fuck,” she spat.

Then she tucked the pin into the inside of her coat.

The woman in dark glasses stood back up and tapped the floor with the black cane again. This process had taken about a minute. The train was still moving, onto the next stop. The cane struck the linoleum, repeatedly, against the seats and the metal poles, the tinkering echoing in the cabin.

Stopped.

Shit.

The woman tilted her head slowly, then faced his direction.

“And here I thought you were stupid,” she said, her voice loud and clear, directed to the corner he was standing in. “But actually you were just being courteous to the disabled, hm?”

The black cane turned, silent, the stance of the hand holding it altering from exploratory to predatory.

He had two choices.

Talk or get his ass kicked by an expert of ass-kicking.

He settled on saying, “Not a warning shot.”

She froze.

Still wary and on high alert, but no longer an arrow pulled to the brink against the string of the bow. He saw the twitch of one of her eyebrows.

“You have got to be kidding me,” she hissed in icy annoyance. Her shoulders lowered and her head ticked back. The body language equivalent of rolling one’s eyes. The dark glasses remained though. “Why the fuck are you here? I’m retired.”

He didn’t move from his corner. The tip of that cane was blunt but he just watched her take out a man in five hits. That thing wasn’t made out of plastic – and he was pretty sure it was sheathing a blade. No thanks. “And still getting shot at.”

“I said I was retired, not uninteresting,” she retorted, stance relaxing. He let out the breath he had been holding. “Answer my question.” She rapped the floor sharply and his body immediately snapped to attention.

He should have listened to his superiors.

“Why are you here, Jeon Jungkook?”

Leave the information to be found. Do not engage with the target.

The last time Jungkook saw her, she still had sight.

He let out a soft sigh.

“The Elders are giving you a name.”

The dark tint of those sunglasses did nothing to hide the vicious distaste behind them.

“Tell the Elders to shove the name up their collective assholes,” she growled, but he was already walking forward and the cane was pulling back, poised at an angle at her side.

“I didn’t want to come,” Jungkook said, and it came out quieter and more helpless than he thought it would.

The anger in her expression wiped clean.

The Elders, his superiors, were not to be trifled with.

She tucked her tongue in her cheek as he reached into his suit jacket. It was made an unpatented combination of fibers, the latest in cutting-edge bulletproof fabric. Couldn’t really patent shit made for the general public to not know. He suspected her coat and slacks were made of the same material, which explained the pinging noise earlier.

Old habits die hard.

“I’m blind. Not stupid,” she muttered.

She held her hand out, but her face wasn’t quite in his direction.

He placed the black card with a series of raised dots.

She swiftly pulled it back, not allowing his hand to linger. Mashed it against the top of the cane. He noticed the orb-shaped handle was an intricately carved piece of silver metal. Vines? No, more like stylized lines of water. Or fire. There was a creature within those lines, inset, making it look like it was huddled within.

A bunny.

Her fingertip pressed into the black cardstock. Stopped in between, only halfway. Then pressed on even though they both knew the name on there. He couldn’t read braille but he could read her pissed-off expression pretty well.

She let out a huff.

“Really.”

It wasn’t a question.

“He betrayed us.”

“Like I couldn’t have told you that sooner,” she breathed out in a vengeful exhale. “I warned them. I warned them against taking that American snake’s money. They didn’t listen to me. Took my eyes instead. And now they gave me a name? You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”

He really did not want to see her angry but there was no other reaction she could have.

The train was calling, indicating the next stop was coming.

Jungkook opened his mouth, a single syllable of her name escaping his throat.

The cane shot up and jammed into his chin. Bruising pain. Shut him up and made him jerk back, but she pressed forward, lowering her head, still not quite looking at him, and that was the worst, her not being able to look at him even though she was doing the equivalent of that.

Just…

Differently.

“Young gun,” she sighed, and the hole in his chest tore open a little more upon hearing the nickname she had for him long ago. Back when they were not quite friends on the surface, because this life that they chose didn’t allow for that, but friends nonetheless in the moments that counted. “If they sent you, that means you should stay away from me.”

“They didn’t send me,” Jungkook admitted and he could smell her perfume.

Sweet.

Familiar.

In the past, it had clung to his skin sometimes.

Her head tilted.

The train was slowing, announcement crackling up above. They would have to get off. Can’t be near a body with brain damage and a gun. He spoke softly to the thin air between them.

"I picked up the task with the last messenger was… interrupted. I happened to be closest.”

Silence.

There was the faintest tick at the corner of her lips. She removed her cane from his chin.

“Happened to be closest,” she echoed.

Her voice like smoke curling in the darkness.

“Hm.”

The train stopped.

The doors slid open.

She backed up and turned away. The cane tapped from side to side. Side to side, a rhythm and routine of finding the opened doors. The mechanical announcement called above their heads. He watched her stride away confidently, a stricken feeling in his chest, remembering something she used to whisper to him in the dark, I love looking at you, curling smoke all around them as scarred fingertips slid up his naked forearm.

She stopped at the exit.

“Don’t follow me.”

Walked out.

Jungkook followed.

-

“How’s your father?”

“I told you not to follow me.”

They were standing at a crosswalk and he was behind her. Not that close but close enough. She stayed close to the pole where repeated beeps indicated it was not safe to cross yet. Cars zipped by. For some reason, Jungkook found them unnaturally loud and violent even though he had never thought that about cars before.

“He’s fine.”

He glanced at her face but there was no expression.

“Still has dementia, still gambles and milks every cent out of the old folks in the retirement complex. You would think he would ease up once he’s struggling to remember the people in his life but, nope, he’s completely content with only knowing how to kick your ass in poker.”

There was a resonance of bitterness in those words but, also, a feeling long gone.

She ticked her head. “They keep him alive to remind me he doesn’t remember I exist. Least he pays his own bills with his habits.”

It was safe to cross now.

He watched the cane sway and tap. She walked calmly and with ease. Maybe even a swagger. It relaxed him as he fell in step.

“You do what you know,” he commented, his eyes darting, taking in his surroundings.

“I really try not to, young gun.”

They walked briskly along the streets. She turned this way and that, stopping once at a fruit stand to buy some apples. The merchant accepted the bills handed to him. She asked if it was enough. Jungkook saw it was more than enough. The merchant replied it was the exact amount. She hummed and stepped away before Jungkook could say anything. He hurried after, and she immediately turned and walked right into a laundromat.

The repeated thump-thump-thump of whirring washing machines and dryers radiated all around them as people fought with their duvets and swore under their breath.

“You overpaid,” Jungkook hissed, stepping closer.

“Such is life,” was her reply. She chuckled, tap, tap tapping away, hitting the edges of the machines but not a single person seemed to notice or care, too busy hurling themselves into the large cavities to yank out their sopping garments. “I do it sometimes just to see if they’ll correct me. They don’t.”

He frowned and made a mental note of the man’s face.

Just in case.

She held delicately to the bag of apples and shouldered her way into the back double doors.

Kept walking, through the back of the laundromat, into the alleys, and now the faces here were different. Keen, sharp gazes that ignored her presence but immediately narrowed upon seeing Jungkook, looking him up and down. Men and women, in musty coats and worn-out gloves with holes in them, backpacks and carts. A complete turnaround from his sharp three-piece suit and neatly parted hair. She breezed past, the apples rustling in the plastic bag, skimming her cane along the concrete, not quite looking exactly forward. Her head was slightly tilted; one ear closer to him.

“I told you not to follow me,” she chuckled.

“I see that,” Jungkook let himself say, calmly and without emotion.

“I don’t,” she quipped back.

There was a lightness to her tone that indicated there was no danger as long as he kept his hands to himself. He continued to follow.

Someone on his right reached out and shoved him.

The cane whipped through the air, swatting Jungkook’s left arm and pinning it to his body. He grimaced, feeling the solid stripe of pain, noticing her movement had stopped his body from colliding with another in this narrow alley. The woman to his left glared at him, grinding her teeth. The shove hadn’t hurt.

It was just disrespectful as hell.

What had been previous tense silence erupted into malicious sniggers.

Droning all around.

Jungkook gritted his teeth and pushed his anger down.

Her head jerked like a hawk.

“You know the rules,” she warned to the air. “You upset me and I will take your offering from the shrine and then there will be nothing to protect you.”

The sniggering immediately died.

Now the silence wasn’t tense.

It was fear.

She removed her cane from Jungkook’s arm and swung it in an arc. Slowly.

Stopping.

Jungkook didn’t have to turn his head. He heard the sharp intake of breath. Hard not to in the terrified hush. He didn’t say anything. He let her handle it. If he reacted, there would be cracked skulls. He had a feeling that the woman in dark glasses would be a lot more pissed at him if that was the case. He did not want to make her angry. It seemed like a bad idea.

She whacked the tip of the cane against the brick wall.

Everyone flinched.

Even Jungkook felt a muscle in his shoulder twitch, reacting to the loud, piercing sound.

She turned back around and continued walking.

No one bothered them after that.

They finally turned and stopped at a makeshift shrine in the middle of the maze of alleys. It seemed to be a clearing point. An intersection of sorts, where a group of buildings were sequestered awkwardly due to poor planning. Someone had created a structure in the middle of this chaos with a shingled roof and a statue in the center surrounded by a sandy pit of burnt incense sticks. There was a wall behind it, with strips of paper tacked on, fronted by tables overflowing with fruit and cellophane-packaged boxes.

She placed the bag down and it tumbled against a stack of oranges, one red apple spilling out of the plastic and hitting some pears.

Jungkook stepped up and corrected it.

She faced the papers. They flapped about like ducks crowding a lake, not in the wind but in the hot air blasting out a vent from of one of the buildings. She made a noise that sounded like disapproval and irritation mixed together. Turned and walked purposefully away, running her cane along the cracks of the concrete.

Jungkook followed once more as she stepped out, following a walkway between two buildings.

Stopped.

There was a door to their right, inset within the walls. Or, not a door. He frowned. Instead of a handle, there was an odd dent in this part of the wall that seemed to cave inward. She paused, tapping the cane along the ground. There was a hollow sound, and Jungkook looked down to see some metal tiles littered against the door. She stepped forward, treading along the otherwise meaningless metal sealed into the concrete. She slid the cane up in her hand, gripping below the rounded handle.

The orb made of swirls around a bunny.

She raised it and with surprising accuracy, within two taps against the door, slid the orb into the dent.

There was a whirr and a click.

The door slid open, a strip of light appearing on the ground.

She stepped inside.

Jungkook followed.

“What if you lose your cane?” he wondered out loud.

The door slid closed after they entered.

“There’s another way to get in, obviously,” she tutted. “All I have to do is bleed on it.”

A hollow silence.

They were in darkness except for the thin line of light at the bottom of the door.

“I…”

“Don’t need to talk,” she interrupted. “I need to shower and then pack some things. Wait.”

She stepped out of her shoes and placed the cane against the wall beside them. Felt along shoulder height, pressing switches. Stripes of light gleamed from above and below the walls, along the edges and sides. He had to pause to take it in. Black ceilings with brocade-patterned obsidian wallpaper where the designs were glossy compared to the matte background. A squishy-looking coffee-colored leather couch, a huge sound system bolted to the wall above an electric fireplace, bobbly blankets stuffed in a basket. No television, no coffee table. A large, empty space behind this area with a large set of dark wood armories along the wall. To his right, a kitchen with dark granite countertops that had similar notable differences than what he was used to. When she walked, she followed the lines of light along the ground.

“I’m sorry,” he called after her.

She stopped.

“I should have…”

“Shut up, young gun.”

She didn’t sound angry or pissed off.

She just sounded tired and that was worse.

“You couldn’t have done anything. This is the life we have.”

“I should have tried to find you,” Jungkook pleaded to that back, to that longline black coat and graceful legs. Dancer’s legs, he used to think, so nimble and quick that he could never keep up. He had been a little envious of how lithe she was back then. Aroused at how she always struck with such poise, something he wasn’t good at. He preferred brute force. Learned outmaneuvering from watching her move, often. It was addicting, watching her move, and he had found himself wanting more.

He hadn’t expected this would be the result.

She reached up in one smooth motion and removed her sunglasses. Placed them on the kitchen island.

The palladium on the edges of the dark lenses glammed.

“You wouldn’t have found me.”

She turned.

Starburst eyelashes surrounding white, mottled irises framed by twisted scar tissue.

A faint, emotionless smile.

“Can’t find a shadow when they’re all around you, Jungkook.”

-

He breathed in.

The bed smelled just like her. Her perfume, mixed with fabric softener, and there was that indescribable scent that could only be described as his perception of her. The smell that didn’t change despite the perfume, the smell he breathed in now with his back flat on the mattress, the smell that only he knew because its effect on him was different from everyone else. It was an experience. It was memories. It was…

Jeon Jungkook breathed in, laying on her bed as she showered.

He hadn’t asked. Probably should have. His arms were spread out with the backs of his hands touching the duvet. His black jacket and vest were draped on the pale chestnut-colored velvet armchair next the bed. At least he had kept his dress shirt and necktie on. He had thought about removing them. Letting his bare skin touch the folded duvet, even slip under to be against the sheets, but even he had a limit to his insanity.

He had thought about it though.

Maybe would have done it if she meant a little less.

He had missed her smell. He inhaled again. The last time he memorized it, she still had sight. It had been so long. Time was a bitch. His hands turned. The duvet was made of a cool, creamy linen. He closed his eyes, fingertips grazing the soft fabric, something satisfying about the wrinkled texture, organic, imagining their body lines pressed against it.

He bunched the fabric in his fists.

Let go, sighing.

For not the first time, Jungkook wondered how it could have been different.

He hadn’t missed the details. All of the furniture in this home had rounded corners. Lines of light streamed throughout every room, clearly indicating all the corners and edges of the walls. There were little speakers positioned discreetly, waiting for her command. No mirrors anywhere. No windows. Hole in the wall that no one was supposed to know was here, although Jungkook was sure the Elders somehow knew. Or guessed. Sometimes one didn’t need to have full information to cause enough disruption. He gritted his teeth even though he understood why she hadn’t been in touch.

The rage within him, from witnessing how she now lived, was beyond violent.

Careful there, young gun.

This was Korea but Jungkook was eager to introduce the Elders to the language of Columbian neckties.

You’re so reckless. I like that about you.

He was of the belief that he could handle the details later. The reality was that he was just very lucky to meet certain people in this business of killing for hire. People who saw something in him, whatever it was. Youth. Energy. Power. He was coasting a little because of his looks.

That was part of playing the game, too.

He liked playing the game. It had been a necessity once, and now he liked it. Because of ego. Because he had a natural talent for it. Because there was a time where he believed there were no rules – but the rules were always there, a silken web underneath his feet. In this business, one didn’t get to decide to work for the Elders.

The Elders decided when you worked for them.

Crossing paths was inevitable.

He had almost hated it. And then he met her. Same business. Different approach when it came to dealing with the cards that had been dealt. A moment that meant everything. Pivotal. Fate. Guns crossed and he knew. He knew the moment he looked into her eyes.

Jungkook turned his head and inhaled again, drenching his lungs with her scent.

Opened his eyes.

She was gliding into the bedroom, a long, dark maroon silk robe flaring out against her legs. Her hand was following the wall, three fingertips grazing against the black wallpaper. Skin gleaming, hair pinned in large, soft curlers, head tilted to one side. The silk clung to her shoulders, her breasts, her hips, and then she turned, facing the dresser.

Her hands lifted, finding the glided edges of the dark wood, stroking the intricate profile of inlaid silver.

“If I didn’t know better, I would be creeped out right now,” she chuckled.

He sat up.

“Do you know better?”

He didn’t know how he wanted that to sound, but those words escaped with an edge of uncertainty.

On the dresser was a plate with a perfume and a collection of faceted crystals. Her hand was dancing upward, following the surface, finding the dark glass bottle. He didn’t understand the meaning of the various stones, but for some reason he didn’t think they were there for a spiritual reason.

Those thoughts were confirmed as her other hand drifted over them, following the edges.

“You’re simple, young gun.”

She doused herself with sprays of spicy gourmand.

Exhaled, satisfied.

He could smell it from here and it made him ravenous.

“And not that subtle,” she added, smooth and biting.

Silence.

Neither of them moved.

Jungkook found that despite the carnal instincts eating up in the cavity of his ribcage, he wasn’t sure if he wanted her to turn around. Knotted lines and white orbs. He grimaced and hoped it was silent. Still, he didn’t look away from her back, his skin burning all over with festering shame and guilt.

She shifted her weight, accenting the delicious curve of her hip.

Dark silk molded to those body lines.

Yeah, Jungkook was sure that he didn’t want to stop looking.

“Are you supposed to be accompanying me?” she asked.

He could lie. “I’ve been assigned to be your eyes.”

She snorted.

He would have followed anyway, orders or not. The orders were there to both torment and annoy him. Well, the level of pain depended on how he felt about the situation, he knew. And that depended on how he could navigate this moment, right now. Currently the status was, not well. Her back still facing him after all.

“Stupid motherfuckers.”

“Yeah.”

He smiled despite himself. It was funny and familiar, her swearing. He noticed the pin with the lotus and the stylized ‘S’ in her hand now. She ran her thumb over it. There was a tension in her shoulders. He didn’t recognize that symbol and that bothered him.

“I thought you were retired?”

She hummed, tapping the metal against the wood. “I am. I got bored. Gotta pick up hobbies, you know.”

“I could pick up your hobby,” he offered.

She chuckled again, placing the pin down and sliding it to between white crystals. “Sadly, I think that fun will have to wait. I’m being called to service and all that shit.”

Silence again.

It was hard to know how much time passed though. Time almost didn’t seem real in within these walls.

She broke it.

“Don’t you want to get out?”

He took a moment.

“The Elders would have called you back eventually.”

He let that statement hang in the air.

“Tracking was never your strong suit.”

Yeah, it wasn’t.

“Now it’s not mine either.”

Jungkook winced and hoped she couldn’t hear it. Her head ticked. Sigh.

“My fucked-up eyes bother you?”

“No.” Shit. He said that way too fast. “I don’t think you’re ugly.”

“That wasn’t what I asked, Jungkook.”

Her words cut through him, razor-sharp and accurate. He withered despite not being viewed.

“You know the Elders suspected you might intercept. They’re old, not dumb.” He did know. He still didn’t say anything. He struggled to say it out loud, but she had no trouble. “They are testing you. They will manipulate you no matter how you feel about it. The best way to avoid those puppet strings is to feel nothing at all. You are putting yourself in danger.”

It was unbearable, saying nothing.

“What about you?” he asked softly.

A pause.

He saw he index finger bounce silently on the edge of the dresser.

Her head turned a little more, the curlers holding her hair blocking the side of her face. She reached one and, one by one, removed them. Pulling out pins. Setting them on the dresser. Pulling out the soft curlers, setting the cylinders on the flat side so they didn’t roll away. Locks of hair cascading down, falling, falling, framing shoulders and back.

She ran a hand through her hair, sighing, separating the waves with her fingers.

Messy.

“I told you. I’m retired.”

His lips parted.

“Not uninteresting.”

The side of her mouth curved upward.

“You shouldn’t have intercepted the messenger.”

There was something about the way she said it. Teasing rather than chiding. And yet there was still that hesitation. He let his eyes roam over her partial side profile.

“I’ve been in danger from the day I met you,” Jungkook finally admitted and he didn’t mean his physical self.

From what he could see of her expression behind her hair was an amused one. “Shit. You’re gonna make me blush, young gun,” she snickered.

Her words had the opposite effect. He felt his neck heat and instantly reached back to rub it, trying not to let it show. Well, she couldn’t see anyway. After a split second of consideration, he let out the low noise of embarrassment. Her head lifted, hair shifting. He saw the side of her mouth soften to a faint smile.

“I wonder how you’ve changed,” she breathed out. “Can’t appreciate you like I used to.”

He still couldn’t quite see her eyes. They were covered by curls of hair shadowing her temples.

Jungkook let himself say her name the way he wanted to.

She didn’t move, still life wrapped in deep scarlet silk.

“I don’t believe you.”

He could see it now, the subtle change in her demeanor. Sharpened. He had said the words with a smile and she could tell. Tone or volume or both. If possible, more frightening now. More deadly. More of a weapon, which was why, he assumed, the mutilation was done rather than an execution.

“You’re blind. Not stupid,” he reminded her.

Her head and body turned.

The way her hair framed her face, only half done. The slim openings of the robe securely tied at the waist, exposing thin white scars and the raised marring of worse ones. Retired, sure, but not that long ago, and still honed in muscle and movement. She wasn’t that much older than him. She just called him young gun to get on his nerves a little. Had seniority over him in this business and all that. Pretty easy to have seniority when one was given to the Elders as a child.

Payment.

He wasn’t always a good gambler. We all start somewhere.

Jungkook stood up.

Those clouded orbs found the source of blocked light at the end of the bed. It was a different feeling, being the focal point knowing the other didn’t have sight. Unnerving was the wrong word. He was just very aware that he was the target of her senses. With sight, he realized, he had an inherent level of complacency. There were a lot of intricacies in a single glance. The concrete details mattered less than the contrast between what he expected versus what he didn’t expect.

Ah.

Her lips curved into a dangerous smirk.

He admired it.

She moved forward, silent.

“You do seem to have put on more muscle,” she hummed. “Heavy.”

“You always reminded me to remember to eat while on the job.” The direction of his voice. His breathing. “You’ve learned more skills. Scary.”

She grinned. “I’ve had some free time. Wait till you see me dual wield.”

She stopped in front of him.

Raised her head.

Jungkook found he saw a lot more when he looked into her scarred eyes than he ever expected.

“You have changed,” she murmured.

A faint smile.

“Y… Yeah,” he breathed back, the ache in his ribs rattling.

It was different.

She reached up and forward. Fingertips grazing his shirt, then finding the tie. Following it with two hands, carefully. Seeing. He tried to stay still. Focused on her face, the little smile when she found the tie clip, muttering under her breath, oh, you’ve become a little more of a man, huh, and her body language, relaxed. Comfortable. Details he would have ignored given different circumstances.

What else had he missed all this time?

He was still lacking in some areas, he realized.

She was unraveling his tie.

“I hope you have learned how to tie a tie by now.”

He hadn’t. “Nope.”

A laugh. “You hate them anyway.” She folded it in her hands and held it to the side. “Hold onto it for me. I might need it.”

His skin tingled, the sensation traveling up his back. Lifted his hand and let it linger, brushing past her callused knuckles, taking the necktie from her. A contrast from their past. This was a measured ferocity compared to a fast-paced chase. He ran his fingertips along her wrist, trailing off her forearm. She smiled and he felt it everywhere, in his blood and in his nerves, his world alight once more.

Skin-to-skin.

She raised her hands again and followed his shirt placket, starting from the top.

“I like this cologne.”

“You said it was your favorite.”

“You really can’t be subtle to save your life, can you, Jungkook?”

She teased him as easily as she teased the buttons from their restraints. He bit his lower lip, sucking in a breath.

“I’m really trying to be patient right now,” he gritted out.

She smiled again.

This was her smile she only showed him.

He was sure of it.

His shirt was halfway unbuttoned now. She leaned in, locks of hair curling over her shoulders, spreading the placket open with two fingers. Breathed out. The heated air washed over his chest, and he closed his eyes, shuddering, ignited desire shimmering in his raging blood. She did it again, but this time with his name.

“Jungkook…”

His head tipped back, lips parting, the low sound of clawing lust bubbling in his throat. His hands came up, tensely resting on her silken shoulders.

The rest of the buttons came undone as he himself unraveled.

Her hands slid in, fingers spreading over his flexed abdomen. Cool, careful, seeing him. He gasped, struggling to keep still. Exploring his scars, known and new. His shirt peeled back, tugging out of his slacks as she touched him. Along his sides, his chest. His nipples, and she flicked one, making him hiss and flinch. They hardened as she rubbed them.

“Still like that, hm.”

“S… Shut up.”

Her palms over his pectoral muscles, fingers fanning out.

“Been working out, haven’t you?”

His breathing was shallow. “Gotta pick up hobbies, you know.”

A soft laugh. She gently knocked back his arms, pushing the dress shirt off his shoulders. Confines, he concluded. Her fingertips paused on his right shoulder. He looked down, body on fire. Her lips were parted, pink tongue dancing on the edge of for lips.

“You have tattoos.”

Oh.

That was right. She hadn’t seen yet.

“Hobbies,” he snickered.

She turned her head, fingertips hesitating.

Jungkook reached up and pressed her hand to his arm.

“Please. Look.”

It was a strange, intoxicating sensation. Being touched like this, guiding her along. He murmured under his breath, describing them one by one. She could follow, especially the newer ones or the ones that were done over his scars. She lingered by the tiger lilies on the inside of his forearm. There was a patch of black there. Amusement flitting across her features. Continued down, following the outline another tattoo, tracing the eyelashes.

She cocked an eyebrow.

“I think I might change that one. In light of… events.”

Her cheek tightened in mirth. Just more confirmation that she was alarmingly acute in sensing tone and meaning beyond words.

“You’re unbelievable.”

He froze, feeling her other hand sliding up his back as the one he was holding slid down to his knuckles, caressing them as her lids lowered. Lines of scars, across starburst lashes and across his spine, closer, her fingers lacing with his, her chin lifting.

That small mole under the right side of her plush lower lip.

“You have goosebumps, Jungkook,” she purred, dragging her nails down his back.

He closed the distance.

Her scent all around him.

Her taste.

The fervor seeped into him when their lips connected, ravaging his senses and his thoughts, body to body. Nights and days, culminated memories bleeding into now, into the ferocity of their kiss, her fingers claiming his back and his in her hair, tangled in the mess, clasped hands below them, squeezing tight.

He thought he would never see her again.

Never hold, never touch, never breathe in her breath.

He was afraid too. Afraid it wouldn’t feel the same. Afraid their euphoria was broken by interference and ego. Afraid he was wrong, abut himself, about her, about them.

But he wasn’t.

Jungkook could tell.

She let go of his hand and wrapped it around his throat.

“I missed your taste,” she whispered into his moan, in between nicks of teeth and feathery kisses. “You know what makes someone dangerous?” Her grip tightened, pulling him down to her, red silk slipping off her shoulders. “When they have someone to die for.” Her lips traveling over his jaw, to his gasping mouth, his blood flow slowing as her fingers pressed into the sides of his neck. “When they have someone to live for.” Ravenous kiss, making his eyes roll back and his air disappear, lightheaded as he touched the exposed skin of her upper arm, knotted lines of scar tissue from a previous gunshot wound under his fingertips.

She murmured to his open mouth, husky voice a caress.

“When they have someone to kill for.”

He pressed his forehead to hers, his erection straining against his slacks, pressing it into her naked thigh.

“You…”

Jungkook stared into her white eyes and she reveled in the darkness, basking in his shadows, seeing all of him with all her other senses.

“You made me all three,” he gasped.

Her grip loosened and the blood rushed back, making his eyelids flutter and fire crawl up his scalp.

A resolved sigh.

“We are one and the same, you and I.”

His hands following the memorized lines across her back. The dark red silk pooling onto the floor. Her hand between them, stroking him through his clothes, choking him again. Pleasure seeping down his tense thighs, up his clenched abs. The pressure winding within his core, his lips trembling against her calm, so close to the perfect imperfection of that mole under a silver tongue.

“Guns just waiting to be aimed.”

-

She held down his wrists bound by his necktie.

Rammed her hips into his and he hissed, back arching, bouncing on the mattress. Torn condom wrapper on the floor by their discarded clothes. Saliva drying on the inside of his hard thighs still tingling from bites. Her other hand pressed down on his chest, pushing him back into place. Fuck, so tight. So wet, constricting around his cock, the swollen head throbbing against her pulsing walls.

Her face was directed to the side.

Seeing with her ears.

He groaned, feeling her hips rock, building the pace deliberately, squeezing every centimeter. Fuck. He pressed his head into the pillows, black strands invading his vision. His own hair a mess. Whimpers threatening to break free. She raked her fingernails over his chest, teasing his hardened nipples. Toying with him. Rolling her hips as he thrust up, a vain attempt to fight back.

Her fingers fanned over his wrists, palm pressing down on the knot.

“I’ve missed your sound,” she shuddered, her hand on his chest sliding to his collarbones.

Her nail scraped against his Adam’s apple, sparking electricity through his veins.

“Just… fuck… choke me, please.”

The side of her lips twisted into a smirk.

“I’ll wrap my hand around your neck.”

So tight, with love.

Her grip closed in, causing the fire to prickle over his skin, up his cheeks and down his spine. Limited oxygen, heightened awareness, pleasure flowing to every core, bound at the wrists but finally free, losing himself to the sound of connected bodies and swirling moans, to the shock of firm, wet slaps between hips, to the scent of sex weighing down the air, soaking it, to the taste of iron as he chewed on his lower lip, whines leaking out between his teeth, deeper, harder, faster.

His vision hazed, edges smoking with black.

Her chin tipped down.

Clouded white.

He was exposed, torn open and ripped apart by that gaze that was no more.

He could barely force the words out, the ache in his ribs pooling down, down.

“Take… me…”

She breathed in, seeing all of him.

“Fuck, you feel good.”

She let go of his wrists and layered both her hands over his throat, choking him harder and fucking him into the mattress. Air gone, his eyes rolling back, vision black, power radiating in every thrust, and he felt her body weight shift downward, fingertips digging into the sides of his neck, hopefully leaving bruises, his resolve cracking, slick walls around him throbbing in their shared pulse, there.

“F-Fuck!”

He rammed his hips up and the orgasm shot through him in shattering bolts, through his burning muscle and his empty lungs, his cock jerking, and then – release – his voice returning in a hoarse moan, another wave slamming into him, another level, creating a ripple effect throughout his nerves that electrified him, burning, gasping, his spine locked in an arc, hearing her exhale his name in a wanton hiss, clenching, spasms, sweet and sticky between their thighs.

His tongue extended, tasting the air, their passion palpable and pungent.

His body was trembling so much he was sure she could feel it even through her hands flat on the bed next to his head. She raised one, tracing his trembling jaw. Ran the pad of her fingertip over his quivering lips. Her name came out in a weak rasp, hot and shaking against her touch.

And yet he wanted her hands around his throat again.

How he missed that feeling.

“Jungkook…”

She saw with her hands. In scent and sound. In previous knowledge, and she knew his body so well, his heat and his hunger. Bondage was temporary. Trust was forever. She could mark him in bites and in scratches, but her scars were in the cavity of his ribs, in his heart that still yearned and in hers that she kept from him to protect them from becoming tools against the other.

Jungkook was afraid.

But he had someone to die for, to live for, to kill for.

And that made him dangerous.

So the Elders could try to rip them apart, but he was sure now that they would go down causing irreversible damage.

She ran her hands over his heaving chest.

“I’m not doing this stupid assignment until I’ve made up for lost time,” she panted, warning sharpness to her tone.

He smirked.

“I was hoping you would say that.”

--

masterpost

#jungkook x reader #bts smut #jungkook smut #jungkook x you #jeon jungkook x reader #jeon jungkook x you #hitman au