After a tragic day, Jungkook couldn't leave Taehyung alone and after colliding together, the couple found each other in the park, where the night was still and quiet, the only sounds being the rustle of leaves and the distant hum of the city. Jungkook and Taehyung sat on a bench beneath the soft glow of a streetlamp. Jungkook's arm was wrapped securely around Taehyung's waist, and Taehyung had his head resting against Jungkook's shoulder, finding solace in the closeness.

For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, simply enjoying each other's presence. The chaos of earlier seemed like a distant memory as they focused on the gentle rhythm of their breathing and the warmth of their bodies pressed together.

But the silence, while comforting, couldn't hide the thoughts swirling in Taehyung's mind. He shifted slightly, his voice soft as he finally broke the silence. "What is happening with us? Why are we always in trouble?"

Jungkook's grip tightened around Taehyung's waist, a sigh escaping his lips. He turned his head slightly, pressing a kiss to the top of Taehyung's hair. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice low and tinged with frustration. "It feels like every time we think we're okay, something else comes along to mess it up."

Taehyung lifted his head to look at Jungkook, searching his eyes for answers neither of them seemed to have. "Do you think... Maybe we're doing something wrong? Or maybe we're just not meant to have peace?"

Jungkook frowned, the thought of that possibility making his chest ache. "No," he said firmly, shaking his head. "I don't believe that. I think we just... care so much that when things go wrong, it feels worse. But it doesn't mean we're not meant to be happy. We just have to work through it, together."

Taehyung's expression softened at Jungkook's words, and he felt some of the weight on his chest lift. "I know you're right," he murmured, resting his hand on Jungkook's chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "But it's not just us, Jungkook. I can't stop thinking about Jimin and Dowoo either. What happened between them, with Yoongi-it's like everything around us is falling apart."

Jungkook's face darkened with concern as he nodded. "I know. What Dowoo did... it's messed up. I've never seen Jimin so shaken. And it's all concerning, isn't it? Our problems, theirs... it's like one big mess."

Taehyung sighed, his worry deepening. "It is. And I hate that we're all suffering because of it. I hate that Jimin is caught in the middle, that Dowoo let things get so out of hand... and Yoongi, he didn't deserve that."

Jungkook's hand tightened around Taehyung's, grounding them both as he whispered, "It's hard seeing them like this, and not being able to fix it. But just like with us, they'll need time to work through it. We can be there for them, but we can't carry it all on our shoulders."

Taehyung nodded, understanding but still burdened by the weight of it all. "I just wish things were easier. For all of us."

Jungkook's other hand came up to gently cup Taehyung's cheek. "I know, babe. But no matter what happens, we'll face it together. Us, and Jimin and Dowoo. We'll all get through this."

Taehyung leaned into Jungkook's touch, closing his eyes for a moment as he absorbed his words. "I don't want to lose any of you." he whispered, the vulnerability in his voice making Jungkook's heart squeeze.

"You won't." Jungkook promised, his thumb brushing lightly over Taehyung's skin. "We're stronger than all of this. As long as we hold on to each other, we'll get through anything."

Taehyung opened his eyes, meeting Jungkook's gaze, and for the first time that night, he felt a sense of peace settle over him. "I believe you." he said softly, his lips curving into a small, genuine smile.

Only Jungkook could bring Taehyung the peace he so desperately needed. As Taehyung gazed at Jungkook's face, he felt a deep certainty that Jungkook had always been the right person for him.

"In moments like this, I'm reminded why I love you so much." Taehyung confessed, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity.

Jungkook's smile was soft, filled with relief and affection. He leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to Taehyung's lips, sealing the unspoken promise between them. When they pulled away, they stayed close, their foreheads touching as they breathed in sync.

The troubles of the night still lingered, but in that moment, they knew they could face them. Together, and with their friends, they would find a way through the darkness.

"And let's not start another stupid challenge." Taehyung added, breaking the intensity of the moment with a playful remark, his lips curving into a teasing smile.

Jungkook chuckled, the tension easing between them. "Okay, I promise." he replied, his laughter blending with the warmth of their closeness.

~♡~

One of the two couples finally found some peace. They were able to muster the courage to face the next day, unlike their best friends.

After sharing a few more kisses, Jungkook watched Taehyung walk back to the building to make his way to his apartment.

As Taehyung's silhouette appeared through the window floors up, he waved down at Jungkook, who responded with a wave of his own before turning to leave.

Jungkook was reluctant to part ways from Taehyung but needed to be with his best friend, just as Taehyung needed to be with his best friend.

Back at their respective places, they exchanged texts until they decided to drift off to sleep late into the night.

Jungkook carefully tucked his sleeping friend in with a blanket before settling in himself. On the other side, Taehyung cuddled Jimin, offering comfort through the night.

By the next morning, everyone remained in their beds, choosing to skip college for the day. Jimin and V were in no state to face each other, let alone deal with the day's activities.

Jungkook was the first to wake up, roused by an alarm he had forgotten to disable. Despite the early hour, he grabbed his phone and sent a quick text to his boyfriend, his usual morning ritual. Afterward, he began his day by cleaning up, grooming himself, and getting ready before heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

As Jungkook moved around the kitchen, the familiar clatter of pots and pans filled the quiet apartment. He tried to focus on the task at hand, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the events of the previous night. He couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him, V and Jimin's fight was more serious than anything they'd dealt with before.

While he cooked, Jungkook occasionally glanced at his phone, hoping for a reply from his boyfriend. The silence only made him more anxious. He knew he should check on V, who was still asleep on his bed, but he also didn't want to disturb him. V had been through enough already.

Finally, the smell of breakfast began to fill the apartment, and Jungkook set the table, hoping that a good meal might help ease some of the tension. He walked over to the bedroom and made his way to his asleep bestfriend. He started by gently shaking V's shoulder.

"Hey, breakfast is ready." He said softly, trying not to startle him.

V stirred awake, blinking as his red-rimmed eyes struggled to adjust to the light. He looked as exhausted as Jungkook felt. With a groan, he sat up, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "What time is it?" he mumbled, his voice rough from sleep.

"It's 11 in the morning. We both missed our classes." Jungkook replied. V seemed to drift off again for a moment, lost in thought.

Jungkook noticed a faint bruise with a trace of dried blood on the corner of V's lips. Gently, he reached out to touch it, causing V to flinch and hiss softly.

"Sorry, I just wanted to make sure you're okay," Jungkook whispered, his voice filled with concern. V, however, chose to remain silent, brushing off his friend's worry.

"Do you want to sleep more?" Jungkook asked, reaching out to ruffle his friend's hair in a comforting gesture. V shook his head, then quickly got up and made his way to the bathroom without another word.

Jungkook sighed, watching him go. "I'll wait for you at the table. Breakfast is ready." He called after him before heading to the kitchen, leaving V alone with his thoughts.

In the bathroom, V splashed water on his face several times, staring at his reflection in the mirror. His expression was unreadable, his eyes void of emotion-a poker face that had become second nature. But beneath that mask, his mind was in turmoil, replaying scenes he wished he could forget.

A rush of regret, pain, and sorrow blurred his vision. What he had done to Yoongi yesterday weighed heavily on him. The guilt was overwhelming, but even more disturbing was the pattern he couldn't seem to break. He always ended up in these situations, hurting those he cared about.

How could Jimin ever choose him as someone to rely on when he couldn't even trust himself? The thought gnawed at him, deepening the pit of despair in his chest. He wasn't the best man for Jimin. His flaws overshadowed any goodness he had, and in the end, he would always be the bad guy.

V leaned against the sink, gripping the edges tightly as if trying to hold himself together. The weight of his thoughts pressed down on him, and for a moment, he considered just staying in the bathroom, hiding from the world and the mess he'd made of his life. But he knew he couldn't avoid it forever.

With a deep breath, he forced himself to straighten up and leave the bathroom. The smell of breakfast greeted him as he entered the kitchen, but the sight of Jungkook sitting alone at the table made his heart sink. Jungkook looked up and offered him a small smile, but the worry in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Feeling any better?" Jungkook asked, trying to keep his tone light, though the concern lingered in his voice.

V shrugged as he sat down across from him, poking at the food on his plate without much interest.

Jungkook watched V carefully. The silence that settled between them was heavy, filled with everything they weren't saying. Jungkook wanted to reach out, to reassure V that things would be okay, but he didn't know how to bridge the gap that had formed between them.

V remained silent at the table, his eyes fixed on his untouched plate. Jungkook tried to break the heavy silence with small talk, mentioning anything that came to mind-the weather, a funny video he'd seen, even a random story from class. But nothing seemed to penetrate the wall V had put up.

Jungkook could sense the intensity of regret weighing on his friend. It was like a shadow over V's expression, making him look more withdrawn and defeated than Jungkook had ever seen him.

After a few minutes, V finally spoke after thinking for a while, his voice barely above a whisper. "I really messed up, didn't I?"

Jungkook paused, choosing his words carefully. "You made a mistake, yeah. But that doesn't mean it's the end of the world. You can still make things right."

Jungkook glanced at V, noting the way his friend's shoulders sagged, the deep lines of worry etched into his face. He could feel the intensity of V's regret radiating from him, like a tangible weight that neither of them knew how to lift.

"Dowoo, I know it's hard, but maybe talking about it could help?" Jungkook ventured cautiously, his voice gentle. He wasn't sure if V even wanted to talk, but he couldn't just sit there and do nothing.

V didn't respond right away, his fork pausing mid-motion. For a moment, Jungkook thought he wasn't going to answer at all. But then V sighed, a heavy sound that seemed to carry all his sorrow.

"I don't even know where to start." V said quietly, still not looking up. His voice was thick with emotion, and Jungkook could see the struggle in his eyes-the pain of his actions and the fear of their consequences.

Jungkook nodded, understanding the difficulty. "You don't have to have all the answers right now," he said softly. "Just... start with what you're feeling. We'll figure out the rest together."

V finally looked up, meeting Jungkook's gaze. The regret in his eyes was overwhelming, and for a second, it seemed like he might break down right there. But he held it together, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

"I'm scared, Jungkook." V admitted, his voice trembling. "I'm scared I've lost Jimin for good. And I don't know how to fix it."

"That's not true. You haven't lost any of us. I guess, you'll realise this the moment you will have a conversation with Jimin." Jungkook reassured him.

"It's complicated." V whispered, his voice barely audible. "I want to see Jimin so badly, but at the same time, I'm terrified of facing him. I don't know what I'll do if I see him-I'll probably just make things worse."

Jungkook sighed softly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "That's why I'm here. Don't worry, I won't let you."

V finally set the fork down, his appetite gone. He looked at Jungkook with a mixture of guilt and sadness. "That's what kills me. You don't deserve any of the crap I've put you through, Jungkook. I'm sorry for being the way I am."

Jungkook shook his head, offering a small, understanding smile. "We're friends, Dowoo. You don't have to apologize for being yourself. I carry my own flaws and you get through my crap too."

"Okay, let's not make things more monochromatic." Jungkook said with a small smile. "Why don't you try to enjoy the food? I'll get you some more bacon."

He tapped V's shoulder gently as he stood up, heading to the kitchen. Moments later, he returned with a plate of freshly cooked bacon and roasted scones, setting them in front of his friend with a reassuring nod.

Soon Jungkook's phone buzzed on the table, pulling his attention away from the breakfast plates. He picked it up, glancing at the screen to see Taehyung's name pop up. A smile spread across his lips as he answered the FaceTime call, greeted by the sight of Taehyung's fresh morning face, wet hair, and a sheet mask in place.

"Good morning, Kookie!" Taehyung greeted him softly, his voice warm and gentle.

"Good morning, pretty!" Jungkook replied, his smile widening. Taehyung continued his tasks in the kitchen, the phone propped up on the counter, giving Jungkook a view of his busy hands.

"Did you eat?" Taehyung asked, glancing at the camera. Jungkook nodded, quickly turning his camera to show his empty plate.

"Good, I'm about to eat too." Taehyung murmured, focused on his cooking.

"Good, please eat a lot."

"Did Dowoo get up? Is he okay? Make sure he eats something too." Taehyung's voice filled the quiet apartment, his concern evident. Jungkook nodded, stealing a glance at Dowoo, who was silently focused on his meal.

"Yeah, he's eating with me." Jungkook replied, turning the camera towards V. But V, still lost in his thoughts, barely acknowledged the interaction. Finishing his meal, V quietly collected both his and Jungkook's plates, taking them to the sink.

"Hey, I can handle that, no need." Jungkook offered, but V ignored him, starting to wash the dishes.

"He tends to work when he's upset. Let him." Taehyung advised gently. Jungkook sighed, turning the camera back to his face, accepting Taehyung's advice with a resigned smile.

Jungkook and Taehyung continued chatting, their conversation drifting from one random topic to another. Taehyung had his set of domestic complaints about kitchen and laundry and Jungkook assured his overworked boyfriend by promising to help him with that. Taehyung shared new recipes that he wanted to make for Jungkook and Jungkook being the whipped guy complimented his boyfriend continuously.

It was a comforting routine, one that made the tension from earlier feel a little less heavy.

But just as Taehyung was about to say something else, he suddenly paused, his attention shifting away from the screen. His eyes widened slightly, and Jungkook noticed him straighten up.

"Jimin, did you wake up?" Taehyung's voice was soft but surprised, and Jungkook could hear the faint rustling of someone moving in the background. Taehyung's gaze was fixed off-camera, and it didn't take much for Jungkook to guess that Jimin had just appeared in the drawing room of Taehyung's apartment.

The mention of Jimin's name, however, had an entirely different effect on V. He had just finished washing the dishes when Taehyung's words reached him. At that moment, all V wanted was to escape, the weight of everything he'd been trying to suppress crashing down on him.

Without a word, V abruptly walked out of the kitchen and straight into Jungkook's bedroom. Jungkook, noticing the sudden shift in his friend's demeanor, followed him with his eyes, concern growing. V's movements were hurried, almost frantic, as he disappeared into the bathroom and shut the door behind him with a decisive click. The sound of the shower turning on echoed through the room, a clear indication that he was trying to find some peace under the water.

Jungkook frowned, confused by the suddenness of it all. He turned his attention back to the phone, but Taehyung was still focused on Jimin, who was now fully in the frame, dressed in fresh clothes and looking slightly disoriented.

Jimin didn't dare say a word, his mind clouded with thoughts that refused to settle. He knew there were so many things he needed to do, so many conversations that had to happen, but at that moment, all he wanted was to see his Dowoo.

As he quietly moved around the kitchen, Jimin's focus was solely on making himself a cup of coffee. His movements were automatic, almost like he was on autopilot. Behind him, Taehyung was watching closely, concern etched on his face as he asked Jimin about his sleep and how he was feeling. But Jimin barely responded, nodding here and there, his attention elsewhere.

Jungkook, still holding his phone, couldn't help but notice Jimin's distraction. It was as if nothing in the room mattered to Jimin except for the coffee he was making-and the unspoken need to see Dowoo.

Jungkook's heart tightened at the sight. He could tell that Jimin's mind was just as troubled as V's, both of them caught up in the aftermath of whatever had gone down between them. He glanced towards the bathroom where V was still hiding under the shower, and then back at Jimin, who was now staring into his coffee cup as if it held all the answers he needed.

Taehyung, unaware of the full depth of what was happening, kept trying to engage Jimin, but his friend remained distant, his thoughts clearly somewhere else. The silence that filled the space was heavy, a stark contrast to the lighthearted conversation Jungkook and Taehyung had shared just moments ago.

"The food's ready. Let's eat, and I'll call you later, Kookie." Taehyung said, deciding to end the call. Jungkook nodded, understanding the shift in Taehyung's focus.

"Sure, love. I'll finish up some chores then. Eat well, okay? Bye!" Jungkook replied warmly.

"Bye!" Taehyung echoed before ending the call and setting his phone aside.

He quickly plated the food and brought it over to the table where Jimin was sitting. Jimin, however, seemed lost in his own world, staring blankly ahead as if dazing out.

"Here, I just fried some leftover rice with egg." Taehyung said gently as he set the plate in front of Jimin. But as soon as Jimin snapped out of his trance, his expression shifted. He looked up at Taehyung with wide, concerned eyes, resembling a kicked puppy. His hands, barely visible as they clutched his coffee mug, as he appeared swallowed up by the oversized hoodie he had borrowed from Taehyung.

Taehyung's heart ached at the sight. He knew Jimin was struggling, and seeing him like this, so small and vulnerable, made it even harder.

"Jimin, are you okay?" Taehyung asked softly, his voice filled with concern as he sat down beside him. But Jimin only offered a small, half-hearted nod, his mind clearly elsewhere.

Taehyung didn't push further, instead, he reached out to gently squeeze Jimin's shoulder, offering silent support. They both knew that some things couldn't be fixed with words, at least not right now. So, Taehyung simply sat there with him, hoping his presence would provide some comfort as they quietly began to eat.

"I'm going to meet Dowoo. I don't think I can bear not seeing him anymore." Jimin finally spoke up, his voice trembling slightly but filled with resolve. His sudden declaration caught Taehyung off guard, pulling his full attention to his friend.

"Umm, maybe let's eat first and then we can go together. I'll join you-" Taehyung began, trying to keep the situation calm.

But Jimin shook his head, cutting him off. "No, it all happened because of me. I don't know what's going on in his mind right now. He must be going through a lot." His voice was laced with guilt and urgency as he pushed his chair back and stood up.

Taehyung's worry spiked. "No, I won't let you go alone-" he insisted, his tone firm. But Jimin's resolve was stronger.

"Please, Tae. Let me handle this. I'm sure I'll be fine." Jimin said, his voice pleading yet determined. He couldn't wait any longer, he needed to see Dowoo now, to try and fix whatever had broken between them.

Taehyung hesitated, his protective instincts warring with his understanding of how important this was to Jimin. But as he looked into Jimin's eyes, he saw how much this meant to him. With a reluctant nod, he stepped back, allowing Jimin to head for the door.

"Be careful." Taehyung finally said, his voice soft and filled with concern.

~♡~

Jungkook found V, bare-chested and wearing only his pants, standing on the balcony attached to his room, a cigarette burning between his fingers. The sharp contrast of the winter sun against his skin cast a warm glow over him, but it did little to soften the coldness in his attitude.

Jungkook remained seated on his bed, facing V's back, his mind racing with thoughts of how to break the heavy silence between them. But something held him back, as if speaking would shatter the fragile calm that had settled over them.

Jungkook absentmindedly flipped his phone in one hand, while in the other, he held his vape, joining V in the silence. The two of them, lost in their own thoughts, shared the stillness of the moment, neither willing to disturb it.

V blew a slow stream of smoke above his head, watching it dissipate into the crisp air. Each drag seemed more reluctant than the last, as if he was punishing himself with every inhale. His mind was scarred with thoughts that refused to quiet down, and the cigarette was his only outlet, a way to dull the pain, even if just for a moment.

As they enjoyed the silence, a faint knock at the door was soon followed by the buzz of the doorbell.

"I'll get it." Jungkook said immediately, standing up.

He walked all the way up to open the door, to only find Jimin standing there, looking wrecked, anxious, and nervous.

Jimin glanced up at Jungkook, then down at the vape in his hand, as a wisp of smoke drifted out of Jungkook's nose. Jungkook quickly waved his hand to clear the smoke and said, "Sorry about that. You can come in."

Jimin hesitated, scanning the room for Dowoo, before Jungkook directed him, "He's in my room. You can go there."

Jimin, unsure how to approach V but feeling the need to confront him, made his way to the bedroom. As he entered, he found V with his back turned, a cloud of smoke lingering above him.

The shuffling sound caused the taller male to turn his head, his narrow eyes reflecting curiosity. The curiosity soon gave way to a mix of darkness and yearning as he straightened up and fully turned around.

"Dowoo?" Jimin asked tenderly.

Jimin's eyes immediately fell on the cigarette in V's hand, deepening his worry. Vraised it to his lips for another long drag, the smoke curling around him as he exhaled slowly.

"You promised me not to smoke." Jimin whispered, his eyes shimmering with sadness.

V let out an iconic chuckle, his gaze drifting away. He raised the cigarette to his lips for another drag, the smoke curling around him as he inhaled deeply as if challenging Jimin.

Jimin's gaze fixed on V's hand, noting the same one used to hit Yoongi. The redness of his knuckles was still visible, intensifying Jimin's worry. His heart raced as he took in the sight, his concern deepening for both V's state of mind and the physical evidence of his recent actions.

"I know I'm at fault," Jimin began hesitantly, stepping further into the room toward his boyfriend. "I should have been clearer about some things. Dowoo, I'm sorry..."

V closed his eyes roughly, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke. The tension in the room was palpable as he listened to Jimin's apology, the weight of their unresolved issues hanging heavily between them.

"You shouldn't have done that to him, I was the one at fault." Jimin said, his voice trembling.

And V's patience snapped. "Then you should have given me an answer!" he shouted, startling Jimin.

"Why didn't you give me an answer when I asked you? You were so troubled, and I was worried. Then I found out it was all for that man who saw us kissing. My concern was why it even mattered to him. Why is it such a big deal for you what he thinks about us?" V's anger erupted as he flung the cigarette to the side.

Jimin stood there, tears welling up in his eyes, unable to find the right words to comfort V. The raw emotion in the room seemed overwhelming, leaving him at a loss for how to mend the rift between them.

"Dowoo, listen to me," Jimin said, his voice strained. "I know it all happened because of me. There were some things I needed to sort out."

"Sort out?" V interrupted, frustration seeping into his voice. "You didn't even take a moment to approach me yesterday. All day long, I wondered where you were, hoping you might come to me. I wish you had come to me before dealing with that man. It seemed like making things right with him mattered more to you."

"Dowoo, it's not what it looks like," Jimin pleaded, trying to hold back his tears. "Things were complicated with you, and they were with him too. I had to talk to him for clarity. Please, just try to understand me."

V paced the room, his frustration palpable. "I tried to be patient, to understand where you were coming from. But every time I reached out, you were distant. And now, all this time, it turns out you were tangled up in this mess about some other man. And what I felt didn't even matter."

"I wasn't distant, Dowoo, I never was, taking time doesn't mean I'm distancing myself from you. You are the one who left me alone in between the crowd. How would I have the heart to approach you?"

V stopped abruptly, facing Jimin with a mixture of anger and pain. "I'm the one who's been left in the dark, Jimin. I was trying to deal with my own insecurities, my own fears, and all the while, I had to watch you pull away. And when I asked you questions about that man, you couldn't answer me."

Jimin's tears fell freely now, his heart aching as he saw the depth of V's hurt. "I didn't mean to push you away. I was confused, scared, and I didn't handle things well. I wanted to come to you right away but I could only answer your questions once I had clarity with him and you ended up finding us in a situation where it's just so hard to explain."

"Hard to explain what, Jimin?" V demanded, his frustration palpable. "Why is that man so important to you? Why? I'm still asking you the same questions. Can you answer them to me now?"

Jimin's eyes filled with tears as he struggled to find the right words. "He's important to me because he's been a constant support, a mentor, and a friend during difficult times. But that doesn't mean he replaces you or what we have."

V's gaze was intense, searching for clarity. "Then why couldn't you come to me first? Why did I have to find out like this?"

"I was afraid," Jimin admitted, his voice trembling. "I didn't know how to balance everything. I should have come to you, and I regret not doing so."

V's anger seemed to waver, replaced by a deep sense of hurt. "I just wanted to be the one you relied on, not him. I wanted to be enough for you."

Jimin stepped closer, "You are enough for me. I should have shown you that more clearly. Please, believe that I want us to work through this together."

"Then why were you fixing things with that man before coming to me? Why?"

"What he means to me has nothing to do with what happened yesterday," Jimin continued, trying to explain. "What you mean to me is what's important. Was I slacking off in making you realize my love for you?" Jimin asked, voice tinged with frustration and pain.

V's face suddenly shone with emotions as he saw the tears effortlessly leaving Jimin's eyes.

"He's like a brother to me, Dowoo. He's been there to protect me and stand by me. That's who he is." Jimin revealed, trying to keep his voice stable.

"Protect you from what? From me? From an untamed animal, me?" V's voice was filled with anguish and doubt and that's when Jimin decided to step closer, trying to hold V's cheek tenderly who stepped back, not trying to be fazed but he indeed was.

"I hated to face the reality, but it remains the same." V continued, his voice breaking. "I am the bad guy. Was I always so terrible that you needed another man to protect you?"

"Dowoo, it's not what you think it-"

"Then what the fuck is it, Jimin?" V cut him off, his voice rising. "Why does he matter to you so much? Why did you have to lie to me about him? Why does he protect you? From what? From me? M-me?" V's voice broke, his own tears welling up in his eyes.

"No-" Jimin stepped closer, hating to see V like that.

"Why can't I be the man you can count on?" V's voice cracked with desperation. "How will I show you that I care enough to take bullets for you? Why do you depend on someone else? Why can't I be the one you trust to protect you? Why?" V finally revealed his insecurities, breaking Jimin's heart into a million pieces.

"I know that you do, I know, Dowoo. And I love you just as much, I love you so much." Jimin cried, taking a step closer, wanting to hold his Dowoo, to bridge the gap between them, but V pulled back, refusing to let him. The rejection hit Jimin hard, and the pain of it broke something inside him. He cried harder, his tears spilling over as he buried his face in his hands, feeling helpless and overwhelmed.

Desperation took hold, and Jimin couldn't contain his emotions any longer. He snapped, his voice rising with frustration and anguish. "Why won't you let me in? Why are you pushing me away when all I want is to make things right? I'm trying, Dowoo! I'm trying so hard, but you won't even give me a chance! That's the reason I couldn't approach you yesterday, all you do is scare me!"

Jimin screamed and his sobs grew louder as the weight of everything they'd been through crashed down on him. He felt like he was losing control, and the fear of losing Dowoo entirely tore at his heart.

V's heart shattered at Jimin's words, realizing the extent of his own harshness. The sight of Jimin breaking down before him filled him with regret and guilt. He hated how his anger always seemed to overshadow the love he felt, and he struggled to steady his mind as he watched Jimin fall apart. All V wanted was to protect him, yet here he was, the cause of Jimin's tears.

"I'm such a horrible person." V whispered, his voice thick with self-loathing. The words only deepened Jimin's sorrow, making it all the more unbearable.

Jimin, overwhelmed by V's whispered confession, shook his head as fresh tears streamed down his face. "No, Dowoo, you're not horrible. You're just hurt-just like I am. We're both struggling, but that doesn't mean you're a bad person."

V clenched his fists, his knuckles still red from the fight with Yoongi. He couldn't bring himself to look at Jimin directly, the weight of his guilt pressing down on him. "But I've made you cry, I've pushed you away, and I can't stand myself for it."

"You can't always choose to believe what your mind feeds you." Jimin pleaded, his voice breaking as tears streamed down his face. "Let me speak for once. Let me speak for us, please. I beg you."

Jimin's voice was thick with emotion as he spoke, his eyes locked on V's. "You're the only man I've ever loved, or will ever love. It's always been you, Dowoo. Just because someone else wants to protect me doesn't mean they could ever take your place."

Jimin stepped closer, standing in front of his boyfriend who looked down at Jimin's tear face with his teary eyes.

"You've always been there for me. You've taken knives for me, Dowoo. What more do you need to prove? I know I've been lacking in showing my sincerity, in acknowledging everything you do for me. But deep in my heart, I can only count on you to protect me. Only you." Jimin cried, unable to control himself.

"So please bring an end to this, please hold me because I need it right now, I can't stand still-I can't," Jimin sobbed, his voice trembling through his hiccups as he begged Dowoo to hold him tight, to make everything right again.

V's heart ached at Jimin's plea, the tears welling up in his own eyes. The raw sincerity in Jimin's voice pierced through the fog of doubt and anger that had clouded his mind. In that moment, all the pain and confusion seemed to fade away, leaving only the truth of their love.

Without hesitation, V reached out, his arms wrapping around Jimin and pulling him close. He lifted Jimin effortlessly, holding him tightly against his chest as if he could shield him from all the hurt they had caused each other. Jimin clung to V, burying his face in his shoulder, and together they cried, their tears mingling as they held onto each other like they were the only thing keeping them grounded.

In that embrace, words weren't needed. The warmth of V's arms around Jimin, and the way Jimin held on to V like his life depended on it, spoke volumes. They were broken, but in each other's arms, they found the strength to start mending the cracks.

"Finally, I can meet my babe too." Jungkook whispered to himself as he stepped away from his bedroom door, leaving the two to be.

He had been listening carefully, prepared to intervene if things escalated, but thankfully, it hadn't come to that. A wave of relief washed over him as the sound of wet kisses filled the room. Jungkook's eyes widened in surprise, and he couldn't help but fan his face as he quietly made his way to the door, deciding to leave them to their privacy.

And to have his own set of kisses from his someone.

───♡───

Hey everyone! I'm finally back with another chapter. I know it's been a while, but life has been pretty hectic lately. Thanks for your patience-I want to take the time to give you all the updates you deserve and make sure everything is just right.

Please please please interact a lot!!!! I need comments!

Take care of yourself ❤️

Hope you guys enjoyed it!