"Angel?"

Blinking blearily, the blond lifts his head at the sound of his nickname, golden locks cascading over his forehead. Jeongguk stands between his legs, tall and concerned over his slouched frame as he watches him with tender eyes.

The couple were yet to discuss the previous events were Taehyung had experienced such negative emotions that had made him unconsciously snap at the elder. But with the issue of Baekhyun, the blond viewed the predicament as minor to what the other was going through, dismissing it as a topic for later. For now however, their relationship was back to its usual standards, meaning daily kisses and afternoon cuddles with occasional childish bickering.

Humming, the boy's vision flickers briefly over his partner's features, awaiting what the elder wishes to say.

"What's wrong baby?"Jeongguk murmurs, leaning down to rest by the blond's side's, strong fingers curling at his hips as he pulls the boy into his lap.

Taehyung had been rather distraught after his encounter with Baekhyun, mind cluttered with indescisive thoughts. He was more than certain of the fate that awaited the couple now that they wished to flee from the gang, and yet the thought of such crude ending disgruntled him, even if the victim happened to have wronged him.

Leaving a mafia gang isn't as easy as plucking a flower from a crowd of yolk-headed daises. It was almost as if a fool had dared to writhe a fist up a bee's nest. Extracting yourself from such a community would mean a fated, torturous ending.

Both Baekhyun and Chanyeol played prominent roles in Bangtan, serving the group for many diligent years. And through those thrilling periods of stomach-wrenching missions, the couple had learnt the ins and outs of the gang. Surely such secrets could not be permitted to leave its grounds with such ease?

To top up all the misery of disadvantage, Jeongguk was already seething with fury towards Baekhyun's desolate position. It was not rocket science to know what he was to do when he would set his eyes on the dark haired man.

Deep down Taehyung knows that he has already forgiven the elder for what he had done, knowing that if he were to be in the other's shoes he would've done the same thing - extremely begrudgingly of course - . But the young boy is rather bemused as to what he was to do, if there was anything to do that is, to alter the gruesome ending that would surely meet the fleeing duo.

"You're doing it again."the dark haired male murmurs, slim nose nudging the coffee expanse of his neck, sly fingers thumbing teasingly at the edges of his shirt's hem.

"Doing what?"

"The little crinkle in your nose, and your eyebrows furrow a bit, like a small puppy. You have that look when you're thinking really hard about something."

Taehyung isn't sure whether to be flustered or concerned for other for noticing such minute aspects of his features, his cheeks blooming into a deep flush as he tilts his head back into the crook of the elder's neck. The close contact never ceases to make his heart thump wildly in his ears, skin tingling in pleasure. It's not hard to identify the extreme fondness that clouds his vision, mind unfazed at the excessive infatuation it holds for the boy.

"Oh hush."he reprimands, skin tinted a light rose in mild embarrassment, his lips unknowingly ghosting over the elder's ivory skin.

Jeongguk merely laughs, thankful that the younger isn't gazing at his features to notice his own flush of his cheeks at the other's unprovoked teasing actions.

There's a rather comfortable silence, the duo relishing at the sensation of being wrapped in one another's arms, hearts beating solely for the other.

"Want to tell me baby?"

There's no haste in his query, nor any persisting fury, his grip tender and loving at his hips as he presses a gentle kiss to the underside of Taehyung's jaw.

Swallowing thickly despite the calm aura that surrounds his significant other, he finds himself simply glancing wildly around the room unable to form a coherent sentence, "I-I...well I've been thinking, not that I'm saying what I'm thinking is going to turn out to be real or anything. And if it would be that would be rather shocking since I really - "

He's cut off by a low laugh, midnight locks smothering the curve of his neck as blood-red lips brush over his exposed shoulder. Taehyung flushes darkly, aware of ranting from the state of anxiety that had suddenly lodged at his throat, fearful to disclose Baekhyun's endeavours

"If you're not comfortable with telling me yet, all you have to say is just that. I won't pressure you angel."the dark haired male murmurs softly, sincerity slathering his vowels as he flickers his gaze to the boy's side profile.

Exhaling shakily, the blond nods timidly, guilt strumming at his chest for dodging the question with such ease.

"Thank you."he says shyly, line of vision flickering to the thick cream beneath.

"Anytime baby."

&&&

It was driving him absolutely mad. The thought of being one of the aspects of two deaths was unfathomable for the young boy. His mind was in state of despair, grasping at unrealistic changes of events that would hopefully pull the couple from such distress. Occasionally, when one of his ridiculous ideas seemed almost probable, the crudest ending would suddenly flash beneath his eyelids, crimson paint smothered over his mind for days on end.

There was no possible way that he could confront Jeongguk with what was to happen in a civil way without either breaking down into a mess of anxious stammers or with the fatal death of someone. Taehyung had not yet one reliable person to vent the building frustration within him, secluded to his blank faced, charcoal abyss he called his brain.

It was only two weeks after such thoughts did he finally a solution for such stress that left him in a string of sleepless nights, Jeongguk's tender kisses fruitless against his racing mind.

"Taehyungie!"

There was no sense of unfamiliarity of the high pitched squeal of his name as thin arms suddenly wrap around his torso, a forehead pressed to the curve of his neck.

"I missed you so much."the silver haired male whines into the silk material, his words muffled yet coherent.

The younger finds himself grinning unconsciously, twisting in the elder's grip, Jimin's head now nestled upon his collarbone, cooing at the elder's excess of fond affection.

Pulling away, the silver haired male tilts his head to smile goofily at the blond, eyes alight with mirthful youth, "You know what, let's go out for some coffee today, it's been ages since I've last seen you."

Nodding, Taehyung finds himself agreeing to the invitation of a hot drink over chocolate mounted biscuits, eager for a vent of relief.

&&&

Taehyung isn't certain as to what suddenly irks the twisted knot in his core to fret wildly, thrashing it's way to refuge. Maybe it's the amiable warmth in the bustling cafe, steam pressed against the tinted windows in form of grey huffs. Or the familiar eye-smile his companions serves him with, curved lips smiling mirthfully up at him.

It's all so joyously serene and relaxed, that all the anxiety that had collected within him oozed from his lips the minute his body entered the stuffy room.

Jimin listens in earnest, dark brows pulled together as his lips quirk downwards in a reprimanding frown as he nods occasionally to his stammered sentences.

"And I just don't know."he breathes, collapsing upon the grimy, plastic table, chin propped up on his palm, "I want to help him but I can't because Jeongguk would kill me if he were to find out."

"Which he probably will."the other adds reproachfully.

With a rather exaggerated sigh of distress, the blond burrows his head in the midst of his slack limbs, shoulders slumping in defeat, groans muffled by the thick fabric of his oversized hoodie.

"I think it's better,"the elder says slowly as if he were mulling over his words with extreme caution, "if you actually told him what's happening, from Baekhyun's perspective."

Lifting his head from the slack collection of his arms, he throws the silver haired male a look of incredulous disbelief, "Are you crazy? The mere mention of the guy has him pissed. I doubt a pity story would change his mind."

Jimin simply hums, a flash of doubt running past his dark irises as he purses his lips, "Maybe..."

And then as if a lightbulb had flickered over his silver hair, his lips quirk into a teasing smirk, "Well Taehyungie, we all know Jeongguk loves you oh-so very much, do we not?"

Flushing to the roots of his hair, he begrudgingly nods, crimson cheeks hidden behind cream sweater paws as he flashes a playful glare at the other. Midst his utter embarrassment and the shyness that suddenly blossoms at his cheeks, he's rather certain of the elder's emotions towards him, the thought sending his heart in a lap of frantic hurdles.

"And since he loves you oh-so very much, surely he would do anything for you, even if it meant exempting a death of someone he wishes to kill, mhm?"

There's a rather thick layer of doubt and uncertainty that lathers his vowels as he speaks, but his eyes are gleaming with childlike earnest as he leans across the table, fingers curled around the paper cup.

Cheeks still burning, the blond exhales softly, fringe hindering his vision as he stares blandly at the murky liquid in his own cup, "Hyung..."

The silver haired male, unable to bent of his path decision, shakes his head furiously, eyes sparkling with mischief as he runs his fingers through his fringe, "I know it sounds stupid and really, rather dangerous but there's nothing else we could do! You can't possibly betray him, that would ruin you relationship, I say this is the last choice we have."

He's right, the undeniable fate of what was to occur daunting and prominent as every second passes. Every living moment for the fleeing couple was one of hushed communication and wary glances behind shoulders. It was no news as to the advance of Jeongguk's men on the skirts of Busan, on the prowl for any glimpses of the ex-members.

"What if..."Taehyung murmurs, mind conjuring gruesome endings that made his stomach writhe with discomfort, "What if this doesn't work?"

The look the blond sends the elder is almost heartbreaking, cherry lips quivering as he gazes at the boy with concerned, wide, auburn eyes as if he were his last source of hope.

"Then,"the male replies, lips curling into a trembling smile of his own as his eyes glass over in trepidation, "at least we could say we tried."

~

Mhmm.

Update to celebrate Jin's amazing new song 'Epiphany', please continue streaming and help our boys!