The plan was in place. Hoseok managed to find Chul just as Jungkook was leaving the campus to meet Yoongi. According to Hoseok, who kept Namjoon constantly informed, Chul didn't hang around campus long. He headed home, and though it was a bit boring for him, Hoseok stayed in the parking lot of the apartment complex, waiting just in case Chul decided to leave again.

Yoongi arrived at the cafe about ten minutes after Jungkook. "Sorry," he offered. "I got caught up talking to my professor."

"No worries," Jungkook said brightly. "What would you like?" he asked, gesturing at the menu.

Yoongi looked at Jungkook carefully. "You're not planning on buying it for me, right?"

Jungkook smiled. "Why not?"

"Y-You don't have to do that. I have money."

"Oh, I don't mean to insinuate that you don't," Jungkook said. "I just thought I'd treat you, since you agreed to come!"

Yoongi looked embarrassed. "Really, you don't have to – "

"What would you like?"

Yoongi sighed. "Iced Americano."

"Coming right up!" Jungkook said as he jumped up and hurried to the counter. He looked back to see Yoongi settling himself at the table, and Jungkook smiled.

When he'd gotten Yoongi's drink, he sat back down across from him and handed it over. "Thanks," Yoongi said quietly.

"No problem," Jungkook said. "So, Yoongi, tell me about yourself."

"What do you want to know?"

"I dunno...everything?"

Yoongi looked up, his brows raised. "E-Everything?"

"Sure, why not?" Jungkook smiled.

"Um, well...I'm 22. I'm studying music. I'm from Daegu. Um, I'm not really sure what else to say." He laughed a nervous laugh.

"Well, I suppose I've got time to learn more."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we're friends now, right? I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of each other."

Yoongi frowned. "I-I don't know." He looked around suddenly, scanning all of his surroundings. "I'm not available very often. And especially with school being over soon, I likely won't be able to – "

"School will be out, but you won't have time for friends?"

Yoongi looked up at him with nervous eyes. "It's just...my boyfriend..."

"Oh, right," Jungkook said. "You have a boyfriend. Sorry, I keep forgetting. Well, he could hang out with us!"

Yoongi shook his head. "He's a pretty solitary person. He likes to keep to himself."

"Are you a solitary person?"

Yoongi blinked as though he hadn't been expecting that question. "S-Sometimes, I guess."

"Well, maybe I can help you come out of your shell! Your boyfriend wouldn't mind you making some new friends, right?"

Yoongi didn't reply. Jungkook cocked his head.

"Everything okay, Yoongi?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure? You seem like you're nervous."

"N-No, I'm just..." he sighed. "My boyfriend doesn't like me hanging out with other guys. But, you said before that he sounded possessive, and I don't want you to think that he is. He's just...kinda insecure. You know?"

Jungkook just stared at him. "Can I ask you something?"

Yoongi shrugged. "Sure."

"Where'd you get that bruise?" He gestured toward Yoongi's cheek.

Yoongi sucked in a sharp breath. "I fell," he said. "Tripped in my room and hit it on the side of my desk."

Jungkook watched him as Yoongi avoided his eyes. When he was silent for a few moments longer, Yoongi finally looked up at him, and Jungkook gave him a disbelieving look. "Are you sure?"

Yoongi's brow furrowed. "What?"

"Are you sure that's how you got it?"

"What does that mean?" Yoongi asked, and Jungkook detected defensiveness in his voice. He knew he needed to back off. He held up his hands.

"Nevermind," he said quickly. "I'm sorry. And I'm sorry you fell. I'm sure that hurt."

"It did," Yoongi said, wincing as he gingerly touched his cheek.

"So, anyway...what do you like to do in your spare time?" Jungkook asked, trying to change the subject.

Yoongi shrugged. "I'm pretty dedicated to my music. It takes up a lot of my free time. But I like it that way."

"Cool," Jungkook replied. "I understand. I try to perform at amateur shows and even karaoke sometimes to keep my vocals fresh. Especially when school's out. So, I get it."

Yoongi smiled slightly. "It's nice to talk to someone who has such a passion for music, too."

"Do you not know anyone else who does?"

"I do, but they have other stuff going on a lot. Their life isn't music like mine is, you know?"

Jungkook nodded. "Is your boyfriend a music major?"

At the mention of Chul, Yoongi's smile dropped again. He shook his head, but didn't elaborate.

"So, tell me about yourself," Yoongi finally said after a long, awkward silence.

Jungkook smiled. "Not much to tell, I suppose. I'm 20. Studying music. From Busan."

"That's what I told you," Yoongi said, a hint of a cheeky smile on his lips.

"Well, you've got time to learn more, too, huh?"

"I guess."

Suddenly, Yoongi looked down at his watch and gasped. "I have to go," he said quickly, grabbing his things and standing. "Thanks for the coffee. This was...fun. Really. But I'm not sure when I'll be able to hang out again. I'll see you around, though?"

"Definitely," Jungkook said, standing as well. "Is everything okay, Yoongi?"

"Yeah, I'm just running late," he said. "I really gotta go. Bye."

Just as Yoongi exited the cafe, Jungkook felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out and dread overcame him as he read Namjoon's message.

Chul is on the move!

-

"Fuck!" Jungkook muttered as he followed Yoongi out of the cafe and tried to keep an eye on him. "Fuck fuck fuck!"

He stayed about twenty paces behind Yoongi, but continued to follow him. He watched as Yoongi looked at his watch again, and then began sprinting. Jungkook took off, too, trying to keep up while also trailing behind enough to stay inconspicuous.

He followed Yoongi all the way back to his apartment complex. He watched as Yoongi shakily inserted his key into his door and then pushed it open. And he watched as Yoongi looked wildly around as he entered, confused and nervous.

Suddenly, Yoongi's phone rang and he whipped it out of his pocket. "H-Hi," he stuttered as he closed the apartment door.

Jungkook ran and stood outside the door, listening as he tried to catch his breath.

"No, I'm at home. I got done ear – "

There was silence for a moment. Then, "I'm sorry. I know I should have called. I – "

Silence again as, Jungkook assumed, the other person on the line spoke.

"You really didn't have to do that. I – "

When he spoke next, Yoongi's voice was shaky. "Please," he said quietly. "I'll do better next time. Please don't – "

And that's when Yoongi let out a loud, heartbreaking wail. Jungkook's heart dropped. It must have been Chul. And he must have threatened to do something when he got home. Jungkook listened as Yoongi continued to sob. He couldn't stand it. That, combined with the fear that Chul would be showing up any minute now, caused Jungkook to walk away. He did decide to hide and wait. He wanted to be nearby in case things escalated to an even worse situation.

And about five minutes later, Chul appeared, looking murderous. Jungkook swallowed thickly as Chul threw open the door. "Come here!" he shouted as the door slammed behind him.

Jungkook tiptoed back toward the door. What he heard shattered his heart.

"I went all the way there to pick you up and you were here the whole time?!"

"N-No, I'd just – "

Smack

"You just what?!"

"I'd just gotten home when you called. I – "

"Why" Smack "didn't" Smack "you" Smack "call" Smack "when" Smack "you" Smack "left?!" Smack

"I'm sorry!" Yoongi sobbed. "I forgot and I – "

Smack

"What were you really doing?"

Jungkook silently gasped.

"What? I – "

"Were you with someone else?"

"No! I was working on my song! I swear!"

Smack

"Don't you lie to me!"

"I'm not!" Yoongi wailed. "I swear I'm n – "

Smack

"Was it that guy who said hi to you this morning?"

Jungkook suddenly felt like he was going to vomit.

"W-Who? I don't know – "

"You know exactly who I'm talking about! Who was that?!"

"A f-friend. He – "

Smack

"I told you to stay away from your friends. You fucking him?"

Jungkook's hand flew to his mouth.

"What?!" Yoongi's voice trembled. "No! I stay away from him! He just said hi because I didn't tell him that I needed to stay away!"

Smack

"And why not?!"

"I – "

There was a thud and an anguished cry.

"Please don't – "

An 'oof' sounded out. Jungkook knew that sound. Chul was kicking Yoongi, likely in the stomach.

"Stay away from that kid! You hear me?"

"Y-Yes! I promise! Please don – "

Another 'oof' interrupted him.

"I promise! I PROMISE!"

One more 'oof' and then retreating footsteps.

And then, soft crying. Jungkook's chest constricted. He wanted so badly to throw open the door and take Yoongi into his arms. But he had no other option than to, just as Jimin and Namjoon had done, walk away.