Jimin gently caressed Kooki's hair, asking, "Why are you crying, little one?"

"You should tell me, hyung... otherwise, how will I know?"

"I was waiting for the right moment... It's okay... leave it," Jimin assured him.

"Now I know why Taehyung always pushes me out... Why does he hate me so much?" Kooki's tears flowed even more.

"Kooki, it's okay... If you love him, you'll get through this... Don't worry," Jimin comforted him.

"I am hurting everyone... You, my family, your family... I know... But I love him so much... I... I am sorry."

"For what? I will talk with your Dad... My family... They will accept it... Taehyung and I are the same to them," Jimin reassured.

"Did you?" Jungkook inquired.

"I will," Jimin smiled through his pain. "Now, freshen up... Let me call Tae... Okay..." Jimin wiped away others' tears.

He called Taehyung once he emerged from the room, but there was no answer. "Come home, Tae," Jimin left a voice message. When Taehyung came downstairs, he was met by Jimin's family.

"Where is he?" Jeon asked.

"Freshening up," Jimin replied, taking a seat beside them.

"I'm sorry, Jimin... He insulted you in front of us..." Jeon expressed regret.

"No, uncle... He just poured his heart out... That's all, and we should support him," Jimin smiled at them.

"I will, Jimin... I will support my children no matter what, but not Taehyung," Jeon stated firmly.

"Uncle, please... What are you talking about? Taehyung is perfect... If you're talking about the past, are any of us saints?" Jimin challenged.

"We're not... But we never liked him... What are his qualifications, qualities? Zero," Jeon gritted his teeth.

"There is a limit for everything, uncle..." Jimin asserted, pointing at Jeon.

"Jimin," he received a slap on the biceps from Mrs. Kim. "This is not how you speak to elders... Apologize," she insisted.

"Sorry, uncle," he apologized.

They heard the sound of a bike. Jimin immediately went to the door. "Tae... come inside."

"Where is Jungkook?" Taehyung asked while removing his helmet.

"Inside... He was crying a lot... Go and see him."

"Yeah..." Taehyung walked inside.

"Where are you going?" Jeon confronted him. "This is my home..."

Taehyung smirked. "You know me."

Jeon gulped and moved aside, knowing Taehyung's temper.

Taehyung burst open the door and found Jungkook standing in front of the mirror.

"Hyung," Jungkook turned towards Taehyung. Taehyung closed the door and walked towards Jungkook. He gently grasped Jungkook's nape and kissed him passionately. Jungkook was surprised but reciprocated, allowing his love to consume him. After some time, Taehyung broke the kiss. "Be mine," he declared.

"What?" Jungkook looked at him with wide eyes.

"Be mine, Jeon Jungkook... Only mine," Taehyung asserted.

Jungkook hugged him tightly. "I love you... Always... But Jimin hyung..."

"I don't care about him... He's perfect; he'll find happiness... But you belong to me," Taehyung said, pulling Jungkook into another kiss.

************

"Tae..." Jimin called out to the sleeping boy, resting his head on the other's chest. "Are you upset with me?" Tae asked without opening his eyes.

"A little bit... You should have told me earlier," Jimin replied.

"I thought it was just a passing fancy or that he wanted to annoy me more, but last night I realized he was serious. Still, I tried to make him understand. But then, that man slapped me... And your mother... She said something too. That's why I..." Tae explained.

"It's okay... I understand. I saw yesterday how much he loves you. Now, get up, let's go to the office," Jimin said.

"I'm so tired... I took a pill yesterday..." Tae mentioned.

"A pill? Why?" Jimin's voice turned serious.

"Yeah... A painkiller...

Remember, if you revert to your old self, you'll never see me again," Jimin's voice cracked.

"Jimin..." Tae opened his eyes. "I promised you... Never... I'll never go back to my old self... please don't say that again."

"No... So sleep a bit more... I'm taking leave today. I have some work outside... Bye," Jimin said as he ruffled Tae's hair and left the room.

"Good morning, Kooki," Jimin greeted the boy when they met at the dining table.

"Morning, hyung," Jungkook said with a smile. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah... I want to meet someone," Jimin replied.

"Brunch?" Jungkook suggested, pointing at the boxes on the table.

"I'll eat outside..." Jimin declined.

"Why, hyung? Jungkook said, sounding a bit disappointed.

I told you... Iam meeting someone in a restaurant and don't disturb him... He's still sleeping," Jimin warned.

"I won't," Jungkook said and head towards his home.

*********

Jimin sat in his reserved seat at the outer portion of the Arcadia Bar Hotel, glancing at his watch before dialing Lisa's number.

"We're on our way, boss," she assured him. Nearly twenty minutes later, her car entered the compound, drawing Jimin's attention.

As Lisa approached, Jimin's gaze shifted to the person trailing behind her.

"Take a seat," Jimin said in a husky voice, gesturing for the boy to sit opposite him. The boy complied, keeping his eyes downcast while Lisa settled at another table.

"I'm Park Jimin," he introduced himself, but the boy simply nodded in response.

"I was drugged. It's probably nothing new for you, working in a bar," Jimin remarked, prompting the boy to meet his gaze. Jimin then opened his checkbook and wrote an amount.

"Here, compensation for last night," he offered, extending the cheque to the boy, who hesitated to accept it.

"Is it not enough?" Jimin inquired, adjusting his glasses. "How much do you want?" he pressed, but the boy remained silent.

"I'm talking to you, Mr. How much do you usually get paid for a night? This is more than that. Take it and go," Jimin insisted, causing the boy to startle. Slowly, he stood from his seat, touching his mouth before nodding his head.

"What?" Jimin questioned, puzzled.

Lisa stepped in to explain, "Boss, he's mute."

Jimin's eyes widened as he took in the boy's beauty and the fear in his eyes.

He watched silently as the boy bowed and exited the bar.

"His name is Min Yoongi. He works part-time at the bar and is a fine art student too. His mother passed away two years ago, and his father is a drunkard," Lisa elaborated.

Jimin's gaze followed Yoongi until he disappeared from sight. "I need a drink," Jimin finally said, breaking the silence.