a/n: warnings: this is mostly a filler chapter but there is some smoking between vmin lmao i had like 5 cape cods before writing this and i know theres hella erros im so sorry ill come back and edit it later <3

...

"Staring at him like what?"

"I don't even know how to describe it. I'll show you instead."

Dark, curly hair blew with the wind as the overcast sky began to settle, a cloud of smoke exhaling from a pair of cherry-colored lips and trailing up to the sky, the smoke floating with the air and dissipating into the evening breeze, "She was staring at Jungkook like this--." Taehyung visibly shivered, placing the cigarette between his lips and reaching up to his eyes, large palms spreading as his fingers lifted his eyelids up to make his eyes appear wider, "Like that." He mumbled as best as he could with the cigarette between his lips then dropped his hands from his face and plucked the cigarette out of his mouth with his fingertips, 

"Check this out." He spoke, smoke escaping through his nostrils while he reached to the back of his pant pocket, tugging his phone from within it using his freehand and showing the elder member his screen once it was unlocked, "I know I shouldn't have... but I called the Hybe bar. Spoke to the manager." Taehyung grumbled, thumbing down the screen of a series of screenshots sent to him, "This is her resume. Not much on there. But take a look at this--" The dark-haired singer spoke as if Jimin would understand what he's saying.

It was late. Too late. Hours had passed since the fight happened and no one had heard from you, Jungkook or Yoongi. It was strange to go this long without hearing from one another as the Bangtan boys kept in contact quite closely. Jimin knew tensions where high at the moment but he at least expected a response from you for sure. He was beginning to worry a bit. Jimin's naturally protective instinct was starting to make him stress out because he didn't hear from any of you. He had sent a text to the group chat earlier but there was no response. He reached out to you and Yoongi separately too. Knowing Jungkook wouldn't answer his texts anyways. Typical maknae. Leaving everyone on read all the time whether it be serious or not. He didn't expect the younger to answer so he hit you up instead. Shooting you a, "Is everything okay?" followed by a series of puppy eye emojis.

Strange.

You normally would have replied to him by now or as fast as you could anyhow. Even if he sent you something silly and unimportant. But tonight, Jimin's efforts to contact you was all to no avail. He figured you would all need your space but it ached him inside to know there was not much he could do. He just wanted to comfort you. To comfort Jungkook. Jimin also wanted to be there for Yoongi too.

On one hand, Jimin knew you and Jungkook would be okay. You had each other. But who did Yoongi have? His girlfriend had turned out to be a trick ass bitch whether he wanted to believe it or not. And like hell was Yoongi going to turn to his parents for support either. Bangtan was the only group of people that would understand Yoongi. But Jimin knew he wouldn't want to reach out to the guys for help on his own. That's just the way his hyung was. 

All Yoongi thought he had was himself. He, himself and his thoughts. Those thoughts that intrude and make you think the worst of yourself. The thoughts that mess with your mind and play tricks on you. Those kinds of thoughts. Yoongi must have been thinking all of them. Delving deep into the darkest pit of his mind and allowing for the dark shadows of his psyche to make him overthink.

Jimin knew Yoongi better than he knew himself. He knew that the rapper was fragile. He knew his hyung needed support. But here was the thing about Min Yoongi... Min Yoongi wouldn't let anyone support him... He had the belief that he should suffer in silence. He believed he deserved to. He believed everything in life happens for a reason and everything was meant to be. Whether it be good or bad. Things were meant to happen. Oh, you just found out your girlfriend might be a psychopath? Let's just blame ourselves and take it all upon us. None of this was his fault though. None of this has anything to do with him but that was just who Yoongi was.

He was learning how to not be that way, of course. Taking classes on self-help. Seeing a therapist for professional assistance. Going through the whole spiel because he truly wanted to change. Yoongi had been doing well too. Finding himself asking his fellow group mates for help on how to handle things he could not take care of on his own. He was making progress and making it fast. Changing for the better and allowing himself to be vulnerable. Allowing himself to ask for help when need be. Allowing himself to show weakness and allowing himself to also feel strong.

Yoongi was definitely on the road to recovery and Jimin worried that Sora may have cause him to snap back to the man he once used to be. That couldn't be true, right?! Yoongi was a genius. A self-made and self-taught man who had done something for himself. But mental illness didn't discriminate, no. Whether you were rich or poor, the demons still knew how find their places in the back of your mind. 

Jimin could only hope this wasn't the case for Yoongi. He was so worried about him and wanted to pay his hyung a visit. To knock the door down and break into Yoongi's room. Force himself into the small dorm so that he could comfort his hyung. He was planning to do just that. If only he didn't get a text just when he was about to unlock the door to his own dorm to head down the hallway to Yoongi's. The text coming from his (second) favorite dongsaeng, Taehyung. Telling Jimin to watch out for him as he was heading over to see him right that moment.

Jimin figured the younger would take a while to get back to the dorm's from wherever the fuck he went but that wasn't the case. In a matter of minutes, here was Mr. Kim Taehyung himself. Showing up to Jimin's room looking strung out and frazzled. Talking some nonsense about how he had to show his friend something in regards to you and Jungkook. Damn. Since when did Taehyung give a shit? Did he really make a 180 and actually started giving a fuck for once? That's nice. Jimin was shocked to say the least. Shocked that his band-mate was showing interest in protecting you. He didn't think a day like this would come. Jimin had to be honest, he never thought Taehyung would care until today. It wasn't that he believed Taehyung didn't like you or anything like that. Well, at least Jimin didn't think his dongsaeng disliked you at all. In fact, Jimin always thought the fellow singer had a thing for you.

I mean... Why would Taehyung fuck you if he didn't like you?

Yeah, that's right. Jimin knows what happened the night of Taehyung's birthday at the Soop house.

Did you three think you could hide?

He further confirmed that assumption when the younger bolted out of the dorm the way he did earlier after you fought with Sora. A clear look of panic was in Taehyung's eyes when he left the dorm. Hah. He didn't even have the decency to explain to Seokjin and Namjoon what had happened in the bathroom that made him leave so abruptly. Choosing to leave the explaining up to Jimin and Hoseok while he ran off into the night. 

Turns out, he didn't exactly run off to disappear. Nah. Taehyung went on a little quest on his own. Digging around the bar Sora worked at to see if he could find any dirt on her. Calling up the manager of the establishment and pressing them for information. Trying to find any and all reason to have her shunned off the face of the earth. He was really putting in the effort to bring Sora down somehow. But yet... he claimed he didn't care about you, huh? But yet... Taehyung would put a hand over his heart and lie to anyone's face if asked about how he felt about you, huh? That didn't seem like a person who didn't give a shit.

Unfortunately, after all the interrogating of her manager and googling her name online using the little information he had, Taehyung's efforts were fruitless. Just like he expected anyways. There was no way there would be juicy information on the internet about someone as conniving and deranged as Sora. She was good at concealing her identity. Making sure no one knew what her real persona was. She hid behind stan accounts online and posed under fake names and pseudonyms. Pretending she was a loyal and true fan quite easily amongst the sea of actual fans. Haha. She must have thought she was so smart. Blending herself in with fellow Armys. Pretending as if she cared about these 7 boys. Pretending as if she gave a single fuck about their well being.

Sora did a fantastic job at playing pretend. And she could have pulled it off too. She could have got away with it... IF Taehyung didn't befriend the manager of Hybe's bar. She could have made an easy escape if the manager of said bar didn't forward a copy of her resume to Taehyung too. Stating that she was a woman that kept mostly to herself. A bit of a brown nose but nothing was off about that. She didn't get close to her coworkers. Didn't gush about her personal life during work hours. Sora was by the book. Clock in. Work. Then clock out and disappear until her next shift.

There was nothing interesting about her on her resume. The manager wasn't much help either as he didn't remember the day he interviewed her. And come to think of it... he didn't remember if she even had an interview. Now that he really thought of it, she just kind of showed up to work that one evening years ago. 

She must have been sent by Hybe themselves or worse. That was all the information the bar had. Simple stuff. Shit that Taehyung overlooked and didn't pay attention to. It seemed as if there was nothing iffy or concerning about Sora's life until Taehyung looked closer... Looked at her full name. Park So-Ra. Taehyung could have sworn he heard that name before. Well, he was sure he did. There must have been millions of people in Korea with that name. But why did it seem so familiar? That's when he went to digging. Typing her name into a simple Naver search and scrolling until he found the article he had once came across years before. Now here he was, in front of his friend Jimin and about to unveil just how powerful Sora really was. 

"Show me."

Jimin peered in closer to Taehyung and took a peek at his phone, "Hmm." The gentle octave of the singer's voice hummed faintly, eyebrows raising and lips wrapping around the end of a straw stuck into the top of a tall cocktail glass while he studied the document the younger was showing him. It seemed to look like a news article. A family. Two parents. Two young children and a cute little dog posing together in front of a large house. Jimin wasn't sure what he was looking at. Wasn't sure who he was looking at either. "Mmmm." His gaze trailed from the article to the younger's face instead. 

Sleek, feline like eyes holding eye contact with Taehyung while he sucked up the liquid for a long minute. Making the younger visibly cringe at how obnoxiously he was dragging the straw around the bottom of the cup to collect every last drop of the icy drink while moaning and groaning ridiculously over how delicious the drink was at the same time. Once he had successfully irritated his band-mate, he pried the straw out of his mouth and shrugged,

"I don't get it."

"Okay. Was that fucking necessary?" Taehyung snapped, eyes on Jimin's then narrowing then he dropped his glare to his band-mate's mouth, his glare channeling on those pretty looking Bratz doll lips Jimin owned, "Shit's not even that great." Taehyung lied. Of course, it was a lie. Jimin made exceptional drinks. He couldn't cook for shit but he was definitely good at mixing drinks. So good that Taehyung, who was a social drinker and preferred most days not to drink at all, could actually stomach some of the cocktails his fellow member would prepare for him. Still, this wasn't the time to be extra over a simple cocktail and Taehyung's irritation only rose with each moment. Not because of how annoying Jimin was being but because how much more fucked up this whole situation just came to be.

Jimin didn't have the slightest clue on how serious this was all coming out to be. He wasn't aware of who Sora actually was. Scratch that. He didn't know exactly who Sora's mother was. He had no idea what Sora and her family were capable of if given the opportunity. He didn't know that Sora's mother was a very fierce business woman turned head executive of a sleazy company that does nothing but invade the privacy of celebrities. Jimin had not the slightest clue. He was going to find out in a matter of seconds though. And when he does, good luck everybody.

"Can you just..." Taehyung paused and pinched the bridge of his nose. Inhaling a deep breath to calm himself down before he flung a fist at his brother's head today. He was in no mood to play around but he didn't want to lash out at Jimin either. He knew his brother was genuinely confused. I mean, all Taehyung did was shove his phone into Jimin's face and expected the singer to understand what he was showing him too.

Normally the two band members communicated wordlessly. Diving in each other's heads and finishing one another's sentences without skipping a beat. Today was different though. There was too much confusion in the air today. Too much exhaustion. Too much that happened in just a short amount of time. Taehyung knew he needed to better explain himself and so, he took a moment to control his breathing. Fingers dropping from the bridge of his nose to the cigarette perched around a beautiful Versace ash tray centered in the middle of a sturdy wicker table with a luxurious marble top, plucking the clope off the ashtray and raising it between his fingers to place the filter side between his lips while he waved his phone in his freehand at Jimin's face, 

"...Can you just look at the screenshot I'm showing you?"

Hey, before anyone gets on Jimin's ass for being so unserious... listen... It was late in the night and today was a fucking shit show. Could you blame him? All Jimin wanted was to come home and have a drink. Actually, after what went down this evening, he needed a whole fucking bar. And in reality, Jimin would have made a beeline for the closest place to grab a drink or a bottle. Or he would have even called up his sneaky link and asked if they wanted to have a drink with him too because who likes drinking alone? But Jimin was mentally drained today and retired to his dorm solo tonight instead before Taehyung decided to show up. When he got the text that the younger on the way, Jimin sighed in defeat knowing something was beginning to feel aloof.

Taehyung wouldn't hit him up without any reason. Especially after the way he dashed out of Yoongi's room earlier too. So, Jimin prepared himself for his visitor. Quickly fixing himself a whiskey sour at the mini bar display in his living room area and making his way to the spot in his dorm he enjoyed more than his bed. His balcony. The private spot of his home where he could sit and relax at any time of the year without being bothered. He had hoped to have a bit of time alone before Taehyung showed up. Hoping to have one more moment of silence before his band mate came and so, Jimin closed his eyes once he took a seat onto the luxurious outdoor chair lined outside of his balcony. Slender fingertips plucking the top of the metal straw between them and giving his drink a stir before a pair of plump, rose colored lips rested at the tip of the straw. 

Hmm...

His thoughts pondered for a moment while he looked out onto the night sky. Soft yet piercing eyes gazing out to the horizon and wondering who else in the world would be awake at this hour except himself.

The fact that Jimin wasn't the only person dealing with a fucked up day crossed his mind. Everyone had a story, right? Of course! Right now, someone could be dying. Someone could be giving birth. Someone could be falling in love. Someone could be falling out of it. It was crazy to think that right now, while Jimin sat quietly on the balcony of his home awaiting Taehyung, there are other people out there living life. Perhaps a person was doing the same as himself. Perhaps someone out there was waiting for a loved one to come home. Or waiting for a friend to come visit... Just like Jimin.

The thoughts made him think about Yoongi. Made him think about his friend sitting in a room just a few doors down probably staring out at the same horizon. 

Who was waiting for Yoongi? Was he waiting for anyone too?

The thoughts swarmed around the inside of Jimin's head like a hive of bees and he needed a drink before he would overthink any longer. He needed to uncloud his mind. And as corny as it sounded, he needed something to take the edge off because popping a melatonin and hitting the hay was out of the question today. Jimin hated days like this. It was nights like these that he would get into his head too much and think himself into insanity. He needed to stop worrying. But this was Jimin's nature. He loved too much. Cared too much. He put his blood, sweat and tears into Bangtan and they were his family. You were his family.

He knew he shouldn't worry the way he did but how could he head to bed and have a wink of sleep knowing his family was in shambles right now. Ah, what a Libra, right? Hating conflict. Having a distaste for confrontation. Always being a people pleaser. Staying sophisticated but also being easily reeled in by the idea of beauty in a person. So attracted to the idea of beauty that they find it even in one's flaws. In other words, Jimin was a perfect person. A perfect friend. And an even perfect companion. He couldn't help but feel the way he did and he knew he wouldn't stop feeling this way until he spoke to one of you either.

Bringing the straw to his lips once more, Jimin inhaled a deep sigh and pressed the cold stainless steel of the straw against his mouth, letting the cool metal press into his lower lip while his teeth nibbled over the top of the straw out of habit while he zoned out. Falling into a dreamless daydream and staring out at the city lights in front of his view. Jimin stayed that way for what felt like eternity. Gazing out at the cars zooming along the highways in the distance.

There was someone in each car that drove by. A person with a purpose. Lives that were living.

Jimin shook himself out of his daze when he heard the security system to his dorm chiming to indicate he had a visitor. Sighing under his breath, he glanced down at the glass in his hand. The ice cubes rattling in the glass that he hadn't even took a drink out of from the way he was spacing out. "Fuck." Jimin leaned forward and placed the cocktail glass down on top of a woven coaster. Hands at his knees and dusting his pants off as he rose off the seat. The doorbell buzzed once more, "Yeah, yeah." Jimin breathed while he headed to the door. 

He wanted to ignore it... That incessant, disruptive ringing. He wanted to close his eyes and plug his ears to tune the dinging of the doorbell out until it went away but Jimin knew it would be useless. He knew he could turn Taehyung away. He would never let his band-mates hanging and what if they were in need? That's how he ended up here with Taehyung. Sharing a cigarette with the younger under the pretty lights of his balcony. Listening to the gibberish his fellow band mate was talking. Trying to make sense of it all.

It should have a been a peaceful night but it wasn't. The air was full of tension. Full of a seriousness Jimin hadn't felt in a long while. There was something he wasn't understanding. He was coming up short on reasons why the younger was flipping out this way. There was something he wasn't getting which was interesting considering the fact that Jimin was exceptional at figuring things out without much help but right now? Being in front of Taehyung like this... Listening to his friend speak in some other tongue. Explaining things to him in some sort of foreign language.

"Alright. Okay. Calm down." Jimin reassured Taehyung with a cheeky smile. Dainty fingers setting the now empty cocktail glass down once he successfully emptied the contents of the cup. "Let me look." Jimin hummed, his pretty voice sounding like an angel's kiss when he spoke, "Let's see." The sweet voice shifted as the raven-haired singer peered at the phone screen once more, inspecting over the information Taehyung was showing him, "Ah..." He nodded to himself then pulled away, a dark brow raising in question, "So what? I'm a Park too."

Slender shoulders rose and fell while he shrugged, eyes turning away from the phone screen to look over towards the cocktail glass he had once set down, squinting at the clear glass of the cup and then reaching out to give it a shake so that the ice inside rattled. A wary gaze then wandered over and eyed Taehyung's nearly untouched drink he had took the time to prepare for him sitting idly on top of the table they sat at. The ice in the glass starting to melt and condensation beginning to form around the drinkware itself, 

"What does that mean." Jimin finally turned his attention back to Taehyung, "What's so special about that?" The member shrugged his shoulders once more, flicking his hair away from his face while he reached for the cigarette between Taehyung's fingers. Snatching the cig the two band mates were sharing and placing it between his lips instead, "Explain." He commanded his dongsaeng before inhaling the end of the cigarette, taking a deep drag and quickly sucking the smoke into his lungs before exhaling coolly out his mouth while he eyed the younger,

"I'll start from the beginning all over again because you weren't listening, were you?" Taehyung made a tut noise with his lips, indicating his annoyance as if it weren't obvious enough. He gave Jimin a nod, his back leaning against the seat behind him, "I said the same thing when the manager sent me her resume but then I pressed him for more information on her. Just out of curiosity, you know? I was wondering why would Hybe hire a person with virtually no skills in bartender or service. Didn't make sense to me." The tip of Taehyung's tongue poked out of his mouth and he licked his lips, pressing them into a thin line for a moment as he thought back to a few hours earlier when he was speaking with the manager of Hybe's bar.

He had met the bar's manager a few times through the years. The manager was an older gentleman who had been loyal to Hybe before they were even known as Hybe. He was as loyal as a dog to the company and Taehyung knew it wouldn't be easy to get information from someone that had dedicated their life to serving one company for the last who knows how the fuck long years but he had to pull some strings somehow. And so, he gave in. Granting the gentleman his wish of taking his daughter out for dinner in exchange for the low down on who Yoongi's girlfriend really was. All it took was for him to say yes and he had all the information he could desire. Maybe more than he needed.

"Park Sora." Taehyung said the name out loud and stood up from where he sat, a hand stuffing into his pocket as he strolled over to ledge of the balcony, taking a peek over the rail and then turning around to face Jimin while he leaned against the frosted glass of the balcony while his head shook lightly to remove the wavy locks of hair away from his face. Arms crossed over his chest and his body leaned in closer towards Jimin, voice lowering to nothing but a hushed whisper, "She's Park Han Seo's kid. "

Jimin's once doll like eyes suddenly widened in alarm. Was he hearing correctly? The pair of hooded, dark irises turned to round dinner plates while smoke suddenly escaped through his nose. The unprovoked puff of air leaving his mouth and nose made him start to cough comically. The strong cigarette fumes forcing its way out of his nostrils took him off guard along with Taehyung's words. "Jesus fuck." The singer wheezed with a fist at his lips, coughing a few more times then finally clearing his throat, the butt end of the cigarette between his fingers dropping to the ash tray along with his jaw, "You're kidding." The elder shook his head in disbelief when he finally managed to control his coughing. His voice raw and broken for a moment, "No way." Jimin spoke again clearer but still with confusion, smashing the cigarette into the tray and crushing the end to out it, "Tell me you're lying right now, Kim Taehyung." Jimin commanded, head shaking in disbelief while he turned to look at his band-mate, "Tell me you're wrong."

Tae watched his best friend nearly choke himself into the afterlife while he coughed. A hand over his own mouth as he crossed his arms, keeping his palm clasped over his lips while he stifled his laughter. Amateur. Just kidding. But seriously. Taehyung waited for Jimin to compose himself. Giving the singer a few moments to catch his breath before he spoke, "Wish I was." Taehyung swallowed the uneasy feeling in his mouth, taking a big breath of air and filling his lungs before pursing his lips as he let the air escape his lips, "She didn't seem to care when Yoongi Hyung was trying to console her." He continued to speak, eyes drifting to a fish shaped wind chime hanging from the top of the canopy that sheltered the outdoor furniture the two band mates were just seated on.

Jimin must have copped the chime from RM's merch collection. Pretty. Seeing the simple wind chime swaying with the night air gave Taehyung a reminder to hang up his own. They all had each other's merch. They all used them well too. He had been waiting for spring to come so that he could finally hang his own up but it inspired him to display his earlier after seeing Jimin's own chime swinging so carefully on the canopy. The carefully designed fish looked beautiful.

 Taehyung watched the gold fish swaying with the calm Seoul wind for what seemed like a long time. Just taking a moment to appreciate the simplicity and beauty in something so normal reminded Taehyung to take a breath. Take a long breath because this was going to be a doozy.

Nothing was going to be simple anymore.

Nothing was going to be easy when Sora's mother was the CFO for Dispatch Korea. Nothing was going to be easy when Park Sora's family basically ran South Korea. 

"Fuck Yoongi, out of all fucking people?" Jimin's fingers were stuck in his hair while he spoke to himself. Pulling the locks back and exhaling in frustration while the hand in the jet-black longish waves of hair dropped to his side. He looked around the table he was sat at for a moment. Dark eyes roaming the marble top for something to say. He was honestly at a loss for words. Wait, scratch that. He knew exactly what he wanted to say. He just didn't know if it was respectful enough. Jimin was worried to say the least. Not worried about Dispatch. Those bitches couldn't succeed if they tried. He was more concerned about Taehyung. He knew this entire thing was unfolding terribly but Taehyung was about to move himself in territory he should have never got himself involved in from the beginning. 

Yes, Yoongi was dating the daughter of Dispatch's CFO and yes, they most definitely have some sort of information on you and Jungkook's relationship. That's 2 out of 7 members. Even though Jimin knew Hybe had their backs and could easily shut down Dispatch and any of their claims if they wanted to, that was still two members with ties to Dispatch and too members too many. They couldn't afford the scummy wanna-be TMZ company to get any closer to their lives.

BTS was fully aware that Dispatch had dirt on every single member. Or at least they tried to find anything and everything they could on the member's lives. There wasn't any way to live in peace when you were as big as BTS was. That was just the unfortunate truth. However, the members always tried to be transparent with the public even though they didn't need to. They were grateful to have some people that respected them enough to leave them be in public too. That didn't stop Hybe from constantly having to shut down bullshitters and people trying to spread false news about things. 

That didn't mean Hybe could hide everything either. What if there are some things they just can't ignore? The seriousness of this all transcended to lengths everyone was unaware of. And now we all had to turn the trajectory and think of a new way to get rid of Sora because straight up dumping her now wouldn't work. I mean, yeah, Yoongi could break up with Sora but what if she had things to blackmail him with? What if she had access to things to extort all of BTS with? Did they have videos together? Was Yoongi dumb enough to send nudes to the psycho or any suggestive pictures that could easily get him into trouble? Who knew.

Jimin didn't know if he was about to overstep a boundary from what he wanted to say but he was going to do it anyways. He knew he couldn't protect Yoongi, Jungkook or you in the way he wanted to. But at least he could try to with the rest of his friends. At least if he told the rest of the members to steer clear of Park Sora, they would be able to protect themselves.

"Stay out of it, Taehyung." The singer spoke suddenly, back slumped in his seat in a position of defeat while he sighed out loud.

"What?" Taehyung was taken aback by the hyung's sudden change in demeaner. The command catching him off guard and his lips rounding into an 'Oh' then falling into a pout. He was confused for a moment. Questioning eyes lingering over Jimin's face and searching for some sort of answer along his band-mates rosy colored cheeks. Taehyung was silent as he looked at Jimin. His head tilted slightly on an angle as if he didn't quite hear or understand what the other was saying, "I can't. How can you even say that?" The dark-haired charm felt a rush over anger waft over him.

Why was he already so heated for no reason?

The other male tugged at the collar of his shirt. Fingers curling into the cashmere fabric and pulling at it to expose his neck for a moment. Allowing for his skin to cool off with the night breeze. Jimin felt overheated already. Maybe the heated floors of the balcony were projecting too much warmth. Or perhaps he was just starting to freak out, "I know you care about Y/N. We all do. But you can't get involved anymore." Jimin's voice came out rushed, head shaking quick and dismissively, "Tell Jungkook and Yoongi what you know but after that, just stay out and let them handle it." He began to stand up to head back into the dorm, leaving a visibly confused Taehyung behind.

"What are you talking about? No. We need to do something to stop her." Taehyung protested while he followed Jimin back into the dorm. Tae tried to pull Jimin back. Tried to stop him from walking and to turn around to face him instead but it was useless. Jimin ignored him and kept moving into the living space of the dorm. Plopping tiredly onto the couch situated in the room and sinking backwards into it, head tilting back while he analyzed Taehyung standing before him,

"Tell me something."

Taehyung couldn't understand the sudden shift in mood from Jimin. Why wasn't he jumping into action with him? Was there something Taehyung wasn't seeing? He shifted restlessly on his feet and then tilted his head to the side. Brows quirking in question and lips twisting into a frown as he questioned his best friend, "Tell you what?"

Jimin took a moment to survey Taehyung, a menacing smile starting to creep along his lips. He pondered whether he should actually tell his dongsaeng that he knew about your little rendezvous at the Soop house but Jimin just needed to find a reason why his band mate was so obsessed with getting involved. There could only be one reason. Something went down during that night at the Soop house. Something that Jimin couldn't hear even when he had his ear pressed to the door. Something that went unnoticed. Did Taehyung catch feelings? Did he do the unthinkable and fall for his best friend's girlfriend?

"When were you planning to tell me that you slept with Y/N?"

Taehyung froze in place and quirked a brow at Jimin, his arms immediately folding in defense across his chest. He thought about whether or not he wanted to lie to Jimin. Quickly putting up his walls and deciding to make up an excuse. Play dumb and tell his friend he had no idea what the fuck he was talking about but Taehyung knew he wouldn't be able to hide anything from Jimin. After all, the two were always stuck together like glue.

There wasn't any chance the singer could get away with getting caught in a lie. Maybe it was best to lie anyways because Taehyung just couldn't deal with Jimin drawing all the lines together and finding out he had caught feelings for you after promising himself he wouldn't. But on the other hand, Jimin would figure out he was lying anyways and call him out for it. Fuck. Was the little pervert eavesdropping out the door? Or was he outside the window spying on the three of them that night?

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Why now? What's next?

The two singers stared at one another. Exchanging silent looks between each other before finally Taehyung broke the silence, "How did you find out." He grunted the sentence, tongue clicking in dissatisfaction while he looked away for a moment, "Who told you?" He questioned, wavy locks bouncing when his head turned to look at Jimin, "...Don't tell me." Before Taehyung could continue speaking, Jimin rolled his eyes and stood up from where he sat, a hand at the cream-colored sweater he wore,

"No one needed to tell me. I knew it was bound to happen." Jimin stated with a nonchalant tone, his fingers plucking the fabric along the wrist of his sweater and beginning to roll the sleeve up slowly, "That's why I think you need to stay out of whatever is going on." After rolling the sleeve of his sweater up, Jimin face Taehyung as he began to the do the same motion with the other sleeve, "I get why you would like Y/N. She's beautiful. Smart. Funny. She's the whole package. But she doesn't want you. She never will." Jimin spoke the truth, fingers smoothing down the front of his sweater, flicking a piece of dust off the shirt before continuing to speak,

"Even in her next life, it's going to be Jungkook. So, stay out." He nodded, looking up at Taehyung through his dark, jet black bangs, "Or get involved and Jungkook gets a whiff of what you feel for his girlfriend and then he pelts you through a wall." The singer started to smirk at the visual of Taehyung and Jungkook fighting. He had never even seen the two bandmates argue. They were so close they shared the same body. And it had Jimin wondering how things would turn out if Jungkook's best friend was thinking of his girlfriend everytime he saw her?

Knowing Jungkook...

It wouldn't turn out very well.

"I don't like her." Taehyung lied through his teeth, his jaw clenched and tight after he spoke. He almost glared at Jimin but instead of shooting daggers out of his eyes, he instead softened his gaze. Shaking his head in regret and reaching up to run a hand through his permed hair, "I just care. That's all." He breathed, "I care about Jungkook and I care about his girlfriend. I don't want anything to happen to them." Taehyung said, shrugging lightly, "We slept together but that's all that happened. I haven't caught feelings or whatever the fuck you're thinking." He spat, eyes squinting at his friend. He tried hard to sound normal. But when he spoke, he felt as though he had cottonmouth. His words just didn't sound right. He didn't sound like himself. But he had to do it. He had to speak it into existence. Because maybe if he said it out loud... If he said he didn't like you... he would start to believe it himself.

"If you say so." Jimin shrugged again, arms now crossed over his chest and fingertip resting on top of his lip while he thought, "Why didn't you let me join?" He asked suddenly with a cheeky smile that barely masked just how hurt he was, "Why was it you?" He couldn't hide the jealousy in his voice as he spoke.

Jimin had been butthurt all this time. Since the day he found out... And he found out against his own will, by the way. Innocently making his way to bed after the fun evening and passing by the room you and Jungkook were staying in. First, he stood outside the door pondering on if he wanted to ask the two of you to come out and continue drinking with him. He even had a fist raised to knock on the door and was about to knock until he heard Taehyung's distinct voice. He listened closer. Not because he wanted to but because he couldn't believe it and before he knew it, Jimin overheard you three in the room.

Jimin fled as fast as he could to his own room before any of the hyung's came by and caught him snooping but he didn't forget. Oh no... Jimin never forgot. He stewed about it for weeks. Wanting to confront all three of you. Even when you and him went to that concert one night, he wanted to bring it up while the two of you shared a drink together at the end of the night. When him and Jungkook were stuck in the car together while the other hyung's were getting dressed for a schedule, he wanted to corner the younger in the car and question him. But he didn't. Mostly because he didn't know how to bring it up. 

He didn't know how to mention it until Taehyung started acting weird. Started spacing out more. Started leaving the room when you walked in more. Started staring at you more... and for longer. Started asking Jungkook how you were doing. Perking up whenever Jungkook entered the room and immediately deflating when he didn't see you coming in behind him. Taehyung used to never give a shit.

Why did he now?

Simple.

Taehyung caught feelings. They weren't strong. At least Jimin hoped they weren't. But they were there. And they were making their presence known with each fleeting day. I mean, who could blame him? You clearly casted a spell on the man and now he was hooked. That didn't change the fact that Jimin was mad he wasn't included. Out of all people, he thought he would be the one. He wanted to know why it wasn't him. If Jimin wanted to think about it... If he wanted to imagine how he would treat you if given the chance... Oh... You wouldn't be able to handle it. Wouldn't be able to walk right either if he had to say. Jimin assumed that's why he wasn't included. You'd be hooked if you spent one night with him for sure.

"Don't tell me you actually thought you had a chance with her, did you?" Taehyung started to laugh, "You have too much history with her. It would be weird. And to be fair... I don't think she likes you like that." Taehyung sneered back at Jimin then grumbled the last part quickly, shaking his head as if it wasn't that big of a deal, "It was one time. Won't happen again so forget about it." He started to make his way to the door, sensing that he wasn't going to get the support he had hoped he would have when he came knocking on his friend's door.

He never knew this moment would come. Never thought Jimin of all people would find out what happened that night at the soop house. Had it been anyone else, Taehyung wouldn't have gave a damn but Jimin? He was like your best friend and Taehyung knew it would bother him to know that happened. But like mentioned, Jimin would never be able to hook up with you. He was your best friend and if he fell for you, Jimin wasn't the type to hide his feelings. 

He'd go head to head with Jungkook to try to get you and that would only tear the group apart while putting you and Jungkook into a very awkward situation at the same time. Taehyung thought he was doing his brother a solid. Thought he was preventing Jimin from getting himself into something that would crush him in the end. He thought he would get his nut and go. Thought he wouldn't waste a single thought on you after that.

Funny how the house of cards could crumble, huh?

"Weirder than the way you're acting right now? Weirder than the way you stare at her? Weirder than the way you went above and beyond means to find out this information for her?" Jimin's sass couldn't be hidden anymore and just like the smart mouthed singer he was, shot back at Taehyung, pulling the singer out of his daze with the facts he was spitting, "I think I would have understood the game." He nodded, "Not like you who fell for someone they can't have." He pointed out with a small chuckle, "Amateur." He tsked with a hum which made Taehyung snort in annoyance,

He wanted to retort. To come up with something to defend himself but he simply couldn't because Jimin was right. And Taehyung knew better than to argue back with someone that knew himself like the back of his own hand. So, instead of retaliating, the bandmate ignored Jimin completely for a moment. Thinking of all the ways he could escape from the room that suddenly became too uncomfortable to stand in, "Jesus fuck." He cursed and heaved a sigh, "For the last time, I'm just looking out for the both of them. Are you gonna help me or not?" He asked Jimin with a glare to which his friend simply scoffed, brushing his wispy hair away and sucking in a breath of air, deciding to put the threesome that had occurred to the back of his mind (for now) because the boys had bigger fish to fry... Bigger things to take down.

"What's the plan?"

...

"Fuck." Before rushing out of the bedroom, you realized you had no pants on. Wearing nothing but some underwear and one of Jungkook's t-shirts hanging loose around your body. You turned to your dresser and spotted a pair of sweats that you had been wearing earlier hanging over it. The legs of the pants draping over the dresser haphazardly and dangling towards the floor. You snatched it up and yanked one leg on at a time using the best of your ability with your hurt foot and all. Tugging the drawstrings of the pants to tighten them a bit around your waist while you looped them up into a tie as you made your way out of the bedroom.

Fingers tousled your hair to and fro. Trying desperately to smooth the air-dried locks that had already began to stick out of your head in random places. As you walked, you could hear the soft grunt of a gentleman's voice as if he was letting out a sigh while he sat down. The way he sounded made you begin to picture what he looked like in your head. Painting a picture in your mind of what Mr. Bang looked like. 

If you could remember correctly based off your google searches and pictures in Jungkook's phone, Mr. Bang was a stocky built man with glasses and a seemingly jolly demeaner. You've never met him. Never spoke to him. Everything you knew about him was what you've heard. And what did you hear about him? Nothing but praise, really. He was a good boss. He believed in BTS and treated them well. And let's not forget. He was a businessman that knew how to get his coin. He wasn't particularly bad in anyway. He was fair.

For some reason, knowing those few facts about Mr. Bang scared you all the more. It was half of the reason why you avoided meeting him personally all this time. Making up excuses and reasoning that you were not ready all those moments Jungkook asked you to meet the higher ups in his company. Had you known something like this would have happened with Sora, you would have been running to the Hybe building to meet Jungkook's team the first time.

"눕다 (lay down)..." The voice spoke, his tone sounding firm but welcoming. He sounded so gentle and suave. As if his voice was a flowing stream of water. Steadfast and unwavering. You could hear the authority in his voice with the one command he signaled to Bahm and then you heard the rattle of the puppy's collar. The chime of the chained collar shaking as the dog pattered over to the familiar voice, "Good boy." Bahm whined in satisfaction at the compliment and you could tell the mystery person was probably giving Jungkook's puppy a good old scratch behind the ears, making the pup melt completely at the gentleman's touch.

"So..." There was a small silence. A pause as if Jungkook and Mr. Bang were exchanging looks before your boyfriend cleared his throat, "Why... are you here." You listened to Jungkook speaking to the visitor. His voice didn't raise in question. He sounded more like he was making a statement than anything if you had to be honest. You could hear the exhaustion in his voice. Sensing Jungkook's shift in mood. Feeling his discomfort. He didn't sound genuinely curious either. In fact, Jungkook sounded bothered. Troubled. As if he was upset at the uninvited guest paying him a visit at this hour.

"I believe this is the first time I've come here." The voice coughed, throat clearing before continuing, "Ah, our Bahm is so well trained, huh? And his dad has a beautiful home, doesn't he?" You could hear the voice leaning down towards the dog. Assuming he was giving Bahm yet another pet before he pulled back, sighing under his breath and pausing before beginning to speak once more, the octave of his voice drifting to and from the living room as if he was looking back and forth at the space, "Where is your girlfriend, Jungkook? Is she home?"

From what you could tell, Jungkook must have shifted on his seat. And if you knew your boyfriend well enough too, his arms had now crossed over his chest. With a dark brow raising in question and his guard immediately going up at the question. He was quiet before he answered. His voice straying from the living room as if he was pointing to the bedroom area with his chin when spoke,

"She's... resting."

"Is she unwell?"

"아니요 (No)... She's um-"

Before Jungkook could finish his sentence, President Bang cut him off. Finishing his sentence completely, "나에게 거짓말하지마 (Don't lie to me)." He didn't particularly sound as if he was scolding Jungkook from what you could tell. He sounded firm. As if he expected better from Jungkook. 

I mean, your boyfriend wasn't lying anyways. You got your ass beat and was resting in bed. That was all true. You weren't unwell per say but you definitely shouldn't have been up and wandering around right now.

You were stopped in the hallway close to the bedroom area with your ear pressed to the wall. Listening intently and trying to decipher what the two were talking about. The words sounded familiar. You could make out some bits here and there but the rest was muffled. You were too nosy for your own good and like hell were you going to let Jungkook sit there and try to cover for you either. But your feet couldn't move and you wished this wasn't the way you had to meet President Bang. You wish you knew him better so that you wouldn't mind to go out looking the way you did but you didn't want Jungkook to sit there and get interrogated by his boss. You knew why he was there. You knew he found out about the fight. You knew he was here to scold you for almost tarnishing Jungkook's image. 

Fuck. Why did I get myself into this?

You tried to compose yourself while you stood there. One foot inching forward to hop out behind the wall while the other stayed planted to the floor. With your head pressing into the wall, you closed your eyes and listened further to their conversation. Listened to Jungkook explain that you weren't feeling well and was trying to get some sleep. You knew Mr. Bang didn't buy it. He knew Jungkook was lying straight to his face and it worried you.

Just how many lengths will your boyfriend go to protect you?

You knew that Jungkook didn't like to bring up work with you. His idol life was one thing. But the life he had with you, was something else. Something that was far more important to even think about his boss or work whenever he was around you. Choosing to play ignorant whenever you asked about his managers and the Hybe executives. Choosing to keep the nitty gritty part of his job away from you. His boss and managers were some of the greatest people he had ever worked with. But they were just that. They were still the higher ups. Still Jungkook's employers. He knew getting you too involved with Hybe will only allow for them to raise more questions about you.

Jungkook was aware of the fact that they already knew who you are. They must have had every single detail of your life on file. Already got the low down on who you were and where you came from. That's just the way it was when dating a celebrity. He had little to no privacy. But how much did they really know? And how much were they willing to accept? Jungkook didn't want to talk about it until it was time. He didn't want to think about it until after he proposed. Until after he pulled the biggest "fuck you I do what I want" to his company.

Jungkook spent most of his idol days living under rules and regulations. Adhering to tough commands. Having every part of him controlled from his diet to his cellphone usage. It was all changing now. The generation was evolving and the times were becoming civilized. That didn't mean Jungkook was going to rebel. Of course not. He loved being an idol and was blessed to have chosen Bighit as his company. He respected his company. He had no problem adhering to rules too. The rules were only set in place to teach discipline anyways. To teach the band that you must work hard for what you want and you need to be the greatest at that. But he was finished with walking on eggshells around his company. He was done with keeping you from meeting them.

It was time now to face himself. To put aside the nervous, intruding thoughts that clouded his brain. For many years Jungkook put himself on the back burner. He gave up dating. Gave up his social life. Forgot about his privacy and needs for years until now. Until you. Jungkook was going to make that all change. Jungkook was going to stand up and face the side of being an idol that no one wanted to talk about. He was going to make a change and it will be all worthwhile in the end. You just didn't know how much it would be worth everyone's while.

"One..."

It was too late to turn back now as you were only a corner away from the living room where Jungkook was. Thus began the countdown. Starting from 5 in your head and breathing out the last two numbers while you pondered on what to do. You wanted to stride into the space and join your boyfriend. You wanted to put a big, crazy smile on your face and walk out to greet the individual sitting on your living room couch and petting your dog. But on the other hand, you wanted to run in the opposite direction right back into the bedroom and bury yourself in your blankets to wait it all out... Whatever the fuck "it" was. But your feet were too frozen to move. Anxiety flushing over you like a wave and reeling you in like a huge tide. Making the pit of your stomach flop around within your body like a fish out of water. 

Damn it, Y/N. You and your nosy fucking ass. You just had to get up, huh?

"Two...."

You quickly realized that when Jungkook told you to stay in bed, he meant it because you could feel the throb in your foot slowly starting to return. Your fingers found their way into your hair again while you stood there, quickly smoothing the locks down once more and giving them a fluff to soften your frazzled look. You fixed your shirt and adjusted your sweats, bending down to fix the bunched-up material of your sweatpants that was stuck around your ankle. 

Sure, you didn't have a full face of makeup and heels on. You didn't have your hair styled or jewelry on but you didn't need any of that anymore. You could feel the fear growing in your body and you had no idea why but you knew you had to face reality. So, with a brave face on. You turned the corner into the living room. Hands fiddling in front of your body and your fingers clasping with themselves as you walked into your boyfriend and his boss's view,

"Three. Fuck it."

"Uh." You stammered for a moment when you came to a halt before the two gentlemen. Their heads both turning swiftly to meet your eyes and Jungkook's mouth almost dropping open at your sudden entrance into the living room. You kept your eyes on trained on President Bang and ignored Jungkook's own wide eyes rounding in shock, "안녕하세요. (Hello)." A timid smile crossed your lips and your body suddenly folded in half when you bowed at a 90-degree angle, hands stuck at your sides and eyes trained on the floor while you bowed in the most formal way you possibly could. You didn't even recall flopping forward this fast when you met Jungkook's own parents let alone reacting this way when you met BTS either but hey, it is what it was.

You lifted your head and peeked at Mr. Bang who happened to be staring at you with a small, closed mouth smile. His eyes looked fond behind a pair of thick framed glasses. A jolly face with a windless twinkle along his lips. He gave you a nod as his body tilted forward from his seat, respectfully returning the gesture albeit his bow wasn't as nearly as dramatic as yours, 

"Hello." His voice was quiet but laced with an assurance that made you feel as if he had known you your whole life. He was friendly but you could already tell without being introduced to him that he was of higher authority from the way he presented himself alone. This type of aura reminded you of someone. A special someone. A someone that was the entire reason Jungkook joined BigHit in the first place. Can you guess who?

The realization that you were indeed now standing in front of Jungkook's boss hit you. Perhaps you should have at least spritzed on some perfume or swished some mouth wash around in your mouth. What if you smelled? Was your hair looking okay? Did you have anything stuck in your teeth? The shy smile on your face changed into a solemn expression when you realized how much of a mess you must have looked like. Look at you storming out here all big and bold without thinking about what impression you wanted to give out. Oh well. Fuck it. It's not like looks mattered anyways. You just wanted to be as respectful as possible. Wanted the president of Jungkook's company to see you were harmless. You wanted to impress him even if you didn't quite look the part,

"Mr. Bang... It's nice to meet you. My name is Y/N and I'm Jungkook's girlfriend." Your eyes shifted to Jungkook for a moment when you spoke. It was only for a second but unfortunately, it was a second too long as you locked eyes with your frazzled boyfriend who only shifted on the couch. The discomfort plain and identifiable on his face although he gave you a nod to signal that everything was okay.

Jungkook wasn't expecting you to round the corner the way you did and something told him you had to have been standing behind the wall separating the bedroom and living room for a while before you came out because he didn't hear any footsteps down the hall at all. Your footsteps always sounded familiar to him and when you popped up out of nowhere in front of him and his boss, Jungkook knew you were behind the wall eavesdropping all that time.

He didn't know if he wanted to laugh or shake his head at your bravery to come out to greet his boss. And a part of him was grateful you were even confident enough to do so on your own as well. Jungkook never had to tell you what to do. You always marched to the beat of your own drum and had a good head on your shoulders. 

He didn't need to signal for you to come out to meet President Bang. Didn't have to come pull you out of bed to come outside. And he sure as hell didn't need to force you to do anything you didn't want to do either. Jungkook wasn't pushy that way. He never had to stress about you like that. Sure, he worried and cared for your well being. But he never had to worry about you taking charge and doing the right thing. So, when you both locked eyes and you gave him that simple nod of confirmation, Jungkook knew everything was going to be okay.

He had to believe it.

"It's great to finally put a face to the name." President Bang stood from his seat and extended a hand out to you, "I'm sorry to be disturbing you both so late at night." Mr. Bang apologized for the unexpected intrusion, solemn eyes on your face while you took his hand in your own and gave his warm palm a respectful shake, "I won't be long." He nodded, cheeks rising into a smile as he let go of your hand and took his seat once more, hands reaching to the floor where the satchel he had arrived with that was perched neatly against the couch.

After the two of you exchanged formalities, you almost made a dash to the couch. Feeling the nerves starting to get to you while you joined your boyfriend on the sofa across from Bang P.D. You took a seat quietly onto the chair next to Jungkook and felt him shift next to you. His back straightened from the lounging position he was in prior and his hand reached to over your knee, a gentle palm resting over your knee and giving your thigh a gentle squeeze while he turned his attention to you, "You should have stayed in bed, jagiya." Jungkook's eyes met yours when he whispered and you shook your head quickly,

"Can't do that." You answered without skipping a beat, your own hand finding Jungkook's and placing it on top of his own, your fingers instantly lacing together. "You know I can't." You looked at Jungkook and nodded, giving his hand a light squeeze before turning your attention back to his boss.

At the sound of your voices, Bahm's eyes opened and his head raised toward the two of you. The large dog could sense the off-putting tension in the room and he especially could sense the concern between you and Jungkook. Just as Mr. Bang pulled a large, orange manila envelope out of his bag, Bahm got up and crossed over to you and Jungkook. Plopping down onto the floor between the two of you and curling up comfortably in the middle of his owners. 

It was a heartwarming sight to see when President Bang looked up and saw the dog pattering over towards you and Jungkook. He admired the way the pup fit himself perfectly between the two of you and then his gaze drifted to Jungkook's fingers intertwined with yours. Couple ring on his finger wearing proudly. Glistening with the lights of your ceiling and somehow making the intangible feelings between the both of you feel... tangible. What another heartstring pulling scene to see as well.

Mr. Bang took a moment to study the both of you while you and Jungkook whispered amongst yourself. Taking a second to survey you and Jungkook. Wanting to see if what he had heard around the Hybe offices was true. Yes, gossip flies even up to the higher ups ears too. It wasn't just the people in the Hybe buildings that gushed about you and Jungkook. Calling you both the "It" couple and even coming up with a celebrity couple name that the two of you were not even aware of. 

It seemed as if everyone else at Hybe was accepting of your relationship and it wasn't just BTS who was endeared by you either. He could see what people meant now. The way you looked at each other. The energy shared between two people that came from two very different lives was insane. Mr. Bang didn't even think he had that same energy with his own wife and it truly was admirable to see in the flesh.

But was it enough?

"Let's see." Mr. Bang announced with a cough. Fingers reaching up to adjust the frame of his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose before flipping open the top of the envelope and reaching in to pull out a stack of papers. He cleared his throat once more and let out a sigh, picking out a file amongst the papers and placing the rest of the documents down onto the coffee table separating the three of you, "Miss Y/L/N. Last known address noted as residing in Las Vegas, Nevada. Age –your age-. Employed at the Sin of Seven Cities bar and dance club. Working as... it says here an... exotic dancer."

You could feel and hear yourself audibly gulp when President Bang began to read out details about you. You felt as if you were being put through an interrogation for committing a crime. And in the back of your mind, this very well may be one as you did just come home from physically assaulting Park Sora.

He squinted at the last part of his sentence while he read it but then continued, "Currently living in Seoul, Korea. Attending Seoul Medical University as a student and intern. Hm." Mr. Bang's eyes moved from the file in his hand to you, giving you a nod while he looked at you before looking back down at the document in his hand, flipping the page over to the next and beginning to read again, "Relationship status was previously noted as casually dating Jeon Jeongguk, an employee signed under Hybe Labels." Mr. Bang began to laugh when he read out your relationship status, adverting his eyes from the document in hand and looking at both you and Jungkook's bewildered expressions while he joked, 

"I believe that information is outdated." He added then skimmed through the rest of the information on the paper, head tilting and lips pressing together as he pondered whether he needed to note anything else about your life out loud, "We will have to get secretary Choi to update that when I get back to the office." The president spoke more to himself than you and Jungkook, getting ready to continue speaking until your boyfriend interrupted him.

"What is this all about, Bang P.D-nim?" Jungkook was quick to question his boss on his unexpected visit to your apartment. He didn't mean to come off cold and accusing. But in reality, it was late. And this was his home. Jungkook reserved the right not to let anyone into his private residence even if the visitor happened to be his boss. As if more bullshit couldn't happen tonight, of course his boss must have caught a whiff of what went down at Yoongi's dorm and decided to pay Jungkook a little visit to remind him to keep his girlfriend in check. 

Threatening the two of you already by reading information Hybe had on file about you. Information that neither Jungkook nor the rest of Bangtan shared with the higher ups. Information they managed to collect on their own. Whether that be from visiting the club you used to work at or keeping tabs on you that Jungkook didn't know of himself. A real intrusion of privacy this was. And it pissed your boyfriend off to a whole other level.

Hybe just couldn't leave the two of you alone, huh? Bringing up where you used to work and what you used to work as. Was this some sort of ploy Hybe was using to scare you and Jungkook into check? If that was the case, it wasn't working. If anything, it was only making Jungkook more agitated by the second, 

"It's just... it's late and I would really like Y/N to get some rest." He explained to his boss. Although he was trying to uphold the upmost respect that he could, Jungkook's voice had a hard edge to it. As if he had been anticipating Mr. Bang's arrival to their apartment all along. Something told you that Jungkook had predicted this would happen. He must have known something like this would occur but chose not to tell you. Making you go to bed and stay in bed when the doorbell went. Pretending he wasn't expecting the visitor.

Of course, Jungkook knew what happened. Of course, he was aware that his boss would have his goons sniffing around the dorms and eavesdropping on what was happening. And of course, the security camera had picked up Sora's disguised form leaving the Hybe building. He just didn't expect his boss to make his way here in the middle of the night. Jungkook was hoping the president would have pulled him on his own into a private meeting tomorrow or so. But alas, this was inevitable. Having you meet his boss was bound to happen. Nothing was wrong with meeting Hybe anyways. Bang P.D has treated Jungkook like his own son through the years. 

He wasn't just the president of the company but he was also a friend and good acquaintance. He wasn't money hungry. Wasn't set on controlling and beating the boys down into submission. He had a dream and a vision. He believed in BTS and most important of all, he was fair. Jungkook would have had no problem to set up a meeting in the future with you and the rest of Hybe. He would have brought you to the meeting himself. It would have been great for you to finally meet his boss.

Jungkook just wished you didn't have to meet him like this.

"Like I said, I won't be long." Mr. Bang noted, lips pressed together in a faint smile as he plopped the documents in his hand onto the coffee table, his eyes glancing to your face as he leaned back in his seat, "How did you get those?" He questioned you, a rolex blinged out wrist glittering as his hand raised to point to the corner of his eye. Indicating with his finger the spot where Sora has scratched you before nudging with his chin towards the floor where your bandaged foot rested over the plush living room carpet, "Did you get into an accident?"

You felt what was left of the colour in your face drain at his questioning. The pink in your cheeks disappearing and rushing to your head instead. Feeling your brain literally pulsate within your skull at the sudden question. You forgot you were hurt for a moment there. Forgot about the bandages. And most importantly, forgot about Sora. 

What were you supposed to say? Lie? You thought of a lie to tell. Thought to agree with him and respond saying you fell and whacked the corner of your face and foot into a wall. But you knew better. You knew Hybe better and you weren't going to get caught in the middle of bullshitting the first time meeting your boyfriend's boss. If there was anything you learned in life about your past and present, it was to always be honest. Or at least try to be. Transparency was key. And if you wanted Jungkook's boss to believe you weren't a threat to his company, you had to match his energy. 

So, fine, the truth it is. You thought to yourself and before you could even answer, Jungkook was already opening his mouth to talk. Wasting no time in getting straight to the point at that too. His jaw was locked although his baby deer eyes were round and full of wonder. Dark fringe shaking along with his head as he spoke, "You know what happened, hyung. That's why you're here." He stated, glancing to his side where you sat and looking at you, wide eyes scanning over your face briefly before turning his attention back to his Mr. Bang, "Who told you?"

President Bang's arms were folded casually over his chest, his head tilted back while he watched the two of you. He noted the way Jungkook basically lunged to answer for you. The way the younger protected you. He had never seen this type of attitude displayed from baby Kook. It was sweet to say the least. The boy clearly loved you and cared for your wellbeing. Mr. Bang wasn't here to ruin that, of course. He wasn't here to tell a grown man how to live his life.

This meeting was due for a long time. And the unfortunate reality was that, Mr. Bang felt as though he had no other choice but to show up to your apartment tonight. He heard wind of the fight through a little birdie at the Hybe building. A chauffeur that normally dropped Sora home had noticed her heading out a far back exit of the building. Face hidden in her jacket. Eyes adverted to the ground. When the chauffeur recognized her and greeted Sora, she barely gave him a glance. Barely lifting her head to acknowledge the driver. That didn't prevent him from noticing the large bruise starting to purple under her eye. It made the driver drop the information to a staff; assuming Yoongi had been the one that caused that bruise. But the innocent driver was mistaken. 

Yoongi could never lay a hand on another person. He was too mindful and respectful of other beings to ever think of being violent. The driver didn't know of the fight between you and Sora. The staff at Hybe were about to call Yoongi in for a meeting until they spotted Jungkook pulling you out of the building's private exit. Tugging you, his limping girlfriend with him. They noticed that you had your own face covered. Your knee bending awkwardly to level out the pain in your other foot. The foot that dragged behind you when you walked. 

It was all too obvious. Something had happened between you and Sora. Something dangerous. And something that could be detrimental to Jungkook and Yoongi's images respectfully if either you or Sora took it to the police. That's when President Bang decided that enough had been enough. The little cat and mouse game he had been playing with you and Jungkook was now over and it was time to settle things.

Hitman Bang was simply here to... set the record straight. Remind the two of you of your places and who was ultimately in charge in case Jungkook forgot. 

Now don't get me wrong. Mr. Bang was notoriously known for being a charming, friendly man. And that, he was. He was more of a friend to the singers than a boss. He was understanding. Supportive. Laid back and funny too. He wasn't the type of boss you heard horror stories about and he strived to create a relaxing atmosphere for his company and its employees. However... he knew playtime was over when business was involved. And he knew when it was time to draw the line.

These were one of those times.

"First and foremost, you, Jungkook are an idol." President Bang began, "You signed a contract. And in that contract, might I add, dating was not allowed. That rule, of course has since been removed from our contracts after you petitioned for that to be changed. However," The president paused, a stern look on his face when he leaned forward towards the two of you, "The new rules stated that if a contracted employee does begin a relationship with a person inside the company or outside, they must have a formal meeting with the label. Now, I'm willing to look past that rule since I did show up here unannounced...."

Mr. Bang sank back in his seat once again, nodding slowly in understanding as he continued to speak, "...But from what I understand, you and Miss Y/L/N have been dating well before the date enclosed in our files. Jungkook did not come to the label to notify us when he began seeing you. Again, I will look past that fact as well." He spoke as if he understood the both of you, eyes roaming between your faces and maintaining professional eye contact despite your deer in headlight expressions,

"As you know, Hybe takes care of their employees. We treat everyone like our own but, Jungkook, you must not forget that your privacy is important." He held up a hand as your boyfriend began to protest again, silently asking the younger to let him finish speaking, "I am not against relationships. You're not a child anymore and you are of age now but if the two of you wish to continue to dating, Miss Y/L/N, you will need to sign these important forms and documents stating that you agree to not disclose any information about your relationship with Jungkook, BTS or Hybe Entertainment to anyone." He finally announced and that's when you felt your heart drop to your stomach.

You were stunned to say the least but not surprised. You knew something like this would come up. You just didn't think it would come up right now. But it made sense. You just got into a fight with Sora. There must have been wind of the fight and now here was President Bang himself. Paying you and Jungkook a visit to bury the cat and ensure nothing about this gets out into the light. Too bad he was visiting the wrong fucking person. He should have been knocking on Sora's door to warn her to keep her stank ass saesaeng mouth shut.

You believed Bang P.D was at the wrong home. In the wrong living room. In front of the wrong people. After all this time. After all these months of dating Jungkook, you never said a word. You kept everything on the down low. Except for a few of your friends who worked in the same industry as Jungkook and had already met him. Other than that, not a single soul knew about your personal life. Not even your parents. Not even your coworkers. As far as you were concerned, if anyone asked, you had a long distant boyfriend who was in the military on deployment. Your boyfriend was a ghost to everyone who didn't know you. Who did President Bang think he was showing up at your door in the middle of the night to demand something like this from you?

Who did he think he was, you ask?

He was Bang P.D.

He could do whatever he wanted.

"So, you want me to sign NDAs." You stated, eyes glancing to the files the president began pulling out from within his documents, "If I want to keep dating Jungkook and be happy, I need to sign forms that will conceal our relationship." You dumbed it down quickly, looking to Mr. Bang's face for confirmation. He nodded in response to you when you looked his way and you shook your head, eyes adverting to your hands folded in your lap, lips pressing together into a tight line while the president set the documents down onto the coffee table in front of you.

He was even extra enough to pull out a Hybe Entertainment pen from his pocket and you heard the click of the pen while Mr. Bang set it down on top of the documents before you, "You don't have to sign them right away. You're both welcome to read them over together before you sign it." He began although he pushed the documents towards you even closer, "We can protect you, Y/N. You'll have security. You'll have privacy. Both of you will." He looked at you and Jungkook with the last sentence he uttered, nodding in encouragement, "You'll be safe until it's the right time to come out to the public."

"Right time? When would be the right time?" Jungkook suddenly clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth and shook his head, trying to calm his irritation with his hyung, his lips pressing together tight for a moment while he figured out how to politely tell his boss to fuck off.

He finally sucked in a breath of air, breathing out calmly as he spoke, "She's not signing those, boss. I'm sorry." Jungkook finally muttered, "I... I don't want to hide her. I want the world to accept us just the way we are. Like this." Your boyfriend looked away in defeat, eyes adverting their gaze to the coffee table. Scanning the nondisclosure agreements lined on top of the table, "Please respect my wishes." Jungkook uttered the last sentence quietly then went silent.

You weren't sure of what to say and felt as if this whole ordeal had been thrown at you full force. From meeting Sora, beating her ass and now meeting Mr. Bang, you felt as if you hadn't had a single moment to breathe. Everything was moving too fast and you felt as though your world was turning over. But you knew you were stronger than this. And you knew, this too shall pass. You had to be strong for Jungkook who looked as if he just returned from fighting in a war. He looked so defeated and it made you wonder how long he had been advocating and fighting for something like this to avoid happening.

You knew Jungkook was against signing the NDAs. You knew he didn't want to hide this part of his life. And you knew he wasn't going to be happy if you did decided to sign the papers but Mr. Bang was right. Hybe could protect you. But what Mr. Bang failed to mention was that, Hybe could also ruin you. And you knew that is exactly what Jungkook feared would happen. He wanted to fight against his boss. To tell him outright to scrap the papers and get out of your apartment but he couldn't. He wanted so hard to agree with President Bang as he usually had no issue getting on board with whatever his company wanted from him but this was something Jungkook couldn't get behind.

Your boyfriend wasn't good with confrontation either. He was reserved and quiet. Shy most times and an all-round humble man. You however, weren't exactly the same. In fact, you were the opposite. You were raised to stand strong in the face of uncertainty. If there wasn't anything your parents taught you. If there wasn't anything in your past that stuck with you. It was this one thing. Fight for what you love. Fight for what you want because if you have it, you deserve it. If you want it, it's yours.

And Jungkook was yours.

Glancing to your side, you took a look at Jungkook's face. He had a solemn expression written across his features. Eyes glued to the floor with his fingers intertwined with yours. He had his lower lip between his teeth. Gnawing and nibbling over the flesh with his brows furrowed. Dimples lightly cascading his cheeks and a small crease between his eyebrows. He was lost in thought. No longer interested in continuing the conversation but unsure of how to tell his boss to get out of his apartment. 

You assumed it your turn to get the two of you out of this social interaction and so, you cleared your throat and smiled, "I'm sorry, Mr. Bang." You began to say, "It's late and we're really tired." Nodding quickly, you shifted on the couch next to your boyfriend, giving his hand in yours a light squeeze before removing your hand from his hold, "Jungkook and I will read the documents over tomorrow when we're more alert and rested." You announced, slowly getting off the couch with a small smile on your face. Getting ready to show Mr. Bang to the door.

"That's right. I should be heading home myself." The president began to stand, sensing that his presence was no longer needed or welcomed in the apartment judging from the hostility Jungkook began to exude, "Kookie, take care." He reached out and gave the younger a gentle squeeze to his shoulder to which the singer mumbled a thank you in response before pretending to be busy petting a Bahm who had just awoken, "Please do read them over carefully, Miss Y/N. It's crucial you and Jungkook understand this situation and-" Mr. Bang paused when he got to the door, bending to pull his feet into his shoes before straightening up again, fingers adjusting the glasses on his face while he peeked over at Jungkook who had still began moving himself off from the couch in the living room, 

"I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice." The president heaved a breath, giving the file folder he had in hand a shake when he turned to face the two of you.

Bahm was already off the floor and behind you, guarding you with every step you took like the loyal companion he was, "Thank you for paying us a visit." You hobbled to the door as best as you could, walking the president to the exit of your apartment with a smile plastered across your face. You didn't quite catch what he had said. Too busy and caught up with trying not to trip over your own feet as Bahm tailed you, the dog's snout bumping against the back of your knees and tail wagging eagerly behind him while he followed you. By the time you caught what Mr. Bang was saying and met the president at the door, Jungkook was already at your side. Your head snapped in Mr. Bang's direction and your mouth fell open to question him but just as you began to speak, Jungkook interjected.

"What do you mean we have no choice?"

Mr. Bang had his hand on the doorknob of the door, ready to unlock it and head out before Jungkook had questioned him. He exhaled a quiet sigh and removed his hand from the handle, looking over his shoulder at you and Jungkook, his voice coming out in a tone of defeat. The disappointment on his face showing up as clear as day,

"The woman Miss Y/L/N got into an altercation with is Miss Park So Ra. She's the daughter of Dispatch Korea's chief financial officer. They are 90% stakeholders in the company."  

Fuck.