Namjoon:

"Hey! Namjoon!" Seokjin calls out as Namjoon enters the small Korean BBQ restaurant. They have not ordered anything yet, waiting for everyone. Namjoon is the last one left to arrive as he had to work today. Luckily, he was able to finish early this weekend.

"NAMJOON!" Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook cheer together, each standing up to hug him.

"Hey!" Hoseok reaches out, shaking his hand enthusiastically.

"Hi!" Hana waves. Namjoon smirks, lifting his hand to give her a small wave.

"Alright, who wants to order?" Seokjin asks as he sits down.

"I'll do it," Namjoon says immediately. They all decide on some meat and drinks. Namjoon passes on the information before taking a seat at the head of the table, opposite Seokjin. Yoongi is sitting on one side of him, and Hana is on the other side.

The large table is situated in a corner of the restaurant, able to seat about 10 people.

Before Namjoon can start a conversation with anyone, Yoongi gives him a brief smirk. He winks before turning to look at Taehyung.

"Yah, Taehyung, how are you going transferring classes? What did you transfer to again?" Yoongi asks, interrupting Taehyung and Hana's conversation. Taehyung beams widely, leaning forward to explain to Yoongi his new plans for university.

Hana pouts, frowning at Yoongi's rudeness.

Namjoon, however, is blushing. Yoongi has made it his life goal to force Namjoon and Hana to interact and hang out alone more often. He has been encouraging the guys to go do something to distract them every chance he gets.

Ever since Z told them that they were not allowed to date Hana, Yoongi has become really pushy. But Namjoon has noticed that Yoongi has a very 'You can't tell me what to do' sort of aura about him. Z has also started pointing it out, which is pointless. Yoongi won't listen to him no matter what he says.

"Hi," Hana gives him a small smile, turning to talk to him instead.

"Hey," Namjoon starts, "How have you been?"

Hana begins explaining what has been going on in her life. Everything she has been unable to tell him on the way to school. Her schoolwork became easier with his support, all the drama and crazy things her other friend group has done.

Her other friend group...

If you just stop her from seeing him...

No. I thought you understood basic human psychology? I can't force her to do something.

During this conversation, the drinks are brought to the table by the servers.

Namjoon keeps listening to her, smiling, and nodding as she explains more and more. He laughs at the funny stories, engaging with her. Apparently, Minho is much more comfortable with his friend group, acting crazier than Jimin, Jungkook and Taehyung.

He begins to learn a lot about Minho from this conversation. She has spent a lot of time with him.

Ouch...

Concentrate.

He hasn't said or done anything weird, or anything that Namjoon sees as a red flag. He's nice, he hasn't tried to hurt her, and he even protected her from walking out into traffic. He doesn't sound like the person Namjoon is looking for.

Could he really be a cult child just like Yoongi?

"It was so funny!" Hana chuckles, finishing the story and clutching her stomach as the memories of a funny situation leaves her reeling.

"It would have been," Namjoon smiles, "Why don't you bring him to our lunch table? It would be nice to expand the friend group to include more fun, nice people,"

Hana's expression falls, replaced with this blank look. She bites her lip before she explains.

"Well, he's worried about you," Hana says, "He's worried you're going to attack him like you did to Yoongi,"

Huh?

Namjoon recalls the fight in the school, suddenly remembering Minho's presence. He interrupted Namjoon interrogating Yoongi.

Of course, he probably thinks I'm a bully.

"At school on Monday, bring him to the table... I'll ease his concerns, okay?" Namjoon smiles. Hana relaxes a little, looking away as her cheeks start to redden.

"Okay... thank you," Hana frowns, taking a sip from her drink, "But I don't understand... you told me to stay away from him?"

"Ah, that," Namjoon chuckles nervously.

Tell her you thought he was someone from your childhood that you'd rather not talk about.

"He looks like someone from my childhood..." Namjoon starts.

"Who?"

"I'd rather not talk about it," Namjoon bites his lip before staring deeply into her eyes.

Hana considers this for a moment. She breaks the eye contact, her cheeks becoming red again.

Why does she keep blushing around me?

Because you're creepy.

Seriously?

Yep, definitely.

"Okay, I'll stop asking about it," Hana chuckles. She lifts her glass towards him, her eyebrow cocked up suggestively.

"Cheers?" Namjoon murmurs, lifting his glass and clinking it with hers.

"Cheers," She giggles before taking a sip from the alcohol. As Namjoon takes a sip from his drink, he watches her. He can't help it. That little nose scrunch she does when she's happy? It's adorable.

She looks back at him, the smile slipping from her face. Her already alcohol-red cheeks darken more. She can't seem to maintain eye contact with him for very long.

Stop staring at her, creep. Namjoon frowns, looking down at the table. Z is right, she probably thinks he's creepy.

"Namjoonie~" Namjoon jumps as someone collapses onto his shoulder in a drunken state. He looks up to find Jimin cutely leaning on him. It looks like he's had a lot to drink, but he's still coherent. However, he must be a fun, cute drunk because he's comfortably grinning at him.

"Yeah?" Namjoon smirks.

"You're a great guy, you know that right?" Jimin says, pouting, "I really like hanging out with you,"

"Are you drunk, Jimin?" Yoongi asks.

"Not really," He shrugs, "I just realised that I don't appreciate you guys enough so I wanted to come to say hi,"

"Hi," Yoongi smirks, "Well I don't see you leaning on me,"

Suddenly, Jimin swings to the side, sliding off Namjoon's shoulders onto Yoongi's. Yoongi hunches under the weight of Jimin, who is grinning cheekily.

"Better?" Jimin mutters, taking a sip from his drink. Yoongi begins protesting, pushing at Jimin's side.

"Yah, Yah, Yah!" He grumbles until Jimin relents, standing up straight. He keeps his arm resting on Yoongi's shoulder, leaning against his arm.

Namjoon notices a light flush across Yoongi's cheeks. At first, he thinks it's because of the alcohol. But then, he notices Yoongi's eyes darting around the room nervously.

What's going through his head right now?

Well, I did tell you he's bisexual.

The realisation hits Namjoon like a truck. He grins, winking at Yoongi as they make eye contact. Immediately Yoongi pushes Jimin away.

"You're too clingy," Yoongi mutters, turning to talk to Hoseok.

Jimin shrugs, completely oblivious to what just happened, moving around the table to talk to Taehyung. He is leaning on Hana, chatting happily away. Taehyung is still sober with only a glass of soft drink in front of him.

Namjoon feels a burning building inside of him as he watches Jimin lean against Hana. Before he can do something he will regret, and before Z can interrupt his thoughts, someone approaches the table.

"Minho!" Jimin cheers, moving over to hug him. Hana turns and looks up at Minho, beaming.

"Hey!" She smiles, standing and hugging him once Jimin lets him go.

Jimin moves away after being called over by Jungkook. Namjoon looks up at Minho and waves, smiling kindly.

"Hi," Namjoon says, holding his hand out for Minho to shake, "I'm sorry I haven't introduced myself properly..."

Minho looks down at Namjoon's hand, then back up at him again. He smiles, relaxing instantly.

"Nice to officially meet you, Namjoon," Minho grins.

"Hey, Minho!" Yoongi holds his hand out. Minho leans across the table, shaking Yoongi's hand.

As Minho is leaning past him, Namjoon spots a tattoo peeking from under his sleeve. Namjoon stares at it for a moment. He can only see half of it, but it looks very similar to the symbol on Yoongi's old necklace.

"Oh! You have a tattoo?" Namjoon asks, his heart beating hard as he forces himself to smile casually.

"Ah, yeah," Minho chuckles, pulling down his sleeve to cover it, "Just a family thing. My father has one. He made me get one once I was old enough,"

"Did he pay for it?" Hana asks.

"Of course," Minho grins, "It's some weird religious tradition thing," Minho shrugs.

He's got it tattooed on his skin? Z Groans.

Namjoon gives Yoongi a meaningful look, which he returns. Z is right, how can they find out anything about him if he has the protection tattooed on his skin?

Well, his response does prove our cult child theory, Namjoon reasons, smiling as Minho starts talking about how painful it was to get the tattoo.

Maybe... he wouldn't be too open about it if he really knew, would he?

That's what I'm thinking... I think he's not the person we are looking for.

Well, I can't exactly confirm or deny that.

Namjoon sighs, turning to whisper to Yoongi.

"I don't think he's the one," Namjoon whispers.

"I agree," Yoongi shuffles his chair over so he's closer, "What do we do now?"

"I don't know," Namjoon mutters. He watches Minho interacting with Hana. Surely if a cult member was going to harm her, they wouldn't be so nice.

"There goes plan B," Namjoon mumbles.

"I was plan A?" Yoongi cocks his eyebrow, pouting slightly. Their friends have moved away to chat with each other, leaving the two men to quietly talk in this corner of the table.

"Obviously," Namjoon rolls his eyes, "Who is plan C though?"

"Z, is there anyone else you can't read?" Yoongi asks quietly.

There are a few... there's that one teacher that teaches that Physics class, and that hippie girl and...

Namjoon groans, putting his head in his hands.

"What? What did he say?" Yoongi asks quickly.

"Apparently, there are quite a few," Namjoon mutters through gritted teeth. It could be literally anyone, "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

Not just anyone. The physics teacher wears a bracelet with a protection rune on it. His wife purchased it at a little shop because she thought it looked cool. A lot of religious and spiritual people wear or write runes on themselves. It doesn't help that modern-day spirituality uses runes as well.

"How do you know that?" Namjoon frowns.

The teacher takes the bracelet off in class.

"Ah," Namjoon sighs, "He knows it can't be the others because of other reasons,"

"Right," Yoongi nods.

"What do we do then?" Yoongi sighs, looking frustrated by this new revelation.

"I guess we just keep an eye on her," Namjoon responds.

No, you have to find the culprit.

"I'll find the culprit when you have something helpful to provide, alright?" Namjoon snaps.

Namjoon and Yoongi halt the conversation, thinking deeply about the conundrum. They watch their friends laughing and drinking merrily. 

Seokjin and Jungkook cook the food, passing the meat around to them all. They ordered more drinks as they continue drinking heavily.

Jungkook and Taehyung eventually request the Korean BBQ staff to play specific music, which they oblige as the only other patrons are happy with it. 

The older patrons laugh as Jungkook, Taehyung, and Jimin dance to the music, having the time of their life. Hoseok watches on, going from cheerful and dancing with the younger ones, to sitting down in his chair blankly.

Minho mingles around with each of them, helping Seokjin with food, talking to Hoseok, and dancing with the younger three. Hana watches on, joining in here and there.

Eventually, Yoongi and Namjoon have a very philosophical conversation about life and dreams. Hana joins in occasionally, looking awed at Namjoon's morality and the philosophies he lives by. 

Minho joins in too, equally awed, whilst also having moments of blankness as the conversations leave him questioning his existence.

Hana and Minho move away, singing and dancing with the younger ones. After a while, Yoongi and Namjoon sit in comfortable silence for a while, watching their friends happily while they drink their alcohol.

"Hey, are you two alright?" Namjoon and Yoongi look up to see Minho standing in front of them, smiling.

"Yeah, just watching," Yoongi chuckles, "What are you up to?"

"Just about to leave, I think Hana needs to leave too," Minho points over his shoulder. Hana has gone from mostly sober to stumbling drunk in the few hours they have been talking. Namjoon frowns. He didn't realise Hana had become so drunk.

"Oh... yeah she needs to be taken home," Namjoon stands up.

"Oh, it's okay. I told Jimin I would take her home," Minho smiles.

Namjoon, listen carefully. You need to take her home.

How many times do I have to tell you that I can't force them... Before Namjoon can finish this thought, Z interrupts him.

NO, THIS IS IMPORTANT. If she goes home with anyone else here, she will be dead by morning, do you understand me?

What?

"I'll take her!" Namjoon says quickly, his eyes wide, "It's okay, I'll walk her home,"

"Are you sure?" Minho asks, "It's on the way... I can take her,"

"No, no, I'm finished for the night. I live near her, it'll be fine," Namjoon insists, already moving towards Hana.

Yoongi cocks his eyebrow but doesn't say anything. Namjoon gives him a horrified look, which Yoongi instantly understands.

Minho doesn't push him to take her. He simply shrugs, saying his goodbyes and heading out.

Namjoon approaches Hana, who is lolling around in her seat, her arms over Jungkook's and Seokjin's shoulders, swinging as she sings along to the song playing. They are singing as well, happily swinging with her.

Jimin is cradling his head, leaning against Hoseok, who looks equally distraught. Taehyung is sitting back, watching all this unfold with a smile playing on his lips.

Yoongi follows Namjoon to where their friends are, trying not to laugh at the display.

"Z said she could die tonight," Namjoon whispers to Yoongi, "I need to take her,"

Yoongi nods firmly, immediately taking action.

"TaeTae, want to help me with these guys?" Yoongi points at Jimin and Hoseok. Taehyung nods, moving forward to bring them to their feet and lead them out of the restaurant. Namjoon deals with the bill while they do that. He passes Jungkook, Hana, and Seokjin a water bottle each, watching as they drink it.

Taehyung and Yoongi return as the three drunks drink the water.

"Just sent those two off in an uber," Taehyung smiles before turning his attention to the other three, "What are we going to do about this lot?"

"Namjoon lives near Hana, so he can take her," Yoongi explains, "I'll take Seokjin, you take Jungkook?"

"Sounds good," Taehyung nods.

Jungkook lives closest to Taehyung, so they are going to catch the subway together. Yoongi and Seokjin live near each other, so Yoongi is going to catch an uber to Seokjin's house before walking home. In the time they have been planning this, the three of them have sobered up a bit. Between the three of them, Hana is now the soberest.

"Perfect," Namjoon nods, kneeling in front of Hana "Hana?"

"Yeah?" She frowns, her hair a tangled mess as she squints at him.

"I'm going to walk you home, okay?" He says.

"Okay," She shrugs, standing up. Namjoon grabs her arm to steady her as she sways to the side.

"Let's go," Namjoon mutters. Hana clings to his elbow, staring down at her feet to coordinate her feet properly.

"Let's go!" She cheers, beaming up at Namjoon, almost falling backwards.

Cute...

Keep a lookout. Someone will attack you.

Understood... what am I looking for?

A tall, well-built man.

Alright.

Namjoon smirks to himself, leading Hana out of the restaurant carefully.

It's been a while since I have been allowed to beat the shit out of someone. 

(A/N) 🫰🫰🫰 

Protective RM is just 🤌