Everything was getting blurry.

The more Taehyung ran, the more his vision got compromised. His surroundings; the people walking past him, the rows of shophouses on either sides, the flickering streetlights. It all looked like squiggly lines, a mash of colors blended into abnormal patterns, lines of a yellow-orange glow mixed with the dark silhouettes of the crowd he dashed through, added with the bright pink and purple neon signs from shops there. He had no idea where he was, only knowing that this was the 'it' spot in the city where people went clubbing and whatnot- a place Taehyung wasn't very familiar with but he didn't slow down, feeling the wind push his hair back with the patters of his sneakers against the cold, hard road.

He didn't plan to run this far. 

Taehyung wasn't even going to really 'go home on his own', no, all those things he said to Jeongguk were more for show. In reality, he was just going to wait by the car. Somewhere he'd be alone- NO, actually...

Somewhere he'd hide for a moment until Jeongguk found him. Then feel those strong arms pull him into an embrace while Jeongguk scolded him for running off like that, worried, and they'd go home together. Alone. Just the two of them. That was what he wanted... these days, all Taehyung ever craved for was to be alone with Jeongguk. The person he loves, by his side all the time. 

But Jeongguk didn't chase after him...

Now there was no one by his side.

It just sucked, everything about tonight sucked and Taehyung was cold and the aching in his heart made his eyes sting with tears. He continued to run faster because his brain was starting to visualize Jimin telling Jeongguk everything and Jeongguk's reaction to it. On the other hand, he wanted to stop running because right now, this felt all-too-familiar. Running off into the cold night like this... now when did this happen before? Oh yeah, the night Jeongguk found out Taehyung was in love with him. 

The bitter memory of how his confession went about punched a breath out of Taehyung, a cloud of mildly thick fog accompanying it. He stumbled into a clumsy stop, placing his hands on his knees, back hunched forward as he panted. His eyes were tightly shut, jaw clenched. He didn't like it- was losing his mind at the abrupt images of past incidents forcing themselves into his head like a very speedy slideshow and he was tied to a chair in front of it, stuck watching these unpleasant moments. 

Taehyung shook his head that was hurting immensely and dug his fingernails into his palms with much force. He tried not to think about it, although by now, a downpour of bad memories had drenched him completely. From the night of the engagement to the few days he went to Daegu, how he missed Jeongguk terribly during that time, Jeongguk in that hospital bed, also the conversation he had with the younger's parents before that, the decision Taehyung made to leave- when compiling all these things together, it really seemed like the universe tried everything in its power to keep them from each other.

Even now... they faced similar hardships.

Wasn't that what brought Taehyung here? Because of the continuing hardships... now distressed and alone in this foreign place, his heart raced uncontrollably. To make matters worse, the memories in him were flickering into something else, rather than the past, he could sense a tiny pinch of the future which awaited him. There weren't any visual presentations- just a feeling and that headache torturing him slowly morphed into a stomach-churning paranoia. Fear. He was suddenly so afraid, terrified, breaking out of that trance as it finally hit him how far he'd ventured out into the city on his own, possibly into the most unsafe place someone like him could be at.

Taehyung's eyes shot open and he stood up straight, swiping a sleeve over his pink, wet cheeks. Swallowed in a street packed with other people, he squinted at the bright lights from the rows of shops- no, not shops. All clubs and bars. He watched with unease as the heavily-boozed people staggered around, arm around their friend's shoulders to stay upright, laughing, not aware of their current disheveled state nor how loud they were being, rationality confiscated along with their money for the alcohol they'd spent on tonight. Hah, but these people were okay to say the least, it was the ones that eyed him funnily which frightened him.

Taking one look at Taehyung, anyone could tell he'd be less likely to defend himself. This was proven when his eyes unintentionally zeroed in on the entrance of a club. Waiting in the line to enter was a group consisting of three men and a woman. Cigarettes in hands, all around his age, they noticed him and whispered amongst themselves first before they started giving him suggestive looks; giggling, smirking, flirty winks- no.  

He snapped his gaze down to the road with wide eyes, hugging his upper body tightly. 

Alone. He was alone... in this type of place. 

Right then, it wasn't an urge or a feeling that struck Taehyung. It was surety. He had to go back. Something bad was going to happen. Only bad things happened when he and Jeongguk were apart from each other. It had been a mistake to leave. Taehyung wished he hadn't done so- he wished Jeongguk was here, he needed the younger to be here right now, more than anything.

Taehyung turned around, thinking he'd go in the direction of where he came from. His eyes fell over the crowd before him and he let out a shaky breath. It's fine. You'll be fine... he told himself and managed to take one step forward before he immediately froze.

The universe wasn't going easy on him tonight.

There, amidst the many other humans moving around, one particular figure stood a few good meters away- staring right at Taehyung. 

Oh.

Taehyung swallowed, that first wave of shock working through him. The figure- a supposed man, he wasn't that tall and was dressed in all black, along with a black cap and face mask that concealed the bottom half of his face. The alarming thing was that there was something about his eyes, the way he stared forward, sharp gaze intended- there was purpose there. Seeing this, the worst possible scenarios concocted themselves in Taehyung's head and his heartbeat picked up its pace. 

He didn't want to believe it- for all he knew, the man could be looking at someone behind him. Hell, he didn't even know if this person was a threat to begin with. Maybe the whole feel of being here alone had made Taehyung turn this completely innocent and harmless situation into a dangerous one. Yeah, his mind was just playing tricks on him... he fears it, so his brain makes it happen.

Yes, a lot of people tended to do this. Overthinkers, like him. It was nothing-

This was nothing.

Still, Taehyung took a step back. He tried being as casual as he could but he saw the man begin to stalk closer. Each time Taehyung stepped back, the darkly-dressed stranger matched his footsteps forward. 

Taehyung turned around and started walking, almost jogging a little. Don't follow, don't follow, please don't fo-

He looked over his shoulder and... the man was following him.

It was that few seconds before Taehyung fully comprehended this situation. His eyes were wide, unable to breathe for a moment, body trembling. Fuck- was this happening for real..?  Taehyung was maybe, too in-shock at the moment but when the penny dropped, he bolted. Ran again. His legs swung forward in turns, taking him as far as he could. Once again, his corner visions turned into a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes.

Taehyung felt like he was in a dream- just how crazy this night was becoming. Who was this man that was chasing him right now?! Why- what reason could he possibly have to do this? An opening into an alley presented itself and Taehyung didn't think twice before he ducked into it, almost slipping in a puddle at the opening. His legs burned with all the exertion but he forced himself to keep going. It was all so unreal and insane and- god, he's still following me!

The alley was in between two loud clubs. People filled the dark space, waiting in lines by the side-entrances to these venues. Taehyung squeezed himself through the crowd, not apologizing to anyone he bumped into and tried to blend into the groups there. But halfway through the alleyway, he slowed down a little. Something was happening... Taehyung found himself blinking so often, head starting to feel dizzy. The thumping sounds of the bass from the clubs on both sides triggered a 'strangeness' in him, and when Taehyung was about to exit the rather long alleyway into another street... it came back.

That 'thing' visited him.

He didn't experience it for months but here it was... happening for real-

That fucking nightmare.

Taehyung lost sight of the current 'situation' he was running away from. Never mind the possible serial killer chasing him right then. Not so much a human now- this was a fucking monster. He was running away from a monster. The one that tortured him endlessly in those dreams. Oh, what an unfortunate timing. A chorus of hushed whispers taunted him from behind, then again on his sides. The voices called out to him with insults and unpleasant mockeries. Footsteps slowing down even more, Taehyung gasped out a broken cry. It was too much... he wanted to scream. 

The fact that Jeongguk wasn't here with him made everything worse. The deafening loud music pounding at the sides of his head made it hard to think straight, just like if he were in a club, and that one other detail. The hands. So many hands belonging to unknown figures touching him all over.

"No..." Taehyung choked out, squirming and shutting his eyes, blindly navigating his course. 

On the open street, he reeled through the people ahead of him like he'd been injured and now every time somebody brushed against him, he hyperventilated like crazy. At one point, he bumped into a man and stumbled back to meet with an unfortunate fall. His eyes were still shut after the fall but when he opened them, Taehyung saw a young man looking down at him with a worried expression.

"Are you okay?" the kind soul asked, reaching his hand out to grab Taehyung's arm.  

He only wanted to help but the second he touched Taehyung, it amplified everything; the hands were touching him again and now the voices closed in on him from all directions-

"Don't touch me!" Taehyung screamed, staggering to his feet before he ran past the man. 

This was the definition of torture. He must've looked like a psycho to those around him but who wouldn't? Who wouldn't scream if they were being mentally played like this? Who wouldn't run if there were voices constantly sneering into their ears? Whose heart wouldn't be crying out so loud because- because... it was just so tiring and terrifying and hopeless and-

Never-ending.

Taehyung couldn't run anymore.

He didn't know where exactly, but he just stopped against the wall of some building. He felt himself slide down, pulling his knees against his chest as the tears endlessly poured out of him. The sweat made his hair damp and the unforgiving coldness of the snowy night didn't help with his breathing. He continued to squirm, haunted by the touches and voices, ducking his head down inside his arms- confident he'd pass out after a minute or so.

Not that any of it mattered, Taehyung just couldn't block it out anymore.

It was a failure. All this time having those nightmares and tonight when it was at its worst extent, Taehyung couldn't be strong. He couldn't beat it- he was weak, after all. Amidst the chaos unraveling inside him, Taehyung naturally thought of Jeongguk- the only person who could help him escape this hell at the moment... Where was he? Why wasn't he here already? Taehyung cried harder, just wanting to be woken up from this nightmare. He wanted to open his eyes and see the younger man.

Didn't Jeongguk promise to always protect him? Jeongguk needed to be here- Jeongguk had to save him, he just had to...

If he didn't, then who did Taehyung really have left?

It was depressing, really. Balled up on the side of some street, shaking uncontrollably, and Taehyung didn't fight it when his throat started to close up. The grips of his arms around his knees started to loosen and he felt the oxygen stutter, almost failing to properly flow into his system. His condition was getting worse but Taehyung kept his eyes closed, too weak to do anything, not caring what was to become of him now, just-

Just give in, the sickening voices snickered from around him.

And he was about to.

Until-

"Taehyung?!" a voice cried. Two hands immediately appeared on the sides of his face, lifting it gently. So utterly dazed and broken, Taehyung let himself be pulled into a warm embrace.

An immediate safeness filled him first, followed by a very familiar scent that calmed him- this was the protective touch he cried for earlier. The comfort he needed... "Sweetheart, m-my sweetheart, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry-" A few hasty kisses littered his flushed cheek down to his jaw before a face buried itself into the crook of his neck. "I'm here now, I'm here, y-you're okay..." The arms tightened around him.

It didn't take long for Taehyung's chokes to die down into quiet and fluent sobs. 

Jeongguk was here.

The nightmare was over.

This was the scariest thing- by far the most dreadful situation Jeongguk ever found himself in. Too many things went through his head as he held his beloved boyfriend in his arms. Right here... the person he loves and cherished the most in the world, shaking uncontrollably like he'd just seen a ghost; Taehyung looked fucking traumatized. 

Eyes screwed shut with tears endlessly trailing down his face, he clung onto Jeongguk's chest so tightly. Though he looked calmer now with the occasional hiccups slipping out of him, gazing down at this depressing view of the elder, Jeongguk's jaw clenched. So bloody unbearable to watch- no, he couldn't stand it.

He immediately placed an arm around Taehyung's waist, helping him up as they got on their feet. The car was close and Jeongguk wasted no time in rushing them both over to it. They needed to go. Jeongguk had to get them home so he could clean Taehyung up, so he could get rid of the horrible image of Taehyung looking like this in his head... so he could get down on his knees and beg for forgiveness for letting this happen.

Caught up in his worries, Jeongguk paid no mind to their three hyungs standing there, having witnessed the whole thing with frightened expressions and worried hearts. They'd searched the city together to which, fortunately, Taehyung had Jeongguk's cell in his back pocket so Jin was able to track it right way. 

"Jeongguk..." the eldest called out, a pained look on his face. "Jeongguk wait-"

They were concerned, obviously. 

But Jeongguk kept walking towards the Mini with Taehyung, determined to get them out of here. None of their voices were able to make him stop, until someone's eventually did.

Jeongguk halted in his steps, instantly looking down at the man in his arms. Taehyung's eyes looked bigger than ever, sparkling melancholically with dusts of gold and it all just made the younger's heart hammer harder. Taehyung was saying something. 

"...saw him," he croaked and then hiccupped. "...h-he was following me... that's- that's why I ran..."

These words didn't just terrify the hell out of Jeongguk. The others heard too and were startled, glancing around to spot any suspicious figures. After looking around their surroundings himself, Jeongguk turned back to Taehyung. "Sweetheart-" he started in a gentle tone, wanting to say that there was nobody around. Although he noticed that look on Taehyung's face- how fearful he seemed... it was hard to describe and when a cold breeze wafted past them, Jeongguk couldn't have dashed over to his car any faster than he did.

He shut the passenger's side door once Taehyung was in and turned to face his friends. Not sure what to say exactly- "I... I'll see you guys," he uttered, tight-lipped with watery eyes before making his way over to the other side of the car. 

The car almost flew down the dark road. Jeongguk's heavy black boots handled the accelerator and clutch swiftly, a recklessness masking his face with how fast he drove and everything that had happened tonight. Unaware (unbothered) with the speed at which they were currently going in, he turned his head to the side every two minutes. And every time he looked at Taehyung, this guilt and greyness dotted his blood more and more like ink on a paper because he did this.

Taehyung had nodded off from the exhaustion, a scarf wrapped around his neck up to his chin with the younger's coat blanketing his frail, shivering body. 

Why was it so important to confront Jimin and Yoongi? Fuck, it wasn't worth it! Confronting them was not in the slightest bit worth it if this was the outcome to their night. Jeongguk's hand tightened around the steering wheel, the other nudging the gearstick into the fourth gear. The road was nearly empty but ironically given the spaciousness, it was getting harder to breathe- these endless mistakes he made, it suffocated Jeongguk. Taehyung told him earlier. Said he wanted to go home and if Jeongguk had just listened- god!

He was a fool thinking that he'd grown mature, no, he was still reckless and irresponsible and Taehyung always had to pay the price for his stupidity.

Damn it... Jeongguk sniffled, blinking his glistening eyes. 

He didn't know what to do anymore.

The muffled slam of the refrigerator door shutting filled the apartment, followed by some footsteps before Yoongi felt the couch dip next to him. Not a second later, something cold pressed itself against the side of his left eye. A low hiss left him but he let Jimin continue to aid his black eye. Anyway, the pain from the punch he took wasn't what bothered him right now. He stared ahead, zoning out, feeling this guilt and unsatisfactory bubble up inside him.

Guilt because he'd been unfair to Jimin and betrayed Jeongguk.

And unsatisfactory because even now, he was restless, wondering if Taehyung was okay.  

It felt like that's the only thing he'd been doing lately- wondering, just wondering secretly about the person he liked so much. Never to overstep any boundaries and he'd hid it so well all this time. At least he thought he did... Jimin certainly gave him the shock of his life earlier when he announced that he'd known for quite some time now. Tonight was ugly but Yoongi decided that he deserved it all. In fact, Jeongguk should've punch him one more time. 

The second time for ruining their friendship that Yoongi had come to cherish.  

Tonight's confrontation was inevitable, he supposed, and now he needed to come clean to Jimin. It wasn't fair. Everything that he'd been putting Jimin through wasn't fair. With a deep breath, Yoongi raised his hand over Jimin's to lower the ice bag from his face.

He turned to look at the man. "Jimin, I'm sor-"

"I hate you."

Yoongi sighed, nodding.

He was different. Jimin had always been different; more reckless and easily triggered by the little things. But Yoongi was used to it and if at all, he probably tolerated the younger's outbursts better than anyone. He watched Jimin's eyes sparkle with tears, an upset pout sitting on his plump lips.

"I get that you're angry, you have every right to be," Yoongi spoke calmly. "I messed everything up, but why didn't you talk to me first instead of saying all those things to Taehyung."

Jimin looked away, eyes rolling. "What difference would it have made?"

"Jimin-"

"Talking to you about it wouldn't have changed your feelings towards Ta-" he abruptly stopped as if mentioning his best friend's name would electrocute him. He groaned loudly and turned back to Yoongi. "I can't believe you! I just can't- all this time! Why him? Just why-"

"Jimin, please calm down."

Yoongi couldn't yell.

He never yelled.

"No! I don't want to! I want to shout at you! I hate you for doing this! For ruining everything-" Jimin got up from the couch, tears rolling down his pink cheeks endlessly. "I knew it from the beginning but I didn't want to believe it- I just... I thought you'd grow to like me."

This was so heartbreaking to hear and Yoongi could only sit there and listen.  

"I thought that if I waited, you'd come around and- and maybe, love me back...."

Love? 

Yoongi's eyes widened.

But Jimin didn't wait for him to process those words. "Yes, I love you," he said and Yoongi couldn't look at him anymore. "I've been in love with you for such a long time now. I was terrified to tell you because-" A choked sob floated into the air. "Because I knew you'd never say it back."

Yoongi continued to stare downwards, hands tightly fisting themselves on his lap. Jimin loves him. Jimin's in love with him... why? Why did it have to be this complicated? Why did it hurt more now that he knew Jimin's true feelings for him and why- fucking why was Taehyung still all Yoongi could think about right now?! His beautiful brown eyes, the sound of his deep voice-

Fuck, this was so wrong!

"Jimin-" Yoongi suddenly looked up. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He swallowed, feeling that burn at the back of his throat but he wasn't going to cry. He needed to make this right- it was so messed up and high time he made amends.

"I think we should-" 

"No," Jimin straight away said.

They both knew where this was going.

"Please listen to me-"

But Jimin had gotten down on his knees in front of Yoongi, clutching his hands with his smaller ones. "It's already late- we..." he paused, breathing in deeply. "Let's talk in the morning, yeah."

Yoongi had a pained expression on. "Jimin, don't-"

"Please..." the younger man begged, desperation lacing his tone.     

Four to fives seconds ticked by before- "Alright."

Jimin then got up to his feet. "I- I'm sorry for yelling earlier," he said timidly. "Let's just go to bed." He started walking out of the living room but stopped when he noticed the elder not following him. Jimin turned around and Yoongi was already looking at him.

"Hyung?"

"Uh... I think I'll sleep on the couch tonight," Yoongi said, fidgety.

It was for the best.

Yet Jimin's eyes tearing up again and that hurt look all over his face made Yoongi feel even more worse than he already did. The younger stared at him for a moment before he turned around and walked into their bedroom without saying another word.

Once that bedroom door shut, Yoongi's face fell into his hands.

It didn't matter if they talked now or tomorrow morning, he'd already made his decision.

There wasn't much to do.

Jeongguk found that there were lesser and lesser things he could do without Taehyung, ugh, how devastating his weekends would always be if it weren't for his boyfriend; TV was utterly boring (Jeongguk actually second-guessed why they even owned one when there was absolutely nothing good on it these days) and so was cleaning the already-clean apartment, doing paperwork and going for a jog outside. Soon, he was running out of things to do- or distract himself with, to be perfectly honest.

When they got home last night, Taehyung slept right away and he hadn't woken up since then. His exhaustion appeared to be no joke as he'd slept through this morning, then the afternoon and even now while the time was about five something in the early evening. 

While him resting was good, Taehyung's deep slumber had led Jeongguk to continuously think about the less-than-delightful events of last night; Yoongi's confession, the man supposedly chasing Taehyung, and the state that Taehyung was in when they found him. Jeongguk tried not to obsess over it but the more he thought about it, the more questions littered his mind, the more worried he became and he certainly wanted to clarify and also say a few things to the elder- after Taehyung wakes up, that is...

Meanwhile, their hyungs had called one by one to see how things were going and Jeongguk basically repeated the same 'short' response to all three- Taehyung's sleeping, he's fine, can I call you tomorrow...

Right up to six o'clock, Jeongguk kept himself busy in the kitchen before he decided to check on the sleeping man again. Still shirtless from the shower he'd taken after the jog, Jeongguk only had some black ripped jeans on and his hair remained the same since he'd left the bathroom earlier, untied, long silky strands caressing the top of his broad shoulders. 

In just a few quick strides, he was already in the bedroom heading towards the bed. Room now a little darker than before, a pinkish glow from the sky peeking through that tiny crack between the curtains in a bright pink beam that exactly illuminated Taehyung's peaceful face, Jeongguk felt himself sigh contently. Taehyung had the blanket down to his waist, neglecting the warmth it provided him- rather more occupied with his arms and one leg slung over a pillow possessively. 

Adorable...

The younger man smiled, sinking one knee onto the mattress before sitting down on it gently with Taehyung's back facing him. Jeongguk stared at Taehyung for a moment, thinking, watching how the man's smaller frame rose and fell with each breath he took in a slow rhythm. He didn't even realize it when his hand weaved through the hair at the lower back of Taehyung's head, right above his nape.

A subtle, yet deep hum suddenly sounded.

"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Jeongguk asked quietly.

Taehyung stirred, adjusting his cheek against the pillow he was hugging. "No I'm... I'm not sleeping, really..." He went silent for a while. Then, "yeah I'm so awake right now..."  

Jeongguk chuckled, continuing to run his fingers through the other's hair. It obviously wasn't the right time for them to talk about what happened and it looked like Taehyung was about to fall asleep again shortly. But first-

"Sweetheart, you haven't eaten anything all day. Do you maybe wanna come out and have dinner? You can go back to sleep again after that."

He watched Taehyung shake his head with closed eyes. "No, I'm not hungry- just wanna sleep some more..."

"Alright. Well, I'm going out for a bit. I'll be right back, kay."

Another hum.

Jeongguk didn't want to disturb Taehyung anymore and was already halfway across the room to the door when a voice called out to him. Jeongguk turned around and saw the elder looking at him lazily from where he laid.

"Yeah?"

"You didn't cook anything for dinner yet, right?" 

"No." There was no hesitance in Jeongguk as he smiled and spoke. "No, I didn't make anything- I wanted to ask you first."

Taehyung nodded, eyes closing. "Okay then..." 

Once outside, Jeongguk slowly shut the door behind him and walked into the kitchen where his maroon hoodie hung over the back of one of the chairs. He slipped it on, briefly combing his fingers through his hair- not even going to mention the hot meal that Jeongguk had spent the last half hour preparing arranged on the round table there; the usual, two bowls of fluffy white rice at opposite ends with all of Taehyung's favorite main and side dishes spread out in the middle. 

Kimchi stew, seasoned spinach with extra gochujang for that spicy kick, an almost perfectly circular omelet with chives and mushrooms -shiitake mushrooms, specifically, bought from a vendor in that 'every Friday' marketplace along this one street in town that Jeongguk dropped by after work once a week because Taehyung one time said the place reminded him of where he used to buy the same mushrooms for his mother back in Daegu when he was younger- in it and fried chicken, its skin looking crispy and almost red from the dustings of chili powder, also ALL drumsticks, which was the only part of the chicken that Taehyung ate.

Steam rose above the table from the meal in a homely manner. It all looked splendidly delicious and simply lovely and it was dinner time after all and... of course, Jeongguk wasn't going to eat a single thing.

It took him about three minutes to store the food away before he checked for his wallet and grabbed the bike keys sitting on the kitchen counter. By the door, he put his leather jacket and shoes on. With his helmet in one hand, Jeongguk pushed the door handle down and stepped out.

The sky had completely darkened into a navy-blue shade by the time he returned to the apartment building.

Out in the street, Jeongguk parked his giant Harley in a spacious spot between a car and another bike and took his helmet off. The wind instantly blew his hair back and he kinda regretted not bringing a hair tie with him. But whatever... he was back now from the mall after having bought a new phone for Taehyung. He didn't care that Taehyung didn't want a new one. After last night, the thought of not having a way to reach his boyfriend scared him more than anything.

Jeongguk dismounted the bike, turning its engine off, at the same time wondering if Taehyung had already woken up. It had been a slow day today and he wouldn't mind going to bed now instead of having that talk with the elder. It wasn't something that Jeongguk liked to admit but he was tired too. Maybe a cup of tea first... finalize that project report for work, then to bed-

Or maybe not.

Right then, every previous thought in Jeongguk's head abruptly vanished when he was suddenly looking at Yoongi.

A few meters ahead, Yoongi was leaned against his parked car. Waiting. He stared up into the youngers' apartment building, phone in one hand as if deciding something. The older man hadn't noticed Jeongguk looking at him.

The first thing that filled Jeongguk was anger- oh to relive everything from yesterday! He could practically hear Yoongi's voice saying that he had feelings for Taehyung. Now the same Yoongi was waiting to talk to Jeongguk. No. He couldn't face Yoongi yet, not after yesterday, not after he punched the man. Some of the high from the adrenaline he felt last night was gone and Jeongguk was fully-conscious of the fact that he'd assaulted a man older than him, his 'hyung' on top of that. So aside from the anger in him, there was also that guilt and resentment and wrongfulness nipping at his heart. But again, there were systems to these things right? An appropriate amount of time to wait before meeting each other again after the fight they had? Why did this feel like a shortcut?

Like they were skipping to the end where they'd make up and become friends again.

Jeongguk sighed. He was overthinking this- man, he'd been overthinking a lot lately (definitely Taehyung's influence).

There's really no escaping this confrontation, huh, Jeongguk said to himself. Without another moment to lose, he was walking towards Yoongi, lacking any readiness in his demeanor. 

When Yoongi finally spotted him, the elder's eyes widened first. He clearly didn't expect to meet Jeongguk on the street right away like this. Then they sorta just stood there, not sure who should start speaking first, an awkwardness beginning to seep into the atmosphere between them. It was definitely weird how after one fight, they almost seemed like strangers now and not friends.

"Hey," Yoongi eventually said first.

Jeongguk's lips stretched into a tight smile while his eyes wandered over to the blue-black ring currently circling Yoongi's left eye. He couldn't see it earlier but now that he was closer, Jeongguk saw the damage of his punch. Oh, the guilt...

"I'm sorry for punching you," he blurted out.

Yoongi blinked like he wasn't expecting that. "Oh, it- it's fine. Really, I..." he breathed out unevenly. "...I deserved it, it's alright."

The younger man didn't say anything back to that.

His silence pulled a sigh out of Yoongi who momentarily dropped his gaze down before he spoke. "Jeongguk, look... I know I'm the last person you want to see right now but I need to tell you," he said and his eyes glistened earnestly. "You have to know that I never- I'd never try anything with Taehyung."

The mention of that name irked Jeongguk.

But he still kept quiet.

"Feelings or not, it was never my intention to act on it or confess or anything else. I'm sorry for letting this happen, I know I ruined everything and I understand how hard it must be for you-" he sighed again. "You probably don't even want to hear what I have to say now but I just had to see you before I leave and-"

Hold on.

"You're leaving?" Jeongguk found his voice after a while.

Yoongi stilled at the question before slowly nodding.

"Uh yeah- well, not right now but in a week or so. I'm... I'm going back to Daegu. For good." 

There was a shocked expression over Jeongguk's face as his eyes gradually grew big. He did not expect to hear this at all. Suddenly, everything seemed bigger and more serious now. It didn't look like they were going to make up and become friends again. Damn straight! Yoongi was ending their friendship!

"What?" Jeongguk breathed out. Most of his anger had dissipated and he was more confused now. "What do you mean you're going back for good? What about Jimin? Is he going with you? Are you guys doing this to get away from Taehyung and me? I don't know what to-"

"Jeongguk," Yoongi cut in, looking very serious right then. "Jimin and I broke up."

What the fuck?

The rage was coming back all of a sudden and Jeongguk felt this ugly jealousy inside him. "You broke up with Jimin?" he gritted out. "Because of Taehyung?" It was killing him to say these words and that look on Yoongi's face pretty much answered his question.

"It's not-" Yoongi groaned, the frustration evident in his voice. "Jeongguk, I'm sorry if you hate this but I don't want it to be this way either- I don't want to like a man who's already in a relationship, a man who's already in love, but-" he sucked in a deep breath, lowering his voice because he almost yelled. "I can't stop feeling this way, alright. I didn't choose to fall for him..."

Jeongguk stayed silent, dark eyes just glaring at Yoongi.

"And that's not the only reason why we're breaking up. Jimin deserves- he deserves someone better and I've caused him so much pain already..." Yoongi shook his head, reliving the agony from the break up with his boyfriend again and it was getting harder for him to speak now. "I really don't- ah, I should go..." He started turning around but paused and faced Jeongguk again.

"I really am sorry, Jeongguk. For everything."

Yoongi uttered in a low voice and turned around once more, already pulling his car keys out from his jeans pocket. Although, it was right this second when Jeongguk-

"I never liked you, hyung."

He watched how Yoongi froze in his actions but continued anyway.

"From the beginning, I hated how you always showed up when Taehyung needed someone," he said firmly. "It drove me crazy back then, seeing you care for Taehyung, it made me feel incompetent- I hate feeling incompetent." Jeongguk's breathing quickened while Yoongi's back still faced him. "I just can't- I can't accept that there's another person out there that feels the same way I do towards Taehyung. The mere thought of it... I can't-" He abruptly stopped, feeling himself get worked up.

Jeongguk was practically shaking behind Yoongi. "I feel like- I feel like I'm going insane whenever someone even looks at him a bit funny- I can't fucking stand it. There should be no one. Hyung..."

One last thing to say.

The corner of Jeongguk's lips tilted up in the slightest. 

"There is no other in Taehyung's life. There's only me."

Just then, a cold breeze blowing past them was more than enough to convince Jeongguk that he'd had enough of two things. This fucking conversation and the cold weather. With his helmet and shopping bag in each hand, he was about to walk into the building but stopped when he remembered something and turned to Yoongi again.

Yoongi hadn't moved from his spot, head dropped low, fists balled by his sides.

"Oh, and one more thing," Jeongguk started. "Don't even think about leaving without saying something to Taehyung first. As much as I despise the idea of it, he'd be devastated if you left without a goodbye."

Not waiting for a response from the other, Jeongguk walked into the apartment building and later stepped through the door into his own home. 

He dropped the things in his hands on the kitchen table, mixed emotions swirling within him about the encounter he just had with Yoongi- energy completely drained now, a tired breath left him. His legs carried him to the bedroom as he shrugged his jacket off that soon ended up on the floor near the bed.

Sleep was on Jeongguk's mind and he slid himself behind Taehyung, pulling the blanket over them properly. He secured an arm around the sleeping man's waist while the tip of his nose drew a line up his nape. Jeongguk felt himself relax from the scent emitting off his boyfriend's soft skin- something of vanilla and another fragrant flower, and left two subtle pecks there, unconsciously pulling Taehyung more into his chest. 

He was unaware of Taehyung being awake right then.

"Jeongguk?"

Unsurprised, the younger man hummed this time.

It looked as if Taehyung had already woken up since a while ago, just thinking. "We're gonna have a long talk tomorrow, aren't we? About last night."

More sleep taking over him, Jeongguk nodded, forgetting that his boyfriend couldn't see him. 

"You meant what you said about not leaving me, right?" Taehyung suddenly asked.

But Jeongguk wasn't alarmed. Yet. "Why are you asking me this?"

"I just-" Taehyung thought for a moment. "I've been having these reoccurring nightmares, and you always leave me in them," he explained and Jeongguk's eyes finally opened. "You leave me all alone and then I get so scared... I start to hear these voices and feel these hands touch me and it gets harder to breathe, that- that's what got me so freaked out last night. Being there, in that place triggered the bad dream."

A few seconds passed and they stayed in that position. Jeongguk kept his hold on Taehyung's waist, eyebrows narrowed. Reoccurring? "How long have you been having these nightmares for?"

"It's been such a long time- since last year. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't think it was anything serious-" Taehyung released a breath. It probably became less idealistic to talk like this and he was already turning around until he was face to face with Jeongguk, chests inches away from touching. "That's one thing..." he whispered first. "The other- about that man chasing me. I know it sounds ridiculous and I don't expect you to believe me. I mean, I'm not sure if what I saw was even rea-"

"I believe you."

Taehyung's eyes bored into Jeongguk's darker ones. "You do?"

The younger man pulled him closer and their chests were definitely touching now, legs beginning to tangle underneath the blanket. "Yes, you don't have to convince me. I know you're telling the truth," Jeongguk said. "But Taehyung... you know you have nothing to worry about, right. I'm not gonna leave you, and as for that man..."

Jeongguk pressed their foreheads together.

"...we'll be careful, hmm. You don't start work for another two weeks. So until then, you're safe here and after that-" he spoke quietly and smiled, admiring that attentive wide-eyed look on Taehyung's face peering up at him. "We'll just be careful, okay? Nothing's gonna happen- I won't let it."

Taehyung stared at Jeongguk with a glint in his eyes, speechless- replaying these wonderful and comforting words in his mind before leaning down to lay his head against the man's chest. He felt Jeongguk's hand gently move up and down his back a few times, then a kiss planting itself on the top of his head. It was a heartwarming gesture and they continued to lay in each other's arms like that until they fell asleep.