A/N: I swear guys, I thought I had published this chapter but when I was looking back at it, I saw that it was still in the drafts so I'm sorry about that 😆 Anyways, I hope you like this chapter!

(2783 words)
________________________

Jeongguk doesn't know what led him to drive to the place he'd never thought he'd willingly visit. But yet, here he is, in front of Taehyung's apartment building.

This morning, Jeongguk was woken by the coldness of the fan. Beside him, Jimin's body was curled up with his back to the ravenette, a distance away in the bed, sleeping soundly. Jeongguk guessed the heat of the night must have gotten to Jimin since the sheets had been kicked off to the floor. For that reason, rolling off the bed without waking the other up was not a difficult task.

Planting his feet on the solid ground, Jeongguk stretched his arms, quietly groaning. When he opened his eyes sleepily, an item on the nightstand caught his attention: Jimin's phone.

There was something Jeongguk had been wanting to do recently, yet he felt too awkward and guilty to commit the action. Yet, after the talk with Taehyung last night, Jimin's phone seems to be a door that ultimately led to Jeongguk making a sure decision. It felt like the right thing to do, for both Taehyung and Jimin.

Jeongguk quietly grabbed the phone off the nightstand, effortlessly unlocking it with the password he's come to memorize. He directs his finger to Jimin's contacts app just to send himself the address he needed before deleting the message.

He sets Jimin's phone where he found it before tiptoeing out the door to his room. He finds the phone sitting on his bed, uncharged where he left it. Jeongguk grabs it, unlocks it, and heads to his Google Maps app, copying and pasting the numbers and letters of Taehyung's address. He was aware of the golden-haired boy's early shift this morning and he hoped to catch him before he left. Once the ravenette dressed in comfortable clothes, he left for the apartment.

Jeongguk walked out of his car to see the gray, vintage building. He strolled to the speaker's intercom phone, clicking on the white button beside the stamp labeled "Kim." A beep followed before he heard a voice speak.

"Hello?" , the raspy voice responded. Jeongguk couldn't tell whether it was because of the condition of the worn-out intercom or the possibility that Taehyung had just woken up for the day. Perhaps both.

"Hello? Taehyung?"

A moment of silence followed afterward. "Yeah?"

"Hey! It's Jeongguk."

"Oh, hey Jeongguk. How can I help you?"

"Oh well... It's about Jimin," the ravenette admits.

Taehyung didn't respond after this. Instead, as Jeongguk waited for a response, he flinched at the opening of the black, metallic gate that caught him off guard.

When Jeongguk exited the elevator and walked down the unfamiliar hall cautiously, he gathered his thoughts so he'd be prepared for what he'd say to Taehyung. Surprisingly, by the time Jeongguk turns the corner to his destination, he sees Taehyung standing out in the hallway with the door open, waiting for him.

"Hey, Taehyung-"

"Is Jimin okay?" Taehyung cut Jeongguk's attempt into a conversation to ask him the apprehensive question. Even as the golden-haired boy talked, Jeongguk heard panic audible in his voice.

"Yeah, yeah. He's fine. Don't worry. He's asleep right now."

Taehyung nods at this in relief, directing a hand to his apartment, and inviting the ravenette in. Jeongguk slightly bows, gratefully accepting as he steps inside, Taehyung following.

"Then what is it about Jimin that you want to talk about?" Jeongguk hears the door close.

"Well, actually, it's about both you and Jimin." Jeongguk's words spark Taehyung's worries.

He gestured for Jeongguk to sit at the table near the door. After Jeongguk pulled out a chair, Taehyung copied him, ready to listen. The table was too small to sit two people, but Jeongguk sat out of respect for the other. He gathers his thoughts, hoping they didn't come out rude or insensitive.

"I think you need to get help, Taehyung," he decides to say bluntly but realizes it came out in a way he didn't intend it to.

"What?" Taehyung wasn't annoyed or furious, he was confused by the sudden statement.

"Jimin," Jeongguk decided to clarify. "He talks about you sometimes. Nothing bad, just that you're going through things and-"

"Jeongguk." Truthfully, Taehyung did not want to hear Jeongguk's assumptions. Especially from someone who didn't know him. "I don't know what you're talking about, I'm fine."

"Taehyung," the ravenette commented.

Jeongguk reached his hand out to gently grasp Taehyung's arm. By the touch, Taehyung jerked his hand back in a hurry with wide eyes. Jeongguk is stunned, afraid he might have hurt him but he softens upon acknowledging how similar Taehyung was to Jimin.

He wasn't scared, he was ashamed. So he let Taehyung know he wasn't here to judge him, that he wasn't going to scold him. Jeongguk insisted again and this time, Taehyung understood his nonverbal caring intentions. Still hesitant, Taehyung let Jeongguk see his arm, pulling his sleeves up. Not too much but just enough for Jeongguk to see the faint and fresh maze of scars.

"You know, Jimin, he used to do something like that." Jeongguk doesn't know why he's telling him this but he was sure it was information the latter had heard before.

Jimin must have told him about the inner battles he struggled with for years to gain Taehyung's trust. So he could become the speck of hope Taehyung can have in this goddamn world.

"Yeah, I know."

Jeongguk nods. "He refused to get help. He felt it would be a waste of money... but it's not, Taehyung. With the right person, you could get help-"

"Jeongguk," Taehyung interrupted him. "Stop. Okay? Just stop."

But Jeongguk refused to do so. "You need help, Taehyung. You know you do and you know it."

Taehyung scoffs. "I'm fine, Jeongguk. I have Jimin." Jeongguk pauses. Just like Taehyung had asked him to.

He was... surprised. Jimin wasn't just Taehyung's friend, he was his support system. The reason he was still alive.

This couldn't be happening.

It was only going to hurt them both and break their fragile spirits more than they already were.

Jeongguk softly gasps. "No, Taehyung. No."

Jeongguk was too speechless to even think of his next words. Because now, his breath was shaking thinking about what Taehyung could do to Jimin in the future... or himself if Jimin ever leaves him.

"Jimin is just a child psychologist, he doesn't know what to do with... you."

"Excuse me Jeongguk," the golden-haired boy tilted his head. "Not to be rude but I don't know why you're meddling in our business."

"Jimin's business," Jeongguk taps his fingers on the table in a solemn manner. "will always be my business. That's what a best friend does."

"No, best friends support each other," Taehyung argues. To him, jealousy was the only reason for Jeongguk's despicable attitude in counseling him when he didn't ask for it.

"Not with this, Taehyung! Friends are supposed to care and help each other, something you haven't been doing for Jimin!"

He knew it was wrong to blame the other because it wasn't even his fault truthfully. They're just broken souls. So broken, they don't know how to repair themselves without the method of finding happiness wherever they can. After all, happiness is the glue that holds life together, isn't it?

But just like anything good, happiness has a downside. It's dangerous to make it your final goal. Life is cruel, never giving sympathy to those who deserve it. Love without pain... is it worth it to believe in such fantasy?

"I have never hurt him!"

"Yes, you have! He doesn't tell you this because he doesn't want to hurt your feelings but you drain him, Taehyung" Jeongguk stands up from his seat to dominate, to overpower Taehyung so he'd listen and open his eyes. "Every time he comes back from hanging out with you, he comes in tears and I have to be there to help him breathe!"

No, no that's not true.

He's just doing what Jimin asked him to do.

He's just telling him of his problems, he's just...

A tear slips from Taehyung's eye. "He tells me to talk about my feelings and that's what I do."

"But it's not helping you, is it?"

Taehyung forcefully wipes his wet cheeks with his hand and sniffles. "I don't want to go to a therapist. Those greedy bastards want money I don't have."

"If it's money you need Taehyung, I can pay for it," Jeongguk offers.

"No, Jeongguk, you're still in school. You can't afford it either," the other reasons. "Besides, I don't need therapy, trust me. I know myself better than you."

"Stop talking to Jimin."

Taehyung freezes. He glazed over at a shaking, nervous Jeongguk, who waited for Taehyung's next move.

"What?" There was no reason to ask. Taehyung heard him loud and clear but anticipated Jeongguk's words to be a misunderstanding.

"You heard me." Jeongguk breathes in to calm his racing heart. "Stop talking to Jimin."

"Jeongguk, you can't decide that yourself," Taehyung defends.

"You're hurting him, Taehyung."

Shit, with how broken Taehyung looks at him, the ravenette feels a knot in his throat. He pitied the other tremendously and all he wanted to do was help him.

No one deserves to feel this way.

"He cares so much about you," Jeongguk continues. "He tries to help you, doesn't he? I know he does but you don't even try to help yourself."

"Well maybe because I don't want to stop feeling like this."

"Then why, why do you depend on Jimin? Why do you..."

He needs to understand. He can't understand why humans are like this. Why are many so desperate to live, that they let themselves hurt others because they feel less alone?

" I love him, Jeongguk," Taehyung cried, so remorseful because he could hear Jeongguk's heart crack. "I'm... in love with him. I can't be away from him."

For minutes, the two stayed silent as Jeongguk listened to Taehyung's quiet sobs and sniffles. All Jeongguk could think is "what now?" But he knew he didn't trust Taehyung's words.

Love?

Sure, love is painful but oftentimes, another emotion is easily confused with love: obsession. Jeongguk closes his eyes, not knowing what to do. With pity, he looks at the crying man that had his head buried in his hands.

"Then is it worth it to hurt someone you love?" Jeongguk whispers.

By his footsteps, Taehyung lifted his head, trailing his eyes behind the ravenette that walked to the door. But suddenly, Jeongguk stops before he reaches for the knob.

"You didn't see how long it took Jimin to dig himself out of that hole. I just don't want you to drag him back into it."

And with that, he leaves.

By the sound of the door shutting, Taehyung realized his biggest fear had come true.

He'd lost his Jimin.

________________________

The sound of a toilet flushing greeted him as Jeongguk entered the apartment. He peeked at where the sound came from, spotting Jimin walking out of the bathroom with sleepy eyes and wearing the same casual outfit he had on last night.

"Jimin," Jeongguk announced, startling the other.

"Dude! You scared me," Jimin exclaimed with a hand over his heart. Jeongguk chuckles, apologizing as he closes the door. "Where did you go? Did you get us breakfast?"

Ah shit, that would have been a good idea, Jeongguk thinks.

"No, I didn't. I went to Taehyung's house."

Jimin freezes in his tracks. In disbelief, he turns around to face the ravenette.

"You what ?" he asks.

With his hands behind his back and his head hanging, Jeongguk repeats. "I went to speak to Taehyung."

There's another long, loud, awkward stillness following, making Jeongguk gulp. He waits, not moving, not speaking, waiting for Jimin to say something. Anything.

"Wha-What did you say, Jeongguk?" the smaller questions again with wide eyes.

The ravenette stays silent, pursing his lips together. There's no way around avoiding his best friend's question. Besides, he had the right to know. Jeongguk was only hesitant because he knew Jimin was not going to take his next words well.

"I told him that I think he needs to seek help. Professional help."

Jeongguk feels Jimin slowly walk up to him so he lifts his head.

"And I told him to stay away from you," he admits, unable to look his best friend in the eyes.

A gasp leaves Jimin's lips. Unexpectedly, Jimin's protective instincts led to a harsh slap on Jeongguk's shoulder that led the ravenette to hiss in pain.

"You fucking idiot. Why would you tell him that?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Jeongguk replied sarcastically. "Is protecting my best friend suddenly a bad thing? Because it didn't seem to be days ago after your little date with him." With every step Jeongguk took toward Jimin as he talked, the brunette took a step back.

"Jeongguk," Jimin breathes out frustratedly, running his fingers through his hair. "Our relationship is none of your business."

Jeongguk scoffs, not believing what he was hearing. "Like hell it is Jimin. I'm the one who listens to all your stories about him. I'm the one who runs to you when you enter that door in tears like the many times the man has broken you."

By how terrified Jimin's gaze at him became when he raised his voice, Jeongguk felt tears welling up in his eyes. After all their years together, Jimin's experiences will still lead him into thinking Jeongguk will lay a hand on him in an abusive manner someday. Jeongguk has to collect himself by taking deep breaths before continuing.

"I'm tired, Jimin. I'm tired of seeing you like this," he begs.

"Then why didn't you talk to me instead?," Jimin questions, hurt. "Why didn't you tell me and not bring Taehyung in?"

"Because you never listen! You never listen to anything I say. I thought maybe he would."

"Jeongguk, you don't have to worry about me, okay? I can take care of myself, you know?"

"I know. I do know but I can't help but worry about you. I just can't."

For the longest time, Jimin had always searched for freedom. He might have found it when he was a child but his memories of running around in a meadow on a sunny day with a smile and no worries seemed so long ago.

Jimin was promised freedom if he moved out of his parents' house. So that's what he did.

He was promised freedom if he moved in with Jeongguk. So he did that too.

But now he feels trapped like his childhood is repeating itself. Every struggle, every guilt that stabbed him, every scar he developed to get to where he is now, it was all in vain, wasn't it? Nothing is worth anything.

"What did Taehyung say?," Jimin asked, trying to meet Jeongguk's eyes, yet it was difficult because he managed to bow his head like earlier.

"Does it matter what he said?"

"Jeongguk, just tell me what he said," Jimin began to stand his ground when Jeongguk lifted his head.

"Why? Jimin, I get he was your first friend, I get that you have an attachment to him, I get that you missed him. I get it, he's special to you. But why are you obsessed with him?"

Jimin scoffs, rolling his eyes. "Obsessed?"

"I get you to go on dates and I understand you like each other and I'm happy for you, really. But he's only a reminder of bad memories, Jimin. And the fact that you have to watch him suffer in front of your eyes when he only does shit with your advice, knowing you care about him... I just don't get why you keep running back to him."

"He needs me," Jimin whispers weakly.

"That's just something you believe."

"I need him."

"That's not true."

"I need him, Jeongguk." Their eyes finally meet but Jeongguk never wishes they did. Because knowing eyes never lie, Jimin was speaking the truth. "I need him," the brunette repeats, perhaps more to himself than Jeongguk.

"You went three fucking years without him. You don't need him,"

"I'm gonna go," Jimin says as he begins to storm the door. By this, Jeongguk's heart shatters into pieces, thinking he might have gone too far.

"Jimin," he tried to stop him, but it's like Jimin didn't even hear him.

"Don't talk to me right now."

That was the last thing he says before he slams the door close behind him, leaving the apartment.

Fuck , Jeongguk thinks, running his hands through his messy hair, staring a the ceiling to prevent the tears from streaming down his cheeks.

Please don't hate me, Jimin.

I'm just trying to look out for you.

________________________

A/N: Oh no, what's going to happen to their friendship? Where's Jimin going? Is Taehyung gonna be ok? So many questions!!

Btw, it's 1 in the morning here and I just had to make some changes. Currently working on chapter 12 so expect the book to be finished by Pride month. Love you all!!