A/n : I'm excited for the interview of BTS with Sakshma Srivastav...Are you?? 

~ Yeah, The First Step's The Hardest ~

* TAEHYUNG'S POV *

I rolled my eyes at the scene that was unfolding in front of me. 

"Y-Yoongi! Take care of Tae and don't let him out of your sight.", Jin hyung said hysterically. 

"You do know that I'm an adult who is capable of taking care of himself?", I deadpanned. 

"No you aren't! You still can't do your own laundry!", Jin hyung said as he pulled me into a bone crushing hug. 

"Geroff me!", I said as I tried to prevent the invasion of my own personal space. 

Couldn't they have slept in today!? 

"You hurt me, Tae. You truly do.", Jin hyung said as he pretended to be hurt. 

"Whatever. We all know that you'll still try to serve me extra helpings of Kimchi Fried Rice.", I said with a smirk. 

Jin hyung's ears turned red at my sudden revelation. 

"Anyway, go now. Or else you'll miss your flight. See ya on Monday.", Joon hyung said as he patted me on the shoulder and gave a nod in Yoongi hyung's direction. 

"C'mon Tae.", Yoongi hyung said grumpily. 

He was never a morning person...

Well, I don't think anyone is when it comes to catching a flight at 6 am. 

I took one last look at the group before heading to the boarding gate with a heavy heart.

I'll miss them...

And Jimin didn't even say anything...

He was surely pissed...

Suddenly I felt someone tug at my shirt sleeve. 

Turning around I saw Jimin standing there with his eyes on the ground. 

He mumbled something which was not coherent. 

"What is it, Jimin?", I asked. 

"Comebacksafelypabo!", he said in a rush as his face resembled that of a fire hydrant. 

"What!? I didn't get ya.", I said with raised eyebrows.  

"I-I said...come back safely, pabo!", he said and hugged me tightly as if he's a father giving his daughter away. 

"I will, Jiminie. I've got Yoongi hyung with me.", I said and rubbed his back gently as I heard him sobbing slightly into my hoodie. 

 Jimin...

Thank you...

For being there...

Finally, he let go of me and wiping his tears on his shirt sleeve gave me a small smile as he signalled for me to proceed. 

With my mind at ease, I proceeded to where Yoongi hyung waited for me. 

"Glad to see that Jimin stopped being the blabbing mess he was. He literally cried to sleep last night.", Yoongi hyung said with an appalled expression, but deep down, it was no secret that he adored the younger male. 

Jimin was like family to Yoongi hyung...

He saved him, after all...

He saved us both...

- TIME SKIP - 

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight KE1413 with service from Seoul to Daegu. We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes time. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing Korean Airlines. Enjoy your flight.", the Captain's voice came loud and clear through the speakers. 

"Finally he shut up.", Yoongi hyung grumbled as he dozed off. 

"Shall you be needing a pillow, sir?", one of the members of the cabin crew enquired as she stopped at our seat. 

"Yes, thank you.", I answered quickly before Yoongi hyung was woken up. 

She handed me a pillow which I gently and as quietly as possible placed behind his head. 

He leaned back further and relaxed as slight snores escaped from him. 

I chuckled slightly and stared out as the aircraft started taking a turn towards the runway. 

The early morning sun painted the morning sky in red and orange, giving it a rich hue of majesty and royalty. 

As we rose into the air, the city of Seoul turning minuscule by the second, I felt a pang of longing towards it. 

Living in Seoul for so long made me attached to it's very being...

I peered out of the window to see the Han river prominent amidst the buildings and other structures of the city. 

As time proceeded, we rose high above the clouds, the winter sun's first rays caressing the cheeks of us flyers. 

Yoongi hyung shifted in his sleep as his eyelids fluttered open the second the sun fell upon his face. 

"Good morning, hyung.", I said as I handed him his granola bar and sandwich. 

He scrunched his nose and said,"No, thanks." 

I scowled at him and said,"You're fucking eating this, hyung! I'm not taking no for an answer!" 

I can't lose you too...

I have to save you...

He rolled his eyes and took it. 

"You know that you need to move up a weight class. I don't want you collapsing under my care.", I reprimanded. 

"Who died and made you my doctor?", he asked dryly. 

I shrugged and stared out of the window. 

I don't mind your temper...

As long as I can keep you safe...

I closed my eyes and let the music flow through me from the earphones. 

- AFTER 1 HOUR -

The Daegu skyline was faintly visible from the air. 

Not that I could decipher anything. 

Everything looked the same. 

Dense fog still clung to the city with the tenacity of a tick on a brindled cow, not willing to disperse anytime soon. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our descent into Daegu. Please turn off all portable electronic devices and stow them until we have arrived at the gate. In preparation for landing in Daegu, be certain your seat back is straight up and your seat belt is fastened. Please secure your carry-on items, stow your tray table, and pass any remaining service items and unwanted reading materials to the cabin crew. Thank you.", the Captain spoke once more. 

Well, this was it, I suppose...

It's been long since I last left Seoul...

So long, that Daegu was now a stranger to me...

"It'll be fine, Tae. I'm sure that your Appa won't pull any underhand tricks this time. My sources tell me that a lot of foreign delegates are attending his shit party as well. I think we have little to fear.", Yoongi hyung said as he put a hand on my shoulder. 

"Yeah...I guess. But I wouldn't let my guard down. He's capable of anything...", I trailed off, the memories of my last visit surfacing. 

"Taehyung-ah. You shouldn't let your mind wander there. I know it's hard, but you have to stay strong now.", he said with a stern harsh look on his face, but his eyes bespoke of his true emotions. 

They were remorseful...

Filled with guilt...

"Yes, I suppose. And hyung...I don't blame you for what happened back then.", I said as I stared out, the city moving in closer and closer still. 

"Hmm.", he said as he withdrew his hand from my shoulder. 

I'm sorry, hyung...

I'm sorry you feel that it's all your fault...

- TIME SKIP - 

"Mr. Kim. Your father sent me to pick you up from the Airport. This way, sirs.", our chauffeur guided us to the parking lot. 

My father was being extra careful...

He couldn't possibly assume I'd run away, would he? 

I chuckled darkly at that thought.

I suppose senility had started hitting him early... 

As we drove off into the city in my father's over expensive limo, I couldn't help the temptation to roll down the windows and feel the cold morning air singe my cheeks raw. 

As a child, I had never been allowed to experience normal things...

To explore nature like this...

I was ruled by the ironclad ideals of my father. 

I was to be the heir of his shady empire. 

But, I carve my own destiny father...

And you can't do anything about it...

Suddenly, my phone chimed in my pocket. 

Perhaps, it's Jimin or my hyungs...

Inbox
2 messages from from Jiminie Pabo
1 message from JK 
4 messages from Unknown 

Jiminie Pabo
Did you reach safely? 

Call me when you are free :) 

Taehyung
Rchd. On my way. Ttyl.
Seen

JK
Have a safe trip :) 

Taehyung
Thanks :)

You're fine, right?

JK 
Yeah. Don't worry abt me :)

Taehyung
👀
Seen

Unknown
Hi, Jieun here :)

Got your number from Kook. 

Baked some cookies. Wanted to call you over. Heard you were in Daegu. Have a safe journey :))

Taehyung
You're making me jelly T-T

And I'll hold you to that promise ;)

Jieun Noona
Sure ✌🏻
Seen

Smiling, I showed Yoongi hyung the invitation.  

Jieun Noona's really sweet...

"Who's she?", Yoongi hyung asked casually. 

"JK's sister. Why?", I said with a raised eyebrow.

Yoongi hyung never asked about a girl...

Weird...

"Nothing. Just curious.", he said as he scrolled through his phone. 

It didn't seem like 'nothing' to me...

I decided to leave the matter. 

If he wanted to elaborate, he would have done it. 

After a while, I could see the tall iron-wrought gates of the mansion looming ahead of us. 

I gulped slightly. 

This was where the mockingbird was killed...

The car came to a halt in front of the entrance to the mansion.  

"We've arrived, sirs. I'll be taking your baggages to your room.", the chauffeur said as he held the door for us to descend. 

"Thank you.", I mumbled as I took in the monstrosity of the mansion. 

After seeing small apartments in Seoul, this felt foreign to me. 

"I suppose shit does change in a span of 5 years.", Yoongi hyung mused as he walked towards the mansion, gravel crunching under his boots. 

5 years...

It's been long, father...

I followed after him, not wanting to be alone in the driveway. 

As we both crossed the threshold and entered the mansion, we were greeted with a scene of utter chaos. 

"What in a million days...", Yoongi hyung hissed. 

"It's not everyday that you turn 50, I suppose.", I said dryly. 

My father was known for his extravagant and lavish get-togethers...

As we moved further into the hallway, the interior decorations took more of a Victorian Era edge. 

With low hanging chandeliers and carved wooden figures and figurines on the mantelpiece, I'd not be surprised if a ball would soon be in order. 

"Your father has taste, I'd give him that.", Yoongi hyung blew a low whistle as he inspected the carved wooden chairs arranged symmetrically. 

I rolled my eyes. 

"More like a taste for blood...", I trailed of darkly. 

A shadow passed over Yoongi hyung's face. 

What was he thinking...

"Taehyung, my son.", a voice suddenly said from behind. 

I turned around to see my father standing at the entrance in a crisp black suit along with two other people.

Ah...

I looked at Yoongi hyung, who gave a mysterious smile. 

I managed to pull off a smirk. 

We both were thinking the same thing...

How scared are you, father...

To have brought my cousins with you...

Is your power finally crumbling...

"Hello, Appa. Long time, no see.", I said in a condescending tone with my lips forming a lazy smirk. 

Yoongi hyung kept on a neutral expression, guarding his thoughts well. 

My father's jaw clenched. 

He was refraining himself...

I wanted to chuckle at his poor attempts. 

Perhaps, it was a first for him...

How does it feel, father? 

How does it feel...

To lose control...

To become powerless...

A/n: And...a cliffhanger for y'all :) And if you get the reference of the mockingbird, I love ya <33....I love ya even if you don't hehe :)

- Logging off for now...

-💕Moonie💕