A/n: My brain is bursting with ideas at this point. Finally my writer's block be breaking-😏 And well, it's a long chapter-🙃

~ I've Built Walls And Painted Them ~

* TAEHYUNG'S POV *

"Cheerios, Jimin?", I asked as he poured milk in his breakfast bowl. 

"No, thanks. I'll pass.", Jimin said with a vinegar temper. 

I rolled his eyes at him. 

"Then starve, you wuss.", was all I said before slamming the fridge door on my way to the couch. 

I heard him let out an exasperated sigh as he grabbed a granola bar from the counter and sat down opposite to me. 

I scowled at him as I resumed eating. 

"What's for breakfast?", Hoseok hyung asked as he emerged from our shared dorm whilst letting out a huge yawn. 

"Ask Taehyung.", Jimin said pointedly. 

"Ask Jimin.", I said, equally angry. 

"Now what did you two fight about?", Jin hyung asked as he appeared in the living room as well. 

"Nothing!", we both answered in unison and then glaring at each other faced opposite walls. 

The two other males sighed and went about their own business. 

"GUYS! I'VE GOT THE MOST EXCITING NEWS ON THE PLANET!", Namjoon hyung said as he burst into the living room with his phone. 

"If I'm gonna hear about another fucking plant exhibition, I'm going to throw you out of the window, Namjoon.", Yoongi hyung grumbled as he followed Namjoon hyung, still bleary eyed due to lack of sleep. 

 "I swear it's not something so trivial!", Namjoon hyung urged. 

"So, spit the damn thing out. Don't keep us in suspense.", Yoongi hyung said irritably. 

"We're...we're gonna be...performing...", Namjoon hyung said in gasps. 

Everyone one looked at one other as stiff silence enveloped us all. 

Performing...

"When and where?", Jin hyung asked after few difficult minutes. 

"It's not much, but there's this charity event at this orphanage and they want us to participate. It's for raising money for the kids to get a better education. And if they have enough donations, they can even save some for renovations and stuff. So, what do you say guys?", Namjoon hyung said with a small glow in his eyes. 

A small smile graced my lips as I thought of our Leader. 

"We'll do it, Joon. It's for a good cause. And if we have to entertain some of the shittiest people in Seoul, at least we'll be helping the kids!", Hoseok hyung said with a huge grin. 

"And people will of course come to see my handsome face!", Jin hyung boasted. 

"Could you, for once, not be a narcissist!?", Namjoon hyung said and sighed. 

Jin hyung merely shrugs as he plops down on the couch beside me and switches on the television. 

"So, when's the event?", Jimin asked. 

"Next month.", Namjoon hyung said. 

"So, do we practice at our usual place?", I asked, slightly grumpy. 

"Yes. We do.", Namjoon hyung said with a sad smile. 

I scrunch my nose in disgust, remembering a particularly horrible encounter with rat-nibbled wires. 

"Don't be sad, Tae! We'll soon be out of that ghastly place once we save up enough!", Hoseok hyung said encouragingly. 

I smiled wryly. It's been one damn year since he's going on about this. 

"I'm kinda excited to for practice. It's been long since I actually went there. I hope the equipment are all in order.", Namjoon hyung worried. 

"Anyway, Jiminie and Tae need to make up before we go for practice!", Hoseok chirped in.

"Did you guys argue again? It's the second time this month.", Yoongi hyung pointed out as he fixed his gaze upon the two of us. 

"It's just something we'll sort out, hyung! Don't be worried about it!", I said, trying to divert his attention. 

I couldn't let Yoongi hyung find out. Or else I'll be under 'probation'. 

Again...

From the corner of my eye, I could see Jimin shoot me dirty look. 

Well, I could endure anything and everything. Just so that it doesn't reach Yoongi hyung's ears. 

"So, we'll go down to the garage at 6. Sounds good?", Namjoon hyung asked. 

"Cool.", Yoongi hyung said as he stretched a bit and went back inside the room to complete his sleep. 

"Then, I'll try to whip us up something good! Just as a celebratory lunch!", Jin hyung said as he made his way into the kitchen. 

That guy should've been a chef, I swear...

"Hoseok, wanna go check some stuff with me? Like the lighting and the equipment? I'd rather not work on those in the dark.", Namjoon hyung shuddered at the mere thought of it. 

Hoseok hyung shrugged and they both left the apartment. 

Now, it was only me and Jimin in the living room.

I adamantly stared at the television screen, not sparing him a glance. 

He needs to understand that he can't always have his way. 

"Gosh Taehyung! Can we talk!?", he said finally, not being able to take the silence anymore. 

"So, now you wanna talk.", I said acidly. 

"Ugh! I just wanna sort this stuff out. Let's have a real talk. Man to man.", he said as he turned of the television. 

"Hey! I was watching that!", I protested. 

"Soap commercials are just so interesting.", he said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. 

"Fine. You win.", I mumbled. 

"So, why are you still mad at me? Like didn't we have it sorted out yesterday?", I questioned before he could.

"I gave you an ultimatum. You neither answered in affirmative or negative.", Jimin said. 

"Well, since you've already decided for me, do I get to even have an option!?", I said, trying not to lose my cool. 

"God Taehyung! I'm your friend and brother! Not some god damned Dictator you're trying to make me feel like!", he practically yelled. 

"Then, fucking hear this. I will go to Daegu, whether you like it or not. And not a word about this to Yoongi hyung.", I said as I fixed him with a glare. 

"And what excuse are you going to make for your sudden absence?", Jimin asked as he cocked an eyebrow at me. 

I smirked in his direction. 

"That's where you're helping me."

"No. I'm not gonna be a part of your half-assed scheme. I will go straight to Yoongi hyung if you actually try to pull the same crap like last time.", Jimin said, his temper flaring him. 

"Fine. Don't help me. I'm going there anyway, whether you like it or not.", I said adamantly. 

"Then you leave me with no other option.", Jimin said a bit sadly as he stood up and went inside the room. 

He fucking didn't...

Running a frustrated hand through my hair, I try to calm my nerves down. 

Hyung's gonna be so pissed. 

- TIME SKIP -

"Fine. But I will be accompanying you. Whether you like it or not.", Yoongi hyung said with finality in his tone. 

I nodded solemnly. 

I was surprised that he actually heard the whole thing through. 

Well, I guess I'm good for the time being...

"B-But hyung!", Jimin protested. 

"I know what I'm doing, Jimin.", the older male said curtly. 

I smirked at Jimin, who's jaw tightened at the curt reply. 

"We shall speak no more of this. I'm booking the tickets. I don't want Taehyung's name to be anywhere.", Yoongi hyung said as he stood up and left from the room. 

"Well, at least hyung didn't kill me!", I sighed with relief. 

"Tae...do you still think it's a good idea? I'm having a bad feeling about this.", Jimin said, his worry lines becoming prominent on his face. 

"Jimin. I'm not a kid anymore. And this time Yoongi hyung is going as well. I'll be perfectly fine. And the Kims don't harm one of their own. At least not physically.", I grimaced at the last part. 

"It's the mental scars I'm worried about. They last deeper and longer. But, since you've already made your decision, gotta hope for the best now.", Jimin said as he stood up to leave. 

"I'll not let them get to me.", I said with determination. 

If they thought I could be manipulated like before, they had it wrong. I was only going because I didn't want the rest of them to suffer the consequences. 

The Kim family, especially my dad, took family get-togethers as serious business. 

Unless I had a death wish, I shouldn't be evading it. 

"We'll be leaving without you two!", Jin hyung shouted from the front door. 

"Let's not talk of this for now, hmm?", I said while arching a brow at Jimin. 

"Yeah, 'kay.", Jimin said with a shrug and shoving his hands into his pockets, walked out. 

I sighed. 

I knew he'd come around if I give him some space. He just needs to see things in proper light. 

Grabbing my headband, I followed the rest of them heading towards the alley. 

"So, did you think of some songs we're gonna perform?", Jimin asked as we made our way cautiously down the dark path. 

"Depends on whether we're performing covers or originals.", Yoongi hyung said. 

"I'd rather we perform covers and originals both.", I suggested. 

"Let's wait for Joon to decide. We all know he's gonna take a vote anyway.", Jin hyung said as we neared our destination. 

We all hummed in agreement. 

Namjoon hyung always took our views into consideration. That's the reason why we chose him to be our Leader. 

And on top of that, he knows exactly how to motivate us and has innovative ideas as well. 

So, there wasn't much of a hue and cry raised within the group when hyung was nominated. 

Initially he had declined, but then he had finally accepted after Yoongi hyung had talked to him. 

Although both of them never utter a word about their 'talk', it was known that Namjoon hyung had only agreed to become our Leader on Yoongi hyung's persuasion. 

I smiled a little at that thought. 

He was really was a force to be reckoned with. 

"Hey, do you hear that?", Jimin whispered as he nudged me slightly. 

"What?", I asked, breaking free from my chain of thoughts. 

Well, I guess he really couldn't stay mad at someone for long. 

But he lasted longer than I had thought he would.

That thought made me gloat a little on the inside. 

"I think someone's being beaten up. I hear a faint cry out there.", Jimin whispered. 

"Well, not my damn problem.", I said a bit harshly. 

"C'mon Tae! We gotta help the person! What if he is killed!? Would you be able to live with the guilt!?", Jimin whisper shouted at me. 

Killed...

"I-I'm sure that's being pretty far-fetched, Jimin!", I said with my voice on a higher octave. 

"I heard some really nasty crimes go on in this area. 5th District isn't exactly the best place to be alone at night.", Jimin said. 

A chill ran down my spine. 

What if...what if Jimin's words were true!?

What if a person was actually being murdered!? 

I had seen plenty of people being shot in my father's basement. My ears still rang with the sound of gunshots. 

I shuddered slightly. 

"Don't go back there, Tae. Stay conscious.", Jimin said as he sensed my panic attack being triggered due to PTSD.  

"Y-Yeah. I'm sorry. I should focus on the present.", I said shakily. 

"So, shall we?", Jimin asked. 

"We have to. I don't want another person to be killed due to the whims of certain snobbish Drug Lords.", I said with bitterness seeping into my tone. 

"Hyungs! Taehyung forgot some stuff back at the dorm. Like a lucky charm or something.", Jimin made an excuse. 

Jin hyung raised an eyebrow in my direction for confirmation. 

I shrugged and said,"I can't practice without that. It's essential."

"Then, make it quick. I don't want to stay out here late into the night. The crime rates are getting pretty bad.", Yoongi hyung grumbled as he pulled his hood done even lower. 

"Yeah, 'kay! We'll make it quick!", Jimin said as he practically dragged me into the next alley and the alley after that. 

"Do you even know which direction the scream came from!?", I asked after we had been searching for about 10 minutes. 

"Uh...I think I heard it from ov-.", Jimin began, but was interrupted by a blood curdling scream. 

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up at the Banshee-like wail. 

We both looked at each other before we edged in the direction of the sound. 

I just hoped we were not too late. 

"There!", Jimin whispered as he pointed to two hooded figures having a firm grip on the neck of the guy as they pinned him against the wall of a closed shop while they shouted something in rustic Seoul dialect. 

Jimin and I both picked up steel rods and without much further ado, injured the guy pinning the victim to the wall. 

He let out a vicious howl before dropping to the floor, bowled out clean. 

The second guy, seeing his partner collapse, decided to flee from the spot. 

"Tch. Coward.", I muttered as I stared at the distant black figure running into the dark night. 

"Hey...don't we know you from somewhere?", Jimin's voice suddenly blurted, bringing me back to the present case scenario. 

I looked at the guy below massaging his neck, the familiar black curls gracing his entire countenance. 

As he lifted his face to look at me, I found my eyes widening on my own accord. 

This couldn't be...

"You?", I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. 

I barely couldn't believe it...

That he out of all people would be found in the 5th District...

"Yes, me...", he said with a smile that showcased his bloodied teeth. 

Jimin looked back and forth between the two of us, trying to get a grasp of the situation. 

But, all I could do was stare...

Stare at his bruised face...

At his pain...

At his misfortune...

A/n: Cliffhanger, y'all :) Btw, STREAM THE HELL OUTTA BUTTER! #smoothlikebutter ;) And I still can't believe that JK actually got a damn eyebrow piercing! I'm FREAKING OUT!!! LITERALLY!!

- Logging off for now...

-💕Moonie💕