TW: DV

"Hey, how was your day?" Namjoon smiles, giving Jennie a kiss on the forehead as he passes by her. He goes to her room, putting down his overnight bag before returning back to Jennie. She is still sitting at the dining table, frowning deeply, her phone sitting in front of her.

"Just the usual," Jennie looks up from her phone, giving Namjoon a little smile, "Mark's party last night was apparently really awesome. The weekend staff are very tired,"

Namjoon chuckles before sitting across from her.

"Did you attend?" He asks, smirking mischievously. The last time Jennie attended her boss's party, she was incredibly hungover and couldn't enjoy her weekend off work.

"No, not this time," She sighs deeply, "I had Sumi over to catch up,"

"Oh?" Namjoon frowns, confused by her behaviour, "How did it go?"

"It went as expected..." Jennie shifts uncomfortably, glancing at her phone.

"What happened?" Namjoon begins to feel worried.

Jennie begins to explain everything about Jungkook's behaviour. She explains how she tried to convince Sumi that he is hurting her, but she is still in denial. Luckily, they ended the night by watching Sumi's TV show that she helped make. Hopefully, Jennie hasn't pushed her away. She desperately wants to help her out of this toxic relationship.

"I see," Namjoon looks down at Jennie's phone, "What else happened?"

"Well..." Jennie glances at her phone nervously, "I think Sumi told Jungkook about out conversation,"

"Why do you think that?" What has he done? Namjoon wonders.

"He messaged me," Jennie passes Namjoon her phone, showing him the messages, "He sent me this,"

Namjoon moves the phone closer to him, not picking up or holding it. He refuses to be anything like that jerk. He doesn't touch the screen, just reads through the messages. His expression gets darker and darker as he reads.

"He sent this to you? Last night?" Namjoon mutters, a bitter taste at the back of his throat.

"Yeah..." Jennie sighs sadly, "I'm not scared of him... but what if he hurts her? What if..."

"Don't," Namjoon takes Jennie's hand gently, "None of this is your fault,"

"I know... but..."

"Jungkook on the other hand," Namjoon takes a deep breath in, "If he's going to threaten you like that..."

"Don't do anything Namjoon," Jennie says firmly, "We don't want her to be completely isolated from us," Namjoon scoffs.

"You weren't exactly trying to get on his good side," Namjoon smirks proudly before becoming serious again, "What are we going to do?"

"I have an idea," Jennie suggests, "I just hope it works..."

"Okay," Namjoon frowns, "What's the plan?"

. . . . . 

"Sumi?" Jennie asks, "Are you coming?"

"Yeah," Sumi responds into the phone, swinging her handbag over her shoulder as she locks her car door, "Jungkook can't come though I'm afraid. He's working late tonight,"

"That's fine!" Jennie responds, sounding a little too relieved.

"He didn't respond to my text... but I've told him where I'll be," Sumi shrugs.

Jennie has invited Sumi out for drinks at the BBQ place Sumi has been going to with Jungkook. It has been too long since she has gone there with her friends. She has missed them all dearly.

"Is Yoongi going to be there?" Sumi asks uncertainly.

"Yah, he's my man's best friend. I can't exactly say he's not allowed to come," Jennie responds a little harshly, "But it's okay. He'll be sitting with Hoseok and Namjoon, so you will be quite far from him if that makes you feel better..."

"Yeah, that makes me feel better," Sumi smiles.

And it'll make Jungkook feel better, Sumi thinks to herself, feeling much happier.

"I just arrived, so I'll hang up now," She says happily, "See you guys soon,"

"Okay, hurry up!" Jennie cheers before ending the call.

Sumi puts her phone away as she reaches the BBQ place, smiling with nostalgia. She can see her friends sitting in a U shaped booth by the window. Yoongi is sitting between Hoseok and Namjoon, like Jennie said he would be.

How did I end up with such an amazing best friend? Sumi smiles, contemplating buying Jennie a gift to show her appreciation as she heads inside. She bypasses the front desk and heads directly to her friends.

"Hey!" Sumi says happily. Hoseok lights up, jumping up to hug Sumi.

"SUMI!" He cheers, his drunken red face beaming happily, "It's been so long!"

"We spoke the other night, remember?" Sumi reminds him.

"Yeah, but Jungkook kept the call short," Hoseok scoffs, "It's been ages since we've seen each other face-to-face,"

"That's true, it's been a while," Sumi smiles, ignoring the first part of Hoseok's statement.

"Hey, Sumi!" Jennie jumps up and hugs her as Hoseok sits back down, "I'm so glad you were allowed to attend,"

Sumi hugs her back, ignoring the bitter feelings building in her. They just don't understand him, Sumi reminds herself, He's getting better, it'll be fine.

"Hey!" Namjoon waves as Jennie sits down beside him. Sumi takes the seat beside Hoseok, leaving the 3 men cramped into the corner. Yoongi is sitting at the head of the table, smiling kindly, with Namjoon on his right and Hoseok on his left.

"Hey, Namjoon," Sumi smiles, "I see you guys have started without me?" Sumi eyes the beer in their hands.

"Excuse me!" Jennie calls out, "5 beers and soju, and Beef set 2 please!"

"Yeah!" The server calls out, heading to the drink fridge.

"So," Hoseok beams at everyone, "How have we all been?"

They spend the next 2 hours talking about everything from their jobs ("My boss is amazing!" Jennie laughs, "He held a pizza party for us last week!") to celebrity gossip ("He is actually quite full of himself though," Sumi explains, "I don't know how he got so popular!").

Yoongi makes polite conversation with Sumi. Not talking to her too much or too directly, but acknowledging her by laughing or agreeing with her statements. This visibly puts Sumi at ease, making the air in the group feel light and comfortable. Just like how it was in high school before all their arguments and all the drama.

Yoongi feels pleased with the atmosphere; occasionally sneaking looks at Sumi.

If we can interact like this, Yoongi smiles to himself, I would be fine with just that.

After laughing, joking, and gossiping, Sumi looks down at her phone.

KOOK: Where are you? Are you still with Jennie?

Sumi's heart races looking at the message. Are we going to argue again?

SUMI: Yeah, still at the BBQ place with my friends 😊

KOOK: Friends? I thought it was just Jennie?

SUMI: No, Namjoon goes everywhere Jennie goes, and I haven't seen Hoseok in a while.

KOOK: I set rules for a reason, why is Hoseok there? Why would you lie to me?

SUMI: I didn't lie! As you can see from my earlier message, I said that Jennie invited me to go to the BBQ place with them.

KOOK: Ahh, I didn't see the 'them' part. I wouldn't have agreed to it if I knew others were going to be there. You're lucky I let you go see Jennie at all considering what happened last time.

Sumi sighs sadly and rolls her eyes, starting to become a little frustrated. She responds with a short message that she'll leave soon before putting her phone away. She looks up and finds Jennie eyeing her warily and Hoseok side-eyeing her. Namjoon and Yoongi are talking excitedly with each other about something music related, becoming more and more elated.

Sumi smiles, trying to hide her disappointment. She was hoping to spend more time with them.

He needs me. Sumi tries to convince herself.

"What did he say?" Hoseok mumbles, being discreet.

"Nothing," Sumi smiles, "But I have to leave soon,"

"Leave soon??" Jennie demands loudly, silencing Namjoon and Yoongi's heated conversation.

"Yeah," Sumi blushes, looking away from them, "I just need to go home soon. I got work in the morning so..."

"You mean you are being told to go home?" Jennie snaps, folding her arms and giving Sumi a sympathetic look.

"It's..." Sumi wants to say 'It's not like that' but realistically it is. Why is Jennie so defensive about Jungkook? Sumi and Jungkook spoke and are sorting out their problems. Shouldn't Jennie be more understanding?

"I think you should stay longer," Yoongi speaks up, choosing his words carefully, "We don't get to hang out as a group much..."

"But Jungkook isn't here, so it's not much of a complete group, is it?" Sumi snaps. Everyone goes silent, giving each other concerned looks.

"What Yoongi is trying to say," Namjoon leans forward, "Is you should go home because you want to go home, not because you are being told to,"

"I do have work in the morning though," Sumi explains, "He just..."

"But did you want to leave before or after your message from Jungkook?" Hoseok asks quietly, "If you can answer honestly, we'll understand,"

Sumi goes silent, knowing full well that she can't. She doesn't want to leave. She wants to stay until her friends leave, even if they all leave at 3 am. But she knows she can't leave Jungkook too long. He won't go to bed until she is home.

Suddenly, Namjoon sighs deeply, breaking the silence.

"Speak of the devil," He mutters, glaring out the window. Sumi stands up, just catching Jungkook walking into the restaurant.

Sumi's heart starts beating faster. She doesn't want to leave just yet, but she knows Jungkook will make a scene if she doesn't leave with him. Plus, she doesn't want Yoongi and Jungkook to fight again. She can see his jaw jump to attention, his fists clenching and unclenching. Namjoon eyes Yoongi, warning him. After a silent conversation between Yoongi and Namjoon, Yoongi gives in and leans back, folding his arms. Hoseok is also tense, glancing around at everyone warily. Jennie sits back, fiddling nervously with her shirt.

Even my friends don't want to see him... Sumi shakes her head, ignoring such negative thoughts, but they keep coming back.

I'm not allowed to hang with my friends, who clearly don't like him, and he's come here to make a scene!

What am I doing with my life?

"Sumi?" Sumi looks up to find Jungkook glaring down at her. He raises his eyebrow before looking up at everyone, smiling sweetly.

"Hey everyone," Jungkook says smoothly, looking between Namjoon and Hoseok while completely ignoring Yoongi and Jennie's existence, "How are you going?"

"Good," Smiles Hoseok, "I'm surprised you're here. Sumi said you were working late,"

Irritation flashes across Jungkook's face, before being replaced with a small smile.

"I was, just finished actually," Jungkook explains. The table goes silent as Jungkook stands there, oblivious to the animosity radiating from them. Namjoon has ignored Jungkook's greeting, His jaw tense with annoyance. He is keeping a close eye on Yoongi, who is looking down at his phone. Hoseok looks uncomfortable, looking between everyone cautiously.

Sumi feels like she has been caught drinking with her friends by her father, even though she hasn't had anything to drink tonight. She begins fiddling with her necklace.

"Well, I guess we should get going," Jungkook slides his hand under Sumi's arm, bringing her to her feet, "It was nice seeing you guys again,"

Jungkook shoots Jennie a look, one Jennie will never forget. Even Jennie, who is not good at reading facial expressions, can tell exactly what that look means. It's a look of hatred.

He's never going to let me see her again, Jennie realises, her heart racing.

"Thank you, everyone," Sumi says quickly as Jungkook begins leading her away, "I'll see you next time!"

Sumi barely registers everyone's sad responses before she is out of the BBQ place and into the cold night air. As soon as they are out the door, Jungkook begins pulling her roughly, leading her to his car. Jungkook managed to be able to park next to Sumi. Well, illegally park next to her, but next to her, nonetheless.

Jungkook pushes Sumi towards her car, causing her to hit the front of her car hard. Sumi winces, rubbing her hip tenderly.

"What was that for?" Sumi grumbles, glaring up at Jungkook.

"You are never seeing them again," Jungkook growls, standing in front of Sumi as he points at her, his eyes full of anger, "Got it?"

"What?" Sumi scoffs, "No way! They are my friends!"

"They were your friends, Sumi," Jungkook responds, turning towards his car, "They are a bad influence on you. I knew I shouldn't have let you hang out with Jennie again. But no more," Jungkook opens and closes his car door, starting his car. He winds down the window, looking at Sumi expectantly.

"Are you going to get in your car or not?" Jungkook murmurs.

"Fine... dad!" Sumi responds with malice, storming around and getting into her car. Jungkook glares at her through the window before driving off aggressively.

As soon as he is out of sight, Sumi slumps forward, cradling her sore hip, sobbing into her steering wheel. She knew it was going to end with a fight. But Jungkook has never been so aggressive with her before. Why did he push her like that?

What the hell was that???

Sumi takes a deep breath in, calming her crying down quickly.

He was just angry because Yoongi was there, Sumi sniffles, starting her car, Yeah, that has to be it.

Sumi begins driving, her only reminder of the incident being the pain radiating up her side. 

(A/N) See ya tomorrow 🫰🫰🫰