"Hey, are you listening to me?" Luna jumps, looking up at Taehyung with confusion.

"No, sorry," She mumbles, rubbing her forehead. She can already feel a tension headache coming on with all this stress with Jungkook. Her dreams last night were full of blood, revenge, and anger. His presence returning to her life has really forced her to spiral as she barely keeps her anger and fear at bay.

She wanted a fresh start, a new life with new friends and new dreams. She had really hoped it would all vanish when she got here, but that's not how trauma works, is it? Just because she's out of the situation, doesn't mean the memories won't haunt her like the ghosts of her victims. Now with Jungkook joining the picture, it's melding two chapters of her life that she has wanted to keep separate.

Currently, Taehyung, Jimin, and Luna are moving through the university to their classes, their usual daily routine. Only now, Jimin leads Luna to and from her classes, something he started doing yesterday. No matter what Luna says, he won't stop. She understands his current fear with news of Jungkook getting closer and closer, but it still makes her feel like he's babysitting her.

"What's on your mind?" Taehyung asks curiously. Jimin glances towards her but keeps his expression blank.

"Just stressed out these days," She smiles, trying to reassure him. He cocks his eyebrow at her, a strangely terrified look on his face.

"Well, now I know there is something wrong," Taehyung says firmly, "Because you are never this nice to me,"

"What do you mean? I can be nice," Luna frowns, folding her arms in annoyance.

"There we go," Taehyung grins, pointing at her face, "That's you,"

She rolls her eyes, sighing loudly.

"Yeah, whatever," Luna breathes as Taehyung chuckles at her response.

"I'll see you guys later," Jimin says quietly at the door of their classroom, smiling at them before spinning around to head back down the way they came.

"Bye," Luna returns his smile before following Taehyung into class.

They move up to their seats and set up their belongings in preparation for class. They still have that space between them, which Luna has noticed is because he likes to spread out. Once he is done, Taehyung turns to look at Luna.

"You know, you were pretty out of it yesterday, too," He observes, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he narrows his eyes, as if she is a complicated specimen he is trying to figure out.

"I'm just stressed, weirdo," Luna comments, all attempts of kindness out the window.

"You were acting weird on the weekend too," He points out, stroking his chin.

"Dude, there's nothing wrong," She snaps.

"Then why did you start blushing in the middle of that movie debate on the weekend?" He replies, "And you've been off in dreamland ever since,"

Oh no, Sherlock... She grimaces, trying to find an adequate excuse for her behaviour. Sometimes she really hates his observation skills.

"I wasn't blushing," She mumbles, contorting her face into a look of shock, "Why would I have been blushing?"

"I don't know... it's suspicious," He hums, still stroking his chin.

"Maybe it's because of that assessment I haven't been studying for," She points out, recalling their first study session where he was confused about her studies, "Maybe I just didn't want to admit you were right and now I'm stressed about it, hm?"

"Nope, that's not it," He says instantly, "You're over-explaining yourself,"

She sighs deeply, frustrated.

"Well, believe me, or don't believe me, I don't care," She turns back to her laptop, hoping this will halt the conversation.

"Want to know why I think you were blushing?" He wiggles his eyebrows. She flushes, keeping her eyes glued to her laptop.

No, I really don't want to know.

"What do you think?" She looks at him, trying to keep her expression neutral.

He leans closer, his eyes full of mirth as he continues to wiggle his eyebrows.

Oh no, he better not say I was perving on him.

Luna gulps, waiting for the suspense to crescendo as he leans in closer and closer. Once he is resting his hand on the arm of her seat, he finally speaks.

"I think you like someone," Taehyung whispers.

What? How could he know I like him? Luna mentally scolds herself, wait, no, I don't like him! Does he think I like him? Do I like him?

"What do you mean?" She chuckles nervously, trying and failing to be casual.

"You like someone, and I know who it is," He smirks.

"Who? Who could I possibly like?" She asks seriously, trying to not give away her anxiety around this entire conversation.

"I think you have a crush on Jimin," he says confidently and dramatically.

What. The. Fuck.

"Huh?" She blinks at him, "You think I like Jimin?"

"Yes, it all makes sense!" He declares, lifting his hand so he can list off his reasons, "It was the first time you were over my place, so you were feeling worried Jimin would make an assumption, and you have been dazed ever since Jimin has been sticking closer to you,"

She continues to blink at him, the ludicrousness of the situation overwhelming her ability to speak. Sure, she can kind of see why he thinks this, but the Olympic level of mental gymnastics he would have done to reach this conclusion is almost impressive. If only it wasn't so stupid.

"The only thing you have said that was correct is the fact that Jimin made an assumption about me going to your house," Luna admits, "But the rest of that is just insanity, by definition,"

"He did?" He frowns, "What did he say?"

"I'm not repeating it," Luna blushes, returning her attention to her laptop, "Anyway, I told you he's my childhood friend. You couldn't be further from the truth,"

"Further from the truth?" He grins, "So what you told me also wasn't the truth?"

"It was," She says firmly, "Now, shush, the teacher is here,"

As soon as she finishes talking, the professor taps the podium to grab their attention.

"Alright, quiet now, let's get started," he says sternly.

. . . . . 

"I still firmly believe you like Jimin," Taehyung says as he skips down the hallway. As if summoned, Jimin appears out of nowhere, sliding up next to Luna, sliding his arm over her shoulders.

"Hey, you two," Jimin grins, giving Luna a knowing smile, "What are we talking about?"

Taehyung gives Luna the same knowing smile, pinching his lips together before he starts giggling. Luna rolls her eyes.

Let's settle this once and for all.

"Taehyung thinks I have a crush on you," Luna declares, looking up at Jimin with her eyebrow raised.

Jimin frowns, removing his arm from her shoulders quickly.

"Huh? Why?" He looks at Taehyung, who just shrugs.

"It just makes sense," he says without shame.

"No, it doesn't," Jimin chuckles, "You know what does make sense?" Jimin grins wickedly, eyeing Luna.

"What?" Luna frowns, unable to figure out what he's insinuating.

Jimin begins flicking his finger between Luna and Taehyung, snickering to himself. As the realisation hits them, Luna smacks his chest, while Taehyung blushes, his eyes wide.

"Stop it!" Luna snaps as Jimin rubs his prickling chest, his bottom lip sticking out.

"What? It's true," Jimin grins, stepping out of Luna's reach.

"I'll kill you," Luna growls, storming towards him. Jimin takes off, giggling loudly as he watches her start to chase him. She doesn't get far before she stops, watching Jimin wave from a distance as he starts heading to his class.

"Sorry about him," Luna says as she reaches Taehyung, "He just likes to tease,"

Taehyung is frozen, his eyes still wide and his lips parted. A slight flush is still darkening his cheeks, threatening to spread steadily to his ears.

"Taehyung?" Luna frowns and waves her hand in front of his face. He blinks and looks at her, closing his mouth firmly. He has this strange look in his eyes. Is it realisation? Confusion? Concern? She can't tell.

"Are you okay?" She asks warily, expecting him to become annoyed at Jimin's words. Taehyung clears his throat and shakes his head.

"Let's go to class," He says firmly, "I'll see you at lunch?"

"Sure," Luna nods as he turns down a hallway, leaving her to walk by herself with her confusing thoughts.

Once again, she is stuck in the one class she has with Jaemi without Taehyung. She has been pretty mellow since Luna pushed her, but she is waiting for Jaemi to explode.

She walks up to the row she sits in, sitting a few seats away from her usual seat. She doesn't care if it makes her look like a coward, she doesn't want to be near this girl.

Jaemi sits in her usual seat with her friends, side-eyeing Luna the entire time. Of course, as soon as the professor enters the room and begins class, Jaemi and her friends begin gossiping, as usual. This time, Luna can't help listening in, their voices louder as they carry towards her.

"Did she really?" The brunette girl gasps dramatically.

"Of course, everyone knows," Jaemi replies, glancing at Luna.

"No way!" The blonde guy responds.

"That's why she hangs around TaeTae like that," Jaemi sighs sadly, "Poor guy, doesn't even know,"

Luna wrenches her attention away from them, breathing deeply as she slides in her earphones. She doesn't care what sort of crazy rumours this girl has cooked up. It doesn't concern her, so why should she bother giving it attention?

Now that she can't hear them, the class becomes a lot smoother and easier to understand. Which is interesting considering she can't hear the teacher either.

Once class ends, she shoves her things into her bag quickly, wanting to get out of here as soon as possible. This is how she has managed to avoid another confrontation with her. Sure, she's running from her. But how can she get into criminology if she has an assault charge on her hands?

Almost running from the room, Luna heads down the hall, looking down the hallway Taehyung went down earlier. She can't see him anywhere.

Fuck it, I'll meet him in the food court.

She turns to approach the stairs, only to come face to face with Jaemi, her two friends beside her. They are looking down their noses at her, folding their arms aggressively. Jaemi, however, looks incredibly nervous. It doesn't take long for Luna to realise it's an act. She's seen true fear in her eyes, and currently her eyes are void of emotions. She's a good actress, but not that good.

"Hello, Peanut," Luna salutes, smiling at them as she tries to manoeuvre around them. The guy grabs her arm and attempts to pull her back into place. Luna, however, stands firm against his strength. She smirks, looking up at the fleeting flash of fear in his eyes with satisfaction.

"What do you want?" Luna asks, pulling her arm from his grip to face them. He shuffles awkwardly, but soon composes himself. Jaemi also looks concerned. She must have been expecting her to cower in the presence of him, like he's her little bodyguard. Little might be an understatement. Both of Jaemi's friends are Luna's height, and she isn't very tall. They're even shorter than Jaemi herself.

"We heard about your... activities," The guy sneers, his eyes wandering up and down her body. She cringes, taking a subtle step away from him.

"Activities?" Luna asks, cocking her eyebrow at Jaemi.

"Well... you know... I was only listening in because I was concerned..." Jaemi sighs, as if she is showing genuine concern, "But I overheard your conversation with Park Jimin,"

"What conversation?" Luna frowns, feeling frustrated. She is starting to question her decision to avoid a confrontation with this girl.

"The one about inviting guys over... he sounded really angry with you," Jaemi tilts her head, the corner of her lip lifting in a mocking manner.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Luna says firmly. She doesn't need to shift through her memories to know Jaemi is lying. But apparently, her friends think she is being genuine.

"Don't lie," The girl hisses beside Jaemi, her eyes narrowed, "We know all about your prostitution and drug usage,"

Huh?

Of all the things she could decide on, she decides on sex and drugs. Seriously? Luna is no saint, obviously, and she has done some immoral, inhumane things to people. But she hasn't felt the need to touch drugs or sell herself. She doesn't care what other people do with their lives, but she is the daughter to an infamous crime boss. Surely that would be a better rumour to spread.

If only they knew...

She laughs openly in their faces, which is not the response they were expecting. They watch her warily, completely bewildered by her behaviour.

"Listen," Luna chuckles, "I am not perfect, but you're gonna have to do better than that,"

She rolls her eyes, turning to walk away. The guy reaches out for her again, catching her off guard as he forces her right into the wall. She hits it hard, which seems to boost the guy's injured ego.

"I don't care what a disgusting thing like you does in your own time," He growls, holding her in place by her shoulder as he leans in closer, "But don't bring your disgusting lifestyle onto these grounds, understood?"

Luna begins chuckling again, her own bruised ego coming to play. She folds her arms and glares at him.

"If you want to be gullible, go ahead," She says, "Look into it, get a PI to follow me, I don't care. But don't touch me,"

"Or... what?" He says slowly, leaning in closer. His breath smells like mint mixed with garlic, a strangely infuriating scent.

She scoffs and shoves him.

Clearly, she didn't realise how angry this whole situation has made her, because he stumbles a fair distance away, right into Taehyung.

They fall to the ground together, making Jaemi and the other girl rush to their aid.

"Oh my god! Are you okay?"

"She's psychotic! She's crazy!"

"I'm so sorry, she's just violent,"

"We should go before she hurts us,"

Luna listens to their whimpering and whining as her annoyance builds.

"I didn't even push him that hard," She mutters, watching as they clamber to help Taehyung and the guy stand. The guy keeps his head down, but Luna can see his red ears. He must be beyond embarrassed. Jaemi starts trying to dust Taehyung's clothes, but he waves his hand to get her to stop, bowing in thanks.

Finally, he spots Luna.

"Oh, hey Luna," He smiles, waving at her, "What happened?"

"Nothing I couldn't deal with," She snaps, hiking up her laptop bag on her shoulder as she storms towards the stairs. Jaemi pretends to flinch as she passes her before crying into her hands. Her friend pats her back gently, reassuring her.

"Hey! Wait up!" Taehyung calls out, rushing to reach her. She keeps stomping down the stairs, her hands shaking from the repressed rage. She wasn't expecting Jaemi to do something so manipulative. At the end of the day, no matter how Luna reacts she will twist it.

"Luna," Taehyung reaches out and grabs Luna's wrist as they move towards the hospitality area. She tugs out of his grip, spinning around to face him.

"What? Hm?" She yells, "What do you want?"

"Hey, calm down," Taehyung holds his hands up defensively, "What happened back there?"

"Just..." Luna breathes for a moment, trying to compose herself as the guilt of snapping at him settles in the pit of her stomach, "Just Jaemi being a fucking cunt,"

"Oh damn," Taehyung gasps, coving his mouth at the cursing, "What did she do?"

Luna begins to explain exactly what happened word for word. He listens to her intently, his eyes narrowing as he becomes concerned and confused.

"She said that?" He asks, "What conversation is she talking about?"

"There wasn't a conversation," Luna says defensively, "Jimin has never become angry with me,"

"Maybe she misunderstood something?" He suggests, sighing, "Don't worry about her. You didn't do anything so it's not like it'll go anywhere,"

"Until I am investigated for drugs," Luna snaps, "She will ruin my future!"

"It's okay, Luna," He steps forward, placing his hands gently on her shoulders, leaning forward so that he is at eye level with her, his eyes twinkling, "I want to be a lawyer, remember? I won't let anything happen to you,"

Her heart stops in her throat, his gaze overwhelming her. She wants to push him away, stomp her feet like a child, and scream about how cruel and unfair all this is and how she just wants to be left alone. But she can't. She is just simply frozen, staring at him. Slowly she falls deeper and deeper into his eyes, the darkness enveloping her with comfort. She finds herself relaxing, as if he is syphoning all the anger out of her. Her shoulders slump a little as she starts to pout. She can feel tears welling in her eyes as all the pent-up emotions swirl and swish inside her, trying to find a way to escape.

"Hey, are you guys coming?"

Luna jumps, spinning around to face Jimin as he reaches them, his hands in his pockets and his eyebrows high on his forehead. He is eyeing them both with that secretive look again, as if he just intruded on something.

"Yeah, sorry," Luna mutters, quickly sliding past him to head to the food court area.

"What happened?" Jimin asks Taehyung as they follow her.

She lets him explain, forcing her tears deep into the pits of her subconscious, cursing them for surfacing. She ignores Jimin's knowing smirk and Taehyung's blush as they choose which restaurant they will eat at today. 

(A/N) 🫰🫰🫰