For the short time they were together, they lived like the locals in the village. There was no electricity so Jimin would go into the forest to cut down some woods which they used for cooking and making fire to keep them warm during the cold nights. At night, they would lie in each other's arms discussing about nothing about falling into endless love making that made them immobile sometimes. Acting like a domestic couple was fun while it lasted.

Taehyung didn't want to leave. He wished he could stay right here with Jimin until he was sick and tired of it but there was no telling when they would be in danger soon coupled with the fact that their plan was underway and school had reopened so three days later, Taehyung packed his things to leave.

Jimin stood in front of him straightening his jacket and brushing off the non existent dust.

"I'll come and see you soon. Be careful okay"

Taehyung nodded in agreement trying hard not to cry but eventually, the tears spilled and he wailed loudly, crying over Jimin's shoulders.

Jimin rolled his eyes. "yah... I'll be fine"

Then he paused and stared at Taehyung's reddened face.

"You hurt me whenever you cry like this"

Taehyung wiped his eyes. "I'm sorry"

"It's okay" Jimin whispered and used his finger tips to wipe off the tears on his face. Then hugged him one last time.

"Go" he whispered softly and gently pushed him towards the cab waiting few meters away. Taehyung sniffed and reluctantly turned around. He walked slowly towards the car but it was not long before he turned back again and ran straight into Jimin's arms.

This time Jimin cried. The tears flowing down his eyes relentlessly.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry I can't be like other boyfriends. I can't be a good partner to you" He choked out.

Taehyung smiled painfully. "Don't worry. I like you just the way you are. We will reunite again..."

He kissed him and ran to the cab quickly. He did that so he wouldn't rethink and turn back again.

The cab sped off quickly and within some few minutes, he had reached the bus station where he boarded a bus to Seoul. While in the bus, he received a call from Jungkook. He was arriving today as well. Taehyung felt his heart loosen up. At least, he could confide in someone about his predicament.

It was a two hour journey and he finally reached school. He immediately made his way to the dorms. When he entered his room, he found Jungkook unpacking his things.

"Kookie!" Taehyung cried as soon as he saw his friend.

"Taehyung!" Jungkook exclaimed. They both hugged.

Jungkook looked him all over.

"What happened to you? You look pale"

Taehyung shrugged. "The same goes for you. You've lost weight. You look thinner now"

Jungkook sighed. "I'm confused right now. I don't know what to do"

Taehyung looked at Jungkook as he slumped on the bed, his head bent low. He looked absolutely devastated. After some minutes, Jungkook started talking.

"My father has an injury in his left eye. He underwent five surgeries to fix it. What remains now of that injury is an ugly scar on his skin. He told us he had an accident in his factory but it was only until recently that I discovered that he was actually tortured and beaten almost to death"

"I didn't know that some years ago, my father needed money urgently. His business wasn't doing well and he couldn't get a loan from the bank so in his desperation, he went to loan sharks..."

Taehyung felt visibly shaken. "Don't tell me...."

Jungkook nodded. "Yeah...he went to Yoongi's family to collect a loan. But the date to repay the loan expired and they got hold of my father. He was beaten ruthlessly. The one who beat him was...."

"Yoongi" Taehyung answered for him.

Jungkook turned a lot paler "Exactly..."

"During the break, Yoongi had told me he was coming to see me. He said he would come as a friend so my parents don't suspect anything but as soon as my father saw him, he went crazy. He called him all kinds of names but the one that stuck most is that he called him a heartless monster"

"I was shattered. There was no way I could introduce him to my father as my boyfriend. He completely despises him and I do as well. I can't forgive him for doing what he did to my Dad"

Taehyung sighed. "Did you hear from Yoongi himself? What did he tell you?"

"He told me he was young and clueless at the time but it doesn't excuse what he did. Because of his family, my father sold our house and we lived poorly for a year and a half before he was lucky to meet a friend of his who helped him regain his feel"

Jungkook squeezed his face. "I can't forgive him for putting my family through all that pain... I regret giving in to my feelings and dating him... it's now I truly understand what kind of person he really is."

Taehyung nodded his head. There was silence for a while before he spoke. "But do you miss him?"

Jungkook froze immediately.

Taehyung sighed. "I know it sounds odd coming from me, the one who was highly against your relationship but I sincerely want to ask you this because I understand how you feel"

"One day, you think you have everything under control. You think there's no way you would fall for a devilish playboy who does nothing but whore around with everyone he sees but the next thing you know, you are head over heels in love with that person ready to risk it all. your future, your family and even your own life just to be with that person"

He looked at Jungkook. "Does that sound sane to you?"

"You're talking about Jimin right?"

Taehyung nodded. "Yes! My parents found out about our relationship and they've disowned me. Jimin is now on the run from his former gang members trying to kill him because he snitched on them"

Jungkook shook his head looking saddened upon hearing this news "I'm so sorry Taehyung... "

"It's fine. I can handle it all but you know what I can't handle. It's if I loose Jimin...I won't be able to handle that"

Jungkook quietened. There was nothing he could say. Taehyung flashed him a small smile.

"You will regret it if you don't talk things out with Yoongi. You have to hear his own side of the story"

Jungkook looked away. He was feeling conflicted. He didn't want to talk to Yoongi but he knew Taehyung was right.

"Why did we have to fall for those bad guys" Jungkook complained.

"Blame it on love Kookie. It has no respect for anyone" Taehyung whispered.

Few days later after much thoughts, Jungkook called Yoongi to meet him at the school garden. Yoongi came as fast as possible and Jungkook was amazed at how quick he was. Upon seeing him, he felt his emotions soaring but he instantly kept his cool refusing to give in again.

Jungkook mantained a reasonable distance between the two of them as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Speak... I'll listen to everything you want to say"

Yoongi clasped his two hands like a child waiting to be punished. "I know I deserve your anger. I didn't expect karma would pay me back this way"

Jungkook was irritated. "get to the point"

"I'm sorry. It's true I beat up your father but I wasn't the one who gave him that scar around his left eye. I don't draw blood from others. There were several of us who beat up your father that day but I wasn't the one who injured his eyes"

Jungkook furrowed his eyes. "Still, you beat him up... makes me wonder how many other people had to suffer under your hand"

"It was my first ever mission Jungkook. It was the first task my father gave to me and as his son, I couldn't look weak in front of my subordinates. It would make them loose  their respect for me"

"Besides, how was I to know that the man I was beating up that day would turn out to be the father of the person I love most"

After hearing that, Jungkook's heart sank. Yoongi continued "I'm very sorry"

Jungkook looked tired. "I thought I could handle you but this makes everything more difficult. Even if I forgive you, we can't work out. My father will never accept you. He will freak out if he learns that we are together or that I'm gay for that matter"

"We'll find a way to figure that one out Kookie..."

He came closer but Jungkook drew further away. Yoongi sighed. "I'm going to quit soon. I just need time"

"And I need time as well. This is a very difficult decision. I really need to think about it"

He started to leave but Yoongi grabbed his hand stopping him immediately.

"You still love me don't you?"

Jungkook didn't answer. He pulled his hand away and walked off.

*************
The days were flowing by really fast turning into weeks. Jimin didn't return for the semester and everyone began to wonder where the class' bad boy was. Suzy was extremely uncomfortable not knowing Jimin's whereabouts and one day after lecture, she hounded Taehyung. The latter was angry just seeing her.

"Where's Jimin? I've been calling his line but nothing. His phone is switched off"

Taehyung didn't want to talk to her so he ignored her and started walking away.

"Don't you dare walk out on me!" She yelled madly, her eyes filled with rage.

Taehyung turned to her. He couldn't understand why she was so pissed off.

"What on earth do you need Jimin for?"

Suzy's breathing was very heavy. "The two of you... you and Jimin, you both have humiliated me enough. I promise you that I will take my revenge"

Taehyung smirked. "Revenge? What did we do? Is it because you couldn't get Jimin? Is that why you're so mad"

Her teeth clenched "Mark my words Taehyung. This isn't over. I will find a way to pay you back"

Taehyung scoffed as he watched her walk away. She was the type of person who found it difficult to accept her loss and he just felt sorry for her. He was walking away when he heard someone call his name up ahead. He stopped mid stride and looked up to see Hoseok waiting for him. The latter was smiling looking bright as always.

Taehyung smiled back and walked up to him.

"You look good" Hoseok said.

"You too"

"Can we walk?"

Taehyung nodded and the two strolled out of the building side by side. The silence was a bit uncomfortable. Taehyung was dreading having this conversation with Hoseok but he couldn't avoid it forever.

"How's Jimin? Heard he's not in school"

"He's fine...at least he should be"

Hoseok was surprised "You've not heard from him?"

Taehyung shook his head, biting his lips hard.

"Nope"

Hoseok watched him carefully. "I heard from Namjoon that some bad people are looking for him. I hope he's safe. It's a shame he might not be able to finish up this semester"

"Hopefully, he will"

Silence.

It was really uncomfortable. Hoseok broke the awkwardness when he led them to a snack shop.

"What can I get you?" He asked.

"I'm not hungry. Thank you"

"How about a coke?"

Taehyung nodded with a smile. "That will be fine"

Hoseok bought them two bottles of coke and they started to relax in each other's presence when they sat down to have their drinks beside the shop.

Hoseok began first "About what I told you before we left for the summer break...can we forget about it?"

Taehyung was surprised.

"I thought about it carefully and I realised that no matter what I did, you always found your way to Jimin's side. I don't know if it's destiny or some weird twist of fate but it really was something else to witness. Besides, if you really wanted to be with me it wouldn't take you that long to come to a decision...I already lost that very day you rejected me"

Hoseok sighed. "I know you love him. I might have just been the trigger to help you realise it. I guess that was my role"

Taehyung watched him smile but there was pain etched in the corner of his eyes.

"So I won't bother you or talk about my feelings ever again. I'm content just being friends... that's if you let me"

Taehyung finally felt at ease. He sighed in relief. "Thank you so much for understanding and of course we can be friends. I didn't want to loose someone as good as you by rejecting you but it's fine now"

Hoseok stuck out his hand. "Friends?"

Taehyung shook his hand, smiling. "Friends!"

*****

It was a few minutes after eight in the night when Jungkook returned from night class. The room was dark so exhausted, he switched on the light only to be shocked to his core. The whole room was turned upside down and there were broken bottles on the floor. Filled with panic, Jungkook began to call out Taehyung's name but there was no answer.

"Taehyung! Where are you?" He cried harder. He started to sweat as several thoughts passed through his head...all negative. He suddenly started hearing the ringing tone of Taehyung's phone somewhere in the room. He followed the sound and found the phone on the floor beside Taehyung's bed. He looked at the number calling. It was an unknown number.

With hands shaking from fright, Jungkook answered the call.

"Tae...baby, it's me Jimin..." A soft tone was heard over the phone.

"Jimin? Jimin?" Jungkook  choked out upon hearing the other's voice.

"Who is this?" Jimin's voice came out strong and intimidating.

Jungkook sniffed. "It's me Jungkook..."

"Ah..Jungkook shi...why are you answering Taehyung's phone?"

No reply. Jimin immediately became impatient.

"Jungkook sshi... where's Taehyung?"

His voice was serious.

Jungkook stammered. "I...don't know Jimin...I think Taehyung was kidnapped"

There was no response on the other line and Jungkook felt goosebumps all over his body. He could already sense the tension through the phone.

"I'm coming there straight away!" Jimin said in a grave voice and he hung up.

*********
Thanks for reading everyone.