【ＭＡＲＩＯＮＥＴＴＥ】

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24th October 2019

Hannah

NO WAY

NO NO NO

It must be a dream

Just a dream!

"I FUCKING CAN'T BELIEVE I KISSED HIM"

"Well, you did," I looked at Jin who was inclined to the door frame, his stare weird to prove my hunch of appearing like an abandoned ghost. I tapped my head and tousled my hair, though I knew I was a few planets away from looking anything like presentable.

Forget the fancy term

I just wish I look good enough not to startle someone

"I look like a lunatic," I groaned and scowled, concussed by a monster shot of pain, throbbing beneath my temples. I winced, brows furrowed tight with the excruciating pain. My mind felt like being stuck in the traffic, suddenly welcomed by the flash of red lights.

"The drunk one is very indecisive yet bold," Jin commented and I scoffed, not so delighted at the unfavorable remark. I pulled my hair and grunted as hangover gathered in heaps and tonnes like an oncoming storm, ripping apart my sanity into crumbs.

"Have this drink first. Yoongi is making you a hangover soup," Jin forwarded a drink and I accepted it without a question. Jin is that kind of protective being who knows when not to sass and I am pretty sure he prepared a book of chides and future warnings for sneaking out of the mansion without informing him.

Thinking of it

Even my own dad wasn't so protective of me

Why would he?

I am his daughter, not his captive, right?

I mentally smacked myself for being a dumbass whenever I routed around the thoughts and the personalities of the members. They were inconsistent and too hard to conclude with a persona that could just be a mask of temporary ambiance. They could be portraying their protective side just so to remind me that I was their hostage.

"Do you happen to remember you were bedridden for some time and your health is slowly recovering?" Jin started, his voice simmering utmost gravity and I gulped down my drink, not daring to blink my eyes under his displeased stare.

He looked damned serious

Where the fuck is that idiot who dragged me?

If not for him, I-

I FUCKING KISSED HIM LAST NIGHT, DIDN'T I?

My eyes widened as the steamy wild memory hit me like a high voltage current right after a power shortage for a millennium. Alcohol got me thick in my head and had me blinded in the spur and intimacy.

"I ruined everything," I muttered, panicking over how my relationship with Jungkook would turn after the night's awkward moment. Why the hell did I jump over all the hurdles and red flags and kiss him like there was no tomorrow?

Now, I genuinely hope there is no tomorrow

"I know it must be really hard that we cut your freedom and confined you to this place but all of this makes sure you are safe until we keep you with us," Jin stated, his words screaming mockery towards my situation, just like cutting the wings of a bird and caging it in their personal abode, far away from its paradise.

"I don't know about the rest but I care about your safety. I am sorry that I couldn't give the freedom you want but if it's getting too much, you can talk to me and I will prepare the necessary things for you to escape that feeling, at least temporarily," he sounded penitent and I laughed at myself at how convincing his words were though I was cemented deep in their well of darkness and incarceration.

"Can I go back to my room? I have my belongings there and I don't think my treatment from now on will be needing huge machines," I set forth the request I had been trying to ask ever since that psychopath of Jimin approached me and I couldn't care less about their suspicions now. I need to go back to my room before he paints me red.

"Of course, you can get back to your room. I will do the necessary by evening and you can get back there. Is that all?" he asked, voicing out no suspicion that had me halt my plane of thoughts in the mid-air for a minute, sparking an inkling with his nonchalance.

"How is Jungkook? I mean- I don't exactly remember anything after that part, just two people dragging me off my feet," I questioned, taking a sharp turn from the tensed topic so that we don't carry much apprehension on our shoulders. Jin furrowed his brows and then heaved out a sigh.

"Jungkook is guilty that he took advantage of you while you were drunk and V is really mad at you. He was about to play a Punk Rock song to blast your eardrums to wake you up for the morning training if not for Yoongi's and Namjoon's murderous glares," Jin revealed and I held my head, shaking it in helplessness.

What did I get myself into?

V will find all the brutal methods to torture me in the training

Why did Yoongi and Namjoon involve though?

They were always least concerned and stayed off my radar most of the time

"I don't know if I should feel bad for breaking my leash yesterday or if I should be scared that V wouldn't be easy on me," I mumbled, biting my lips and Jin chuckled, plopping down beside my lost figure. It was irrevocable and harder than the highest level of any game to deal with the consequences of my imprudent act now.

"Perhaps, you should do both," he suggested and I frowned at the obvious annotation.

"You are not helping at all," I lowly uttered, apprised of the mind-wrecking headache.

"Jungkook will be easy, a small talk and some snacks will do but I am not sure about V though. You still have to go to the training today as you do nothing here anyways," Jin informed, piercing a small thorn of mortified 'ouch' at my jobless self but relief washed over me as it wasn't my fault entirely.

If only I didn't follow that alpaca that day.....

"If spacing out is a game, you'd achieve a gold medal for sure," he pointed out my useless dexterity in zoning out and I sighed, swallowed into the pit of shame and discomposure. I was hamstrung to greet and cuddle troubles more frequently than the changes in the stock values.

"Freshen up and come outside. You can have your breakfast," Jin spoke and left the room without another glance. I thanked him internally for not putting up a long conversation as my head was not ready to function rationally with an imperious urge to explode into bright ashes and dark glitters.

In conclusion, it's just the urge

And in reality, it wouldn't happen

 ───※ ·❆· ※───

"What the fuck do you mean by he will be staying over here? Doesn't he have a home for himself?" I could hear a familiar hoarse voice yelling loud in the direction of the mansion's entrance and found people gathered over.

What is it now?

"Hyung, Shh," I could see Soobin and Jungkook on either side of V, holding his arms as if he was running out of control. And then I turned to Beomgyu happily pulling in few luggage bags inside along with Taehyun who was rather stoic despite holding heavy baggage.

"What about Kyung Mi? Did she kick you out of the house? You deserve it though. Dating you is no different from drinking wine with a whale," V threw a look of haughty disdain and I saw Jimin stopping on his tracks, giving a menacing glare to the piqued man, carefully held back by Jungkook and Soobin.

V's eyes spit fireballs and Jimin's were throwing iced bolts, both crossing swords with just their intimidating looks. Jungkook and Soobin were shaking their heads, desperately trying to communicate their message to V in the form of their actions but V was more inclined towards flying a fist in the face of the calm yet the infernally dangerous man in front of him.

"You are in no position to talk about how I should treat my girlfriend and Armor is not your ancestral property. My space is still existent here and you, out of all can't voice out your condemnation regarding my stay," Jimin pulled the eruptive string and smirked to himself, before storming inside the mansion, not forgetting to spare me a subtly noticeable glance.

"Hyung, you should learn the concept of timing," Beomgyu piped in and scuttled away in a flash when V shot a glare.

"That asshole! He thinks the world revolves around him, motherfucker," V cursed and Yoongi let out a smile, patting his shoulder.

"What happened to them? Is Kyung Mi alright?" V asked, his voice softening at the mention of someone who was probably Jimin's girlfriend.

"For starters, they broke up. All I could say is this time, it is serious than ever as we know, Jimin never moves out of his house," Yoongi explained and V groaned, muttering some muffled and inaudible profanities. I stole a glance at Jungkook, conscious of how he didn't notice my presence from the time I was standing at the entrance.

I hope the night never happened

Can someone invent an eraser that could wipe off the past?

"Where is she now? Did someone put tabs on her? You know she dates troubles and chaos and who knew if someone spotted her with that asshat?" V was awfully concerned and for a second, I wondered if he treats everyone nicely except for me or that I was fated to be the unlucky one.

"You can rely on me, Miss Cooper"

Nevertheless, a part of that slightly kind and sweet person in that desert of unending coldness and arrogance escaped for a moment during our 'fake' date, like the shelter of an umbrella in the cyclonic storms.

Not really sufficient, yet warm to an extent

"Don't worry about that. I don't care if they get on terms but Kyung Mi is close to all of us. Yoongi and I discussed this and acted upon necessary already so don't freak out. Jimin must have already had a talk with the Chairman of her broadcasting company as she will not be doing the Live Interview from now on," Namjoon detailed, his tone sharp and deep and the rest nodded.

I couldn't bat away my lashes at how obedient everyone was to Namjoon and that imperturbable charisma of his, sets off a faintly odd foreboding of an unpredictable jaw-dropper. Nevertheless, I wasn't having a bunch of moments with him to make out a fair judgment of what he was like, though I could tell that he is a tough guy.

"Hey there Hannah, I thought you were at the breakfast table. I am sorry you had to witness the drama of two high school nemeses," Jin managed to pass the ball of attention towards me as I stood like a piece of marinated chicken under the staunch gazes of the six frigid men.

Great!

Jin didn't even notice me all the time

I feel like an oil lantern at times

Invisible to all eyes until the batteries run out

"Finish your breakfast and come to the West Wing. We can recommence your training," V spoke, rather commanded, and walked away before I could even nod. It fascinates me how authoritarian and uncompromising he becomes in a flicker when it was about me. Jungkook popped out a tiny smile, walking inside and so did I as Jin directed me, wrapping his arm casually over my shoulders.

The damn training again

Just when I thought I was out of the frying pan

I was pushed into the fire

───※ ·❆· ※───

"What are you both doing here? Jobless?" V asked as he stood in front of the gate and a metal block protruded, scanning his eyes. At this point, I serve myself to any carnivorous animal for not even brushing my finger over the thought of iris recognition. Or I could have just waited for this horrendous unasked-for training to get inside and calm down my fruitless adrenaline.

Simple as a cake

Just that the cake was 12 layered and the flour got expired

"We got an off today. I wanted to see you training her and Jungkook hyung joined me as well," Yeonjun's face beamed as I smiled at him. I could have used that off to flee away from the dry-as-dust life and watch a movie or play with my dog rather than be spectators for an unstimulating appetite-destroying training that involves me getting chided every time I take a break to breathe.

"Don't bore yourself on an off. All you will witness is the girl whining over how hard everything is," V was nonchalant along his lines while I rolled my eyes, earning a giggle from Yeonjun. Jungkook looked at me and walked over to me with a defensive stare.

"The last time I heard, it wasn't any close to boring, like the part of the movie where a sizzling scene appears, you know?" Jungkook mocked and here I crown myself Miss World's Best Clown for assuming Jungkook to counter V on my behalf.

Here he is rubbing pepper to my wounds

"Yeah, same here-" Yeonjun was smacked on his head before he could finish his line.

"Go ahead. We will be there in a minute," Jungkook muttered, looking at V and Yeonjun. They glanced at us and then walked ahead, leaving me in a firepit of towering awkwardness. For the very first time, I didn't mind running behind V and beg him to begin the training for an expected hell hole better than an ice bucket challenge out of blue.

"How are you feeling?"

Presumably dead

"I'm alright," I mumbled, my toes fiddling underneath.

"I know this is awkward but I guess we could blame the alcohol last night. Things went out of hand but I don't really have anything against you. Preferably, I blame myself for pulling you along. I am so sorry," Jungkook apologized, sounding calm but his actions said otherwise.

This wasn't the friendly man I was familiar with. He was playing with his fingers, drawing out a fake smile now and between his lines, his wrinkled shirt and the stiffness prod me to believe that last night had an adverse effect on him, unknown to myself, and probably to himself as well.

Jungkook had always been the molten metal, singularly flexible when heated and phenomenally stable when cooled down but today, he was nothing less than a fragile glass. A small hammer, few scratches, or just a minor act of recklessness could lead to an appalling shatter, doomed and irredeemable.

His eyes were reflecting the same emotion

The emotion that I always try to escape from

But never did I succeed, for that dreadful feeling chaining me to my fears

Vulnerable

He looked vulnerable

"Let me take my share of the blame as well then," I spoke, unwilling to let out those words, my unrequited disreputable infatuation dropping its jaw to the ground in twofold betrayal. All that I could care about now is safeguard my friendship with him before it could dance on air like the other things in my life.

"I am sorry as well and since we are blaming the alcohol, for now, let's not apologize again. Let's just forget the night then," I proposed though it stung a little that the accidental moment of intense affinity didn't matter much between us.

Remembering that kiss, everything about it drops a beat in my heart for the very reason of possessing a mammoth fat crush on this spunky hunk of muscle. The friction, the dimness, the alcohol, everything felt like a stroke of gold glitter on a dark grey canvas.

"Yes yes, that's a past that just stays behind us. Can we go now? V hyung will be mad at me for keeping you for long," Jungkook tittered and I nodded, feeling restless about various reasons. Jungkook showing a different shade, V continuing my training, Jimin staying in the mansion, everything is fucking my mind insane.

Jungkook directed me inside the West Wing and it was nothing different from the rest of the mansion except for the corridor being a narrow one. Several rooms were on either side and have metal room labels fixed on the doors, some of them catching my eyes with the familiar names.

Yoongi's 'DO NOT ENTER' Office

Kim Seokjin's Main Office

J-Hope's Dynamite Room

And I realized I have been spelling J-hope wrong all this time. After a two-minute walk, Jungkook and I stepped into a room named Closed-field Training. V's cold face and Yeonjun's smiley face welcomed us, rather lukewarmly and I managed to draw a surviving smile on my face.

The room was massive, with a wrestling ring, few other training tools that looked similar to the one V had prepared for me previously. The room had a few seats, leveled higher from the ground as if designed for inspection. I looked at V, his stare like a new moon tide ebbing my confidence away and dropping down my pulse.

"Defense and Attack, I will teach you this for a while from now. Can't afford to see you faint hearing a gunshot while you are still recovering. Jin hyung will bury my head into a saucepan," V spoke, and I felt glad that I wouldn't have to struggle with my fear of gunshots and V's hostile personality.

He is so done with teaching me how to hold a gun

Despite using the most stupid methods

I glanced at him, my eyes taking a small tour around his outfit, loose and light. He had a full-sleeved T-shirt on, his arm muscles pulling off a view as he kept rolling a piece of cloth over his palms, oblivious to my fixed stare. His pants hugged his sleek legs, only leaving the sight of his barefoot exposed to the audience's eyes.

"Stop staring. Focus on how unprepared you are," V interjected my thoughts as he threw a pair of boxing gloves at me that I miserably failed at catching, earning giggles from Yeonjun and Jungkook. I picked them and before I could wear them, V stood in front of me.

"Jog a little and do some jumping jacks first. After that, shadowboxing, perform light punches in the air. Ten minutes of warm-up and we are good to go," V instructed, in his unmitigated authoritative tone and I just nodded, breathing a sigh.

As I continued flexing my arms and stretching my legs, my body dealt with the issues with the inflexibility of my muscles in the first few minutes for me stoned on my bed in my room for relatively long hours since the train incident.

But after around ten minutes, it felt better and surprisingly refreshing. A little while ago, I balked at the idea of working out but now, I relished the prospect. Beads of sweat surfacing on my skin had me relaxed, blacking out my stress for the time being.

I observed V fixing few punching bags in a row, jabbing and performing cross lunges with one, and then moving on to the next ones. His punches were powerful, each resonating across the room, even having Yeonjun's face painted in awe and admiration. I strongly pray for that thin piece of cloth for taking all the tension of his sturdy arms.

"Come here," V gestured to me with his hands and I paused my vigorous punching of illusory Soobin in the air. Marching towards him, I heard a few chuckles from Jungkook and Yeonjun and realized the Jungkook was still awake in the room. I would have awfully snored on my seat had I been in their place.

Watching my training with V was boring than watching Gone with the Wind

"Don't daydream, Miss Cooper. Wear your gloves, quick," he ordered and I wore them in haste after wrapping a piece of cloth over my palms. I stood straight, my eyes fixed on the punching bag as I felt his damp fabric graze over my arms.

He's sweaty and his breath was...

Hot

"Your feet should be shoulder-distance apart, one foot in front of other. Look down," I did as he told.

"Align the toes of your front foot with the heel of your foot. No...no...not like that, the other way. Have your both feet pointing 45 degrees to the punching bag" he guided me and I understood it better at the mention of the angle. He hummed as I stood still, standing face to face with the punching bag.

"Jab with your right, cross with your left, and then squat. You can do otherwise but then you have the change the position of your feet. Like this," V demonstrated with another punching bag and I nodded. I have seen people doing this but this would be my first time and I just pray for that punching bag not to hit my face and cost another surgery to my face.

"Prepare yourself. Raise your hands. Also, remember that you have to protect your face with the other hand while jabbing and crossing, like this," V reminded, showing me how to do it once again.

"Start," he clicked a timer and I started off with weak jabs and crosses. The squats were the toughest part and my thighs ached in between but I was aware of the protocol, no pause until V gives a signal.

"Don't exert. Take it slow. This could probably be your first time," V spoke in the fifteen seconds break he offered and I continued the flow of weak punches. My left hand was not feeling good after a round of five fifteen-second breaks for every forty-five seconds of the workout. I winced and squat down and V held the punching bag stiff between his hands.

"Hyung, Jin hyung, and Yoongi hyung told you to be careful of her injuries," Jungkook yelled, his voice echoing in the confined room.

"Why didn't you tell me if it's paining?" he chided and I internally sighed at how he boarded another train of mood now. This was not the first time V was concerned about me but every time he displays it, it feels wacky, off the wall, like pineapples on pizza, though not appreciated by self, still holds worth and liking of many others.

He hits off something else

That couldn't be pushed away

But couldn't be held tight either

"It wasn't that bad. But I feel uncomfortable," I showed him my left hand and he quickly pulled out my boxing gloves, examining my left hand, and heaved out a sigh.

"We can continue tomorrow and don't be an idiot. Learn to speak up when necessary. If you think staying silent would resolve everything and express what you feel, you are mistaken, Miss Cooper. I am no face-reader. But then, as your trainer, I need to know how you feel so I could take some precautions and prepare you to avoid any accidents. And that applies everywhere. Hear me this once, Miss Cooper. You are my responsibility, since the very first day and I repeat this again, as long as you don't cause a commotion to Armor, you can have my back always. Every hand you shake is not as friendly as you think, Miss Cooper," he muttered, gritting his teeth as he yanked my arm, pulling me two steps closer to him.

I stared at him as he started unwrapping the cloth around my palms, his gaze anchored to my palms as he gently pressed his thumb over the corners of my left palm and left wrist to mitigate the pain. My breath hitched when he was doing it so willingly and the fear and concern along his lines chimed a bell in my heart.

I wasn't giving him a silent treatment as my mind was too occupied, counting the number of issues surrounding me in a hot hurricane. I didn't want to set fire on something that could deteriorate whatever was sailing between us, bad blood or pure ignorance, whatever. I just didn't want to indulge in a war of words.

"Even the gun felt tired to accommodate to your fears and I had to finally give in. Isn't this better? You will learn to defend and attack and could fight against a mob if you ever get involved in a mission again, unlike the last time. Instead of ending up bruised, you could give them good jabs," he chuckled as he raised his head to meet my eyes, looking at him in disbelief.

"I remember you scowling at me for being arrogant towards you and when I have a change of attitude, you forget to function properly," he jested as he raised his hand to wipe the sweat trickling down my forehead.

It was hard to look away but it was harder to look into his eyes, those which synchronously reflect nothingness and a blend of emotions that were too complex to unravel. He wasn't intimidating, he didn't look like the dominant trainer who loved to degrade my spirits. His face reflected hope, another one of his shadows that finally walked out of the dark.

"What's with this silent treatment? Are you trying to boycott me?" he whispered, his tone so casual that I so wished I was in a dream. But even before I could sway away in that thought, the trace of his fingers trailing along my hair to slowly tuck behind my ear, while his gaze not leaving my perplexed poker face, disposed off my unreal fantasies.

"You look so lost" he breathed, attending to my palms again, wrapping the same piece of cloth again.

"I am"

"I don't know why you are doing this, why you are being like this. You were so different then, you hated me a lot and got annoyed by my mere presence. This sudden shift, it's too hard to believe if it's real or a façade to lure me into something," I blurted, unable to hold it in but I didn't explode.

"I don't act, Miss Cooper. Yes, I resented you and gave you a hard time but it wasn't the whole of me. You weren't totally at fault and I feel bad for putting you into things that you don't deserve. I wished you never stepped onto the train that time. This is just me looking out for you," he uttered and I forgot what I wanted to say. He smiled, patting my head, and grazed his thumb over my hand, caressing it softly.

"And here I thought, this would be a boring 80's film. But I think I went wrong, Beomgyu"

"What the fuck are you doing here?" V growled, striding fast towards the door.

"Boys, how was the scene? Was I late or something?" Jimin asked, looking at Yeonjun and Jungkook, whose presence was completely washed off in my mind. But then, nothing happened except for an exchange of a few bottled-up thoughts.

"We saw them for some time and then, hyung and I were playing a game. Why are you two looking like you could start a fire here?" Yeonjun asked, confused at how the whole scene changed in a matter of seconds.

"I booked this room for another hour and I don't expect people like you," V declared, folding his arms and Jimin nodded, flicking his hair. He was dressed in shorts and a sleeveless top, his toned muscles all in view accompanied with the solid stare he portrayed, the one that feels so calm yet so daunting.

"I will make this quick. I don't care if you booked this room for an hour or a year, this is not your private jet. Since you are at teaching her defense, I am going to steal her and some of her training time as well," Jimin announced and V clenched his fist.

"Miss Cooper is under my training. And you are not good enough to give her physical training, I suppose," V snarled and Jimin hissed, taking a step towards V, his eyes as sharp as ever.

"Yes, I play with minds, thanks for reminding. But then, I still had basic physical training like everybody and you are not preparing for her for war, right? I will take the charge for today," Jimin glanced at me and I turned away.

"I dare you to do that. I wouldn't hesitate to leave you fractured," V simmered and I noticed Yeonjun and Beomgyu exchanging knowing looks. Jungkook was silent as if it was nothing new to him. Maybe, they were like this all the damn time.

"Try me. What more could you do? You only know to hurt people, don't you?" Jimin further provoked him and I wished for some stone to drop over Jimin's head. That guy doesn't know when to speak what but gets away with everything.

"Why don't you just mind your own damn business? Why do you cause a hassle everywhere?" V spat and Jimin ignored him, advancing towards me and I desperately wanted to fade into dust. V and Jimin in the same room is like a volcano ready to erupt anytime.

"Why don't we leave the choice to her? She is no kid," Jimin lodged the most ridiculous suggestion and flash news, I became the prime focus of every living entity inside the room.

"What do you mean?" V questioned, sauntering towards us. It turned silent next, Beomgyu's loud footsteps towards Yeonjun being the only sound echoing inside the room.

"Hannah or in your case, Miss Cooper would be the one deciding with whom she wants to train for today. This idea wouldn't hurt anyone, at least not physically," Jimin tendered, erupting the volcano, leaving me no choice but to drown in the lava.

Save me from these two

I don't care why they are always ready to break each others' jaws

I just don't want to be the victim of their feud

"Me?" I stuttered and Jimin nodded confidently.

"I suppose there is no one else here who owns that endearing pet name," Jimin jeered at me.

What did I do to earn this privilege?

I bit my lip, glancing at V who was trying to convey something, and at Jimin, who was waiting for me to answer, looking so unruffled and cool.

"V-"

"Yes, there she is. She chose me, you can fuck off now," V snapped at him and I shook my head vigorously.

"Why don't you let her complete?" Jimin muttered, folding his arm across his chest.

"V-"

"There she-"

"Jimin. I will train with Jimin for today," I dropped my gaze to the ground, disinterested at the smugness all over Jimin's face and the disappointment across V's face. I wasn't ready for that. I had no interest to train with Jimin for that man more inconsistent than a chameleon but I needed to do this to be on his safe side.

"Now," Jimin placed his hand on V's shoulder "Fuck off"

"Hyung, come with me. It will just be today," Jungkook appeared in front of V before he could act on his mood. V gave me a final glance before taking the seat with the other three spectators.

"Feeling bad?" Jimin asked, rubbing his palms over each other.

"For what?"

"Good! Treat him like that, like a nothing," Jimin mumbled, walking into the ring. I am scared for my life now. I learned defense but I didn't know if I should showcase my skills or just surrender to their strength.

"How far did you solve?" I asked and he chuckled.

"I broke the Rubik's Cube," he answered and my eyes widened.

"I don't want to assume you are dumb but didn't you try that before?" he inquires, his eyes lingering over my baffled face with a doubtful look on his face.

"I did but there was nothing I could decode. I can't understand if it was a sign or some letter in Greek. I was clueless and put it back together, scared to lose any piece. I just tried to do it in a more conventional way," I explained and he nodded.

"It could be a Greek symbol but no one except your mother knows it. So, it will take time for me to come up with something that sounds credible," he spoke and I sighed, understandingly.

"You can leave that to me. It will be taken care of. But what concerns me is your scatterbrained attitude in Armor. Do you plan on settling here? Become a member?" he simmered, his voice turning an octave but carried a deep sense of seriousness throughout.

"Stand in your position. I will attack and you have to defend yourself," Jimin roared, audible enough to everyone in the room. I stepped back, impersonating his position.

"Answer my question, Hannah," Jimin whispered and I screamed inside.

Did I just lock a deal with the devil?

"I don't intend to become a member of the Armor. I told you I don't associate myself to this place," I sputtered, ducking before his jab could make a red bean paste of my nose. I took two steps behind to dodge another jab and he quirked a brow in amusement, probably enjoying my tensed face.

"Doesn't seem like it though. You work nothing like you speak. Are you just putting up show or is it all just words?" he mocked as I pivoted around a punch, using my messy footwork to good use. His words carried venom, blueing my blood for a moment.

"At this point, I could just conclude that all you wanted is some space to enjoy. A lot of time passed since you arrived in Seoul and all you did was whine over how you are confined instead of using your intellect to escape," he spat and I was baffled at his tone, low yet unbending. I ducked, avoiding a jab or two, but his words, those were fiercer than anything in the world.

"I tried," I barely managed to utter as I moved to another side, still maintaining eye contact.

"For beginners, you are doing fine," Jimin yelled as he approached me and I was dubious at his actions, unable to comprehend what his intentions were. He was stabbing my heart, so deep that the painful memory began to resurface, powerful enough to wreck me now

The gunshots

The Dark smoke

Run! Just Run!

"Uh!" I gasped, suddenly moving aside and making a quick turn as he lunged a fist towards me.

That was fucking uncalled for!

"You are going through training and this is not your hide and seek game. You wanted to fight someone beyond your league with these worthless skills. Wake up, sweetheart," he was pissing me now and before I could snap back with rage flooding over my veins, he pulled my uninjured hand and twisted my arm, squashing it between my back and his chest.

"Ouch" I cried, kicking his knees and he released me, letting out a small yelp.

"Interesting! Did I trigger something? But that kick is still pretty weak though, not even sufficient to knock down an amateur," he sassed and I clenched my fists, restraining myself from doing something I could regret later.

I knew I was slacking off from what I aimed to do in Seoul, I was lacking in many ways to fight against the ones who sabotaged my peaceful life. I feel ashamed for living, I feel ashamed for running away but hearing those words from someone whom I wasn't even close was crippling my heart.

I was suffering too

"Hey!" I screamed, disconcerted at his swift move. He was quick to turn my back as he held my wrist and blocked the movement of my legs.

"Ouch" I winced as he held grasped my knee, leaving my frazzled self to play the game of balance with one leg.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Yah! Park Jimin," V was furious but Yoongi was there to hold him back.

When the hell did he pop up?

"Testing your skills. What else can you do apart from dodging my moves?" he rasped as I breathed heavily, trying to elbow his stomach.

"You never looked like you hated being a hostage. It seems like you enjoy it most of the time. Responsible daughter, my foot. You are always up for a little summer romance," he grumbled, pushing me to an edge. It was as if he was in control of my gear, levering it however he likes.

"Stop talking to me like that," I shrieked, using my whole force to push him away. I stepped away, feeling disgusted, abashed, wanting to escape from the ring.

I want to escape from him

"How should I talk then? Go and happily kiss Jungkook while partying with alcohol or go on a beach date with V. And that's how you are avenging your parents' death, right? Is that why you are still alive, right?" Jimin spat, his each word bathing in rancor.

"GO AWAY" I yelled, closing my ears as my gaze was turning misty. I was fearfully angry and deep down, I knew the anger was just a shield, a shield against the pain that was locked in a loop, with no exit. It was a bitter pill that I fought nail and tooth to swallow.

It was bitter

So is the truth

"I will leave you here. Get a grip over yourself and we will talk later," Jimin spoke, calmly as he walked out of the ring and I stumbled, leaning at one of the corners of the ring as I tried to absorb those heart-rending words.

"Miss Cooper, are you okay?" V rushed towards me, his breath unsteady as he held my shoulders. I looked into his eyes and shook my head.

I am not okay

I don't feel okay

"Yeonjun, take her to her room and help her. If anything, call me or Jin hyung," Yoongi muttered as Yeonjun took my side. I glanced at Jungkook and V who had almost the same look painted on their faces.

Pity

"V and Jungkook, help me with something," I could hear Yoongi's voice but it started to fade away as Yeonjun helped me out of the training room. It was dreadfully painful, as if he was slowly burning me, not allowing me to pass the line of death.

I feel guilty

I am so useless

⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅

22nd October 2019

(Flashback)

"You are so useless, aren't you?" Jimin mouthed as soon as he made himself comfortable on the chair alongside my bed. I looked at him to unknot the hidden meaning behind that mean remark out of blue.

"It's not easy to pull out information from you. Just cut a string and it's done," he commented and my breath hitched. I tried to stay composed, wondering if this could be another game to purloin another set of details from me.

"The Rubix Cube, the ragged diary, there's a lot in your bag except your passport, you know?"

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!

"What on earth-"

"What on earth do I want from you? Simple! I get what you want. V was a fool to respect your privacy. You are searching for someone, on the face of it. I dare say, Mr. Park?" he left me aghast, a whole tsunami washing off my perseverance to keep on fighting for what I have come here, only surging more fears and dear enemies along with it.

"I will help you find him. Mr. Park," he declared, flabbergasting the shit out of me.

Why the hell does he want to do it?

"Why? And what's the catch?" I didn't hesitate to enquire. He seemed off from the time I saw him and perhaps, this could be another pretense that I might or might not catch upon. I need a plausible reason to act along with his unforeseen play for the man being born before shadiness.

"You are quick to catch, not bad. I am not someone who would threaten so here I present you a deal. I will help you with your aim, not like in the most favorable and user-friendly ways but still, I will help you in the end," he broached a tough proposition and I fluttered my eyes, still not able to make out if he was true to his words.

"It doesn't make sense, I know. But what makes sense is the power I have over this situation right now. I could just leave you to Armor to deal with this and dig up everything," he threatened and I stood still, drops of sweat trickling down my forehead.

"What do you want me to do to keep this under wraps?" I asked, pretty aware of what spices I was adding to my life. I wasn't prepared to face something like this but I have to act upon his whatever menacing deal to avoid shuffling off this mortal coil.

"That's so smart of you. Help me work against Armor, simple," he uttered and I choked on my breath.

What the fucking hell?

"V trusts you like his dear puppy and Jungkook is your good friend. As far as I know, Jin hyung treats you like a glass doll. Since you have earned their trust, I need you to work behind them. In return, I will help you with this man," he manifested and I, with all my heart regret following Soobin that night.

I never that alpaca carried this much darkness with him

That motherfucking asshat

"Alright, I will help you but how can I be so sure that you can reach out to Lawyer Park. Park is a very common surname," I wasn't sure how he could get to the man with the lowest ground profile. Armor's resources could be greatly efficient but his confidence creeps the shit out of me.

"So am I. Park Jimin's my name. But then, Ms. Loose Tongue, that's a nice detail. Now that you have given me a hint, I could make my move. I will keep tabs on the lawyers in Seoul and will inform if I find that person," he assured which was undeniably skeptical of him.

"And for you, I will tell when you have to do things for me. They will be simple, don't worry," he blinked.

Simple, my ass

I don't want to be his marionette

Should I stab them in the back now?

"Why do you want to betray them?" I was still not over the fact that Jimin was the black sheep in the organization, someone whom the others trust blindly. I didn't intend to do this, do any of what Jimin wanted for his personal gain but he dropped me in a deep tunnel of shit. I couldn't risk them knowing about my family and my objective for one of them could be the potential enemy or compliance to the ones who assassinated my parents.

"That's something you don't have to know. Now, coming to the important part, I want you to seal the deal. I want you to be responsible for your role and a proper deal, so I would like you to sign this pact," Jimin put forward a folded paper from his pocket and I was too stupefied at his chariness despite holding the red tickets against me.

"What do you mean by succumbing to your interests and what the hell do you mean by turning into your permanent captive if not followed in rectitude?" I questioned, baffled at the condition and the consequence.

I never knew the cost of surviving is so fucking difficult

"Easy as a cake. I don't want you to run out of my ring so I ought to have the condition printed. If you don't act upon my words and turn your back towards me, you will be working under me forever with zero percentage probability to escape from this place. But then, if you genuinely help me, you have your own perks," he stated like that was something so common.

Will I turn into a permanent slave if I don't follow him?

Wouldn't he be benefitting either way?

But if I don't agree to this, he would spill the beans

And if I agree, I will have to be under his spell but then, I could also earn some particulars about Lawyer Park

"You can sign here and you can also let me know if you think otherwise. I embrace your choice with open arms but with added consequences," he placed the paper on the table, and with no other word spoken, he left the room.

Life's harder than Chinese Checkers

⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅

Present

"Noona, V hyung asked you to freshen up and go outside for a walk," Yeonjun spoke as we walked into my room, breaking my trance.

"Why?"

"Max is here. Soobin got him. He will be here for the night and I guess, he is planning to do that tomorrow morning as well," Yeonjun informed and I widened my eyes, giving him a questioning stare to confirm if it was true. 

"Yes, V hyung wants you to spend some time with him. Don't worry about Aeri noona suspecting Max's absence. She knew Soobin was bonding well with him and he just disappears from the house without needing to tell her the reason. Moreover, Jimin hyung and Jungkook hyung will be going to her house for a casual visit tomorrow, so that could be a little distraction," Yeonjun cleared my head before I could set forth my queries.

Max is here at the right time

I need some time alone, all for myself

───※ ·❆· ※───

"Natasha Romanoff is the one with guts, you know? Like come on, all dudes out there have superpowers," Yeonjun rambled on, stuffing some caramel popcorn in his mouth. Jungkook sighed and grabbed the popcorn before the younger could finish it by himself, remarkably involved in the movie.

"Hawkeye is also in the list, just the arms and an amazingly handsome face, not more than me though," Jin was on the right, showcasing his talent for looking unquestionably handsome even if bare-faced and low-key trying to hint us he had showered just a few moments ago.

"Tony Stark is so cool. Like, look at the whole hulk of technology he holds, the world didn't even reach half of his level. Sexy Brains are always so cool. Jin hyung, you should be lucky you are handsome. That skull of yours is so empty," Jungkook started pulling Jin's leg and Jin was ready to throw his nachos at him if not for Soobin securing the plate with all his might.

"It's the first time, having a movie night with everyone and it's already weird, you know?" I whispered in Jungkook's ears as I shuffled the positions of my legs, crossing them over each other, for the amount of squeezing I had to endure between the two muscled men.

The screen was huge but the set-up wasn't. I knew this was a last-minute plan but Yeonjun and Jungkook are just so muscular to fit on a sofa with me in between.  From the time the movie started, Beomgyu didn't shut his mouth and even started telling of how he dreamt to be a superhero and join the Avengers, which was pretty badly received by the others.

He was so silent at the beginning

I don't know which ghost haunted him after entering the mansion

They gave him a deaf ear and I managed to smile. Huening Kai was sulking as everyone voted Happy Feet down for the movie night. Taehyun was busy on the phone at times and Soobin was having a nice time with snacks, at times, getting scolded for dipping in more sauce and sipping in a greater share of coke.

Yoongi couldn't make it, extremely busy with some work. Namjoon was decoding theories and Hoseok kept aahing and ooohing over every single word Namjoon spoke, despite telling the mere obvious. Another thing noted, Hoseok was a huge coward for loud sounds but caws louder than the loudest crow.

Everything about here is so weird

V was enjoying the movie calmly unlike the rest though I noticed him glanced in our direction a few times. He was thoughtful about getting Max for me. There was a slight shot of guilt in my heart for taking Jimin's side even though I was roped to my own reasons. 

I don't know why he is turning nice to me

It's just making everything harder

"Yeonjun, you are occupying more space," I complained.

"Jungkook hyung, you are occupying more space," Yeonjun blamed Jungkook who then looked at me. I would fucking yeet myself out of here if they point fingers at me.

"I will sit somewhere else," I groaned and as I stood up, I noticed V moving to a corner of the couch he was seated on, leaving a generous amount of space for me which I gladly accepted. I had been showered enough of rudeness towards him today.

I sat comfortably but nothing inside was at ease. V was awfully silent but that wasn't helping either. I expected him to confront me, get angered over the brave choice I have taken but nothing, none except his long penetrating gazes and deafening silence, scraping over and again my wounded serenity.

"WHAT THE FUCK!! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?"

"Jin hyung, once in a while, you need to watch the news. Trust me, let's watch this debate and y'all can watch the movie later. Sources told me this is going to be an interesting one," Jimin announced, seating between the two brawny men as he held the remote.

Why appear out of nowhere and ruin the fun?

"Why the debate though? You wanted us to watch the news, just change it to some other news channel, no?" Beomgyu suggested with a playful grin and Jimin quirked his brows, glancing at him and then at the screen.

"How to tell you still love her without telling you still love her," Jungkook winked, earning teasing giggles from the younger ones but soon stopped with Jungkook yelping with his feet hurt, so as not to share the pain. Jimin tapped his feet, devoting his attention to the screen and I wondered who the woman could be.

Lee Kyung Mi

The label read and I looked at Jimin who wasn't even blinking, gazing at the woman. She was pretty, serenely confident, and damn, for a moment I cheered the girl for the look on her face. She was insanely brave as she snapped back at the members who tried to justify their point without much sense.

My inner goddess is fangirling over her now

No wonder Jimin fell for her

"Miss Cooper"

I turned to the deep voice beckoning me. His deep gaze was piercing right into my soul though I was used to it now. I blinked, raising my brows to hear him out. I was begging inside for him to speak something as reading minds was never my thing. But little did I know what he would gift me.

"What was that Jimin spoke to you during the training?"

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Marionette

a puppet worked by strings

Author's Note:

First of all, really really sorry, a very huge sorry for this very very huge delay. I was not on good terms after my exam and shit just happened so I couldn't cope up.  i will try to maintain consistency from now on. This one, I had written for two weeks and I don't even know how it turned out. Hope you enjoy it and excuse me if you find any minor typos. Proofreading a long one is a tedious job so I could have missed out a few.

Permission to Dance is my love-to-vibe song. I don't know, just everything about it makes me happy. The boys looked so happy in it. Stream PTD

I hope all of you guys are fine and are in good spirits. Please drink water and stay healthy!! I missed you all. And thanks for all the wishes for my exams. They went fine.

Any suspicions or theories?

Stay safe...

Stay healthy...