A heavy sigh could be heard around the darkened room. Smoke clouds permeated the air as soft rap music could be heard through the speakers downstairs. It was around 6 am and the birds had just begun chirping, happily starting their day on this beautiful morning. Though, someone was having trouble finding the same happiness.

Yoongi laid on his bed, his room darkened by his blackout curtains. He held a blunt in his ringed hand, occasionally taking puffs as he stared blankly at the ceiling. He's been here for awhile, only stopping to roll more blunts every now and then.

Truthfully, Yoongi felt lost. Somehow, someway, they had won. They had actually won and instead of celebrating with everyone else, he was here wallowing in his own thoughts and anxiety. But Yoongi had always been like this, never being able to fall into the same mood as everyone else so quickly. Everything that happened after Kim Dojima had forced V to kneel before him had been a blur. Choi Hyunsik and Kang Minho helping them had been ridiculously hard to believe. But he should be happy right? The only question was, why couldn't he?

Maybe it's because he felt inadequate. Protecting and ensuring everyone's safety had always been his job and he felt like he failed completely. If the twins didn't have a plan, what would've happened? Would that have been the end?

He sighed again, closing his eyes. As he went to take another puff, he heard the door open. He didn't have to look over to know who it was, only one person chose to bother him when he was
like this.

"Wallowing in self-pity again, Yoongs?"

"Shut the fuck up, Namjoon. Go back downstairs." Yoongi groaned, rolling his eyes.

Namjoon only chuckled, closing the door behind him before he went over to Yoongi. He snatched the blunt, took a puff, and set it down; laughing as the paler man's red eyes narrowed in annoyance. He was the only person that could bother Yoongi like this and still make it out with all fingers and toes intact. Namjoon laid his body on top of Yoongi with a smile on his face, smile growing wider as he heard the older man gasp out a breath.

"Fucking move! You're heavy as shit! Are you actually trying to kill me?" The black haired male complained, small arms trying to push Namjoon's muscular body away but with no luck. He soon gave up, arms falling at his sides as he went back to staring at the ceiling.

"Stop thinking that anything is your fault because you know it's not. They didn't tell any of us about their little plan, which I still can't decide if that was a good thing or not." Namjoon started, his smile now long gone. "Hell, I was in the fucking room with them and I felt completely powerless."

Yoongi bit his lip, fists balling at his sides. "It's just hard. I keep thinking what would've happened if they didn't think of every possibility and I feel so useless."

Namjoon sat up a bit, resting his chin on Yoongi's chest. "Yoongs, trust me when I say nobody thinks you're useless or inadequate. Me, V and everyone else couldn't be more grateful to you always watching over us. Now stop mulling over the past and revel in the present. We're fucking free."

Yoongi rolled his eyes but offered the younger a small smile. "We're really free."

"Hell yeah! Now, I expect you to come downstairs with me, talk to everyone, and get drunk as fuck." Namjoon grinned as he gave Yoongi a couple pats on the chest.

The elder waved him off, knowing he was already high as hell and getting more fucked up would make a terrible morning for him but fuck it. If the rest of the gang members were celebrating their newborn freedom at 6 in the morning, who is he to not participate.

"Maybe now we can finally get you a girl."

"Shut up, asshole. And get off me!"

✖️✖️✖️

As soon as they stepped downstairs it was like a completely different house.  People were doing body shots in one area, making out on the couches in the corner, and grinding on the dance floor in the middle of the room.  Yoongi had to blink twice just to make sure he was seeing this right.  He hadn't seen his gang members like this in a long time. 

Happy.

They were all currently in Choi Hyunsik's mansion because nobody cared enough to get rid of all the dead bodies in what used to be the Red Shadow's base.  But now that they are no more, they are just friends of the Vipers and the Anarchists.  Jinyoung was in the middle, shaking his ass on his fiance and looking so happy and free.  Everyone was getting to know everyone, some people were already kissing and some people were upstairs doing who knows what.

Namjoon shook Yoongi out of his thoughts as he dragged him to the bar, immediately ordering tequila shots.  He wanted to get Yoongi fucked up and out of his thoughts and tequila would damn sure do the trick.  

"Really bitch? Tequila?"  Yoongi shook his head as he threw back another shot, already beginning to feel light.

Namjoon laughed, dragging the older to the dance floor.  "You love me! Now shake that small ass!"  Yoongi gave him the finger but started dancing nevertheless, letting the music and alcohol take him away.  They were dancing for awhile before someone came and tapped on Namjoon's shoulder.  

"Um Namjoon, can I talk to you?" 

Namjoon felt himself freeze.  The man he's been pinning after for years and never gave him the time of day just sought him out all on his own.  He needed a second to wrap his head around that.  

"Of course, Jin."  He said spacedly, emotions all over the place as he grabbed Jin's hand and led him back upstairs.  Completely forgetting about Yoongi because of course Jin could have anything he wants from him.  From day one, he wanted Jin and only Jin.

Yoongi watched them walk upstairs, an amused smile spreading on his face as he continued to move his body.  He knew just how long Namjoon has been in love with Jin, so to see something finally happening between them made him so happy for his best friend.

"Hey..."

A noise sounded behind him and the pale man slowly turned his head to the noise, feeling like he got hit by a truck.  The most beautiful woman was standing before him.  Her long bright red hair falling over the fair skin on her tatted arms, leading down to her pretty curves and thick thighs.  She had a diamond belly piercing on display, showing below her black crop top.  She was a bit shorter than him, her hazel eyes blinking up at him in anticipation.

"U-uh, hey."  He stuttered out, inwardly rolling his eyes at himself.  She probably already thinks he's a clown.

"I'm Ash."  She introduced herself with a pretty smile, holding out her hand.  Yoongi hesitantly took it, firmly shaking her hand.  "I saw your friend leave with someone and thought you could use some company."

Yoongi still felt a little tongue tied but he somehow managed to roll out a coherent reply.  "Yeah sure, I'm Yoongi. Do you wanna sit?"

She nodded, her smile widening.  The guy she's been eyeing ever since he walked down the stairs didn't just completely turn her down.  "So, tell me about yourself Yoongi."  She asked as they made their way to the couches, not near the people making out. They fell so easily into conversation, laughing and talking as they got to know each other.  It was such a new experience from what Yoongi is used to but he could definitely get used to this. 

In the middle of the room, V stood up from leaning on the wall.  He was about to talk to his closest friends but stayed back to watch the show with a smirk instead.  It seemed like things would genuinely be alright for everyone.  

And that was all the confirmation he needed before he left the mansion, carefully making his way home to his loved ones who needed and missed him so much.

Guys, there's one more chapter left before the epilogue 😭

It's becoming more and more real that this book is actually over.  Also I never said who Jinyoung's fiance is lmao I'll let you decide that for yourselves.

But anyways,

Love you all! Peace out, beauties 💕

~ Emerald 💚