A/N: Shh...we will move like a ninja with this fic. I'll quietly try to finish this and won't jinx it. You'll hype me up and help me to the finish line, okay?

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When Jungkook bid farewell to his childhood friends who were also his family, the soft morning light had barely pierced through the thick clouds overhead. Perhaps even the skies knew how he felt because they were dark and gloomy reflecting his current mood.

He wasn't supposed to stay the night. The young actor should have been home after his schedule with Heesung, which was a lie. The director had lied to his manager Henry just so he could take him to meet Jimin.

As soon as Heesung said it was time to leave, a heavy silence settled among them. The joy of reunion they had felt only moments ago faded completely. Instead their hearts were filled with a sense of sorrow and dread.

Jungkook's heart constricted painfully in his chest. However, Yoongi's solution was like a rain in a dry land even if it was temporary. To the young actor, any solution that didn't end up with Jimin and him being together was no solution at all.

But he understood his predicament. While he may be one of the highest paid actors in the industry, Henry managed his finances and all his bank documents and cards were with him.

He worked too hard, giving his everything to achieve what he had today only with a hope that this would eradicate their poverty forever and he'd be able to live a decent life with Jimin. Now Jungkook wasn't willing to let go of all that and pay an additional twenty billion as compensation just to terminate his contract.

So as much as he dreaded this situation, he decided he'd heed Yoongi's advice. If he had sent Heesung to get him back from America, then he would be able to get him out of his company too. If there was anyone who could do that it would only be Yoongi.

However, it didn't mean it made things any easier. Going back to that place meant he'd have to put up with Henry again. Jungkook didn't want to return at all. That place reminded of everything he lost in the past few years, where he was nothing but a caged bird.

His heart yearned to be with Jimin. It already ached and longed to bridge the few feet gap between him and Jimin. He could tell Jimin was feeling the same way.

Director Heesung climbed in the front passenger side of the car Yoongi had arranged. Taehyung hugged Yoongi, their hug lingering longer than it was deemed appropriate. Jungkook had no idea where Taehyung was last night, but it was clear Taehyung was now somehow acquainted with Yoongi. And it was something more personal. He'd have to get Taehyung alone and that would have to wait.

For now, he couldn't take his eyes off Jimin, who was hovering around him looking upset. Jungkook felt a sharp pang in his chest. His boyfriend's face was composed, but Jungkook knew him too well to sense the sorrow and dread he was trying to mask.

Taehyung and Seokjin climbed inside the car and it was only Jungkook standing outside with the others. Jimin approached him with slow strides and Jungkook crashed into him with a sob.

"I don't wanna go." His body shook with sobs.

Jimin rubbed his pack before patting a few times. "It's okay."

Jungkook shook his head. "I don't." He hiccuped. "I have to but I don't want to."

"Baby," Jimin's voice cracked. "I don't want to let you go either."

"Promise me," his voice cracked with sobs. "You'll come for me. No matter how far the distance or how many people stand between us, you'll come for me."

Jimin pulled back to cup his face with both his hands. "I promise," his voice rang with determination and resilience. "As long as you want me to, I'll always come for you."

"You're the only one I want," Jungkook sniffled. "There will be no one else for me in this life, hyung. It'll always be you."

Jimin smiled through the unshed tears filling his eyes. "Then wait for me, sweet heart. I may not be as powerful or rich, but this heart only beats for you. And I'll always come."

Jungkook nodded fervently.

"No matter who tries to stop me, I'll fight for us. Our love." Jimin caressed his cheek with his thumb. "Go now, my love."

Jungkook leaned forward to kiss him and Jimin met him halfway. Tears mixed with the kiss, tasting salty, but also of their desperation. When they parted, Jungkook only cried more.

"I-I love you," he sobbed. "Promise me you'll marry me when we get back together this time. Promise me that we will be together forever."

"I promise," Jimin responded without hesitation. He kissed Jungkook again, this time the kiss was filled with more passion. "I love you, Jungkook. I love you so much."

Jungkook nodded, wiping his tears off. "I'll get going then. Don't you dare give up on me."

"Never." Jimin tried to smile. "Don't you wanna change before you go?"

Jungkook shook his head, gripping his t-shirt tight with one hand. "No? This is comfortable."

Jimin smiled, wiping his own eyes. "He's gonna find out if you go in this attire. And he'll find out what you were up to if he sees those hickeys."

Jungkook rolled his eyes. "I'm in Korea now." The side of his lips curved upward. "The worst he can do is to send me back to these streets." He notched his chin. "I'm not afraid of him anymore, hyung. Besides, it's like a slap to that bastard and it's my way of silently telling him to shove it up his ass."

Jimin snorted. "Ah there he is. For a second I feared they polished you a bit too much to fit these streets again."

A chuckle slipped out of him. "No one can erase these streets from my blood." Then he grew somber. "But I'm afraid they won't stop trying even if I bleed out until there is nothing left."

Jimin reached out to cup one side of his face with a hand. "I won't let that happen."

Jungkook nodded and blinked away his tears. "I'll trust you." He glanced sideways at the SUV and took a deep breath, preparing himself for the inevitable. "I love you."

But his fingers refused to let go, glued to Jimin with a desperation only they both understood. Yoongi had given him his word, yes, how long would it hold? What if Henry found a way to get back at him?

Jimin's hand rested on his reassuringly and warmth radiated from his skin, chasing away the chillness that had spread on his hands.

"I spend every single night alone in that bed, staring at my ceiling and praying that I get to see you just one more time," Jimin said, his voice and expression twisting with pain. "Time and circumstances make me doubt everything. I was losing my hope these past few months and was beginning to accept my new reality." He took a shuddering breath and glanced down at their joined hands. "I didn't lose my faith in you, but I was losing my will to fight alone. Now you have not only given me a reason to fight but you also gave my strength back." He gently pushed the loose strand of Jungkook's hair behind his ear. "I'm letting you leave only because Yoongi hyung said so. Don't lose your hope."

Jungkook processed his words, nodding wordlessly. A silent tear fell down his cheek.

"Hey..." Jimin quickly flicked the lone tear away. "None of that. No more crying," he said sternly. "Bet we have both shed enough for a lifetime."

Jungkook took a shuddering breath before nodding. "Okay. I'll be counting on you and Yoongi hyung."

"Jin hyung has a phone too. You can talk to me anytime you want," Jimin said. "Don't be too sad now."

Jungkook's spirits lifted upon hearing that and he nodded immediately. "Okay. I can't go through that pain of not talking to you anymore. This time I'll die for real," he sniffled again.

Jimin covered his mouth and shook his head. "I'll kill him before that," he growled, eyes darkening and anger growing on his face. "I'll fucking kill him for you," he repeated, making it sound like a promise. One he was willing to fulfill without hesitation.

The young actor hugged him again. "I love you," he whispered. "I love you so much." His hold on Jimin tightened, blunt finger nails, digging on his back.

Getting inside the car was way harder than he thought. Jungkook put his head outside of the SUV window, looking and waving at Jimin until he disappeared from his view.

Seokjin gently pulled him inside and rolled the dark windows up. "You're famous now, kid. Keep a low profile," he said.

Jungkook rolled his eyes, scoffing lightly. "I grew up here. They would be happy to see me."

"There could be paparazzi waiting to get a glimpse. It's better to be safe than sorry."

Jungkook nodded, his gaze shifting to Taehyung who looked lost in his thoughts. He let him be and glanced outside of the window. Relief washed over him and the tightness in his chest had reduced now that Seokjin was here with him.

"Henry is gonna hate that you're there."

A smirk lifted the corner of Seokjin's mouth. "That's what I want."

The light heartedness of the situation faded away pretty soon. Jungkook swallowed the bitter mix of longing and rising fear of not being able to see Jimin again as anxiety pooled in the pit of his stomach.

As the Hyundai Casper cruised along the highway toward Seoul, leaving the familiar streets he once again felt the sense of void settle in his heart. The scenery flashed by in a blur.

A sense of déjà vu washed over him. The very first time he traveled outside of his hometown to Seoul, ready to work on his very first project surfaced in his memory. He'd gripped Jimin's hand tight with a mixture of anticipation and excitement.

Jungkook remembered being happy and hopeful that their hardships were about to end. It did seemingly end for a while. But then Henry happened.

If he closed his eyes, he could almost see himself as a skinny kid with dirt-streaked clothes, threading his way through these very streets and living off some spare change and stolen food.

Life had been unforgiving and his only companions were constant hunger and cold. Then Jimin took him under his wing. The harsh reality became somewhat bearable in his presence. The hunger and cold remained, but Jimin's warmth was beginning to ease both. The elder boy he met on these streets had become his safety net.

Life had been simple then with daily survival as their only goal. But there was peace. A lot of it. Park Jimin. Both boys didn't have a surname when they met. It was something they chose for themselves during one of those long night conversations to gain a false sense of belonging somewhere.

The memories of his time with Jimin felt both distant and vivid, filling him with the warmth of an evening sun. He thought back to how Jimin would wait to share his food with him, their living space under that bridge cramped but full of laughter. The quiet alleys everyone avoided becoming their asylum. The restaurant dumpsters became their holy grail.

Jungkook was convinced nothing could break their happy bubble. The ache to see Jimin again filled him. His understanding was something Jungkook expected but he had nothing to soothe the pain behind that longing gaze of his boyfriend. He could only imagine what Jimin must have gone through.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice they had entered Seoul, the scenery growing familiar and snuffed the growing warmth in his chest. His heart beat louder and dread filled him. A drop of sweat rolled down the side of his head.

Nothing but his manager Henry and his suffocating grip awaited him back home. Home. Was that even a home anymore? Even if he bought it with his hard earned money, Jungkook never felt warmth inside of those walls in Jimin's absence.

As the distance to his apartment grew shorter, Jungkook knew the fight for his freedom was going to be a grueling one. Henry wasn't going to let him go so easily. The man had turned all of Jungkook's dreams into a nightmare.

Jungkook turned to see Seokjin, feeling the wait of his concerned gaze. His hyung wrapped a hand around his shoulder, squeezing it once as if assuring him that things would be okay.

The actor wasn't so sure yet. Dread filled his entire being and he wished that Henry got drunk and passed out somewhere. However, the reality was much worse.

Jungkook found Henry pacing in his living room, looking like a caged lion. He barely had a moment to breathe before he froze under Henry's intense gaze. He looked menacing with that sneer plastered across his face.

"Look who has decided to return," Henry scoffed, eyes roving over Jungkook's frame, top to bottom and lingering longer on the faded t-shirt and worn jeans with disdain. "You smell like sex." He scrunched his nose in disgust, gaze now narrowing at his neck. "Went to find that rat from the streets I see." He took a menacing step forward. "You want to go back to your origin that badly, huh?"

Jungkook bit the inside of his cheek, his heart hammering in his chest. He clenched his fist as Seokjin stepped behind him, having entered the apartment after him.

Henry's gaze snapped to Seokjin and more venom flooded his face. If looks could kill, all three of them would be dead by now. "What the hell is he doing here?"

Seokjin stepped forward. "Looks like you remember me."

Henry scoffed. "How could I not? It's in the stench you carry." He scrunched his nose. "This is no place for a street rat like you. Didn't I already chase one out? Leave."

"I thought this is Jungkook's apartment," Seokjin countered in a calm tone. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm his manager and I'm the one who calls the shots here," Henry's face contorted. "Who's next? That sorry reason for his ex-boyfriend? Doesn't he have an ounce of shame to show his face here again?" The manager stomped toward them, glancing outside the apartment. "Where is he?"

"It's just me," Seokjin said. "I'm Jungkook's new dietician and cook. I was recommended for this job."

Henry's face contorted more. "By whom? Him?" He pointed at Jungkook. "Really scraping the bottom of the barrel, aren't we?" He took a step forward. "Get out of here this instant. I won't allow this."

"If anyone is leaving, it's you." Seokjin took another step inside the apartment, casually wheeling his luggage to the side as if he was making a statement.

"He stays," Jungkook spoke up, shoving aside the rising fear and panic. "Director Heesung hired him. He isn't going anywhere."

"Don't forget who runs the things here!" Henry's voice grew louder with anger. "Remember the contract you signed? Say that again. I control every fucking thing you do. I'm responsible for every dollar you make and spend." He lunged, a hand shooting forward.

Before Jungkook could move back or respond, Seokjin stepped in between them, one hand blocking Henry's hand and fist connecting squarely with Henry's jaw. A sharp cracking sound filled the room.

Henry stumbled back, one hand flying to cover his face, eyes widening with rage and surprise.

"He said I'm here to stay." Seokjin's gaze narrowed.

Henry growled, "Over my dead body."

"Is that so?" Seokjin cocked his head to the side. "That can be arranged." This time he pulled out a gun from his back, removing the safety and aiming the loaded weapon at the manager. "Don't ever come at him like that. You don't get to lay a finger on my boy. Not now, not ever." His voice unwavering and stance unyielding.

Henry's chest heaved and his face grew red. "You think you're clever? I will show you."

"We have already spoken to your upper management," Seokjin intervened. "Jungkook's contract doesn't stop him from meeting his old friends or living his life the way he wants to live. They're well aware of Jungkook's terms and conditions. I'll make sure now those terms will be respected. He is no longer your puppet."

"You don't know who you're messing with," Henry spat. "You think you're some big shot?"

"I am a big shot." Seokjin smirked. "I'm the one with a gun here, aren't I?"

Henry's gaze flicked to Jungkook and Taehyung, who was standing silently behind him. "You'll regret this," he gritted out.

"As long as Jungkook isn't violating your company's terms or conditions, he has nothing to fear," Seokjin replied in his stead. "I don't want to see you here ever again. If you want to take Jungkook somewhere, you will call him and meet him at the parking lot. I'll shoot you if you dare to step inside this apartment again."

"Fuck you!" Henry snarled.

"No, it's our turn to fuck you." Seokjin just aimed at his feet, firing one round and Henry jerked back, falling on his ass, eyes wide and breathing heavily. Jungkook saw the traces of fear in his face for the first time.

"I don't bluff." Seokjin smirked. "If you're his manager then do only what you should be doing. If I see you intervening in his personal life again, I'll kill you and turn you into fish food."

Henry looked like he had a lot of things to say but Seokjin cocked his gun again, making him scramble to his legs and hurry outside his apartment without another look behind.

Jungkook released a shaky breath, his body trembling involuntarily as he processed what just unfolded. Tears burned the back of his eyes and he let out a choked laugh as he recalled how Henry ran out of his apartment.

"Pest control service this time is very effective." Taehyung shut the door and locked it before proceeding to change the security code. "That bastard should never set his foot inside of this place again."

Henry's heavy footsteps faded down the hallway and Jungkook's knees weakened with sudden lightness. The tension in the room has dissipated and he still couldn't believe what just happened.

"That's just the beginning," Seokjin muttered, securing his gun. "He won't lay a hand on you again." He glanced at Jungkook. "I promise I'll break his arm before that."

Jungkook nodded through another shudder raking his body and lunged to hug Seokjin, letting go of the tears that were now falling freely. "Hyung..." His body shook with sobs.

Seokjin hugged him back, rubbing his back gently. "I know." He patted his back a few times. "I know. Hyung is here now. Hyung will take care of it."

Jungkook nodded again. "Okay."

The moment lasted a little longer. Seokjin tightened his hold around him. "It's so good to have you back, little one. Hyung is going to set things right." He pulled back but Jungkook didn't let go. That only made Seokjin laugh. "Come on, kid. Let's get you some proper food. It's been ages since I got to feed you anything. Taehyung, you too. Come on."

It was almost three hours later when they finally settled with a steaming bowl of food in front of them. Jungkook's cabinets were practically empty. So they ordered groceries, arranged everything as per Seokjin's instructions and helped him chop vegetables while he cooked.

The delicious aroma of food filled the entire apartment. No one could beat Seokjin's cooking in Jungkook's opinion. He was just amazing. Jungkook still couldn't believe the outcome and he had trouble digesting that Yoongi hyung was the one who sent Heesung after him.

Seokjin filled him in on everything Yoongi did for Jungkook because he didn't believe for once Jungkook would ditch Jimin for money. And Jimin had been in a terrible place in his absence.

He had gotten into the fighting ring to cope with the pain and to earn money. Seokjin revealed that Jimin was still madly, deeply and hopelessly in love with him but he was also in a lot of pain. The heartache was driving him insane.

"Do you think Henry would do something?" Jungkook asked while washing the dishes.

Seokjin looked up from where he was cleaning the kitchen counter tops. Taehyung was drying the plates and bowls with a kitchen towel.

"Of course he will," Seokjin replied. "I'm here to ensure he won't trouble you."

Jungkook blew out a breath. "I still don't understand. How come the management accepted you being my dietician?"

"A bodyguard actually," Seokjin corrected him with his signature smile. "Heesung cited your growing popularity here and informed your management that the film crew will hire a bodyguard who would be with you all the time."

"But Henry is already there." Taehyung frowned. "He doubles up as a manager and a bodyguard."

"Jungkook's contract doesn't say he can't hire a personal bodyguard or have a staff that wasn't provided by the company. Also Heesung refused to include Henry because he tried to sabotage the project once. The management didn't have a strong comeback against that," Seokjin explained. "I didn't know until this morning, actually. Yoongi just called me up and told me that he is sending me somewhere."

"Oh." Jungkook nodded in understanding.

"Whatever it is, we will face it together," Seokjin assured. "You're not alone in this."

Jungkook let out a shuddering breath. "I don't know how much we can do. Henry controls my accounts. He also has my cards. This is the only one with me and it's a company one with a limit."

Seokjin frowned. "That's not good."

"It's never good. We don't know what he's even doing with those cards. Henry has twisted a lot of stuff about Jungkook. The management doesn't care much as long as he's bringing in money. And Henry is always bringing up high end projects. So they don't tell him anything."

Seokjin nodded thoughtfully. "We'll figure out." He chewed his bottom lip. "You both rest up. I'll be in my room if you need me. I have something to take care of."

Both the actors nodded and watched as Seokjin dragged his suitcase inside the guest bedroom.

Jungkook turned to Taehyung. "So what's the deal with you and Yoongi hyung?" he asked. "Are you two a thing now?"

A faint blush coated Taehyung's cheeks. "You can say that." He averted his gaze.

Jungkook stared at him intently. "Wow. How? When? Spill the tea." He inched closer, bumping against him as he beamed. "Tell me everything."

"Um... Yoongi hyung came after we dropped you at Jimin's place. He took us to his place and I kinda ran into him. We talked and things kinda escalated?" He scratched the back of his neck. "I still can't believe it. The attraction was there but I didn't expect him to reciprocate."

Jungkook hummed. "Yoongi hyung doesn't easily let anyone near him. I'm glad it's you." He grinned. "So both of us had a good night it seems." He winked.

Taehyung only chuckled. "I think so. So how was it?"

"The best," Jungkook replied immediately. "I'm so happy that it hurts. I can't explain the relief I'm feeling right now. I want to be with him and I didn't want to leave but Yoongi hyung never does something without reason. As hard as this is, I have to trust him if I want to be free. I told you before. If anyone can protect us, it's him."

"Yeah, I can see that." Taehyung exhaled, gaze growing distant. "I saw it with my own eyes. But don't take Henry lightly."

"I won't." Jungkook sighed. "It's just..." His shoulders slumped. "I can't wait for all this to be over. I want to go home."

Taehyung smiled. "Me too."

Exhaustion settled over him as he moved to sit on the couch with a drink in his hand. It had been ages since they had some kind of peace. A space without Henry felt like heaven. Taehyung settled beside him wordlessly, both lost in their thoughts.

In the silence of the apartment, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner and an occasional sipping sound from Taehyung, Jungkook allowed himself to imagine a life free of Henry's hold. He imagined waking up to Jimin every morning without having to hide from the public eye. He imagined all the things they could do together and build a home filled with only love.

One day I'll be free.

He reclined further on the couch, letting his eyes fall shut and soon drifted into a peaceful slumber, imagining being in Jimin's arms again.

***

A/N: This was supposed to end with them reuniting but readers wanted more and hyped me up so much it has come to this. I'm struggling for this fic but help me yeah. Your comments will motivate me and I'll finish this even if we have to crawl to the finish line.  I won't set a schedule for this yet, but like I said we will crawl if that's what it takes. I'm finishing this next.