Taehyung stood there, cigarette burning in one hand, his bag strap gripped into the other. He felt a wildfire spreading inside him, just watching the two guys in the distance. One of which belonged to him. Just him. Only him.

Because, no. Belong to someone else...?

Jeongguk couldn't possibly belong to another.

He gritted his teeth together, eagle eyes settled on them until Seojun had said something about a lecture and waved goodbye to the younger.

And then he waited. Waited a bit while Seojun disappeared into the building nearby, and Taehyung was quick to approach Jeongguk who had remained relatively in the same spot.

"Uh, hey.." He gave a small smile while the boy turned and looked at him with widening eyes. "Am I... allowed to talk to you?"

Jeongguk gaped at him for a moment, seemingly surprised by his sudden appearance, and then suddenly he burst into soft giggles, his cute laughter having thrown Taehyung completely off guard.

"W-What are you talking about?" Jeongguk snorted, one hand reaching to cover his smile. "Why are you asking permission to speak to me? Everyone's allowed to talk to everyone."

Taehyung blinked down at him, feeling slightly flustered at how fucking adorable the boy looked today. How he spoke to him with a chirpy voice. How beautiful his laugh was.

Fuck.

What was he getting himself into..?

"A-Ah, right.." he chuckled, feet skidding back and pushing against each other. "I just didn't know if you... wanted people to know we were talking again..."

Jeongguk shook his head, the look on his face suddenly somewhat serious. "I don't care about that stuff.." he mumbled. "I'm just living my life here. What others have to say about it doesn't concern me, so... If they want to gossip about it for whatever reason, there's nothing that can be done about that."

Taehyung cracked a smile.

"Mm... What a cool thing to say, Jeongguk." He reached to flick his finger below the boy's chin. "Careful. You'll make me fall even deeper in love with you."

The younger's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets, cheeks quickly turning bright red. "W-What—.... What are you on..?" He looked away, fiddling with his fingers sheepishly. His voice lowered, a whiny tone to his mumbling. "How can you possibly say something like that so casually...?"

Taehyung belted out a laugh, then tapped the boy's shoulder and signaled to the side. "You heading home? Going to the bus stop?"

Jeongguk kept his head down and nodded shyly.

"I'll walk you there, yeah?" He started to walk forward. "Let's go."

With another timid nod, the boy turned to walk beside Taehyung, and the two began their slow stroll down campus grounds. Taehyung quickly found that he was more hyper-aware than ever, his senses heightened just being so close to the boy he absolutely adored. His heart couldn't possibly seem to calm itself in such proximity.

"So..." He cleared his throat, smoke residue leaving alongside his breath while he removed the cigarette from his lips. "I saw you with Seojun."

Jeongguk lifted his head, stole a glance at the other before looking forward, gulping down his saliva.

"Oh. Um, y-yeah, I... I forgave him."

"You forgave him? For cheating on you?"

"Yeah.." He looked down. "Carrying so much resentment against him was just too... tiring. It wasn't good for my mental health, and... it's not like I didn't properly think about it—he really did seem remorseful." The light wind blew a couple of Jeongguk's hair strands up while he spoke. "I've known Seojun for so long now, so... I want to believe in him. And be on good terms with him..."

Taehyung was quiet for a while, letting the frosty breeze nest over the tip of his nose until it turned it red.

Somehow, hearing the boy say such things didn't at all come to him as a surprise. After all, Jeongguk's heart was sculpted from pure gold. It was kind, understanding. Forgiving. Taehyung was convinced that the younger came into this world without even a shred of wickedness haunting his soul. Instead, he'd been born from an angel's wish, under a starry night, a blessing upon the earth. Knowing such a thing came to him as a relief. He'd rather take the evil things in this world and keep them all far from Jeongguk's reach. Would much rather take them all in himself, shield the boy from pain and suffering, never let his tears know distressing torment.

Yes. That was for him to deal with, and for Jeongguk to always stay ignorant to.

"That's what I... like so much about you."

Jeongguk turned his head to peek over at the older.

"You think so much about others... and in return, you're so very forgiving.." Taehyung dipped one hand to seek warmth inside his pocket. "It's because of this that you were able to forgive someone like your ex. And that one day, hopefully... you'll be able to forgive someone like me, too."

Jeongguk pulled the scarf over his neck closer.

"I already forgave you.."

Taehyung brought the cigarette back to his lips, and shook his head to the side.

"I don't believe you have, just yet."

The boy's brows knitted together in confusion, unsure what the older had meant by those words. And then, he was quick to notice that Taehyung's walking speed was beginning to gradually slow down. Jeongguk matched his pace, staying beside him until the two came to a full stop.

"Taehyung..?" The boy uttered softly, watching as the man shut his eyes, somewhat desperately.

"Sorry.." Taehyung whispered, one hand rubbing at his forehead. "I'm.. trying really really hard... not to... switch out right now..."

Jeongguk felt his heart skip a few beats, eyes wide as he watched the other bow his head forward.

Not to switch out...?

Was... one of his alters trying to take control?

Jeongguk's chest felt much too compressed, sudden nerves washing over him. This would be the first time he'd talk to one of Taehyung's alters and be aware of it. Somehow it was an odd feeling. He wasn't sure if he should act differently, though all he could do was treat them the same way.

Still, there was a deep worry buried inside him. That the alters inside Taehyung's head didn't look at him all too fondly. That he'd have to adjust to them in order to ensure they didn't despise him too much.

Jeongguk watched as Taehyung suddenly lifted his head up, his dark eyes now staring directly back at him. The boy's entire body felt alarmed under sudden inspection, as though a fight or flight feeling had taken over him once those predatory eyes had gotten a hold of him, and the atmosphere around the two quickly grew rather tense.

Taehyung was the first to look away, gaze scanning their surroundings before he casually continued their walk without uttering a single word. Jeongguk stared with big eyes and hesitated before following after him.

"U-Uhm.." He spoke up in a small voice. But before he could think on anything to say, the older gave a sudden loud scoff.

"This is so fucking weird.." Taehyung mumbled, nearing the cigarette back toward his lips.

Jeongguk blinked slowly. "What i-is...?"

"Being here. Next to you." He watched the tip of the blunt smolder while it turned a dark, burnt grey. "Now that you know about us. All of us." The younger grasped onto his bag straps and bit his lip. Then the man continued. "I suppose you know already that I'm not Taehyung."

"Y-Yes.."

A low hum.

"Call me V."

Jeongguk felt the frosty wind against his skin, body jolting in a shiver. So this was V, in front of him now. Someone he'd definitely faced before, though things were different now. Back then, he wasn't aware of the differences. Wasn't aware that whom he spoke to hadn't always been Taehyung himself, but rather... there were others.

One of which was here with him in this very moment.

Jeongguk shut his eyes for a second, internally coaxing himself; hoping his accelerated heartbeat would just relax.

Act natural. Act natural.

The words looped over his thoughts like a broken record.

He couldn't think much of it—his first interaction with Taehyung who was not quite Taehyung. The moment had come to him without any warning, and all he had to do was act natural, for fuck's sake.

"Long-..." He cleared his throat, forced himself to speak louder. "Long time no see.." His sweaty palms opened up briefly. "Did-.. Did you miss me?"

Great. How smooth, Jeongguk. Totally natural.

Taehyung, or rather V, lowered the cigarette from his lips and let out a taunting laugh at the words spoken to him.

"Why on earth would I miss you?"

Jeongguk's feigned smile faded from his face, cheeks stained pink as he lowered his head once again in defeat.

"You, uhm.. Well, y-you could at least lie and say that you did.." He mumbled, hands now fiddling with the bag strap over his shoulder.

"I wouldn't lie to you, Jeon." Taehyung spoke boldly. "Would you like me to lie to you?"

"W-Well no, but.."

There was a brief silence between the two.

Taehyung then spoke with a dishonest grin on his face.

"I'm only kidding, Jeon. I did miss you."

The younger lifted his head, eyes narrowing down at the man who walked only slightly in front of him, those broad shoulders a familiar sight by now. One he didn't know he missed seeing until just now.

"Was that a lie...?"

"I just told you I wouldn't lie to you." Taehyung turned his head over his shoulder a bit, to glance at the boy who stared back at him with an illegible gaze. "That being said, I... don't exactly always tell the truth, either."

Jeongguk let out a quiet breath, quickly breaking eye contact from the older's intense glare. "You're a walking contradiction.." he muttered, brows pulling together in slight frustration because, won't his heart stop beating so fast already?

He hated this.

Hated how on edge he felt all of a sudden, trying to act natural around the one alter he felt most insecure being around.

This was just his luck.

And yet, once he had slipped into these thoughts, Taehyung's voice boomed over his ears once again, making his body flinch in surprise at the abrupt words.

"Are you scared of me, Jeon?"

The boy found himself holding his breath, convinced himself he should answer in a way that wouldn't get him reprimanded by a man capable of many things. He racked his brain desperately for a proper response. A natural one.

"N-No.." He nearly whispered, quickly cursed himself for having stuttered over the simple word. Now he didn't seem genuine about it one bit, and he could tell that was the case when Taehyung began to slow down in front of him, and suddenly the man turned around and gripped onto his arm harshly.

Jeongguk let out an inaudible gasp, stomach clenching up, pupils dilating. He looked up at Taehyung with a stunned face, as though a deer caught in headlights. And watched while a sinister grin curled up on the older's lips.

"I see.." he uttered in a tone of amusement. "So you are scared. How very fun." His head tilted slightly to the side, dark gaze roaming over the boy's expression. "Mhm... I can have so much fun with you."

Jeongguk tried. He really did.

He tried so hard to make sure his body didn't tremble at the deep rumbling of the other's voice. But inevitably he felt his wrist shake, Taehyung's hold on him only becoming tighter. It almost drew a squeal out of him, a drop of sweat formed at the corner of his forehead.

But surprisingly, he wasn't as scared as he thought he'd be.

Maybe it was because he understood Taehyung a little better. Understood V, a little better.

Yet, he still couldn't help the rapid pulsing of his veins, shooting a telepathic message to his brain to get the fuck away from him.

"L-Let go of me.." Jeongguk whispered, not having thought twice of his phrasing. Though once he said it he immediately regretted it, afraid of how the male would respond to such a demand.

After all, V didn't seem like the type who liked to be ordered around—told what to do.

"Hm?" The man's face drew closer, almost as though to taunt the boy with his stare. "What did you say? You speak so low I can't fucking hear you half the time you say shit to me." His grip loosened over Jeongguk's arm, nicotine breath brushing the air between them. "Speak up."

Jeongguk gulped, a chill running down his spine. "I-I s-said..." A pause. Only a mere whimper followed his pathetic excuse of a sentence.

And Taehyung leaned even closer in response, his ear a centimeter from the boy's lips. "Still can't hear shit. Speak up."

Jeongguk felt frozen in place, feet glued to the concrete. Having the man standing so close, mocking him, speaking to him in a tone he didn't like. His sensitive heart almost pushed tears to his eyes. But he held himself back, convinced himself that he was stronger than this, and let a shaky breath leave him.

With clenched fists, he took a step back and walked past the older, face flushed red from the cold, and the fear rising in his lungs.

He expected Taehyung to follow after him any moment now. To grab him with a killer grip and scoff harsh words at him for ignoring him. But Jeongguk walked, and walked, and walked. And the man never stopped him.

At one point he began to slow down, a shiver in his body as he turned around to glance behind him, only to see that Taehyung was standing right where he had left him, one hand inside his pocket while the other held the cigarette to his lips.

He stood still, just watching him. Not making an effort to tag along.

Jeongguk slowly turned back around, finally reached the bus stop. He let out a long sigh he didn't know he'd been holding in, clutched the bag strap over his shoulder, and pulled his scarf closer while he waited for the next scheduled bus to scoop him up from the compressed pit feeling inside his chest.

※ ※

"You're doing it wrong!" A whiny voice drawled out while Jeongguk settled a plate of snacks over the center table. He looked up to see Jimin scolding Hoseok for taking too long on the karaoke machine's song selection, though he'd been so accustomed to his two friends' friendly bickering that he no longer paid much mind to it.

He plopped himself down over the blue cushioned seating beside Yerin, who was already chugging down a shot of soju.

"Ah, Jeonggukie~" She gave a satisfied hum, arms wrapping over the younger's shoulders. "It's been so long since we all hung out like this. Isn't it nice~?"

Jeongguk gave a quiet chuckle, the pumping of music from the neighboring rooms trembled the walls surrounding them. "Yes, it's nice. But you should slow down on the drinking, noona. We barely even started!"

"I'll be fiine, I'm not a lightweight like you," she snickered with a teasing grin.

Jeongguk's lip tucked into a pout. "M'not a lightweight..."

"Aw honey, let's not lie to ourselves tonight, okay? Honesty is the best policy."

The boy rolled his eyes, unable to hold back a chuckle. Then he glanced at the arguing boys who stood a few feet away, and lowered his head.

"Yerin.." he mumbled out, fingers brushing over one another. "Does... the rest of the gang know about, um..." He paused. The girl merely waited patiently for him to continue. Which eventually he did, by means of a lowered voice. "About... Taehyung's disorder..?"

Yerin blinked in silence, peeked toward her boyfriend and looked back toward Jeongguk.

"You mean.. Does Hoseok know?"

The boy nodded.

"He, um..." She crossed her legs and leaned back against the cushion. "He knows something's wrong. Just not what. In fact, the rumor around the gang soldiers is that Taehyung's bipolar or something along those lines." Yerin's gaze trailed to the ground. "We don't really correct anyone. The less they know, the better. But only me, Seokjin, my brother Namjoon, and Yoongi know the truth."

Jeongguk listened in silence, feet sliding over the clean floor beneath them.

Yerin took a glance at him, wondering in silence why it was that Jeongguk was suddenly curious about Taehyung again. It's been a while since he had asked her such things, after all. But she understood that people had different ways of processing things, had their own pace with coming to terms with concepts unfamiliar to them. So she decided not to question it, nor pry.

And eventually, loud music interrupted the two's persistent thoughts. Jeongguk lifted his head up to see that Jimin and Hoseok finally settled on a song they could duet, and were already hopping excitedly while waiting on the lyrics to start.

He heard Yerin giggle beside him, amused by the boys' antics. But Jeongguk himself couldn't seem to do the one thing he was hoping he'd be able to do, once he had his friends around him.

He just couldn't relax.

As always, one man seemed to occupy this thinking capacity. And once Taehyung seized his thoughts like this it was really difficult for him to let it all go.

"Hey—," Yerin's voice yelled over the music, "Sing a song with me! Let's outshine those two idiots over there!" She pointed towards Hoseok and Jimin who were now goofily making up dances while singing cheesy lyrics to each other.

Jeongguk glanced between them and weakly smiled.

"I wouldn't lie to you." A voice boomed through his head, like a memory haunting his brain.

The boy froze.

"Why on earth would I miss you?"

Jeongguk looked around the room with a wavering gaze, hands trembling over his lap.

"You're disgusting."

He stood abruptly, heart pounding loudly in his chest, ricocheting from his ears. He looked down towards Yerin who was watching him with a curiously confused gaze.

"Ggukie, are you o—"

"Bathroom.." He mumbled out, throat dry. "I-I'll be right b-back.."

Jeongguk dashed from the isolated singing room and hurried down the narrow hallway toward the front desk. The world around him seemed to close in on him, appear blurry at the corners, pulse at odd intervals inside his head. He managed to stumble into the restroom, where he leaned over the sink and occasionally splashed his pale face with warm water.

Shaky breaths left him in choked exhales, palm gripped to the marble counter as he blinked repeatedly. He could hear the chatter of two men talking about something he couldn't quite process; who at one point, asked him if he was okay. Though they gave up once Jeongguk didn't give them an answer, and left with murmurs claiming maybe the boy had drank too much.

It took him a while for Jeongguk to come to his senses, to allow his thoughts to fall blank and focus on the world currently around him. Through slow, timed breathing he managed to relax, lingered beside the wall for a bit before finally exiting the restroom with hesitant steps.

"Jeongguk?"

He heard a voice call out to him. The boy flinched before snapping his head up toward the bar counter, where his name had left a man's lips. After a couple blinks, he recognized the guy to be a Bangtan captain. And more specifically, the owner of this whole establishment.

"A-Ah... Hey, h-hyung..." Jeongguk greeted him with a small voice.

The man—Kim Seokjin, as he remembered, shot him a friendly smile. "Yeah, hey. Haven't seen you around in a while."

"Yeah.."

"Who are you here with? Some friends?"

"Y-Yes. Yerin and the others.."

"Ah. Very nice." Seokjin pointed towards a row of drinks behind him. "Care for a drink? It's on me."

Jeongguk clasped his hands together and timidly shook his head. "No thanks, I'm... actually about to head out." He lowered his head. "M'not feeling too well... Can you let the others know if they ask?"

Seokjin blinked back at him, a hint of concern laced over his features. "Are you alright? Do you need a ride home?"

"I'm-..." He cleared his throat. "I'm okay. I don't live very far."

"Right." A pause. "Well, whenever you're feeling better... Is it alright if we grab some coffee sometime? I've been meaning to talk to you about a few things.."

Jeongguk feigned a smile. "That would be lovely."

"Great," Seokjin gave a small chuckle. "Have a goodnight, Jeongguk."

"T-Thank you... You as well.."

With that Jeongguk quickly turned the other way and walked toward the exit, his stomach cluttered with a queasy strain. He let the contrasting cold breeze substitute the warm feeling on his cheeks, while his feet guided him down the quiet streets.

The full moon was particularly large tonight. Jeongguk couldn't help but stare at it, at the glowing aura around its round edges, while he strolled down the isolated street; feet heavy, and thoughts preoccupied.

There was something in the way his skin could barely sustain such frosting weather pushing over it, that oddly gave the boy solace from his uneasiness.

His hurrying pace gradually slowed down, until he was walking steadily past the warmly lit street lamps and the rustling of leaves circling him. Since it was rather late, the area was vacant of crowds, and Jeongguk felt he could finally relax with no one around.

That is, until he heard the voice of someone behind him.

"Excuse me..."

He turned around, looked over his shoulder to see a guy with an innocent face smile sheepishly at him.

"Sorry. I'm a bit lost.." The stranger walked closer to him, and held up a small piece of paper. "Do you live around here? I'm supposed to meet some friends at this place."

Jeongguk squinted his eyes, leaning a bit closer to see the words Abyss Karaoke written over the piece of paper. "Ah.." he breathed out softly. "Yes. It's back there, you just passed it."

"Really?" The guy's eyes widened before letting out a small laugh. "Shit. I'm terrible at this. Thank you so much."

Jeongguk returned his smile politely. "It's okay. You're new to the area, it seems. You'll get used to it."

"I hope so." The man lowered the piece of paper and scratched the side of his head. "It's my first semester at Seoul University, so.."

Jeongguk raised his brows. "Seoul Uni? T-That's the same school I go to."

"Really?!" The stranger beamed. "That makes us school mates!" He slipped the paper into his pocket and bowed. "I'm Park Sungho. Nice to meet you."

"Sungho.. I'm Jeon Jeongguk."

"Jeongguk..." Sungho trailed off, his eyes glancing past the boy to see two men crossing the street toward them. "Uhm.. Thanks for helping me out, Jeongguk."

"No need to thank me, it's... not a problem," Jeongguk gave a polite bow, then straightened his shoulders while Sungho looked at him with a blank expression over his face.

"Still. Thanks, and..." He gave a snap of his fingers, and the approaching two men behind him suddenly darted towards them, running with incredible speed that reached their side in a matter of seconds. "I'm really sorry about this.."

Before Jeongguk could even react, the two strangers grabbed at each arm beside him, holding him still while Sungho draped a knitted bag over his head, and suddenly Jeongguk was being dragged harshly across the pavement, the sound of an approaching vehicle ringing over the darkness.

"W-What's g-going on!?" Jeongguk yelled out, struggling to fight the grip of the men holding him down. "S-Sungho...? Let me go!!!" He felt himself being tossed into the backseat of what he presumed to be a car, his endless shouts of confusion now asked for help toward anyone nearby who could possibly hear him.

But there was no one around to help—no one to take notice.

No one to hear his cries.

No one to save him.

✱