The chill of the evening clung to the air as Y/N stepped outside, the weight of her thoughts bearing down heavily on her. Jungkook followed close behind, his presence a quiet, grounding comfort as she sank onto the steps and pulled a cigarette from her jacket pocket.

"That's the guy you were seeing, isn't it?" he asked, lowering himself onto the step beside her and effortlessly swiping one of her cigarettes.

She hummed in response, the effort to form words feeling overwhelming.

"Shit-that sucks," he muttered as he lit the stolen cigarette, his voice muffled around the stick. The ember glowed softly in the dim light, illuminating his face.

They sat together in silence, the world inside the house loud and chaotic, while the night outside wrapped them in a fragile reprieve.

Y/N sighed deeply, pressing the heels of her hands against her face. "I shouldn't even be upset," she admitted, her voice heavy with emotion. "I left him-no explanation, no communication. And it's not like we were even together."

The smoke curled from her lips as her eyes fixed on the distance, as though clarity lay somewhere out in the dark.

Jungkook studied her profile, his gaze lingering as he searched for the right words to offer. "You're still allowed to be upset, Y/N," he said softly. "You went on a date. One week doesn't just erase that."

"It does when he thinks you've left town," a sharp voice interjected, cutting through the stillness.

They both turned toward the doorway, where Jimin stood, his expression a mix of frustration and disappointment.

"You could've at least sent him a message," Jimin continued, his voice taut with restrained anger. "Something to let him know it wasn't his fault. That he wasn't the problem."

"I know," Y/N whispered, the weight of his words settling heavily on her chest.

Before anyone could say more, the sound of raised voices from inside drew their attention. Jimin spun on his heel and stormed back into the house, with Y/N stubbing out her cigarette and following close behind. Jungkook trailed them, his brows knitted in concern.

Inside, chaos reigned. Taehyung stood nose-to-nose with another man, one of Na-yeon's admirers, their argument escalating to shouted insults.

Jimin wasted no time, stepping in and shoving the guy away from Taehyung. The move only provoked the other man, fists flying as the two collided in a tangle of limbs.

"Enough!" Y/N shouted, rushing to Taehyung's side and pulling him away. Jungkook waded into the fray, dragging Jimin off the other man while Na-yeon and her friends restrained the aggressor.

As the commotion settled, Jungkook pushed Jimin toward the door. "Come on. Let's get some air," he said firmly.

Y/N guided Taehyung outside, his steps slow and hesitant. "I didn't mean to kiss her," Taehyung blurted suddenly, his voice tinged with regret. "I didn't want to."

"Taehyung, it's fine," Y/N replied, her tone calm despite the turmoil swirling inside her. "We'll talk about it later. I'm not mad at you."

Jungkook held onto Jimin, who paced back and forth like a caged animal, his frustration far from abating. "Who does he think he is?!" Jimin growled, his fists clenched tightly.

"Jimin, it's not worth it," Y/N tried to reason, but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears.

"No, Taehyung! It's not okay!" Jimin snapped, his words cutting like a blade. "You can't let people treat you like you're nothing. Stop being a pushover!"

Jungkook, sensing the tension rising further, intervened. "Take a walk, man. Cool off."

But Jimin whirled on him instead, his voice laced with venom. "And who the hell are you? Y/N's latest toy? News flash, buddy-she's a-"

"Don't you dare finish that word," Y/N hissed, stepping between them with a cold, cutting glare. Her voice was steady but dangerous, daring him to continue.

Jimin's gaze locked with hers, the defiance in his eyes flickering before fading.

"Watch your mouth," she said, her words deliberate and unwavering. "Taehyung doesn't deserve this, and neither do I."

Taehyung's soft voice broke through the tension. "Can we just stop? I want to go home."

"I'll drive," Jungkook offered, pulling out his keys.

Taehyung hesitated, glancing between Jimin and Y/N. "You guys coming?"

"Go ahead," Y/N said, waving them off. "We'll catch up."

With a nod, Jungkook led Taehyung to the car. As they disappeared into the darkness, Y/N turned back to Jimin, her anger still simmering.

"You think you're helping him?" she asked, her voice calm but firm. "You might be his friend, but that doesn't give you the right to tear him down."

Jimin's shoulders slumped, the fight draining from his body. "I didn't mean-"

"Save it," she cut him off sharply. "Just...watch yourself next time. Now get in the car."

The drive was quiet, the earlier tension lingering but muted. When they arrived at Jimin's house, he mumbled an apology as he stepped out.

"It's cool," Jungkook said with a faint smile. "No hard feelings."

Jimin hesitated, glancing at Y/N with a tentative expression. "Y/N?"

She met his gaze with a sharp look but couldn't stop the faint smile tugging at her lips. "Get out before I make Jungkook run you over."

Jimin chuckled softly, muttering his goodbye as he disappeared into the house.

As the car rolled back onto the road, Jungkook broke the silence with a dramatic yawn. "So...where are you staying tonight?" he asked, throwing a glance her way.

"You can stay at mine!" Taehyung piped up from the back seat, his eagerness both charming and awkward. "I mean, my parents aren't home. If you need a place, you're welcome."

A small smile crossed Y/N's face as her eyes met his in the rearview mirror. "Your place it is, then," she said, settling back into her seat as the night stretched on.