Were Dripping In It

We’re Dripping In It

Chapter 7: The Untold Truth

Jungkook wakes up to a pounding headache and an aching back, there’s a harsh light shining in his face that makes him blink blurry until his vision comes into focus. He tries to move his arms to rub his face but can’t. Shaking his head slightly to clear the fog in it, he looks down to see himself tied to a chair. He twists his wrists experimentally, the tight rope burns against his skin binding them together behind his back.

A slow clap sounds through the room, making him jolt to find the source. A man steps out of the shadows, a smirk on his face as he drags a chair to sit on in front of Jungkook.

“So, sleeping beauty has finally graced us with his presence, I’m not a patient man you know.” He drawls, tutting and wagging his finger in disapproval.

“Well, excuse me for being knocked out cold.” Jungkook coughs up, his throat feeling dry and rough. The man chuckles at his boldness.

“Let’s see how bold you stay while I have you,” he muses, getting up roughly from his chair and pulling a cork-board out the shadows into view. Jungkook flinches as the metal legs drag across the concrete floor until it sits under the swinging lamp.

His eyes widen as he takes in the various candid photographs on the board. All of them are moments of him and Namjoon. The few times they met randomly on the street. Jungkook on stage at D-Town and Namjoon in the crowd looking at him, then sitting in the VIP section sharing a drink. Namjoon picking him up for their first date and then dropping him off with a kiss.

“Are you beginning to understand now?” The man asks, tapping lightly on some of the photos. “My men and I have been tracking you from day one, it's not often you get such leverage from someone so high in the ranks. But this just fell right in our laps, it was amazing!”

“Who are you?” Jungkook gaps in shock, desperately trying to loosen the ropes around his wrists as subtly as he could.

“Oh, have I not introduced myself? Forgive me,” he bows dramatically. “I am Bangchan, the leader of the Stray Kids Gang.”

“Never heard of you,” Jungkook scoffs, tossing his head back to get his hair out of his face as Bangchan sneers down at him.

“You really should have, I control your block after all. That path you walk to campus, mine. The building that you live in, mine. That alleyway that you dare cross every day, mine. I could own your very life, if I choose to.” Bangchan sneers, reaching forward to grip Jungkook’s hair and force his head back painfully.

Jungkook clenches his jaw to keep from spitting in the man’s face, “What’s it to me? I can just move.”

“Nobody leaves without my permission! Nobody!” Bangchan barks, tossing Jungkook’s head aside to stand in front of the board again. “You are going to tell me everything you know about the Rap Monster of Ilsan,” he jabs his finger into Namjoon’s smiling face, a photo taken with Jungkook’s back in view. “I need to know everything you know, then maybe we’ll have an edge when we meet him.”

“How is knowing his sushi order going to help you get leverage on him, exactly?” Jungkook asks, tilting his head at the man who nearly vibrates with anger at his words. Knowing full well that Namjoon hated seafood, but he needed to keep Bangchan talking while he tried to work on loosening the ropes.

“You must have something!” Bangchan barks, slapping Jungkook across the face. “Useless date information is nothing to me! I need to know his weakness! I need to know his strategies!”

Jungkook spits on the ground, his cheek stinging from the slap, trying to will the pain tears in his eyes away. He raises his head to look Bangchan in the eye, “He’s allergic to pine nuts.” He lies through his teeth, nearly getting his left wrist out of its hold.

Bangchan screams in frustration and raises his hand to strike Jungkook across the face again, Jungkook braces himself, only for it to be stopped mid-air by a firm hand.

“Strike him again and you won’t have a hand,” Namjoon growls, coming into view from the shadows. His hand tightens painfully on Bangchan’s wrist making the man whimper in pain.

“Namjoon,” Jungkook gasps in shock, taking in the sight of the man gripping Bangchan’s wrist with white knuckles. Namjoon’s jaw clenches as his eyes flicker over to Jungkook and catch sight of the small red mark on his cheek.

“How did you get it? My men…” Bangchan whimpers then yelps as Namjoon tosses him aside, he hits the cork-board before falling hard to the ground. Namjoon moves quickly to kneel behind Jungkook’s chair. He hears Namjoon’s slight intake of breath at the sight of his loose wrists before pulling the rope off completely.

“I don’t have time for your childish games,” Namjoon growls, tossing the rope aside and pulling Jungkook up from the chair and into his arms.

“Are you okay, little one?” He whispers into Jungkook’s ear, ignoring Bangchan’s moans of pain.

Jungkook can only nod as he takes a shaky breath and clutches onto Namjoon’s jacket. He barely hears Bangchan’s protests as Namjoon begins to walk them out of the dimly lit room, but he feels Namjoon’s rumbled reply.

“The next time you kidnap a leverage victim, you should check exactly who you’re stealing from. I entered your compound because I own it. I own everything that you are Bangchan of Stray Kids. The streets you walk and prowl on. This building that you meet in. The very supplies that you put on the streets. In just two words I can have your whole operation terminated and disbanded. So, don’t even try to think you have any leverage on me.” Namjoon growls, before sweeping Jungkook into his arms. He stops in the doorway and looks over his shoulder at the gaping man, “And one more thing, if I see any of those photos in the hands of any of my true rivals, you won’t even have a pot to piss in when I’m done with you.”

Namjoon’s long strides take them out of the warehouse and past the long rows of bowing men, Jungkook buries his head into Namjoon’s neck as they pass. He tightens his grip on Jungkook as he ducks them into the back of an SUV and barks an order to ‘drive’ as the door closes behind them.

Namjoon pulls Jungkook’s head away from his neck to look over his face, then takes his wrists in hand to check the damage as well. He breathes a sigh at the red marks on his wrists and the small blooming bruise on his face from the ring Bangchan had been wearing.

“How did they get you?” Namjoon asks softly, rubbing the marks with his thumb.

“I was walking home, they came up behind me and put a cloth to my face. It hit me so fast I didn’t have time to react, I gave them as much of a fight as I could.” Jungkook says softly, taking a shaky breath to calm himself.

Namjoon nods, a small smirk coming to his face before dropping it, “You did, you actually hit several men that jumped you. Gave one a bloody nose and a nasty bruise to another.”

Jungkook hums in acknowledgment and after a moment of hesitation, twists his fingers to be laced with Namjoon’s. Namjoon takes a shuddering breath as he squeezes Jungkook’s hand, he squeezes back twice as hard.

“If I hadn’t arrived when I did, what exactly was your plan after getting out of those ropes, little one?” Namjoon asks, running a thumb across his whitening knuckles.

Jungkook looks down at their joined hands, “I didn’t have much of a plan actually. Figured I could knock Bangchan out when he wasn’t expecting it and then find a way out of wherever he had taken me. How did you find me? How did you even know they had taken me?”

Namjoon smirks as Jungkook raises his gaze back to his face, “I wasn’t lying when I said that I own everything that man has, we also have a mole in their ranks. I was informed the minute you were grabbed, I would have been there sooner if they hadn’t taken an unexpected detour at the last second.”

Jungkook nods as he listens to Namjoon’s explanation, his brow furrowing as questions start to pop into his head. Who exactly was Namjoon?

“You have questions,” Namjoon says hesitantly, his eyes speaking to the nervousness that his voice doesn’t.

“Will you answer them? Honestly and without trying to cover the truth, no matter how grim it is.” Jungkook counters with his eyebrow cocked.

Namjoon nods, “I’ll give you nothing but the truth, I never meant for you to find out like this.”

“But you were going to tell me, eventually.” At his second firm nod, Jungkook presses more. “When exactly would have been the right time then? After officially becoming a couple? Moving in together? Our wedding day?”

Namjoon snorts and tries to control his laughter, “Have you really thought that far ahead with me?”

“Now is not the time Namjoon!” Jungkook scolds indignantly, trying to contain his helpless giggles.

Namjoon’s expression turns somber after a moment, “I never would have let it get to any of those points without telling you the truth,” he says seriously, clutching Jungkook’s hands like a lifeline. “I never wanted to lie to you about who I am or what I do. A relationship built on lies is no relationship at all. I’ve seen it time and time again, I refuse to repeat history. But I will admit to the lie of omission, I should have been clearer with you from the start.”

“We met in an alleyway with you beating up a man with bloody knuckles,” Jungkook deadpanned, leveling a look at Namjoon’s sheepish face. “I think I’ve had some idea of what you are and what you do. Even since the beginning.”

The mix of emotions on Namjoon’s face tells Jungkook that he's both pleased by this revelation but nervous about it. Jungkook is hopelessly endeared by the man’s confusion. He removes one of their joined hands to smooth the crease between his eyebrows.

“Stop thinking so hard,” he teases “you’ll develop wrinkles before you turn thirty.”

Namjoon rolls his eyes playfully, swatting his hand away before taking it in his again. They gaze into each other's eyes for a moment and Jungkook becomes very aware of how he’s sitting on Namjoon’s lap. He tries not to shift across the man’s thick thighs as Namjoon brings his hand to his lips and places a kiss on the knuckles.

“Can you hold off your questions until we get to my place? I’d like us to have privacy while we talk.” He whispers against his fingers, his eyes never leaving his.

Jungkook can only nod in response, his throat feeling oddly clogged for a moment. The overwhelming feeling of wanting to bury himself in Namjoon’s arms consumes him, but he feels hesitant to do so. Namjoon seems to sense his hesitation and moves a hand to cup the back of his neck. Jungkook gives into his need and lays his head against Namjoon’s neck.

“You’ve had quite the day haven’t you, little one.” Namjoon soothes, running a gentle hand down Jungkook’s arm as he brings his body closer to his own. Jungkook can only give a weak hum in reply, which makes Namjoon grip on him tighter. “Just lean on me for now, I’ve got you now. You’re safe.”

Jungkook lets out a shaky breath and clutches onto Namjoon’s hand like a lifeline. He squeezes his eyes shut and presses his face against Namjoon’s skin, trying to banish the images of that dimly lit room and Bangchan’s cold eyes from his memory. He takes slow, calming breaths trying to will the tears that threaten to fall away. Namjoon rumbles nonsense words above his ears, he barely registers them but it helps keep him in the present.

We’re Dripping In It

Chapter 1: Pied Piper

The next day Jungkook tries to ignore the jacket as he gets ready for his classes and tries to forget how warm he felt inside it. Tries to forget the beautiful words written in the notebook. But he doesn’t want to leave it behind, who knows, fate might be kind to him again and he’ll be able to return it.

With a resigned look to himself in the mirror, he slips the jacket back on, this time over a gray hoodie before picking up his backpack. He dodges the various seedy neighbors and yelling couples that litter the hallways until he’s on the street.

He checks over his missed messages from yesterday as he makes his way towards campus. He feels a pang of remorse at seeing Jimin’s frantic messages for his near lateness yesterday, but scoffs when he sees nothing after he had left him to flirt with Hobi-hyung. There’s one message from his brother Seokjin, reminding him to eat healthier, but there’s nothing else. He breathes a sigh of relief, thankful not to have missed any call-in from work for that night.

He decides to pass through the alleyway again today. Half hoping, half not, that he would run into the owner of the jacket again. He doesn’t.

He steps out onto the street from the alleyway telling himself not to feel bummed about it. He makes it halfway through his day before Yoongi, his boss, sends him a message about work and his plans for grocery shopping after class fly out the window.

The club that Yoongi owns, D-Town, is popular for underground shows; rappers, unknown artists, musicians, and freestyle dancers. Jungkook has worked as a bartender for him ever since he came to Seoul. Yoongi was the only person to give the scrappy, disheveled kid from Busan a chance.

He texts Yoongi back an agreement for the late shift tonight, then sends a message to Jimin not to wait up for their shared class tomorrow morning. And to save him some notes for it like a good hyung. He snickers at Jimin’s sassy reply before pocketing his phone.

The club is packed by the time Jungkook is ready for his shift, having placed his stuff in the employee lockers and mentally prepared himself for the long night. He helps Jisoo finish her line of customers before taking over the bar alongside Taehyung.

“How’s classes going, Kookie?” Taehyung asks after an hour of driving drinks out. There's always a pause just before a show starts on stage and they take full advantage of it to catch up and drink some water.

“Busy, as usual.” Jungkook answers with a shrug. “It’s just the start of the new semester, I’m not too stressed yet.”

Taehyung hummed as he sipped his water, “That’s good to hear, you gonna pick up more shifts then?”

Jungkook can only shrug as an answer before a new swarm of customers come up to the bar. What he truly enjoys about working at D-Town is that there’s no charming or low-key flirting with customers to get good tips, there’s no need for it. Most that come usually tip well because the show of the night is the main attraction, the alcohol just an added bonus. Plus Yoongi paid them well enough not to rely on tips.

“Who’s performing tonight?” Jungkook asks, after the swarm goes back to the dance floor, the lights dimming to signal the start of the show.

“I think it’s just some returning artists, nobody new tonight. Hey, when are we gonna finally have you up there, huh?” Taehyung nudges Jungkook in the arm and pouts at him. “Yoons has been saying for weeks that he thinks you’re ready to be up there.”

“He has?” Jungkook scrunches his brow at Taehyung’s nod. “I just.. I don’t know. I don’t think any of my music would fit this scene.”

Taehyung shrugs, “So what, you remember that lo-fi dude from last week? He killed it, even if you could barely hear him over the screaming crowd.”

Jungkook laughed at the memory, “Yeah, I guess I can't be that bad.”

“Exactly!” Taehyung cheered, clapping his shoulder. “Talk to him about it before you leave, you know he’ll be upstairs all night anyway.”

Jungkook eyed his hyung’s fond smile, “You let him stay that late, for shame hyung, letting your husband work all night with no rest.”

“Oh he’ll get plenty of rest later, trust me.” Taehyung rumbled with an exasperated eyebrow waggle, making Jungkook gag.

“Keep your bedroom life out of the sanctuary of my bar, please!” Jungkook whined, turning to finish cleaning the empty glasses on the bar.

Taehyung just cackled loudly as he turned to organize and restock their selection of vodkas and whiskey. The rest of the night passed with relative ease, the rotation of artists on stage kept the crowd thoroughly entertained, giving the bartenders something nice to listen to as they worked. Yoongi had a strong vetting system before allowing anyone on his stage, ensuring that every single one was a near hit for the night.

When 3am hit the clock everything began to shut down, last calls for drinks were given and the final band began to play until the club was empty. Once the doors were locked behind the last customers, the cleaning crew entered the room and began their rounds. Taehyung and Jungkook set to work getting the bar ready for the next day before calling it a night.

“Come on, you’re not getting out of this, let’s go up to Yoongi’s office.” Taehyung stated firmly, clutching Jungkook’s arm as he put the leather jacket back on.

Jungkook barely had time to grab his backpack and close his locker before he was being pulled up the long stairway towards Yoongi’s office. Taehyung didn’t even bother to knock on his husband's door, just waltzed right in and plopped down on the couch. Jungkook, ever polite, hovered at the door until Yoongi glanced over to him from his desk.

“Ah Jungkook-ah, how have you been?” The older man drawled, setting his pen aside from the papers he was writing on.

“I’m good hyung, thank you. Tonight was a busy one.” He answered, plopping down in the seat in front of the desk.

Taehyung stretched one of his long legs to poke Jungkook’s thigh, “Yah! Jungkook-ah, ask him before I do!”

Yoongi looked expectantly at Jungkook, completely ignoring his pestering husband on the couch. “You need something Jungkook-ah? Hyung can help.”

“It’s just… hmmm… I think I’m ready. I think I’m ready to perform one of my songs.” Jungkook stuttered out, fidgeting with his fingers as he spoke.

Yoongi broke out into a wide, gummy smile, “Yeah, you think so? That’s wonderful Jungkook-ah, what song would you like to sing? We can have you in as the main event on Saturday.”

Saturday was the biggest night for D-Town. Yoongi only reserved his best performers for that night. To be giving Jungkook a spot, and it being his first performance ever, was huge.

“Wait hyung that’s…”

“Perfect, Yoongles! Just perfect!” Taehyung cut up, leaping up from the couch and rushing over to crush the older man to his chest. “Kookie will do so well, I know he will! Saturday night is perfect for him!”

“But..” Jungkook tried again, but stopped at the look Yoongi was giving him in between Taehyung’s arms. It was a stern but proud look.

“You will do well enough for our Saturday crowd, Jungkook. I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise. And if you agree to it, I know just the song you should sing.” Yoongi said gently.

Jungkook eyed the pair in front of him, Yoongi’s parental face in full effect and Taehyung’s beaming one, before hesitantly nodding his consent. Taehyung cheered and danced about the room while Jungkook and Yoongi began to discuss the song.

Jungkook only left after Yoongi was satisfied with their plan for his stage and Taehyung’s pestering for them to head home had become too much to ignore. He waved off their comments on having him stay the night at their penthouse as he closed the door behind him. He caught a glimpse of Yoongi’s gentle smile as he tugged Taehyung down for a kiss, the softness of their embrace made a twinge of loneliness pierce through his heart. The feeling didn’t leave him until he was halfway home, the cold early morning air making him clutch the leather jacket tighter across his body.

Without even realizing it he had taken himself back towards the alleyway, the peaking morning sun spilled between the two buildings eliminating it in an eerie glow. It was empty but Jungkook didn’t dare step through the passage. Without glancing twice, he began walking the long way around the buildings until he was on the street on the other side.

He glanced down the alleyway one last time, still empty, before heading up to his dingy apartment. This time he laid the jacket down on his chair as soon as he stepped inside and went to bed with an empty stomach.

The next day he headed for the closest grocery store. With his wallet much heavier from his paycheck last night, he confidently filled his cart with essentials. And to please his Jin-hyung, he added some healthier options with his piles of ramen packets. With giddy steps he carried his laden bags back to his apartment and set them nicely inside his cupboards and fridge.

Glancing at the clock Jungkook was shocked to see that he was nearly running late for an afternoon class. Rushing out the door he didn’t even hesitate to take the alleyway as a shortcut. Only it wasn’t empty this time.

Just as he was rounding the corner a tall figure stepped out from the alleyway. If there hadn't been quick action on both their parts, Jungkook trying to come to a screeching halt and the man grabbing him firmly around the waist, they would have fallen to the ground.

“Woah there, little one, where are you going in such a hurry?” A deep voice purred above Jungkook’s ear.

Jungkook jerked in surprise, his eyes widening as he got an eye full of the handsome face of the owner of the jacket. The dim shadows of the alley had done this man no justice. Jungkook was utterly speechless at the attractiveness of the man. His eyes sparkled with mirth as he gazed down at Jungkook and right in the corner of his cheek Jungkook thought he saw a hint of a dimple there.

“Cat got your tongue, little one?” The man teased with a smirk, and yes there was a dimple poking out of his honey colored cheek.

“Ah.. sorry…” Jungkook stuttered, slowly backing out of the man’s arms. “Just late for class… again.”

The man raised an eyebrow, folding his hands behind his back as he took a step away from Jungkook to survey him fully. “Is that a common occurrence for you? Being late?”

Jungkook vigorously shook his head in denial, “No, I try not to make it a habit.”

The man hummed a pleased tone, “That’s a good boy.”

Without knowing why, Jungkook blushes at the tone and the dark look the man has fixed on him instead of feeling creeped out by it.

“I believe you have something of mine,” the man continued, looking down at the jacket that Jungkook is wearing.

“Oh right, of course.” Jungkook moved quickly to unzip the jacket and take it off his shoulders, but was stopped midway by a pair of hands. He looks up in confusion at the man gently shaking his head.

“No, no you can keep the jacket. Please, it looks good on you.” He says with a chuckle, before reaching inside the jacket to the inner pocket where the notebook sits. Jungkook sucks in a breath at how close the man comes to him as he slips the notebook out. “I’m talking about this.”

“Oh,” Jungkook gasps, trying to shake himself from his stupor as the man backs away again with the little black book in his long fingers. “Your lyrics… they’re beautiful.”

“Ah,” the man ducks his head bashfully, Jungkook is shocked to see a slight red tint to his cheeks. “Should have known you might have snooped, but thank you. I hope this,” he gestures the notebook in his hand before slipping it into his pocket, “can just stay our little secret. I have some people that don’t need to know this side of me.”

Jungkook can only nod in response, his eyebrows scrunching in confusion but he doesn’t dare ask. The man smiles and softens his face, sending shockwaves through Jungkook’s body, then begins to back away.

“I’ll see you around, little one, keep my jacket safe will you?” He winks then turns and walks out of sight before Jungkook has a chance to even ask his name.

Jungkook is still in a bit of a stupor on his way to class. He doesn’t fully shake himself from it until he’s at Yoongi’s practice studio that sits on the third floor of D-Town. It's where all auditions and practice runs of performances are held. Yoongi introduces him to the six dancers that will be performing with him, some he recognizes from training in Hoseok’s studio. Speaking of the man, Hobi waltzes into the practice room sipping on a Starbucks.

“Hyung, what are you doing here?” Jungkook gasps in shock.

“I’m going to be helping you with the choreography,” Hobi answers with a shrug, pulling his sunglasses on top of his head as he takes another long sip of his iced americano.

“Ugh, how can you drink that shit. Buy the real stuff from a better cafe next time.” Yoongi sneers as he passes Hobi, the other man simply winks in reply before tossing his empty cup in the trash can.

“Alright!” Hobi said cheerily with a clap of his hands. “Let’s get this thing started!”

Hobi was as grueling and hard headed as Jungkook remembered, he pushed all of them to panting states as they ran through the choreo over and over again. Never once was he cruel, firm yes, but not cruel. They only had a few days to get everything together, they had to make the most of every hour of practice.

By the end of the night, Jungkook is sweating buckets and he can’t feel his feet, but they’re nailing it. With every run they’re getting better, him and the dancers becoming completely in sync.

After running it one last time, Hobi clapped his hands in delight. “I think you guys have nailed it! We can stop here.”

They all dropped like flies to the ground, groaning and panting in relief while Hobi simply cackled in delight.

“I expect this same energy tomorrow afternoon, so get some rest tonight!” He laughed at the groans he gets in response as he heads out the door.

Jungkook thanked all of the dancers individually, bowing to all of them as they left one by one until he was the only one left in the room. With his body still buzzing from practice he walks over to the stereo and plays his song again.

The song Yoongi had chosen. The one that Jungkook had spent hours, days, working on. And now it was alive, it played in the room. He flopped onto the floor, unknowingly using the borrowed leather jacket as a pillow and listened to the song blare through the speakers.

Taehyung found him hours later, snoozing on the practice floor and gently shook him awake, guiding him up to the penthouse of the building; his and Yoongi’s home. Jungkook barely noticed Yoongi looking up from the couch as they entered the apartment. Taehyung said something to him that Jungkook didn’t hear as he was guided into a guest room and tucked under the covers. He felt a hand comb through his hair and his shoes being pulled off his feet before everything went dark.

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