Were Dripping In It

We’re Dripping In It

Chapter 10: House of Cards

Jungkook awoke to the sounds of voices coming from far away and the slight wafts of food being cooked. An arm shifted over his waist as he groaned and pushed his face into his pillow. Namjoon chuckled deeply behind him and placed a kiss against the back of his neck.

“I’m gonna go to the kitchen, baby.” He whispered, before sliding away from Jungkook and getting off the bed.

Jungkook groaned at the loss of warmth, slowly coming back to the waking world. He rolled over to his back and blinked the sleepiness slowly out of his eyes. He stretched and moaned as his joints popped, before sitting up and blinking blurry at the dark room. Rubbing his eyes he shifted off the bed and started making his way down the hallway, towards the sounds of voices and smells of food.

“Namjoon-ah, are you going to answer me honestly now,” Yoongi’s voice reached Jungkook’s ears, making him freeze in his tracks. “I understand wanting to involve the boy in our plans, it is his brother, but don’t you think you gave him a bit too much credit last night.”

“What do you mean by that?” Namjoon countered as Jungkook pressed himself against the wall and barely breathed as he listened to the conversation. Neither Namjoon nor Yoongi sounded angry, but the undertone was very serious.

“I mean that you looked to both Jungkook and I for approval last night, even if you are dating him, he’s not a part of the crew. And you’re skipping a lot of steps in the food chain if he is.” Yoongi argued. “For fucks sake, he hasn’t even gone through an initiation.”

“Neither did Taehyung, when he joined us.” Namjoon countered gruffly.

“Don’t you dare bring my husband into this! His situation was completely different!” Yoongi barked then took a deep breath after Namjoon swiftly apologized. “I’m not saying that Jungkook-ah isn’t capable, he’s a fucking smart kid but he didn’t come from this life, no matter who his father and brother are. Your soft spot for him is going to step on some toes eventually and I’m trying to stop the train wreck before it happens.”

A palpable pause hung in the air, Jungkook could only shutter a breath when Namjoon spoke again.

“Is that your only objection to him? That he’s ‘skipping steps’ as you say to be a part of the company.”

“Does he even want to be a part of the company?” Yoongi countered.

“If he does then he will go through the initiation and training like everyone else, last night was a fluke. Because it is his brother and if Jungkook does well on this mission, which I know he will, I will consider this his initiation. For whenever he chooses to join us or not.” Namjoon explains calmly. “But I don’t think it’s just last night that’s bothering you.”

“No it's not,” Yoongi agrees with a sigh, there’s a pause as if the men are just staring at each other for a moment. “What happens on the day that Jungkook asks you to leave the company? That he sees something that he can’t live with, something that we do on a daily basis, and asks you to stop. What are you going to do?”

Namjoon hums and Jungkook holds his breath waiting for his answer.

“If you had asked me that a few weeks ago, I would have said I’d leave everything for him. If you had asked me after our first date, I would have said that I would try and compromise with him. But now, after last night,” Namjoon pauses and there’s a smile in his voice as he speaks again. “I’d say he’d never ask me to do that. We are going to fight over certain things, that’s a given, but when Jungkook chooses to be a part of this life, he’s going to be all in.”

“And you really think he will? For you?”

“In some ways he already has, he just doesn’t know it yet. But I’d never force his hand, I’d never take his choice away from him. The day he chooses this life is the day he tells me he does.” Namjoon answered with firmness.

“And if he doesn’t?” Yoongi pressed stubbornly. “Are you going to just let him go? With everything he knows now?”

“If in doubt, Seokjin will take him far away from me and keep his cards even closer to his chest this time. But to answer your question, yes I will let him go. If he tells me to. If all hope of having him in my life is gone.” There’s a sad note to Namjoon’s voice as he says this, it almost makes Jungkook tear up. “Are you satisfied hyung? Have I answered all of your questions?”

“I only have one more,” Yoongi says, his voice turning teasing. “He’s not going to be taking my place as Second, is he?”

“Aw hyung, are you worried about being replaced?” Namjoon teases with a chuckle.

“No you asshole,” Jungkook could hear Yoongi’s eye-roll even from behind the wall. “I’m worried about not getting my fat paycheck to supply my husband’s Gucci addiction.”

Namjoon bursts out laughing, “Has he bought Yeontan and Holly matching Gucci collars yet?”

Yoongi groans in pain, “He has a whole damn jewelry box for them.”

With the new turn of subject, Jungkook felt it was safe for him to move. He’s surprised to find that the wall he hid against did not immediately turn into the kitchen, but above it. He wanders further into the balcony room that overlooks the stoves until he comes to a staircase.

“How big is this house?” Jungkook mutters as he gazes around, descending the stairs that led straight into the kitchen.

“Too fucking big,” Yoongi groaned. “We have two cleaning crews to keep up with the amount of dust this place collects.”

Jungkook giggled at his hyung’s groaning as he slid up next to Namjoon, wrapping his arms around the man’s waist. Namjoon’s arm went easily around his shoulders and looked down at him in amusement.

“Good morning,” Jungkook greets with a smile and raises himself on his tiptoes to place a kiss on Namjoon’s dimpled cheek.

“Good morning baby,” he replies, placing a returning kiss on Jungkook’s forehead. “Did you sleep well?”

Jungkook hummed happily and nodded his head, ducking his head against Namjoon’s chest at the sound of Yoongi muttering, under his breath, ‘damn honeymoon phase’.

“Now hyung,” Namjoon tuts, reaching across Jungkook to start a cup of coffee for him. “I seem to remember a very extravagant couple in their honeymoon phase not too long ago. Does the third emergency cleaning crew we had to hire that year ring any bells, hmm?”

“Yah Namjoon-ah,” Yoongi warns in a long drawl. “Choose your next words very, very carefully. I know where you sleep.”

“Tickling my feet isn’t going to work anymore hyungie, I wear socks to bed.” Namjoon deadpans, staring down at Yoongi. Unsuccessfully keeping the stern look on his face as Jungkook starts to vibrate with laughter against him.

“What’s so funny?” Jimin teases as he slid into the kitchen, Hobi and Taehyung in tow behind him. Taehyung is instantly behind Yoongi, wrapping his long arms around his husband’s waist and resting his chin on his shoulder.

Namjoon simply shook his head as Jungkook snorted in laughter and Yoongi looked at the pair in exasperation as he sipped his coffee, resting a hand on top of his husband’s.

Soon all of them were gathered around the long dining room table with food spread across it. They ate and discussed light topics until the plates were completely empty.

“To start us off,” Namjoon began, setting his mug down on the table, conversations ending as he does. “Does anyone have any objections to Jungkook’s presence or in-put on our current plans?”

“Namjoon,” Yoongi started to protest but stopped when he raised his hand to stop him.

“I will not be cornered in my own house again with objections that everyone should hear,” Namjoon says coldly, holding two fingers in the air. “Only two people have the privilege of doing that to me and they are sitting on my left and right.”

All eyes blinked as they eyed Yoongi sitting at Namjoon’s right hand and Jungkook at his left. Jungkook shifted a bit under the eyes of his hyungs, he felt Namjoon’s hand slide under the table onto his thigh and give it a gentle squeeze.

“Any and all objects will be heard here and now, so speak if you will. There will be no ramifications, this time.” Namjoon encourages and warns as he glances around the table.

“Is this the only mission Jungkook will have a say in? I can understand it being his brother, but beyond that…” Hobi spoke up, shifting a look at Jungkook that seemed sheepish.

“That… that has yet to be determined.” Namjoon answers slowly, the hand on Jungkook’s thigh tightening slightly. “For now, let’s focus on the current mission and Jungkook’s role in it.”

“What exactly will his role be?” Jimin asks curiously.

“His word will be heard in final decisions made in the capture of his brother and when we are on mission he will be assisting Taehyung in surveillance. Is that an issue for anyone?” Namjoon explains, completely straight laced in his words.

“Then I have no issues with him being here,” Hobi says with a small smile.

“Neither do I,” Jimin agrees with a shrug, looking over at Taehyung who nods as well.

“You’ve been quiet Jungkook-ah, do you have anything to add?” Yoongi asked, his eyes trained on the young man sitting across from him.

Jungkook’s hand went to Namjoon’s on his thigh, to which he turned it to thread their fingers together, “I know I have no place here, I have no right to voice my thoughts about what should be done to get my brother. He’s causing trouble for all of you and I have no experience to truly be of any help, however,” Jungkook pressed on before Namjoon could interject, he leveled a look at the man that made him shut his mouth immediately. “However, I’m not completely useless. I may not know the rules of your company but I can catch on pretty quickly. I know that if you give me your trust, like you have for the entirety of our friendship, that I won’t let you down. Failure is always a possibility but not something I accept easily.”

Taehyung chuckled, “That’s our Kookie, always so competitive.”

His chuckle is echoed around the table and Jungkook ducks his head blushing at their warm looks towards him.

“I never meant to doubt you Jungkook,” Hobi said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “This life ours can suck you in without even knowing it and it's a bitch to be spat back out. The circumstances of this mission is different but anything that comes after, you need to make sure this is what you really want. That the sacrifices that come with it, the pain and death, is worth it.”

Jungkook nods in understanding, squeezing Namjoon’s hand in his, as murmurs of agreement echo around the table.

“None of you chose this life, it chose you?” Jungkook looks each of his hyungs in the eye as they nod in agreement, sadness in their eyes. “So, no one is born for this life. They are made for it, carved and beaten to fit the mold that it requires. Your choice was taken from you to be here and you’re not taking away my choice for me to sit here. I wasn’t completely honest about how I met Namjoon. I didn’t want to tell you because I thought you would tell me to stay away from him, but I’ll tell you now.”

All eyes shifted between the pair in curiosity, Jungkook takes a deep breath, “My first meeting with Namjoon was in an alleyway on my way to class. He was beating a gang member until his knuckles were bloody. But instead of turning on me, or threatening me, when I stumbled upon them. He offered me his jacket off his back and sent me on my way.”

“Was that the day you came into photography class a little dazed with that big leather jacket on?” Jimin asks, pointing an accusing finger at Jungkook and at his nod he gasped, “You hoe, you should have given me all the juicy details! You’ve been holding back!”

Chuckles resonated around the table, there’s palpable relief emulating from everyone. Making Jungkook feel at ease at telling them the truth. Namjoon’s hand squeezed his and he turned to see an amused look on the man’s face.

“Are we ready to return to business then?” Namjoon asks, receiving nods in reply. “Alright then, Yoongi do we have any update from the Saharans?”

Yoongi fished his phone out from his pocket as he spoke, “They started making their move to capture Seokjin after we agreed to their demands, I’ve been receiving updates every hour from our contact. Currently, they’ve tracked him near the airport in Marrakech. They think he had a bug placed on them and learned of their plan. He may be trying to get on a plane to escape.”

“Do you believe he knows that it’s us that have asked for his capture?” Taehyung asks, taking the phone from his husband to scroll through the messages that were sent.

Yoongi shrugs, “Any code that we could have used to hide our identity from him wouldn’t have worked, he knows all of them.”

“Then we need Hoseok and Jimin on a plane heading that way today,” Namjoon broke in, giving a look to the pair who nodded and stood from their seats. “Take the class one jet, we’ll send the Saharan’s payment after you and only if they capture Seokjin before us. Take one of our consultation gifts from them, just in case you beat them to the punch.”

The two men nod in understanding then make their way swiftly out the door, tapping away at their phones as they go.

“Taehyung,” Namjoon says, making the man look up from his husband’s phone. “Get on point and see if you can find Seokjin through the cameras in the area and take Jungkook with you.”

Taehyung nods with a wide smile, drops his husband's phone on the table and places a kiss on the man’s cheek below the man’s scar. He skips out of the room calling for Jungkook to follow him.

Yoongi’s eyes follow him hungrily, “Fuck, I love that man.”

Jungkook stands to follow after Taehyung, dropping Namjoon’s hand as he goes, only to be pulled down for a swift kiss on his own cheek before being ushered to follow. Taehyung cackles loudly as Jungkook’s blushing face joins him in the hallway.

“Shut up hyung,” he mutters, smacking the man’s arm. Taehyung just laughs louder and loops his arm with Jungkook’s.

“Today is going to be so much fun!” Taehyung giggles happily, forcing Jungkook to take long strides next to him as he skips down the hallways until they reach a pair of double doors. He throws them open dramatically and pulls Jungkook inside to sit down in the pair of swivel chairs facing a wall of screens and a large desk of keyboards.

Taehyung happily begins to switch on various screens and jumbled up instruments that make no sense to Jungkook. He watches in awe as his hyung brings up security cameras from all around the world until they land in Morocco. On one screen there runs a face recognition scan overtop the crowded streets, with Seokjin’s amused picture sitting in the corner.

“We’re so lucky that Seokjin has such a distinct face, that’ll find him in no time.” Taehyung hums, continuing to tap away at his keyboard making images fly across his screen at lighting pace.

“Doesn’t everyone have a distinct face?” Jungkook asks, his eyes glued to the face scanner screen as it bobs and weaves through various faces in the crowd; mainly Asian travelers.

“Face recognition isn’t like in the movies, Kook,” Taehyung giggles as he swivels across the desk to another keyboard and another screen that has lines of code rolling up at a steady pace. “The computer can only find the parameters you set for it, so you have to be very specific when you are looking for someone. If used right you’ll find your person every single time, if not then you’re just looking for a face among other faces.”

“So, smart computers are not a thing in the hacking world?” Jungkook teases, his eyes drifting on the numerous screens that are connected to cameras in Morocco, showing the city streets with cars and people moving about.

“A computer can only be as smart as the person that programs it,” Taehyung says sagely, rolling next to Jungkook again as he adjusts some of the cameras to now face a large airport. “Which is why you usually have multiple people programming a super computer, all those lines of code work together to make some hint of intelligence for it. But it can never beat the human mind, Kookie, always remember that.”

Jungkook nods as he watches Taehyung flicker through various cameras throughout the Marrakech Airport.

“Won’t it be harder to find him here? With all the foreigners traveling.” He asks, glancing back at the face scanner screen that's now flickering through faces at lightning speed.

“I believe that was his goal, Seokjin was a bastard but he’s smart and he knows our methods. He’s going to make this as difficult as possible.” Taehyung hums, clapping his hands together happily making Jungkook blink at him in confusion. “Oh! I do love a challenge! Let us find our little alpaca among the sand cats.”

Jungkook watched in awe as his hyung flickered through various screens, moving from one end of the desk to the other adjusting every instrument as he went. He adjusted the face scanner a few times, making it slow down through its line of faces, until it was only showing faces of Korean men that looked eerily similar to his brother. Taehyung was in his element, dancing from screen to screen with his fingers tapping away on the various keys like the beat to a song, it was as if he was born to be in this room.

“How well did you know my brother?” Jungkook asks as Taehyung settles behind the code screen once again.

Taehyung shrugs, “As well as anyone could know Seokjin I suppose, he kept all of us at a distance while he was with us. Never tried to bond, he was here to get revenge for his father and that was it. Most of us have seen it before, it didn’t bother us, I've seen it more than anyone else. The company I came from was created for revenge, it was their speciality.”

“What made you come to Namjoon’s company?” Jungkook asks curiously, watching as Taehyung’s fingers danced across the keyboard.

“Namjoon started a contract with our crew for their hunt for Jang-ssi’s murderer. But he was really after my help, my hacking skills are very well known in the underground circles. They called me Vante of Daegu, before I became the Tiger of Seoul.” Taehyung explains, a coldness coming over his eyes that Jungkook had never seen before. He looks over at Jungkook and his expression softens, “The memories of that name still haunt me to this day.”

“You don’t have to tell me hyung, if you’re not ready.” Jungkook says softly, placing a hand on the man’s shoulder.

“You’d think after all these years it wouldn’t affect me so much,” Taehyung chuckles hoarsely. “You have no idea what my Yoongi saved me from, Kookie. What the Bulletproof Company set me free from.”

“I’m glad they did,” Jungkook whispers, tightening his hand on Taehyung’s shoulder.

Taehyung chuckles wetly, “You know when I met Yoongi, he was such a little tsundere from the beginning. I was smitten within a week, much to his annoyance.”

Jungkook smiles at his hyung's soft words, “So you stayed for Yoongi-hyung?”

Taehyung shook his head and glanced at Jungkook’s shocked expression, “After I helped them get their revenge, I returned to Daegu with the Hwarang Boys. The contract I was under with them didn’t allow me to stay.” Taehyung shrugs nonchalantly but then smiles his wide boxy smile as happier memories come to his mind. “Then Yoongi came for me, he found the contract and the loophole that allowed me to leave. So I left and haven’t looked back since. He didn’t make it smooth sailing after that though. The little kitten gave me a fair chase in my pursuit of him, the sneaky bastard.”

Jungkook chuckles at his hyung’s endearments towards his husband, glad that he was back to his usual bubbly self. “You’re gonna have to tell me more about your epic love story with hyung later, Tae.”

Taehyung hums, “Preferably with my Yoons in the room, I love watching his face bloom with that pretty blush.” He then leveled a look at Jungkook, “You’re also going to have to tell me all about your little romance with our beloved leader, you’ve been holding out on us! For shame, Kookie, I thought you loved us!”

Jungkook rolls his eyes, “We’ve only been on like three official dates, calm down hyung.”

“You’ve at least kissed him right, Namjoon seems like the type to kiss after the first date.” Taehyung paused at Jungkook’s silence and slowly turned to look at him. “You haven’t kissed.”

Jungkook shakes his head, “Not on the lips, no.” He mumbles, blushing at Taehyung’s gasp of surprise.

“You’ve kissed his dick before even kissing his lips!” Taehyung gasps then yelps when Jungkook smacks his arm.

“No hyung! There’s something called a forehead and cheek kiss you know! You whore, get your life together!” Jungkook scolds, giving his hyung another smack for good measure.

“Owie Jungkookie,” Taehyung whines, rubbing his arm in pain. “You don’t need to hit me so hard, it's not my fault that your love life is going at a snail's pace.”

Jungkook gasped indignantly, “We are going at a perfectly normal romantic pacing, thank you very much.”

“I still kissed Yoongi before he ever held me in my sleep, but you do you boo, you do you.” Taehyung sang as he returned to tapping away on his screens.

Jungkook opened his mouth to retort but the sound of an alert cut him off, the pair turned to look at the face scanner as it flashed green. It had found Seokjin, standing in a crowd near a coffee shop, sipping on an iced americano and wearing dark sunglasses. Immediately Taehyung began focusing more cameras on the man at as many angles as he could and sent a message to Yoongi to inform the Saharans they had found him.

Jungkook watched with bated breath as a crew surrounded his brother, spoke to him softly, and slowly escorted him out of the airport. Taehyung kept a steady camera angle at all times as they marched him out the front doors and into a white SUV. Then they followed the car through the streets until it reached the edge of the city, heading for the mountains.

Taehyung cursed as they watched the vehicle disappear around a bend, slamming his hand against the desk. “They’ve taken out all the cameras leading to their base and Hobi hasn’t landed yet with my drones. We’re going to have to hope that he doesn’t escape before they get there.”

“Didn’t he go a little too easily?” Jungkook asks hesitantly, still staring at the empty street that his brother disappeared on.

Taehyung hums in thought, “There’s nothing we can do now if this has been Seokjin’s plan all along. We’re just going to have to wait till Hobi and Jiminie get there.”

The hours ticked by as they waited, Taehyung fiddled with a few screens for a moment before deciding to just give Jungkook a tutorial on them to pass the time. By the time Taehyung got the signal that his drones were online, he had walked Jungkook through half of his equipment and was pleased to find him a natural at guiding the cameras to the right spot. ‘I’m a film student, hyung, what do you expect?’ Jungkook had protested before focusing on the new screens from the drone surveillance that was now hovering over the hidden base.

They watched Hobi exit the private jet with a long katana on his back and greet some men on the tarmac. They spoke for a few minutes before the other men nodded and waved for someone to join them. Out from the plane hangar came a huddle of men in black suits with Seokjin chained between them.

The drone zoomed in on his face, taking note of the bruise that now adorned it and the gag around his mouth. Hobi called a team of men from his own jet and the groups met half-way on the tarmac. More words were exchanged before Hobi shook one of the men’s hands and Seokjin was turned over to them.

Jungkook held his breath as they entered the jet one by one, until Hobi stepped inside and it closed behind them. The drones returned to the underbelly of the jet and Taehyung switched to the cameras from inside. They watched as Seokjin sat down in a seat in front of Jimin with a guard on either side of him. Once Hobi sat in his seat next to Jimin the plane began to take off.

“This seems too easy,” Taehyung whispers, staring hard at Seokjin through the screen. “What is he playing at?”

He pushed himself over to another screen and began typing away at it, Jungkook stayed glued to the face of his brother trying to read him through the screen. Seokjin’s face was guarded and cold, something that Jungkook had never seen before.

“He’s not wearing a tracker, a bomb, or a wire as far as my scanners can see.” Taehyung mutters to himself, returning to the jet’s cameras as the plane begins to soar through the air. “And the Saharans haven’t aimed any weapons at our jet.”

“You think Jin-hyung could have made a deal with them to do that?” Jungkook asks, getting a shrug in reply. An unsettling feeling pooling in his stomach.

Taehyung gave an unsure hum as he gazed at the screen next to him. They watched with bated breaths until the plane leveled and they were sailing smoothly out of the air. Taehyung watched the sonar of the plane very closely as they crossed over the continent of Africa. He breathed a gentle sigh of relief when they left the air space of Morocco, only to gasp when Seokjin jerked in his seat.

“What the hell?” Jungkook gasps, watching his brother throw hands at the two guards sitting next to him and Hobi diving off his chair to try and restrain him.

Even with Seokjin’s hands tied together he put up a fair fight against the men inside the plane. He knocked down the two guards next to him, kicked Hobi across the aisle, and tossed Jimin off his back when he pounced on him. He was slowly making his way through the men as he charged towards the cockpit.

“Is there a speaker on the plane?” Jungkook shouts at Taehyung as Seokjin gets closer and closer to the door. Taehyung moved to action so fast that Jungkook blinked and there was a mic in front of his face with a green light at the bottom of the pad. Taehyung gave him the thumbs up and Jungkook shouted into it, “Hyung! Stop!”

Seokjin froze mid-step, he looked around wildly for the sound of Jungkook’s voice until his eyes met the lens of the camera that was trained on him. His eyes widened as realization colored his face, but the gag around his mouth made it impossible to speak.

“Sit back down and stop giving Namjoon’s men trouble! You are coming home, whether you like it or not, even if I have to bring you back myself.” Jungkook threatens, glaring at the screen. “I’m not talking to you until you’ve landed and brought here.”

Seokjin glared at the camera for a moment, before returning to his seat. The men that he put on the floor slowly got back to their places while Jimin rushed over to Hobi’s side and pulled him back onto his seat.

“Nice save, Kookie.” Hobi breaths, massaging his knee that had been kicked. “Stay on the line, yah, just in case he does that again.”

“We’ll be watching until you pull up to base, hyung.” Jungkook promised, before turning the knob on the pad to turn off the mic. He breathed heavily as he leaned back into his chair, anger still coursing through his veins.

Taehyung patted his shoulder, “You thought quickly there, Kook, good job. Whatever his plan was, it’s been derailed now. I don’t think he’ll be moving until he sees you.”

“I’m counting on it,” Jungkook said solemnly, rubbing his eyes with the palm of his hands.

“He wouldn’t have gotten very far, even if he did get into the cockpit,” Taehyung and Jungkook turned to see Yoongi in the doorway, he smiled at the pair before stepping into the room and laying his hands on Taehyung’s shoulders.

“There’s a reason Namjoon told Hobi to take that jet, the cockpit has a failsafe on the outside.” Yoongi explains, intertwining his hand with Taehyung’s that came up onto his. “Jimin would’ve known to activate it as soon as he entered, it would’ve locked him and the pilots inside. The plane would go into auto-pilot and the room would fill with a gas that would’ve knocked them out cold. Then Jimin would be able to take control of the aircraft. He has a pilot’s license, as does Hobi.”

Jungkook breathes a sigh of relief, “Do you have backup plans for everything, hyung?”

“We have backup plans for the backup plans, Kook, it's necessary in our line of work.” Yoongi reassures him, but smiles proudly at him. “You did good though, Jungkook-ah. That gas is a bitch to replace, the canisters always make me nervous when they arrive at the warehouse. One wrong move and we’re all asleep till Christmas.”

Jungkook and Taehyung chuckle at Yoongi’s attempt at lightening the mood, they face the screen again when Yoongi glances at it. Seokjin was still in his seat, staring down at his bond hands in front of him.

“I have not missed that bastard’s face,” Yoongi murmurs, tutting his tongue. “I can take over on watch, Jungkook. Go and get yourself a break, we’ll call you back if Seokjin tries something again.”

Jungkook nodded and rose from his chair, letting Yoongi take his spot, and heading for the door. Just before he slipped out into the hall, Yoongi called out to him.

“If you want to find Namjoon, he’s in his private study. Up the stairs from the kitchen, third door on the left.” Yoongi chuckles at Jungkook’s blush and shoos him from the room with a wave of his hand.

Jungkook left the room gladly after seeing the sultry look Taehyung was giving his husband and shut the door swiftly behind him. He headed straight down the hall towards the kitchen with swift steps, breathing a sigh of relief at not being able to hear anything from where he stood. He shivered at the memories of having to blast music in his ears when he had lived with the couple, it was like hearing his parents going at it.

The hours had ticked by so fast while he was working with Taehyung, he didn’t even realize he was hungry until he stood in front of the fridge. Never one to deny himself anything when it came to food, he pillaged Namjoon’s stocked fridge and made himself a quick bowl of kimchi fried rice.

“Damn,” he moaned as he took his first mouthful, his brows scrunched in ecstasy as he devoured his food. He periodically cursed the goodness of it as he ate until nothing was left inside of the bowl. He washed his dirty dishes before making his way up the stairs towards Namjoon’s study.

The door was slightly ajar, like his bedroom door last night, a silent invitation for Jungkook to enter but he still knocked on the doorframe. Waiting for the quiet ‘come in Jungkook-ah’ before pushing the door open. Namjoon looked up from his desk of papers, his dark rimmed glasses back on his face, and smiled at Jungkook as he slid in.

“Have fun in Tae’s workshop?” Namjoon asks, as Jungkook sat in the seat across from his desk.

Jungkook rolls his eyes good naturally, “You make it sound like we were just playing with woodcarving, not stopping my brother from crashing a multi-million won airplane.”

Namjoon chuckles, “Yes, Yoongi-hyung told me about Seokjin’s little fit. And how you stopped him, well done little one. I’m glad we won’t have to replace the gas canister on that jet for this trip, hyung hates doing that job.”

“I still don’t understand what my brother was thinking, nothing that he’s done has made any sense.” Jungkook says with a sigh, scrubbing a hand through his hair.

“If he’s willing to talk when he arrives, we’ll find out, so don’t worry about it right now.” Namjoon soothed, tapping a long finger on the surface of his desk. “There’s actually something I want to discuss with you, well two things.”

Jungkook straightened in his seat, fully focusing on Namjoon, trying not to jump to the worst conclusions.

“I know that you heard what Yoongi-hyung and I were discussing this morning,” he leveled an amused look at Jungkook’s sheepish one. “I don’t blame you for being curious and I won’t scold you for eavesdropping, it’s the best way to obtain information from people after all. However, I would like to have a discussion with you about your place in the Bulletproof Company myself.”

“Ah,” Jungkook hums, tilting his head in confusion as he looks at Namjoon.

“Fuck, it seems too early to have this conversation,” Namjoon sighs, running a hand through his hair, making it fall from the slicked back style he had it in. “Your position within the company needs to be addressed and whether you are willing to go through the process of becoming a member. And ultimately rising through the ranks to become a part of my Inner Circle.”

“You… you would want me to be a part of your Inner Circle.” Jungkook gapes, blinking in shock as Namjoon nods. “I don’t think being your boyfriend qualifies me for that Namjoon, as far as I can tell you only have the best of the best there.”

Namjoon blinks, mouthed the word ‘boyfriend’ with a dreamy look on his face before shaking himself from his stupor, “I’m sure you’ll show yourself more than capable of being in my Inner Circle, after you go through the proper training. That is, if you agree to do it.”

Jungkook narrows his eyes suspiciously and crosses his arms over his chest, “How do I know that you won’t rig these tests? Make sure I can’t possibly fail at them and rise through the ranks as fast as possible.”

Namjoon chuckles, “Baby, I think you’ll have my head before even Hobi does, if I tried to do that.”

Jungkook hums, still narrowing his eyes at him, “I’ll go to Hobi-hyung to make sure you do keep your word on that.”

“Are you actually considering it?” Namjoon asks, raising his brow at him. “You won’t be the same man once you’ve come out the other side.”

“I’ve been thinking about it since you told me who you truly are. And about what it could involve in the future.” Jungkook admitted with a sigh. “I don’t think I’ve been the same since I met you in that alley, Namjoon, but I think you’re worth the changes I’ll face, as long as I have you next to me.”

Namjoon stood from his chair, rounded the desk and knelt in front of Jungkook, taking his hands into his own. “I don’t want you to just make decisions about your life just for me. You can still have a normal life, finish college, get a job, buy a house. You can still have that, without entering my dark world.” He whispered looking deep into Jungkook’s eyes, hesitation brimming in them. “I just… I don’t want you to make a decision that you’ll regret later.”

Jungkook shifted their hands so that they were interlaced together, “Life is full of regret, the true challenge is being able to live with those mistakes and move past them. But I don’t ever think choosing to follow my heart would be a mistake, or something I’ll regret.” He leaned forward placing his forehead against Namjoon’s. “There have been so many moments that I could have turned the other way, to say that it was too much for me, but I haven’t. Every new fear I’ve faced with you, and come out the other side stronger for it, has made me hungry for the next one.”

Namjoon rose up on his knees until they were eye level, their noses brushed against each other as he shifted his face to look over Jungkook’s. His eyes searched until he seemed like he found what he was looking for and he smiled, his eyes flickering down to Jungkook’s lips. Jungkook tilted his head slightly and met Namjoon half way, their lips met. Those plush lips that Jungkook had been dreaming of were now against his.

His eyes closed to the sensation of softness and pressure, then Namjoon was pulling away, making Jungkook surge forward for his lips once more. He slid his hands up Namjoon’s neck and through his hair, gripping it tightly as he pulled Namjoon’s bottom lip between his teeth, making the other man groan in pleasure.

Their teeth clanged against each other as they tried to devour each other’s mouth. Tongues twisted as Namjoon gripped Jungkook’s waist and pulled him to straddle his thick thighs on the floor. Jungkook groaned as Namjoon’s arms tightened around his back and his tongue slid against his. Jungkook’s hands drifted down Namjoon’s chest until he could grip the bottom of his dress shirt. His fingers were just beginning to slide up the defined abs under the fabric when a knock interrupted them.

“Fuck,” Namjoon groans deeply, pulling away with heaving breaths. Jungkook’s head falls down against his neck, breathing just as heavily. “This better be fucking important!”

“Hobi and Jiminie have arrived with Seokjin, so stop sucking face and get your asses down here.” Yoongi called through the door, his footsteps echoing as he left the hall.

Namjoon ran a hand down Jungkook’s back as they collected their breaths. He placed a kiss against his forehead as Jungkook sighed against him.

Jungkook wanted to do nothing but stay on the floor with his boyfriend. But his brother was waiting downstairs and he needed to see him. Needed to talk to him.

“When we’re done downstairs, I still have something else I need to talk to you about.” Namjoon says softly, as he helps Jungkook to his feet and straightens his dress shirt from Jungkook’s wandering hands.

Jungkook licks his throbbing lips, “It better end the same way the last one did, cause damn that was hot.”

Namjoon laughs then winks, “Might end better without any interruptions.”

“Promises, promises.” Jungkook teased, skirting around Namjoon with an eyebrow wiggle, cackling as the man swatted his ass as he passed.

“You are going to get me in so much trouble,” Namjoon sighs, opening the door for Jungkook, rolling his eyes when he gets a smirk in response. “Come on, let’s go face your elusive elder brother.”

BTS ‘Blood Sweat & Tears’ MV (Japanese ver.) Namjoon and Jungkook

Reblog the writers’ fortune cookie for luck!

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 6: Boy Meets Evil

Jungkook’s new position at D-Town keeps him busy and suddenly the free time he used to have is gone. Between classes, homework, dance and vocal practice for his performances, there was hardly any time for him to do more than fall into bed when he got home. Occasionally he’d crash at Yoongi and Taehyung’s guest room but he tries not to intrude on their hospitality too much.

If it had been anyone else, a budding relationship would have been pushed to the side but Jungkook makes an effort to text Namjoon everyday. And Jungkook is pleased to find that the man’s patience and consideration knew no bounds. More often than not, the pair would find the time to meet up after Jungkook’s nightly performances.

Namjoon came nearly every night and saved a spot for them on the couch of the VIP floor.

“How are your classes?” Namjoon greeted with a smile, handing Jungkook a bottle of water as he sat down on the leather couch next to him.

Jungkook groaned, taking the water gratefully as he took a long sip. “I think I got placed with some of the worst professors this semester. We’re barely a month in and I’m already loaded with a packet of homework from each of my classes, plus two different papers due in two weeks.”

Namjoon winced sympathetically, “I’m sorry to hear that, I’m sure your new schedule at D-Town hasn’t helped.”

“Serves me right for putting off the required credits for my major,” Jungkook gripped bitterly, brushing his sweaty bangs out of his face. “Probably should have stayed a bartender, I would have had more time to study.”

“While I’m sure that would make things easier for you,” Namjoon said, smiling kindly at him. “I can see how much you love being on stage. The hard times will pass and you’ll thank yourself later for sticking through it.”

Jungkook sighed, leaning back against the couch. “I hope you’re right, anyway enough about me. What’s been going on with you? Did the visit with your family go well?”

Namjoon smiled widely, his dimples popping in his cheeks. “Yes, the visit with my parents went well. It was nice to see them after so long, I rarely have time off to go to our family home. I took those pictures like I promised.”

“Oh!” Jungkook gasped eagerly, scooching closer over to Namjoon as he pulled out his phone and started showing him photos of his family dog, Moni. “Oh my god, he’s adorable!”

Jungkook drank in the photos of the fluffy white american eskimo dog, giggling at the various silly photos Namjoon took of the excited puppy. He gaped at the beautiful scenic photos Namjoon took as well, listening with rapt attention as Namjoon explained where he was on his parent’s property.

“This place sounds huge,” Jungkook whispered, looking at Namjoon in shock.

Namjoon shrugged and tucked his phone away, “It’s only a hundred acres, mostly woodland and mountain. My mother didn't want to retire to a farm life but my father wanted to be in nature, so they compromised.”

“I’ll say,” Jungkook muttered, trying his best to keep his composure to how wealthy Namjoon’s family seemed to be. “It’s a beautiful place, I’m glad they have the time to enjoy it.”

Namjoon hummed in agreement, “They’ve earned it and retirement life is suiting them better than I thought it would. I was really going home to check on them, but they seem to be adjusting to the quiet life quite well.”

Jungkook nodded in understanding, then decided to change the subject before Namjoon could. By now he knew Namjoon didn’t like talking about his family too much, so he never pressed, figuring they were just extremely private people.

“I’m sorry we haven’t been able to meet often outside of the club,” Jungkook apologized, biting his lip piercing nervously. The metal ring twisted through his teeth and dug through this skin, the dull pain distracted him from his stomach bubbling nervously. Since the art museum, neither he nor Namjoon had been able to find the time to meet outside of D-Town. And Jungkook was starting to worry that the man would grow bored with him.

Namjoon shook his head, “You don’t have to apologize Jungkook-ah. If it wasn’t your work taking up time, mine would. I’m just glad we’re able to meet up regularly at all.”

Jungkook smiled, “I guess I shouldn’t complain then, I don’t think you’ve missed one of my shows this past week. At least I’ll have one regular listener.”

“I don’t think you’ll ever have to worry about that,” Namjoon chuckled, peering at him slyly. “I’ve seen a lot of regular faces since you’ve started performing. I don’t think Yoongi-hyung is ever going to have to worry about booking a big name here again.”

Jungkook blushed and scratched the back of his head, “Hyung was very insistent that I focus on my classes and performances when he made my contract. I think Taehyungie-hyung wanted to frame it after I signed it.”

Namjoon chuckled at Jungkook’s exasperated groan, “Your hyungs have really taken you in. How long have you known them?”

“I think it's going on about four years now,” Jungkook said after a moment of thought. “I lived with them the first three years I was on my own in Seoul. They helped me a lot while I was getting to my feet here.”

“What did you come to Seoul for?” Namjoon asked, putting Jungkook at ease with the gentle conversation.

“I went to high school here in the city, when the travel between my hometown and Seoul became too expensive I started looking for a place to live. I just happened to hear someone talk about D-Town needing new bartenders during my search and decided to try my shot.” Jungkook explained, remembering how intimidating he found Yoongi-hyung to be at first. His cold business attitude and thin red scar over his right eye would intimidate any seventeen year old. But the man had softened the moment he learned of Jungkook’s situation and immediately gave him both a job and a place to stay.

Namjoon opened his mouth to ask another question but was cut off by his phone going off. He sighed heavily as he pulled it out and looked at the caller ID, “One of these days I’ll get a night off without interruptions.”

Jungkook watched as Namjoon silenced his phone but the look on his face said that he would have to leave. He gave Namjoon a gentle smile, “It’s alright, I’m glad you were able to come at all and have some time to talk.”

Namjoon looked remorseful but Jungkook stopped any apologies with a wave of his hand before taking one of Namjoon’s hands in his.

“Please don’t apologize, any time we can get is enough.” Jungkook said softly, squeezing Namjoon’s hand.

Namjoon nodded and squeezed Jungkook’s hand in return, “The day neither of us are too bound up with schedules, I’ll take you somewhere special.”

Jungkook grinned widely, “I look forward to it then.”

“Are you going to your apartment tonight?” Jungkook nodded. “Do you need a ride there?”

Jungkook shook his head, most nights he agreed to Namjoon dropping him off or calling a cab for him, but tonight he wanted to walk under the early morning sky. “It’s alright, I’ll walk this time.”

Namjoon looked like he was going to protest but his phone vibrated loudly in his pocket, he glared down at it. “It seems I won’t be getting a moment’s peace until I answer. Text me when you get home.”

“I will,” Jungkook promised, blushing when Namjoon placed a goodbye kiss on his sweaty forehead before leaving the VIP floor. He sighed as he watched the door close behind the man, finishing the water bottle in two gulps before making his way down to the employee locker room. He tried to console himself with what Namjoon had said, this schedule of theirs wouldn’t be forever, eventually they’d be able to go out on normal dates.

He pulled his sweaty stage clothes off and placed them in the employee hamper before pulling on his spare sweats from inside his locker. He pulled on Namjoon’s jacket before grabbing his backpack and heading out the door, desperate to be home and shower off the grim from the stage. The cold early morning air hits his face as he exits the back door of D-Town, the streets are empty as he makes his way down the familiar blocks.

When he turns on the street corner near his complex he does a double take at the group of men that are loitering near the narrow alleyway, the one where he first met Namjoon. There’s a cloud of cigarette smoke hanging over the mens’ heads, he nearly coughs at the intense smell as he passes. None of the men even glance at Jungkook, much to his relief, and he tries to keep his pace steady as he continues towards his complex.

A scuffle of feet sound behind him and Jungkook forces himself not to glance back, to keep moving forward. He’s almost under the lamp light in front of the front door when someone throws their arms around him. A cloth is placed hard around his mouth and nose before he has time to react. He kicks and flails around wildly, making contact with the men’s solid bodies, until his vision goes dark.

The last thing he thinks before his body goes limp in the stranger’s hold and his consciousness leaves him, is how much his hyungs are going to worry when he doesn’t show up for work tomorrow.

Nobody else may care, but I realized today that I’m coming near the end of a fic that I’ve spent almost an entire year on. The series for this fic is far from over but the fic itself, the thing that started everything, is nearing its end.

It’s a bittersweet feeling.

I’ll be happy to complete such a long project and be able to move onto other new projects, but I’ll miss it too. Never thought I’d get to this point.

I hope the readers I’ve accumulated along the way will like to follow me for the rest of the journey.