I Know The Exact Feeling You Describe About Trying To Not Cry, And When You Want To, It Doesn't Come

I know the exact feeling you describe about trying to not cry, and when you want to, it doesn't come easy, or it doesn't come at all. I'm so happy for you to be able to relieve your emotions. It's an honor that you do that in front of ARMY. We love you and of course we will always protect you, walk with you, run with you, sing with you. Hell, many of us attempt to rap and dance with you. I know you have a lot to share with us. I also know it's going to be wonderful. I can be patient. I trust you and that you will do your best! Same with the rest of Bangtan!

*side note, rest well, Jungkookie!!!!! Don't feel guilty for being sick, DO YOU HEAR ME?! I will not stand for another one of Bangtan feeling guilty about being human. Limits is what makes us human. But how we overcome our own guilt, shame, and shortcomings is what makes us inspiring, admirable, and radiant. So just rest well and come back. Once again, ARMY will be patient and will trust you. You are doing just fine, just rest. You and all of Bangtan are most loved, okay? Don't think about anything else and feel better! 

I know you can return to the events and activities now, but still dude, seriously, I stand by what I said. Don’t over exert yourself. Don’t blame yourself for scaring us. Just get better and be you. Let me see your bunny smile.

Love, Smiles

BTS RAP MONSTER’S FANCAFE POST 160510

© btsfc (ig)

A Confidence Game 1.4 | BTS Mafia and Con Artist AU

Plot: Hoseok and Minsuk’s parents have died 11 years ago and they have been con artists for 8 years now. The moment Hoseok wants Minsuk to have a chance to start a new life, the Bangtan mafia approaches them to pull one last con.

Words: 5,174

Drama/angst/violence (at some point. we’re dealing with the mafia and con artists here)

Warnings: (M) mature themes

Character Profiles | Previous chapter

Part 1: Foundation Work: The preparations, which are made before the scheme is put in motion, including the elaboration of the plan, the employment of assistants, and so forth.

Minsuk sighs as she plops file over file on top of one another. She and Hoseok took all the documents home that night. Hoseok is currently reviewing the contract with Bangtan as she maps out the important information; the things that were vital to know about the con.

“Honestly, all these information, they’re good, but they’re just scratching the surface. They’re still not as in-depth as you usually can pull up for us. You might have to do some extra digging.” She mumbles and hears Hoseok’s hum as a reply. She looks up. His eyebrows knit together as he analyzes every word.

“Relax. I trust that they need us more than we need them. They tailored this contract for us. You even watched them write it out, print it, staple it, and put it in the folder, before passing it on to you. It hasn’t left her hand since then. Have a little faith.” Hoseok snorts at her last words.

“Faith? In the mafia?” He raises his eyebrows at her, “Minsuk, the world cannot always be trusted, especially not the underworld. It’s because they need us more than we need them that they could trap us. We tripped at our own finish line for them and now we’ve started another race. I need to make sure we finish this and there will be nothing else. I will not allow us to be blindsided by what they’ve offered, which really isn’t enough anyway.”

“You could have given them an outrageous term. You know, throw them off and decide they don’t want to work with us.”

“If they thought I’m just toying with them, they could kill me and sell you.”

“I guess so. Then I’m glad you were cooperative to them.”

“It’s because, beyond me, I know you want to do this.” He reaches out for her hand.

“I know you’re excited that I can be in Seoul with you, but it’s at such a dangerous price. We never mingle ourselves with the depths of the underworld. We don’t know what we’re dealing with. So I want you to promise me.” He makes her look at him dead-straight in the eyes.

“We’re going to keep each other in check to stay safe. We’re going to stay sharp against the mafia. We’re partners for one con with them, but they’re not our family, we are. Family is always going to be the priority here. The moment we are in too deep, we stop. Between the law and the mafia, I’d rather be in trouble with the law.” She inhales sharply.

She knows that the checking on each other is really him checking up on her. She’s more of what Hoseok would call “impulsive”. She’s pulled extemporaneous stunts that could have literally stopped her heart on several occasions, not to mention break his. Not only is Hoseok primarily a planner, he is the one who takes the background roles while she is the main face of each con. He has every right to act cautious for her sake since she isn’t.

Hoseok’s right to not underestimate the mafia’s ruthlessness. But even though they don’t dabble with the rest of the underworld, she knows the common rules. Partnership requires a certain amount of accountability between two parties to pull through; it’s good business. 

Bangtan had a strong name on a global scale, how else can they get there without a fair bit of accountability and efficiency? It’s their good name that had them climb up the ladder. Such reliability doesn’t spout out of nowhere without some truth.

She doesn’t know if there’s an official reason why they spotted them out of all the con artists in South Korea, but it’s true that there have been whispers of their M.O.; but no names, thanks to Hoseok. This matters to Hoseok, but not Minsuk necessarily. At this point, Hoseok is going to keep his sister close and his enemies just as close. Given that she is the closest thing he’s got, it’s saying something.

Maybe she is crazy, getting high off of the thrill. She isn’t sure whether she’s greedy for the rewards or prideful of her work, but there’s some sense of accomplishment at the end of every trick that she can’t find anywhere else. Granted, she’s never really put herself out there to experience anything else that can give her the same feeling. 

Maybe she’s far deeper than her brother hoped and he doesn’t see that because he doesn’t want to. Whatever the case, she knows she has to appease her brother in order to see this through.

“I promise. But you will also promise me. Ever con is dangerous, we both know that. You can’t expect everything to be smooth sailing in this one, even if we have more help, especially because they’re from the mafia. When we do dangerous things, we still need to stay and stick it out to get it done, so we don’t get stuck in a dangerous position. We’re going to put our best efforts because of three reasons: 1) this is our last con, so we need to do this right for ourselves. 2) Even if we don’t care about the mafia and their reasons, we need to execute this con the best we can so there’s no backlash from them. They are technically our first and last client. 3) Clean job is our M.O. We will not allow ourselves to have repercussions from the mafia or the law. We never left any unfinished business, and we will not start now.” she holds out her pinkie. He looks at her pinkie and smiles at her childish gesture, but one she still uses quite often.

“Deal.” He hooks his pinkie on hers and stamp her thumb with his to seal the deal.

The next day, they introduce their proposed con to the mafia.

“We’ve thought it through last night. You said that you would prefer that he is under your thumb, but we’ve already established that you can’t do that because he’ll probably figure a way out. So what we should do is essentially just take him out of the political game. Since he can see past direct attempts, we need to look for someone in his life who can’t. When that person gets backed into your corner and he feels like he needs to help him out, then he consciously chooses to plunge his hands into the filth. He’s in such a pedestal to the public. The moment he falls, he has everything to lose.” Hoseok begins.

“What’s the bad choice he has to make?” Yoongi asks.

“Don’t know yet. We’re still digging through for more information. Somehow, you’ll make a deal with him that he can’t say no to because of that person he’s helping out. It needs to be a deal that you can attempt to rationalize for his benefit though. This is essentially a con within a con.” Minsuk folds her hands and smiles at everyone.

“A dream within a dream.” Jimin mumbles through his fingers and gives a sly smile at Yoongi like some sort of inside joke. Yoongi just grunts and gestures to Hoseok to continue.

“Who’s the person you are corrupting?” Namjoon asks Minsuk.

“His son.” Hoseok took out a folder and slid it over to Namjoon.

“He’s a third year at SNU, majoring in photography and journalism. I’m still working on how to approach him though. The idea is in here,” she taps her skull, “but I’m still working out the plan.”

“What are you doing while she’s working on her mark?” Seokjin points to Hoseok.

“I’m going to be on Kang’s side. Working out the politics, keeping an eye on him, and figuring out a way to find a “beneficial” deal for you to give to him.”

“How long will all of this take?” Yoongi asks.

“The university semester starts in the beginning of March. Elections are mid-April and it’s cleaner to just have him drop out of the race before then. Right now is just the beginning of January. We’re looking at three and a half months. But since March is when semester starts, we actually have a month and a half to actually con Mark and his father.

“Since the semester starts in March, what are you going to be doing now?” Namjoon asks.

Minsuk looked at Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook.

“I’d like to get to know you.”

The first person she goes along with is Jimin back to the first hotel they met. She looks at the different cameras in front of her. They’re currently in the security office, watching the people gambling their lives away in the casino.

“Why gambling? I mean, Koreans aren’t known for their gambling.”

“You’re right, but how many Koreans do you see down there, other than those who work for me? It’s very few. Most of the people who enter in are tourists. We’ve landed casinos in Las Vegas, Macau, Atlantic City, Monte Carlo, Reno, and other places with a high gambling reputation. They all highly recommend ours back in this country and so we technically monopolize majority of the gambling joints in Korea, and we’re in Seoul so there’s a lot of people who pass by. We’ve got other smaller casinos all around the country as well, so I don’t have to stay in one place all the time. Since we have the ability to monopolize it, why not? It’s a market others can’t compete with us.”

“Do you personally enjoy gambling?” She asks.

“Being a firsthand observer of those addicted, I’m not tempted. But I’m not really in it for the gambling aspect.” Before she can ask for further explanation, his phone alerts him something. He looks at the notification and smirks.

He looks at her, “Do you want to know what I’m talking about? Fair warning, it’s a long drive.” She nods and goes along with him.

“Stay in the car. Wouldn’t want your brother putting me in a headlock for bringing you to some place dangerous. You can observe through the tinted windows.” Jimin doesn’t look at her and slides out of the car and closes the door before anyone outside can sneak a peek to know she’s still inside.

She cracks open the sunroof to hear the conversation outside and scoots closer to the window. She looks at the driver who quickly glances at her through the rearview mirror but angles his head so it won’t look like he’s looking at anyone in the back of the car. She stares at him until he looks away and so did she.

“Mr. Park.” The man walks towards Jimin and they meet halfway.

“Mr. Long, I heard you were in a fair bit of trouble. What’s going on? Tell me everything” Jimin shakes the hand of the man who’s already shaking. Mr. Long sniffs as he looks left and right, and then to the car.

“Can we go inside? It’s a little cold out.”

“Sure.” Jimin turns towards the car and walks towards it with Mr. Long tailing behind him. His piercing stare made Minsuk feel like he can see her even through the darkened windows. Passenger’s seat, he mouths.

She quickly hurdles herself forward and climbs to the front passenger’s seat. She slouches as low as she can and raises the privacy window between the driver and the backseats. She looks at the driver, again with another awkward stare until he looks away.

She hears the car door in the back open and close. The weight of two men shift the car.

“How about some brandy to warm up?” Jimin takes the brandy bottle in the back and a glass.

“Thank you.” When Jimin hands him the glass, Jimin shifts himself to face the man and stretches his arm to rest on the back of the seat.

“What’s going on?”

“So I’m here on vacation, right? I stayed at the casino hotel nearby and I kind of spent the past four days gambling. A couple hours ago, I realized I’ve gambled away everything except for 600k won. I played my last game of black jack with the ante starting at 295k won. I had 19 and I kept raising, hoping to buy the pot but the dealer had a 20. I lost to a damn 20. The pot was 2.4 million won…”

“So now you own the casino 2.4 million won.” Jimin plays with the rings on his finger while expressing concern in his eyes.

“Yeah. Look, I know we haven’t met long, but seriously, you introduced me to the hotel. I need some fast money. I can’t get the money from home, that account is being watched by my wife. Luckily, I already have my round trip ticket home, but I know I can’t leave until I pay.” Jimin looks stressed as he rubs his eyebrow and puts a finger to his lips.

“So let me get this straight. You actually do have the money at home, but you can’t get it? It’s just a matter of your wife right? You can convince her, can’t you? It’s a problem stuck in whether or not you can convince her. It’s not necessarily that you don’t have the money.” Jimin clarifies.

“My wife can’t know I’ve been gambling here. She thinks I’ve been clean for half a year. Look buddy, you introduced me to the hotel, you got me that escort that used up a good fraction in one night. You need to help me.”

“You’re putting the blame on me, huh? It’s your own damn fault for giving in. Who told you to listen to me? We met at the bar in an airport.” Jimin slowly shows his true colors.

“I – well, you told me that if anything happens, come to you.” She raises her eyebrows at the sound of that. It sounds very familiar because she’s heard it many times in her own cons. Jeez, people are stupid.

“I did. And I did say that I’ll help. But I never said I’m helping you. You’re asking me to help you pay myself back. What idiot would do that?” Jimin tilts his head at Mr. Long and gives him silence to figure it out.

“You – you’re –“ Mr. Long puts the pieces together and turns around to open the door and scramble out, but Jimin quickly locks the door on his side and lunges towards Mr. Long. Jimin puts his arm horizontally to lock Mr. Long from moving his arms to defend himself and gives him a few solid punches. Jimin rams his knee to the man’s right gut. He rams Mr. Long’s head against the window and the window cracks. He throws him to the other side and elbows the man’s calf. Minsuk winces when she hears a sickening crack.

Mr. Long shakes as he unlocks the door and opens it, rolling out of the car. He crawls forward as he cries and Jimin leisurely steps out of the car, playing with his rings again. Minsuk raises her head slightly to see Jimin’s back as he crouches down to Mr. Long and gives him a pat on the back.

“Look, all you have to do is fess up to your wife. It sucks, no doubt. But consider the alternative: me. How much is 2.4 million won in your country? $2000, give or take? It could be worse. You have two more days until your flight back home. I suggest you convince your wife to transfer the money to you overnight. The mafia isn’t patient or lenient with people who don’t pay their dues.”

“The ma–mafia?” Mr. Long sputters and finally sees the shadows on Jimin’s face, seeing his true nature.

“Yeah, uh, the hotel? It’s owned by Bangtan. If you don’t know who that is…jeez, have you been living under a rock? Pay the casino tomorrow by 4pm. If not, let’s just say you’re far too easy to find. I don’t need you to message me to know where you were, just saying.” Jimin stands up and takes in the surroundings. He exhales and runs a hand through his hair.

“You’re right, it’s pretty cold. Here.” Jimin goes to the back trunk and pulls out an extra coat and throws it on top of Mr. Long.

“Wouldn’t want you to freeze to death before you paid. If it’s after 4pm tomorrow and you haven’t paid yet, well then, I’ll be taking the coat back.” Jimin turns his heel and goes into the car, signaling the driver to go, leaving Mr. Long.

Minsuk lowers the privacy window and turns her body to look at him. She peeks through her seat to look at him and he looks at her, or only up to her nose.

“You look cute.”

“You look scary. It wouldn’t truly faze you if my brother did put you in a headlock, would it?” Jimin barks in laughter as he rubs his rings again. He kisses them even though she’s pretty sure there was some blood on it.

“What did you expect? I’m a part of the Bangtan.”

“I don’t know. I don’t really have any expectations.” He stares at her for a second. Sure, she admits that she thinks he’s scary, but she really doesn’t show that she’s actually afraid. If anything, he thinks she’s intrigued.

“Well, now you know me. Did you get what you wanted? What did you want anyway?”

“I guess so. I’m trying to see how I can integrate you, Taehyung, and Jungkook into the job. If I figure your strengths and weaknesses, I can put you in a place where it’s best for you so you can be as natural in your roles as you can.”

“I see. Well good luck in doing that. And trust me; I’m not the worst one out of the three of us.” Jimin looks out the window. Minsuk turns her body to face the front again.

The next one is Taehyung. His “home” is an unassuming small medical facility in Daegu. In there, Minsuk finds many of Bangtan’s soldiers in one side of the medical facility, getting treated and checked up. Apparently, they come with their own medical insurance and hospital. It actually has all the technology for any health related conditions ready for emergencies.

The other side of the facility is open to the public, sort of.

Taehyung is the drug dealer for Bangtan, dabbling in all sorts of narcotics and stimulants. Minsuk wonders if any of that could account for the strange extra bounce in his stride. He has her walk beside him as he strolls through the facility to the employee’s only door in the back. He swipes his card key, punches in a code, and uses an actual key inserted into the door before opening it.

“So much security.” Minsuk notes as they go through and pass a cold hallway into a hot boiler room. They descended underground of the facility and finally came to her destination.

“Welcome, to my lab.” Taehyung exclaims and bounces down the metal stairs and she follows him.

Many people are in confined glass cubicles and it seems that they are doing chemical tests. At the top of every cubicle’s door, there is a series of different symbols.

“I made that. It’s my own language.” Taehyung says proudly when he turns around and sees MInsuk trying to make sense of it.

“What are they supposed to stand for?”

“Only those in the cubicles and I know. But I’m sure you’ll figure it out, it’s fairly easy. Just don’t say anything.”

She observes the people through the glass but doesn’t say anything.

Taehyung moves on without another word either and she knows that he’s going to leave her here if she doesn’t recognize that she needs to follow him. She’s supposed to be the well-trained puppy that follows its master without a leash.

They come to the end where there is another door. She follows him into a tunnel. The end is into a bright, white clean room with just three people working there. They walk up to the three people in the room and see one of them working on drug pills, one on powder, and the last one working with liquids.

“Are these all the same drug?” MInsuk asks.

“Correctamundo!” He exclaims and takes a pill to show her.

“This is the Victory drug. It’s from a Russian plant which thrives in harsh conditions, thus named as the Victorious Flower. I would show you the flower, but we don’t have it right now. It’s currently being imported here though.”

“What kind of drug is it?”

“It’s a stimulant drug. Major effects include euphoria, pain-numbing, and hallucinations. Interesting isn’t it?”

“What are the side effects?”

“Victory is not for everyone. Do not consume it if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Side effects may include excessive sweating, aggression, nausea, anxiety, paranoia, short term memory loss, increased blood pressure and heart rate, increased body temperatures, tremors, seizures, or even death. Consult your doctor before taking Victory.” He speaks quickly and smoothly like a detached pharmaceutical commercial that makes her laugh.

“For real though, you need to be in a safe environment if you ever do consume it.” He puts it down and she follows him back upstairs.

She goes to the second half of the medical facility where there are a few people around.

“They’re here for…medication?” She asks quietly as they pass some people. She can see the restlessness and dark circles in some of their faces.

“Yup. And they aren’t allowed to leave with Victory. That’s why we have this room for them to stay in until they’re done. Because of the increase in body temperature, we have a cold room for them to make them feel more comfortable.” Taehyung opens the door for her and she goes in. He closes the door on her and watches her from the window. She turns her head to look at him and then back at the rest of the room.

People are sprawled on the floor, the chairs, couches, tables, corners; anywhere and everywhere. Everyone is drugged and experiencing the high of it. The room is cold and bare other than the simple furniture for the people to relax on. Everything is bolted down on the floor though, so there’s no throwing chairs or overturning tables. On the wall, there is a sign that says no weapons.

There’s a guy squatted on the floor against a wall. He looks up to Minsuk with his head tilted and lolling around. He gets up and staggers towards her. He takes out a knife in his pocket and screams, running towards her. She backs up to the door and bangs on it, screaming to be let out. When the man gets to her, his movements are rather slow enough for her to grab his wrist to keep him from stabbing her.

“Let me out, Taehyung!” She yells behind her. The man wretches his wrist out of her grasps and throws her on the floor.

“The symbols mean what drugs you have in your lab!” She yells. The moment the man is about to stab her, Taehyung steps in and grabs his wrist. He twists his wrist and the man dropped the knife. Taehyung catches the knife in midair and spins the man. Taehyung knees his back and the man falls forwards to the wall. He’s taken out of the room by other men.

“I thought you’re not supposed to have weapons in here.”

Taehyung looks down at her with a glare. He pulls her up and holds the knife up to her.

“I thought I told you to not say anything. You don’t know how to follow the rules.” he threatens her.

“You don’t either!” she yells back.

“You don’t get to consult the doctor before taking Victory.” He says lowly. Taehyung pulls her out of the room and back to the lab where he takes liquefied Victory in a syringe needle and walks towards her. He traps her on a chair and has the needle looming over her collar bone.

“I’ll give you one more chance.” He says. He rests his cheek on his hand as he looks at his needle dancing above her skin. What chance? What did he want?

“Name the first drugs in the cubicles on the right and left. Get it wrong, then this goes into you, and you go in the boiler room.” He explains. He’s a little irritated that she doesn’t know what he was talking about. Too slow.

She closes her eyes and tries to flashback to the symbols but it’s too difficult, especially when there’s a needle with a drug about to be inserted into her. Instead, she decides to remember inside the glass cubicles. She at least knows the first cubicle because of the identifiable black sticky mush on the table. She tries to remember the left cubicle but she can’t. She doesn’t even remember what the drug looked like.

She feels the needle poking at you, but not breaking skin yet. She can’t wait and guesses.

“Meth and opium!” She yells. She feels the needle move away from her and the pressure of his arm is lifted off her chest.

“Did you deduce it from the drug itself or the symbols?”

“I’m not telling you.” she looks at him. He raises his eyebrows and shrugs. He turns away and puts the needle down on the table.

“There’s a car waiting outside for you. You’re done here.”

Jungkook silently goes about his way, ignoring Minsuk. He doesn’t slow down for her to keep up with him, he glares at anyone passing by who looks at her longer than they should, and she almost has the door close on her face.

“Slow down.” she calls after him, picking up her pace again. He only walks faster.

“What is this place? Hey, I’m talking to you. I know you don’t like me. I don’t know why so you should at least tell me that.” She tries again. He stops in his tracks and turns around to look at her with his biggest glare.

“I’ve lost men because of you.”

“Huh?” she tilts her head in confusion. This is the second day they have met and she’s been unaffiliated with Bangtan before that.

“Do you know why you were picked? I don’t know either! You’ve got in the way of several payments that I couldn’t collect because your cons were directed at my clients. I can’t complete deals in my business because someone had already drained my potential clients of all they’re worth. I get my men in a lot of trouble and hassle in order to get things done and you are an inconsistency that I can’t seem to escape from. We’ve gotten caught from the police because you heightened the senses of my clients and they’ve been able to catch a few of my men. My ass gets chewed while they purposefully locate you and hire you!”

“Hey, don’t blame me for not being able to do your job right. It’s not my job to make sure I don’t hurt anyone else’s agenda in the process of feeding me and my brother. What the hell do you think I do for a living?” she shoots back at him. He shakes his head at her with a glare.

“It’s exactly that I know what you do that I don’t trust you. You’re a con artist. I don’t know what you could do to us, but I know what we have to offer. Any idiot who’s greedy enough will try to take it and I know you’re that greedy idiot. I won’t let you do that. You are not going to break Bangtan, do you hear me? And I will not be ordered around by you. You are not the authority over me. Stay away from me.”

She raises her eyebrows at him. This is his real concern; not the fact that she’s messed up his plans on several occasions, even if she had no knowledge of it. His real concern is that she would mess up the actual organization.

This guy is delusional! She barely acknowledged their name before they approached her, let alone come up with some hidden agenda in the span of two days. She has the ability to do so, but Hoseok wants to finish the mission and be done with it. As much as she enjoys being a con artist, she knows he’s right and she’s willing to finish this and be rid of Bangtan forever.

“Look, I don’t want to cause trouble. If I did, I’m sure you or Bangtan would have no problem getting rid of me or my brother. But here I am and here you are. If we both want to not have to see each other again, we need to be efficient and cooperate so the job is done as soon as possible. I’ll do my best to not order you around, but remember, we’re here only for a job. It’s your bosses’ request, so at least respect that and try to work with me. Just a little while. Just three and a half months, if that.”

Normally, it’s probably not a good idea to stare at the mafia straight in the eye, in case they take it as some sort of defiance or challenge, but she usually does so people would trust her through eye contact.

He just looks at her for several moments before turning his heel, “We’re going down to my warehouse.”

She lets out a silent breath and follows him. His steps are still fast, but at least he doesn’t pick up the pace when she catches up to him.

Underground is his warehouse. Men in black walk around carrying large wooden cases. Jungkook has one of them crank open the case and takes out a firearm. Minsuk quietly observes him with his men surrounding him as he checks through the product.  She looks at other open cases. Grenades, hand guns, rifles, shot guns, machine guns, anything with fire power really. He gives a head nod to them and puts it back in the case, having his men take it away.

“Who do you sell these to?” She asks. She sees Jungkook’s shoulders rise and fall from his heavy breathing.

“Overseas organizations, overseas mafia, and individual consumers.” He answers quickly. She looks around the warehouse. This place must be over several hundred acres and three stories high worth of weapons in this place. Enough for the whole army and then some.

“I got to go. Thanks!” Minsuk runs up the stairs and Jungkook turns around to see her walk out of the door. 

He clenches his teeth. He takes the firearm in the case, cocks it, and shoots at the door where her head was just moments ago.

A/N: Finally finished this chapter! Yay!

Brownie points to you if you can figure out why I named it Victory ;)

Next Chapter

A Confidence Game 1.1 | BTS Mafia and Con Artist AU

Plot: Hoseok and Minsuk’s parents have died 11 years ago and they have been con artists for 8 years now. The moment Hoseok wants Minsuk to have a chance to start a new life, the Bangtan mafia approaches them to pull one last con.

Words:4,248 | Drama/angst/violence (at some point. we’re dealing with the mafia and con artists here)

Warnings: (M) mature themes

Character Profiles

Part 1: Foundation Work: The preparations, which are made before the scheme is put in motion, including the elaboration of the plan, the employment of assistants, and so forth.

Jung Minsuk makes light conversation with Mr. Kim as they both wait for his artwork inspector. Honestly, she’s not the type to make small talk, but rich heiresses are; and that’s what she is right now. Mr. Kim is a middle aged man with too much money to enjoy any other pursuit in life other than collecting artwork. Such men have plenty to share and they’re perfect sponsors for her college fund.

A clean and slim man with handsome features and thin frames walks into the shipping warehouse. He carries a large silver briefcase, loaded with an artwork inspection kit. Mr. Kim turns around at the sound of his entrance and extends an arm to introduce him to her. But she already knows him.

“Ms. Song, please allow me to introduce you to Park Jinhyuk. Mr. Park, this is Song Sooyoung. Mr. Park is very adept in verifying artworks. He’s helped me on numerous occasions.” She gives a polite nod at her brother and he gives her a quick head bow as if it is their first meeting.

“The Cyclone, Tsunami, Firestorm. They are all verified by this man right here. I’ve spent the last half year hunting down the Natural Forces Collection. Now the only one that’s missing – “

“Is my Earthquake.” She finishes his sentence for him and he nods at her with a grin. She looks over at Hoseok who silently and diligently gives a once-over on the artwork before he set down his brief case to take out his inspection kit to examine the painting.

“And why is it now that you want to verify this artwork with Mr. Park, after so many times you’ve bought so many other artworks of mine?” She asks Mr. Kim. In total, he’s bought four other artworks and antiques from her; all were real, but at a much lower price than the Natural Forces. That doesn’t mean the Natural Forces are any more valuable though. If anything, they’re less real and practically worthless.

“The Earthquake is a bit more important to me. My other experts need to eat too. I request for Mr. Park’s expertise on the more expensive and important artworks.” She inwardly shakes her head at the ignorance. Though he’s spent a little less than a decade pursuing art, he knows nothing about it. He’s just another pretentious old man. She’s dealt with too many ignorant people. She’s grateful at some level; they technically were the ones who’ve pays her to learn a lesson. But still, she is astounded and disappointed by the number of ignorant people in this world.

“I guess the previous items in my possession were too good for you to pass up before you came to my Earthquake.” She smiles. They better be. She and her brother spent almost a whole year to acquire them to be their bait.

“Yes. I can’t believe I’ve dealt with you so many times, that I never asked whether you knew about the Earthquake, let alone ask if you had it. You had so many other…tempting collectables for me to acquire, that I completely forgot about the matter for a period of time.” Mr. Kim’s lids lowers halfway as his eyes trails down from her brown contacts to the pearl necklace resting on her collarbone.

“To be fair,” she brings his attention back up to her eyes, “I probably wouldn’t have told you when we first met.” He looks at you quizzically.

“The Earthquake is a very prized painting, Mr. Kim. I didn’t let it out of my sight for two weeks. I kept it in my bedroom so I could just stare at it until I fell asleep.” She peripherally notes that Hoseok’s hand twitch at her words. Really? You’re laying it on a little thick, aren’t you? She can hear him chastise her.

“So why do you want to sell it now?” Mr. Kim clears his throat.

“I’m looking into another collection right now. I’ve had the Earthquake long enough. Besides, you already have the other three. Might as well reunite them since I can’t have it.” She explains. You are a fickle rich heiress who wants doesn’t care for long term sentimentality and have a business mind, she reminds yourself.

“Oh, and what collection are you looking into?” Mr. Kim raises his round glasses.

“Ah, sorry. I can’t tell you. I wouldn’t want you to fight me for it. I can get pretty vicious.” She wink.

“Well, I don’t doubt women being vicious sometimes. But who would want to fight you for anything?” She just smiles at him, letting his imagination run wild. That’s the funny thing about humans; their imagination. But most of them are very small minded.

“Mr. Kim.” His attention is brought to her brother. All Mr. Kim needs is Mr. Park’s nod and his grin widens at the approval. He looks at the paining and gestures at his men to take the painting.

“Ms. Song, I’m still astounded by your resources to have obtained this painting at such a young age. “ He praises her as his men cover the painting and moves it out the room.

“Well I’m home alone quite often. I must keep myself busy, no?” She crosses her milky white arms and saw two large silver briefcases that replaced her brother’s inspection kit on the table. The briefcases opened up to reveal cash bundles neatly stacked to fit all 300 mil won. She smiles and hides her greed as she closes the briefcases.

“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you again.” Her rented bodyguards take the two briefcases and she holds out her hand to shake. Mr. Kim takes it and puts his middle-aged lips on the back of her hand, lingering just a little too long.

“I hope you find what you’re looking for.” He says to her. I already have.

“Same to you.” She smiles and turns away. Minsuk waits until she’s out of his sight. She waits until she gets in the car and her men drive her away before she furiously and disgustedly wipes the spit off the back of her hand.

“Minsuk!” She looks up from her laptop. She just placed the money in plenty of different bank accounts. Now it’s just to wait for the banks to verify the amount. She pushes up her reading glasses as the descending sun’s reflection flickers on the lens. Behind her glasses are her strange eyes: one is a dark chocolate brown, one is a deep sea blue.

“Oppa!” She calls out. Hoseok emerges from the hallway of their home. Her smile turns into a large grin when his hands from behind his back reveal a large envelope. It’s SNU’s reply to her college application.

She jumps up from the couch and runs to him. She jumps on to him for a hug and then takes the envelope from his hand with a squeal.

“An envelope that big, there’s no way that it’s –“

“I got in! I got in!” She prances around the living room and Hoseok joins her, dancing around like complete fools. Seven years ago, she and Hoseok were conning for his college fund. After he graduated, they waited until he stabilized his job as a software engineer at an IT company before she thought of saving for her own college fund. Now, eight years into the confidence game, they are finally able to plunge deep in the lake. She’s starting college two years late, but it doesn’t matter. The fact is she’s in now.

“Ah, my beloved dongsaeng. I’m so proud of you!” Hoseok calms down before her and they exchange the biggest smiles of their day.

“And I thought conning Mr. Kim for 300 mil won was the highlight of the day.” She rereads the congratulatory words in the acceptance letters. Today is a good day. Mr. Kim has been their mark for almost two years now. The con is finally over.

“You did really well, Ms. Song. But did you really have to flirt with the guy so much?” she knew this was coming.

“He got so much spit in your hand. I wanted to rip out his eyes for the way he talks about and looks at you.” Hoseok frowns. In the past 7 months, he’s been Mr. Kim’s artwork inspector.  He’s heard Mr. Kim talk about you very inappropriately before, but he didn’t tell you. Con or not, it bothers him to see anyone look at his sister, or any other lady, with such disgusting mannerisms. Luckily, after today, all contact information and personnel files about a Song Sooyoung and a Park Jinhyuk will be wiped from the face of this earth. Mr. Kim will never find either of you again.

“Well it was the approach. I’m an underestimated rich heiress who loves art and desperate for attention. Men always fall for the fun-loving type. And he needed attention away from your lame verifying tricks, Mr. Park.” He flicks her forehead and she returns him a cheeky grin. He knows it isn’t the sole reason she puts herself in such a compromising role. She always got a thrill of playing characters.

“Hey, I’ve done a very good job as his art inspector. He’s taken me to other deals to inspect and I can actually verify them. It’s funny, ruining someone else’s con. I actually give his other experts a run for their money.” He takes her hand and rubs away what she hasn’t already sanitized three times.

“We’ve done this for so long. I know what I was doing.” He looks at her with concern.

“I understand, oppa. Besides, the job’s done. We’re lucky we’ve been able to take the job so far.” He wants to shake his head at her. She never understood when she takes it farther than she should. But when he finally decides to chastise her for it, the results were evidently effective. She’s always proved herself to finish the job unharmed and so he never got past her justifications.

She gives Hoseok a hug and he holds her for a long time until his nose twitches at the smell of dinner. He smiles and turns around to see the dinner set on the table with the covers.

“What’s for dinner?” he asks as he drags her to the dinner table.

“Kimchi, yakiniku, dolsot. Your favorite for a good day.” You both sit down and he hisses a cheer.

“I’ve already placed about three fourths of the money in our different accounts. We can start transferring and layering this weekend with what is already done while I layer the rest in cash.” It’s her favorite part, but also the most complicated part. Layering is basically spending money and investing it. It continues to spend the dirty money and make it hard to trace until she can bring the clean money back to under their name.

“That’s good. It’s just in time, now that SNU has accepted you. We can start paying the college tuition and your other expenses.” He starts chowing down on the meal. She stares at her brother and then around the apartment. This place has been their home for two years now. She and Hoseok have been living independently for eleven years, and eight years since their first con. She is the most important part of Hoseok’s life and he’s hers. He worked so hard in the first three years so he could take care of her all on his own. It was so tough on him. Even when she was 11, she understood a lot of the tough things in life. When she was 14, she felt like it was time for her to start giving back, make things easier on him. She was so young, but then again, so was he.

Thus, Minsuk pulled her first con with him.

Hoseok was across the street as he watched Minsuk profusely bow her head to the middle-aged restaurant owner.

“I really thought I had money in my pockets before I left home. I distinctly remember counting the money. You’ve seen me eat here, I’ve been here many times. I’ve always paid. I’m not lying!” She pleaded. She shook her 14 year-old hands nervously as she looked up to the woman with her big doe-like and distinctive eyes. The woman just looked at her with skeptical and stern eye. The lady had her hands on her hips and her lips were pursed.

“Okay, my home is two blocks away. My wallet should be home. I distinctly remember it on my coffee table before I left. I’ll be back in 10 minutes, I promise.” She turned away but the woman pulled her back before she could even see the door.

“That is not happening, girl. If you can’t pay, you are going to stay here and work it off today.”

“No, I can’t. School starts in less than an hour.” her eyes darted everywhere before it settled on her wrist; there rested her bracelet.

“Look, here. This is a bracelet my aunt from America bought for me for Christmas. I will be back for this bracelet and I will have the money. I promise you. It’s real. Please, I’ll be very fast. I’ll run.” The lady saw Minsuk’s breathing quicken as she looked up at the clock and the lady looked at her school uniform that indicated Minsuk’s school. Her different eye colors were the most distinguishable feature; surely, she could find Minsuk again if she needed to. Minsuk took the bracelet off herself and put it on the woman’s wrist before she could reject her. The lady greedily looked at it as the gems flickered from the sun’s reflection.

“I will see you back at this very spot in 10 minutes. If you are not back with the money, I will be looking for you at your school. I recognize your uniform, it’s the same school my son goes to.” She warned Minsuk. Minsuk exhaled with relief and she bowed countless times with a strong thank you. She ran out, on her way home to grab the money.

Hoseok walked in the door, dressed clean and looked older than his true 18 year-old identity. He ordered a quick to-go coffee and breakfast. His eyes rested on the bracelet. For as long as the restaurant woman has been fixing his coffee, his eyes are fixated on the bracelet.

“You are a very lucky woman. My girlfriend keeps talking about that bracelet. She hints that if she doesn’t get it for her birthday, she’ll break up with me.” Hoseok chuckled bitterly as the woman came forward with the coffee.

“This is just collateral until some little girl comes back with the money to pay for her meal.” The woman looked at the bracelet. Hoseok raised his eyebrows.

“How old is that little girl? Does she realize she has this year’s limited edition of that brand? Tsk, kids these days, don’t understand value. How can she use this for collateral? For a mere breakfast, no less! If she truly left because she couldn’t pay for a meal, she would be the fool, not you.” Hoseok scolded the absent you. The restaurant woman’s ears perked up at limited edition.

“H-how much did your girlfriend say this was?”

“About 3000 US dollars. And it’s limited to 200 in this world. So…” Hoseok whistled lowly. He heard her quietly suck in a breath.

“Are there anymore left?” she probed.

“Trust me, if there was any left, I would have found it already. My girlfriend has been good to me; she helped with my college tuition. I wish I could show her that I can provide for her well…” Hoseok licked his lips and ripped his eyes away from the bracelet for the last time before he leaned forward.

“Listen, I’ll be willing to pay 4 million won today, in cash, for that bracelet. I have to go to work now and my girlfriend’s birthday is less than a week away, so I’m in a rush. Tell that little girl to give me a call today. I can return at the end of the day to make the deal. Here’s my contact information. I really have to go. Thanks for the coffee.” Hoseok left without a passing glance at Minsuk, who just returned from around the corner. The restaurant woman wanted to call out to Hoseok who just went out the door and disappeared in a hurry to catch the bus, but something stopped her. The bracelet still glistened in her peripheral. She felt the heavy weight of the silver bracelet that was laden with gems on it.

“I’m here! 7 minutes! I told you I’d be back.” Minsuk said breathlessly. She had a hand on the counter with her wallet in her other hand, resting on her waist as she was bent, trying to catch your breath. She finally looked up at the clock. She only had 35 minutes to pay and make her way to school that was 15 minutes away.

“Here. How much was the meal?” she opened up your wallet, ready to count out the cash.

“Uh-10000 won.” The restaurant woman blankly watched Minsuk count out her measly 1000 won bills out. 4 million won still throbbing in her head. The man was willing to pay for 4 million won, when the bracelet cost roughly 3.4 million won. He must have been desperate. The lady looked at her wrist. This bracelet has started to look better and better on her wrist with each passing minute.

“You know, this is a very nice bracelet.”

“Yeah, my aunt sends these things to me all the time. I’m usually not a luxurious person, but she’s very nice. I’ve gotten so much from her.” Minsuk said lightly. So, maybe she wouldn’t even miss this.

“Can I have it?” The lady asked. Minsuk looked up in surprise. The lady looked down with a strong air around her; haggling was her business.

“I will pay you 3 and a half million won for this.” She said quickly. Minsuk eyes widened and she looked at the bracelet.

“I didn’t know it was that expensive.” She breathed out. The little girl really didn’t know the value? The woman should have started lower.

“It’s not.” The lady said quickly, trying to cover up how much the value of the bracelet really was, “But it’s my daughter’s birthday in two days and I haven’t come up with anything remotely close to her liking. This might be my only chance to shop around before her birthday. I want to get her something really nice. Please. You don’t know what it’s like to be a mother.” She said. It was a lie. Her husband was the one who didn’t get his wife anything for her birthday two weeks ago. She could pretend this was his gift. Minsuk’s lips tightened and she looked up at the clock.

“I’ve only had this for three days. I’m not sure I’m ready to let that go.” She looked at the bracelet. The lady moved it out of Minsuk’s sight and she pulled out cash from the register. She ran to the back to find more stashed.

“How about 4 million?” That’s more than what the bracelet was worth.  Minsuk’s eyes bulged out at her call. This greed of hers was far more than Minsuk expected. She’s willing to take all the money in this restaurant. Since it was Minsuk’s first con, she was surprised by the lady’s greed.

“I-“ Minsuk had no idea what to say. She’s never been offered money, let alone 4 million. The lady waved the cash in her face and she nodded slowly, eyes following the cash.

The exchange was quick. The lady would have to let that man know that the bracelet was not for sale. She put the bracelet safely in her pocket, feeling the weight of it as Minsuk left for a school she doesn’t go to. Minsuk and Hoseok were 4 mil won richer. And the restaurant woman? All she had was just one cheap bracelet, only 100k won worth, in her pocket…

“I saw an apartment in Seoul. It’s about 10 minutes away from SNU by the subway. It’s about 10 mil won for deposit, 725k per month. It’s not bad with two rooms, 2 baths. It has a really nice kitchen where I can make more recipes with convenience. If not, there’s one that’s outside of the city, so it’s an hour away by subway. But its 2 rooms and 1 baths, 8 mil won for deposit and 650k per month…” Minsuk starts to say. Hoseok looks up from his plate. Food is still in his mouth. He quickly chews and swallows.

“No. We’ve talked about this. All of that 300 mil will be going to your college fund. You’re there for four years. Groceries, utilities, transportation, expensive tuition, and miscellaneous expenses. And that’s just you alone, in dormitory. It was easier for me because I stayed in Gwangju and our living expenses weren’t as they are now. Add me in Seoul? You know the math. I’m not moving.”

“But oppa, we can –“ Minsuk starts but he cuts her off.

“No. We’re not. You’re going to be clean from now on. You’re going in to university! There’s new opportunities for you to do what really interests you. You get a clean slate. I’ve tiptoed around with you long enough with these cons. They’re good, and we can get by, but we can’t do this forever. I don’t want you to do this forever. You already lost four years where you could have already graduated college now because we were too busy with my tuition, and that’s at GIST! You’re just starting. You’re not doing anything else but getting that education for the next four years.” He isn’t going to have this discussion again. He’s her brother. What he says goes, and that’s final.

“Okay, oppa.” She says quietly, poking at her food. He looks up and sighs. He reaches over to her hand on the table.

“I know you want to stay close. But really, you’ll be fine. And you’ll love Seoul. It’s so exciting over there.”

“But…you’re all I know.” She says with tears welling up. Really. Their parents left them one night; bags packed and everything. They left them. If that is the whole story, she would never forgive them. But that isn’t the end of it. Their train derailed and crashed. She can’t be mad anymore, even if she wants to. But the only thing constant in her life was her brother. Everything else was always temporary: jobs, cons, homes, education. It doesn’t make sense to her to lose the one thing that has always been so stable; the only thing stable.

“Hey, hey, hey.” He drops his utensil on his plate and comes over to her side to hold her tight, trying to shush her as she struggles to hold on to her tears.

“We knew you’d be going to college soon. How are you still not prepared, after two years?” he lightly laughs, trying to make her smile too.

“You were still here! You had me while you went to college. We had each other!” She cries, lightly slapping his arm, too weak to truly fight him, not like she really intends to hit her brother anyway.

He laughs and holds her tighter, keeping her from loosening her arms so she could hit him again.

“Look, I’ll visit you. All the time. You can show me the sights. Let me feel like a tourist, yeah? It’s going to be fun. You’ll make good friends; you might not even have time for me. Especially if you’re studying hard and making me proud, right?” He looks at her when her cries subside.

“I’ll always make time for you, oppa.” She sniffles, grabbing the napkin on the table to wipe her nose. He takes an extra one to wipe her tears, chuckling at he.

“I have no doubt. My little dongsaeng loves me will never forget me, right?” She meekly nods. He goes back to his side of the table and waits for her to take a bite of her food before he picks up his utensil again.

He really doesn’t want her to touch the dark side anymore. For the past eight years, while they dirtied their hands for sure, he always made sure to scrub hers clean. He hacks into the system every day to make sure there were no tags for a young pale 22 year-old girl with straight black hair and wore large brown contacts to hide what makes her stand out.

He always checks up on her. She’s as innocent as a young con artist can be. She still prefers to spend a Saturday in her pajamas and pink bunny slippers, eating cereal while reading the newest fantasy novel while humming a Saturday morning cartoon theme song from her childhood.

The moment Minsuk steps into the university, he’s going to make she’s done with all of this; the both of them. He’s a software engineer in an IT company in Gwangju. He has a stable day job. She’s going to make her own path and be just like any other happy, simple woman in South Korea. Her only distinction will be her beautiful eyes he loves dearly. She would never have to hide her eyes away from authorities again. He needs to make sure she stays that way.

Next chapter

Actually, this is exactly what I was looking for. You did a good job. Thanks! :)

BTS Reaction To Their Girlfriends Preparing For Their Concert

This request was a little complicated because I couldn’t turn it into a scenario/drabble and the reaction format is a little funky to do with this request. This was also a little hard to write, but I tried! -Admin Zar

Seokjin/Jin: He’ll run past you and go straight for the food. After noticing you were there and after you explained that you and the other members girlfriends did all of this he would plant kisses all over your face to say thank you.

Yoongi/Suga: Knowing Yoongi, he seems like the type to put himself into his work. So, he’ll probably have his times where he forgets to eat. Therefore, you and the other girls would be his lifesaver!

Hoseok/J-Hope: He’s really excited for you to be there cheering him on, even if it was just a rehearsal for the concert. But once he sees the food, he’ll completely forget about your existence momentarily.

Namjoon/Rap Monster: He would be very thankful of the consideration and that you were getting along well with the other girls. He would give you a rushed hug and then to straight for the food.

Jimin: He would also be thankful that you and the other girls had the idea to set up snacks for everyone to enjoy. Would also be glad that you decided to wait up for him to get done with rehearsals!  

Taehyung/V: Giddy! He would be so happy that you and the other members girlfriends are getting along so well and even decided to set up food while they were preparing for their upcoming concert. He would happily dance his way to the food.

Jungkook: Wouldn’t be surprised that you and the other girls decided to help set up snacks and stuff for their concert, because I feel like he wants someone who can take care of him. But he would be very thankful for you guys!

I’m Home | Namjoon

Summary line: What are you to him?

On the car ride home, neither of you said anything. Namjoon was speechless and you had nothing to say. Both of you were just absorbed in thought.

You figured you could handle a lot of things as an idol’s girlfriend.

You were willing to put up the fact that he spent more time huddled to a computer and his phone, writing lyrics, than spending time with his arms around you. You could put up with the fact that he spent hours on end looking at himself in the mirror as he perfected the choreography to the best of his abilities more than he looked at you. You could put up with the fact that during their promotions, for months on end, you see him on the TV or computer screen more than you see him in person.

You could put up with the fact that you get anonymous hate letters and stalkers, be they paparazzi or curious fans. You could deal with the fact that there are saesang fans out there who only scream murder at the mention of your happiness. You could deal with watching him at fan meetings, fan signs, and all other activities where many women would practically throw themselves at him with verbal and expressive flirtations, to which he would never accept, but never reject either. You could deal with seeing countless fan reaction videos of how they think Namjoon should dump you and focus on his career, normally out of sheer jealousy or concern that he’s not doing his job to satisfy them. You could deal with all these people who didn’t know either of you to be so unreceptive to your relationship. You knew what you signed up for; you were willing to bear the cross and you were willing to support him through all these things.

What you weren’t ready for was what hit closer to home, namely his. 

Tonight was the sixth time you met his immediate family, but the first time to see his other relatives. It was a large family barbeque with all of them. They haven’t seen their star relative in the longest time. It was such an excitement for everyone to see him. But they felt like the party had been crashed when you showed up along by his side, his arm wrapped around your waist.

Everyone could see his grin was genuine; his dimples were the deepest pits of happiness they’ve ever seen on his face. But that wasn’t enough for them. You weren’t the type of person they expected him to be with. At his age, whether or not he’s currently career-driven, they imagined someone a little more traditional than you, someone that they could see him getting married to. Everything about you defined a person that was the complete opposite of their ideal girlfriend/future wife they had thought of for their famous relative.

At the sight of his turned back, sneers and glares were all you received. With his attention on one conversation, his family didn’t care to converse about the ideal woman they felt was more suited to Namjoon. They would audibly point out many features and traits of a woman they felt was fit for him, every bullet point were marked to be everything you weren’t. No one would ever out rightly say their disappointment or despise of you, but body language is universal and passive aggressive way to beat-around-the-bush were too easy to spot.

With each passing quarter of an hour, you had to excuse yourself to the bathroom and inhale large breaths as you deflated your anger and depressed feelings. You still had an hour and a half before the nightmare was over and you were not going to lose this.

Eventually, whispers have caught his ears and flipped fingers stung at his peripheral vision. He was angrier than you for their overly conservative ideas and tactless indiscretion. Neither of you ever thought of this to be your biggest obstacle. 

He felt like he would always be a black sheep to the family in terms of his choices. First, being a rapper was unacceptable until he had proven himself otherwise. Now his choice of who he dated was a concern for them? It’s not like he was the sole provider of future generations in this family, and even if he was, he wouldn’t give a damn about who they thought he should date.

The moment he picked up that not only did he start to hear and see all the signs, but you’ve apparently been silently swallowing all of this all day and into the evening, he excused himself early to leave, much to everyone’s disappoint. Most likely when you two left, they all outwardly talked about how you probably whined about the party having no one to talk to.

He didn’t bring it up, and neither did you. First of all, he wasn’t always the best at comforting people, and luckily for as long as he knew you, you had been emotionally stable enough to deal with everything thrown at your way. He admired your resilience. But this was something new for you to overcome and dealing with the new was not always easy, he knew that.

You didn’t bring it up because you didn’t think you could really say anything. Were you going to blow up and say mean and disrespectful things about his family in retaliation? No. Were you going to complain to him how he didn’t stand up for you? It really did bother you at some level, but on his defense, he didn’t know until the last minute, in which he decided to avoid the rest of the night and the family altogether. That accounts for something, right? Anything?

Since he didn’t bring it up, he only acted as if everything was normal. All he got out of you were mumbled replies. The melancholy he felt in the air was the deepest pool he had ever plunged himself into.

When the two of you finally laid together at the end of your night, he had one arm around you as you had your head at his chest. Neither of you had closed your eyes though.

“Namjoon?” You whispered. His eyes flickered down to the top of your head and his chin tilted slightly.

“Yes?” He asked quietly.

You breathed and closed your eyes, snuggling closer to him, “I know you don’t normally do these things, but if you ever do, I have a request. Please, find a way to express how much I mean to you.”

4 months later, your phone rang its notifications of Bangtan’s youtube channel of their new music video, disturbing you from watching the boy’s do a live Vapp countdown to their new album release. You had already pre-ordered the album from BigHit and it should come at any day now.

“Everyone, please give us a lot of love! We worked really hard.” Namjoon grinned to the camera as the rest of the boys huddled their faces around his, trying their best to fit everyone’s face into the view. Seriously, if they weren’t so excited, maybe they’d think to take one step back so everyone had an equal share of face time.

“I hope this is what you’ve been looking for.” Namjoon’s last words caught your attention and you whipped your head to the video to see his face. He stared at the camera with such profound understanding that had reached you, even though you were but a few miles away from their company building.

Someone had rang your bell and you looked up and back at the Vapp. It was live, so obviously no one from BigHit would be here; they’re all making sure the boys present themselves well in front of millions of ARMY.

You went to open the door to your mailman. It was midnight and he came to deliver your pre-ordered album. It was far too fishy. You tried to make eye contact with the mailman, trying to read any suspicious actions, which the fact that he deliberately avoided you proved everything to you. You closed the door and looked at the front and back of the album, taking in that you were one plastic film away from feeling the hard work of the boys. You trotted back to your room and sat on the bed, ripping away the plastic.

The live video had ended in your hand and the second it did, you got a message. You knew it was Namjoon and you opened his text quickly.

“Hidden track.” You guessed that this was what he wanted you to hear first before the title track, which was almost always track two. Normally you would hear the title track first, because it came with the music video and you were always excited to see his face, wherever you saw him from. The intro track should basically set up the whole album’s theme. By the whole album tracklist and theme had caught your attention already about 3 months ago. By the theme, you caught on.

At this point, the boys had taken over Korean music industry by storm. They were recognized all over the world. If at any point in time they wanted to reach the highest point, you would recognize that this was it. You couldn’t fathom any further heights and might just smack Yoongi if you heard him say one more time that he wanted to reach higher.

At the highest point of their dreams and ambitions in career…it was time to pay attention to other beautiful parts of life. Life ambitions are not focused on only one dream. One could have multiple dreams, dreams in multiple facets of life, like a kaleidoscope.

You took the CD and did your best not to roughly shove it in your computer out of excitement. You noted the hidden track was track 8 and you skipped the tracks as you flipped through the book, stopping at the lyrics page. The first words you saw on the page with the hidden track lyrics hit you like a ton of bricks. Dedicated to Y/N.

Music to your ears, every soothing melody and strong beat had Namjoon’s style written all over it. You weren’t surprised if you would search up the information later and find out that he had done every single step into producing this track, absolutely no assistance from anyone else for the umpteenth time in his formal career.

 My comfort and my style

It’s all that I am and all the while,

Everything changes, but sanctuaries never do

Only constant in my life, I must hold on to

True peace is not achieved outside

Everything always comes back inside

Inner hurricanes and feelings get me swept in the air

But my mind settles when I’m home and I hear your voice

Music is my passion and my fans make me feel alive

Day in and day out, in the studio I stay

Racking my brain and exhaust my body to survive

The war is real, but I gotta say, I’ll still stay

Because though the studio holds a lot of me,

Only home is where I can be me

I’ll always remember to come home

I wander, but my roads always lead me to Rome

I’ve always been the darkest corner of my family portrait

It took almost too long to me for my family to get it

I followed my ambitions

I broke away traditions

I will continue to do it if I see that the shoe fits

Their home is not mine and mine is not theirs

I’ve been doing just fine, they need to abandon their cares

I’ve proven myself right to them and in the eyes of many

All they can do is hold their breath and get ready for me

I’ll do it all again

For so long, I’ve been a strong Seoul man

After every trial, I still have a tired soul, man

Every corner of this city is written with my name

Bangtan flies and makes it everywhere, that’s fame

My voice is heard in every home

While I thrive in that pride

I push all the loneliness aside

When was the last time I felt at home?

These thoughts only last for so long until I focus to survive again

Wars don’t exist at home, only life and peace

Only home brings security, even just a piece

Home is not without you

Home is what is only true

Home is where the heart is and my heart is with you

Home is with you

Is your home me?

Is your heart with me?

Can you see the future we will build together?

As you are, and as I am

Home is known as Y/N and Nam

Do you know that with you, I can never fall?

Every memory of us is permanently on our walls

Our home is strong, it will hold.

So hold on to me, and I will hold you up

More than just shelter, more than just comfort

Sanctuary is important and that’s all you

I hope there’s give and take, and I will always give you more

I can’t fake a home; any false attempts will make us sore

We are made by bricks

No outside strength will blow us down

No rain or tears will make us drown

So I will hold on to you and you will hold me up

As I am, and as you are

You’re my home and I am yours

For the first time in a long time

I’m home

 “I’m home.” You looked up and past your tears, you saw his. He must have practically flown here the moment the live video ended. You jumped up and ran to him, and would have knocked him over but he had his back against the wall already.

You connected to the rest of the album tracklist; the album Dreams to Reality, intro: Wills, title track: Vows, promoted track: Promises, and the outro: Say Yes.

You broke away and pointed to the album and were about to open your mouth to say the one word he’s been hoping for, but he wouldn’t allow you to. Not yet. He covered your mouth, knowing what you wanted to say. You protested behind his hand and he replaced his hand with duct tape, much to your surprise and widened eyes.

“Wait. Wait. I know. But I really need you to hear the rest of this first. Just listen to it all first, please. Just wait. Wait, please just wait. Don’t get ahead of me.” He stuttered excitedly and you felt his hands shook nervously as he walked you to the computer to start the album from the very beginning. This whole album is his proposal and he needed you to not ruin what he planned before you said anything.

Both your tears were streaming down your faces and you both stared at each other laughed the whole time the album played. Everything just felt giddy to you and fog clouded your vision.

It would have been so easy to just take your hands away from him and rip away the duct tape but holding onto him was so important to you two at that moment. Your hands were joined together by his nervous sweat and both your fallen tears.

It almost felt like forever, but it also felt like like just a second. The end of the outro finally came, he leaned forward to kiss your duct-taped lips and you groaned at the barrier he forced on you.

By now, the duct-tape had already lost its adhesiveness due to your tears. You only kept it there per his request and to block your impulses he didn’t want you to have just yet. You ripped away the duct-tape too quickly, too easily.

“You silly man! I was dying under that duct-tape.” You playfully hit his shoulder and he laughed as he pretended to flinch away. You threw yourself on top of him and shouted at the top of your lungs the word he wants you repeating all night.

A/N: Yup, that sorry excuse of a poem is not iambic pentameter, not every part of it rhymes. I’m a story writer, not a poet or lyricist who understands Korean so... I write free-verse poems and I don’t always try to make things rhyme, I tried this time. Since it’s just a story, I’m only going to pretend that all of that made sense in Korean and is rap-able.

Personally, I’m proud of myself for putting up that “song”, because I think my worst skill in writing is poems/lyrics, etc. Everything I’ve done thus far is amphigories and this is probably my best attempt ever and it’s actually completed. I will continue to work hard.

He wouldn’t rap in English, and I’m pretty sure that if he ever read this, he would do this:

Lol, sorry Rap Monster, I’ve done you wrong by this attempt.

SEND THIS TO THE 12 NICEST PEOPLE WHO YOU KNOW OR SEEM TO HAVE A GOOD HEART. IF YOU GET FIVE BACK THEN YOU MUST BE PRETTY AWESOME!

:’) awww didn’t think I deserved or would ever receive this. But thanks so much, sweetie!

Truly, never seen a more innocent hug between two grown men like a child whose got his teddy bear back…