Sending You All My BTS WRITERS ENERGY!!!!

Sending you all my BTS WRITERS ENERGY!!!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜

WIP LIST

This is in order

CEO chapter 14 {30% complete}

I can’t betray you part 5 {20% complete}

What if…? Season 2 {unable to estimate}

Bleeding butterflies chapter 14 {10% complete}

Harbouring a hybrid chapter 5

Hollow moon chapter 2 {50% complete}

Our little love chapter 5 {planned}

CEO bonus chapter {planned}

Can’t live without you chapter 4 {10% complete}

Our little love chapter 6 {prequel - planned}

There’s also a number of drabbles that are connected to these series that I’ll be posting so keep your eyes peeled 👀

SORRY ALL.

but because I had to suffer through it.....so did you

poppin’ !

Answers

Warnings: Swearing, death, mentions of kidnapping, torture, stalking, obsessions, reincarnation, ANGST ANGST ANSGT.

Pairing: StrayKids!idolOT8 X Ghost!reader

Premise: Being alone and ignored was one thing, you were used to that by now. But having each member of an idol group barrelling into your safe little sanctuary was not something you could have imagined. Now being torn away from your tiny cozy room all you wanted to do was get back to it. Even it meant losing home.

Authors notes: 9.2K words. I'm going to start including a word count in each drabble, as I have realized some of these reach over 5k. It'll let people know if they're opening up a mini novel or a short piece.

masterlist

~🌒

The comfort of the dark room, the silence you are so accustomed to now. No longer cold and dim, but a neutral sanctuary. 

Or so you thought….

The doors unwarningly open, and a scream echoes in your enclosed space. Your eyes fly open, and are hit with a harsh stream of light. Making your brain stumble at the impact. 

Squinting you fumble out of the space, cumbersomely forcing yourself to your feet. Your ears finally begin to work again as you can hear faint muffled speech smacking you in the head.

“I am so sorry! I didn’t know anyone would be hiding in there!” 

“I was napping, not hiding.” You correct, rubbing your eyes, hoping the spinning would stop soon. Your eyes slowly begin to focus. When was the last time the light was on?

“Why would you nap in a closet?” 

“It’s comfier than you’d thin-” Wait. Did you hear that right? The voice chuckles. Your eyes swim back to vision as you face your intruder. 

“You’re Hyunjin. From StrayKids!” Really? In this whole situation that’s all you got? You mentally slap yourself. You had bigger things to worry about.

“Yeah! Are you a fan?” He replies brightly.

“Uh…” You take in his form from his iconic shoes to his blonde hair. “Was…?” 

Looking at his face, more important his eyes. Yep, he’s definitely looking at you. 

“Was? Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” His smile falters, but he recovers quickly. 

“What are you doing here?” His outfit and makeup tells you he is filming something. But if he’s here then the others must be and a whole production team, which to you sounds like a right nightmare. Well it would be if you could have one.

“We’re filming for our new music video. What are you doing here?”

“Napping.” 

“You came all this way, to this run down old building… to nap?” He looks at you skeptically, but you’re too lost in examining the room. An old classroom, the posters still on the wall hold some faint colour to them. Your favourite drawing hanging up was blue not black. Huh, who would have thought. 

“Uh huh”

If anyone had asked you this morning if you would be standing here having a conversation with Hyunjin of Straykids, you would have laughed at them. Wait… you clearly missed something important. 

Before you could open your mouth to assure yourself, the door of the classroom bursts open and three more members of skz file in.

“Hyunjin, we've been looking everywhere for you!” Changbin yells at him.

“We thought we heard a faint scream, we assumed it was you.” Jisung laughs.

“Oh so funny” He rolls his eyes.

“Who’s this?” Seungmin asks, eyes staring directly at you. Oh great, another one.

“I’m not sure I just met her. She was napping in the closet.” Hyunjin explains, gesturing at you. 

“Well, Hi I’m Ji-” Jisung starts as the three members walk over to you.

“I know who you are.” You are struggling to keep your face blank from your rising panic.

“Apparently she used to be a fan” Hyunjin chuckles awkwardly. The atmosphere in the room becomes a shade dimmer. 

“Can we ask what your name is?” Seungmin tries to divert the tension. 

You shake your head. “You guys should go now. You have filming to do right?”

They all stare at you, something hanging in the air that they can tell something isn’t quite right. 

The silence is broken by Changbins cough, “She’s right, we need to head back.” He nudges the others to remove their cemented feet. All giving you a quick goodbye before leaving the room, all but Hyunjin.

“Will you be alright?” 

“I’m fine.” You give him a faint smile before he’s nodding and heading out the door. You wait until you’re sure you can no longer hear their footsteps, before completely freaking out.

“HOLY SHIT!” You yell as you run around the tables. “How did they see me? How can they hear me?! HOW CAN I UNDERSTAND THEM?” 

You collapse onto the dirty laminate floor. You close your eyes, now letting the black unknown take you. You called it napping, really you weren’t sure what it was.

“What the hell is going on?” 

No one answers you, no one ever answers you. No one knows you're here. It’s been over a year since the incident and you woke up in this building. Well this room to be exact, you’ve never been able to leave and lord knows you've tried. Eventually you gave up and accepted your confines as home, you don’t know how you ended up here. The markings on the walls indicated Korean, that much you could tell based on all the k-dramas you used to watch, but you had never been to Korea, so how did you end up in another country? 

Too many questions, all of which you’d had given up finding answers to. But now meeting these 4 members, a whole new wave of questions came flooding in. 

And once again you were left alone. With no answers. 

~🌒🌓

You take your time opening your eyes, unsure of how much time you had been ‘napping’ but you let yourself regain at its own pace. Eventually your eyes begin to open, ready for the grimy ceiling tiles and rusty, broken looking light fixture. However, you are jolted awake when you realize that's not the ceiling above you. This ceiling for 1 is clean, 2 white and 3 all the bulbs are working. You jolt yourself up right, hastily looking around the room. There’s no way you could be anywhere but that old room, so how are you seeing someone's living room, you must be imagining it. 

You hear shoes scuffling towards a hallway to what looks to be a front door you shoot to your feet, backing up to the opposite end of the room. There’s no way anyone could see you, but these turn of events were enough to put you on edge. 

Your thoughts ricoshay around you, deafening you to the figures entering through the door. One of them stops mid sentence as he comes face to face with you as he enters the living room.

“Who are you?” Chan barks.

Can he see you too? You struggle to answer. Confusion evident on your face. 

“How did you get in here?” He stands his ground, his voice rising in what would be a dominant, intimidating way, but you’re too concerned that once again you have been seen to feel threatened. 

The other 3 figures rush in behind him, upon noticing you their expressions change from fear to worry.

“You’re the girl from the mv shoot we met.” Jisung voices out. 

“This-” You point around the room. “Is your dorm?”

“I’ll ask again. How did you get in here?” Chan asks again. Voice less threatening.

You take a step back, going over everything that happened that day to now. This can’t be real. Scanning each member quickly, you notice something. You point at Changbins now blonde hair and Hyunjins now dark hair. 

“How long ago was that? The video shoot?” Your voice comes out shaky, you’re trying to swallow back the rising emotions bubbling in you. 

“A couple weeks ago?” Changbin offers. 

That’s it, a couple weeks? How have you been out that long? I mean it’s not like you could tell time with a broken clock, but weeks. You start pacing back and forth muttering to yourself. “How is this happening? This can’t happen. It’s impossible- but then again, I thought I was impossible. So maybe not impossible? But that doesn’t make any sense.”

You don’t hear the front door opening and the other four members enter until you hear Seungmin exclaim.

“Hey, why is the shoot girl here?”

You halt in your steps, turning to them.

“Shoot girl?” Felix asks.

“The girl we said we ran into at the mv shooting.” Seungmin shrugs. 

“OK, so you guys felt the need to invite her over?” Minho huffs next to him.

“No offense, but that doesn’t sound like the smartest thing to do Hyungs” I.N. gestures behind them. 

“We didn’t invite her, she was here when we came in.“ Hyunjin defends dramatically. 

You can feel your voice clawing it’s way out, but before you can think the panic has taken over.

“Hold on. WAIT. You can see me?”

“Is that a joke?” Chan asks. Your cold hands rub against the skin on your face. This is really a nightmare. 

“You can all see me. You can all hear me. You can all understand me.” You state, the shock finally breaking your blank shell. You see them all nod, distrusting eyes watch you as your feet restart their pacing. 

“This can’t be happening.” This time you're not mumbling. “ I can’t be here. How is this happening? Oh god- I need to get back to my room.”

“You mean that old classroom? That’s your room?” Jisung can’t help but ask, but he’s stopped short of completely asking you things when Minho nudges him in the ribs with his elbow. 

The pacing stops as you stare at them. “You don’t understand. I haven't been able to leave that room in over a year.”

“What? Has someone been keeping you there?” Jisungs exclaims, followed by another nudge to his ribs.

You can’t help but laugh dryly, if only it was that easy. “I stopped asking those questions a long time ago. Seriously though, none of you should be able to see me.”

“Why because you have your invisibility cloak on?” Minho sneers at you.

You stare blankly at him. Walk over to the table, pulling your hand back you aim to push all the items off the table. Your hand collides with nothing, phasing through the objects. You smirk at his shocked face, arms crossing over your chest in triumph. 

“No, because I’m a ghost.” Now the feelings of being annoyed started to build. “And like I said, I’ve been stuck in that room for a very long time with no idea how to leave. And no one has been able to see me until you showed up. And then I wake up here, in your space weeks later. AND to top it all off, I don’t speak Korean so how the hell are we having this conversation?”

~🌒🌓🌔

“So you’re dead?”

“If he asks me that one more time I’m going poltergeist on this place” You threaten, turning to the eldest two. 

“What happened to you?” IN calls your attention. The room becomes dead still. The continuous shuffling and side comments coming to an abrupt stop. Unclear certainty fields the room, from them upon realizing they may have crossed a line in their maknae asking so bluntly. And from you… well for very different reasons. 

“Wrong place, wrong time?” You will your voice to come out steady and nonchalantly. However, your body betrays you. Leg bouncing in your seat on the couch, hands showing a slow tremor.   “Look, I’m not really sure. I can’t remember. All I know is one minute I was walking along this backroad to my place from being with friends. I had my headphones in, I was listening to a random playlist when………..-wait-”

A subtle drifting melody passes by your ears. Like it was traveling on a motionless breeze. The sound ebbing in and out of your being. 

“I think one of your songs was playing” Wide eyes jump to each member as the beat lingers. “and then I woke up in that room. That’s it. Nothing in between” 

“Maybe someone was meant to find you in that room? Like we were? It’s easy enough to come and go in that building.” Hyunjin hums, trying to put the broken pieces of a puzzle together.

“That’s the weird thing, others have filmed there before and no ones ever seen me.” You shake your head at him. “Actually no ones ever been able to come into the room before. I can see the reflection through the hallway windows, there’s always been a padlock and chain on it. How did you get in?” 

“There wasn’t anything like that, the door was partially open when I Found it.” 

Too many coincidences… that's what this is….if you could feel your skin, you’d say it was beginning to itch. 

“Strange. Why did you go in that room? Were you randomly searching all the rooms?” Minho’s careful eyes watch the younger one carefully. 

Hyunjin shakes his head. “No, that was the only room I went into. I just felt like there was something… that I had to see…”

“Wait. So the last thing you heard was one of our songs before nothing and you just happened upon a room that was mysteriously calling you?” Jisung questions wide-eyed. His large eyes bore into you.

“That sounds like we were meant to find you, somehow this was meant to be.” Chan nods to himself. His voice is warm and soothing, but there’s something chilled about his sentence. 

Your vision ripples momentarily, whatever else they were saying you could no longer hear. Only a deep raspy faltering voice.

‘It was love at first sight. We are meant to be.’

And then they were back. All 8 pairs of eyes staring at you, clearly someone had asked you a question.

“Sorry, what was that?” 

“Are you ok?” Chan's thoughtful gaze makes you feel slightly uncomfortable. 

“Uh yea yea fine. Everything is just a lot.” You try to give them a reassuring smile. They must have seen the look of loss in your eyes, hoping to move on from the subject. 

“I know y/n, but we promise we’ll figure it out together.” Followed by several agreeances, and encouraging smiles.  

~🌒🌓🌔🌕

“I already regret agreeing to help you.” Seungmin’s voice mumbles tiredly from the couch.

You can’t stop the evil giggle from bubbling out of your mouth. Your day spent getting used to your new surroundings, figuring out which door went where, whose room was who’s, who was the easiest to poke fun at when you were bored.

“You? At least you can leave to your own dorm rooms. She’s here all the time.” Changbin huffs coming out of his room.

“Guys be nice to noona! You’re acting like she’s a disobedient pet or something.” Jisung scolds from the dining table. 

“She’s like an angry chihuahua that pees on everything just because she knows it’ll annoy us.” Seungmin retorts annoyedly, eyes still fixed on the tv. 

“Exactly!” Changbin agrees a little too enthusiastically for your liking. Plopping down next to Seungmin.

“Did you just call me a chihuahua?” You shoot them a look of disgust. “Ew.”

“If you stopped acting like one we’d stop calling you one behind your back.” Minho eventually joins the conversation from the other end of the dining table to Jisung. His face was blank as always.

“Linoring, not you too!” Jisung whines dramatically, falling back in his chair, face stricken with dismay and disappointment to the dancer.

“Sorry jagi” Minho mumbles looking away from the huffy chipmunk, slight pink dusting his cheeks as he accidentally makes eye contact with you. Purposefully, at least on your end, catching the smirk on your face as you wiggle your eyebrows at him knowingly. 

“Thank you sungie! Besides, It’s not my fault you guys are boring.” You groan in frustration. “When did Lixie and Innie say they would be over?”

“IN said he was finishing his game while waiting for lix to finish his baking and then they’d be over.” Seungmin's voice makes you feel even more disheartened. 

“If I could die again it’d be from boredom. I want Lixie.” You cry out.

You hear Changbin mumble something under his breath about you being dramatic, in retaliation you whip around to give him another dramatic show, but are hit with the room beginning to spin. As if the world is tilted on its axis you stumble slightly, eyes flying shut and a ringing in your eyes. Regaining your balance a pained groan escapes you.

—-

“Noona? Noona!” Felix’s deep voice bounces in your still pounding mind. 

“Lixie?” Your staggering mind manages. 

“How did you get here?” You hear I.N’s surprise. Begrudgingly you pry your eyes open, blinking the world back to alignment.

“I dunno.. I was complaining about seeing you guys and then I felt like I was hit with mega vertigo and… here I am.” 

And here you were. Standing in an almost identical dorm room kitchen to the first one, individuals items being the only difference you can see.

“Are you ok?”

“That’s so cool!” 

Both chime at once. You can’t help but laugh at them.

“Yes I’m ok, it was just really abrupt. I was not ready for it.” You smile softly at Lix, before turning to give I.N a mischievous smirk. “...do you think I’d be able to do it again?”

“Please tell me you’re going to try it right now.” I.N comes over to you excitedly, his game completely forgotten. “Wait! I have an idea!”

You watch as he races back to the computer to grab his phone. You and Felix share a confused look. 

“I’ll text everyone in the group to see if they’re all decent. I won't say why and then you pick a member and try to poof to them.” He begins typing away on his phone.

“Oh this I’m ready for. And don't say poof. It's weird.” The mischievous look on the maknaes face only amps up your own. The youngest was always ready to cause a ruckus with you.

He rolls his eyes at you, but doesnt respond.

“Ok everyones good. Chans in his studio, the others are either in the other dorm, the gym or wandering around the city.” IN eagerly informs you both.  

“Did you at least give them a warning? If this does work?” Felix, trying as always to be the voice of reason for you two. Always worrying about what you two would end up doing to the others. Felix and his soft heart. 

“Yeah’” IN waves off. “Give it a try y/n”

Focusing on one member you begin to try to will yourself to him. Your eyes close, the world tilts and the ringing hits. 

“See you later!” You chime, an evil smile plastered on your face, and then poof.

----

“Do you think it worked?” Felix paces back and forth in worry. They hadn’t heard anything from anyone for over 5 minutes, he was beginning to worry you got lost somewhere.

“Well she’s not here anymore, so I’d assume so.” IN comments, composure set in his shoulders as he watches the older continue in his steps.

The group from your previous location burst into the dorm. Eyes wild, almost panic stricken. 

“Have you guys seen y/n? She was in the dorm and then she just vanished! We can’t find her.” Jisung wails, coming in first. Clearly the most concerned out of the group.

“Yea, she was here just here.” Felix remarks, finally his feet coming to a rest. 

“Was?” 

“We're waiting for touchdown.” IN shrugs, now scrolling through his phone absentmindedly. 

“What?” 

The maknaes phone notification appears on his screen and the ringtone he set goes off. A bright smile erupts on his face as he answers it, placing it down on the table as he hits speakerphone for everyone to hear. 

“You couldn't have given a better warning?!”  Chan's exasperated voice comes through the line.

“I said heads up.” IN chuckles.

“Heads up was not enough to have my heart leap out of my body. She appeared out of nowhere. How was I supposed to be ready for that?!” Chan howls. IN can’t contain his laughter at his leader's cries. 

“It worked?!” Felix beamed, eyes now sparkling with joy at you not being sent to god know where.

“Yes Lix it worked.” You sang from Chan's end of the phone. 

“Greeeeaaaaat.” Less than excited groans break out mixed with genuine cheers.

~🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖

“Um y/n, did you visit me at some point today?” There’s a slight tremble to IN’s voice as he returns to the dorms, not even taking his shoes off to come find you in the kitchen.

“No? I was with Changbin all day.” You chime brightly from your perch on the counter, legs swinging back and forth as you watch Changbin struggling to make a meal. 

“As annoying as it was, yeah she was with me the whole time. Why innie?” Changbin turns to the younger, concern written all over his face. You were still learning about the kids, how each one's reactions played a part in their personalities. But they knew each other better than themselves.

“I swear it felt like something was there today.. I don’t know, maybe I’m imagining things” IN huffs, shoulders slumping and head cast down. You catch his demeanor shift this time. Hopping off the counter you walk over to him, angling to catch his eyes now trained to the floor. 

“Can you show me where?” You smile at him sweetly. “I’ll take a look for you.”

He doesn’t say anything, only giving you a small nod, finally making eye contact again.

You and Changbin trapse after IN through the company hallways, he had been silent the whole trip there. Something had seriously left the maknae shaken, something you were determined to get to the bottom of. Only you are allowed to scare these boys now. 

Changbin steps to walk alongside IN now, draping an arm over his shoulders. You are left a few steps behind. As they take a turn down the last hallway, you can feel it. 

You don’t have a body anymore, you know that logically, but somehow there’s a heaviness to your steps that leave you stunned silent. If you had to breathe the air would appear thick, sinking to the bottom of your lungs. But you don’t and you almost have to convince yourself of that fact. 

The boys step into the open doorway vanishing into the room. You feel as though there’s a tickle on the back of your neck. The only thing you can think of that it reminds you of is the breath of someone standing too close behind you. 

You swear you can hear a whisper of a voice behind you. Instinct tells you to look behind you, but you don’t. The hallway is empty, your voice in your head tells you, you don’t have to worry anymore. 

Wait. Why did you have to worry? 

You blink several times, pushing away your confusion. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on yourself. You step into the room to see the two of them standing in the center of a vocal room, eyes darting around as IN’s voice finally speaks up.

“It was in here.” He gestures to the room. “I was sitting at the piano, facing away from the door and I felt like something came in. But I had the door locked. When I turned around I was just expecting to see you, but there was nothing.”

You walk over to where the keyboard is positioned, glancing over at the door you all had just come through. And just like that your breath would have hitched if you had one. 

“What is it y/n?” Changbin asks from behind you.

“I think we should head back.” Your eyes follow something in the room, moving up to the ceiling. “We can all talk about it together.”

“Sure?” The suspicion in Changbins voice does not go unmissed by you.

“You guys go first, I’ll meet you there.”

You can't see the shared look of distress passed between the two as you hear them leave, mumbling something as they go. You always fazed home first, too impatient to wait for them and wanting to annoy the next person as soon as possible. So you deciding to stay behind was something that stirred anxiety into them.

You want to reassure them, but you can’t. You can’t look away from what you’re seeing. You can feel them getting farther away from you, a forced faze back to the dorms. 

You hated accidentally falling out of their proximity, some force slapping you to their side. Always leaving you extremely disorientated. So you avoided it at all costs. But no this time, you feel the pull but you fight against it as you swear you can almost make out what you’re seeing. It’s on the tip of your tongue and that’s where it dies as you hear the same chilling voice rasp to you as before.

“Don’t worry, once you let go of everything else we can finally be together.”

And then you’re wrenched back to the dorms.

Stumbling to the floor you are met with 6 sets of eyes. The group chat had been notified as soon as the two left you behind. They were all waiting for you to return. Shortly after IN and Changbin returned, IN explaining what happened with him. 

Then it was your turn. But somehow you couldn’t remember what you thought you might have seen, the emotions you felt now fuzzy and muddy in your head.

“I'm not sure what it was, but it left a heavy residue. Like I could see where it had been on the walls and floor. I think it would be safe if you all traveled in pairs when you’re outside the apartments. Something just doesn’t feel right about it.” You think out loud. “Just being cautious until we can figure this out, I mean.”

“Yea, I think that’s a good idea.” Chan agrees after replaying your words. “I’ll call and get our schedules moved around so no ones alone.”

~🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖

As the weeks progressed, the boys were becoming more unsettled. Even in pairs they claimed to feel like they were being watched or followed. Any and everywhere outside the dorm building, mostly at work and then a trickling of outside. 

All the while you couldn’t shake forgetting something. There was something important you needed to remember. But everytime drawing a complete blank as to what it actually was. 

Your napping was also impossible now. Once being able to drift into nothing, is now replaced with the cold chill of hands on your skin, dark murmurs against your ears and the overwhelming feeling of grief. As scared as you were when you came back to the world, you couldn't remember exactly what had happened. Couldn’t place the familiarity of the hands, the voice and the words. 

You remained upfront with the members, explaining to Chan the ominous dissociative states you found yourself in. And how sometimes it wasn’t you that did it. One moment you could be with them and then the next gone. However, you would put everything you had into fighting it off, it had become frequent for almost a week, before you started to reel it in. it had been days since the last time, finally feeling like you had some control…

Until it hit you again. 

The boys were either napping in their dorms or watching tv or eating, some even opting to go to the company for some extra practice. It was an off day for them, all free to roam about as they pleased. You had walked into the living room of the Lee’s dorm when you are halted by a sudden wave of forgetfulness. 

“Are you ok, y/n?” You can hear Felix’s voice swim into your fog. 

“Yea, I just uh…forgot why I came in here..” You give your head a little shake trying to wave off the clouding fog that was slowly becoming thicker as the seconds ticked by. 

You could see through the glaze of your vision, like you were looking through a window of ice, three figures coming closer. You hear their muffled voices as you stumble slightly.

“I’m fine-” You slur out. Unknowing what they were actually saying to you. “I-”

“I know why you’re fighting me so hard. You want me to prove my love for you, don’t you worry I’m not going anywhere.” 

The voice envelopes you like a cement blanket, your vision darkening….

“Y/N!” 

You immediately snap out of it, standing straight, eyes now clear. “Hyunjin!” 

And you phase out. 

~🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗

Staggering a couple of steps, you attempt to catch yourself but fail. You plummet forwards to the floor, hands coming out to catch yourself. The ringing is excruciatingly loud now, lights in the room blindingly bright. 

Where are you? Someone screamed your name, who was it…? You knew who it was.

Painfully slow you wince as you lift your head to look around the room. Light reflections from the far end. Mirrors, those must be mirrors…dance studio. Your vision is still swimming, unable to focus, if you weren’t already certain you’d think you were underwater with how submerged you feel. 

Peering over to the side, shifting your head as little as possible. Gut twisting nausea hits you as you vaguely make out a figure lying on the floor. Fighting through the unseen force dragging your body down, one limb at a time you begin to crawl over. 

Your voice coming out in a weak attempt, “Hyunjin”.

A feeble moan comes from the blurry figure, still unmoving.

Hand moving forward to continue moving, don’t stop moving.

‘I-’

“Hyunjin!” Ignoring the voice banging itself against your skull you have to get to him. 

‘You-’

“Hyunjin!” Finally movement from the figure. Only a few more shuffles and you’ll be able to reach him. 

‘Me-’

Finally leaning over the figure you can now see some of him. Your mind is stuck in a fishbowl view. He’s lying on his back, chest rising and falling in deep rhythmic breathing. He didn't seem like he was in pain. You want to touch him, make sure he’s ok, somehow wake him up. Go for help. What you wouldn’t give to be able to go get help right now. Who did Hyunjin say he was coming here with? Why can’t you remember anything?

Who was at the dorm? Felix, Minho and IN. Who did he leave with?

‘-estiny’ 

‘SHUT UP!’ You scream back in your mind. You needed to think, but you couldn’t even hear yourself try. 

‘-ove’

You grapple with your mind to think clearly, you just had to make your body work too. “SEUNGMIN!” 

As his name leaves you the practice room door swings open. Faces you couldn’t recognize and eyes that couldn’t see you crowd around Hyunjin. Seungmin’s face comes into focus, as the chaos carries the unconscious dancer out. 

“Y/N, what happened?” He finally asks when everyone else left the room, crouching down to you. 

“I don’t know, he… I heard him yell my name from the dorm and I ended up here.” 

“Everyone heard him yell. That’s why we all came running. Did anything else happen? I’m going to go find out if he’s ok, but is there anything I need to know? Are you ok?” As he spoke, the water from the room began to drain. Your eyes focusing once again on your surroundings, the ringing dying out. 

“No, just go with him, I’m fine.” You wave him away, he only hesitates for a moment before leaving you alone in the room 2 unopened, iced water bottles lay in his place. He must have gone to get them water. 

Pushing from your hands, you fumble to sit. 

“What do you want?” A broken whisper comes out of you, voice almost sounding not like your own. Eyes trained to the ceiling. 

This time the fade out is slow, like you can feel it fluttering down on you like a fresh sheet. 

The same infuriating voice sounds as you slip away. 

‘I love you and you love me. We’re destiny.’

~🌒🌓🌔🌕

Movie night was demanded of all of you when you finally returned from your ‘nap’. Hyunjin was not able to remember what happened, but he did remember calling your name. But he said it felt more like a warning call than him wanting you to come help him. You were all unnerved by this, but upon long late night discussions you all agreed to let it rest for now. They had a hectic schedule coming up after the next few days of being off. 

They were scheduled to go overseas for some promotional work, you were excited about traveling when they first told you. But as time ticked on and you let your mind wander you became increasingly uncomfortable with it. Maybe you could stay behind in the dorms? You could wait for them to get back.  

The credits begin to roll over the screen breaking all of you out of your 20 minute silence. The plot twist actually surprises you all near the end, leaving you quietly focused.

“Reincarnation would be pretty cool.” Jisung’s eyes wide in disbelief, finally someone speaking.

“You know what would be even better?” Felix wiggled his eyebrows at his birthday twin, only to have him shake his head in response. “If we all got to do the next life together!” 

“Yes!” Jisung cheered, hands thrown in the air in excitement. Snacks completely forgotten in bowls on the table and floor. 

“It does make sense. None of us could manage alone anymore, at least I wouldn’t be able to.” Chan laughs at the dramatic younger ones, as they both throw themselves into their leader's lap. Fits of giggles erupting.

“You really want us to all do this again?” Minho complains, the thought already exhausting him.

“Of course!” Felix continues to giggle as Chan gives him a hug, Changbin tickling him on his other side.

“You don’t want to?” Jisung already pushed away from the fight to turn his large puppy eyes to Minho. Pout forming on his lips, forcing Minho to look away abruptly. The question caught the other members' attention. 

“It’s not that…” Each member staring at him patiently waiting for his answer. He huffs and rolls his eyes. “Alright, the next life we do together.” 

“Promise?” Felix turns on his puppy eyes, following Jisung’s lead.

“Promise.” The others all say in unison. 

You snicker to yourself, perched behind them all clustered on the couch, how were they so adorable to each other but also extremely annoying?

Clearly your noises didn’t go unnoticed.

“Y/n, do not even think you can go to the next life without us. ALL of us” Hyunjin glares at you. 

“What am I supposed to do? Wait for you?” You feign irritation. Next life huh?

“Yes!! There is no way in hell you are being reincarnated without us, we can finally annoy you then, instead of you just annoying us. And we’ve all just promised to have the next life together, so you’re stuck with us.” Changbin demands, the tone in his voice pushing through the idea that this was final. 

“Too bad. You don’t have a choice now.” Minho smirks at you, causing you to mimik him from before, eyes rolling in mock disgust.

The next life with these weirdos? You guess that’s something you could do. Maybe this is what having a home could feel like… being not alone and being wanted made you feel something again. Something you hadn’t felt for a long time, something you had almost forgotten. 

Trying to hide a smile you turn away from them, “Whatever.” is all you can manage.

Two more days of having them all to yourself then it’s back to business. Discomfort settles in you again, yea maybe you’ll stay home. You’ve gotten pretty good at poltegiesting the tv on and netflix, slowly being able to move things slightly, playing around with equipment they brought into the dorms. Hey, maybe they can leave you some stuff to attempt to interact with.

You’d be ok here alone. Something in you was saying you should stay back. This time you’d listen to your gut feeling.

~🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗

“Where exactly are we going?” You whine from behind the group. They all had insisted you went out tonight, something to do with having fun to distract from all the creepiness that now was a part of their daily lives. And also their impending work trip.

“We told you it’s a surprise.” Minho huffs annoyingly at you.

“And I told you I don’t like surprises.” You grumble, continuing to wander down a gravel path through a large park. The evening had darkened the sky, however along the path they had taken it was illuminated with string lights. The trees break up ahead and you can see even more lights. You squint trying to get a better idea of what the heck this was.

“No way-” Your mouth hangs open. 

A pop-up carnival, adorned with beautiful lights, multiple rides, little shops, tents and so many more options. The night air is buzzing as you look at the others who are waiting for you. 

“Surprise!” Hyungjin beams. 

“Time to have fun.” Felix chirps before gesturing forward, and that was all the invitation you needed to enjoy yourself tonight.

—-

After a few hours and your second round of the carnival, each member is stuffing their faces with some form of snack. You notice a smaller trailer just out of the main circle trail. 

‘Tarot reading/Fortune reading/Psychic medium’

Your pace slows as you feel a slight pull towards it. 

“Oooo a psychic!” Jisung shouts excitedly from beside you, making you jump a little. “Should we check it out?”

“Aren’t they all just scammers?” Seungmin deadpanes towards the marked trailer.

“We have the perfect thing to test them out.” Minho counters. “If they pick up on y/n then they are real, if not they are fake”

You nod to the group. That does make complete sense.

“I’m in.” You smile before skipping your way over the boys following close behind, the Medium didn’t have a line or anything so it seemed like this would be a quick visit. If anything you could knock some things off their wall if they got things wrong. It’d be fun regardless.

Upon entering you instantly notice a thick foreboding smog that clung to the air. Something in the back of your mind is telling you to leave, barely one foot inside the trailer. The members crowd in around you giving you a chance to take in the small space. A burgundy wall of curtains behind a small counter with a korean sign you couldn't read. 

The members had been helping you learn to read Korean but some things and words were harder than others. 

The walls of the trailer you could see had trinkets and lace draping meticulously and delicately placed with symbols you had never seen before. However, each symbol makes you feel a certain way…You couldn't describe it but it was as if you glanced a little too long you’d either feel nauseous, giddy or incredibly nervous.  Unable to focus on one thing, your mind hyper tracked every thing in the tiny room. 

Everything except the curtain opening slightly. 

A young couple arm in arm walked out merrily, smiling at nothing but each other. Clearly given some form of good knews, fake or not. You watched them walk out before turning back to the group.

“Next please~” A tender voice sang out from behind the curtain. Still shifted to the side, the members share a look before walking through, you only hesitate for a moment, the panic of wanting to run weighing down on you. Pushing past it you follow them into the other portion of the trailer.

Entering the room the thick feeling no longer clings to you. It’s like it was trapped in another space. The room coloured in deep tapestries, symbols, mirrors and prints along the walls. A bookshelf full of old looking books, crystals splayed around them. Crystals hang from the ceiling in bottles and in cages, along with plants around the whole of the room. You almost feel comfortable here, that is until a voice brings you out of your wonder.

“Normally I’d request all excess energies to remain outside, however I do not believe I have to this time.” The female voice sings. “You’ve brought someone with you.”

She’s hidden by the members all crowding around her table, it’s not until they all take their seats that you finally get a look at her. The years have aged her….not well to put it nicely. Her body frail, hands shake slightly as she covers her mouth to stifle a laugh. 

Changbin looks over at you, giving you a ‘what the hell is this?’ kind of look. All the others were stunned, staring wide eyed at her instant recognition of you.

You shoot him a confused annoyed look, huffing at him to pay attention. In response he rolls his eyes and looks back to her. 

“A young girl, your age I feel.” This time not hiding her laugh. “She’s a spunky one I take it?”

“Spunky is an understatement.” Minho mumbles under his breath. 

If looks could kill, he would be dead with the glare you’re giving him, you stick your tongue out at them.

 “I will give you my quick introduction, and what I normally do for people. However, I will be doing something a little different today.” She begins. “My name is Sengul. I offer Tarot card readings, communications with deceased loved ones or palm readings. But today let us discuss the young lady that has joined you today.”

You eye her carefully, clearly she wasn’t someone to be taken lightly. No one knew about you other than the 8 members, so she shouldn’t have been able to know you were there.

“Can you see her?” Jisungs voice squeaks out, shifting closer to Minho. MInho’s hand coming over to rest on the youngers tapping knee.

“No, but I can feel her.” The medium smiles at the nervous rapper. “She has a very strong presence. An aura if you will, a projection of emotions. And I take it upon your response to my words you all know of her?”

“Yes we do. We can see and hear her clearly.” Chan states confidently, you can tell by his tone he’s thinking over his words carefully. 

“I see, and she has been here for quite some time?” 

Eight heads nod simultaneously. 

“And the other….presence?” Her voice drops.

“You can feel that one too?” Shock encapsules Felix’ normally tender voice.

“Both very different, both just as strong I fear.” Sengul murmurs to herself, thinking out loud. 

“Should we be worried?” Chan’s face morphs into a deadpan, quiet demands.

“All I feel from the young lady is pure… love.” Panicking you train your eyes to the floor. You weren’t good at talking about your feelings. It was easier to hide behind shrewd comments, bitter banter and condescending tones. And now she was laying it all out for them, all your feelings for them. “The need to protect is strong. Also the need to not be alone, not for the fear of being alone but of loving too strong. Wanting to be with the people you so deeply care about continuously. Doing everything you can to procure someone's happiness. There’s a sense of ‘if you are happy then I am too’. Not done for selfish reasons but out of love for them.” 

If you can’t see them then they can’t see you right? You wished the ground would actually swallow you whole right now, you didn’t want to have to talk about this later, knowing the boys would pester you about this when you got out of here.

But she doesn't stop. “A soul who chooses comfort and trust in the living can open up their doorway to be seen and heard like she has with you. But this takes complete trust in the individual, for a whole group to be given that is truly a gift in itself. Even if the soul itself is not aware of it, sometimes that’s where fate plays a part.”

“That would make sense as to why I saw her the first time.” Hyunjin’s voice comes out soothing, but you're too afraid to look up. Why did you have to be visible? “You mentioned the other?” 

Thank god, please move on.

At first she only hums at his question, standing slightly to the side behind the members you look up at her. Fear of your feelings being known, now forgotten. 

“I will be honest with you. I don’t believe this one to be like her. A putrid smell invaded my senses under her arua. It lingers on you the way soot would, gathering thicker and thicker on you each time. Draining you, like leech upon flesh. It is dark, something I myself am uncomfortable dealing with.” Her strong eyes trying to reach each member, the sincerity in her voice, the worry.

“Human..?” An unfinished question. 

“It was once.” 

“How can a human soul be something like this?” Minho’s hand tightens on Jisungs knee, who in return clasps his hand over his Hyungs, trying to now calm the rage set in the dancer's jaw.

“Sometimes, if a soul is truly corrupt in life it can form itself into something inhumanly evil. The reincarnation process is impossible. It can only cling to this world until it achieves what it wants.” Sengul looks apologetically at Minho.

“Achieving what?” 

“Whatever it was after in the living. Once it has it, it will bleed it until the soul is lost into nothing. It will no longer exist. These fractured souls are everywhere, I’m surprised you’ve been able to feel one.” Sengul explains cautiously, hands trembling on the table.

“Maybe it's because we’ve been around y/n for so long, we can pick up on some now?”

“Perhaps” Medium hums, her sad eyes betraying her. There’s more she isn’t saying. “Perhaps you’ve just come into contact with it through somewhere you’ve been.” 

‘Somewhere you’ve been’ echos in your head… ‘somewhere they’ve been…’

As the boys listen on, something draws you to the side of the trailer. An ornate gold framed oval mirror hangs among the vines and crystals on her wall. You don’t make a step closer, only turning enough to look at it. Stupefied in place, your eyes wide as the voices around you drown out. For the first time in years you make eye contact with yourself in the glass. Noticing a pair of steady eyes watching you through the glass, your body trembles as you let yours drift to them. 

The reflection of the Medium is staring at you, your chest rising and falling as if you're struggling to control your breath. She gives you a soft, sad smile, her eyes beaming with so much…was this sympathy… or was it pity? 

You break away to check on the others. Could they see what you were seeing? 

The Medium and the members are still carrying on their conversation, unaware of what was happening to you. Clearly this was just for you. You quickly look back, making sure you hadn’t imagined it. Once again eyes finding the Mediums reflection still looking at you. So heartbroken. 

As if slowly guided forward you began to step towards the mirror. The closer you get the more drawn you are to her. She stands from her stool, matching her steps to yours. With each step you feel an electric vibration through your body. Your hand reaches out to feel the glass in front of you, her doing the same. It almost feels as though you are making contact with someone, there's now despair engraved into the lines of her face. 

Her lips don’t move when you hear her voice, “I am so sorry my child.”

Before you can ask her, her reflection fades away in a static like motion, morphing into a tall dark figure behind you. You can’t see any facial features, you don’t know what this is. 

Something feels incredibly off, looking back at yourself you see a single tear escape down your cheek. The figure's hand reaches up behind you, fingers wrapping around your neck. Another tear breaks free when your eyes inevitably close, memories flood your mind. The dam finally broken, a dam you wish you could rebuild. But it's too late. 

You remember.

“Nonononono, you can’t leave me. I’ll follow you, I’ll find you my precious. We’ll be together always”

~🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘

You kept yourself relatively calm, at least on the outside. The days, hours, minutes even leading up to the boys traveling to Japan, were some of the most emotionally draining for you. 

Watching them each pack a bag made you feel like they were the ones leaving you behind. Ultimately you knew that wasn’t true, they’d never leave you behind.

But still you smiled and waved as they left acting like you didn’t know what was coming next. Alone you wandered through the dorms, memories flashing in a vivid 4k movie you had saved.

Late nights talking with Minho about his hidden, not so hidden feelings for his soulmate. Leading to late nights talking to Jisung about the same thing. You give them what advice you could but ultimately leave the ball in their court if they were to bring it up with the other. Which to your joy they did.

Hours watching and rewatching Hyunjin dance over and over again, upon his request. Noting changes, weak steps, things he couldn’t see himself. Then you try to erase the doubts he had for himself in his abilities to master his own choreo. Him unloading his worries on you, for you to help amend. 

Following Felix to his voice lessons, only for him to be overcome with nervousness at you listening. Unsure of how to use his beautifully comforting instrument. You encourage him to try more, different styles, different techniques and decide how he wants it to sound. Not how anyone told him he had to sound, believe in what he was singing for, himself.

No longer sitting idly as you all watched Chan overwork and overthink himself. His unableness to see his own worth in the eyes of others. You had gotten so worked up over him self-deprecating that you had snapped. Throwing every piece of importance that his existence brings to so many people, unrelenting confident laced compliments, until he broke down crying. 

Bothering Changbin on his solo trips to the gym on days he felt weak. Too many worries about his members and his music filling his mind, making it hard for him to see his strength as a person. He stayed longer at the gym those days, trying to convince himself of his solidity. On these days you felt an even greater urge to voice and compliment him on his reps and stamina. It might have seemed like you were only feeding into this idea of muscularity, but he knew, he always knew why you were really there. And he always just laughed and said you were annoying, but he never asked you to leave him. And so you’d stay until the end.

Days observing the youngest members of the group. Each day growing more and more into bright men. Considerate, emotionally intelligent humans, finding themselves in a world of harsh criticisms and cruel expectations. But still, watching them thrive in the safety of the home they all created with each other was something beautiful in itself. The fearlessness of Seungmin and IN was something that people should be jealous of.

How can a world shrouded with darkness still hold so much light?

Each room now contains countless memories and moments you’ve locked away in your heart. Ones you will hold onto until the last moment, taking them with you. Not remembering your life wasn’t painful neither was remembering what happened at the end of it. What was truly the most excruciating was now saying good-bye to a home you remember, one you didn’t want to leave. 

Making your way through the archives of memories you sit down at the dining table. Recording equipment, ipads and other electronics placed especially for you to kill time until they returned. Eyes glazing over, chest heavy, lingerings of a broken promise hanging in the air.

Exerting every ounce of strength left in you, you reach out to one of the machines. 

A deafening click fills the room as the recording unit turns on.

~🌑

Voice recording:

‘Hey guys! Yea it’s me, y/n. Bet you didn’t know I could do this huh? Honestly I’ve been practicing trying to use this recording thingy myself for a while, and let me tell you it wasn’t easy *laughs nervously*

I uh just wanted to say thank you, ya know for letting me hang around you guys. I can’t tell you how bored I’ve been and this has been the single most exciting moments in my undead life. So yea, thank you for that.

But um…. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to say all this to your faces before leaving, so I guess I’m taking the coward's way out. Leaving this for you to find after I’m gone. 

It doesn’t look like I’ll be waiting on the other side for you guys. I know I promised we’d all start the next life together, but uh…. I don’t… I won’t be having a next go at this. I guess this was meant to be my only life. 

I realized what it was that was following you guys, and when I did I got all of my memories back from when I died. I won’t be getting into detail about that because… I don’t- I don’t want to talk about it and I don’t want you guys to think about it. When I figured it out, I knew the only way it would stop coming after you was me.

 …It only ever wanted me… 

I know you’ll be upset and furious with me that I didn’t talk to you before deciding, but sometimes you have to make a hard decision for the good of the group right?.. and I uh… it wasn’t fair for me to let you guys deal with this when it’s my fault.

So I am sorry, but also not because I enjoyed annoyingly haunting you. 

You’ll be getting on a plane to come back in a few days.

So I guess it’s time, if i don’t do it now I’ll chicken out. I have to go back to my room.. we’ll it’s not my room anymore. 

*short pause*

I think that’s what scares me the most about this. Not the unexisting part, I mean, but having to go back to my old safe room. That isn’t so safe anymore, not with it being in there. 

This, with you, was what being safe felt like. Even if it only lasted for a moment.

A part of me really hopes that when I walk through those doors you’ll forget all about me, so you won’t have to deal with it after I’m gone. I don’t want you to be sad, or feel guilty for my choice…. Do you think if I beg the universe hard enough it could happen? Here’s me hoping that maybe I’ll have more luck in death, than in life?

But it’s ok. 

You will be ok.

I know these weren’t the answers we were hoping to find. These are just the answers we’ve been given.

I’d say see you later, like I always do but that feels like a lie now…

So I guess it’s Goodbye.

*long pause, sniffling can be heard over the recording*

I Love you guys.’

*CLICK end of recording *

masterlist

You. Are. So. CUTE!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this fic. I appreciate it so much. Maybe I should include a word count if they get this long!

As long as your fine...... how would we feel about a bonus chapter of this one? A few years later perhaps? BTS performing in LV perhappppppsssss

The Price We Pay

Warnings: Violence, angst, fluff, swear words, mentions of human trafficking, black market, extortion, blackmail.

Pairing: OT7!BTS x reader. (mafia au)

Authors notes: This drabble got waaaaaay too long. It was supposed to be short. But once again, I blame the 5 hour plane ride 😅

Premise: Shoes echo in the room as they all leave him alone with his thoughts. Goodbyes unheard by the man now drenched in sweat, fists gripped tightly to his desk. This could be a terrible idea, one of his worst, but he had to try.

There was only one person capable of helping him now, to keep his boys safe.

But at what cost?

masterlist

Slowly meandering your way back from the convenience store, you notice the 3 young school girls from before. They were hogging the chip aisle, much to your annoyance.

They had looked at you questionably. Dressed in grey baggy sweatpants, a black tank top, black converse, a black oversized hoodie and a black cap, topped off with a mask. Ok, yes you did look a little suspicious hanging around the shop. But hey! They were in your way of your favourite chips.

They had left before you had, watching them giggle to each other as you began to pay for your snacks. You watch them walk out, then followed by a small cluster of older men.

You took a step back to get a better look at the men. They were definitely staring at the younger girls legs as they followed them.

“Ma’am?” The cashier refocused your attention.

“Do me a favour, call the police and tell them 3 young girls are being stalked by 5 grown men. Give them this address, I’ll bring the girls back here.” You stated, throwing a handful of cash at the man. “Keep the change!”

Obviously highly over paying, but that wasn’t the issue at the moment. You grab your snacks and shove them into your hoodie pockets, running to the glass door, throwing it open to check on the girls.

A block and a half you see the girls huddling together, clearly they had noticed the creepy men following them, they sneak down an alleyway trying to dodge the men and get away quickly. But you know better, that’s a dead end. No cameras, no windows, and all the shops there are long closed for the day.

You watch the men following the girls out of view. You take off in a full sprint. You had a sinking feeling in your gut, you knew what was gonna happen and there was no way you’d let it play out as the men wanted.

Rounding the corner, the 5 men had surrounded the school girls. The 3 of them huddling together.

You slowed your pace, hearing the men usher “it’s ok, we just want to play”, “come with us, we can buy you food” and other reassurances.

The girls shaking their heads frantically, still giving polite “no thank you”s. Even in their situation.

You walk at a steady pace, confidently moving past two of the men. Stopping in front of the girls, turning to face the men.

“I think it’s best if we all go home for the day” You state slowly. Voice dropping lowly, confidence and intimidation seeping past your lips.

“And I think you should leave this alone, little girl.” One of the men stated, leaning his face a little too close to yours. His hand coming up and resting on your shoulder.

Peering up from the brim of your hat, you make eye contact. A small snarl passes your lips, a grin hides under your mask. As the skies overcast and the rain begins to pour down over you.

💐⛓💐⛓

This is the fourth time this week these letters have been sent to the BigHit building. At first it was just a general set of vague angry hateful words, but over a few months things have gotten progressively worse.

The words now target specific members with threats beyond anyone’s twisted, evil imagination.

Bang Pd knew he couldn’t take these threats lightly. They were threatening the lives of his second family. He realized shortly after they started, he had to tell the boys what was going on. And why he had to cancel appearances and tighten security. He’d already doubled the security team, but now he was on the verge of quadrupling it.

Looking around his office, looking at the scared faces of the young men. The concerned faces of the employees he had entrusted to look after the precious lives of the members.

This couldn’t last forever. He had to do something.

💐⛓💐⛓

“Thank you”

One of the girls manages to croak at you, once they had received blankets from the shop worker.

“Don’t worry about it, I’m glad you’re all ok” You reassure them, kneeling in front of them as the youngest one grasps your hand tightly.

Slight bruising begins to form under your mask. You were sure the bruising on your ribs would fully show tomorrow. Thankfully you only had one blow to your right cheekbone to deal with. At least the only one visible.

“The police are almost here” The worker informs you rounding a sale stand. You nod at him. He knows you can't stick around for long now.

“I have to go.” You tell the girls, giving the hand in yours a quick squeeze before getting to your feet. “You point to where the alley is ok? And tell them exactly what happened. But I can’t be here when they arrive.”

You nod at the worker. Before jogging over to the door before hearing a “thank you again Miss!” As you sprint out into the dark wet night.

💐⛓💐⛓

He didn’t know what to do. Didn’t know where to turn. They all looked at him for answers. They could no longer leave their dorm. Prisoners in a place they once called home. He could see it breaking them, each of them. They had already been through such hardships to get them to this point, why couldn’t it be enough? Why couldn’t these young men catch a break?

Unable to make eye contact with anyone, his eyes glance to his bookshelves. On the top shelf, is a picture in an old wood frame. A picture of himself, an older gentleman and a young girl about 16/17 years old.

Realization then dawned on him.

“I need to make a phone call.” He states to the ever so silent room. “I’ll let you know about it after. You boys should go home, it’s getting really late.”

Shoes echo in the room as they all leave him alone with his thoughts. Goodbyes unheard by the man now drenched in sweat, fists gripped tightly to his desk. This could be a terrible idea, one of his worst, but he had to try.

There was only one person capable of helping him now, to keep his boys safe.

But at what cost?

💐⛓💐⛓

“Mistress, you cannot keep playing this game. It is too dangerous.” Your butler Chul-soo, holds out his hands for you to take off your drenched sweater and cap.

“Relax Soo. They didn’t see me, and the girls won’t say anything either.” Sliding the now cold clothing off your body creating goosebumps along your skin. The shop worker undoubtedly called him and told him of your escapades. The shop owner being a friend of his. One of the only reasons he didn’t heckle you about your late night escapades to find snacks.

“What would the master think about all of this?” He sighs, disappointment and worry are evident in his voice and on his face.

“Really? What do you want me to say?” You sharply reply. “They needed help and I helped them. That’s all. Stop acting like I’m out there looking for this.”

You know it’s not his fault, he worries. His worries are valid, but he also knows you wouldn’t be doing this on purpose. You had bigger issues to deal with.

You shoot him an apologetic look before turning to walk away, down the large main hallway.

“Mr. Bang called. He says he has a favour to ask of you.” He speaks after you.

“I’ll return his call in my office.” You wave over your shoulder.

💐⛓💐⛓

“What are we waiting for?”

“Boys ssshhhhh.” Hitman Bang silences the members completely.

Heels echo through the hall into the drawing room. A steady pace getting louder.

He frantically looks at the boys.

“I need you all to listen to me. This person is the only one who can help, for now you must keep quiet and let me talk. Understood.” It wasn’t a question. All murmur an agreement.

Bang had dragged them all over to a large unmarked office building just after lunch. Telling them the bare minimum to get them to not question his motives. Understanding they all had an appointment to keep.

However, what did strike them as odd was when their high security detail didn’t follow them into the building. Instructed to stay with the cars underground, they followed 8 largely built men in suits, up to the top floor. They expected more floor to ceiling windows, just like the rest of the building was lined with, but the top floor was more blocked off from the outside. 36 floors up, a large office in the back. The room itself contains a large oak desk, bookcases lining behind the leather chair at the desk and two 6 seater set couches facing each other. The lights were dim and shades drawn down.

This wasn't what they thought this appointment would be. They still had so many unanswered questions. Especially after being ushered into the room, the door shutting behind them with no explanation.

The heels click just outside the door, muffled voices can be heard. Bang ushers all the boys to stand.

The tension weighs heavy in the room. The boys, unknowing as to who is going to walk through the door and why they seemingly had Bang extremely nervous. Terrified even.

💐⛓💐⛓

“Bang!” You greet cheerfully upon entering. Eyes lighting up to see the older man. He steps past the members and meets you halfway. Offering his arms out to you for a hug. “It’s been too long.”

“It has. You are looking well.” Bang offers releasing you. “I am sorry to hear about your father.”

“Ah, yes thank you.” You motion to the couch. “Please have a seat.”

You move over to the adjacent couch. Sliding your coat off, handing it to one of the men that followed you into the room. You take your seat, crossing one leg over the other. Waiting for the men to take their seats before continuing.

“Has it really been 6 years already?” You sigh looking at the man. Not sparing a glance at the gorgeous figures proceeding to sit on the couch. All of whom looked at you with mouth agape, clearly you weren’t what they were expecting. You force yourself to not smirk at their not so subtle reactions to you.

“I almost can’t believe it myself.” Bang laughs reminiscently but still slightly guarded.

“You’ve done well.” You smile fondly. Allowing yourself to look over each of the men. Nodding to yourself. “They’ve done well.”

“They have.” Bang agrees wholeheartedly. He was overwhelmingly proud of the members of BTS. They worked harder than anyone he’s ever had the pleasure of working with. Well, except you. “That’s why I wanted to speak with you.”

“Yes, you have a favour to ask of me.” You nodded to yourself. You had heard things from your contacts. You already knew what was going on, but it was best to keep exactly what you knew a secret for now. “I would presume it has to do with the threat against them.”

“So you’ve heard.” He sighs defeatedly.

“I keep my ears peeled at all times for you... and them,” You explain slowly, pausing a moment to really let your words sink into the older man. “My first investment will always hold a special place in my heart.”

“And I thank you for that. You’ve done so much for us all, as a company we owe you so much.” He replies hurriedly.

“Speaking of owe…. You want to ask a favour even with the debt you owe. Having never been collected from in all these years, yet here you are asking for a favour.”

Bang grips his pant legs until his knuckles turned white.This was what he was worried about. That you would seek collection before helping, or even refusing to help completely.

“And I am forever thankful to your father for that. We were able to build and grow from his generosity.” Bows his head slightly.

Your eyes narrow at the top of his head. “I assume, the favour would be protection. Protection and retrieval.” You redirect.

“Yes.” He continues his bow.

“First-” A smirk slowly breaking on your face. “I think an introduction is in order, formally. I’d like to meet these members of yours.”

“Of course!” Bang abruptly sits up. He nudges Namjoons elbow with his own. Clearly all of the members were beyond confused about Bangs interaction with you. There were definitely things they didn't know about.

“Uhm, I am Kim Namjoon.”

“Kim Seokjin.”

“Min Yoongi”

“Jung Heosok”

“Park Jimin”

“Kim Taehyung”

“Jeon Jungkook”

“Hello Boys.” You nod at them. “You can call me Sphinx.”

“For you Bang. I will honour this favour.” You say looking back to him.

“Thank you-” He bows again quickly before worry spreads through his features and his posture.

“This debt.” You begin slowly. “My father left it to me to decide what shall be done with it. I am afraid with all of your assets and the company itself...it is not enough to cover the interest alone.”

“However, as I have said I have maintained a watch over them. They are exceedingly worthy of every penny.”

Bang holds his breath. Waiting for you to demand a timeline for payment. He knows he would lose everything if you demanded it all up front. He wouldn’t be able to save himself, nor the boys. This debt would hang on them as well.

“Consider it void.”

His eyes widened.

“V-v-v” He can’t believe it. Were you really serious about this? That was a lot of money to brush away. To never see a dime of.

“Yes.” You had made up your mind long ago. “These boys earned everything they did. I don’t see a reason to cash in on their hard work.”

“But-”

“No arguments. I’ve already decided.” You wave him away, “Now, give me a couple days to sort out my current affair and then we'll talk about adequate protection and discuss a plan.”

💐⛓💐⛓

Once again the boys are ushered into Bangs office. The older hasn't stopped shaking since leaving your office.

None of the boys knew what to say. They didn’t know what they could say.

Bang collapses on his chair. Body completely deflating, a shaky breaky breath turning into a hysterical chuckle. Hand coming up to remove his glasses, wiping the sweat away with his sleeve and replacing them again.

He looks at the boys, some truth finally breaching the worry in their thoughts.

“Years ago, before you debuted. Hell, before RM joined the company we were in some serious financial trouble. But one by one this picture of you all was coming together, I had the gut feeling that I needed to give my everything for this group. But I had run out of options….” He begins. “To be able to give you what we need and to not lose everything, I borrowed a lot of money from someone. I had heard his name from an associate at the time, he knew of this man snd how to get into contact. I didn’t know what else to do at the time. So I contacted him, set an appointment. Brought videos of your practices and vocal rehearsals, everything I could to convince them to loan me enough money to keep everything afloat.”

All of the members were completely stunned. They knew Bang was struggling, it was one of the reasons they worked so hard to be noticed. To receive time slots on TV and never complain about the grueling practice. But this...this they never would have guessed.

“He agreed. I was loaned everything I needed to keep the business going, get you guys performance outfits, meals, bookings, hotel rooms, choreographers, stylists, PAs…. I mean everything. I’ve kept in contact with him all these years, he’s never demanded a collection. He never brought it up, just asked for updates on how you were doing. I offered tickets to your shows, but he always said that he would just buy them. As far as I know, he never accepted freebies for anything, but I was informed that there was an account under his last name that ordered merch, albums and tickets.”

“He passed away just over a year ago. But the account still ordered things. Then I remembered he had an adopted daughter, around the same age as you guys. He always talked about her, about how one day she would take over his business.”

Nodding to himself, he recounts all the stories he had heard of you. The meetings you attended when he had lunch with your father, handing over videos of BTS’s growth and business incline. Your father always seemingly handing it right to you, and you would sit there and watch and listen. Silently memorizing everything you could before handing it back to Bang. Only then for you to talk about your schooling and your after school adventures you would force your body guard through. He saw you go from a shy young girl to a strong, business minded woman, who your father was undoubtedly proud of.

“That was the woman we met today. The woman who has completely voided our debt.” He sighed still in disbelief.

“How much was the debt?” Namjoons voice was the first to break into the silent awkward tension.

“Let's just say. I would lose everything…. This company, my house…..I wouldn’t have enough to cover everything….”

“And if we helped?” Yoongi asks suspiciously from the back of the room.

He pauses before he answers, momentarily thinking through just how devastating it would have been if you had decided any other outcome. But he stands firm, locking eyes with Yoongi, letting them know just how terrifying it would be.

“You’d all be ruined too.”

💐⛓💐⛓

“Listen very closely Mr. Gwan, if your son ever comes into contact with Miss Kem again. I cannot promise the longevity of his life.” You state icily. Your words come out slow and dark.

“Are you trying to threaten me?” His voice raises an octave as he abruptly stumbles to his feet. Chair falling backwards.

“You, I am not.” Your words coming out calmer than you actually were. “It is a promise for your son. For you however, I will say this. Our companies have done business for the past 12 years, we have worked well together. But-”

Standing slowly you prowl around your desk, eyes never leaving his. Fingertips ghosting behind you on the oak.

“Do not think you have placed a veil over my eyes to your backhanded business exchanges. I am well aware of what you have been doing on the side and though I do not agree, I have chosen to turn a blind eye. Your warning is this, I will not hesitate to pull the plug on all of our proceedings.” You stand in front of him. Shoulders square, eyes shooting daggers into him. You can see the panic on his face, the shock of understanding.

“Now, for the time being. Before I lose any respect I might still have for you, and our business, you will leave my office now.”

Flicking your wrist you signal for the 2 large men to escort the pathetic man out of your office.

“No. Wait!” He barks as he’s dragged out of the room.

You collapse back into your chair, releasing a deep breath making you feel momentarily dizzy.

Hopefully your warning would be heeded. Either he taught his son right from wrong or it would cost him his life.

Gathering yourself, you reach for the phone on your desk. Now that that was dealt with it was time to talk to Bang about a plan for his members.

💐⛓💐⛓

“I know this isn’t ideal boys, but she’s offering to keep you safe and track down these people.” Bang tries to reassure the members from the driver's seat of the unmarked van. “You just have to stay here until they’re caught. Then you can go back to before.”

Glancing in the rearview mirror, he can see all of the young men sitting tensely in their seats. Jungkook in the middle right side chews on his cheek. Jhope shifts nervously next to him. Jin unable to find anything to say to lighten the tension, hands fidget in his lap. Taehyung sitting center in the far back, holding both Yoongi and Jimins hands as they in turn stare blankly outside the windows. RM sitting in the passenger's seat, jaw extending as he falls deeper and deeper in thought.

It was after 7pm by the time the van turned onto your long gravel driveway. Somehow being shrouded in the dark made everything seem so much more frightening to them.

Pulling up alongside the large old house, Bnag PD brings the van to a stop. Jungkook peers up at the old building. Making out your figure in one of the dimly lit upstairs rooms, he loses focus on you as another figure pulls the curtains shut. Sitting back in his seat he faces the front again.

“We can do this right?” Bang asks, turning to face the group. “Together?”

The boys had so many more questions for their Boss. What debt did he owe? Who was this woman? And what exactly does she do?

One by one they nodded their heads in agreement. If Bang trusted you, then so would they.

“Together.” RM spoke for the group.

Breathing in deeply to steady himself, Bang exited the van. The members follow suit. As they stood in front of the intimidating building the front doors opened slowly. A gentleman in a neatly pressed suit appears, followed by several men dressed in only black behind him.

“Mr. Bang. Gentleman.” The older man bows to the startled cluster of men. “My name is Chul-soo, and I am here to escort you to your rooms for your stay. Mistress is sorry she can’t be here to do it herself, but she’s tied up in some unavoidable business.”

💐⛓💐⛓

You had issued a second warning to Mr. Gwan over a week ago. This time, it seemed that they were listening to your words more carefully.

You had come home late from the office, not seeing the boys but hearing them in the kitchen as you made your way up the large staircase to your master bedroom.

Slipping out of your suit from the day, you opt for your comfiest grey sweats and black tank. Bare feet finding your slippers that you chucked under your bed this morning.

Briefly stretching your stiff muscles, you make your way out of your room down the hallway to the large staircase. The kitchen now silent, as you wander in, the noise has migrated back to the media room.

You hadn’t eaten in a few hours, but it was late, so you opted for a snack of your favourite chips you had hidden from the kitchen staff.

Snaking the bag out of its hiding spot under the sink, you drag your feet back towards the stairs. You weren’t tired and you’d normally binge watch this new animation you were watching. However, you preferred to watch it in the media room with the big comfy couch, dim lights, surround sound and large TV.

Unfortunately tonight your phone would have to do.

As you pass the media room you hear arguing between the members.

“Well what do you want to watch then?”

“Everything we’ve suggested you’ve all said no.”

“You’ve only suggested two things! That’s hardly giving any options.”

“Look, we've all agreed on an animation. We’ve narrowed it down this far.”

Leaning against the open pillar in the media room, you muffle a laugh. They hadn’t noticed your presence, amusement plastered on your face as you continued munching quietly on your chips.

“Kibo and the age of Wonderbeasts, is pretty good.” You eventually interject.

They all fall silent. Taehyung peers over his shoulder at you before whispering something to the members closest. You roll your eyes at their obvious flustered states.

You remove yourself from the pillar and walk over to the back of the couch. Leaning over your snag the remote out of Yoongi's hand, clicking on the thumbnail of the show. Hitting the start from episode one option.

No one says anything as the intro music starts. You round the couch, flopping down, feet up on the coffee table. Right between Yoongi and Jin.

Leaning back you can now see how stiff they’ve become. Backs turned to stone, shoulders locked in place. They were nervous around you, they had all the right to be. But this? This was too funny.

Refocusing on the tv you laugh at the moments you know are coming, and comment when someone does something you dislike and throw chips at the screen when the character you hate appears.

3 episodes in and all the boys have finally relaxed. Now more intrigued by the show then being nervous to be in the same room as you.

“Wait, who’s her mom!” Jimin asks, more to himself than looking for an answer.

“The lady at the beginning. Don’t worry she’s not dead.” You chirp from your relaxed seat.

“She’s the monkey thing right?? I bet she’s the monkey thingy!” Taehyung guesses enthusiastically, now looking at you to confirm his suspicions.

“Gonna have to find out.” You wink at him, he blushes and directs his attention back to the screen.

You spend well into the night laughing, talking and having fun with the boys. They took a while to fully relax around you, but realizing you all had a lot more in common than they originally thought sped up the process quite a bit.

Somewhere around 3 in the morning, you are on the floor as well as Hoseok and Jimin in heaps of laughter over Jungkook and Jin's argument. Namjoon Yoongi and Tae mirroring your tear stricken faces on the couch.

Unfortunately your delight was soon cut short by Chul-soo entering the room.

“Mistress, you have a meeting in 4 hours. It would be wise to get some sleep while you can.” He explains politely. He hasn’t seen you smile like this since before your father passed away, to say he was overjoyed would have put it lightly. It broke his heart to break it up.

Struggling to regulate your breathing you clamber onto unsteady legs. Dusting yourself off, you walk over to the door to follow Chul-soo out.

“Duty calls boys!” You throw them a mini salute and a wink. “Same time tomorrow?”

“Can we play that video game with you that you mentioned?” Jungkook piped up cheerfully.

“Whatever you want bubs.” Waving to them you exit the room and begin heading upstairs.

You might actually be able to sleep for the first time since losing your father.

💐⛓💐⛓

“She’s-“

“Beautiful?” A voice chimes in.

“I was gonna say, normal. But yea, she’s really beautiful.”

“I think we’re gonna have to be careful.” Namjoon laughs from the couch, where he’s still sitting.

“Of what?” Hoseok asks from the floor.

“We can’t all fall for her.” Yoongi finishes Namjoons thought. Namjoon continues to laugh at them.

Once the tension had died down, and she began to open up, it's like they all became enthralled with you. All sharing the same puppy like heart eyes for the same person.

“Agreed this could get dangerous.” Jin nodded seriously to himself in the corner, trying to stop himself from laughing.

They were all in deep water here.

But how could they stop it?

Keeping your word you came back the same time the next night. Playing with them until 3am again, then trudging off to bed after being pestered by your butler.

And when they asked you’d come back.

One night of rounds of pool.

Video games.

Movie marathons.

Cooking.

Baking cakes.

And every time you came back they’d forget everything except that they had you with them and they enjoyed every second of it.

💐⛓💐⛓

“Where?” You ask, heels clicking angrily against the marbled tile of your entryway.

“Holding 2 mistresses.” Chul-soo explains. Next to you, he takes the items from you that you are bitterly extracting from your body. Gloves and jacket discarded, you roll up the satin navy sleeves of your blouse.

This was your favourite blue shirt, you didn’t have time to change it, which only made you angrier at the knowledge of staining it. You huff down the long hallway, men behind you following as you then descend down the staircase. Not once noticing the seven men watching you storm past the media room.

💐⛓💐⛓

“What do you think is happening?” Jimin whispered from the couch, seated next to the two youngest. They were in the middle of a game, but paused it when they heard you burst through the front door.

“I don’t know, but that’s where those men dragged that guy from before….” Jin responds, standing next to the open archway to the hallway.

“She wouldn’t… hurt him would she?” Jungkook gasps, doe eyes widening at the thought.

A PA comes into the room, offering the boys their snacks and drinks.

“If she did, she had a good reason to.” She huffs, placing the tray on the center table. “Honestly I hope she does.”

The members gather around her, waiting for her to explain.

“That boy is a disgusting human being. He doesn’t deserve anything good in life after what he did.”

“What did he do?” Hoseok asks worriedly.

“We used to have another chef here. His daughter would visit occasionally. She was a beautiful girl, full of joy, such a pure spirit too. However, that man took advantage of her naivety and lured her into a physical relationship.” Her demeanour shifted into something cold and distant. Crossing her arms over her chest. “I say relationship, really it was just him forcing himself onto her. So when her dad found out, he told the mistress and the mistress warned that man's father.”

None of the boys knew what to say. What could they possibly say?

“And it looks to me that he didn’t listen.” Shaking her head in deep thought, before letting out a few sighs and leaving the room.

“I guess there’s a lot we don’t know about this place….her.” Yoongi huffs annoyedly. They just couldn’t figure you out.

One minute you were like any normal person their age, sneaking snacks, binge watching tv shows, staying in your pyjamas all day to …. This? What do they even call this?? Worst of all they can’t get the thoughts of being an ‘investment’ out of their heads. Is that all they were to you?

Because that’s not what they wanted..they wanted so much more from you.

💐⛓💐⛓

Walking late into the media room, arms full of black fabric. The boys scattered around the room, you didn’t tell them you were coming tonight. They thought you were still away on business. They abruptly stop playing the arcade machines, pausing the tv, discarding their laptops on the big table as you walk in.

You walk to the center of the room, dumping the contents you're carrying onto the floor. They have all moved to look at what you’ve dropped.

“Are you guys up for an adventure tonight?” You smirk at them.

“Really?!” Jungkook exclaims excitedly. Namjoon and Yoongi share a look of confusion with each other.

“Yep!” You chirp, pointing to the pile of black. “I’ll give you 20 mintues to change into these and then I’ll be back to get you.”

You leave the room, turning around to face them as you close the door, winking at them.

Running hurriedly upstairs, you change into your own black sweats and sweatshirt. You’re unsure why you felt this extreme urge to show them this place. It had been a place of solitude and comfort when you thought you had none left. It might not seem like much to them, but to you, it was an escape.

You hear a faint knock on the door. Sighing, you already know who it is.

“Enter Chul-soo.”

The door opens and your butler comes in, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Taking the boys with you this time.” His voice was hopeful.

“Yes..” Unable to face him, you turn your back to grab your converse. Sitting on the edge of your bed, you begin to slip them on.

Peering up at him through your lashes, you can see him smiling now.

“Don’t look at me like that!” You groan, throwing yourself onto your back.

“I’m just happy for you Mistress.” You can hear the brightness in his voice, you hadn’t heard it since you were young. “It’s been a long while since you’ve let someone in. I’m glad you’ve been able to open up again.”

Pushing yourself up onto your elbows, you really think about it. Think about how normal you’ve felt this past while, just a normal girl with friends.

Friends…. Your brows furrow. Friends? Your eyes abruptly make contact with Chul-soo, wide with shock.

This time he fully relaxes, a belly laugh escaping his lips. You fling back in defeat. You couldn’t even be mad at him. These feelings you had felt had progressed beyond friendship long ago, but you didn’t even notice….but your ever wise butler had.

The instant you fell, he knew.

“Shut up, how was I supposed to know?!” You shriek into the large room, rolling off the bed onto the floor. Sitting there you look at him, his laugh pausing momentarily, before you both lose it in laughter.

Collecting yourselves, Chul-soo is the first to speak.

“Go, they’ll be waiting for you.” He shifts to open the door fully for you, holding out the van keys. The only van that can accommodate all of you.

Wiping the tears pooling in your eyes, you clamber to your feet. Rushing to the door, stopping briefly.

“We’ll be back late, don’t wait up.” You take the keys from him and leave the room.

Flying down the stairs, skipping ones along the way, smile still plastered on your face as you round the corner. All 7 men, dressed in head to toe black waiting for you, excitement dancing in the air. You jog over to them.

“Let's go!” You wiggle the keys at them, as they follow you towards the garage.

Getting ou wasn hard, neither was stopping at your favourite corner shop to grab drinks and snacks. No, the hard part came when you looked out the windshield slightly to the right and saw the large structure in the distance, passing the old warehouses.

Warehouses you had too many complicated feelings towards, jumbled memories of you and your father and everything he taught you.

Ignoring the emotions welling up, you continued on your course. Tempting a glance into the rearview as they vanished behind more of an abandoned shipyard.

You slowly maneuvered the van close to the waterfront. The docks decayed and rotted away years ago. Parking the van, you don’t spare a glance at the others as you climb out. Walking over the steep edge of the cemented platform, you stare out over the horizon. Water reflecting the stars above.

“What is this place?” You can hear Jin’s voice almost directly behind you. You hadn’t heard anyone get out of the car, too lost in the memories this dark quiet place carried for you.

“This is my safe place.” You begin, not looking back. You don’t think you’d be able to speak if you did. So instead you focus on the shallow waves in the distance. “I used to come here when I needed to get away...or my father didn’t want me to see anything.”

Rolling your shoulders back allows you to smile and relax. This felt right, for you to be here...for them to be here with you.

“If you guys are willing to listen” You hesitate before turning around to look at them. “I think it’s about time I tell you about myself.”

💐⛓💐⛓

This is what they wanted. In this moment, you face them so beautifully and confidently. Stars shimmering behind you as you offer to share yourself with them. This was the moment they knew just how far they had fallen in love with you.

After collecting the blankets from the van, which had been sneakily placed there by Chul-soo, and placing them on the cement platform, you all sat down with your food. They stared at you expectantly, they didn’t want to push you.

“When I was about 5 or 6, my family visited Japan from overseas. I don’t know anything about my birth parents other than they had a lot of financial issues. I’m not sure if its because they were into drugs or something, but father did hint at it a few times.”

“I was an only child...the child rings in Japan were at an all time high at that point. So to save themselves from whatever debt they owed. I was sold to a child trafficking ring. My parents left Japan immediately after receiving the money. I’ve never seen them since. I’ve never bothered to care too much about it.”

They could see you force yourself to swallow, your eyes not looking at them. The unknown of their reactions would be alot to handle. No one interrupted, just waited for you to collect yourself before continuing.

“The child ring I was sold under was hosting an auction. I was one of the children to be auctioned off that night. Father was visiting from Korea for work, when he heard about it from an associate at the time. He said he felt bad for the kids, disgusted at his associate for taking part in those types of things. But at the time he couldn’t say no, so he went along with them. Father had lost his wife and son 2 years prior, he had been alone and sad for so long. Just like me…”

Her chest rising and falling rapidly, her eyes closing momentarily. Caught in emotions they couldn't understand.

“I had just turned 8 when I was auctioned off. I was fortunate enough not to receive the same treatment as the other children. I was mostly ignored and forgotten about. Which was probably why they didn't care about me, they just wanted to get what money they could.”

“I still remember the hot lights from the makeshift stage, the shit connection on the microphone they were using. The thick nauseating smell of old cologne and cigarettes. I could barely understand anything, it was so loud. Everything was melting together. Except…..”

“Father. While there were men standing and shouting. Father sat there, his eyes never leaving me. His paddle raised and he offered 4 times more than the last man. My auction was closed, and I was sold. Looking back I should have been terrified. But there was something.. Comfort? In his eyes that made me trust him.”

“SInce then his business grew to unspeakable heights and he taught me along the way. Brought me to Korea and raised me as his own child, hoping that one day I would take over for him. And I worked hard to get to this point. He never forced me, always gave me the choice. I told him I didn’t want to be apart of it, that it would be better to pick someone else.”

Your whole body shudders, they don’t think it was from the light breeze coming from the ocean side. They could see it in your face, there was more. Something that you were still hiding.

“Why did you decide to…” Hoseok spoke softly. One of them had to be brave enough to ask. To ruin their silence. For you to know that they were still there, still willing to hear everything.

After a long pause, you let out a slight chuckle. They were shocked to say the least, they weren't expecting you to find humour in all of this tragedy.

“I bartered with Father. There was an investment presented to him, one he was about to reject. He said it was too risky. I was shown the items supplied by the man, and I- I saw something in it. I knew it would be great. It was a gut feeling. He said the only one capable of issuing approval was the head of the business. His predecessor would probably dismiss it. He couldn’t guarantee the continuation of the agreement then. I thought it over for weeks. I was 16 at the time, I knew what he was insinuating. If I wanted to personally approve this investment I would have to agree to take over from him. I looked over the agreement over and over again. I had made up my mind. I accepted the agreement. I would become his successor and he would approve the investment in his name.”

Something you said plagued Yoongi’s mind, circling over and over again. He had to ask.

“What were you shown?”

A smile breaks over your face, it was close to dawn when they had sat down. Now the sun was rising on the horizon. Illuminating your face, your smile now glowing warmly.

“A grainy 8 minute video of 7 boys my age. A compilation of them in dance practice, vocal lessons, in a production studio, eating together, living together, telling the camera about their hopes and dreams.” You finally face them.

You had seen them. They finally understood, you agreed to be a part of this life because of them. Guilt washes over all of them. Almost all consuming, they begin to shut down.

“It was the best decision I ever made.” Your voice is just loud enough to shatter the shame. “Best decision for me and for them.”

And they believed you. They believed in your smile.

💐⛓💐⛓

“I’m sorry it took so much longer than expected.” You politely bow to Bang.

It had been 3 months since you took the boys in. Finding the people behind the threats was a little trickier than you first envisioned it to be.

But soon enough they were apprehended and handed over to authorities, and they were to return to their lives.

“No, please. You have done more than we could have ever asked for. I could never say thank you enough!” Bang shakes his head violently.

Standing straight, you smile at the older and try to focus on him alone. But you can’t. You can see it.

Over his shoulder you can see the boys standing in your foyer with all of their luggage. All sharing the same sad, hurt puppy pouts, shoulders sagging. They didn’t want to leave. You’d realized it after the first month, just how attached they had become to you. A part of you was overjoyed, but the logical part of you knew that this was for the better.

As much as you wanted to keep them with you forever….it was safer for them to be as far away from you as possible.

Over the past month things had gone from bad to worse with Mr. Gwan . First his son and then a shady business deal gone wrong. Threats had been made against your company. One even towards the ‘secret lover’ you had hidden away. You knew it was the boys that it was unintentionally referring to.

You knew then it was time for them to leave you.

💐⛓💐⛓

“Hyung I can't do this.” Taehyung whined from the couch in the production lounge, they were scheduled for a live interview that day. “I need to see her.”

The boys were devastated when they heard they'd be leaving. Your face never once falters from your business smile, but by now they could see right through it.

But they left as instructed. Watching your figure fade from view as the van took them away. An image they couldn’t forget.

“It’s been 3 months and I can’t stop from loving her.” Tears started to well in his eyes, followed by a pout on his lips. “None of us can.”

“I know Tae. But what can we do?” Namjoon asks, he was just as close to breaking as the youngers. “We have no way to contact her.”

The youngest 3 didn’t stop crying for weeks, he and the older 3 were trying desperately to keep it together, but they could only fake it for so long. Each finding time alone, in solitude to cry.

“I have an idea,” Yoongi breaks the silence. “It's ballsy to say the least, and we might be into some serious shit for it. Do you want to hear it?”

Looking around the room, he’s met with 6 nodding heads. He motions for them all to gather around the couch. This would either be his dumbest idea yet or his brightest.

💐⛓💐⛓

Your whole body trembles as you continue to watch the live interview you had taped earlier in the day. The boys' voices ringing in your ears.

“And we’ll be there tonight. Waiting in the safe place you shared with us.” Namjoon states.

“We’ll wait all night if we have to.”

“Please come tonight.”

“We won’t leave until we see you.”

Hands shake so violently you almost aren’t able to continue to hold the photo in your hand. You register your phone ringing. Reaching forward you grab your phone off the coffee table. You answer without looking.

“Hello Sphinx.” The male voice drips in sick pleasure. “Did you get the photo I sent you?”

“Yes.” Was all you could say.

“Did you manage to catch BTS’s live interview today?”

“Yes.”

“Such bright boys.” Amusement laced in his voice.

“They won’t show.” You force through gritted teeth.

“Oh I believe they will.”

“What do you want?” Stomach bile rising up your throat. Eyes drifting back down to the photo of the dimly lit abandoned shipyard's edge, the one just passed those old warehouses that haunted you.

“Meet me alone in an hour. Let’s say in your fathers favourite warehouse.” A single tear escapes your eye, running down your cheek onto the photo in your lap. “Come with anyone and i'll have my men meet the boys in your place.”

You want to throw up. Hoping to god Bang has them on lockdown. That they are safe in their dorms.

“Fine.”

“Good good. I’ll see you there, Sphinx.” He hangs up.

You try to control your breathing. There’s no way they’d be there, it’d be fine. You’d take your men and deal with this once and for all.

You stand on shaky feet. Thoughts caught off by your phone ringing again. Looking at the caller ID. Your heart sinks.

“Hello?” Your voice comes out as shaky as your hands are.

“Y/N!” Bangs rushed voice desperately crosses the line. “Please tell me you know where the boys are”

“The boys?” Your stomach drops, tears fill your eyes.

“I can’t find them!” His voice hoarse from panic. “They said they were going back to their dorms together, but I’m here and they aren’t! I don’t know where they’ve gone!”

Tears stream down your face. Mind reeling ‘no no no no no no they didn’t, they couldn’t, they wouldn’t. No no no no’

Panic grips you internally. Externally you’re frozen.

“I’ll find them.” Somehow your voice comes out steady and monotone. It doesn’t feel like your own. The voice inside your head is screaming, your heart hurts.

“Thank you.” Is the last thing you hear before the phone drops to the floor.

‘Not them. Please not them.’

Their faces flash behind your now closed eyes. They needed to always smile, always be happy and safe. So many big dreams they still had left to achieve.

You thought your heart broke when you watched their van drive away, convincing yourself it was for the best. But you had been too late. Nowhere near you was safe, somehow along the way you forgot. Now more than ever, the reminder slaps you in the face.

Like a robot you head upstairs, everyone has turned in for the night. You had dismissed them all early today.

You swap your suit for a pair of leggings, tank top and zip up sweater. Not stopping as you leave everything behind. Wallet, keys, watch and phone left behind. Upon reaching the front door you hesitate. Looking down at the necklace your father gave you, you slowly unclasp it with still shaky hands. A small metal pillar he had engraved with the day he legally adopted you. A gps tracker you never took off, one you knew still worked till this day. You place it on the cabinet next to the door and head out on foot.

Closer to the main road you catch a ride to the small corner shop. You picked out a burner phone and a card for it, placing it on the counter you froze. You forgot money.

“Take it.” The cashier smiles at you. It was the same one from all those nights ago, with the girls. “You overplayed that night. It’ll cover this.”

You give him a quick nod and grab your items.

“Can you call a taxi for me?”

“Sure, and here.” He hands you some cash. “For wherever you’re going.”

“Thank you.” You manage out.

You wait outside for the taxi to arrive. It takes less than two minutes before you’re on your way to the meeting spot.

Your mind and body are screaming at you.

‘Please don’t take them too’

This isn’t a price you were willing to pay.

💐⛓💐⛓

Walking into the abandoned warehouse, you don’t let yourself think twice.

Marching through the large open wood doors, grabbing a long wooden shaft from a pile of debris you continue your march.

Snapping the wood piece over your knee, you turn the corner. Twirling the two rods in your hands.

Lifting your right arm you swing diagonally down, wood colliding with a figure's face. Not stopping your steps you spin out of the way of a pair of hands that come at you from your left. Wood colliding with the back of a head.

The only one thought circles your mind; keep the ones you love safe. Keep the boys safe.

Another figure swings at you. You dodge down wood coming up to meet his chin. He falls to his knees. You kick into the side of his head, sending him to the floor.

The only thing you can hear is the sound of your blood in your ears. You can’t hear the yelling or screaming. You can feel when the wood your holding collides with the next 4 figures. But you aren’t lucid enough to focus on it.

Turning around an arm already raised, you fail to register the figure appearing to your left.

You feel a cold sharp pain in your side. Time goes slowly. Gaze travelling down you see the hilt of a short blade sticking out of your side. The man's hands let go of it. You bring your eyes up to look at him. He smiles at you, your eyes glaze as you drop the wood in your hands.

Before you can rethink your situation, you grab the blade and pull. Adrenaline makes your body and mind numb to everything. You step towards him and force the blade soaked in your own blood into his inner thigh. Yanking the blade from his flesh as he drops.

Regaining some composure, but not in time to deflect a fist that shoots into your peripherals a second too late. It collides with the right side of your face, sending you crashing to the floor as well.

A hand grabs a fist full of your hair yanking you to your knees. Staring at the ceiling you finally see the man you’ve been looking for. He smiles at you wildly from the side. A snarl breaks past your lips.

Fists punch into your rib cage repeatedly. Anger bubbles deeper within you.

‘Keep the boys safe’ If you died how could you keep them safe? A scream erupts from you. You grasp the blade on the floor, slicing across the man's stomach in front of you. He staggers away.

In a second of shock you manage to get to your feet. All at once you slide to the right and take a step back, elbow meeting stomach of the man holding you. You feel some hair ripped from your scalp before he lets go. Hunched over grasping his stomach you bring your knee up hitting his face with enough force to send him back. You feel his bones crunch under the impact. Spinning around, before anyone else can move you throw it.

Directly at Mr. Gwan. Blade meets chest. As the last man runs over to him, holding his boss steady to not cause anything fatal.

Your body collapses to the floor. All the energy you had was fading, but you forced yourself to your feet before you could black out.

Shakily you begin to make your way out of the warehouse. Hand reaching into one of the unconscious men's pockets, locating his phone you dial 911, you hear the phone click to connect and you drop it. Near the door.

Mind finally catches up to the body, the loss of blood making you nauseous. You try to put pressure on your wound, as you start to limp your way down the gravel road. Towards the waterfront.

They were gonna be there. They told you they would. You had to make sure they were safe.

I’m the distance you could see 7 figures standing by the waterfront. Pacing back and forth, worried…panicked. Waiting for you.

But you stop. Shifting to your left, you step behind a wooden structure. Reaching for your burner phone you text the address of the shore front to the only saved number. Sinking down on your butt, legs bent up in front of you, you lean your head back.

Trying to keep breathing, to keep conscious and ignore the pain in your side.

Moments later you hear sirens in the far distance. A faint smile graces your lips. Then you hear the screech of tires, a lot closer than the sirens.

Scooching over to peer around the wooden structure you see the Bighit security exiting cars, along with Bang.

You can hear the boys shouting as they’re dragged into the cars. Away from you. Behind closed eyes you can see each member's hysterical faces. Tears begin to stream down your face….relief. They’re safe now.

Leaning back again. Spots cloud your vision. The world becomes deafeningly quiet as you finally lose consciousness. Body giving up, sliding down face meeting the dirt below you.

💐⛓💐⛓

“Mistress.” You hear a voice call you. “We’re preparing to land.”

Shaking yourself awake, you gingerly stretch your locked joints.

“Thank you Chul-soo.”

Yawning, you slowly wake up.

Staring out the window of the private jet, looking down at the world below.

It had been 7 months since that night. Upon seeing the photo you left in the media room Chul-soo vaguely knew where you were going. Your men had found you, unconscious covered in blood. The boys were already long taken by Bang. You recovered quickly. Then business was back as usual. You were once again alone.

You didn’t want the boys to know why you never showed up, but Bang refused to lie to them again. So he told them everything.

This was the price you had to pay: it was too late for you to tell them you loved them.

💐⛓💐⛓

“I can’t believe we won!” Jimin shouted excitedly as they entered their dorm. All of them were buzzing with adrenaline.

After they had heard what happened with you from Bang; they couldn’t shake the guilt. They blamed themselves for it. If they had just kept their mouths shut and endured, you wouldn’t have almost died. They wouldn’t have been used as bait.

They understood now that the distance between them and you was necessary. Safer for everyone. Their hearts broke all over again.

What they wanted more than anything now was for you to not hate them. They still loved you.

“Flowers?”

In the middle of their dining table stood a massive assorted bouquet of flowers. So massive it would take two of them to manoeuvre. But how did that get in here? Who had been in their apartment.

Dropping their bags they all hesitantly made their way over to it. A small envelope was slotted amongst the roses.

Namjoon was the one to grab it, slowly opening the envelope. A white card worth the word ‘congratulations’ written in cursive. Opening the card, his breath hitches.

The rest of his members peer around him to take a look for themselves. Wide eyes, gasps and tears are the only things they are able to respond with.

With a black pen, written with your handwriting.

‘The best decision I ever made’, and your red lipstick kiss on top.

This was the price they had to pay: It was too late for them to tell you that they loved you.

💐⛓💐⛓

Collecting your bag out of the plane's compartment, you head over to the doors.

You hadn’t been to this side of the world since your parents. Your nerves creeping up, you push them down. This trip to America was necessary, if this business deal was successful your business would be untouchable. As well as anyone personally connected to you. Everyone you cared about would be unconditionally safe.

Checking the time on your watch, you had around 2 hours before it was time for the meeting. You could relax, at least for a short while, at your hotel.

The doors finally open, you make your way down the connected stairs, sun glaring down on you. You're about to place your sunglasses over your eyes when something catches your attention.

Smiling wildly, you stare at the billboard, seven beautiful faces shining brightly at you.

‘BTS announces world stadium tour’

“Well done boys.” You say to their poster. Sliding your sunglasses onto your face, you pivot towards the car. Chul-soo waiting, door open for you.

Unable to stop smiling, you climb into the backseat of the car. Taking one last look at them, and how happy they are.

This was a price you were willing to pay.

💐🗝💐🗝

masterlist

This one was ALOT. Please tell me your honest opinions on this, PLEASE🙏🏼🙏🏼.

Look now I'm begging…

hii!!! I was just wondering if I could maybe request a fic where y/n lives in a cottage next to the beach where they farm and live a normal life but one day when they're walking down the beach they see a siren (which is felix) who is injured. y/n then fixes him up and they kinda fall in love (??)😭 idk but I want it to be super angsty but to have a happy ending.

Hello SweetPea! 💜

I'm sorry it's taken so long to get back to you. I was originally planning on just doing this as a reply, but I AM OBSESSED 😍😍. And it's become a lot longer than when I started. Soooooooo, for you my lovey:

Keep an eye out on my masterlist for Fleeting Tempest! 🥳🥳🥳

I'm hoping to have this one up within the next two weeks, please forgive me for taking so long 🙏🏼. Life has been throwing some hard balls at me while my eyes were closed. 😔

I really didn’t want to cry over this man today…. OOPS 😭😭

“my dream is to be a dad”