Chapter Text
The little bell above the glass door chimed softly every time a customer entered the flower shop.
Morning sunlight spilled through the large front windows, warm and golden against rows of fresh flowers carefully arranged across wooden shelves. The entire place smelled like roses, soil, lavender, and rain from the night before. Soft instrumental music played quietly from the speakers, low enough that the vibrations barely reached through the floorboards.
Kim Taehyung stood behind the counter, sleeves rolled to his elbows as he carefully tied cream ribbon around a bouquet of white tulips and baby’s breath.
His fingers moved gently.
Slowly.
Like he was afraid to hurt them.
Flowers had always calmed him. Ever since he was young, they were easier than people. Flowers didn’t ask questions when he stayed quiet too long. They didn’t pity him for being mute. They simply existed beautifully and silently beside him.
Taehyung liked that.
Behind the shop was a small garden he had built himself over the years. Tiny rows of lilies, roses, daisies, hydrangeas—every flower planted carefully by hand. Sometimes he spent hours there after closing, kneeling in the dirt with stained fingertips and peaceful eyes.
It was the only place where the world felt completely quiet instead of lonely.
“Hyung.”
Taehyung looked up immediately.
A younger man appeared from the storage room carrying two boxes against his chest.
Woo Seok was only twenty-one, energetic and endlessly respectful toward Taehyung. He had started working at the flower shop a year ago and somehow never treated Taehyung differently because of his disability.
He simply adapted.
He learned sign language little by little.
Waited patiently.
Understood Taehyung’s expressions better than most people understood spoken words.
Woo Seok nodded toward the front display.
“Should I put the sunflowers outside?”
Taehyung smiled softly and signed back quickly.
The yellow ones in front.
Woo Seok grinned immediately. “Got it.”
Taehyung watched him rearrange the display with fond eyes.
Woo Seok respected him deeply—not out of pity, but admiration. Taehyung noticed the way customers relaxed around him, the way children smiled when he handed them flowers, the way elderly women returned every week just to see him.
Even without words, Taehyung had always been gentle enough for people to trust.
His phone buzzed softly in his apron pocket.
Taehyung wiped his hands before pulling it out.
A small smile appeared instantly.
Yoongi
[Did you eat breakfast?]
Taehyung’s smile widened a little more.
Typical.
Even during work, even while drowning in detective cases and endless paperwork, Min Yoongi somehow always found time to worry about him.
Taehyung typed back quickly.
[Yes.
Did YOU?]
Three dots appeared almost immediately.
[Coffee counts.]
Taehyung sighed fondly through his nose before typing again.
[No it doesn’t.]
Another reply came seconds later.
[You sound exactly like Jimin.
That’s terrifying.]
Taehyung laughed silently, shoulders shaking slightly.
After their parents died, Yoongi had raised him almost like a son instead of a younger brother. Taehyung still remembered how yoongi was, caring without complaining, Yoongi working himself to exhaustion while still checking Tae’s homework at night.
Yoongi had never been warm openly.
But he loved fiercely.
Protectively.
Sometimes too protectively.
When Taehyung insisted on moving out during college to live with his best friend, Yoongi had argued with him for nearly two weeks straight.
Until eventually—
Reluctantly—
He approved.
Mostly because the best friend in question was Park Jimin.
And despite pretending Jimin annoyed him endlessly, Yoongi had always had a soft spot for him.
Everyone knew it.
Jimin had been beside Taehyung since they were teenagers. He treated Tae normally—not fragile, not incapable, not broken. He argued with him, teased him, stole his hoodies, complained dramatically when Tae forgot laundry in the washer for days.
He never looked at Taehyung with pity.
Only love.
Especially after the breakup.
Taehyung’s chest tightened faintly at the thought.
Jeon Jungkook.
Even now, after almost a year, the name still hurt quietly.
The breakup had destroyed Taehyung more than he ever admitted aloud.
He stopped sleeping properly for months. Panic attacks became frequent enough that Jimin started sleeping beside him almost every night without being asked. Some nights Taehyung woke up shaking from nightmares only to find Jimin already awake beside him, rubbing circles against his back silently until he calmed down.
Jimin never complained once.
Not even when Taehyung accidentally clawed at him during panic attacks.
Not even when he stopped eating for days.
Jimin stayed.
Always.
Sometimes Taehyung thought Jimin would genuinely take a bullet for him if asked.
And somehow, despite being close to both Taehyung and Jungkook, Jimin had never forced either of them to talk about the breakup.
He simply stayed beside Tae and loved him through it.
The shop slowly emptied as evening approached.
Customers disappeared one by one until the sky outside darkened into soft blue.
Taehyung flipped the sign to CLOSED while Woo Seok swept fallen petals from the floor.
“You should head home, hyung,” Woo Seok said gently. “You’ve been here since morning.”
Taehyung smiled before signing:
You too. Don’t skip dinner again.
Woo Seok groaned dramatically. “You sound like my mother.”
Taehyung laughed silently again.
A few minutes later, after locking the register and watering the flowers one last time, Taehyung slipped his coat on and waved goodbye.
Woo Seok bowed slightly. “Goodnight, hyung.”
Taehyung signed back:
Goodnight. Be careful.
Outside, the night air was cool against his skin.
Streetlights reflected softly against wet pavement as Taehyung walked toward the bus stop, hands tucked into his pockets.
His phone buzzed again.
And immediately, warmth spread through his chest.
Jimin
[home yet?
don’t wait for me, i have a late shooting :(
but i made dinner though
leave me some
see you tomorrow]
Taehyung smiled instantly.
His fingers moved quickly across the screen.
[On my way.
Okay.
Take care of yourself.
Don’t exhaust yourself.
I want you alive in the morning.]
Three seconds later:
[WOW?
so dramatic]
Then another message.
[love u too tae tae]
Taehyung shook his head fondly.
Jimin was a backup dancer with frightening dedication. When practicing for performances, he pushed himself until his body gave out completely. More than once, Taehyung had received terrified phone calls because Jimin collapsed during rehearsals from exhaustion.
The last time it happened, Yoongi threatened him seriously.
“If you pass out again, Tae’s moving out.”
Jimin had cried for twenty minutes afterward.
He tried taking better care of himself after that.
Tried.
Taehyung finally reached their apartment building around midnight.
The familiar hallway lights flickered softly overhead as he unlocked the front door.
The apartment greeted him with warmth immediately.
The smell of dinner still lingered faintly in the air.
Jimin’s hoodie was thrown carelessly over the couch.
Dance shoes abandoned near the kitchen.
Comfortingly messy.
Comfortingly familiar.
Taehyung smiled softly to himself as he stepped inside and locked the door behind him.
Home.
****
The apartment was quiet.
Not empty.
Never empty.
Even when Park Jimin wasn’t home yet, traces of him existed everywhere.
A hoodie hanging off the dining chair.
Half-open dance bags near the couch.
Sticky notes on the fridge reminding Tae to eat properly.
The faint scent of lavender fabric softener lingering through the apartment.
Kim Taehyung slipped his shoes off near the entrance before walking toward the kitchen quietly.
Jimin really had made dinner.
A pot sat on the stove carefully covered to keep warm, along with two bowls already placed neatly on the table. Taehyung smiled to himself softly.
Of course he did.
Even exhausted, Jimin always remembered Tae.
Taehyung reheated the food slowly before sitting alone at the small kitchen table. Warm light glowed softly above him while rain tapped gently against the apartment windows.
He ate quietly.
Slowly.
His phone rested beside his bowl in case Jimin texted again.
But nothing came.
Taehyung sighed faintly through his nose.
Late shooting meant long hours.
Long hours meant Jimin probably skipped meals again.
Which also meant—
Once he came home, he would shower quickly, mumble something exhausted and incoherent, then collapse directly onto Tae like a dying man before falling asleep within seconds.
Taehyung already knew the routine.
And somehow…
He didn’t mind it at all.
After eating, he carefully placed half the food aside for Jimin before washing the dishes. Warm water ran over his hands while soft music played faintly from his phone speaker nearby.
The apartment felt peaceful at night.
Safe.
He finished cleaning the kitchen before gathering laundry from the basket near the bathroom. Most of it belonged to Jimin.
Again.
Taehyung folded clothes slowly once the washing machine finished, setting Jimin’s oversized hoodies into neat piles.
One of them slipped through his fingers halfway.
Black fabric.
Familiar.
Jungkook’s hoodie.
Or technically—
It used to be Jungkook’s.
Taehyung stared at it quietly for a few seconds before carefully folding it too.
Jimin still wore it sometimes around the apartment because he claimed it was “comfortable.”
Neither of them talked about why Tae never threw it away.
The clock on the wall read 1:17 AM.
Too late.
Taehyung frowned slightly.
Jimin should’ve texted by now.
He grabbed his phone.
No messages.
His chest tightened faintly with worry before he quickly typed:
[Eat something before sleeping.]
Three dots appeared almost immediately.
[yes mom]
Another message followed seconds later.
[almost done
dont wait awake okay??]
Taehyung smiled despite himself.
[Liar.]
Jimin knew perfectly well Tae waited anyway.
He finished folding the rest of the clothes before finally changing into soft pajamas and climbing into bed.
The apartment remained quiet.
Too quiet without Jimin’s constant energy bouncing through it.
Taehyung laid on his side staring toward the bedroom door for a long moment.
Waiting.
But exhaustion slowly dragged at his body.
His eyes closed.
Opened.
Closed again.
Eventually sleep won.
—
The mattress dipped sometime later.
Taehyung barely stirred.
Still half asleep.
Then warmth pressed carefully against his back.
Arms wrapped loosely around his waist.
Familiar.
Safe.
The soft scent of lavender body wash drifted around him instantly.
Jimin.
Taehyung relaxed automatically.
Even asleep, his body recognized him immediately.
Jimin made a tiny exhausted sound against the back of Tae’s shoulder before burying closer under the blankets. His hair was still slightly damp from the shower.
Taehyung felt him trembling faintly with exhaustion.
Probably overworked himself again.
Idiot.
A sleepy smile softened Tae’s face.
Without opening his eyes fully, he reached back slowly until his fingers found Jimin’s wrist resting around his waist.
Gentle squeeze.
I’m here.
Jimin squeezed back weakly.
Then almost immediately went completely still.
Already asleep.
Taehyung breathed quietly as warmth settled around him completely.
Safe.
Home.
And with Jimin beside him, the nightmares stayed away for once.
So Taehyung finally slept deeply.
******
Morning came quietly into the apartment.
Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains in pale gold lines, warming the wooden floor little by little. Somewhere outside, the city was already awake—cars moving below the building, distant voices, the faint sound of construction far away.
Inside the apartment, though, everything still felt sleepy.
Comfortable.
Kim Taehyung blinked awake slowly beneath the blankets, warm and heavy with sleep. For a few seconds he stayed still, staring blankly at the ceiling while his mind slowly caught up with the morning.
Then he felt it.
A weight around his waist.
Jimin.
Taehyung looked down slightly.
Jimin was still asleep beside him, face half buried against Tae’s shoulder, one arm thrown possessively over his waist like he was afraid Tae might disappear overnight.
His hair was a mess.
His breathing slow and deep.
Taehyung smiled softly.
Jimin always came home exhausted after late schedules, but somehow he still unconsciously searched for Tae in his sleep. It had become such a normal thing after the breakup with Jungkook that neither of them mentioned it anymore.
At first Jimin only stayed beside him after nightmares.
Then occasionally.
Then permanently.
Not because Tae asked.
Because Jimin simply refused to leave him alone when he was hurting.
Taehyung carefully reached up and brushed soft hair away from Jimin’s forehead.
The younger man frowned immediately in his sleep and buried closer.
Taehyung almost laughed.
Then his eyes drifted toward the clock beside the bed.
8:07 AM.
His smile disappeared.
Training.
Jimin had training.
Again.
And if Tae knew Jimin properly—and he absolutely did—then the idiot probably came home, showered, collapsed beside him, and slept without eating dinner at all.
Again.
Taehyung sighed quietly before carefully untangling himself from Jimin’s grip and slipping out of bed.
The apartment floor felt cold under his feet as he walked toward the kitchen.
And immediately stopped.
The smell hit him first.
Coffee.
Fresh toast.
Eggs.
Taehyung blinked in surprise.
Then he saw him.
Yoongi stood inside the kitchen wearing dark clothes already prepared for work, one hand holding coffee while the other flipped through something on his phone. His expression looked as exhausted and unreadable as always.
But the kitchen table was already full of breakfast.
Taehyung smiled immediately.
Yoongi looked up.
“There you are.”
Taehyung walked closer and signed:
You cooked?
Yoongi snorted softly.
“I bought it.”
That sounded more accurate.
Taehyung laughed silently before sitting at the table.
Despite acting annoyed all the time, Yoongi always took care of them quietly.
Especially Tae.
Always Tae.
After their parents died, Yoongi became everything at once: older brother, parent, provider, protector.
He worked himself to exhaustion while raising Taehyung at the same time, and even now—years later—he still checked on him constantly.
Sometimes too much.
But Taehyung knew every act of irritation from Yoongi hid worry underneath.
Yoongi looked toward the hallway.
“He still sleeping?”
Taehyung nodded immediately.
Yoongi scoffed. “Unbelievable.”
Taehyung smiled into his coffee.
A few minutes later he stood up quietly and walked back toward the bedroom.
The curtains still moved softly in the morning breeze. Jimin remained buried beneath the blanket exactly the same way Tae left him.
Taehyung crossed his arms.
Then walked over and gently shook his shoulder.
Nothing.
Not even a movement.
Taehyung narrowed his eyes before shaking harder.
Jimin made a long miserable sound into the pillow.
“Ummmm…”
Still asleep.
Taehyung bit his lip to stop himself from laughing and shook him again.
Jimin dragged the blanket over his head blindly.
“Five more minutes, Tae…”
Taehyung sat on the edge of the bed now, smiling fondly while continuing to shake him stubbornly.
Jimin groaned dramatically.
“Please kill me now.”
Taehyung finally laughed , shoulders shaking.
Then suddenly—
A familiar deep voice echoed from the kitchen.
“Wake the hell up.”
Jimin practically flew upright.
Taehyung burst into laughter instantly as Jimin clutched his chest with wide horrified eyes.
“Oh my god—”
His hair stood in every direction possible while panic flashed across his face.
“My heart—”
Taehyung was nearly folding over laughing now.
Jimin glared at him.
“You’re evil.”
Taehyung signed quickly through his laughter:
Breakfast.
Jimin looked genuinely emotional for a second.
Then dramatically dropped backward onto the mattress again.
“I can skip breakfast.”
He closed his eyes immediately.
Taehyung rolled his eyes and grabbed his ankle, dragging him slightly.
Jimin whined loudly.
“Why did I choose dancing?” he complained weakly. “I’m getting too old for this.”
Taehyung giggled again.
Jimin opened one eye dramatically.
“Why couldn’t I fall in love with painting? Or pottery? Or flowers?” He pointed weakly toward Tae. “Look at you. Peaceful. Relaxed. Smells nice all day.”
Taehyung hit his leg immediately.
Jimin yelped.
Then Yoongi’s voice came again from the kitchen.
“Hurry up. I don’t have all day.”
Jimin groaned so loudly it sounded painful.
Still, he slowly forced himself upright.
And Taehyung’s smile faded almost immediately.
Jimin moved carefully.
Too carefully.
The moment he stood, his hand pressed subtly against his lower back.
His shoulders were stiff.
And when he walked—
He limped slightly.
Taehyung frowned instantly.
Too much practice again.
Jimin noticed Tae staring and immediately straightened with a fake smile.
“I’m fine.”
Liar.
They walked into the kitchen together.
Yoongi noticed immediately too.
Of course he did.
Detective instincts never rested.
His eyes moved once over Jimin’s posture before narrowing slightly.
“Have you been eating properly, kid?”
Jimin rolled his eyes while collapsing into the chair beside Taehyung.
“It’s only four years between us.”
Yoongi smirked faintly over his coffee.
“Still your hyung.”
Jimin muttered something rude under his breath before letting his forehead fall dramatically against the table.
The breakfast smelled amazing.
Warm soup.
Eggs.
Rice.
Fresh bread.
And yet Jimin only stared at it weakly like eating required physical strength he no longer possessed.
Yoongi watched quietly.
Taehyung nudged Jimin gently.
Jimin opened one eye.
You okay?
Jimin nodded slowly.
“Just exhausted.”
Taehyung frowned harder and signed quickly:
Skip work today.
Jimin immediately shook his head.
“You know I can’t.” He rubbed tiredly at his eyes. “The audition is in three days. I have to keep practicing.”
Yoongi made a quiet scoffing sound.
Jimin looked up instantly.
“What?”
Yoongi shook his head once. “Nothing.”
“You’re making fun of my work again.”
“It’s not work.”
Taehyung sighed internally.
Not this again.
Jimin straightened in his chair despite obvious exhaustion.
“Oh really?” he asked. “Then what is it?”
Yoongi shrugged.
“Hobby?”
Jimin groaned loudly.
“I’m a professional dancer.”
Yoongi waved a hand dismissively.
“You’re a backup dancer, Jimin. Wake up. You’re twenty-eight and still don’t have a stable career.”
Jimin stared at him in disbelief.
“Dancing IS a career,” he defended instantly. “It’s MY career.”
“I’m not having this conversation again.”
“Then stop bringing it up!” Jimin snapped. “Why do you even care?”
Taehyung visibly flinched.
Yoongi’s jaw tightened.
“Because I hate watching you destroy yourself over nothing.”
Silence filled the kitchen immediately.
Jimin froze.
Taehyung’s stomach dropped.
The words landed hard.
Too hard.
Jimin slowly pushed his chair back.
His expression changed completely.
Blank.
Cold.
Dangerous.
“Tae,” he said quietly without looking away from Yoongi, “I think your brother can take you to work today.”
Then he stood and walked back toward the bedroom.
The door shut harder than necessary.
Taehyung immediately turned toward Yoongi with an angry expression.
Why would you say that? he signed sharply.
Yoongi rubbed a tired hand down his face.
“I was harsh.”
You always do this to him, Tae signed quickly. He’s excited about the audition. He’s working really hard.
“I know.”
But Yoongi’s expression hardened again.
“I just hate how stupid he is about it. He dances until he collapses and then what?”
Taehyung signed immediately:
You sound like his parents.
Yoongi snapped before thinking.
“Maybe they were right.”
The bedroom door opened instantly.
Jimin walked out fully dressed now, bag hanging from one shoulder.
Too fast.
His face looked calm.
Too calm.
Which somehow made it worse.
He walked directly toward the front door without looking at either of them.
Taehyung stood quickly.
But he already knew.
Nothing stopped angry Jimin.
Especially not after Yoongi hurt him.
The apartment door slammed shut behind him.
Silence followed immediately.
Heavy.
Taehyung stared toward the closed door for a long moment before slowly looking back at Yoongi.
Yoongi sighed deeply.
“Okay,” he muttered eventually. “I’ll text him later.”
Taehyung raised one unimpressed eyebrow.
Yoongi rolled his eyes slightly.
“And call him. Happy?”
Taehyung huffed softly before standing.
Then he slowly began clearing the untouched breakfast from Jimin’s side of the table.
Again.
Jimin hadn’t eaten anything.
*****
The police station smelled like burnt coffee, old paperwork, and exhaustion.
Phones rang endlessly somewhere in the background while officers moved through the halls carrying files and half-finished conversations. Morning sunlight barely reached through the tall windows, leaving most of the building cold and gray.
Jeon Jungkook walked out of the investigation room looking like he hadn’t slept in days.
Because he hadn’t.
His black shirt sleeves were rolled carelessly to his elbows, exposing bruised knuckles and veins standing sharply beneath tired skin. His eyes burned from staring at reports all night, and his entire body ached from too much caffeine and not enough rest.
The case from yesterday had dragged on for almost sixteen hours straight.
No sleep.
No real food.
No break.
At this point even breathing felt exhausting.
Jungkook rubbed tiredly at the back of his neck while walking toward the station exit.
Then he stopped.
Min Yoongi had just entered through the main doors.
The detective walked past him immediately.
Without looking.
Without slowing down.
Like Jungkook didn’t exist anymore.
The familiar ache settled heavily in Jungkook’s chest.
A year later and it still hurt.
Because Yoongi wasn’t just another coworker.
He had been his partner sometimes, his hyung, his family.
Jungkook respected him deeply.
Loved him too, honestly.
But ever since the breakup with Taehyung—
Everything shattered.
Yoongi never forgave him.
And maybe he never would.
Jungkook still remembered that night vividly.
Too vividly.
Rain pouring outside his apartment.
Yoongi furious beyond reason.
Jungkook trying to explain without really explaining.
And suddenly—
Yoongi raising his gun.
Not joking.
Not dramatic.
Actually raising it toward Jungkook with shaking hands and red eyes.
“Fix this,” Yoongi had said through clenched teeth.
“Or I swear to god I’ll shoot you myself.”
Jungkook remembered staring at him silently.
Because the terrifying part wasn’t the gun.
It was realizing Yoongi meant it.
Not because he hated Jungkook.
Because he loved Taehyung more.
That night Jungkook understood something painful:
He hadn’t only lost Taehyung.
He lost Yoongi too.
The detective disappeared down the hallway without a single glance backward.
Jungkook exhaled slowly through his nose before continuing toward the parking lot.
His body felt heavy.
He needed, food, sleep and silence.
Instead he pulled his phone out.
The call connected after two rings.
“Hello?”
Jungkook unlocked his car tiredly.
“Jimin. Where are you?”
A yawn answered him first.
Then:
“Near the company building.”
“You okay?”
“Fine. Fine.” Jimin sounded exhausted already.
Jungkook asked “Are you free for coffee?”
Jimin snorted softly.
“You’re asking me that? You sound half dead.”
Jungkook “ I am okay”
“I have practice in an hour,” Jimin complained. “Hurry.”
The call ended.
Jungkook tossed his phone onto the passenger seat before starting the engine.
The city moved around him in slow morning traffic while exhaustion pulled heavily at his eyes.
And unconsciously—
Like always—
He took the same route.
The route past Tae’s flower shop.
Jungkook noticed it immediately.
The soft green sign.
The flowers outside.
The familiar front window.
His hands tightened slightly around the steering wheel.
Then he saw him.
Taehyung stood outside the shop arranging flowers carefully near the entrance.
Simple oversized sweater.
Soft hair falling into his eyes.
Gentle movements.
Peaceful.
Jungkook’s chest hurt instantly.
Even from this far away, Tae looked exactly the same in the mornings.
Careful.
Quiet.
Beautiful.
For one dangerous second Jungkook almost stopped the car.
Almost.
But he kept driving.
Because he knew better.
Showing up suddenly would only hurt Tae again.
Still—
His eyes lingered on the rearview mirror long after the flower shop disappeared behind him.
Trying desperately not to drown in memories.
—
The café beside the entertainment company building was crowded with trainees and exhausted staff carrying iced coffees larger than their will to live.
Jungkook spotted Jimin immediately near the window.
And honestly—
He looked terrible.
Beautiful, obviously. People were staring at him while he was cluless.
But exhausted.
His hoodie hung looser than usual around his body, dark circles sat beneath his eyes, and his posture screamed physical pain.
Jungkook frowned the moment he sat down across from him.
“What happened to you this morning?”
Jimin took one long sip of coffee before answering flatly:
“Met Yoongi this morning.”
Jungkook nodded slowly.
Ah.
That explained everything.
No further explanation needed.
A tired waitress placed Jungkook’s coffee down before leaving again.
Jungkook leaned back in the chair.
“How’s practice?”
Jimin stared quietly into his drink for a moment.
Then suddenly asked:
“Do you think I’m stupid?”
Jungkook blinked.
“and where did this come from?”
Jimin laughed weakly without humor.
“I’m twenty-eight and still chasing a dream I had when I was fourteen.” His fingers tightened slightly around the cup. “Nothing changed. Still backup dancer. Still running after auditions. Still waiting for my chance to finally matter.”
Jungkook frowned immediately.
“What are you talking about?” he asked seriously. “You do matter.”
Jimin looked unconvinced.
Jungkook pointed at him lazily with his coffee.
“Didn’t you tell me some famous guy wanted you on the performance team? What was his name again?”
“Hoseok.”
“Right. Hoseok.”
Jungkook shrugged.
“So clearly you’re good.”
Jimin sighed softly.
“I’m still just a backup dancer, JK.”
Jungkook leaned back in the chair.
“So what?” he said honestly. “Don’t tell me Yoongi’s words got into your head.”
Jimin stayed quiet.
And somehow that silence answered enough.
Jungkook sighed.
“You’re the best dancer I’ve ever met,” he said firmly. “You’re talented, ridiculously hardworking, professional as hell, and honestly annoying because you somehow look good even when sleep deprived.”
Jimin snorted quietly.
Jungkook continued:
“What would a guy like Yoongi understand about art anyway?”
That finally earned him a small giggle.
“There,” Jungkook pointed. “That’s better.”
Jimin shook his head softly.
“I’m just exhausted.”
“I know.”
Jungkook studied him carefully for a second.
“Didn’t you say the audition’s in two days?”
Jimin nodded slowly.
“You’ll get in,” Jungkook said confidently. “I’m serious.”
Jimin smiled faintly.
“What’s the group again?” Jungkook asked and then snapped his fingers immediately.
“BTS.”
Jimin actually looked surprised he remembered.
“Yes. BTS.”
“Haven’t you danced for them before?” Jungkook asked. “You said one of them believed in you or something.”
Jimin smiled softly into his coffee then.
A real smile this time.
“He did.”
“But?”
“That was four years ago, Jungkook.”
“So what?” Jungkook shrugged. “You’re fucking talented, Jimin. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.”
Jimin nodded quietly.
Then after a moment he asked softly:
“Have you seen him today?”
Jungkook instantly knew who he meant.
He looked down at the table briefly before nodding once.
“I did.”
Jimin waited quietly.
“He looked okay,” Jungkook admitted softly.
Jimin nodded.
“He’s much better now.”
A strange silence settled between them after that.
Heavy.
Careful.
Jimin sighed eventually.
“Will you ever tell him?”
“No.”
The answer came immediately.
Sharp.
Absolute.
No hesitation.
Jimin looked at him sadly.
“Jungkook—”
“No.”
Jungkook’s jaw tightened slightly now.
“And you won’t either. You promised.”
Jimin nodded slowly.
“I know.”
But he still looked unconvinced.
Jungkook looked away toward the café window.
“If he knows the truth,” he said quietly, “then everything I did becomes pointless.”
Jimin’s expression fell.
Because unlike Taehyung—
Jimin knew.
He knew the real reason Jungkook left.
The real reason Jungkook destroyed both of them.
And maybe that made him the loneliest person between them all.
Jungkook suddenly stood up, grabbing his jacket.
“I need sleep before tonight’s shift.”
Jimin looked up immediately.
“You’re leaving already?”
Jungkook nodded once.
Then after a pause he reached over and shoved Jimin’s untouched sandwich slightly closer toward him.
“Eat before you pass out again.”
Jimin rolled his eyes tiredly.
But Jungkook noticed the tiny smile anyway.
Then he turned and walked out of the café.
Exhausted.
Heart aching.
And still hopelessly in love with Kim Taehyung.
*****
The flower shop was quiet again.
Outside, evening had already started settling over the city, turning the sky dark blue behind the large glass windows. Warm yellow lights glowed softly inside the shop, reflecting against buckets of roses and lilies lined neatly near the entrance.
Kim Taehyung stood behind the counter carefully trimming the stems of white carnations, but his attention kept drifting toward his phone resting beside the register.
Still nothing.
His brows pulled together slightly.
That was strange.
Jimin always texted.
Always.
During breaks.
Between practices.
While eating.
While complaining dramatically about life.
Even when exhausted, Jimin always found time to message Tae somehow.
Taehyung picked the phone up again.
No new notifications.
Was he still upset about this morning?
The thought made Tae sigh softly.
He quickly opened his chat with Min Yoongi and typed:
[Have you called Jimin?)
The answer came less than a minute later.
[oops]
Taehyung stared at the screen in disbelief before huffing silently.
Unbelievable.
He typed quickly:
[HYUNG!]
But no answer came after that.
Taehyung sighed again before finally locking the shop register.
“Goodnight, hyung,” Woo Seok said while pulling his jacket on.
Taehyung smiled tiredly and signed:
Go home safely.
Woo Seok grinned immediately.
“You too.”
A few minutes later, Taehyung stepped outside into the cold evening air.
The streets were busy with people heading home from work, headlights glowing against wet roads from earlier rain. Taehyung tucked his hands inside his coat pockets while walking slowly toward the bus stop.
Then—
His phone rang.
Taehyung frowned immediately.
Jimin.
His stomach dropped instantly.
Jimin never called.
Never.
He knows Tae won’t pick up, he knows.
Fear hit him so fast it almost hurt.
Taehyung answered immediately.
A strange voice spoke instead.
“Hello? Hello? Sir, are you there?”
Taehyung froze.
His heart started pounding violently.
The man kept talking quickly.
“Sir, this phone belongs to someone named Jimin, right? We found him unconscious in the street. We’re taking him to the hospital now— sir? Sir?”
Taehyung’s mouth opened instinctively.
Nothing came out.
Only a broken gasp.
Panic exploded inside him instantly.
The stranger sounded confused now.
“Sir? Can you hear me?”
Taehyung’s vision blurred.
Jimin.
Hospital.
Unconscious.
Again.
No no no—
His hands shook violently as tears suddenly spilled down his face.
Before the man could continue, Taehyung ended the call accidentally with trembling fingers.
For a second he just stood there in the middle of the sidewalk unable to breathe.
Then he quickly opened Yoongi’s chat.
[Yoongi.
Jimin is in the hospital.]
Sent.
Nothing.
Taehyung typed again desperately.
[Hyung answer me please]
Nothing.
People kept walking around him while panic swallowed him whole.
He needed to go.
He needed to know where Jimin was.
He needed—
His breathing became uneven.
Too fast.
No.
No no no.
Not now.
He couldn’t panic now.
Not when Jimin needed him.
Taehyung pressed a shaking hand over his mouth trying desperately to control his breathing.
Think.
Think.
Who could help?
His contacts blurred through tears while he searched blindly.
Yoongi still wasn’t answering.
Taehyung felt completely alone.
Then suddenly—
Jungkook.
His fingers moved before he could think.
[Jimin is in the hospital.
I don’t know what to do.
I don’t know which hospital.]
The answer came less than a minute later.
[Where are you?]
Taehyung sent the location immediately.
Another message appeared right away.
[I’m coming.
Stay there.]
That was it.
Simple.
Certain.
And somehow those two words alone made Taehyung break completely.
He slid down weakly against the wall beside the bus stop until he was sitting on the cold pavement, hands trembling violently in his lap.
Jimin was in the hospital.
Something happened.
Again.
And Jimin was angry this morning.
His stomach twisted painfully.
Taehyung opened Jimin’s chat with blurry eyes and typed desperately.
[Jimin answer me]
Another message.
[Tell me you’re okay]
And another.
[Jimin please]
His vision shook.
Breathing harder now.
Too hard.
Too fast.
The panic attack clawed violently up his chest.
Not now.
Please not now—
Suddenly—
A hand touched his shoulder.
Taehyung flinched so hard he nearly fell backward.
But then he saw him.
Jungkook crouched beside him on the pavement, breathing slightly hard like he had run here.
Jungkook was saying something.
Taehyung couldn’t hear it properly.
Everything sounded distant.
Blurred.
Jungkook’s hands moved to cup his face gently.
“Tae.”
Taehyung’s eyes darted toward him.
“Look at me,” Jungkook said firmly but softly. “Come on. Look at me.”
Taehyung’s breathing shook violently.
Jungkook kept his voice calm.
“You’re okay.”
His thumbs brushed lightly beneath Tae’s eyes.
“You’re okay. Breathe first.”
Taehyung stared at him helplessly.
Jungkook’s expression looked terrified too.
But controlled.
Always controlled for Tae.
“Good,” Jungkook murmured quietly when Tae finally focused on him properly. “That’s it.”
Taehyung swallowed hard.
Jungkook stood carefully before helping him up from the pavement.
“Let’s go.”
Taehyung nodded shakily.
They got into Jungkook’s car silently.
The moment the doors shut, the world outside disappeared into muffled silence.
Taehyung curled his trembling fingers tightly into his sleeves.
Jungkook drove quickly but carefully through traffic, one hand tight around the steering wheel.
“He’s okay,” Jungkook said after a moment.
Taehyung looked toward him immediately.
“They said he collapsed leaving the company.” Jungkook glanced briefly at him. “Looks like he hurt his ankle falling down the stairs.”
Fuck.
Taehyung’s eyes burned again.
He stared forward helplessly while trying not to imagine worse possibilities.
Jimin hated hospitals.
Jimin hated being weak.
And he had been alone.
Taehyung clenched his hands tighter.
Jungkook noticed immediately.
Without speaking, he quietly reached over for one second and squeezed Tae’s wrist gently.
Just once.
Then let go.
But somehow it grounded Tae enough to keep breathing.
—
Hospitals always smelled cold.
Too bright.
Too clean.
The second they entered through the emergency doors Taehyung felt panic rising again.
People moved everywhere around them, nurses, stretchers, crying families, doctors rushing past.
Too much noise.
Too much movement.
Jungkook immediately stepped slightly closer to him instinctively.
Protective.
“Excuse me,” Jungkook said quickly at the reception desk. “Park Jimin. He was brought in maybe thirty minutes ago.”
The nurse typed quickly.
Taehyung stood beside him searching frantically around the waiting area like Jimin might suddenly appear.
“Room 307.”
“Thank you.”
Jungkook turned immediately.
And before Taehyung could start spiraling again—
Jungkook took his hand.
Naturally.
Like he used to.
Warm fingers wrapping firmly around Tae’s cold shaking ones.
“Come on.”
Taehyung followed him instantly.
The hospital hallway felt endless.
His heartbeat got louder with every step.
Then finally—
Room 307.
Jungkook opened the door quickly.
And there he was.
Jimin sat upright against the hospital bed looking pale and exhausted, one ankle trapped in a large cast.
The second he saw Taehyung—
His entire face crumbled guiltily.
“Oh, Tae…”
Jimin immediately reached his arms out.
Taehyung ran to him instantly.
The moment he touched him, relief shattered through his body so violently he started crying again.
Jimin wrapped his arms around him carefully despite wincing slightly in pain.
“I’m sorry,” Jimin whispered quickly. “I’m sorry. They told me they called you— I asked for my phone but they wouldn’t give it back yet— Tae, I’m sorry—”
Taehyung buried his face against his shoulder trembling.
Jimin rubbed his back gently.
“Shhh. Hey. I’m okay. I’m okay now.”
Behind them Jungkook finally exhaled shakily for what felt like the first time.
“You scared the shit out of us, Jimin,” he snapped immediately, voice rough with leftover fear. “What the fuck?”
Jimin looked smaller somehow then.
More sad than hurt.
And finally Jungkook noticed the thick cast around his ankle properly.
“Fuck…”
Jimin gave a weak laugh.
Taehyung pulled back just enough to look at him fully now, eyes red and panicked and still checking every visible injury.
Jimin looked exhausted.
Too pale.
There was a bandage near his temple too.
“I got dizzy,” Jimin admitted quietly. “Really dizzy…”
Jungkook’s expression hardened instantly.
“I thought you ate.”
Jimin looked down guiltily.
“They called me suddenly and I had to go back upstairs…” he mumbled weakly.
Taehyung stared at him in disbelief.
Of course.
Of course he didn’t eat again.
“I passed out,” Jimin continued quietly. “Then I fell down the stairs.”
He forced a weak smile.
“So. Concussion. Broken ankle. Fun day.”
Taehyung’s eyes filled again immediately.
He squeezed Jimin’s hand tightly.
Jimin looked at him.
And suddenly his own eyes started watering too.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered again.
Taehyung immediately wrapped both arms around him carefully again.
Jimin melted against him instantly.
After a long silence, Jimin laughed weakly through tears.
“Guess I won’t make the audition after all.”
Jungkook sighed heavily before sitting on the other side of the bed.
“You’ll get another chance, hyung.”
Jimin nodded slowly.
But he looked devastated.
Because this wasn’t just another audition.
This one mattered.
Taehyung knew it.
Jungkook knew it.
The room fell quiet again for a moment.
Then suddenly Jimin frowned slightly while looking between them.
Suspicion slowly appeared on his face.
“Wait…”
His eyes narrowed weakly.
“How did you two even meet?”
Before anyone could answer Jimin’s question, the hospital room door slammed open hard enough to make Taehyung jump.
Min Yoongi stormed inside breathing heavily, dark coat still hanging open like he ran through half the hospital to get there.
His eyes immediately found Taehyung crying beside the bed, Jimin pale and injured and Jungkook sitting beside them.
But the moment he saw both Tae and Jimin conscious, something inside him visibly broke with relief.
“Fuck,” he breathed out harshly. “You two gave me a fucking heart attack.”
He walked straight toward the bed.
Taehyung smiled weakly while wiping his tears quickly.
Yoongi stopped directly in front of him first, hands gripping Tae’s shoulders tightly while checking him over instinctively.
“After you texted me, I left my phone at the station,” he said quickly, guilt obvious beneath his rough voice. “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
Taehyung immediately shook his head and signed softly:
It’s okay.
Yoongi exhaled shakily before finally turning toward Jimin.
And immediately his face hardened again.
“What the hell happened to you?”
Jimin didn’t answer.
Didn’t even look at him.
He kept staring quietly at the blanket over his legs instead.
Still angry.
Still hurt.
And somehow that silence affected Yoongi more than yelling would have.
The detective sighed heavily.
“The doctor said you’ll be okay,” he muttered eventually. “Minor concussion. Broken ankle.”
Jimin nodded once.
Nothing more.
Yoongi rubbed tiredly at his forehead.
“Maybe if you hadn’t lost your shit this morning and actually ate your fucking breakfast, none of this would’ve happened.”
Jimin nodded again slowly.
“Yeah,” he said quietly. “My fault.”
The answer was so flat.
So exhausted.
That even Taehyung winced.
Yoongi opened his mouth again—
Then finally noticed Jungkook properly sitting beside the bed.
The entire atmosphere changed instantly.
His expression darkened.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
Jungkook flinched
Jimin immediately closed his eyes briefly like his headache suddenly worsened.
Then Yoongi snapped sharply toward him.
“Did you fucking call him?”
Jimin pressed his fingers against his temple painfully.
“Stop yelling, hyung,” he muttered weakly. “I literally have a concussion.”
Yoongi ignored that completely.
"Did you call him?”
"He is my friend”
“ friend ?” he scoffed angrily.
“Yes,” Jimin shot back tiredly. “He is.”
Yoongi laughed once without humor.
“What are you even thinking?” Then he looked sharply toward Taehyung. “Tae. Let’s go.”
But Taehyung tightened his grip around Jimin’s hand instead.
The silent answer hit harder than words.
Jungkook slowly stood from the chair before things could escalate further.
“It’s okay,” he said quietly. “I was leaving anyway.”
Yoongi looked ready to explode from the inside.
His jaw clenched violently while he stared at Jungkook with open hatred.
Then without another word, he stormed out of the room again.
The silence afterward felt awful.
Heavy.
Taehyung looked helplessly between Jungkook and Jimin before signing quickly toward Jungkook:
I’m sorry.
Jungkook immediately shook his head.
“It’s okay,” he said softly. “Don’t worry about it.”
But Taehyung could still see the hurt hiding beneath his calm face.
Jungkook turned toward Jimin then.
“I’ll go ask the doctor when they’re discharging you, okay?”
Jimin only nodded tiredly.
Then Jungkook left quietly.
The second the door closed, the room felt strangely smaller.
Taehyung turned back toward Jimin immediately.
He nudged his shoulder gently until Jimin looked at him.
Taehyung signed carefully:
Are you okay?
Jimin stared at him for a long moment.
Then slowly shook his head.
Honestly.
Finally honestly.
He rubbed both hands over his tired face before whispering:
“I really wanted this audition, Tae.”
Taehyung’s chest tightened painfully.
Jimin laughed weakly without humor.
“I needed it.”
His eyes looked glossy again.
“I need money. I can’t afford staying in bed.”
Taehyung immediately signed:
Stop worrying about money.
Jimin groaned softly.
“No. We have rent.”
Taehyung quickly signed again:
I can—
But Jimin grabbed his wrist gently and shook his head immediately.
“No.”
He leaned back against the pillow carefully, exhaustion finally winning over anger.
His skin looked pale beneath the hospital lights.
“I’m ruined,” he whispered quietly.
Taehyung’s eyes filled instantly again.
Because Jimin looked genuinely devastated.
Not about the injury.
About losing the audition.
—
Outside the room, Jungkook barely made it three steps down the hallway before Yoongi suddenly blocked his path.
The older detective looked furious.
Dangerously furious.
“Don’t you dare,” Yoongi said immediately.
Jungkook sighed tiredly.
“He’s my friend.”
“I don’t fucking care who Jimin is friends with,” Yoongi snapped. “But if I see you in the same room with my brother again, I swear to god—”
“Hyung,” Jungkook interrupted quietly. “Please.”
Yoongi’s eyes flashed angrily.
“You know I’d never hurt him.”
Yoongi laughed bitterly.
“You already hurt him enough.”
That one landed hard.
Jungkook looked down silently.
Yoongi stepped closer now, voice low and sharp.
“Listen carefully, Jungkook. If I see you near him again, I’ll beat the shit out of you myself.” His jaw tightened. “I don’t want you anywhere near my brother. Understood?”
Jungkook stayed silent.
So Yoongi yelled louder:
“Understood?”
Jungkook nodded once slowly.
“Yes, hyung.”
“I’m not your fucking hyung, asshole.”
Then Yoongi turned and stormed back toward the room immediately.
Jungkook stayed standing there alone for a moment afterward.
Quiet.
Exhausted.
Hurting.
Then eventually he sighed deeply and walked toward the doctor’s office instead.
—
Back inside the room, Yoongi entered still visibly angry.
“Don’t call him again knowing Tae will be there,” he snapped immediately. “It’s either him or Tae.”
Jimin looked up at him with huge exhausted eyes.
At first he actually flinched.
Then slowly rested his head back against the pillow.
He looked too tired to even argue anymore.
“I didn’t call anyone,” he mumbled with eyes closed. “Maybe they did.”
Yoongi frowned.
“They?”
“The hospital,” Jimin sighed weakly. “I was unconscious, hyung. I don’t know anything.”
Yoongi went quiet finally.
Then suddenly jimin heard
“You did?”
Jimin frowned and opened his eyes again.
“I said—”
But then he noticed Taehyung signing quickly beside him.
You didn’t answer. I couldn’t talk. I didn’t know who to call.
Taehyung’s hands trembled slightly while signing.
They told me Jimin was in the hospital… I panicked. I called him. He came immediately.
Silence filled the room afterward.
No one spoke.
Yoongi stared quietly at Taehyung for several long seconds.
Then finally nodded once.
Like he understood.
Even if he hated it.
He looked back toward Jimin again.
“Are you leaving tonight?”
Jimin nodded weakly.
“They said I can leave. But I need to stay awake because of the concussion.”
Yoongi nodded once.
“You’re okay then. Let’s go.”
Jimin immediately let his head fall dramatically back against the pillow.
“You need to carry me, hyung,” he whined weakly. “I can’t move.”
He was teasing.
Barely.
Yoongi stared at him flatly.
“Not gonna happen.”
Jimin smiled for the first time since morning.
Tiny.
Exhausted.
But real.
And Taehyung finally breathed a little easier seeing it.
*****
The police station felt unusually tense that morning.
Even the younger officers moving around the hallways spoke quieter than normal, exchanging careful looks every time they passed the closed office at the end of the corridor.
Jungkook sat behind his desk pretending to read through robbery reports, but honestly, he hadn’t processed a single word in the last ten minutes.
Because he could still hear yelling.
From behind Kim Namjoon’s office door.
And Namjoon almost never yelled.
That alone was enough to make everyone nervous.
Another loud voice echoed through the hallway.
Yoongi.
Jungkook immediately looked up from his papers.
“—we don’t have any proof, Yoongi!” Namjoon snapped from inside the office.
Jungkook frowned immediately.
Then Yoongi’s voice exploded right after:
“What more proof do you fucking need?! Our men died that night!”
The station went almost silent.
Nobody moved.
Nobody interrupted.
Namjoon answered sharply:
“And no one can prove it was him!”
Jungkook slowly stood from his chair now.
Not because he wanted drama.
Because hearing Yoongi like that genuinely worried him.
He quietly stepped outside his office and moved closer down the hallway.
Careful.
Trying not to be seen.
Inside the office Yoongi was still yelling.
“Our men died in that explosion, Namjoon!”
Namjoon sounded equally frustrated now.
“To everyone else it was an accident!”
“It wasn’t!”
“Then prove it!”
Silence slammed down for one second.
Then suddenly—
The office door opened directly into Jungkook’s face.
Fuck.
Yoongi stormed out so fast he almost collided into him.
The older detective froze immediately.
For exactly one second.
His exhausted eyes locked onto Jungkook standing there awkwardly outside the office like a teenager caught eavesdropping.
The atmosphere turned icy instantly.
Jungkook opened his mouth slightly.
Nothing came out.
Yoongi’s expression hardened again immediately before he shoved past him without another word and disappeared down the hallway.
The station stayed silent.
Jungkook stood frozen in place.
Well.
That was stupid.
“JK,” Namjoon called tiredly from inside the office. “Get in here.”
Jungkook sighed quietly before stepping inside.
Namjoon looked exhausted.
Actually exhausted.
The police chief leaned back heavily in his chair while rubbing his forehead with one hand. Files covered almost every surface inside the office, along with cold coffee cups and crime scene photos spread across the desk.
Namjoon grabbed a cigarette pack lazily.
He lit one.
Then held another toward Jungkook.
Jungkook took it immediately.
The silence lasted a moment while smoke slowly filled the room.
Finally Jungkook asked quietly:
“What was that about?”
Namjoon exhaled slowly.
“Choi clan again.”
Jungkook nodded immediately.
Of course.
The Choi clan.
One of the biggest organized crime groups in Seoul.
Weapons.
Smuggling.
Drugs.
Corruption.
And somehow every single investigation against them disappeared before reaching court.
Yoongi had been chasing them obsessively ever since joining the force.
Too obsessively maybe.
Something personal existed there.
Jungkook always knew that.
But Yoongi never liked to talk about it.
“Something happened?” Jungkook asked carefully.
Namjoon dragged tiredly from his cigarette before answering.
“The usual. Weapons passed through the docks right under our noses again.”
His jaw tightened.
“It’s going to drive Yoongi insane one night.”
Jungkook stayed quiet.
Then Namjoon suddenly added:
“Didn’t Tae end up in the hospital last night?”
Jungkook nodded automatically.
“Jimin.”
Namjoon blinked.
Then cursed softly under his breath.
“Shit. Right.” He sighed tiredly. “Sometimes I forget the complicated history you people have.”
Jungkook looked away quietly.
“Sorry,” Namjoon added honestly.
Jungkook just nodded once.
The room fell silent again.
Then Namjoon grabbed another file from the desk.
“What about the jewelry shop robbery?”
That finally made Jungkook smile slightly.
“I’m working on it, hyung.”
Namjoon nodded approvingly.
Then after a pause, he leaned back again.
“Listen… I know these cases probably feel boring to you.”
Jungkook immediately shook his head.
“No. No, hyung.” He sat straighter automatically. “It’s okay. I’m okay this way.”
Namjoon studied him quietly for a second.
“Are you sure?”
Jungkook nodded immediately.
“Yeah.”
A pause.
“Everything’s okay.”
It was a lie.
Namjoon knew it too.
But neither of them said anything else.
—
Meanwhile, three days later—
The apartment smelled like coffee, medicine, and fabric softener.
Jimin was absolutely losing his mind.
Being forced to stay in bed for days felt like torture.
Especially for someone who physically could not sit still.
The problem was—
His body clearly disagreed with him.
The moment Jimin tried walking out of the bedroom toward the living room alone, pain shot violently through his ankle.
“Fuck—”
He grabbed the wall immediately while limping badly forward.
His head still hurt too.
The concussion headaches came and went randomly, making him dizzy whenever he stood too long.
Still—
He refused to stay trapped in bed forever.
The moment Taehyung saw him limping out of the hallway, panic crossed his face instantly.
Taehyung hurried toward him immediately.
What are you doing?!
Jimin laughed weakly.
“I’m surviving.”
Taehyung ignored him completely and wrapped an arm carefully around his waist before helping him toward the couch.
Jimin sighed dramatically while collapsing against the cushions.
“I won’t stay in bed forever, Tae,” he complained. “I’m bored.”
Taehyung crouched in front of him immediately, worried eyes scanning his face.
How’s your head?
Jimin shrugged slightly.
“Better.”
Then his eyes narrowed suddenly.
“Wait.”
He looked toward the clock.
“Tae, why didn’t you go to work?”
Taehyung froze slightly.
Jimin stared at him in disbelief.
“It’s been three days already.”
Taehyung signed quickly:
I’m not leaving you alone.
“For two weeks?” Jimin almost yelled. “Are you insane?”
Taehyung stayed stubbornly silent.
Jimin groaned loudly.
“No. Absolutely not. You need to go back.”
He pointed dramatically toward the flower shop direction.
“I’m sure your flowers are asking about you.”
That finally made Taehyung smile softly.
But he still looked unconvinced.
Jimin sighed and reached for his hand gently.
“I’m okay now,” he said more quietly. “I promise.”
Taehyung still frowned.
“I’ll just stay here watching Netflix.” Jimin shrugged weakly. “I’m not exactly running marathons with this.”
Taehyung signed quickly:
You’ll need help going to the bathroom.
Jimin looked deeply offended.
“My ankle is broken,” he argued. “Not my dignity.”
Taehyung actually laughed silently.
Then immediately signed again:
I hate leaving you alone.
The words made Jimin’s expression soften immediately.
He knew exactly why.
Ever since the breakup…
Taehyung hated empty apartments.
Hated silence.
Hated being left alone with his thoughts too long.
Jimin smiled gently now.
“I’ll sleep most of the time anyway.”
Taehyung still looked hesitant.
“Come on,” Jimin said softly. “Don’t be late because of me.”
Eventually—
Very eventually—
Taehyung finally stood up to get ready.
And then immediately began preparing the living room like Jimin was about to survive a natural disaster alone.
Jimin watched in disbelief while Taehyung moved around nonstop:
• laptop
• water bottles
• fruit
• snacks
• medicine
• blanket
• phone charger
• TV remote
• books
• hoodie
• extra pants
• second phone
• thermal mug filled with coffee
Jimin started giggling halfway through.
“Tae.”
Taehyung ignored him completely while adjusting the blanket again.
“Tae.”
Still ignored.
“Please stop.”
Taehyung finally paused.
Then checked everything one more time anyway.
Jimin looked ready to cry from affection honestly.
Taehyung grabbed his bag slowly.
I won’t be late, he signed carefully.
Jimin nodded.
Text me if anything happens.
Another nod.
Call your teammates.
“They’re busy.”
Call Jungkook then.
Jimin blinked.
Then snorted softly.
“Okay, okay.”
Taehyung walked closer and gently fixed Jimin’s messy blond hair one last time.
The gesture felt painfully soft.
Then finally he left the apartment.
The second the front door closed behind him—
Jimin collapsed on the couch, he was bored since the morning and now he had to go through this struggle alone.
Maybe not alone.
He took his phone and pressed dial
One ring
Two ring
"Hello”
" Jk..i am bored”
****
The flower shop was chaos the entire day.
Three days closed meant:
• delayed orders
• angry customers
• dying flowers
• event bookings
• wedding arrangements
• suppliers calling nonstop
Taehyung barely sat down once.
By evening his shoulders hurt, his hands smelled permanently of roses and soil, and guilt had been sitting heavily in his chest all day.
Because he barely texted Jimin.
Every time he picked his phone up, another customer walked in.
Every time he tried answering properly, Woo Seok needed help.
And Jimin was alone.
Taehyung knew Jimin said he was okay.
But still.
The guilt stayed there.
By the time he finally locked the flower shop, night had already fallen completely over Seoul.
The street outside looked wet and dark beneath flickering streetlights.
Taehyung immediately grabbed his phone while walking.
[im on my way home
thirty minutes]
The answer came almost instantly.
[finally
you are late tonight
im waiting]
Taehyung smiled immediately.
Warmth spread quietly through his chest.
Jimin always waited for him.
Always.
He slipped his phone back into his pocket before starting toward the bus stop.
The streets were unusually empty tonight.
Cold wind brushed against his face while distant thunder rolled somewhere above the city.
Then rain started.
Slow at first.
Just small drops against the pavement.
Taehyung sighed quietly and pulled his coat closer around himself.
Normally he loved nights like this.
Especially with Jungkook.
Walking beside him through quiet empty streets always made Taehyung feel strangely peaceful.
Safe.
He remembered Jungkook’s warm hand around his wris, his laughter echoing through empty roads, he remembered stopping for coffee at midnight and Jungkook putting his jacket over Tae’s shoulders when it rained.
The memories hurt now.
Taehyung lowered his gaze while walking faster.
Damn.
He missed him.
And somehow after the hospital…
Everything felt confusing again.
Because Jungkook still felt like Jungkook.
Still looked at him the same way.
Still protected him instinctively.
And Taehyung—
Taehyung still felt safe around him.
The realization alone scared him.
Rain suddenly became heavier.
Taehyung looked up immediately.
Shit.
Within minutes it was pouring hard enough to soak the streets silver beneath the lights.
He needed shelter.
Or a shortcut to the bus stop.
Then he remembered it.
The western park path.
Jungkook showed it to him once years ago during another rainy night.
“This way cuts fifteen minutes,” Jungkook had said proudly while dragging Tae through the park by the hand.
Taehyung swallowed hard at the memory.
Then turned toward the park entrance anyway.
The western park looked almost abandoned at night.
Dark trees swayed violently beneath the rain while water dripped heavily from branches overhead.
Taehyung shoved his hands into his pockets while walking faster along the narrow pathway.
The deeper he walked, the quieter everything became.
Only rain.
Only wind.
Only distant thunder.
Then—
A scream.
Taehyung froze instantly.
It was a man’s scream.
Raw.
Terrified.
His heartbeat stumbled violently.
For one second he thought maybe he imagined it.
Then another broken cry echoed through the park.
Taehyung’s breathing slowed.
Fear crawled instantly beneath his skin.
Move.
Leave.
Go back.
But somehow his feet carried him forward instead.
Slowly.
Carefully.
The rain blurred his vision while he moved deeper between the trees.
Then—
He saw them.
Under a single streetlamp near the far corner of the park.
A group of men dressed entirely in black suits.
Their backs faced Taehyung.
Maybe six.
Maybe seven.
Taehyung couldn’t count properly through panic.
And there—
On his knees in the mud—
A young man.
Barely older than twenty.
His hands tied painfully behind his back.
Face bloody.
Lip split open.
Crying so hard he could barely breathe.
Taehyung stopped breathing completely.
The boy looked up desperately toward the man standing in front of him.
The obvious leader.
Everything about him screamed power.
A long beige coat.
Black gloves.
A cigar between elegant fingers.
Someone beside him held an umbrella above his head while rain poured everywhere else.
Taehyung took few steps to get a better view.
The boy sobbed violently.
“Please… please, sir… I didn’t do anything…”
The man nodded calmly.
“You didn’t,” he agreed softly.
His voice sounded terrifyingly gentle.
“That’s true.”
Taehyung’s stomach twisted violently.
The man crouched slightly in front of the crying boy.
“But sometimes,” he continued calmly, “you don’t need to do something wrong to receive punishment.”
The boy shook uncontrollably now.
“I—I don’t understand—”
“It’s not about you,” the man interrupted softly.
Then he smiled slightly.
“It’s your father.”
Taehyung’s body locked completely.
No.
No no no—
The man slowly pulled a gun from inside his coat.
The boy immediately started screaming.
Begging.
Crying.
Trying desperately to move backward through the mud.
Taehyung slapped a trembling hand over his mouth to stop himself from making noise.
The gun lifted calmly toward the boy’s forehead.
Bang.
The sound exploded through the park.
Taehyung gasped sharply in horror—
And accidentally slipped backward against the wet pavement.
The noise echoed loudly.
One of the men turned immediately.
Then another.
Taehyung looked up in terror.
The dead boy collapsed sideways into the mud, blood mixing with rainwater beneath him.
And the men were staring directly at Tae now.
For one horrible second—
Nobody moved.
Then one of them shouted:
“There!”
Taehyung ran.
Pure instinct.
Pure terror.
He turned and sprinted blindly through the rain.
Branches scratched against his face while his shoes slipped violently against wet ground.
Behind him—
Footsteps.
Men shouting.
Running after him.
Taehyung couldn’t breathe.
Couldn’t think.
He just ran.
His chest burned painfully while panic ripped through him.
Phone.
Need phone.
Need Yoongi.
Need Jungkook—
His trembling hands searched desperately through his pocket while still running.
The rain blurred everything around him.
He couldn’t even tell where he was going anymore.
The park exit suddenly appeared ahead.
Lights.
Cars.
People.
Relief crashed through him instantly.
Almost there.
Almost safe—
Taehyung looked behind himself for one second.
The men were still chasing him.
Still close.
Fear exploded harder inside him.
So he ran directly into the street—
And never saw the car coming.
Headlights.
A horn screaming loudly.
Then—
Impact.
Pain tore violently through his entire body.
Taehyung felt himself thrown sideways onto the wet road.
The world spun.
Sound disappeared.
Rain hit his face while agony exploded everywherehis head, his ribs, his arm, his legs.
He couldn’t breathe.
Somewhere far away people were yelling.
Someone shouting.
Car doors opening.
But Taehyung could only stare weakly upward at the rain falling from the black sky.
Cold.
Everything felt cold.
Then slowly—
Darkness swallowed him whole.