"I don't like this."

"You don't have to."

"I should have never agreed with you."

"Then just go home!" Heejae hissed as she turned around to look at the irritating man.

Yoongi's face was covered by a mask, his hoodie covering the rest of his head. In the night crowd of Seoul, he didn't look that out of place in his ripped black jeans and the oversized grey hoodie. In fact at night this late, no one cared.

She could tell he was scowling beneath his mask by the way his eyes narrowed on her and she was sure she sported the same expression.

"I really should, shouldn't I?" he let out with a chuckle. "I should be dragging you with me as well," he said starting to walk again and giving her a once over, "and I can't believe you wore that."

She frowned, looking down at the red dress that fit her like a glove and ended right above her knees, she did agree that it was a bit eye-catching but nothing immodest. In fact, it was one of her most proper dresses.

Annoyed by his tone, she stopped in the crowded street and put her hands on her hips as she glared at her boyfriend. "What do you mean, Yoongi? Now, are you down to controlling my wardrobe? Is that what it is? I didn't know you would be the controlling type."

Her chin high, she looked away with her jaw clenched and her ears red with anger. Yoongi sighed and took slow steps towards her till he could put his hands on her waist and pull her flush against him.

He bent down slightly and whispered in a deep voice only for her ears, "I say it because I want to take you home right now uncaring of your anger for ruining your plans and keep you awake for the rest of the night and too out of your mind to think about anything else."

For good measure and to make his intentions clear, he slid his hands down to her hips, squeezing them once and making her gasp as he stepped away. And it was just in time to see her red, shiny lips parted, her eyes wide and her face red before she masked it all under the veil of anger.

She opened her mouth, her hand raised as she poked a finger in his chest but before she could speak, the sound of a person clearing their throat caught their attention. The couple turned around to see a man dressed similarly as Yoongi but his mask was pulled down as his lips pursed in annoyance.

"Can you guys tone it down and focus on reaching this club you are taking me to?" Seokjin asked, his hands landing on his waist as he glared at them. "Because I need to get home to my woman who thinks I'm busy working but instead I'm here with you two buffoons who can't keep their anger in check nor their mouths and especially their hands. Honestly, I don't need this, I don't even know why I agreed to come with you guys. So, just keep your distance, keep your mouths shut, and freaking walk."

The words on Heejae's mouth died and her teeth sank into her bottom lip as she watched Seokjin pulling his mask over his red face. Turning forward, her eyes connected with her boyfriend's amused gaze and she couldn't help but giggle as Seokjin passed them, still muttering something under his breath. He was cute when he was angry.

"Come on," she heard Yoongi say just as she felt him clutch her hand, "let's get moving before Jin hyung releases cypher part five and six all by himself."

Laughing harder, she nodded and started walking, watching Seokjin as he fell in step beside her. As she recalled his words she couldn't help but smile knowing that he came with them for her, because she asked him to accompany them.

It wasn't for old time's sake when Heejae had made use of her connections to tip off the police about the gang that had been bothering Sehee. Seokjin had known all along but he didn't know who to talk to and so he had confided in her and she had done her best to help.

But she knew he wasn't repaying her, Seokjin just wasn't that kind of man. He was helping them because he wanted to protect her like the big brother he had become for everyone. He protected her because once upon a time, Yoongi had done the same for Sehee; considered her as part of his family.

His silent gestures warmed her heart, making her feel accepted just the way Yoongi's firm, warm grip on her hand did. And when they were just a few steps away from the club, she didn't realise she had been caught up in her thoughts for so long.

Stopping at a distance, she felt Yoongi grab her shoulders and turn her towards him. With his mask down and hood pushed back in the dark alleyway, she could see the concern all over his face.

"Heejae, please stay safe. I know we will be just a few steps away but please, please be careful. We don't know who you will meet or who is even following us as we speak but promise me you won't do anything stupid or I swear to God..." he trailed off, his eyes closing as she could feel his fear through his touch.

She smiled softly and cupped his face making him open his eyes. "I will be careful, Yoongi, I promise and I have that taser and pepper spray in my purse like always. I will be fine. We will be fine."

Gulping hard, he nodded once, pressing his lips against her forehead and stepped away. She felt another hand over her shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze as she looked over at Seokjin who smiled at her encouragingly even though worry shimmered in his eyes.

"We are here, do what you need to do and remember you are responsible for another life inside you, so be extra careful." His soft words and gentle reminder made her smile and she hugged him quickly before walking away confidently.

She would be damned if she didn't find out who was behind everything tonight.

***

Yoongi felt cold sweat drop down his neck, running along his spine as he watched Heejae walk to the front of the club confidently. But he didn't feel as confident nor did he want to because he was scared and concerned beyond bounds.

"She's going to be okay, Yoongi," he heard Seokjin say before he felt him squeeze his shoulder. He could only sigh and give him a nod. He was thankful for Seokjin's presence because he knew, without him, he would have dragged Heejae home and let her take out all her anger and frustration on him.

"I really don't like this, hyung," he said, walking slowly. "I know she's afraid and done waiting for the police and investigators but this is so dangerous. I don't want anything to happen to her because I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something did happen."

He hoped for Seokjin to agree with him and maybe he did but he just chuckled, making Yoongi frown as he looked at the older man. The said man had a soft smile and looked at him knowingly.

"You love her that much?"

Yoongi's eyes widened, his body freezing as his heart stopped for a moment before picking up its beat with a renewed vigour. Love...a familiar term, a regular term but not something he had ever thought about. Was he in love?

***

"Long time no see, Ms. Park. The regular one?" The old man, the bartender who seemed to always be there through her struggling years smiled at her kindly. She didn't even know his name and she was pretty sure he wasn't a normal person but she was glad to know she had someone to depend on.

"Yes, it's been long but I don't want alcohol tonight. I'm alone, don't wanna get carried away," she winked at him, smiling right after as she watched him make her a sweet mocktail behind the bar.

He put a tissue on the granite counter, an envelope right beneath it as he passed her the red coloured drink. "To match your dress," he winked back, flashing her his dimples and moving to another customer a few seats away from her.

Shaking her head, she discreetly put the envelope in her purse, her eyes scanning the pub. It was the same pub the cameraman was seen entering, the one where he had met the other client of his. It was also the one she frequented with her friends. She didn't believe it to be a coincidence.

The moment she heard the investigator say there was nothing in her old apartment or any activity in the run-down bar, she had a feeling that this was all a farce. Whoever was behind all of this seemed to know her and Yoongi well and was pretty smart too. She just couldn't understand what was the motive.

Looking around once again, she noticed that the crowd had suddenly become half of what it was before. She was also able to catch Yoongi's eye as she scanned the place, finding it strange when it was a weekend night.

Wanting to loiter around for a few more minutes and to see if she recognised anyone, she asked for a refill. The moment she picked the glass up, she was interrupted by her phone.

Pressing her lips together and feeling her stomach drop at the sight of an unknown number, she picked it up and cautiously answered it.

"Duck," a frantic voice said in her ear.

Bewildered, she frowned. "What?!"

"Duck, Heejae. Put your head down. Now!"

The urgency in his voice sparked something in her and she bent her body, her head tucked underneath the granite just in time to hear a bottle shatter.

"Heejae!" she heard someone yell but she wasn't sure if it was Yoongi, Seokjin, or the man who was still on call.

"Run! Now! Through the back door," the voice instructed again and feeling as if her body was made out of jello, she stood up straight, watching the glass and the amber liquid that was scattered everywhere. The bottle was right where her head had been when she was sitting straight.

The realisation sparking her into action and with the adrenaline coursing through her body, she didn't think twice before she bolted for the back door. She needed to get to safety.

Her vision was blurry, her hands sweating and her feet hurting as she dragged her body out but it didn't matter, nothing mattered except running away. Once out of the door she looked into the alley and to the car that stood there, the passenger side door open. Weird, she thought and didn't dare move until a familiar face poked out of the driver's side.

"Get in the car, Heejae," he shouted, his face a contorted mask of worry as he beckoned her forward. "We don't have much time, get in!"

She shook her head, remembering her doubts about him and looked back through the door she stumbled out of. She waited to see Yoongi or Seokjin coming out but it was pandemonium inside. They wouldn't make it out fast and it was her head the bullet was after.

Gulping her nerves, she looked back at the car and the man who waited for her. Taking a step forward she asked him, "How did you know that was going to happen? How did you know I would be here?"

"We don't have time for this, Heejae. Please get in the car. I'll explain everything once I get you to safety."

Safety... that's what she wanted but...

"Give me a reason to trust you, Hyunwoo."

She saw his lips moving, muttering curses but when he looked at her again, she could only see desperation.

"I love you, Heejae. I love you and the last thing I want to see is someone hurting you out of stupidity."

Her eyes widened, her breath getting heavier as she stopped mere steps away from his car. "You know who is doing all this?"

He bit his lip, his gaze flitting behind her but she couldn't bring herself to look. She wasn't about to let go of the one string of hope she had found even as her hackles raised in warning. So, without further thoughts that might stop her from getting her answers, she got inside the car, locking the gate and pulling the seatbelt securely around her.

When she looked over at her rescuer, he smiled at her with relief clear on his face and in a move she couldn't have seen coming, he leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers momentarily making her freeze in her spot, before he sighed softly.

"Thank you, Heejae. Thank you."

"J-just take me to my mother's house please," she whispered, her body tight as adrenaline still kept pumping through her body. From the corner of her eye, she saw him nod, a silly smile on his face as she typed a quick message to Yoongi about her plans.

In a moment of clarity, her hand brushed against the envelope she had gotten from the old man. She opened it slowly, taking out the first picture that came into her hand. When she looked at it she had to stop herself from sobbing.

"Oh, sweetie, you should have waited for me to explain."

~~~~
A/N:

Ahem!
So, yeah...

Happy Yoongi day!!

Any thoughts?

Word count: 2283

Thank you for reading!!❤️❤️