Yoongi and Taehyung sat together in the cafeteria, their trays filled with food. Yoongi's mind kept drifting back to the missing students, sighing aas he pushed his food around with his chopsticks. Taehyung noticed him and leaned in, whispering.

"The time seems to be coming soon, hyung," he said, his eyes scanning the room. "You know what I mean, right?"

Yoongi nodded as the younger referred to the time his kidnapped would be staged. "Yeah, I know. I hope it comes very soon. I just want to finish everything and be at peace." He huffed out.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed inside his pocket. He retrieved it, glancing at the screen and saw the caller ID: the head butler of his mansion. His brows furrowed in concern. The butler never called unless there was an emergency.

"What's wrong? Who's it?" Tae asked, looking at Yoongi's troubled features.

"Just the butler from my mansion," Yoongi muttered to him as he picked up the call. "What is it?"

"Master Yoongi, I'm sorry to disturb you, but there's an urgent matter at the mansion," the head butler's voice came through, tense and worried.

Yoongi's grip tightened on his phone. "What happened?"

"There was a break-in, sir. A few minutes ago," the butler said, his voice tense. "When we tried to interfere or do something, one of the intruders caught a maid and threatened to kill her if we don't stay silent. One of them demanded to know where you were. When we said we didn't know, they began breaking into all the rooms with weapons, taking some of the maids hostage. After searching thorough and thrashing everything, the man who seemed to be the head threatened us and handed over a letter. He said it was for you and that you will pay for everything you've done."

Yoongi exhaled softly, another shit to worry about. Couldn't anyone just let him be at peace? "Do you know who that man was? Have you seen him anywhere before?"

The butler hesitated before replying, "He appeared to be one of the mafias with only one level of status behind yours, Master."

Yoongi immediately understood who the butler meant. "Was anyone hurt?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"No, sir. Everyone is safe," the butler reassured him.

Yoongi's heart suddenly lurched. "Where's Jimin? Is he okay?"

Taehyung, who had been listening to Yoongi, interrupted, "Jimin is at the company. I gave him some work to do." He continued eating, unbothered.

Yoongi nodded, relieved. He then spoke into the phone again, "Close all the doors of the mansion and arm yourselves in case they come back. I'll be there this evening. Keep everything secured and don't let anyone in or out until I get there. Also, inform Jimin to be careful when he returns."

"Understood, sir."

With that, Yoongi ended the call, sighing softly to himself.

Taehyung looked at him. "What happened? Did something happen at your mansion?"

Yoongi brushed it off, trying to appear unbothered. "It's nothing. I can handle it."

Taehyung then said, "But hyung, you should inform Jin hyung first before planning to go back to your mansion."

Yoongi groaned. "You know how he is. He won't allow me to go back, especially after what happened last time I visite-"

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, cutting him off, "What happened last time?"

Yoongi froze as he looked away, silently sighing, "Nothing, kid."

"Well, you still have to inform him." Tae said.

Yoongi groaned again, the sound filling the cafeteria. He hated having to request anything from anyone, especially not from Kim Seokjin. It was his own place after all. The idea of asking Jin for permission grated on his nerves. But after what happened last time he visited, he knew Jin wouldn't let him go alone. Yoongi would have to coax him somehow.

But how could he coax Kim Seokjin? Was there anything he could do to melt him and trap him into giving his permission?

Taehyung laughed, watching Yoongi's thoughtful expression. "I know what you're thinking," he said.

Yoongi shot him a glare. "Oh, really? And what am I thinking, genius?"

Taehyung smirked. "You're trying to figure out how to get hyung to let you go without causing a scene. You're wondering how to make him agree."

Yoongi rolled his eyes. "And what do you suggest I do, wise one?"

Taehyung giggled, "Hyung, don't forget Jin hyung is a total softie."

"So?" Yoongi raised an eyebrow.

Tae gave a devilish smile. "Act cute, duh. You will defin-"

"No," Yoongi said as he glared at him. Obviously, it would be a no. There's no way he could act cute. No, he won't act cute, especially not to Kim Seokjin. He was not worth it.

Taehyung giggled, saying, "Aww, come on! Jin hyung might fall for it right away. It's the easiest way to coax him. Trust me, hyung."

But Yoongi continued to glare. "How can me acting cute be that effective on Seokjin?"

Taehyung leaned in, still smirking. "You would be suprised. As I said, he's a total softie. If not for us, then for you. If you could just show a bit of sweetness, he won't be able to resist."

Yoongi huffed, crossing his arms. "I refused to believe that acting 'cute' will work."

"Try it," Taehyung urged with sparkling eyes. "What's the worst that could happen? Jin hyung saying no? I bet he will melt right away. You don't know the powers you hold within yourself, hyung. Wait- do you even know how to act cute?"

Yoongi blinked, slowly shaking his head as a no. He knew Jimin did all the cute antics whenever he wanted something from Yoongi or when he didn't want to take his medicine. Yoongi always gave in during those times, except the medicine part, because it was crucial for Jimin's health.

But the thought of himself acting cute? It was ridiculous. Sure, it suited Jimin, he was born cute. But Yoongi, a top-ranked mafia king acting cute? It was absurd.

Taehyung laughed at Yoongi's incredulous expression. "Don't worry, hyung. I am a master at this. You just have to follow my lead."

Yoongi raised an eyebrow again, clearly not convinced. "This is just ridicul-"

But Tae was already on the mission. He took Yoongi's hand in his and instructed, "Close your palms."

Yoongi did as he was told, albeit reluctantly. The younger then positioned his hands on the sides of his head, a bit above his ears.

"What are you making me do?" Yoongi asked, confused.

"Just trust me," Taehyung said, adjusting Yoongi's hands. "Now, motion your fists one by one, like a cat pawing."

Yoongi blinked, slowly trying to understand the motion. "Are you fucking seri-"

"Hyung. Do. It," Taehyung urged.

With both his closed palms on the sides of his head, Yoongi awkwardly did the motion. Taehyung's eyes widened as he pretended to faint, clutching his chest dramatically. "Yeah! Just like that! Now try saying 'meow'. I am sure you will ace it-"

Yoongi's cheeks flushed, and he quickly pulled his hands down, hitting Taehyung on the shoulder. "The hell! You're insane, just like your brother!"

Taehyung continued laughing, rubbing his shoulder. "See? That was perfect! Just imagine Jin hyung's reaction. He won't be able to resist!"

Yoongi groaned, still embarrassed. "There's no way I'm doing that in front of him."

Taehyung grinned. "You never know, hyung. Desperate times call for desperate measures."

Nope. Yoongi wasn't going to do that for sure. No way, in front of Seokjin. There was absolutely no way. His pride couldn't take that kind of shit. How could someone even act cute? Wasn't it cringey? He couldn't believe kids nowadays did this stuff. Shaking his head, he sighed.

He thought about doing it, picturing Jin's reaction. Jin would probably burst out of laughter, or worse, coo at him like he was some adorable little pet, a kitten. The mere though of it made Yoongi's face burn with embarrassment.

He couldn't afford to lose face like that, especially not in front of Jin. But he couldn't help but continue to imagine the reaction on the elder's face- his eyes twinkling, his lips curving into that irresistable soft smile.

No. Absolutely not. Yoongi would rather face a hundred enemies than subject himself to that kind of humiliation. He signed again. He had to find another way to convince Jin, one that didn't involve sacrificing his dignity.

"Forget it," he muttered to Tae, shaking his head. "I'm not doing that shit."

Taehyung shrugged, still grinning. "Your loss, hyung. But don't say I didn't offer the easiest solution."

Yoongi rolled his eyes, returning to his food. He needed to come up with a different plan, something that wouldn't involve him acting like a lovesick kitten. He could handle this on his own terms, without resorting to something so embarrassing.

Just as they were about to continue eating, his phone buzzed with a text message. He glanced at the screen and saw it was from Jin.

"Speak of the devil," Taehyung said.

"Speak of the possessive devil," Yoongi corrected, earning a chuckle from Tae. But as Yoongi read the message, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"What happened?" Taehyung asked, noticing the change in Yoongi's expression.

"He wants me to come to the professor's office," Yoongi said slowly. "He says he needs to talk to me about something."

Taehyung asked, "Why so sudden? What's he got to say?"

Yoongi shook his head. "Don't know. He also mentioned that there aren't any other professors there except him."

Taehyung's smiled. "You should hurry up, then. I'll wait for you here."

Yoongi nodded as he stood up, leaving his half-eaten meal behind.

He walked to the professor's office, the way to the place unusually quite. When he reached the office, he paused for a moment before opening the door.

Jin was seated at his desk, straight across the room while correcting some students' test papers. He looked up and nodded at Yoongi. "Close the door and come in," he instructed.

Yoongi did as told, glancing around the empty space. It felt odd, almost as if time had stopped inside this room.

"The other professors went out to eat," Jin said, breaking the silence. "They offered me to join, but I refused. So, it's just us here."

Yoongi nodded but then, Jin's next words caught him completely off guard.

"So, about what happened at your mansion..."

Yoongi's eyes widened in shock. How did Jin know?

Jin's gaze was steady as he continued with a serious tone, "Your butler called me and informed me about what happened."

The younger understood. His workers were now Jin's. Of course, they would inform him too.

Jin placed the sheets on the desk, asking, "What are you planning to do abo-"

Yoongi cut him off, almost bursting out. "I need to go there no matter what. It's my mansion, and I'll go anyway!"

Jin raised an eyebrow, half-accepting the outburst. "And what if something like last time happens again?"

Yoongi froze, unable to counter. Jin was right. There were too many possibilities for something similar to occur again. Last time, it had been a lowly mafia member, but this time, it was someone just one level below his king position. The stakes were higher.

Jin repeated the question, his voice gentle but insistent. "What if something terrible happens again, Yoongi?"

Yoongi exhaled, trying to sound confident. "I'll take care of it myself. Last time won't happen again..."

But Jin shook his head, clearly not convinced. "I should probably go there myself and look into the problem. You barely did anything last time. That guy was touching you, but you just stood still. How can I trust you? What if there are more people gathered around? What if this new mafia tries to hurt you?"

Yoongi couldn't help but whine like a child, frustrated. Jin knew him too well, knew exactly what might happen.

"What do you think, Yoongi? What will you do, hmm?" Jin asked, raising an eyebrow again, this time at the sudden whine. After all, it was something new to him.

Yoongi groaned, hating how he had no good answers. Jin knew everything, knew all the possibilities. But suddenly, Taehyung's words came back to him- how Jin was a total softie, how he might actually get his permission if he acted... cute.

...But was it worth his pride?

*★*──────────────────*★*

Y'all, I miss you guys. ʕ⁠'⁠•⁠ ⁠ᴥ⁠•̥⁠'⁠ʔ

I am glad I got to update again. It's been 3 weeks since the last one-

I am so sorry I couldn't update more.

How are y'all? Doing good?