❧ The Truth Hurts ❧

"I sure do love an actual bed," Namjoon yawned dramatically, mentally wincing at the memory of a shitty excuse of one he'd laid on the night before at the city station. "Hey, Hyung."

"Hey." Yoongi was placing his two halves of the bagel on a plate and nudging it into the microwave to warm. Namjoon knew that the carbs wouldn't be as worthwhile that way, but he didn't bother giving his two cents knowing how disastrous he could be in the kitchen. "You good?"

"As good as I can be." Namjoon shrugged. "That bail wasn't cheap."

"At least we were able to post it."

He hummed and grabbed a glass from the cabinet, running the filtered faucet to fill it just under the rim. "At least the trials in a few weeks so we have some peace of mind."

"Yeah." Yoongi shrugged the topic away as he pointed at the roof. "Storm came in early this morning."

"It woke me up," Namjoon nodded, tipping his head back to down the water. "Jeongguk's gonna be out for some time."

"Ever wonder why he does that?"

"If he wanted us to know, he woulda' told us."

"That seems to be the theme of this summer." Yoongi huffed and the younger frowned, setting his glass down. "You've noticed how quiet he's been since we got you out of the station, haven't you?"

"Oh, I thought I was just going crazy." Namjoon scratched his head, glancing at the short hallway off to the side that lead to a resting Jeongguk. "Haven't seen him smile at all honestly."

"I mean it's not entirely out of nowhere."

"...what?"

"He's fine, Namjoon." Yoongi shook his head. The microwave beeped as it turned off and the mint haired man was reaching for the handle and pulling his plate out. "A lot just happened."

"A lot? Were you just not going to say anything unless I asked?" Namjoon's lips parted in offense, hating that one day had put such an effect on his friends. "What does a lot even mean?"

"A shit ton. An abnormal amount—"

"Don't be a smartass, Hyung." His eye twitched in irritation as Yoongi set his plate down and grabbed some spread and a butter knife. "I want an actual answer."

"And I'm not in the mood."

"Not in the mood—" Namjoon stepped closer and grabbed the front of Yoongi's shirt, bunching it in his fist and jerking the smaller man to him. "You don't think I have eyes, Yoongi? I know Jeongguk's not okay and I'll be damned if I let him just stay upset."

"Let go of me, Joon." Yoongi grip on the butter knife tightened and the taller raised a brow, chuckling lowly.

"Butter knife won't do shit, you know."

"I don't think you want to test that theory." He knew Yoongi's words were empty, the mint haired elder wouldn't raise a hand on him or Jeongguk, but it was amusing to Namjoon to hear the threat anyway.

"The fuck happened after those officers took me?"

"All hell broke loose."

"Yoongi."

"Jeongguk punched Jimin, okay?" Yoongi rolled his eyes, setting the knife down. "It's not a big deal."

"If it wasn't a big deal, you wouldn't be so cryptic about it!" Namjoon countered. "Jeongguk doesn't lay a hand on anyone and you're saying it's not a problem. Is that why he's so— so down?"

"The fuck do I know?" Yoongi scoffed, shoving his hand away and Namjoon leaned back against the opposite counter, mirroring the older.

"Is he feeling down because he punched Jimin or because you're acting like nothing happened?" The younger rephrased, brow raised in suspicion.

"He's fine. Quiet doesn't mean he's off the rails, Joon." Yoongi's hand found a grip on the counter ledge. "Okay, part of it's a longer of a story than just that day."

"I suggest you start explaining then." He answered, unwavering.

Yoongi rolled his eyes. "Can't just leave it be, can you?"

"Not when you're hiding something."

"I'm not."

Namjoon licked his lips, shaking his head. "Look me in the eye and say that."

Yoongi huffed, looking up for a moment, lips parted to speak, but the denial never came. "Our lovely surfer friends."

"What?"

"Kim Taehyung," Yoongi hummed, "the one our Jeongguk was getting friendly with."

"Friendly?" The pink haired male glanced past Yoongi and to the small living room of their even smaller apartment. Just enough for the three of them. The pouring rain was visible through the living room's glass window, the sound muffled by the panes. "What are you talking about?"

"You can't tell me you didn't notice anything between them." His voice feigned disbelief. "High IQ, my ass."

"Hey."

"Hi." Yoongi smiled sarcastically before continuing. "Well, yeah. They've been friendly. Under our noses. All summer."

"Jeongguk never said anything."

"Why would he?" Yoongi snorted, rubbing the skin below his chin in boredom, the food on the chopping board forgotten. "Anyway, they've been snooping around and hanging out together by the shore at nights. And when I say friendly... this guy's got Jeongguk wrapped around his finger."

"He... what?" Namjoon blinked, hands falling to his sides. That couldn't be right. Jeongguk was always the spool for the thread, never the other way around.

He glanced at the window again, realizing Jeongguk must have been seriously exhausted to still be passed out. On rainy days, Jeongguk was usually out the door rather quickly, but he still managed to give them a hello.

"Mhm. You know what he did? Literally handed his jacket into Taehyung's hands. Let him hold it and he doesn't even let us do that."

"Woah. I don't— I don't know what to say," Namjoon mumbled, genuinely shocked by the words. "That's some friendship he has with the surfer."

"They were kissing." Yoongi waved his hand dismissively. "Hardly a friendship."

"Jeongguk doesn't date people. We both know that."

"Do we?" Yoongi cocked his head and the younger stilled at the words. "We always find out things about him after the fact. First, about his family, this... even that one kid he was friends with in school."

"That one kid." Namjoon repeated, voice light on the heavy, haunting memory that was laced with the mention. "He never talks about him. About his friend from high school, I mean."

"Hardly did while he was in school either." The older said. "He keeps to himself and we both know that. You're not concerned that he trusted Taehyung with his jacket before he ever let us handle it?"

"I mean... I guess? I just don't understand." Namjoon shook his head. "What does Taehyung have to do with what happened?"

"Jeongguk punched Jimin." Yoongi emphasized, hoping Namjoon's admirable braincells could piece it together. "Taehyung was pissed."

"Oh," he said. "That's not really enough to put him in a state like this, though."

"I don't know what to tell you, Namjoon." Yoongi sighed as he turned and continued to spread cream on the bagel. "That's all I fucking have to say."

"Hyung," Namjoon mumbled, eyes lifting from the floor to gaze at the older's back, brows furrowed. "Did Jeongguk tell you about all this Taehyung stuff while I spent the night at the station?"

"No."

"Then, uh, how do you know?"

"Right," Yoongi raised the knife like a pointed for his a presentation. "I've been suspicious for some time. Followed him to the shore one day. Actually ran into Hoseok there. His annoying sunshine ass."

"You followed him?" Namjoon repeated, the words about another surfer flying over his head. "Why would you do that?"

"Like I said." Yoongi returned to spreading his dip. "We don't find out about Jeongguk's shit until way after it happens and I was curious."

"You were curious." Namjoon repeated, again.

"Stop acting like a parrot, goddamn." He voiced. "Yeah, I was curious, but I wasn't going to confront him about it."

"And snooping around his shit is better?"

"I wasn't snooping." Yoongi scowled.

"Sure," Namjoon glared right back, put off by the indirect confession. "That means you're lying to him."

"Technically, he didn't believe the truth. I had no hand in that."

"Technicalities are bullshit, Hyung." Namjoon grit out. "You invaded his privacy. You know none of us like that and you also know damn well he wouldn't appreciate it if he knew."

"Well, shit, it wasn't going to work anyway— as we now know," Yoongi muttered, tossing his knife in the sink, the clatter startlingly loud, and taking a dramatically large bite of his bagel. "Better it worked out this way. Jeongguk hates the surfers like it's always been and things go back to normal. Besides, I never lied. Just didn't tell the truth about following him."

Namjoon had a strong feeling that wasn't the case.

"What the fuck?"

They froze at the voice that didn't come from either of their mouths, Yoongi's occupied on chewing and Namjoon's clamped shut. He hesitantly set his gaze out of the kitchen that they stood in to see the youngest biker hovering in the open space.

Jeongguk's hair was strewn, like he'd rushed out of bed in a hurry, clothes warmer than reasonable for summer, but Namjoon figured that was weighed in with his plans to go out.

"Morning, Jeon." Yoongi greeted, carefree with his words as he turned around.

Jeongguk, on the other hand, was seething. He were staring Yoongi down, a different kind of fire in his eyes that Namjoon had yet to see in the younger.

"Don't fucking morning me." Jeongguk hissed, stalking up in front of the eldest and Namjoon watched, proceeding with caution. "What the hell do you mean you knew? And you followed me?"

Yoongi didn't say a word, swallowing the food in his mouth.

"Shit— Taehyung was right the whole time," The younger continued. "He wasn't lying when he said you were sneaking around with Hoseok, was he?"

"Okay, yeah. He was right. Now, calm down."

"Calm down?!" Jeongguk snapped, Yoongi staring up at the ceiling as though it didn't affect him, but Namjoon knew that was far from the truth. "You don't know what I fucking said to him because you lied! I said—" Namjoon's eyes went wide as the younger's voice cracked, facade slipping into something much more upset than infuriated. "I said awful things to him because I trusted you and you were just fucking around this entire time."

No one intervened with the realization hitting him, a stream of curses leaving his lips as he whirled around and gripped his hair, tugging around for any sense of relief.

"Fuck, fuck, I can't— I hurt him so badly and he was telling the truth for days— why would you follow me? I was happy and doing fine and—"

Namjoon didn't move until Jeongguk kicked at a chair in anger, sending the stool toppling over and skittering across the carpet. He was grabbing Jeongguk hastily after that, arms tense him in a pitiful attempt to comfort and detain him at the same time.

Anger was an asset in adrenaline, though, and it led to Jeongguk shoving him away and standing wearily in his place. Distraught was a light term for the grueling emotion within the youngest.

"I can't believe you, Yoongi," Jeongguk muttered, face falling as his tongue raked his inner cheek. He surely hoped that every sign of betrayal was clear on his face. "I can't believe—"

Jeongguk's words were choked away in his throat as he pressed a hand to his mouth, stifling some sign of pain rising within him. Namjoon felt helpless as he witnessed the younger drag his gaze away and sniff uncharacteristically. He was turning and grabbing his bike keys from the counter, a foot out the door when he paused.

His face went blank as he looked ahead, the cool splash of rain paling his face, lips drawing in a harsh breath as his fingers gripped the door tighter.

But, then, he was out, door slamming shut behind him.

"Namjoon—"

"Save it. I don't stop you doing what you want, but hurting Jeongguk's off limits." He gave Yoongi a hard look before racing after the youngest.

He caught Jeongguk in the stairwell, his steps messy and staggering so it was easy for Namjoon to catch up to him. Their place was a few flights up, the windowless openings in the landings between each staircase bringing rain in to slick the floors. "Jeongguk, wait."

"Leave me alone." The younger ripped his arm away when Namjoon grabbed a hold of it, but his feet fumbled to a stop despite his words, shoulders rising and falling at a rapid speed.

"Don't take your anger out on me, okay?" He reasoned and Jeongguk turned to face him, features scrunching like he was trying to regain himself.

"That's— That's the thing, Hyung. I've been blaming the wrong person this whole time and— and I just— I lost him," Jeongguk dragged his foot on the concrete of the step and gazed up at him from his place a feet steps down. "Hyung, he was always good to me and I fucked up so bad."

"That wasn't your fault. Yoongi lied and you believed it. That doesn't make it all your fault—"

"No." Jeongguk laughed dryly, hatred laced in his words and Namjoon knew he didn't care what secrets were spilt anymore. "No matter that Yoongi did or said, I still had control over my actions. That's the worst part. I can't blame Yoongi for me telling Taehyung that I wished he was dead— I can't— that was all on me and— I didn't mean it, Hyung. I didn't. He was scared of me approaching him because he thought I'd hurt him. I promise you I wouldn't and I wish he understood that I'd never let him drown—"

"I know," Namjoon mumbled, stepping down to be more level with the younger. He reached an arm around the younger's head and pulled him into his chest, the raven hair shielding his face as it burrowed between his lungs.

He didn't understand half of Jeongguk's words, but he understood how destroyed the guy felt. Utter betrayal mixed with even more heartbreaking guilt was not easy to tackle with a level head. Jeongguk's head was far from that and Namjoon didn't know what to do.

"Deep down, I'm sure he knows, too."

"N-No, there's no way he believes it. He trusted me until I hurt him. I trusted him too— I trusted him so much." Jeongguk was shaking against him and Namjoon could feel him prying away. "And now... now, if I can't trust Yoongi— can't trust leather— who do I lean on?"

"Don't say that." Namjoon's chest ached as Jeongguk pulled away from it, separating like he was detaching from their emotional connection all together. "You can't be serious, Jeongguk. You can still trust us."

Jeongguk swiped a hand under his nose, eyes red, but Namjoon couldn't find a hint of tears. He would be more startled seeing Jeongguk cry, honestly, when he'd never witnessed it before in his life.

And, then, the younger's ringed hands were tugging his leather jacket off, Namjoon's heart stopping in his chest as Jeongguk scrunched it up and shoved it towards him.

"Wha— What are you doing?"

"This thing... this thing has brought me more pain than good." Jeongguk shook his head, hands shaking as they held the jacket against Namjoon's chest. The younger licked his lips, staring at the leather like it was hurting him to let go and let it flitter down to the floor.

But his hands released the fabric, the heavy material hitting the ground with the zipper clattering against the concrete, rustle just loud enough to be heard over the downpour.

"Jeongguk, it brought you us." Namjoon whispered as his skin chilled for what the dark haired man was doing. "We care about you."

"You know, I used to get excited to walk beside you guys with leather on my shoulders. I'd use that confidence to protect someone I cared about. Like how you guys did for me." Jeongguk smiled, the curvature of his lips small and incredibly empty. "Sure, we caused trouble and weren't the most disciplined, but I never let myself forget that it helped me be who I didn't think I was capable of being."

Namjoon saw him shake his head, breathing deep and shaky, as he stared at the jacket now a miserable pile on the floor.

"This is not who I want to be. I don't want to be bailing you guys out of jail or— or risking a jail sentence for myself. You both never told me that you've had experience with legal questioning and officers— I can't do that." A sound of betrayal left his throat, his voice croaking. "And I can't let myself off the hook knowing that when someone lies to me and I trust them this much, I'll just tell an innocent guy that he wasn't worthy of life."

"You can't blame yourself. Jeongguk, please."

"The last time I fucked up this bad, Hyung," Jeongguk whispered, voice hardly audible. "Someone so deserving of his future lost the chance. I tell myself every damn day that I live for the both of us, but this really isn't living anymore. The good doesn't outweigh the bad anymore."

"Jeongguk, there's a lot you haven't told us and you can't expect us to understand it all. We want to listen to you—"

"I need some space. Please, don't follow me." The younger cut him off, turning and trailing down the steps without wasting another second.

Namjoon swallowed the thick clump in his throat, crouching to pick up Jeongguk's jacket. His fingers went numb with the feeling of the worn leather, as much as he wished they hadn't so the feeling could linger.

Past that, though? Namjoon just wished his first time holding something so dear to the younger wasn't under those circumstances.

His body moved without an ounce of his brain power, pushing the apartment door open and advancing towards Yoongi, hands tightening around the jacket with rising devastation.

The older was sitting on the couch with his head in his hands, schooling a rather unamused expression when he saw Namjoon return.

Namjoon glanced up in time to see Yoongi's eyes widen a fraction of an inch upon realizing what valuable possession was in his hands.

"Is this what you wanted?" He whispered, his own voice echoing in his head as he held the collar of the jacket and let it dangle before Yoongi's face. His devastation circled around into newfound overwhelm with a shout leaving his mouth. "Is this what you wanted, Yoongi? Is this— here."

He dropped the jacket in the older's lap and Yoongi flinched.

"You were mad Taehyung gained his trust and got to be apart of something special to him? Then, here!" Namjoon gestured to the jacket. "Fucking hold it! Hold it knowing we forced it off of him!"

"We... we didn't force him—"

"We did." Namjoon sat on the floor, head leaning back and finding support on the wall. His hands draped over his drawn-in knees, lids closing to block out the patchy ceiling paint, a crack or two in the surface. His rush of anger swooped down again while he caught his breath. "He said he was so happy those nights. Away from us, away from this."

"That doesn't mean he wasn't happy with us."
Yoongi's voice shook and Namjoon head tipped to the side to look at him. "We've seen him laugh and smile. He's not upset when no ones looking—"

"Not recently. Not in the past year and a half." Namjoon reminded and Yoongi sucked in a sharp breath, grunting a curse. "Whatever happened that one day he just disappeared... he hasn't been okay since then and we've just turned a blind eye to it."

The younger pushed himself up to crouch by Yoongi, standing in time with his hand taking the jacket from Yoongi's trembling hands.

"He's been our younger brother since the day we took him in." Namjoon draped the jacket over one arm and stared at it. "We need to fix this, Yoongi."

"But he left for the morning."

"Then, we have until he gets back to figure out what to do."

~•४•~

The last thing Taehyung ever expected to see on a gloomy, stormy day were drenched mops of faded mint and pink hair. When Hoseok opened the door without really checking the peephole, the shock was audible as the two soaking bikers appeared on their porch.

"What the hell...?" Taehyung's brows furrowed as Yoongi didn't waste a second to push past Hoseok and drag the storm inside with him.

"Hey, the fuck do you think you're doing?" Hoseok grabbed his arm, nearly reeling back at the wet leather. "You weren't invited in."

"Then, kick me out." Yoongi narrowed his eyes, shrugging the dancer's arm off and taking his shoes off. At least there was some decency there— although Taehyung was far too busy gaping in silence with the unexpected presence.

Namjoon ran a hand through his hair, glaring at his elder friend. "Hyung, stop being rude."

"Yeah, whatever." The man grumbled back and Taehyung hesitantly gestured a hand for Namjoon to move into the foyer, too. "Got any towels, Sunshine?"

"Got any— god, you shithead." Hoseok hissed, craning his head upstairs. "Jimin! Grab a few towels and come down! Call Hyung, too!"

"What? Why?" The shout returned and Taehyung rubbed his forehead as his eyes met his friend's. Hoseok rolled his eyes, pissed to say the least.

"How is Jimin?" Namjoon asked, the front door finally shutting behind him as the pink haired man arranged both bikers' shoes more neatly by the door, grimacing at the growing puddles of water pooling on the floor. "Sorry about the floors."

"They fucking surf," Yoongi scowled. "They drag this shit in all the time."

"Hey," Taehyung sent a sharp look at the eldest biker. "Have a little decency when you're a guest. Showing up uninvited."

"I don't want to be here, actually." The man snorted, tracking down the hall without any instruction and Taehyung heard the frustrated exhale Hoseok let out from his nose. "Dragged to this hell against my own will."

"Ignore him." Namjoon profusely apologized again, taking the blame for Yoongi's actions and Taehyung pursed his lips as the taller man strayed behind him and Hoseok, waiting for approval to come inside.

"Wow, Sunshine," The sarcasm was more evident than the missing member of their trio, the realization dawning on Taehyung not long after. "Cozy place you have here."

"Would you mind staying in one spot so this mess doesn't grow at lightning speed?" Hoseok jabbed back, hardly caring for the 'praise.' Yoongi turned in the open space between the kitchen and living room while tugging his leather jacket off.

"What a waste," Yoongi hovered by the couch and Taehyung winced thinking of his drenched state transferring onto the sofa. "So much great space and I can't even explore?"

"What the hell are you guys doing here?" Jimin's voice cascaded from the stairs as he and Jin made an appearance on the main floor.

"Ah, hey, Jin. Hi, Jimin." Namjoon greeted, earning a tense nod and curt hello in return. He graciously took the towels Jimin held out, both bikers wiping down their leather jackets and hugging themselves in the material to dry off as much as possible.

Jimin took the extra towel left in his hand and placed it on the floor, grumbling as he wiped down the wooden floors that were puddled with rain.

"So, where's your third musketeer?" Jin leaned against the wall, room awfully cold as they all stood separated, distant from any friendly interaction, too.

"That's... that's why we're here." Namjoon looked up and caught Taehyung's gaze, the youngest surfer stiffening at the eye contact. "We need your help."

"We really don't," Yoongi argued. "Namjoon's just being dramatic—"

"That's rich coming from you." Hoseok muttered, causing Yoongi's attention to snap over to him and glower.

"Yoongi, you said you'd cooperate." The pink haired biker said to his companion.

"Why should we even help you?" Jimin returned, dropping the dirtied towel in the corner of the room to wash later. "Considering the lack of favors owed in this room."

"I know," Namjoon mumbled. "And, yeah, it's fair if you guys don't care. I wouldn't blame you... after everything that happened."

"Just get on with it," Yoongi said. "Let's hurry this rejection up so I can say I told you so and we can go home to wait for him like always."

And suddenly hearing Yoongi say that he expected a rejection to their request made Taehyung perk up in half confusion and half want to prove him wrong. He would love to see the look on the man's face if he was deemed stupid.

"Jeongguk's missing."

Taehyung felt his breath hitch at the words. The room quieted for a few seconds too long as they let the words sink in before Jin was taking the lead.

"What do you mean missing?"

"Jeongguk's just been gone for a few hours more than usual." Yoongi explained, dragging on his words like he was impatient and like he was doing them a favor with his presence. "I told you Namjoon's just overreacting—"

"Do you ever shut up?" Hoseok snapped at the min haired man and Yoongi's lips clamped shut, brows raised in an expression of surprise. "If I hear you say shit one more time, I'm kicking you out of here."

"He means that." Jimin called out, smiling brightly only for the curve to drop in a mere second. "What do you mean missing, Namjoon?"

The biggest biker tugged the towel around him tighter. "Well, the storm came in today like we all expected. Jeongguk always goes out in storms—"

"Which is why this shouldn't matter," Yoongi breathed out.

"Min Yoongi," Hoseok warned and the biker flipped him off, thankfully keeping quiet.

"Yeah, it wouldn't really matter, but," Namjoon stared down at his feet and a strange wash of guilt seemed to consume the man. Taehyung breathed deeply seeing Namjoon in such a state over Jeongguk— and with a glance at Yoongi's calculating gaze set on the storm outside, it was clear both of them were at some level of concern. "He left after an argument in between us. And that was five hours ago."

Someone cursed. Taehyung felt sick in the stomach because he knew storms did the worst things to Jeongguk. He couldn't help being upset with the mention of him, but five hours? It wasn't even safe for him to drive in the inclement weather. Nor was it healthy to be in the rain for that long.

"Have you tried his cell?" Jin asked, brows furrowed in thought.

"We tried it all. Called, messaged. We went to the diner and Tuan hasn't seen him. We took a drive through the city, too." Namjoon paused and closed his eyes, shaking his head. "I just don't understand where he's gone. And five hours in this weather isn't good— I don't— fuck, I know you hate us. I know, but—"

His gaze fell on Taehyung and the surfer's blank face remained stone cold as Namjoon's desperate expression met it.

"Taehyung, would you have any idea where he could be?"

His eyes snapped wide at the question, nearly gaping as he stared at Namjoon and then around the room in shock. "W-What? You're asking me? You spend more time with him and you think I know where he'd go?"

"Yeah, I do." Namjoon admitted and the words spiked anger within him, blocking out the initial confusion. As if he cared about all of Jeongguk's special hiding places after everything had happened. As if he was still Jeongguk's friend and he didn't get to hate him after all he'd done.

Stop fighting it with fire, Tae.

"Well, I don't." Taehyung grit out, despite his inner voice bashing him for the decision. "Whatever time I spent with him is basically washed out of my brain, so if that's all you needed, you're wasting your time."

He caught Jimin's eyes over Namjoon's shoulder, the unimpressed expression clear on his face for lying to the biker's face. He'd just unraveled almost all his fun times with Jeongguk to his best friend a day ago.

"See, I told you," Yoongi muttered, and Taehyung huffed, slowly turning to face the man. "What do you want, Kim?"

The question caught him off guard, providing the last crack to collapse the dam within him.

"What do I want?" He laughed abruptly, hardly amused. "I told you what I wanted ages ago and you didn't give a shit. This really is your fault, Yoongi. Does he still think I lied to him? Was he ever told the truth?"

"You little—" Yoongi stepped up in his face and Taehyung glared down at him, using his inch of extra height to his advantage.

"Finish that. Little what? Am I a little doormat for you to step on, huh? He looked up to you, Yoongi!" Taehyung exclaimed, ignoring the rest of the people in the room as Yoongi's steady gaze cracked, bristling at his sudden outburst. "Yeah, he confided in me. He told me how much you and Namjoon were there for him in his worst and how you guys were the only family he ever had that felt complete."

Yoongi's curled lip faltered at his words and Taehyung couldn't help the angry tears invading his eyes.

"He does everything for you guys!" Taehyung yelled in his face. "He hates blood. Did you— did you even know that? He hates when you go beat people up and he puts up with it just because you don't know any other way to live! He doesn't sleep on those nights when you guys cause trouble, because he's in fucking pain!"

"How am I supposed to know that if he never says shit? I can't just guess everything."

Taehyung's searing frustration simmered for a moment, a choked sound leaving his chest as he glanced at the storm. "Can't you just use your damn eyes or do you need everything written out for you? Did you ever offer to hear him out?" Taehyung had given the younger a chance to explain himself and it had been a disaster. Yoongi? He was certain of the lack of attention he gave to Jeongguk. "No, I bet you didn't even bother to see how he was after the fight— maybe you were glad he finally followed in your footsteps. You're just satisfied that he doesn't get in your way and stays by your side, but you don't give a shit about him!"

"Tae, this isn't the time—" he heard Hoseok whisper, reaching for him but Yoongi beat him to it.

"I do care about him. Don't put those stupid fucking words in my mouth." The man jabbed a finger in his chest and Taehyung stumbled back a step. "Just because we don't show it the same way you guys do, doesn't mean it's nonexistent."

"No," he shook his head, smiling as the tears fell down his face because it hurt him. It hurt explaining how good of a person Jeongguk actually was when he tried to be. "None of you even realize that all you're doing is losing empathy for everything. He looks up to you, Yoongi, goddamnit. Even after hating all of it, he looks up to you. Sure, maybe the lie was good for him to not lose his role model, but then what? You want him to look up to a selfish fake? You don't care whether he's happy of not. You really don't— you just don't want to lose him."

"Because I can't lose him!" Yoongi roared back and Taehyung's stance almost wavered as the man's hellish stare buried him in his spot. "He and Namjoon are all I fucking have and it's the way things have been for ages— so, yeah, you're right. Is it so bad for me to not want to lose all I have left?"

There was a moment of anticipation that settled in the silence, both their chest heaving as they stood inches from one another, such a deep level of emotion in their eyes that Taehyung couldn't even rip them away if he tried. He could heard how unevenly they both breathed, never aligned, but taking up all the oxygen in the room.

"It is, Yoongi," Taehyung answered, eyes fluttering shut for a moment when the knife dragged through his chest. "It's the worst thing you could do when you're destroying pieces of him in the process."

"I'm destroying him? We put him together, Kim Taehyung." His voice, too, had dropped, trembling as he spoke in waves of reminisce. "We drove him to school when his family fell apart, we made sure he was fed and helped him earn money for his own bike until his dad was mentally and physically stable enough to actually take care of a kid on his own—"

"Enough!" Hoseok was suddenly pushing them apart and Taehyung saw how Hoseok's hands were shaking as they pried him and Yoongi out of the argument. "That's—that's enough. Both of you— please, stop."

Taehyung wiped his tears away quickly, heart aching in his ribs as no one moved, room taunt like a string was to snap and shrivel them all into dust. He hated how frustrating everything was. He wished it were easier, but that never seemed to be the case with his life.

"We'll get going." Namjoon's tone was everything close to broken, hands gripping his leather jacket so firmly his knuckles were painted white, while he handed Jin the used towel. "Thank you."

"I'll lead you out." Jimin smiled meekly, gesturing a hand to the door and Namjoon called out to Yoongi. The older's body was shivering from the pent up emotion and Taehyung licked his tear stained lips as the man slowly moved for the door.

"Yoongi," Taehyung suddenly said, spinning on his foot and he saw Jin's disapproving gaze land on him, telling him to drop it.

Taehyung simply took a deep breath and watched Yoongi pause, not bothering to fully turn around. He stared at the back of the man's head as he spoke, feeling Hoseok's hand on his shoulder.

"I just wanted to tell you that... that I never wanted Jeongguk to pick. I didn't— I know how much he means to you and I told him not to let you go. Just... just that he should still let himself grow even at your side." Taehyung gulped back the rising cry in his throat. "I hope you find him."

Because despite everything Jeongguk had said, Taehyung still hoped that the younger was okay.

The end of his words caused Yoongi to wordlessly take his leave, Taehyung pushing Hoseok's hand away to crumble onto the couch and curl up into a ball. The revs of motorcycles ripped through the air as the front door shut and the storm outside became muted like nothing had happened.

Jimin leaned his head against the front door as his small fingers twisted the lock. His breath was light and airy as the argument coursed through his head and he chewed on his lip, contemplating.

Jimin... that argument we had this morning was about this lie. Jeongguk found out the truth about Yoongi's actions and it tore him apart.

Namjoon's final words on the doorstep voiced in his thoughts above all the other spurs of mixed phrases.

"Hey," Jin's hand was patting his hair and Jimin pulled away from the door. "You good?"

"Hyung," Jimin said, nervously. "I think I know where Jeongguk is."

The older's eyes shot wide as his hand fell away. "What do you mean?"

"Taehyung told me a lot yesterday and Namjoon and Yoongi didn't seem to know about this one place special to Jeongguk. Some place the two of them went together," Jimin explained.

"Why didn't you say anything before?" Jin scolded in a hushed voice and the younger winced.

"I just— I just thought that it'd be better for Taehyung to go. Considering what Namjoon said about the bikers arguing this morning, those two are the last people Jeongguk would want to see."

"Jimin..." Jin pinched the bridge of his nose as he weighed what Jimin was proposing. After a few moments of the younger standing expectantly, Jin sighed. He placed a hand on Jimin's back and pushed him towards the living room. Towards Taehyung.

"Okay, take him before I regret agreeing. And hurry, Jeongguk is killing himself out there."

Jimin's tense shoulders sunk, relieved, as he rushed into the living room and tapped Taehyung's shoulder. "Get up, Taehyung."

"What?" Taehyung's voice said weakly and Jimin glared at him. "Get up? To go where?"

"Get up and get in the car." Jimin didn't give him room to ask anymore questions as he was grabbing a jacket and umbrella from the closet and slipping on his shoes. "Taehyung, now!"

"Shit," the younger scrambled to his feet, confused beyond belief as he grabbed a waterproof sweater and slipped on his shoes. He and Jimin raced the the car, hood up as they knew the storm was coming in and Taehyung breathlessly gaped at his best friend in the passenger seat. "What's going on? Jimin?"

The older buckled in and reversed out of the driveway. Taehyung gulped as the determined expression didn't waver on Jimin's face, jaw clenching the more he spoke.

For a split second, Taehyung wondered if Jimin was pissed at him, done with his bullshit and ready to drive him up to higher ground, probably throw him off out of anger—

Higher ground. Higher—

"Oh my god," Taehyung suddenly gasped. "T-The cliff— Jimin, he's probably—"

"I know." His friend said simply, voice hardly audible in the racketing noise of rain hitting all sides of the car. The wipers were swiping viciously fast and Taehyung tensed in his seat as they drove past the diner in the direction not usually taken.

"Jimin," Taehyung clenched the side of the door. "Where are we going?"

He didn't get an answer at first, but it was clear when rode began to curve upwards, making Taehyung's breath catch up in his throat, a protest stuck behind it.

"I'm taking you to him, Taehyung."

❧ ❧ ❧

first pov from the biker's perspective (kinda) :D
i'm planning on doing a bonus chap after the epilogues with jk's perspective on certain scenes hehe— thought that would be fun since the story is 95% tae's pov.

dONT HATE ME but i am gonna be traveling for the next few weeks so the next chap will probably take time </3 (i hope the double update made up for this news rip)

leather jacket purple hair namjoon...
i have no words

✵ NEETO ✵