Back in the boys' apartment, we all piled into the living room settling down on the couches, the boys settling down silently...far too silently. I looked around for a seat but there wasn't any, and I was going to join Hobi oppa and Jiminie on the carpet when an arm tugged me; I turned to see it was Binnie pulling me gently towards him. I smiled at the act, of course he'd be bothered about something like this. He pulled me to sit down on his lap and I went willingly; knowing each other nearly our whole lives made us comfortable with each other on a deeply intimate level, he knew me like he knew himself and I knew him better than I often knew myself.

The gesture was warming and comforting to me, but it seemed to spark something inside the boys. I felt settled and safe in his loose embrace, but I felt piercing stares that prickled uncomfortably at my skin.

Though I knew who was directing the gazes, it didn't make the uneasiness any better, in fact it slightly worsened it. There had been a time when those I had considered close to me had turned their backs on me, when they had joined in the judgement and criticism as though they had never known me. I pressed myself back into Moonbin, as though the physical closeness would somehow mould us together or if I tried hard enough- I could disappear behind him.

Moonbin noticed it and tightened his hold.

JIN POV:

We...no I needed answers. And I needed them now. A part of me, a small rational part of me that was still working was telling me that it was possible no...highly likely for them to having shared a past. (Y/N) didn't tell me because it never came up. And I can't control everyone she meets, that's just too much. She has her own life and we've all got to respect that. Pronto.

But that didn't mean I liked the way that guy...Moonbin or the way he was draping himself over (Y/N).

I could feel my protective instincts surging up and raring to take over. And I let them.

"Listen here...hands OFF (Y/N)."

But the guy just smirked at me over her head and pulled her closer to him.

How dare he?!

I could feel the boys glaring, and I didn't know whether they were directed at (Y/N) or Moonbin, but I could tell it was getting to her, she was becoming anxious and fiddling with her fingers.

I realised that the vibes we must be giving off weren't helping her at all. So I cleared my throat purposely and the boys met my eyes, after living together for so long we had managed to understand each other and communicate in a way beyond words, they understood that the look I was giving them clearly said to back off. So they did. For now.

Whilst he wanted to pull (Y/N) away from this unknown man, he could tell from the ease of her posture she seemed content and comfortable and so wasn't at any threat or danger. And they all needed some answers.

"So how did you two meet?" Hobi asked, his voice and posture was joyous and bright, but deep down Jin knew he also harboured some doubt.

"We've been friends since we were three, we used to go the same playgroup and well Binnie liked playing dolls with me, well...dolls in war zones and street fights." (Y/N) amended, that sounded kinda cute...?

"Well, Bibi/BB (your nickname) also stood up to the classroom bully when we were four and told him to find someone else who'd want to play with him. You should've seen her, she's a spitfire this one." Moonbin chuckled.

We looked at him in partial shock, (Y/N)-ah being a spitfire or furious at anyone was something we hadn't seen, she always managed arguments and problems with such a calm manner.

"Why did you call her Bibi/BB?" asked Joon.

"Ahh... should I tell them (Y/N)-ah, should I tell them why?" and she spun around to face Moonbin with shock on her face, before a smirk replaced it. It was a smirk I'd seen too many times on the maknae's face to count. It meant trouble.

"Of course, you can...." She cooed, but the way it rolled off her tongue, mocking but sweet had me re-evaluating their closeness and I didn't know what she whispered or mouthed to him that had his eyes widening in response.

"Well...maybe that's a story for another time... but who are you and why were you with (Y/N)-ah?!" he asked.

"(Y/N)-ah is our manager; she has been for a few months already. We're BTS!" explained Joon.

Moonbin seemed appeased but there was a curiosity burning inside me.

"Why are you here out of the blue though...and at this time of day?" I asked but at once the two of them stiffened slightly, the joy and lightness of the atmosphere becoming cloying and suffocating nearly.

(Y/N)-ah suddenly got to her feet and pulled Moonbin up with her.

"Sorry Jinnie oppa, but we've got to go. Lots to discuss, I'll be back soon." And with that started making their way out the apartment, but that wasn't going to happen on my watch. She wasn't going to vanish with someone who was practically a stranger in my eyes, no way.

"(Y/N)-ah you can talk in your room; we'll give you privacy. Won't we boys?" and they all nodded vehemently at the pure command I was directing at them through my eyes.

I didn't know whether they were just agreeing with me as the eldest, but I was willing to bet good money and my best frying pan that they all were having the same thoughts.

(Y/N) looked like she wanted to argue but decided against it, simply turning to take Moonbin to her room and closing the door behind them. Aish...this kid. She's going to be the death of me.

When the door closed, all of us met each other's eyes and silently but unanimously decided to respect her decision and give her space but that didn't mean we weren't going to be waiting for the second Moonbin messed up and separate him from (Y/N).

----

(Y/N) POV:

I shut the door behind me, this was a conversation that didn't need any wandering ears or passer-by to hear. Not even accidentally. The moment Jinnie oppa had bought up Binnie's early and sudden arrival, it drew both our attentions to the reason he had come over in the first place.

We both sat on the bed facing each other, and I let out all the details and tiny points I had been observing and gathering silently in my head. The near run-over, Lia's accident, the feeling of being watched occasionally and then showed him the two texts I had received.

Binnie over the period of time had listened in silence giving me the time I had needed but his face grew tighter and his expression angrier. His hands were shaking slightly as he handed my phone back, but I knew he was trying to suppress his rage.

After letting everything out into the open, whilst it had taken a weight off my chest, hearing it being voiced aloud made me realise the vulnerability I was placed in. I looked up to see Binnie's eyes filled with unshed tears as he looked at me with sorrow and understanding. He knew exactly what I was feeling. And the sight of him feeling as worried and saddened as I was bought tears to my own eyes, he pulled me immediately into a tight hug, as we cried out our fears and sorrow, I knew in the silence though it was unspoken that something was going to happen. It was going to get worse before it got better. But also, the consolation that he'd be fighting with me every step of the way.

Whilst crying I had ended up on his lap and we lay on the bed staring at each other, silently communicating with our eyes all the promises we'd made to each other to protect and comfort, and it was staring into his deep orbs looking at me with love and tenderness that my eyes slowly slipped shut. The last feeling, I was conscious of was Binnie pulling me closer and slowly stroking my hair.

FLASHBACK:

"Come on Binnie, let's goooo. I'm hungry and I wanna visit our favourite café." Pulling along a laughing Moonbin in his college outfit; jeans and a sweater.

"It's been so long since we've been able to hang out Bibi, I never get to see you anymore. When was the last time we had a sleepover." He asked over his shoulder as we walked side by side having exited the café.

"Too long, we haven't been able to at all, have we...?" I asked softly, feeling ashamed and having failed as a friend, I wanted to tell him, but I was scared he'd hate me.

"Awww, don't be sad, you know I can't stand it Bibi. Here I'll give you a piggyback, deal?" and with that knelt down for me to clamber onto his back.

He lifted me up hoisting my legs around his torso, grinning up at me.

We walked home in amicable silence, admiring the sky as the sun began to set and it started to change from blue to soft hues of yellow, orange and pink.

The breeze was cool and refreshing, blowing my open hair around my face and temporarily blinding Binnie as he walked. Laughing, I lifted my hand to remove the strands of hair around his face as he complained and bickered that I was causing a disruption to his labouring.

It had been such a perfect day, but it had all gone wrong so quickly.

He had dropped me off, happier than I had seen him in a while but the happiness quickly went away when I entered my apartment and he stood there, hatred etched deep into his face.

"Why were you with your pathetic friend? Or should I call him that? You're two-timing me, aren't you? After everything I gave you, I tried to teach you so many times, but you never learn, do you? Aren't my lessons enough? Do you need more?" he spat out each question approaching me more and more as he did so.

A hand yanked my hair and pulled me forwards, and I looked up at him with fear and dread.

Jerking his hand sideways he sent me crashing into the wall, head spinning, I felt a trickle of something wet slide down my face.

But he wasn't done. Pushing me down to the ground, he vented his anger on me by raining down punches and kicks, I tried to curl up on myself to make me a smaller target but he didn't stop.

And when he was done, he walked out of my apartment and left me there, lying on the floor beaten and bruised. And broken.

And that was how Binnie had found me the next day. Entering my passcode and finding me on the floor not too far from the door.

He kept yelling my name, (Y/N) (Y/N) (Y/N), yelling at me to wake up.

There was someone knocking at the door. My eyes seemed too heavy to open and I was warm where I was, so I ignored the sound snuggling back into the source of warmth.

I could feel someone stirring next to me, their arms shifting as they tightened their hold on me and then relaxed by a fraction. The pillow I was resting on vibrated with a deep groan, hang on that wasn't right, pillows don't groan. Ahh, Binnie I remembered.

"I'm coming in (Y/N)." and the door swung open, and what followed it was a string of curses.

YOONGI POV:

Jin hyung told me to get (Y/N)-ah and Noomnib to come have lunch and I slowly dragged myself off the sofa, groaning at having been parted from it, and trudged towards the room. Her room was silent, too silent. The walls were thick and practically sound proof but we could hear two voices murmuring earlier, too soft to make out words but they'd been talking. Now it was silent.

I knocked on the door, no answer. I waited then knocked again. No answer. After knocking a third time, I heard a low deep groan.

That wasn't right? A groan?! A man groaning?! Just what was happening...right, no more manners.

"I'm coming in (Y/N)." I called out before swinging open the door and the sight causing a string of curses to pour from my mouth.

(Y/N) and Noomnib lay there on her bed entangled with each other. Too entangled. And too close. He was holding her close to him, her head on his chest. He turned his head to meet my eyes and then slumped back onto the pillow. I hadn't realised that my swearing had brought the boys to the door, peeking their heads in curiously, mouths falling open at the sight.

Jin hyung came out the kitchen brandishing his spatula at me threateningly.

"Yoongi, how many times?! NO SWEARING." But when he saw the sight, he fell silent but didn't seem too annoyed. Well...inner Eomma hadn't burst out yet.

"Cuddles" yelled Hobi and Tae who promptly dived into her room and onto her bed, placing themselves behind her before latching on. Jimin followed too but pouted when he saw the only available space was behind Noomnib. Yeah, no thanks, me neither Jimin, I thought.

(Y/N) rouse at the sound of voices and the warmth she now felt from behind her and turned to smile sleepily at the two before ruffling their hair.

She looked well-rested. For once. Well, the dark circles were still there but she was less exhausted than she seemed to be on a daily basis. We now all entered the room, Jin hyung hurrying back to the kitchen muttering about checking the japchae.

(Y/N) was struggling trying to remove the numerous arms that had draped themselves on her as she tried to get up and failed when an arm yanked her back down onto the bed pulling her back to his chest again. This caused Tae to whine and try and pull her close to him instead.

Poor (Y/N). Now she was human tug-of-war for all these boys.

"Come on Tae, let me go, you too Binnie- hands OFF now, I wanna get up, I'm hungry." She wheedled.

Noomnib relaxed his hold on her having heard that, but Tae wasn't letting up.

"I'll let you up if you cuddle with me later and tell me what Bibi means." He bargained, (Y/N) just nodded resignedly.

With a loud whoop, he pulled (Y/N) up and out of the room with him. Leaving us all to follow slowly, well me to follow slowly, the boys piled out the room and as I was leaving, I turned to look at the guy still lounging on her bed.

He didn't seem bothered by me, any of us, he seemed to be here solely for (Y/N)- so I would trust him for now, but also keep an eager eye out too.

Mind made up, I made my way to the kitchen.

I knew there was something going on, something (Y/N) hadn't told us all. But whatever it was, I was going to help her and be there for her. No matter what.

(AND THAT'S IT, I FELT THIS CHAPTER WASN'T GREAT-MAYBE IT'S JUST ME AND HOPEFULLY IT'S A GOOD READ, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER TO INTRODUCE BINNIE AS A POTENTIAL ROMANTIC INTEREST OR NOT! LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! AND THERE'S A LITTLE FLASHBACK OF (Y/N)'S PAST, SHE'S BEEN IN AN ABUSIVE CONTROLLING RELATIONSHIP. BUT! BINNIE WAS THERE FOR HER, AND HE HELPED HER RECOVER AND BECOME WHO SHE IS TODAY! HE DOESN'T PLAY THE ROLE OF AN IDOL JUST A BFF- MAYBE THAT'LL COME LATER, WHO KNOWS?! UMM...IS IT GOOD, BAD LET ME KNOW, I'D LOVE TO KNOW ANYTHING YOU WANNA PUT IN THIS. ANY ONE SHOTS OR PROMPTS YOU WANT- FIRE AWAY AND TELL ME! WHAT'S NEXT...BACK TO DUTIES MAYBE AND THE MYSTERIOUS FIGURE MAKING AN ACTIVE APPEARANCE??) BTW- Yoongi is purposely calling Moonbin as Noomnib in his mind- he's not too fond of the guy!

I hope you're all well and in good health! England is preparing to go into lockdown at some point and uni has been closed, so I have more time to write! But I still miss the idea of going outdoors anyways even if it isn't definite YET. Stay healthy and happy ARMY!

PurpleQueenie <3

Thank you! We're at 3K reads now- I appreciate it soo much! 💜