Hoseok grinned when Jungkook opened the door. He had been gone for a week and a half with Namjoon and Taehyung on a business trip.

Luckily, he had been able to come back before it was over and was given permission to get the rest of the day off. The only thing he could think of was seeing Jungkook.

"Hoseok. Hi!" He greeted with a big hug.

This took him by surprise and he instantly returned the embrace. When Jungkook pulled away he motioned him inside.

Hoseok took note of how different the apartment looked. Everything was clean and it seemed normal. Jungkook was smiling and looked happy.

A small fear that Taehyung had come back to his life creeped inside of him. Then he looked him in the eyes and knew the truth. The sadness and emptiness was still there. He could smile and laugh, but his eyes told it all.

"Are you okay Kook?"

"Yes. Of course. Are you okay?" He asked raising both eyebrows.

Hoseok nodded, "Yeah. I just want to make sure you are. You seem like you've been going through some stuff. I just want to let you know that you're going to be okay. Whatever it is that you're going through, you'll be fine. How can you not? You're such a wonderful person that deserves all the happiness in the world."

Jungkook abruptly leaned in to peck his lips. Hoseok froze and eyes widened. It had been so long since they've kissed.

He continued to lean in only this time wrapping his arms around his neck. Hoseok was taken back from the action, but couldn't fight off his affection. He needed it.

Craved if.

Jungkook reached for his belt and unbuckled it off.  That's when Hoseok stepped back and looked at him in a questioning way.

"What's the matter? You don't want to?" He asked his face a bit flushed.

"Of course I do Jungkook. I just want to make sure you're okay with this and that you truly want to do it."

"I am. Why else would I be doing this then?"

"I know you're upset. I see it in your eyes. The last time I came we didn't really talk, but I want to make sure you're fine. The guy that you were speaking to...is that okay?"

Jungkook had never told him Taehyung's name even thought he knew it was him. He was so loyal to his lover that he wouldn't ever tell on him.

"Was this what that little speech was about? The you're going to be better because you're a wonderful person?"

Jungkook sounded agitated. Hoseok wanted to make him feel better and it seemed like he was making it worse.

"I was just trying to—"

"Are you going to fuck me or what? I really doubt you came this way just to talk about my feelings." He snapped before he could finish his sentence.

Hoseok couldn't hide his expression. Jungkook had never used such fowl language towards him. It was truly shocking.

Every time they were intimidate with each other it wasn't just sex. He took care of Jungkook and appreciate every little part of his body. So to have him say such things was very hurtful.

"I—I'm sorry. I just don't want to talk about it." Jungkook added with a whisper and a red face. He realized how awful he had sounded to the only person that had always been there for him.

Hoseok sighed nodding. He pulled him in for a hug rubbing his back. It was a big and comforting one that was enough to drown his sadness.

"I'm sorry." He repeated burying his face into his neck.

Hoseok shook his head resting his head on top of his. "No need for apologies. It's going to be okay. We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. Just know I'm going to be here for you through it all."

He nodded eagerly seeking his warmth. Hoseok understood although there was no verbal words involved. Jungkook wanted to be loved and he was not seeking love.

Hoseok would do just that.

Love him.

••••

Jisung walked out of Jimin's room with a tray full of food. It was the breakfast from the morning and looked untouched.

Jimin hadn't come out of the room since he witness Yoongi shoot that guy in the arm. He had been quiet and hadn't moved from the bed.

It has been two days. He ate little here and there. Nothing compared to what he would usually eat.
Jisung excused himself and walked away.

Yoongi turned to look at the closed door as if he could see right through. The distancing was make him insanely anxious. Not to mention that the constant spiraling memories of him hesitating several times because of Jimin was maddening.

Why did that brat have so much power over his actions?

A sudden vibration in his pocket snapped him out of his thoughts. He pulled out Jimin's phone which had notified him of his low battery.

At that moment it occurred to him that he hadn't even heard the recording of the mysterious call he made. He unlocked the phone knowing the password since Taehyung had set it up.

He scrolled through the apps. Only one had been downloaded and it happened to be a workout app. Not a single number was saved aside from Taehyung's.

Hesitating, he pulled out his own phone and went to the recording. A part of him wanted to know and the other didn't.

If it had been something very serious he had to punish him. That was his job, but could he really do it? His breath hitched for a moment when the recording starting playing.

"Hello? Is—is Yuta available?"

"Sorry. I think you got the wrong number."  A woman said.

"It's okay...uhh...sorry." Jim responded clearly disappointed.

"It's okay. I hope you get in contact with whoever you're trying to reach."

"Wait—" he said before she hung up.

"Yes?"

"I...uhh..."

There was silence for a brief second until he spoke up again, "This is going to sound so weird. I...I shouldn't probably tell you this. I was in a relationship with Yuta years ago. I never got closure. I don't know why I'm even trying to talk to him now. He's in a healthy relationship and I...can you please stay on the phone a little longer? I want to pretend I'm talking to him."

Ahh. The ex. As Taehyung's right hand he knew all of Jimin's back story. Or at least some of it. The part about his father being absent from his life and his mother moving away. Yuta was mentioned here and there without much importance. But according to the recording he was very important to him.

"Of course." The woman responded.

"Great. Thanks..."

His voice was shaky and breathing unsteady. The hurt in his voice was recognized and it was obvious that he was fighting back the tears.

"I'm sorry about everything. I'm sorry that I lied about my new job. I just wanted to give you the world. You always put me on top of everything and I wanted that for you. I'm sorry I let my greed overtake me. Trust me, I really sorry. All of the money and power that I have now is not worth losing you. We had everything and I ruined it. I burned everything to ashes and even though you forgave me things were never the same."

Jimin then took a deep breath as he tried to not cry. There was silence for a few more seconds. That made Yoongi think the call was over, but then he spoke up again.

"I could tell you didn't trust me. Of course I understand that. How could you after I lied to you for so long? Your kisses weren't the same and every time you hugged me it felt forced. Our connection started to die like your love for me. You fell out of love so slowly and painfully. I couldn't stop you from slipping from my hands. You melted right through. It's been almost three years since we broke up. I still have nightmares. I still have that recurring moment when you found out about the dancing at the club. Your disappointment was so hard to watch. It still gives me vertigo...and I still love you. I think I always will. I'm also sure that we won't get back together, but I have to tell you this to move on. Maybe it will help me. I'm glad you're happy now and in a good relationship. He looks like a good guy that makes you smile. You deserve nothing but happiness and the whole entire world."

The rest of the recording was pretty much the ending of the conversation. Yoongi locked his phone back up and took time to process what he heard.

Now he understood so many things. What lead Jimin to do what he does for a living. Why he was in such denial and pretending they everything was fine when he clearly wasn't. Why he constantly woke up with nightmares throughout the night.

It explained his childish and imperative personality. His lack of self control when things didn't go as planned. It just opened up Yoongi's eyes to understand him better.

Jimin had been through so much. Everything that meant something to him was taken away because of his greed. His lover and his mother. He was basically living in hell by having what he always wished for and nothing at the same time.

And despite it all, Jimin kept trying.

That recording stuck with Yoongi the rest of the day.