Seongwu returned to his desk after his talk with Kang. "Any news?"

"We found three different houses. Two of them are in the name of his late father and one is in the name of his mother."

"Why the hell didn't we think about this before?"

"Maybe because he said he didn't have a good relationship with them and we just let it slide?"

"That's stupid of us," Seongwu said, and the other snorted as he nodded. "Let's get a team ready and search each house."

🥀

It was later in the afternoon, and the two boys were lying in the bed in each other's arms. They shared a jumble of kisses, warm smiles and sweet talk during their time together. Taehyung also explained to him everything in detail about confessing to the police and his trial.

"Can they prove that you were only the middleman then?" Jeongguk asked with a pout engraved on his lips as the idea of him getting locked up in prison terrified him.

"I think so. I mean, they have the contracts he made me sign, and everyone in Hayan Night knows about this, so they'll testify in my favor. They just have to find where Kang is making the drugs."

"He makes them?"

"Yes. I don't know any details about that, but with each package he was sending, there was a note with an explanation, how strong it was and what ingredients it had."

"Wow," Jeongguk breathed out, surprised, as he had no idea about these things.

Taehyung chuckled at his cuteness and pecked his nose. "Aren't you just adorable?" he cooed, eliciting a giggle from him. They closed the gap between them and shared a tender kiss, lips moving in sync, tongues pressing against each other in a loving manner.

"Do I have to see this every time I walk by your cell?" one of the guards, who was checking the area every hour, asked with a bored expression.

"Let us live a little," Taehyung snickered as Jeongguk buried his face into his chest, embarrassed like every time the guard called them off.

"No kissing. It's more than enough that we let the boy be here with you."

"Oh, but it's not." Taehyung flashed him a teasing smile, making him snort. "Now leave us alone because I'm about to kiss him again."

The guard broke into a laugh and shook his head. "Fine, since the kid has to leave in a few hours, enjoy this while you can."

Jeongguk raised his head, a sulky expression clouding his face. "I have to leave?"

Taehyung let out a soft sigh and planted a kiss on his forehead. "You can't stay over the night, baby. You're not allowed."

"But I want to. I choose to."

"I know you do, little bun, I know." Taehyung drew sugary kisses all over his pouty face. His baby was extremely adorable and this was too much for his heart to handle. "But you'll be safe from now on. Nothing will happen to you if you go home without me. I know Yoongi will take care of you and keep you company."

"But I don't wanna go home without you. When will I be able to see you again?"

"You can come to visit me, but I don't think they'll let you in here again."

"I don't like this." Jeongguk was on the verge of tears by now. He truly hated the idea of being unable to see him as much as he wanted.

"Hey, little bun," he uttered as he cupped his face. "I don't like this either. I would give everything to be able to spend every day with you, cuddling you and kissing you. We just have to be patient until my trial, okay?"

"But what if you end up in jail?"

"Don't even think about that. I won't. And if I do, I will pay the bail."

"With what money? Didn't Kang take everything from you?"

"Surprisingly, my bank account is empty. Seongwu told me that yesterday. I don't know how Kang did it, but he took my money. But I was putting aside some money over the years I was working for him, and when his sidekicks came to pick me up, I sent a message to Namjoon and told him to come and take the money so Kang won't be able to take it. Am I not the smartest boy ever?"

Jeongguk giggled, eyes and nose wrinkling. "You are. So Namjoon has a key to your house?"

"Yeah. You want one too?" Taehyung wiggled his brows, earning a light slap on his shoulder.

"Won't Kang take the house too?"

"Kang is in jail, baby. Did you forget?"

"Yeah, he is in jail, but he still managed to take your money."

"Good point."

"But I don't want to live in that house, anyway. I want a completely new start with you, and I want us to pick our house together."

Taehyung's eyes grew a tad bigger as his jaw dropped open. "Our house?" The corner of his lips curved into a fond smile. "You want to live together?"

"Yeah? I mean, don't you?"

"Of course I do." Taehyung beamed and gave him a chain of tender kisses on his lips, both smiling between each one. "But there is a problem."

"What?"

"We won't have any money. I'm paying lots of money for the lawyer right now because I need a good one, and whatever is left, I'll keep it to pay the bail in case I end up in jail."

"I have some money."

"You barely worked for a month at the club. I don't think you have enough to buy a house or rent a place."

"My mother sends me some money too. We'll figure it out."

"Do you talk with your mother?"

"No, not really. She only sends me money. She stopped calling me at some point, and I don't call her either. If my father finds out, he will hurt her for helping me."

"Now that you mentioned it, shouldn't we do something about your father too? I mean, everyone is in jail. Shouldn't he be as well?"

"What can we do about him?"

"You can sue him. Everyone in the club knows what happened that day. I'm sure they will back you up. And of course, I will too."

"I need money for that, though."

"You can use what you have now."

"But... what about our house?"

"Don't worry about that. Sending him to jail is more important, little bun. Worst case scenario, we'll end up staying with Yoongi for a while until we find jobs and make money."

"Oh, I really wanna see how this will go." Jeongguk couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.

"What? He loves me now. I helped you get better and I make you happy. What else does he want?"

"Maybe he doesn't dislike you that much now. Saying that he loves you is a bit too much, don't you think?"

Faint laughs surrounded them as Taehyung pecked his lips. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Taehyungie hyung." Both smiled fondly and shared a deep, sweet kiss that lasted for a while.

A few hours rolled by — the night had come, and Jeongguk knew he would have to leave soon. Although he spent the whole day cuddling, kissing, and talking with him, he didn't want to let go yet. He didn't want to let go ever.

The sound of quick steps echoed in the cell, and a running Seongwu came into view. "We found it."

Taehyung looked at him with furrowed brows, but then his eyes popped as he sat up in the bed. "You found the house?"

"We found the fucking house." Seongwu grinned as he clutched the bars.

"How? Where?" He jumped to his feet and edged closer.

"There are three houses under the name of his father and mother. The two that belonged to his father were empty and seemed abandoned for years, but when we went to his mother's house, she was there too. At first, she acted like she didn't know anything, but we caught her lying about not being a doctor. We demanded to search her house, but of course, she denied. We got a warrant, and when we went to the basement, we hit jackpot."

"Fuck yes," Taehyung exclaimed as he released a sigh in relief. "Thank you so much, Seongwu-ssi."

"Don't thank me yet. We need to get you out of here first."

As Taehyung stood there, he felt a tug on his sweater and turned around, only to see Jeongguk stand behind him, chewing on his lower lip. He cracked a smile and muffled him into his hug. "Did you hear that, baby? He's definitely going to jail for life now."

"I'm really glad, Tae."

"You have to leave, Jeongguk," Seongwu said softly as he gazed at the two with a sad smile. He didn't want to separate them, but he didn't have a choice.

"Why—Why can't I stay?"

Taehyung felt a pang in his heart upon hearing the crack in his voice and held him tighter.

"I'm really sorry, Jeongguk. You're not allowed to spend the night here. And it was already hard to convince the chief to let you stay here for the day."

Taehyung ran his hands up and down his back as Jeongguk's rapid breath and quiet sniffles reached his senses. "I know, baby. I know you need me by your side and I'm really sorry that I have to stay here. You can visit me first thing in the morning, though. Please, don't be sad anymore. Maybe I won't be there to hold you while you're sleeping, but I will be here." He set a hand on Jeongguk's chest where his heart was and rubbed delicate circles over it.

"And also"—Taehyung pulled off his sweater—"you can wear this to sleep tonight." He passed it to him, and Jeongguk grabbed it, smiling through his tears. "I don't want to see any more tears on your beautiful face again, okay baby? I'll be right here, waiting for you in the morning." He wiped Jeongguk's cheeks with the pad of his thumbs. "We'll get through this. I promise you."

Jeongguk curled his arms around his nape and linked their lips. He was desperate about him, about his touches, his hugs, his kisses, his company, his everything. They savored everything about their last kiss of the day, completely forgetting about Seongwu who was still there.

"Thank you, Tae."

"Why are you thanking me?"

"For everything. You're the only one who can comfort me. You always have a way to make me smile and feel loved. And thank you for giving me your sweater."

"I'm happy to hear that, little bun. Can you promise me you won't cry once you leave?"

"I promise. I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"Only if you come."

"Of course I will." Jeongguk gave his shoulder a playful push at his teasing tone as he chuckled. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you more," he whispered and kissed him once again.

They smiled at each other and glanced sideways, only to find Seongwu gazing at them with soft eyes, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "Were you really watching us this whole time?" Taehyung asked.

"I surely was. You guys are adorable. I remember being like this with my wife."

"Are you still like this?" Taehyung asked.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because we've been together for fifteen years. We still love each other, of course, and communicate really well. But when you have spent so many years with one person, spending one day apart doesn't feel like the end of the world anymore. Not to mention the sex is so good afterwards because you have missed each other."

Jeongguk tensed up at his last remark and ducked his head, sheepish, and Taehyung chuckled at his cuteness as he slipped an arm over his shoulders. "We're not there yet."

"Oops." Seongwu tittered. "Anyways, last kiss, and I'll drive you home, Jeongguk."

And the two boys did exactly that. Their lips fused tenderly, tongues dancing together at a savory rhythm. Taehyung held his nape and deepened the kiss as the other tightened his grip around him.

They drew back and rested their foreheads against each other. "Everything will be fine this time," Taehyung uttered against his lips. "I love you, little bun."

"I love you, Tae." He pecked his lips once more and pulled away completely. The guard opened the cell, and he stepped outside. He stayed still, looking at Taehyung through the bars. "Promise?" He extended his hand and stretched his pinky, waiting for him to seal the promise.

"I can promise you the world, but what are we promising right now?"

"That no matter what, we'll get through this and stick together. Always."

Taehyung smiled fondly as he hooked his pinky with his, and they sealed it with their thumbs. "Promise."

⚜✳⚜