The town square buzzed with life as the group stepped out of the car. Vendors lined the cobblestone streets, their colorful stalls spilling over with fresh flowers, handmade trinkets, and festive decorations. Taehyung inhaled deeply, spreading his arms as if to embrace the lively atmosphere.

“This is perfect!” he declared. “Let’s split up and get everything done before lunch.”

Seokjin rolled his eyes, holding up a carefully crafted shopping list. “I’m leading this mission, Tae. Stick to the plan.”

Jungkook leaned closer to Jimin and muttered, “Hyung’s going full wedding-planner mode again.”

Jimin chuckled but quickly masked it when Seokjin turned to them with a pointed glare.

“Namjoon, you’re with me,” Seokjin said, already tugging Namjoon toward a nearby boutique. “We’ll handle the decorations and check the final measurements for the suits.”

Namjoon allowed himself to be dragged along, though he shot a helpless smile at the others over his shoulder.

“Yoongi,” Seokjin called, “You’re—”

“I’ll catch up later,” Yoongi interrupted, his voice steady but distant. “I just need some air.”

Seokjin hesitated, his lips tightening in concern, but he didn’t push. “Fine. Just stay close.”

As Yoongi drifted toward the quieter side streets, Taehyung clapped his hands together, clearly energized. “Alright, Jungkook, Jimin—let’s go find something cool for Yoongi-hyung. He’s not escaping our fashion intervention this time.”

Jimin and Jungkook exchanged amused glances before trailing after him.

Yoongi wandered aimlessly, the lively hum of the square fading as he moved into a quieter part of town. The cold air nipped at his cheeks, but he didn’t mind. It was a welcome reprieve from the noise and chaos.

He paused near a small park, leaning against an iron fence as he let his mind drift. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been standing there when a familiar voice cut through the stillness.

“Yoongi.”

His body tensed as he turned to see Hyungwoo approaching, his coat buttoned tightly against the chill. The man’s sharp features were framed by the pale winter light, and his calm expression did little to hide the intensity in his eyes.

“Hyungwoo,” Yoongi said, his voice guarded.

“I figured I’d find you here,” Hyungwoo said, stopping a few feet away. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I’ve been busy,” Yoongi replied curtly, though they both knew it wasn’t true.

Hyungwoo reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small vial of pills, holding it out to Yoongi. “Your medication. You’re running low, aren’t you?”

Yoongi hesitated before taking the vial, his fingers brushing against Hyungwoo’s. “Thanks,” he muttered.

Hyungwoo studied him for a moment, his gaze searching. “You’re back now. Does that mean you’re ready?”

“Ready for what?” Yoongi asked, though the weight in his chest already told him the answer.

“For justice,” Hyungwoo said quietly, his tone both hopeful and demanding. “For Hoseok.”

Yoongi’s jaw tightened at the mention of his late best friend. He could still see Hoseok’s face, could still hear his voice, could still feel the cold, suffocating fear of that night.

“I…” Yoongi started, but Hyungwoo cut him off.

“You’re the only one who knows what happened,” Hyungwoo pressed, his voice trembling with emotion. “The only one who can make it right. Don’t you think he deserves that?”

Yoongi looked away, the lump in his throat making it impossible to respond.

“Yoongi,” Hyungwoo said, his voice softer now, almost pleading. “You being back here—it gives me hope. Don’t take that away from me.”

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then Yoongi nodded stiffly, slipping the vial into his pocket before turning and walking away.

Back in the square, Taehyung was busy flipping through racks of clothing in an upscale boutique, Jungkook trailing behind him with an armful of selections.

“Hyung, do you really think Yoongi-hyung will wear any of this?” Jungkook asked skeptically, holding up a mustard-yellow sweater.

“He will if we force him,” Taehyung said, grinning.

Jimin laughed as he leaned against a nearby rack. “You know he’s just going to glare at us and say no, right?”

“Then we’ll out-glare him,” Taehyung declared.

Jungkook rolled his eyes. “Good luck with that.”

Eventually, Taehyung settled on a sleek black coat and a gray scarf. “This will suit him perfectly,” he said, holding them up triumphantly.

“Not bad,” Jimin admitted, nodding in approval.

“Of course not,” Taehyung said, puffing out his chest. “I have excellent taste.”

As they made their way back to the main square, they spotted Seokjin and Namjoon coming out of another store, carrying bags filled with decorations and supplies.

“What took you so long?” Seokjin asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Art takes time,” Taehyung replied smugly.

“Art?” Jungkook muttered under his breath, earning a laugh from Jimin.

By the time Yoongi rejoined them, the group had gathered near a cozy café, the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air.

“Where have you been?” Seokjin asked, his tone more curious than accusatory.

“Just needed some air,” Yoongi replied.

“Well, you came back just in time,” Taehyung said, thrusting the coat and scarf into Yoongi’s hands. “Here. These are for you.”

Yoongi blinked in surprise. “You didn’t have to—”

“Don’t argue,” Seokjin said firmly. “Just try them on.”

With a resigned sigh, Yoongi draped the scarf around his neck and slipped on the coat. Taehyung and Jimin immediately started nodding in approval.

“See? I told you it’d look good,” Taehyung said, grinning.

“Not bad,” Yoongi admitted, adjusting the scarf.

“Not bad? You look amazing,” Jimin said, his tone light but sincere.

For a moment, Yoongi felt the heaviness in his chest ease.

Later that evening, the three Kim brothers gathered in the living room, the others having given them some space. The fire crackled softly as they reminisced about their childhood.

“Do you remember when you tried to climb that tree in the garden?” Seokjin said, looking at Yoongi.

“And you got stuck halfway up,” Taehyung added, laughing. “You screamed so loudly that Mom came running.”

“I did not scream,” Yoongi muttered, though his faint smile betrayed him.

“You definitely screamed,” Seokjin teased.

The warmth of their laughter filled the room, wrapping around them like a blanket. For a brief moment, Yoongi let himself relax, the memories pulling him away from the weight of his secrets and into the safety of his brothers’ presence.

“Remember  that old tailor’s shop which weused to visit with  Mom?” Seokjin said, his eyes bright with nostalgia.

“The one with the grumpy owner?” Taehyung added, laughing. “He always gave us candy after scolding us for running around.”

Yoongi chuckled softly. “I remember. You used to hide behind Seokjin-hyung whenever he yelled at you.”

“And you used to bribe me with candy to get him to stop!” Taehyung shot back.

Seokjin smiled, watching his younger brothers bicker playfully. For a moment, it felt like they were kids again, free from the weight of their father’s expectations and the shadows of the past.

Yoongi, too, felt a flicker of warmth in his chest, the heaviness that had plagued him all day lifting ever so slightly.

Meanwhile

Jimin sat with Namjoon and Jungkook in the kitchen, sipping hot chocolate and listening to Jungkook recount the day’s events.

“I swear, Tae-hyung almost bought a neon pink jacket for Yoongi-hyung,” Jungkook said, grinning.

Jimin smiled but didn’t join in much. His thoughts kept drifting to Yoongi, to the shadows in his eyes and the unspoken words he carried.

...........................