Hello, everyone~♡♡♡ I hope so far you're enjoying the story. There isn't too much going on in this chapter, since this is mostly a filler chapter. There is minor violence in this scenario~♡♡♡ Please enjoy~♡♡♡

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Namjoon nervously entered Hoseok's office, noticing that Hoseok's office chair was turned with it's back to the door. Namjoon hesitantly cleared his throat to see the chair swivel around and reveal a rather angered Hoseok. "Take a seat," he instructed flatly, pointing in front of his desk to a small, cozy chair.

Namjoon slowly approached the chair as Hoseok stood up, clasping his arms behind his back as he walked over towards a window behind his chair. "Would you happen to have my gun?" he asked calmly, piercing Namjoon with his sinister gaze through the reflection. His gaze was icy and cut Namjoon to the core as Hoseok quickly turned toward him, his expression unreadable as he swiftly approached him. 

Namjoon tried his best not to cower into the plush chair as Hoseok leaned down in front of him, slamming his hands down on the arm rests and pinning Namjoon to the fabric of the chair. He stared into Hoseok's devoid eyes, trying not to show how terrified he actually felt at this very moment. "I- I don't know what you're talking about," he stuttered slightly, Hoseok chuckling darkly.

Hoseok shrugged with his chuckle, trying to lure Namjoon into a false sense of security as he backed away from the chair. He walked over toward his desk, opening a drawer and pulling out another gun. He cocked it with a dark smile and held it against his shoulder, the barrel pointed towards the ceiling. "Well then, I guess the only other person that could have it would be Jin," he stated, slowly walking towards the door. 

Namjoon's eyes widened as he realized Hoseok was bating him, but he wasn't about to let Hosoek hurt the person he loved so dearly. "Wait," he shouted as Hoseok stopped short of grabbing the door knob and turned his head towards Namjoon. Namjoon swallowed hard as he held Hoseok's gun out to him. "I have your gun," he whispered softly, biting his lip as Hoseok turned completely towards him now.

Hoseok regarded the weapon in Namjoon's out stretched hands, walking back towards him. "I thought you were the last person to have it," he stated matter-of-factly, his eyes narrowing. "So why'd you lie to me?" he asked, tracing Namjoon's jawline with the barrel of the gun he'd previously taken out of his desk. 

Namjoon visibly swallowed as he stared into Hoseok's soulless eyes that held no patience for anyone but Taehyung, even if that were only a little. "I- I lied t- to protect myself," he lied yet again, not wanting to reveal that Taehyung had given him the gun. Hoseok snatched the gun from Namjoon's hands, smiling demonically as he leaned in close to Namjoon once again. "Lying to me normally results in severe punishment of some sort..." Hoseok trailed off, thinking for a moment before his smile visibly widened. "But I'm not going to physically punish you this time. No, I'm going to mentally punish you. You help me carry out my plan against Taehyung or I kill Jin. Your choice," he stated, leaning away from Namjoon.

Namjoon stared at Hoseok as he leaned back against his desk, smiling at the shocked expression on Namjoon's face as the latter bit his lip. "You're evil," he mumbled under his breath. Hoseok burst out into maniacal laughter as his eyes darkened on Namjoon even more. "You think I don't already know that?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. 

Namjoon squeezed his hands tightly in his lap, staring down as he thought about the only two options that Hoseok gave him. He knew Jin wanted to help Taehyung and he also wanted to help Taehyung, but he couldn't do anything without Jin by his side. He sighed softly in defeat as he looked up at Hoseok once more, Hoseok staring at him with a half cocked eyebrow as if he were inquiring his choice without verbally asking. "I'll help you, Hoseok," he whispered softly, feeling utterly helpless in his choice. 

Hoseok smiled, the smile appearing normal for a change to Namjoon before Hoseok placed both guns on his desk as he stood up straight once again. "You made the right choice. I really didn't know what I was going to do, if I had to kill Jin," he stated, laughing. "But of course, you know I'd do it," he added, his expression falling serious once again. Namjoon nodded numbly as he watched Hoseok smile again as if he didn't have any ill intent in mind whatsoever.

Taehyung had managed to clean Jungkook's mess off of his hospital gown while Jungkook got dressed, both moving around quickly to keep the others from being suspicious. Taehyung quickly climbed back into his hospital bed, Jungkook watching as he blushed at the fact that they'd just fucked on that bed. He turned his head away to hide the fact that he was blushing as Taehyung noticed Jimin poking his head inside the room. Jungkook felt his heart sink, the heat suddenly leaving his face as he smiled at Jimin to hide the feelings of regret. Taehyung smiled softly, waving at him as Jimin pushed the curtain open once again.

"How's Yoongi?" Taehyung asked, watching Jimin for any cues that he might know something was wrong. Jimin smiled softly as he gently kissed Jungkook's forehead and ruffled his hair gently. "Well, Yoongi is out of surgery. His vitals are stable right now, so the doctor's think that he's going to make a full recovery," he stated, walking closer toward Taehyung.

Taehyung sighed softly in relief, his hands clenched slightly in his lap as Jimin sat in the chair next to his bed. "That's great news," he exclaimed, his smile widening slightly to hide the sudden guilt that he felt. "Do they know when he'll be able to have any visitors?"

Jimin shook his head as he noticed Taehyung's hands clenched in his lap. "I don't know yet, they want to keep him in ICU a couple days for observation, you know? But are you okay?" he asked, pointing out Taehyung's obvious tension. Taehyung mentally smacked himself and nodded quickly in response to Jimin's observation. "Yeah, just a little nervous about Hoseok. Jin and Namjoon carried him off a couple hours ago, after Namjoon knocked him out... I'm worried about them now too, since I haven't heard anything from them yet," he stated, keeping his regret locked away deep inside his heart.

Jungkook met Taehyung's eyes and knew he had to keep this secret locked away within him until the day that he died as well. He would have never told Jimin to begin with for the simple fact that he didn't want to lose Taehyung to Jimin's apparent jealousy or lose Jimin for his own reckless actions. Jungkook looked at Jimin and smiled softly, walking over and taking a seat on Jimin's lap as he wrapped his arms around Jimin's neck. "I'm so glad to hear that," he stated, snuggling into Jimin's neck. "I was so worried about Yoongi," he whispered softly, closing his eyes in relief.

Jimin gently rubbed Jungkook's back, hearing soft snores leaving Jungkook as he chuckled softly. "He must be exhausted from everything that's happened," Jimin stated as Taehyung nodded half heartedly. Jimin continued to rub Jungkook's back, letting the younger sleep as he leaned back in the chair to close his eyes as well. He felt just as physhically and mentally drained as if he'd run a marathon that morning.

Taehyung glanced over at Jimin and Jungkook to see them sleeping peacefully and smiled softly as he leaned back into his bed, his mind racing. He wasn't going to tell Yoongi about this incident because that would definitely lead to an argument that Taehyung definitely didn't want. He was already afraid that he'd lose Yoongi to Hoseok's crazy rantings if not his actions, seeing as how he just about killed Yoongi this afternoon. He closed his eyes and tried to relax, although his mind never gave him enough peace to even drift off into a restless sleep.

Yoongi opened his eyes slightly to the blinding light of a bland white room, his mind hazy as he glanced around the luminous room. He slowly sat up, feeling a shock wave of pain travel up from his chest and abdomen. He stopped short, a soft whimper leaving his lips as Taehyung's face slowly came into view. "Yoongi? You're awake," he stated, smiling brightly at Yoongi. 

Yoongi smiled softly when he saw Taehyung, Taehyung's hand gently grabbing his own as he stared up at him. "Taetae," he whispered hoarsely, wrapping his fingers weakly around Taehyung's hand. Taehyung smiled with tears in his eyes as he leaned over Yoongi and kissed his forehead softly. "I missed that so much," he stated, rubbing his thumb gingerly over Yoongi's delicate hand. "How are you feeling?"

Yoongi tenderly touched the spot where Hoseok had shot him, glancing over at Taehyung with tears in his eyes. "I- I almost died, didn't I?" he asked, even more frightened of Hoseok now than he'd ever been. Yoongi knew he was capable of evil things, but the look he'd had on his face when Yoongi last saw him was far more frightening. He'd never seen such an intense and crazy expression on anyone's face before that moment, that moment before he hit the ground and couldn't breathe properly. Even now, he realized he was hooked up to a machine that was helping him breathe at this moment. 

Taehyung gently ran his fingers through Yoongi's hair, chuckling softly at the expression on Yoongi's face. "Don't worry, Yoongi. The mask comes off in a few days," he stated softly, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them once again. "They say your lung collapsed. The bullet had punctured one of your lungs and it collapsed. It'll take a few days to be healed well enough to where it won't affect your breathing anymore," he explained, gently caressing Yoongi's cheek with his index finger. 

Yoongi smiled softly and nodded, continuing to hold Taehyung's hand. "Wh- when do I get out of the hospital?" he asked, trying to speak around the air being pumped into his mouth and nose. Taehyung chuckled softly at Yoongi's persistence, gently patting Yoongi's head with the arm that had the cast. "Well, they're saying a few days for you. I was just released this morning, so I'll remain by your side now," he stated softly, kissing Yoongi's cheek. 

Yoongi smiled wider at Taehyung's statement, shaking his head. "As happy as that makes me, Taetae. You don't have to do that," he stated gently, reaching his other hand up to cup Taehyung's face. "I know you have things you have to do in order to keep you and I safe. So, please, do that instead," he added seriously, blatantly telling Taehyung he was petrified of Hoseok now. "Please."

Taehyung closed his eyes sadly, knowing Yoongi had to be terrified of Hoseok and nodded at Yoongi's words, opening his eyes with determination. "I'll make sure he never hurts you again, okay. I promise you that," he stated, standing up. He gently kissed Yoongi's forehead once again and forced a smile. "Then I'll get to work, so that you can rest easy."

Yoongi smiled at how sweet Taehyung was and nodded back at him, letting go of Taehyung's hand. "I love you," Yoongi whispered as Taehyung smiled down at him. "I love you too," he repeated back before leaving Yoongi's hospital room. Yoongi watched the door for several minutes to see if anyone else was coming to visit him. When no one else seemed to be coming to visit him, he gently closed his eyes until he heard a soft knock on his door. He didn't know how long he'd been laying there with his eyes closed but he smiled when Jungkook poked his head into the door with a pleasant smile.

Taehyung cursed under his breath as Jimin followed behind him, trying to keep up with Taehyung's stride. "Tae, what's up?" Jimin asked breathily, walking fast beside Taehyung. Taehyung slowed his pace for Jimin, knowing the elder had to walk faster just to keep up with him. Taehyung grit his teeth at the question to keep from feeling helpless and useless to Yoongi. "I promised Yoongi that Hoseok would never hurt him again... But I have no way to secure that, especially when I can't even protect myself from him," he scoffed, glaring at the cast on his arm. 

Jimin noticed the tense frustration that Taehyung faced, knowing that Taehyung would either have to leave Yoongi for his safety and keep Hoseok happy or kill Hoseok and keep Yoongi happy. Jimin sighed softly and gently patted Taehyung's back, causing the other to flinch and glance at him quickly. "Sorry," he whispered softly, averting his eyes as he apologized. "I'm trying to remain calm, but I have very few options right now," he added softly, continuing towards the parking lot. 

Jimin continued to follow, knowing Taehyung was going somewhere else. He wasn't going to allow Taehyung to leave without him any longer, hoping he'd be of some assistance with Hoseok in the future. He hated when Taehyung handled things that involved Hoseok by himself because that just meant the fear of becoming the next leader loomed ever closer without him even being aware of it. 

They silently reached Taehyung's car, Taehyung climbing into the back seat with a solemn expression as Jimin climbed into the driver's seat. "Where are you wanting to go?" he asked, glancing at Taehyung in the rearview mirror. Taehyung thought for a moment before nodding his head in absolution. "Head back towards the compound. We're going to finish Hoseok's drug tonight and confront him later," he stated, leaning his head back against his seat.

Jimin nodded, backing the car out of its space and heading in the direction of their home in silence. Neither one spoke the entire car ride, the atmosphere heavy with the determination to keep both their loved ones safe from Hoseok.

Jimin pulled the car into the garage, both Jimin and Taehyung climbing out of the car as Taehyung quickly made his way towards his office. Before Taehyung could enter his office and lock himself inside, Jimin stopped him with a heavy hand on his arm. "Wait, Tae. Let me help you. It'll get done faster," he stated, staring up at Taehyung. Taehyung shook his head softly, sighing heavily. "You know I can't let you do that. Hoseok wants it made a specific way and I don't want him coming after you, if he finds out you made it instead," he stated softly, moving his hand to open his office door once again.

Jimin only gripped his arm harder and stared at Taehyung with concern. "Then teach me how you make it and I'll help! You can't finish this deadline by yourself," he stated, his eyes narrowing. "Especially since you just got back from the hospital. How do you expect to make all that at once with that cast," he asked smugly, staring into Taehyung's deep eyes. 

Taehyung sighed heavily, exasperated that Jimin was absolutely correct. "Fine, fine. I'll teach you. Plus, it couldn't hurt for you to learn how he likes his drugs, in case something goes wrong tonight," he stated bluntly, catching Jimin off guard. Jimin didn't even want to think that anything might happen to Taehyung. That only heightened his fear of taking over Taehyung's position.

Taehyung noticed Jimin's grip tighten on his arm and glanced back at him to see him staring down at the ground, a soft smile creeping over his face. "Please don't say things like that," Jimin whispered, averting his eyes from Taehyung as he smiled at him. Taehyung gently patted Jimin's shoulder and ushered him into his office. "Okay, let's get to work then."

Hoseok yanked Namjoon to his feet, dragging him out of his office by his arm, his grip tightening around Namjoon's bicep as he led him towards his car. Hoseok snapped loudly and pointed towards the car, one of his men rushing forward and opening the car door for both Namjoon and Hoseok. Hoseok shoved Namjoon into the car first and climbed in behind him with an eerie smile. "We're going to pay Jin a visit," he stated, his driver closing the door as he glanced over at a nervous Namjoon. 

"W- we are?" Namjoon managed to choke out his question, wary as to why they were paying Jin a visit. Hoseok glanced angrily at Namjoon out of the corner of his eye before nodding in agreement. "After all, he's going to help us," he added, crossing his arms over his chest and crossing one leg over the other. "He's going to be the one to deliver Taehyung into my care. No longer will I have to worry about whether he's strayed from me or not," he stated, closing his eyes before opening them slightly. 

Namjoon felt his heart sink with regret, the emotion slowly seeping into every crevice and vascular artery that spread throughout his entire body. He felt heavy with regret and despair at the very choices he'd made in his life that led up to this very moment. He turned his head and glanced out the window as the car began to move. He wondered if jumping out of a speeding car would make this heavy feeling of betrayal leave his body. He sighed softly, realizing that would do him no good because Hoseok would just expect that much more of him once he was healed- if the jump didn't kill him. 

Hoseok sat in absolute silence as he leaned his head back, a twinge of pain resonating within the confines of his head. He was going to make sure Namjoon and Jin watched as he stole Taehyung's freedom from him. It was the only way he could be sure that Taehyung's heart would never truly belong to another and the only way that he could ensure that Taehyung could no longer defy him. 

Namjoon glanced over at Hoseok as they pulled along the side of Jin's house, his eyes widening as Hoseok opened the door and stepped out. He slammed the door in Namjoon's face, Namjoon staring at his own surprised reflection as Hoseok stared down at him through the tinted window with contempt. He said nothing to Namjoon before turning away and walking towards Jin's house.
 
Namjoon watched with disdain as Hoseok kicked Jin's door in with such force and entered Jin's home without permission. He bit his lip when he saw Hoseok dragging Jin out of his own home by his hair, Jin kicking his legs wildly as his hands tried to pry Hoseok's fingers from his hair. Hoseok finally stopped and lifted Jin to his feet by his bicep and dragged him the remaining way to the car.

The door was opened swiftly by the driver just as Hoseok was walking around the side of the car. He hurriedly and forcefully shoved Jin into the car and climbed in across from the two of them, slamming the door shut. The driver locked the doors quickly, the locks disappearing into their outlets as Hoseok crossed his arms over his chest once more. 

"Now, Jin, it's time we discussed you helping me obtain Taehyung. Namjoon already agreed to it, seeing as how he had no other choice but to watch you die," he announced darkly, his narrowed eyes focusing on the two of them sitting side by side. "Or would you rather watch him die instead," he asked, pointing his gun at Namjoon's face. "Because you see, he admitted to using my gun against me to knock me out, and I know someone had to have orchestrated that," he stated, his eyes zeroing in on Jin as the car lurched forward once more. 

Jin stared at Hoseok in open mouth horror, his eyes wide as he stared at the gun in Namjoon's face. "N- no! D- don't hurt him," he stammered out, shoving Hoseok's gun out of Namjoon's face. He huddled against Namjoon, hiding his face at the realization of his actions and words. "Well then, it looks like we're all in agreement then," he heard the unwavering darkness in Hoseok's tone as he spoke. Jin sobbed heavily into Namjoon's shoulder as he realized what fate awaited Taehyung. He knew that nobody could stop Hoseok from obtaining what he wanted now. And that was Taehyung's freedom.

Taehyung and Jimin worked quickly together, now that Jimin knew how he had to make Hoseok's drugs. The words that Taehyung had said earlier were still buzzing around in his head and during the entire time he'd been working. He was worried about his younger brother's safety as he glanced at him from time to time during their work process. He found himself distracted and unable to focus completely on making Hoseok's drug with Taehyung's words still ringing loud and clear. He didn't want anything to happen to his younger brother, but there was no guarantee that Hoseok wouldn't eventually snap and turn against Taehyung.

Jimin glanced at Taehyung out of the corner of his eye, gaining Taehyung's attention after a moment. The latter offered a lopsided grin before returning to his work as Jimin smiled sadly. The thought of Taehyung no longer being with him tormented him. He may not have been his blood relative, but Taehyung was the closest thing to a family he had and he didn't want to lose his only remaining family. 

Jimin continued to grind the crystals that Taehyung passed onto him into a fine powder, even with his thoughts still tormenting him. He never knew how hard Taehyung worked doing all of this by himself until now and he never knew how much work was required just to make Hoseok's drugs. All those sleepless nights Taehyung experienced while making drugs was unfathomable to him. How had he managed to keep working like that for days on end without so much as a break? Jimin had never been so impressed by Taehyung's sheer force of will to keep them all safe from Hoseok. 

Jimin stopped grinding the crystals for a moment, staring at Taehyung who turned towards him with a worried expression. "Did you hurt yourself?" he asked, slowly standing up to inspect Jimin's hand. Jimin shook his head softly and sighed before wrapping Taehyung in a tight hug, his head burying itself into Taehyung's chest. "I- I've never been so amazed by you before, Tae," he stated, looking up at a confused Taehyung. "You work so hard in here by yourself day in and day out. I never knew how much work went into meeting Hoseok's demands until now... And you still managed to maintain giving orders to us justly. H- How did you do it?" he asked, letting Taehyung go for now. 

Taehyung chuckled softly as he scratched the back of his head nervously. "Well, you know. I had you and all of my men to think about. I didn't want anyone falling victim to Hoseok's wrath. I mean, I've known what he was like since I was three," he stated softly, his hand dropping to his side in defeat. "And I'll never be able to escape him either... But, if I can give him what he wants and keep his eyes on me, maybe everyone else will be able to escape," he stated softly, turning his back to Jimin once more as he continued to work. He didn't want to speak of such unpleasantries in front of Jimin, but those were some of the thoughts that plagued Taehyung's mind everyday. 

Jimin inhaled sharply at Taehyung's words, knowing the younger was willing to sacrifice himself for everybody else's freedom from Hoseok's tyranny. He turned towards the grinder once more and numbly continued grinding the crystals into fine powder. He felt tears sting his eyes at the thoughts that Taehyung shared with him, knowing the younger must be frightened. He sniffled softly and blinked several times to keep from crying. He refused to cry at a time like this, knowing Taehyung needed someone strong beside him, someone to support him through these dark and twisted thoughts. Although Taehyung now had Yoongi, Jimin was certain Taehyung hadn't shared these thoughts with him. Who would ever want to share thoughts of being forsaken and giving up on fighting to the person that they loved?