Taehyung had the memory of his conversation with Jay engraved in his head since the very moment he woke up. That damn itch to know his story gnawed at his chest and brought wave after wave of frustration within him.

It wasn’t about just seeing his face anymore. He wanted to see him. His soul.

He was the only one who said goodbye to Jungkook before they left the room, and even though he received the coldest goodbye possible, he didn’t regret it. If he wanted to get to know him, he had to talk to him in every chance, and maybe, maybe Jay’s walls would soften sometime.

Yoongi’s dull expression glistened with expectancy when the three familiar friends entered his vision, and he straightened his posture with a jerk.

“Good morning,” Taehyung smiled.

“Good morning,” Yoongi said, his eyes locked on a certain blonde who didn’t bother to even glimpse at him. “You’re going to the beach?”

The unexpected question brought the three to a stop. Jimin sucked his bottom lip between his teeth to contain his wild, victorious smile, as the other two seemed rather surprised at the turn of events. They truly couldn’t believe Jimin’s plan had worked after all.

“Yes, we are,” Hoseok said as he approached the counter. “We haven’t met properly. I’m Hoseok.”

Yoongi dipped his head, then his gaze shifted to the other two when they neared him as well.

“I’m Taehyung.”

An awkward silence shrouded them as everyone stared at Jimin, and judging by the duration of the said silence, he wasn’t planning to say something.

“Yah. Don’t push it,” Taehyung whispered to Jimin’s ear and released a titter as he redirected his eyes to Yoongi. “He’s Jimin. You know, the guy you treated like shit when he just wanted to talk to you.”

Yoongi received the scathing quip resignedly. “Fair enough. I’m sorry for my shitty behavior, Jimin-ssi. It’s just... Never mind. I can’t really explain. I was a jerk. You’re right. Let’s make a new start.”

The austere veneer on Jimin’s face burned off at his words and instead, a flirty glint flared up in his eyes. “You’re buying me a drink tonight.”

“Okay,” Yoongi agreed right away. The recognition of Jimin’s suggestive gaze pulled the corner of his lips into a slight smirk. “I’ll be waiting for you here at six.”

“I’ll doll myself up for you. I hope you’ll appreciate it this time,” Jimin said with such an innocent look it only inflamed Yoongi’s oppressed desire for him.

“Trust me. I appreciate it every time.”

Jimin’s smile grew into a grin, unable to hide his elation. “See you at six.”

The three headed out of the hostel with Jimin on the lead, and they could only gape at their friend in amazement. “Did that really just happen?” Hoseok asked.

Jimin’s response was an extended shrill of ultimate excitement as he held tiny fists in front of him.

Taehyung giggled at his overly adorable reaction. “You have a date, Chim! With Yoongi. You did it. You defrosted his icy persona. I can’t believe it.”

Jimin sighed in bliss as he draped his arms over his friends’ shoulders. “I’m so fucking happy, guys.”

“And we’re happy for you,” Hoseok said. “What will you do if he makes a move?”

“You mean to have sex?”

“Yes.”

“Of course I’ll have sex with him,” Jimin chirped. He perceived a few bizarre glances from the passersby and lowered his head, embarrassed. “You think I shouldn’t, right? Because it’s the first date. But I haven’t had sex in almost a year now. I need some action.”

Taehyung snorted. “That’s just a stupid rule. Why shouldn’t we have sex on the first date? Why shouldn’t we have sex just because we want to have fun? If it’s something you both want, do it.” He lifted a shoulder in a shrug and positioned his gaze ahead. His vision squinted on a certain man who stood at the corner of a large building. It’s the same guy. Why is he here again?

Taehyung scrutinized him as they strolled past him; he had black, curly hair, a set of brown eyes that seemed rather probing at that moment, and rough characteristics. He perceived he was about as tall as him, despite that his shoulders were hunched.

He overall appeared to be fidgety and in complete vigilance, as if he were waiting for something, but he was also awkward with a tinge of fear, as if he weren’t supposed to be here.

“Tae. Are you listening?” Jimin gently set his hand on his shoulder.

“Hmm? No.”

“What were you staring at so intently?” Hoseok asked, brows pulling together.

“Nothing, don’t worry.” Taehyung presented a faint smile, and he blotted out the stranger’s image for the time being to savor his time with his friends.

🥀

Jungkook couldn’t believe his ears when he found out from an exhilarated Jimin who couldn’t shut up that he had a date with Yoongi, one of his best friends since birth. He had never heard the words Yoongi and date in a sentence before.

That applied to Namjoon, Seokjin, and himself, of course, since they never had a normal life.

Jungkook’s life consisted of managing a nightclub, a casino, and an undercover drug manufacturing business. His family had more businesses, but these were solely on his name, and he managed them with the help of his hyungs. Yoongi worked at the nightclub, Namjoon at the casino, and Seokjin at the billiard center, which they used as a coverage to run the drug business in the basement.

It was a life that was given to them by their family. Their fathers were friends even before they were born, and they were raised together. But even if it weren’t a family business, they couldn’t picture themselves doing anything else.

They were at their peak, the best of the best. Each one of their businesses made excessive amounts of money, and their low-risk pills had the highest demand they could get. Everything was going so perfectly well.

Until that one night that led them to this prison-like hell.

  
Jungkook slid the door to the storage room open at eight sharp. As expected, one of his hyungs wasn’t there yet, and a subdued snort burst out of him as he grabbed a can of beer and plopped down onto the chair. “Yoongi’s still on his little date, huh?”

“Yes,” Seokjin chuckled. “I don’t think he’s ever been on a date before.”

“Being a drug dealer and having normal dates don’t really go together,” Namjoon said.

“We never were just drug dealers,” Jungkook said, faint condemnation coating his words. “We were businessmen. The best in the industry.”

“Why are you talking in past tense? We still are. We’re just taking a break to sort this out.” Seokjin nipped at his drink and reclined in his seat. “Our lives aren’t over just because of a setback.”

“That setback can end my life, though.”

A sparkle of gloom shimmered in Namjoon’s eyes as he fixed them on Jungkook. “It won’t. I promise. We’re close, Kook. We found a guy who had seen Ji Hoo a week ago. That means he’s here.”

“Where did he see him?”

“At Gapa Island. That guy saw him walk around.”

“What?” Jungkook muttered as a frown of sheer mystification popped up onto his face. “Why was he walking around? He isn’t hiding?”

“We don’t know,” Seokjin sighed. “Something just feels off.”

Jungkook withdrew behind a veil of silence as he meditated on the strange situation. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t conceive of a possible reason why Ji Hoo would walk around freely while he was supposed to be in hiding.

 
They drank another beer, enjoying each other’s company, until it was time for Seokjin to start his night shift.

Jungkook returned to his surprisingly empty room and settled down into his bed. As usual, he spent his time playing games on his phone, and that was what he was still doing when the door flew open about an hour later and the three friends hurried to sit in Jimin’s bed.

“Spill everything,” Taehyung said, then sniffled. His throat felt a little weird since the moment they returned from their fixed morning swim, but he was too eager to know how his friend’s date was, so he disregarded it.

“Guys,” Jimin sighed in utter content, dreamy eyes staring at an empty spot in the air. “It was amazing. He was so sweet and nice. We went for drinks to a bar. We flirted all~ the time. He paid for everything. One thing led to another, and we ended up in a hotel room.”

Hoseok’s eyes enlarged in pleasant shock. “You had sex?”

Jimin gave continuous tiny nods as a grin cut across his face.

“How was he?” Taehyung asked.

“I don’t even have words. Everything was so hot about him. From the way he cared for me and was worried about hurting me, to the way he grasped my hair and fucked me rough, like there was no tomorrow.”

Jungkook screwed his eyes shut in aggravation. No, he didn’t want to hear any details about his hyung’s sex life. That was one thing the four of them never shared with each other. “Don’t go into details.”

“Oh?” Jimin threw his eyes at the voice. “I forgot you were here.” He giggled with his friends, but as his smile faded, his concerns about a few things leaped into focus. “There was something weird, though.”

“What?” asked Taehyung.

“When we got to the hotel. He asked me to book the room, but he said he’ll pay for it.”

“And? He didn’t pay for it?” Hoseok frowned.

“He did. I just didn’t understand why I had to book the room since he would pay for it. He said he didn’t have his ID with him.”

“It happens, I guess.”

“No, not really,” Taehyung disagreed. “I never go anywhere without my ID, for example.”

“Yeah, same,” Jimin said. “You don’t think... he’s hiding something, right?”

“Chim. Don’t be suspicious just because he didn’t have his ID with him,” Hoseok said.

“It’s not just that. I think he doesn’t have a car. I mean, he owns this hostel, so obviously he has money. I suggested going to his house to be more comfortable, and he said it’s too far from here. He finishes his shift at five, and we met up at six. If his house is really that far, when did he have the time to go home, shower, get ready, and return?”

Although Taehyung reflected on his words, he couldn’t conceive what his friend was suspecting exactly. “I’m lost here. So what are you saying? That he didn’t take you to his house on purpose or that he doesn’t have one?”

“I’m just saying something isn’t right. Maybe I’m overthinking this because it’s my nature as a lawyer.”

A heavy hush rose in the room as the three sank into their thoughts.

“Aren’t you just looking for a good fuck?”

They snapped their heads at the sound of Jungkook’s low voice. “Why are you joining our conversation?” Hoseok asked.

“I have nothing better to do. And I’m a little tired of listening to this bullshit. So Jimin-ssi, answer me. You’re just looking for a good fuck, right? Just to enjoy your time until you leave. Right?”

Jimin expelled a long breath. “Yes. That’s what... I had in mind.”

“So, why do you care so much? You take all the fun away with your overthinking. Who cares if he’s hiding something? We all do. Just enjoy it.”

Taehyung glanced at his friend’s contemplative countenance. “He’s kinda right, actually. It’s okay even if you don’t know everything about him. He treated you perfectly, he was sweet, he was a gentleman in every way. That’s all that matters. Don’t pester him to tell you everything about his life. You’ll only push him away.”

“I agree.” Hoseok nodded. “It’s better to enjoy your limited time with him than interrogating him.”

“Both of you are right,” Jimin uttered.

“What about me?” Jungkook asked as he perked his head up.

“Tsk. You’re right as well, masked man.”

Jungkook smirked behind his mask and let his head fall back onto his pillow. “Jay.”

“Jay?” Hoseok parroted in bafflement.

“You can call me Jay. You know, instead of masked man or stranger.”

“I thought you didn’t care how we called you,” Jimin snickered.

“I changed my mind. Calling me masked man bothers me more.”

“Okay, Jay. I’m Jimin—”

“Don’t introduce yourselves. I know you already.”

Jimin sent a reproachful grimace his way, even though the recipient couldn’t see it. “Still rude. Jeez.”

“That won’t change so easily,” Jungkook sneered. “Anyway. I want to sleep now, so stop talking.”

“Yah. You can’t tell us what to do in our own room,” Hoseok spat out.

“It’s late, anyway, hyung.” Taehyung patted his back to assuage his riled nerves. “Let’s sleep.”

“Okay.” Hoseok embraced both and retreated to his bed. “We’re going hiking tomorrow to Hallasan, so sleep well. We’ll need a lot of energy.”

“I can’t wait,” Taehyung said, smiling. “Goodnight, guys.”

The other two said their goodnights in turn and lay down in their bed.

Taehyung reached for his water bottle from beside him and took two big sips. There was a constant burning in his throat that pained him more every time he swallowed, and the water wasn’t of any help. Please don’t tell me I’m getting sick. Please, please, please not now.

He coughed lightly and lay flat in his bed. The room felt scalding hot, but after patting his cheek with the back of his hand, he realized he was hot instead.

He fought with his need to turn on the air conditioner since he knew he shouldn’t leave it on throughout the night and endeavored to sleep.

His consciousness ebbed away sooner than he expected. It probably was because of the sudden exhaustion that overtook him and that feeling of mild dizziness.

 
He was awakened a while later by an outbreak of coughs that spewed from him. He felt for his water bottle blindly, and once he got hold of it, he supported his weight on his elbow to swig it.

His eyes split open. Through the relentless pounding in his head, he took in Jay’s empty bed. He swept the dark room with a hazy glance, but didn’t find anything. He flopped back down and shut his eyes, groaning softly.

Although all he craved at that moment was to sleep, he couldn’t. His head buzzed with a maddening headache and his mouth felt too dry again.

He didn’t know how much time passed when the beep of the door unlocking rang in his groggy senses. An urge to inquire Jay about his absence climbed up his chest, but he was in no state to do so. He waited to hear him get into his bed, pretending to be asleep. At least a minute passed, though, and nothing else was heard after the sound of the door closing.

His stubborn curiosity forced him to crack an eye open to inspect. Through the darkness of the room and his increasing dizziness, he descried Jungkook’s face right in front of him and flinched from his scare. “What the... What the fuck?”

Jungkook, being in a similar startled state, panted as he stared at him moon-eyed. “You—You’re not sleeping?”

Taehyung mustered up any fraction of his strength and slowly pulled himself to a sitting position. “Were you staring at me?”

“No,” he tossed off right away, avoiding his intense stare.

“Yeah, right. Do you know how creepy that was? It looked like you’re a murderer who was thinking about how to kill me.”

Jungkook scoffed. “I was just surprised because you weren’t snoring this time. I was checking if you were dead or something.”

Taehyung gasped in sheer offense, but then broke into coughs. “I don’t snore,” he croaked out.

Jungkook’s narrowed vision examined him in depth, ignoring his remark. “Why do you sound like that, by the way?”

“I got sick.”

“When? You were fine a few hours ago.”

“I was feeling a bit weird when we came back from the beach, but I didn’t pay attention to it. I didn’t think I would get sick in the summer. Who gets sick in the summer?” Taehyung sniffled twice, then cleared his throat.

“You, apparently.”

Taehyung could only sigh because he was right. “Do you have an aspirin or something? My head is about to burst.”

“No. Your friends don’t have anything?”

“No, they rarely take pills. Anyway, I’ll try to sleep through it.” Taehyung lay back down, facing him. His eyes roamed around his figure, analyzing his outfit. “Why are you wearing shoes? Were you out?”

Jungkook avoided his stare. “Not your business.”

“It’s almost four in the morning. Why were you out so late?”

His repetitive question stopped Jungkook’s movement of climbing up the ladder. “Not your business,” he stressed on every word. He halted once again at the sound of Taehyung’s coughs and an unconscious sigh poured from his mouth.

Without another word, he exited the room and went down to the reception.

“Yah. I told you—”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jungkook grunted, cutting Seokjin off.

He had actually tried to sneak out earlier so he could look for clues about Ji Hoo, but the older was overly adamant and didn’t allow him to go out.

“I’m not here to sneak out again. Do you have an aspirin?”

“Aspirin? Why? Do you have a headache?”

“Yes, you’re giving me one right now,” Jungkook quipped with prominent scorn. “Stop with the questions. Just give me any medicine you have.”

Seokjin grimaced at his irony, though he shrugged it off and opened the last drawer from the left. He took out a medium-sized box and placed it on the counter. “Take whatever you want.”

Jungkook slid the box closer and squeezed it against his arm and the side of his body. Then, he rotated and headed off.

“Yah, you can’t take the whole box!”

Deaf to his protest, Jungkook took the elevator to go to the second floor. He soon reached his room and entered, his eyes immediately searching for Taehyung. He found him in the same position with his eyes closed and crawled nearer to his bed. “Are you sleeping?”

“I can’t.”

“Take this.” He set the box on his bed and retreated to the other side.

Taehyung viewed the item through half-closed eyes, then sat up. Surprise lifted his brows when he removed the lid and analyzed the content of the box. “Where did you find this?”

“At the reception.”

Beside his surprise, fondness etched its way into his weary features, and he was left gazing at Jungkook’s back in awe. “Thank you.” He rummaged through the box until he found a pack of aspirin. He swallowed the pill with the little water he had left and placed the box on top of the closet, too tired to get off his bed. “You saved me, really. I wouldn’t be able to sleep with this headache.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just rest.”

Taehyung’s lips curved into a weak smile. “Goodnight, Jay. And sorry if I wake you up with my cough.”

“I can fall asleep in seconds again, so I don’t mind. Goodnight.”

Taehyung was a tiny bit thankful for his sudden illness at that very moment, despite that he was suffering because of it. Because he realized Jay cared enough to find medicine for him. And that simple fact brought a new type of warmth within him and a gentle smile on his face.

───⭒───༺🎭༻───⭒───

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