Waking up in a strange small room,With very dark tones and not well made, was the last thing Jeongguk expected to wake up to. Having a drip attached to his wrist made him think he was in hospital but this room didn't felt like it. Is he in someone's house? 

That's when it all hit him. All the flashbacks of what happened that day came flowing through his brain. Shouting and screaming of the people being killed infront of him,him getting beaten up, these gangsters and that old man just laughing at him..and Taehyung. he remembers seeing Taehyung.

he remembers waking up,his head buried  in his chest,On his lap with Taehyung holding him tightly so close to him as if Jeongguk might slip away if he let go. He know bits and pieces but it's so painful to even remember everything. His head was pounding. 

Was he in Sungjae's room or something? wait that's not possible because he remembers Sungjae saying he is going to kill him so that means Sungjae...is most probably dead. Groaning in pain in his,he saw a glass of water next to the side table.Quickly drank the whole glass in one sip because of how thirsty he was. 

His dry throat finally felt like it could breathe easier now. Touching his head,Feeling bandages wrapped all around it. Concussion he got from them,everything is slowly making sense except the fact where is he and why is he alone? 

Speaking of the devil,the answers to his question just walked into the room. 

"..Hyung?" Jeongguk's hoarse voice spoke. It feels like he hasn't spoken in a long time.

"Jeongguk,You are awake. I am so glad. Here let me help you sit up" Jimin reached and grabbed his back,helping him to sit more comfortably. "There you go"

"Where am I? what is this place?"

"You are actually underground Jeongguk...in our base. We didn't take you to hospital or any of our other men because it would have been hard explaining why bunch of men are getting admitted. Thankfully your injuries weren't too serious,the concussion was the only serious part and you just had bruises here there,which you have to put the ointment on every morning by the way. I'll give it to you from the doctor we have in our base for emergency purposes,she was the one who also treated you" Jimin explained to him the situation.

Jeongguk felt relieved now that he knew where and how he was doing but he still had a lot of questions. 

"What happened Jimin? I barely remember anything"

"Do you remember how you got there because Jeongguk you have no idea how fucking shocked we were when we were informed they held you hostage,I can't even imagine what Taehyung went through when he saw you in real life all tied up there"

"I am sorry,I caused you guys so much stress,I even ruined your guys mission. I swear I didn't mean to meddle in or anything,I was just going to the university when around 4-5 men came towards all suited up and this one old man who made some comments about me regarding V. I thought it would be same as the bar incident but I was wrong because next thing I knew I was getting attacked.

I fought back as much as I could but it was 1 against 5 men and next thing I knew they hit me with something and I passed out..I woke up in that basement where I was most definitely drugged up and they..did all this to me and you know what happened afterwards" Jeongguk looked down at his body just covered in bandages. It saddened him to see himself this weak.

"I am sorry Jeongguk. You don't have to apologise for anything. None of this is your fault. We lost the mission because lack of information,we lost because of our own dumb mistakes. We failed to protect you, we should be apologising instead. We got you involved and you almost died if it wasn't for Taehyung" Jimin apologizes again and again. He felt bad. It was bad enough for them he can't even imagine how did someone like Jeongguk, went through all that.

"What did he do? where even is he?"

"Taehyung hasn't told us anything but I heard from others who were done there with him. They told me he went absolutely batshit crazy when he saw you there. He even killed Sungjae and his son with his own hands,he tends to lose control when he reaches the lowest point. I guess seeing you,someone he has close to him,being hurt was the last straw for him"

"Oh god...I made him kill people,I'm sorry"

"don't be sorry that son of a bitch and his whole gang deserved it Guk. They killed so many of us,They made a fool out of us and tortured us to the most. We went through hell and we couldn't even get the shit we wanted from him because we have no idea where he hid it. We could have asked him by holding him hostage but Taehyung...killed him so there's not much we can do about it" Jimin tried to fill in Jeongguk. Making him more aware. He got nothing to hide as He deserves to know.

"Taehyung...where is he?" Jeongguk asked softly.

"I don't know. Jeongguk, you have been passed out for 3 days now. When we found you,Taehyung was just hugging you so tightly as if you would vanish if he let's go. He had this dark look in his eyes. He was snapping at everyone who got close to you. I had to intervene and bring Taehyung to his senses before we lose you. Thank god you survived but I didn't see Taehyung again after that day" Jeongguk was taken back by that.

"What do you mean you haven't seen him?!"  Jeongguk exclaimed.

"He has been MIA since. He just came the night we took you in here to get treated and Taehyung also healed some of his wounds,sat next to you over here for the whole night and next morning he disappeared. He is not in danger though,he still replies to my text with one word answer about his whereabouts and that's about it. He isn't talking about what happened and he doesn't even ask about you." he paused,trying not to be sad. continuing what he was saying.

"The whole situation fucked him up so much I am scared he blames himself for what happened,we failed the mission we are in loss,we couldn't find the shit we needed to and many of us got injured and now we are also in debt it's a mess so he blames himself for everything ..especially what happened to yoongi hyung" Jimin told him. Jeongguk furrowed his eyebrow in confusion.

"Wait, what happened to Yoongi hyung? Is he…?"

"Yoongi is….

Alive but he has been in a coma and we don't know when he will wake up,he is the only one who actually went to a hospital because his situation was too critical for the doctors here to do tend" Jimin said with a frown on his face.

"Oh no,I'm sorry,at least he's not dead. How is Hoseok hyung holding up?"

"Not good" 

Saying Yoongi was in a critical situation was an understatement. He was shot 2-3 times and one bullet even was so close to his heart. If Jimin found Yoongi literally a second later he might not have survived. Performing CPR and taking him to a hospital immediately before he goes out to find Taehyung and everyone else.

Thanks to the amazing doctors who were able to bring him back to life. Jimin decided not to tell Hoseok yet because they were still on a mission. Once everyone was found and were heading back to the base that's when he told him. 

Jimin has been friends with Hoseok since they were children and till this day he has never seen him that devastated. Sitting outside the hospital tapping his feet rapidly,going insane because of how scared and nervous he was.

He cried so many times in the hospital. He couldn't help but also think it was his fault. Him saying how his lack of research on the new trainee took them to the point they are at now and he could have prevented that if he was good at his job.

After alot of convincing and comforting, Hoseok was able to calm down a bit. Thanks to the doctor who came out telling them Yoongi is out of danger and very much Alive,Hoseok was able to breathe now.

Just like Taehyung who was stuck next to his lover,blaming himself for everything,Hoseok did the same. Sitting on a chair,sitting next to his bed for 3 days straight. 

Jimin felt exhausted. From taking care of his devastated best friend to hoping his other best friend won't do something to himself. With the loss of many of his comrades,He was barely hanging on. This undoubtedly one of the worst time period of his life. He hates it. 

The boss was obviously very enraged because of the outcome of the mission and how everything went down. The only good thing was Sungjae is dead but that's just enough. He would be soon heading back and things are not going to be pretty.

The funeral of everyone who passed away took place some days later. Some bodies were found while others weren't. Thankfully Irene's friend who was also on the mission with them,heard how Irene passed away and left everything and risked her life to go through the mansion again just to get her friend's body. To have this as some sort of closure to their 12 year friendship.

A solemn wave passed through them as everyone was standing in the graveyard, grieving for the dead. The grey weather added to the depressing feeling. A Lot of tears fell,alot fainted. Many family members came,just absolutely devastated after hearing about their child dead in such a brutal manner. It broke everyone's hearts to hear their cries.

Jimin soon found himself crying too. He looked down at the ground to avoid any attention from anyone. He felt a hand on his shoulder,comforting him. He turned around and saw his best friend standing next to him. He came to the funeral.

"Taehyung..you came" Jimin tried to wipe his tears but they were just not stopping.

"It's the least I could do after leading them to death" He answered with a stern face.

"Taehyung that's not-"

"Let's not do this here. We are here to pay our respect to the dead" 

"Can I hug you at least? all of this is too much" Jimin asked him and Taehyung nodded,taking the smaller one in his arms.

Hugging his best friend so tightly as if he never wants to let go. Taehyung responded with the same energy. Jimin knew Taehyung needed this as much as he did. Maybe even more. Rubbing his back when Taehyung felt tears leave his eyes.

they pulled apart and Jimin wiped his tears. He saw how Taehyung was looking at Seulgi, who was Irene's friend that saved her. She hasn't stopped crying ever since they arrived. Poor her,she lost her best friend and lover at same night and Taehyung can't help but relate.

He knows how shitty that feels,How fucking sad it is to go through that. It makes you want to end yourself right there because you couldn't even protect the one person you were supposed to protect. He hates it so much.

Without any further questions asked,Taehyung made his way to Seulgi and Jimin's eyes followed him. He saw How Taehyung immediately hugged her too. She was stunned by it and so was everyone else but not Jimin. He knows his best friend,Taehyung , who has a very kind heart but for them this is V,the same V who brutally killed Sungjae just a few days ago,now hugging someone, /comforting/ them.

Seulgi eventually gave in and buried her face in Taehyung's chest,crying and crying as Taehyung was silently crying too. He can't help but still think it's all his fault. How can he not,if maybe one or two people died he wouldn't have been this devastated but a quarter of his men were dead.

Hoseok also came by later,stopped by and gave his respect to the dead. Spending a few time there with his friends. A depressed mood on their table. He was also shocked to see Taehyung too. The last time he heard from Taehyung was when they last talked at his mansion and that's it. He never saw him again.

"How are you,Taehyung-ah?" 

"I should be asking you that.. I am sorry about Yoongi hyung. I heard from Jimin he is out of danger now?" Taehyung replied. A bit too formal for Hoseok.

"Hm,He's in a coma but he will wake up soon. He is strong. It hasn't been easy for you either. With all this burden of failure and ofcourse..seeing Jeongguk in that state" Hoseok paused when he saw Taehyung froze at the mention of his name.

 "How is he by the way? I am sorry I was too busy with Yoongi I couldn't check up on him" Hoseok apologised,asking about Jeongguk. Taehyung couldn't even answer because even he doesn't know.

When Jimin saw Taehyung hesitating to answer he just answered instead.

"He is a lot better,he woke up around 5 days ago thankfully. Most of his injuries are healed but when I visit him at night sometimes I think he might be having nightmares about..what happened" Jimin told them. Taehyung's eyes lit up when he heard that the boy woke up but soon replaced when he remembered all the trauma he went through because of him.

"That's good,I am so glad he's okay physically at least. The trauma must have been a lot after going through that hell of a night. Taehyung-ah you should spend more time with him than you already do,he definitely needs it in his state" Hoseok suggested. Taehyung looked regretful.

"Y-yeah I would" He replied. He could feel Jimin staring at him. knowing the truth.

"Anyway,We were going to come by hospital to check on Yoongi,is it okay for us to come?"

"Ofcourse Jiminie,i would have said visit tomorrow but dad told me he is coming back tomorrow so it's going to be not good, you guys should visit day after tomorrow" Hoseok informed them. They exchanged worried looks.

"Fuck,boss is coming back already. I am really not in mood to get scolded,we have lost too much to go through his punishments"

"Sorry Jiminie,I wish I could calm him down somehow but you know when it's related to the Mafia he listens to no one"

"You guys don't worry,I was the leader. I will take all the responsibility after all it was my fault things ended up this way" Taehyung  said to them. 

Jimin didn't even try to argue because it's no use. He isn't going to listen to anyone. He is just glad he is next to him and not somewhere else doing god knows what. 

Just as they thought it really didn't end up pretty. The second their boss reached headquarters,he called both Taehyung and Jimin in his office. Taehyung, who arrived earlier than Jimin, was waiting outside for the latter to show up. Tapping his foot aggressively on the floor. Feeling numb,he doesn't know what to feel.

After some minutes Jimin showed up. He was wearing his jacket as he reached Taehyung. "Where were you?"

"Jeongguk got discharged today so I went to drop him off at our home" Jimin answered him as they walked towards the door.

"..and? How is he?" 

"Taehyung,you know you can ask him that too right? he misses you...you should check up on him. Let's just go now" With that he knocked on the door,asking for permission to get inside.

They heard a faint yet aggressive come in. They both got inside the room as immediately they could feel the intense atmosphere. Standing side by side with their hands behind their backs. Making eye contact with their boss who was sitting on his chair.

A stern yet pissed off expression,His hands folded next to his chest.  Before they could even speak for themselves their boss spoke up.

"Do you both have any excuse with how this operation turned out? We lost multiple of our men,suffered a huge loss financially and couldn't even find the weapons or the drugs that motherfucker had hidden. Only thing we got out of this was his dead body but that's  not enough,he can rot for all I care but materialistic shit was important. I trusted you both,especially you V. You are my right hand man,the leader for this operation,are you telling me I made the wrong decision choosing you and not my son?!?!" He yelled at them in anger.

"We are very sorry,boss but it's not just Taehyung's fault. We went fully prepared but we didn't expect one of us to betray us-"

"Then you should have searched within yourselves better,What happened to the whole tech team? are they that incompetent they can't even run a right background on our own members?? how useless are all of you that we can't even trust our own members? How are we supposed to fight others in this situation? even if one of us betrays us that does not mean you give up,why did you give up?!" He yelled directly to Taehyung.

"Boss,we didnt-"

"Park Jimin,I am not asking you. I am asking the team leader,Kim Taehyung. Answer me!!" He demanded an answer from him.

"I am sorry,He is right Jimin. As a team leader,it was my responsibility to protect my squad,to lead us to victory but I failed all of you. I failed to be a good leader,I failed the most important mission to us. I am willing to give up my right hand man position If you ask me to,I am not fit enough for this if you think so" Taehyung spoke up,Jimin gasped in shock. The boss stayed silent as the older spoke again.

"It's all my fault,Sungjae had held hostage someone very important to me so I couldn't help but agree with him to do whatever he wants,give him more time and power to control us. It was my duty to check on my comrades and protect them but I failed to do so because I was too in shock" Taehyung explained,making straight eye contact with not one emotion on his face.

"Who was it? the person he had held hostage that's so special to you" the boss asked him.

"Jeon Jeongguk,24 years old and he is a university student. He currently lives with me as we are going out,seeing each other romantically" Taehyung replied to him with full honesty which shows how much pressure he is under by the boss.

The boss let out a scoff and rubbed his forehead in disappointment. "Are you fucking kidding me? Not only did you fail to protect your comrades,you also failed to protect your lover. This is why you choose one,V. We can't always have both. This is why you should have chosen us over him. They found out your weakness and took full advantage of it,how fucking stupid are you?!?

Not only that,You let so many of our men get killed just for a mere young boy who isn't even worth it. V...You need to get your priorities straight because this can't keep going on. I am still being generous. You know me, I don't go easy. Take this time and reflect on your mistakes,don't show me your face for the next whole month if you want to keep your title. It just makes me remember this disappointment. Now get out both of you" The boss finally stopped looking away. 

Both of the boys made their way out. Jimin barely scolded while Taehyung had it hard. He knows how much Hoseok's dad's approval means to both of them,he's like a father they never had so seeing him being this angry and disappointed at them,Taehyung especially, made him mad. 

If it was any better before he is still blaming himself for everything. He can't believe he let that happen. All for Jeongguk. He can't help but feel mad at Jeongguk even though he is the victim here. When his brain found nothing to lash it anger on,it choose Jeongguk as a reason.

"Taehyung,are yo-"

"Shut up Jimin,Jeongguk is home right?" Taehyung opened his car door and got inside. Jimin nodded before he could even ask him any questions Taehyung drove off. Jimin wasn't getting a good feeling so he followed him home in his own car.

"Can you tell me What the FUCK were you doing there Jeongguk?!?!" Taehyung yelled loudly at the shakened up boy who was sitting on the couch. Jeongguk looked up,very confused because of the boy who just barged inside this place.

"Is this how you are going to greet me after leaving me there for days to get healed alone?" Jeongguk sarcastically chuckled. 

"Yes because I have been going fucking crazy 'cause of you. I lost so much just because of you" 

"Taehyung,this is not the right time,you are angry and you are just lashing out on him. He went through a lot already" Jimin who was panting because he ran after Taehyung and just entered their place too.

"I did too,Jimin. We all did,Yoongi almost fucking died. Tell me Jungkook, are you one of them too?!?"

"Are you out of your mind!? Do you think I went there willingingly? Why are you yelling at me?! I was the one who got fucking kidnapped!!" Jeongguk answered with the same tone. Taehyung scoffed at his response.

"Kidnapped??? What are you 5? How did they manage to kidnap a grown man like you?? Because of you Jeongguk,we lost the fucking mission,We lost bunch of our men and our fucking money. We were preparing for this for months but it went all down because of you" Taehyung wasn't in his right mind. This was his rage speaking.

"Stop,what could he have done in that situation-" Jimin, who was also here,tried to stop Taehyung who just pushed Jimin away and walked closer to Jeongguk.

"He can't even take care of himself. This is why I told you Jeon Jeongguk to fucking leave me-leave us alone. This life is not for you. Walk out so you won't regret later because we can't do anything if you are dead-'' He was cut off by Jimin once again.

"Taehyung,fucking calm down. Are you even hearing the shit you are saying??? This is anything but Jeongguk's fault,he is the victim here" Jimin said but Taehyung didn't listen. It hurted like a bitch.

Jeongguk maintained eye contact which was just glaring at each other. Until he snapped his eyes away from him,feeling tears coming out again. His heart hurts,he is so scared. Taehyung saw it.His facial expression was too genuine and he looked...afraid.

"You care about your fucking mission right now? After everything I went through. I am sorry for being a hurdle in your life. They drugged me. I was on my way to my university. They kidnapped me and took me to this dark unfamiliar place. You might be used to seeing people getting killed in front of you and going through situations like this but I am not" He paused as he wiped his tears which made it a hit hard to see.

"You don't know how fucking scared I was when I woke up there,all tied up. Unable to see,it was dead silent. I was slowly going fucking insane. That's when that man came and I thought I was going to die right there.

Even in that time my only biggest regret was not getting to see you one last time and talk to you and be with you. I really thought I was going to die and all in my mind was regret of not saying things I always wanted to say to you" Jeongguk spoke up,He could see Taehyung biting his lips in regret.

"Jeongguk-"

"No,Let me speak. Let me tell you what happens when a grown man gets fucking kidnapped. You didn't hear their threats,you didn't hear their...filthy fucking comments. You don't even know the type of disgusting comments they made towards me just because I was 'V's lover' I was there because I was related to you,I should be screaming here instead of you " He said to him. Jimin sat down next to him and rubbed his shoulder. trying to comfort him.

"I saw your men getting killed in front of me. Skinned Alive,I am fucking traumatised. So Kim Taehyung, I am sorry for ruining your mission. If you want me to get out of your life then ok that's what I would do" The younger stood up,still very sensitive and angry. His head was pounding,it was so painful. He walked towards the door.

The older one was standing there,Just a unable to move and completely speechless. He doesn't know what to say. He knows he fucked bad and he can't say for sure if he can ever undo this mistake. The thought of being in this place without Jeongguk made him scared and want to cry. Despite that he couldn't say anything to stop the latter.

"Jeongguk wait!! don't leave please. Taehyung is fucking stupid he doesn't know what he is saying because of the anger. Don't leave Guk,It's not safe for you out there"

"Well I still got kidnapped while staying with you guys so I guess it is always my own fault. It's better If I leave" He was bitter and petty. He won't let anyone win.

"Jeongguk please. Don't leave us" Jimin pleaded.

"I don't know hyung, This was never my home to begin with" With that,the door slams shut and this would be the last time they would see the younger boy for a while.

✤-----------------------------------------✤