(TW// inappropriate comments about SA)

Making his way back to his own actual home at 12 am was the last thing he was expecting to do tonight. After the tiring days in that hospital/the base,all he wanted was to sleep comfortably in his bed at Taehyung and Jimin's penthouse but the whole fight just took the nastiest turn he couldn't even think off.

He knew Taehyung was mad and very upset with how the whole situation turned out and he was mad at something he doesn't know about but that doesn't give him any right to be mad at Jeongguk. He couldn't help but cry as he drove into his apartment building's underground parking.

Parking the car as he just sat inside his car,tears falling down from his cheeks. He knows he has some blame but it's still not his fault. he didn't ask to be kidnapped,he didn't ask to be used as a Weakness for the mighty V,he definitely didn't ask to be in love with Taehyung.

Seeing him so distressed and him being the supposed cause just didn't sit right to him because he would never harm Taehyung physically or hurt him emotionally. It's the last thing he wants to do. He got both because of Taehyung and he still isn't the one complaining.

He sniffed because of how much he was crying. Getting some tissues out of his car and wiping his tears off as he got out of the car and walked inside the building. He needed to get out of here and go back to his place. He has been so busy he wasn't even able to come back here ever since he left.

Reaching his apartment door eventually and getting inside. Just to be greeted with the trashed apartment, everything just a mess,just like how he left it. His back hit the door as he slipped down,sitting on the floor. The tears he tried to control came back again. Seeing this reminded me of the shit he went through in that basement.

Flashback

"So this is V's bitch ha? I didn't expect V to be into boys,this one is quite attractive too" Sungjae said as he walked towards Jeongguk who was glaring at him.

"Where the fuck am I??? If V finds out he will fucking kill you" Jeongguk yelled,He tried to be tough in this situation.

"Such a handsome face yet a nasty tongue. You should be glad we aren't fucking ripping your clothes and making you go through something more worse than just being tied up" One of the men said,making Sungjae laugh and Jeongguk face turning into a disgusted one.

"Yeah,You would have been a good toy to play with but I'll leave that for after we use you against V. So don't make too much noise if you don't want your innocence stolen by a bunch of goons like us" He tried to act sympathetic but it wasn't working for him.

Those inappropriate comments against him and his appearance continued until he was slowly losing consciousness. He would be lying if he says those didn't get to him. Stuck here in this basement for hours,tied up with all these men around him,he was at a disadvantage and he had no idea when the help would come so he was losing hope and just getting scared.

That's when they started to beat him up,throwing punches when he didn't answer any of the questions they asked regarding Taehyung. Kicking him off the chair when he didn't answer anything at all. It was like he was completely numb and emotionless.

Going slowly crazy when they started to bring in men and started killing them right in front of Jeongguk. Doing the most horrific things to them that Jeongguk didn't know he would ever see in his lifetime. He was just a boy in love...how did he get here? what decision made him fall to this point?

By the time he saw Taehyung being brought in,he saw it. The light of hope but he doesn't know if he can stay conscious for longer. He doesn't know if Taehyung can even save him because he was in the same position as Jeongguk. He managed to call him out,telling him he is still alive and breathing but not for too long.

With that he fell unconscious and rest we all know.

Flashback over

Jeongguk was crying hysterically in his apartment. His heart was beating rapidly and his nerves were slowly exploding. Bandages are still around his head,he should not be this distressed. It's not good for his health but he can't help it. It hurts too much.

He can't stay here,he needs to be with someone. Someone who can calm him down. He opened his phone,as he saw tears even falling on the screen. Wiping them off and going to his emergency contacts. Seeing Taehyung's name pop up at first was the last thing he wanted to see right now.

He can't,he can't call him. He would never pick up; he made it pretty clear he wanted nothing to do with him and Jeongguk would obey his sayings. He stood up and walked out of his place.

Running through the hallway straight to the elevator. He pressed the 4th floor button instead of the ground floor one. The metal doors closed,Him alone in this elevator at midnight. He tried to take deep breaths,calming himself down a bit but it really wasn't helping at all.

Thankfully the doors opened gradually. He immediately walked out,passing by multiple apartments. At the end of the hallway,he finally reached the apartment where he came for. Ringing the doorbell impatiently.

The door opened after a few seconds. Revealing a handsome boy who had messy hair,wearing a white t-shirt and black sweatpants. Rubbing his eyes as he faced Jeongguk. He probably just woke up. It made Jeongguk feel a bit bad but he needed to see someone,anyone.

"Eunwoo!!" Jeongguk said.

"Guk? what are you do- oh!" He was interrupted by Jeongguk immediately hugging him.

He heard soft cries as the younger buried his face into his shoulder,his arms wrapped tightly around Eunwoo's waist. The other boy was taken a bit by his sudden appearance and his actions.

He took the boy inside,the other still attached to him. Closing the door. He hugged him back the moment they were fully inside. Rubbing his hands in a circular motion in his back to give him comfort he is seeking for right now.

"Why are you crying? it's okay,I'm here for you now. I am sorry for whatever happened to you" Eunwoo said to him,comforting his friend.

Making him sit on the couch as Jeongguk tried to wipe away his tears. "You sit I'll bring you some water" Eunwoo ran towards the kitchen,Quickly taking a glass out and filling it with water.

He took a seat next to Jeongguk and gave him the glass as the younger drank it all in one sip.

"Thank you,I am sorry for barging in like this, I didn't know where else to go" Jeongguk said to him. Eunwoo smiled softly as he wiped away the tears-stained cheeks with his napkin.

"You don't have to apologise for that,I am your friend you can come anytime if you need me. Don't worry about me,just calm down OK,You are not alone I'm here with you" He grabbed his shoulder,carressing it.

"I know I just,it's been so hard lately"

"Yeah I wasn't able to contact you for the last whole week,you missed University too even all the professors were asking for you,even Yugyeom didn't know. We were really worried for you. I knew it had to do something with your roommates but we didn't know their address,can you tell me What happened?" Eunwoo explained the situation.

"I am sorry for making you all worry,I had a long week. I was...in an accident?"

"Jeongguk,Please don't lie to me"

"I...Fine,I will tell you everything but promise me,you won't tell anyone,not even Yugyeom or Mingyu" Jeongguk asked him for a favour. Eunwoo grabbed his hand and held it.

"I won't,I promise"

And That's when Jeongguk told him everything. From what Taehyung and Jimin do for a living,to what happened with him this whole week,how we survived hours in that basement and how he almost died if it wasn't for Taehyung to save him from that hellhole. The hell of a week he had and...the fight.

"-And after that,I just ran to your apartment,I was having a bad breakdown,I need someone next to me so I came running to you" Jeongguk said to him,looking at him helplessly. Eunwoo felt his heart skip a beat.He was the first person who came to Jeongguk's mind when he needed someone,he felt flattered.

"That was a lot,Oh my god Jeongguk what the fuck. You went through all that shit alone. I know you like Taehyung but even after everything...don't you think you should just move on from him?" He asked the younger boy. Jeongguk looked away,Not being able to make eye contact.

"It's not that easy,Seeing him disappointed in me drove me to the point of a breakdown...I am in too deep,I think I might be in love with him"Jeongguk confessed. The fluttering feeling that was In the older chest,it left the second it came.

"He said so much shit to you,he had no right to blame you when you were the victim. It's his fault in the first place you got involved. How can he blame it all on you?!" He was getting all worked up but saying anything bad about Taehyung to Jeongguk was like talking to a wall.

"Something must have triggered it. I don't want to excuse his behaviour,you are right it wasn't my fault but he had a rough week too,he lost so many of his members and he literally considerable that whole place his family...the only family he has left with. it was traumatic for me but it was the same for him,it was neither of our fault"

"But- fine OK I won't say anything but still Guk you can't be involved with them too much. Look where it led you,I am not asking you to abandon your friends but to maintain a distance. It's good you are here.Back to your own apartment, don't think about going back because you are my best friend and I don't want you to die" Eunwoo hugged him instead of waiting for a response.

Jeongguk knows he can't win against this argument because he is right after all. Taehyung created a wall between them that's too tall to climb,it would be hard for both of them to reach for each other ever again. So it's better If it goes the way it was before, a life without Taehyung. He is done worrying everyone,it's time he stands up and carry himself.

Jeongguk pulled the boy closer,hugging him back tightly. "I won't go back,you don't have to worry. Thank you Eunwoo,i don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you" Jeongguk said to him.

Eunwoo smiled weakly, A friend...that's all he is ever going to be. "Anytime,now have you eaten anything? probably not. Why don't you go and lay down and I'll order some food for us. I hope there are some places still open despite it being past midnight." Eunwoo told him. The younger one nodded,walking off and going to Eunwoo's room instead of the spare room he had.

The latter smiled and took out his phone to order some take out.

When he opened his eyes because of how bright it was,he wasn't expecting to be alone in the bed. He opened them up and realised he was in an unfamiliar place. It took him a few seconds to recollect his thoughts and realise what happened.

He is so used to waking up next to Taehyung,cuddled next to him in his room that now it feels empty. He should be used to it by now as that incident happened almost a week ago and he hasn't even been in the same room as Taehyung until yesterday.

Getting up,doing his morning routine,to head outside to eat something. It's afternoon already,so he slept a lot. That's good considering how little he has been sleeping. It's nice to sleep comfortably for awhile and not have nightmares like he has been this week.

Makes him wonder why didn't Eunwoo just didn't sleep in the same bed as him.He sleeps better when he's sleeping with someone else and his friend knows that. With everything going on,He almost forgot his friend has feelings for him.

He sighed,Everything makes much more sense. Eunwoo told him no last night immediately when Jeongguk offered to sleep together on the same bed and immediately headed out with his head held down. Him saying "I'll do something I don't want to if we sleep in the same bed" and Jeongguk taking it as he probably moves alot in his sleep.

Heartbroken Jeongguk is very much not thinking. Eunwoo probably thinks he is oblivious as fuck. He realised he should apologise to the boy for stealing his room and making him sleep in the guest room when they could have switched.

Walking out of the room,just to see a lot more people than he thought he was going too. It was a girl. Someone he has never seen before. She was clinging onto Eunwoo like her life depended on it. Giving him puppy eyes with her hands wrapped around his arm. Meanwhile Eunwoo didn't look too happy.

Jeongguk was going to walk back inside to not interrupt them but Eunwoo saw him.

"Jeongguk!! you are awake" Eunwoo smiled brightly,pushing her hands off him. She pouted angrily. He went closer to the boy.

"Jeongguk?? oh...so you are the Jeongguk" The unfamiliar girl said,walking towards them two.

"I guess? and you are?" Jeongguk asked her.

"Hanabi,Eunwoo's Girlfriend" She shook hands with Jeongguk with a smile on her face. The younger man was shocked for a second. "Girlfriend???"

"EX!! Girlfriend. Hanabi,you need to stop introducing yourself as my girlfriend. People will get the wrong idea" Eunwoo clarified almost immediately. Jeongguk let out a sigh of relief for some reason.

"Come on,we know you don't care about people it's just- I'll just stop talking because you are glaring at me,It's funny to see people's reaction that's why i do it" Hanabi stopped mid sentence and then continued. Eunwoo was going through many emotions at the same time.

"Ok Hanabi time for you to go as me and my friend are going to eat. Don't ever barge in without informing me first" He grabbed her by her and dragged her to the front door. More like,she let herself get dragged

"I know you get lonely sometimes so don't be afraid to call me" She winked at him and Eunwoo closed the door on her face. She was finally out.

The man looked tense,walking back to Jeongguk who was processing that fiery girl. She had a lot of energy. He sat down on the couch.

"Who was that? ex girlfriend?? why don't I know about her?" Jeongguk bombarded him with questions. He sounds like an overprotective boyfriend.

"It's a long story-" Before he could even finish what he was saying,the doorbell rang again. He rolled his eyes."She doesn't listen, oh my god" He said out of frustration.

Going towards his door,opened it in a rush,aggressively as today is not on his side. This isn't a good day. " Hanabi please stop ri-"

"Bitch,do I look like this Hanabi to you?" Oh Jiyoon is here,Entering his apartment.

"Who is Hanabi?" Yugyeom said,following his girlfriend.

"Bro we are not your hookup,also ew why are you hooking with someone at 2pm" Of Course,Mingyu.

Jeongguk's eyes light up after hearing familiar voices. He peeked from the couch and saw his best friends. He immediately got up and ran towards them.

"Jeonggukie!!!!" Yugyeom yelled when he spotted his friend running towards him.

He ran towards him too and immediately engulfed him in a hug. Wrapping his arms around the younger boy. Resting his face on Yugyeom's shoulder.

"Guk-ah!!" Jeongguk opened his eyes and saw both Mingyu and Jiyoon coming closer too.

Mingyu hugging him from the back and Jiyoon from the side. A group hug how sweet isn't it. "Oh god I missed you so much bestie" Mingyu said.

"I missed all of you too,Eunwoo, come join us too" Jeongguk signalled the other boy who was looking at them from the corner with a smile on his face.

He joined their group hug too.All five of them were just laughing and giggling. This was cute. They really missed being together like this. After awhile they parted and went to take a seat on the couch.

Jiyoon and Yugyeom were sitting on the one seater one together,already being sappy and Jeongguk was sitting in between Mingyu and Eunwoo on the bigger one.

"Guk,seriously how are you?? we haven't seen you for like so long now" Jiyoon asked him,with a genuine look in her eyes.

"I am fine,it just has been a rough week. How did you guys find out I'm here?"

"Eunwoo just texted us Jeongguk is with me this morning and we all decided to crash his place because we were really worried for you. Not gonna lie you had me dead worried with not even replying to me,your bestest friend in the world" Yugyeom shared his worry with the younger. He felt guilty,he was so busy with himself he didn't even realise how much his friends must be worrying about him.

"I am sorry guys,I really am. I was just...in a bad accident,Nothing big. I had a few stitches on my head and had to stay in hospital for a few days. Couldn't get ahold of my phone so I wasn't able to inform you guys I am so sorry" Jeongguk lied to them. He felt bad,he knows they deserve the truth,he trusts them he really does but he just can't bring himself to tell it all.

His eyes locked with Eunwoo's,who looked a bit concerned for him. Jeongguk smiled weakly at him,hoping he will understand why he has to lie to their friends.

"Oh no,that's bad as fuck. Are you sure you are not In pain or anything still?" Mingyu asked him,Looking over his head as he spotted the bandage.

"No No,I'm somewhat recovered now. A Lot better than I used to be. You guys please don't worry about me,I already feel bad about making you guys worr-" he was cut off by Yugyeom who looked suspicious.

"Then why are you here? I mean why are you not living with Taehyung and Jimin?" Yugyeom questioned him. He wonders if His best friend noticed that he lied. It has always been hard to lie to Yugyeom especially because they have been friends for too long.

"I left their place. t-they have been busy because of their job and I was always alone. So I just thought it was the best to leave as I have been away from home too long and I kinda missed it and my nightly trips to Eunwoo's apartment" Jeongguk lied once again.

"Last line sounds very suspicious if you ask me" Mingyu said,making the others laugh and Jeongguk punched him jokingly on the arm. "Shut up" He mumbled and chuckled. Mingyu smiled and put his arms around his friend. He missed him.

"Anyway,I'm glad you are okay Guk just please if something like this happens again tell us"

"Ofcoursd,Noona" He called her Noona because he knows how much she hates when he calls her that even though they are the same age.

"Anyway,now that we know how our gukkie is,Eunwoo-sshi...wanna tell us who is Hanabi?" Mingyu raised his eyebrow at the other boy who smiled and rolled his eyes.

"No one,Mingyu-sshi" He mocked him.

"Come on, she can't be no one.She was here even before I woke up" Jeongguk said,adding gasoline to the fire.

"She was here??? damn we missed her. Who knows she might have even stayed the night" Yugyeom said.

They all teased him,forcing him to tell them who she was. Honestly,Eunwoo would have somehow got out of telling them who she is but now that even Jeongguk is interested..he wants to tell...who knows maybe it might help him in some way.

"Fine Fine I'll tell,She's my neighbour,lives like 3 apartments down this floor. We used to date,she's my ex/ girlfriend" He emphasised on the 'Ex'.

"No way when did this happen? I am your bestie bro,why didn't you tell me?" Mingyu pretended to be offended.

"Because it wasn't just important enough. We dated when I newly moved here, coincidentally we moved on the same day. She is a Japanese exchange student,so when we were moving stuff we ran into each other a lot and decided to help each other. I went to her place a lot because of that reason and one thing led to another and we started dating but it only lasted 2 weeks so nothing really special" Eunwoo explained the story to them.

"Guess all you guys had in common was moving boxes" She said,making them laugh.

"Damn,I moved here a month later if I moved earlier I would have known about this fling" Jeongguk mentioned. Eunwoo raised his eyebrow at him because of the sudden interest.

"Oh yeah? and what would you have done about it if you had known?" He asked,a little too close to Jeongguk. (hope this sentence makes sense)

"I don't know?? tease you? We have been friends for so many years and I have never seen you date anyone" Jeongguk mentioned and the other agreed with him.

"because I'm madly in love with you" He wished he could say this.

"So true,I really thought that was just something you did to fit it in your mysterious personality in highschool but after that I was like damn this man really doesn't date anyone and barely even has crushes" Yugyeom added in.

"I do have crushes but most just stay as crushes and other times I just get rejected" Eunwoo told them.

"Damn someone as handsome as you are getting rejected...Lord may help all of us then" Jeongguk commented on it. He chuckled at his response. You would reject me too...Eunwoo thought.

"Come on Guk,you can't say that. You are so handsome. Half of my friends still ask me to introduce them to you as you are literally a golden boy,good in everything and so handsome" Jiyoon said to him. Jeongguk smiled,feeling flattered. He knows she's not lying because the 1k+ dms on his Instagram speak for itself.

"Damn babe,I am your boyfriend compliment me too,are any of your girl friends going crazy over me too?"

"I'll gauge their eyes out if they even look at you that way" She answered innocently, making Yugyeom gulp.

"Your girlfriend is scary,let's just stick with hyping up Guk. Yeah,You know some dudes from my chemistry class were asking for your number" Mingyu told Jeongguk. Who's ego was going through the roof right now.

"See,even nerds want a peice of you"

"I mean,look at Jeongguk,who won't fall for him" Eunwoo said in the most sultry voice. Jeongguk made eye contact and felt weird inside his chest. This is not good.

"Wow you guys are hyping me up too much. I didn't know I was that popular, wow,guess I'll have to be more aware now" Jeongguk answered.

Their evening just went on like this. Their whole friend group just talked and laughed about everything. He loved his friend group because he is just always so happy with them. Just being with them makes him feel so refreshed. He loves this.

Soon they started to play some video games. Meanwhile Eunwoo and Yugyeom were in the kitchen making some food for them. They even ordered some as they like to eat a lot. Especially when they are with each other they just eat a lot more than they usually do. With some alcohol involved,it was a complete chaos.

After a whole fun day with the whole group. Soon it was time for the outsiders to go back home as they do get university tomorrow. Poor Yugyeom being the only sober one had to carry two babies to the car.

Eunwoo and Jeongguk both crashed to the couch after bidding goodbyes. Jeongguk was a little tipsy and Eunwoo was a little drunk.

"You okay? want me to bring some water?"

"No, it's cool, I didn't drink a lot,just a little tipsy but it's fine,you are more drunk than me you should get some water for yourself." Jeongguk turned his head towards Eunwoo who was already looking at him.

He realised how close their faces were. As they were inches apart. He saw how the older eyes were going from his eyes to his lips. just staring at them intensely. He doesn't know what to do with this feeling.

"You are really handsome Guk"

"Thank you,So are you. So much more than me"

"It's a bit funny how you said before that how can someone reject me when I know the person I like right now will most probably do the same" Eunwoo spoke up. Oh no,Jeongguk has an idea where this is going.

"You don't know that,who knows they m-maybe like you as much as you like them" Jeongguk stuttered,he cursed himself for it.

"I know Jeongguk that's not true. They like-well probably love someone else. Someone who isn't me...it kinda hurts you know...I have been here all this time. Just waiting for them to notice me,it's been years,they dated so many other people but not once they looked at me like that and I am scared that I'll fall deeper" Eunwoo confessed. This is the first time he has seen the other boy so vulnerable. He has always been so reserved,quiet and not really expressive.

"Eunwoo-ah,you really never know until you try. If anything you should-"

"It's you" Eunwoo said,cutting off Jeongguk who is barely comprehending what he said.

"What?" He asked again,shocked.

"it's you,the person I like so much I think I'll die without them. The person who I have been liking ever since I saw you. God Jeongguk, how are you so oblivious? I have been flirting with you for the past whole year yet you just don't notice...instead you found yourself another lover...someone you love so unconditionally,I am so jealous of Kim Taehyung,he have you swept off your feet so badly than I have ever seen you" Eunwoo confessed his feelings.

Jeongguk was scared of this moment. The moment when He will confess his feelings and he won't know what to say. This is his friend,someone who has been by his side for years and was with him in his worst. How can he break his heart.

The worst part is he doesn't know how to reject him...or even more worse,does he even want to reject?

"You are going to reject me,I know it but is it bad I still want you to think it over? is it bad I want you to give us a chance despite you being in love with someone else?" Eunwoo questioned,his eyes welling up with tears.

"Eunwoo-Ah I can't use you like this,I cant-"

"Please Guk,I am sorry for just putting you in this difficult position i really am. I am drunk and I'm blurting out whatever i want. But think about it,Taehyung...isn't going to open up to you any sooner,He wants you far away from him because of his lifestyle he doesn't want to endanger and maybe that is the right path for you...maybe you guys weren't just meant to be"

"Don't say that"

"He cut you off Guk,It's the truth. He threw you out the second he realised you are the reason he failed. Your guys relationship has gone a bit toxic and Someone as reserved as Taehyung...he might not even reach you out ever because he thinks its good for you. So maybe...it's time for you to move on,move on with me. Let me help you and treat you how you should be treated"

"I-I don't know what to say"

"It's okay,Let's just talk again tomorrow when we both are more clear headed. Or just take your time and come to me yourself whenever, rather it be tomorrow or next week or next month even. I waited all these years,I can wait more" Eunwoo gave him a soft smile. Getting up from the couch and walking towards his room. Jeongguk has never been this conflicted in his life.

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