(This be Teddy creeping in to catch Taelo in the closet ☝️🤣)

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ☀️
—LILO'S POV—

The first thing I'm greeted with when I wake up is Taehyung's plump little face cuddled into the pillow across from me. His hair is messy and ruffled, eyes half open as he admires my face. I think my awakening startled him a little, but soon his lips perk into a smile.

I smile back and stroke the side of his mouth with my thumb. "Morning babe... How did you sleep?"

His smile barely reaches his ears. He holds my hand so that it cups his cheek and rubs his thumb along the back.

"Like a baby."

"That's good." I breathe out. My leg curls over his hip and arm slides around his waist. He holds me close to his chest and hums in my ear, "How did you sleep?"

"Mmm... really good actually. The best I've slept in weeks."

"That makes me happy." He buries his face into my neck and pecks it. "So happy."

"Yo Tae." Hoseok barges into the room. Taehyung turns lazily and Hoseok steps back, scratching his head when he sees me. "O-oh, Sorry."

"It's fine. What is it?"

"There's something you gotta see downstairs. Lilo you should come too." He looks over at me, then leaves the room.

I furrow my eyebrows at Taehyung before we both sit up and make our way downstairs in our pyjamas. When we do, Hoseok stands in the living room while Winter lies on the couch with a blanket, pyjamas and sleeping mask.

"Winter you slept in the living room last night?" I ask.

She rubs her temple tiredly, "I'd like to see you put up with Jungkook's snoring all night."

"So why'd you call us down?" Taehyung asks Hoseok.

"Look at this." He unpauses the news channel that plays footage of yesterday morning's hectic police chase. The reporter speaks with my mugshot on screen.

"—conformed that mass murder Lilo Hanson has escaped from blackgate prison with the help of an unknown accomplice. Police are currently still searching for the duo and any others who may be involved in the escape. A reward of $50,000 will be granted to whoever can give a concrete location of the wanted criminal or has evidence towards—"

The TV switches off and everyone looks at Taehyung who holds the remote. Probably because he can see the fearful expression in my eyes.

"$50,000?" I stutter.

"And that's just the starting bid." Hoseok says. "Police always bump it up depending on how long the investigation goes on. And with that Detective Min on our case that gives him a lot of time."

"....So what do we do?" I ask. Taehyung strokes the back of my neck, "Not sure yet. I'm still figuring out a plan."

"AHHHHHH!!!!!"

The four of us freeze wide-eyed when we hear a scream coming from the backyard. It doesn't take long before we're all sprinting through the foyer simultaneously.

"What's happened?! Is someone in tr—"

My footsteps slowly coming to a halt when we see Jungkook and a soaked Jimin, desperately trying to push each other into the pool. Jimin finally builds the strength to push Jungkook into the water and the younger lets out a playful scream similar to the one we just heard.

It's my first time seeing the spacious and modern backyard. On our left is a line up of sunbeds and on the far right, a hammock behind the urban patio where there are couches, lanterns and an electric fireplace.

The two men finally stop laughing hysterically and look up at us.

"Oh, hey guys!" Jungkook waves, "Did you know this place had a pool?! Winter babe, might wanna get on that sexy bikini if you're gonna join in on some of this." He winks and runs a hand down his glossy abs. With crossed arms, Winter rolls her eyes and goes back inside the house.

"Jungkook don't do that! We thought you were in trouble!" I exclaim.

"Yeah you guys 'ought to be a little more quieter before the neighbors hear." Hoseok places his hands on his hips strictly, but give into a cheeky smile.

"Oh what the heck." He squats and lets out a long, playful noise, removing his shirt before pinching his nose and jumping into the water.

After sounding a quiet chuckle, I turn to Taehyung who's eyes are already latched onto me. A devious smirk tints his lips.

I immediately raise my finger, "Don't."

"Don't get mad." He chuckles—

"Tae I mean it DON'T— Ah!!!"

I'm swept from my feet bridal style and thrown into the pool effortlessly, a big splash arising in the sleek tub. He then canon-balls in after me.

While the boys cheer, my head resurfaces over the rippling waves and fingers sweep the hair from my eyes. "I swear I'm gonna kill you."

Taehyung does nothing but slip his arms around my waist and laugh. I throw my hands around his neck and give into the contagious sound.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 🌤

Evening time rolls around in a flash. Taehyung and I rest on the hammock while the others sit around the patio, all waiting for the delicious-smelling food. Hoseok insisted he made us Korean barbecue and of course, nobody turned it down. It's been a while since I had a good meal.

"Lilo is it true?! You escaped prison?! I just saw you on the news and Jin said police came to his house! What's going on?!"

"Mina Mina calm down." I hush her through the phone, "Taehyung broke me out but we're all working on a plan. Nothing will happen to you. Just focus on college and I'll call you when things die down, but for the meantime it's dangerous for us to speak like this."

"Alright." She exhales, "I trust you'll find a way out of this."

"Thank you. Oh and delete this call, also rename Taehyung's contact number. In case police come to your dorm. Worst case scenario."

"Okay. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Mina!"

"Oh right right sorry! Okay no calls. Got it. Bye!" The call hangs up. I let out a tired sigh which makes Taehyung chuckle before handing the phone back to him.

"What did she say?"

"You know, just Mina being Mina."

He hums. "So, how are you settling into the house so far? I know it's not what we had in mind when I said let's move in together..."

"No it's really nice. Staying with Hoseok was the perfect choice, I could definitely get used to this."

Taehyung nods with a light smile before turning his head and letting out a tired yawn.

"There's something I wanna talk about though," I add.

"What's that?"

"I've been thinking lately... What about my parents? They're probably so confused right now. I have to face them eventually right? And when I do, won't they be disappointed in me for running off with a boy instead of talking to them? Plus there's that detective Min..."

"Your parents love you Li. I'm sure whatever happens won't change their love for you. And don't worry, I'll deal with Min. Carmine and Jaebum were our biggest threat and now they're both dead. Considering everything you've been through, a cop shouldn't scare you all that much. Bad girl." He nudges my arm teasingly.

With a grin, I look down at my wrist and stare at Li's red inked silhouette that had kept me company for the past two months.

"Whatever happened to Li?"

"Hm?"

"She's not here... Did you give her away?"

Taehyung looks down and licks his lips.

"She um....."

"Ran away." I finish his sentence by the look in his eyes.

"I read online that animals can sense if their owner is good or bad, or if an environment is dangerous. I guess she didn't feel safe around me anymore."

My lips seal as I stare into Taehyung's lap, guilty flashbacks appearing in my head.

"I'm sure she'll come back."

"I hope she doesn't." He grumbles.

I tilt my head pitifully. "And what about Chrys? She's the only person I hadn't heard much of since this all went down. Is she okay?"

"I don't know. The last time I saw her was the funeral. She's been isolating herself more than ever."

"Then did you tell her that it was you who... you know..."

Taehyung looks at me and holds a deep stare, "No." He faces forward again. "I couldn't do it. I couldn't tell her that I killed her dad, she was already too upset. It's probably best she doesn't know."

His jaw clenches subtly, eyelashes twitching subtly as if they were caught in some weird glitch. My eyebrows furrow—

"Foods ready!"

Our heads both turn to the lounge where Hoseok sets down the tray of lamb skewers and Jungkook jumps in his seat hyperly.

"You know what?" Taehyung turns to me. "Let's not worry about any of that right now. We have four friends who are still here with us. We should just relax and enjoy spending time with them."

I look amongst the group as Hoseok raises his arm and rotates his hand, signaling us to come over for dinner. I smile and nod at Taehyung in agreement.