My eyebrows raise. The fork pinched between my fingers suddenly goes cold at my touch and my body stiffens when Hoseok playfully pulls my shoulder.

"Don't listen to Kook, he's—"

"What did you just say?" I ask.

"Shhhh!" The long-haired boy hushes my lips, then sings, "DoN't TelL lilOoo..."

I know he's not lying. When Jungkook's drunk he sings and rambles, but doesn't lie.

I suddenly put down my food and storm out. A curse escapes Hoseok's breath before he's trailing after me towards the stairs.

"Lilo—!"

He only manages to pull my arm briefly until I grunt and push him down the first few steps, taking the chance to run.

It's when I open our bedroom door that I catch Taehyung fitting his head through the crewneck of a baggy tee. His eyebrows furrow at me in confusion.

"What's wro—?"

"YOU COULDN'T TELL ME YOURSELF?! What you were SNORTING?!"

The look he returns to me is of numb and shock, but as soon as Hoseok comes into view behind me, he delivers him a scowl.

"Hey it wasn't even me!"

Taehyung's sensitive look comes back into play when he sighs and reaches for my arm. "Look—"

But I pull my hand back. "Cocaine?! What is the MATTER with you?! You told me everything else so why leave this out?! Do you know how dangerous this is?!"

He just stares at me in silence, which only aggravates me more.

"Well?!"

"...I was gonna tell you once I'd fully stopped. I haven't taken it in days—"

"So?! You told me no more secrets yet it's like it's in your nature to keep them whether you mean to or not. I kept so calm with you all those times you yelled at me for no reason yet YOU were up here getting high!"

"I should go..." Hoseok excuses himself awkwardly.

"Li, at least let me explain."

"Oh, go ahead. Please do. So how long, hm?" My folded arms tighten to restrict tears from spilling, voice cracking as I muster, "How many times have you stupidly poisoned yourself?"

He stares down at my height and licks his lips before sighing.

"12 times."

"Twelve..." I practically scoff, shaking my head as I'm suddenly crying.

"I knew there was something off about you. Not only am I pissed but I'm fucking scared. I mean if you could keep something like this from me then what does that say about us? I know you've been going through a lot but I just don't understand why you'd..."

I press my wrists against each eye to block the leaking tears. "Why you'd g-go this far when you have me..."

"I know... It was stupid of me to even try it. But we're still strong Lilo. This doesn't change us."

And now I'm pissed at myself. I was supposed to come here a raging fireball and yell at him, just like how he'd randomly yell at me, but instead I've become a complete puddle.

My head seemingly shakes as I turn around and head for the door with a hidden face, but Taehyung tries pulling me back despite my restraints. I don't allow my eyes to meet his stern gaze.

"Li don't leave."

"L-let go..."

"The first time I tried it, you were in jail. I wasn't sure if our escape would work and I was missing you. A lot. I didn't want to tell you until it was over because I didn't want you worrying. I was only thinking of you."

"Thinking of me?! YOU COULD DIE!" Our eyes finally meet when I push his arm. "What about that do you not understand?! Countless people lose their life to coke and YOU'VE just possibly shaved off years of OUR future together in a time like this— where our every minute together is so precious! And even if you think you're over it, it's an addiction, meaning whenever something goes wrong you could turn back to it and I wouldn't know! That's why I'm scared for you!"

My teeth grit beyond my lips as I try to restrain my sobs and cries. His arms hold my trembling form while he stares at me with regret and guilt.

I know he's not a bad person, and I know this isn't enough to break us up. Taehyung is just so good at keeping secrets that it brings back the constant worry of not knowing what's going on in that head of his. Him turning to drugs again without my knowledge is a scary thought...

"You're just so..." I end up pinching my eyes shut to flush out the lingering tears, resting my head against his chest out of exhaustion. "So fucking stressful..."

"...Can I show you something?" He murmurs.

Speaking will only cause me to choke on my own words and bawl even more, so I remain silent. He gently takes my hand and leads me to our opened bathroom.

Along the counter are six small plastic bags, all opened and empty.

"These were the last stashes I had on me. I just flushed them. Like I said, I'm over it." I can feel his stern gaze drilling my side.

"I admit I was a hallucinating wreck when we moved in here, but I am getting better. And I told you the truth about everything else except for the drugs."

"...How do I know you haven't snorted these?" I sniff.

Taehyung exhales softly with a shrug.

"I guess you're just going to have to take my word for it."

There's this long silent in the room while he waits for my response, though my eyes don't leave the countertop.

"You don't have to believe anything I say, I know, but—"

"I believe you."

Taehyung's eyes widen, causing me to elaborate.

"You seem much healthier lately. I mean you started therapy, started baking, started praying... That means you can do it. I just wish you hadn't resorted to such things. You're way stronger than that."

An exhale of relief leaves his mouth and the next thing I know, I'm locked in his arms. His lips press against my forehead and linger before leaving a soft smack.

"Don't you ever do stupid shit like that again..."

"Trust me, I won't." He pinches my chin to angle my lips. "Ever."

The only thing that warms me more than Taehyung's lips, is how easily we can make up now compared to the past, where we would bicker constantly and not talk for days. I'm thankful for how quickly we can come to terms.

"So... What now?" I wipe my eyes and sniff.

"Now, I kill Jungkook."

"I mean the plan."

"Right," Taehyung's hum vibrates through his chest and against my temple.

"You're not gonna like this but... I was planning to get the others a safe place to live and then, tell the police the truth. That it was me who committed the murders and broke you out. Hoseok and I stole an audio recording of my dad's death that will prove I did it, not you. I'll tell them it was in self-defense and explain the situation, so whether they choose to lock me up or not is up to them. It may be for a long time, it may not... but I feel like my fate is inevitable at this point. I have to come clean."

His words leave me completely mute for some seconds. I can tell worry is laced with whatever he's about to say before I cut him off—

"Okay."

"I know Li but we— ..... Okay? Y-you're... okay with that?"

"Not really. Prison is hell, I don't want you to go through what I did, or for us to suffer it together... But you're right. It's not fair on the others. Jimin is injured and Teddy hasn't seen her brothers in months. I just hope the court won't be too hard on us..."

Taehyung's hands close in on my back, his chin resting on my head.

"I promise, even if we get separated again, you won't lose me. I'll be with you. But for now, my main focus is moving everyone before Jaebum attacks this place again."

"Then we should tell the others."

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 🌙

"And so, I think it's best that everyone starts packing tonight. Jaebum knows where we are so I found you all a countryside villa to stay in for the next several months."

Taehyung passes the gang his phone which has photos of the villa, to which they all gasp with inflated eyes.

"WOWY, look at that place! It's beautiful!" Teddy parades. "Dibs on the water bed!"

But my eyes squint when I replay Taehyung's words.

"Wait what do you mean you all?"

"If we all move, they'll just follow us. If you guys move and I stay, they'll have no reason to come after you."

"What?!"

Hoseok shakes his head, "No way. We're not just leaving you."

"Yeah that's bullshit." Jimin adds.

"If you're staying then I'm staying." I say confidently.

"You can't. The whole point is that I'm supposed to be here alone."

"I don't care. I'm not leaving you on your own. If Jaebum wants  trouble he'll have to get through us both."

"Count me in." Hoseok steps forward. "There's no way I'm letting my friends stay here in danger while I drink villa cocktails."

Taehyung groans, "You guys..."

"Same." Winter says. Jimin nods, "Yeah, I'm staying with you guys."

"I'm staying if Jimin's staying!" Teddy cradles his good arm.

Everyone looks back at Jungkook who gawks with round eyes and an open mouth, eyes bouncing between the phone screen and his friends as he struggles to let go of the luxurious-looking villa.

"Ugh, who am I kidding? A villa over you guys? Of course I'm staying."

"You guys really don't have to do this. We could be attacked again. It's dangerous."

"Little late for the warning bro." Jimin laughs, running a hand along his sling.

Hoseok adds, "We're not going anywhere. We'll all camp out here in the living room, and whoever wants to test us can do their worst. And if anyone breaks in—"

"We kill em." Jungkook slaps his bat.

"Jungkook."

"Sorry."

Hoseok rolls his eyes and places a hand on Taehyung's shoulder. "Point is, we've got you dude."

Despite his earlier refusals, the younger shows a faint smile. "Thanks guys."

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 🌙
—12:30 AM—

The gang all prepare for bed, flagging sleeping bags along the living room floor and changing into pyjamas. We moved the couches and made sure to lay down a ton of weapons.

"I can't believe we're doing this." Winter says.

Hoseok plops onto the couch excitedly with a horse plushy, wearing blue and white striped pyjamas. "And since I'm the only single one here, looks like I get the couch."

"Yeah yeah."

Taehyung and I lay our sleeping bags next to each other when Jungkook suddenly walks to the center of the rug and pulls down his shorts.

"Whoa whoa!" Hoseok shields his eyes. "What are you doing?!"

"Stripping."

"Yeah, we got that. Any reason??"

Winter sighs with an eye roll, "Jungkook likes to sleep naked."

"Well don't get naked in front of us man!" Jimin scolds.

"Oh relax, you've all seen my bits and pieces before."

"Um, I haven't." I say.

He delivers me a tipsy grin. "Well, you've been the friendship group long enough so—"

Abruptly, he strips his lower half and my eyes deceive me by accidentally falling to his length that has Winter's name tattooed on it. I immediately cover my eyes to the tune of Teddy's scream and Winter's groan.

"Welp, that's something I'm never going to unsee."

"At least put these on, idiot." Winter tosses him a pair of baggy boxers. Surprisingly, he obliges.

Minutes later, the lights are out and everyone's asleep to the company of guns beneath their pillows. Hoseok lays on the couch, mumbling with drool down his lip and his arm dangling. Meanwhile Jungkook and Winter sleep with his hand unconsciously running through her long hair, as if it were routine, while he abandoned his sleeping bag to hug her closely from behind.

I look at Taehyung through the midst of darkness who's face is close to mine. We share a brief peck, my fingers combing his neck hair.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight Li."

Our backs turn, and as I close my eyes I hear a small whisper in front of me that causes them to open. It's then that I see Teddy and Jimin gazing at each other.

"...I love you, Jiminie."

It's so dark that I can barely make out Jimin's eyes widening with surprise. I think this is the first time either of them has confessed.

He soon smiles widely and kisses her nose, making her beam brighter than the sun itself. "I love you too, Ted."

I catch myself smiling widely at the sight before finally, drifting off.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 🌙
—3:30 AM—

For some reason, I couldn't sleep long.

It's been three hours since bedtime but I keep waking up. Maybe it's the spooky atmosphere of sleeping downstairs.

Nothing seems too different from where we left off. Everyone's still asleep. I turn over on my side to look at Taehyung's beautiful slumber-face but... He's gone.

I'm suddenly holding my breath with wide eyes and a rattling vision that scans the room. My heart beats dangerously fast with silent panic.

Slowly and quietly, I slip out of the vinyl material and take out a pistol, tiptoeing towards the kitchen area.

Everything normal, no sign of blood or anything, so I creep into the foyer instead.

It's like a horror movie. At the very end of the dark hallway is a soft, golden glow waving along the walls as if coming from a candle. Squinting my eyes, I hold the pistol with two hands and move towards the conservatory.

The skin of my palms begins to grow sweaty. It feels like I'll drop the weapon any moment, and my footsteps suddenly feel so unsteady from the urge to keep looking back.

Finally, I pounce from around the corner and quickly point my gun, only to see Taehyung look at me in shock.

"Taehyung?! What are you doing up?!" I whisper.

He exhales heavily. "Me? You should be asleep."

"Well I can't without you, can I?" I sit beside him, minding the shotgun and candle he placed down. "Why are you sitting here?"

"You think I was just going to let us all sleep at the same time? Someone's got to stay up in case anything happens."

"You should have told the others. We could've taken turns."

"Jimin's arm is broken, he can't do much defending, Jungkook is tipsy, Winter would've fallen asleep in the first two minutes and Hoseok gets freaked out by his own shadow."

"All true." I chuckle.

Despite the cocaine and stress, his eyes are still as dreamy and mysterious as when we met. It only draws me in more as we continue to converse some more in subtle whispers, until—

*SMASH!*

Our eyes bulge at the loud crashing noise. Barely a second passes before Taehyung picks up his shotgun and sprints towards the living room with me tagged behind. The noise sounds like it came from this level.

When we reach the living room, everyone is now awake and shaken with both panic and confusion. I reach for the pocket torch under my pillow and shine it around the room to search for any mess, but all the furniture seems normal and intact.

"What... the fuck was that?" Winter gets up.

Jimin hisses when sitting himself up, "I heard it too. Sounded like glass."

"Well is everybody okay?" Hoseok asks. We all nod but when Winter looks at Jungkook, he's still snoring with an open mouth, making her smack a snort out of him. "Wake up already!"

"Wha..? What happened? Are we at the villa yet?"

Taehyung tuts in frustration and starts looking around.

"Someone could've broken in. Nobody move while I search the house."

But before he can go anywhere, I notice something that causes my body to go cold and heart to skip a beat.

My breath trembles at my next words...

"Guys............... Where's Teddy?"