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Chapter Text

Welcome! Quick info dump before we start:

1. Please check the tags. Especially if you've come from one of my happy-family fics with classic good-guys BTS. This fic's theme is kidnap and manipulation and may not be to everyone's taste.

2. With the tags in mind, I want to emphasize that I'm writing fictional characters and not representing the personalities of BTS. The real boys wouldn't dream of acting the way these boys act.

3. I'm setting this broadly in a fictional London with a prominent Korean community to make it easier for me. UK age of consent is 16.

4. Chapters might vary in length.

5. I made a movie trailer for this fic! It's on my Twitter

If you're good with all the above then I hope you enjoy! :D

X-X-X
X-X-X

Jungkook's fingers were hurting. Dull chafing had bloomed into acute agony, and he grimaced behind the facemask. Using the orbit of his arms round the mic, he stole a glance at the viewfinder. Coming up on thirty-seven minutes. He should call it. He didn't want to be late for Jimin and the others.

He explored the spectrum of pain for a few seconds longer, putting a final burst of energy into fluttering his fingers around the microphone, concentrating on creating the sound that triggered his own ASMR. He wasn't feeling so confident about this one. It wasn't just the pressure of 19k subscribers, it was also his first time straying from his comfort zone.

Jimin had practically begged him to use the water spray, flooding their DMs in a way that gave Jungkook no choice but to concede.

Jimin: Nochu, people want the whole haircut experience!!

Jimin: Brush, scissors, spray, its the holy trinity.

Jimin: Nochuuuu please. I need the scalpgasmmm

Jimin: Plz plz plz baby. Just try it. I'll promote your vid! I swear you won't regret it.

Jimin: You will? Thank you thank you thank you I love you!!!!

Jimin knew how to get his own way alright. Jungkook just hoped that the rest of his audience didn't mind a new trigger. It had been a juggle to get the volume right, while studiously aiming water away from the 4k set-up his stepdad had paid for. And he wouldn't even find out if he got tingles on the edit till tomorrow. Between tonight's Twitch session and the coordinated evil of his teachers to drown him in homework, he was jam packed.

"Bye, thanks for watching," he whispered, leaning into the left side of the microphone, keeping eye contact with the camera lens, before slowly retracting and leaning into the right side for the binaural effect. "Let me know if you liked the spray. See you next week."

His fingers cramped as he threw a heroic final few seconds of finger flutters in before raising both hands in tiny waves that he'd fade to black in the edit.

Done. He tugged his mask down to his chin and slumped back in his overpriced chair, toeing the floor so he could sway a little. He cracked his knuckles and shook out his hands. What time was it?

His heart jolted him back out of his seat. 7:25pm. Aargh. Don't waste time. Stop the recording. Second camera battery fully charged, good, swap it over. Extract the SD card, camera away, tripod away, mixer...

He hurried from his former walk-in closet, spray bottle tucked under one arm, balling up the damp towel and aiming it at the laundry basket, dashing to the ensuite to dump the water, springing back to pack the empty bottle, scissors, brush and latex gloves back into his YouTube drawer.

Anticipation was curling in his belly, endlessly embarrasing, like a kid waiting for Christmas day. He'd learned over the past months not to fight it.

He wheeled round on one foot to examine his set up, pointing at the air as he mentally checked off everything in his head. Okay, shock mount and mic were in place. Ring light, soft boxes, green screen. Something was missing. He was drawing a blank. Gaming headset was in his top drawer, he'd use the computer webcam-

A hat! Of course.

He darted from the small foam-clad room again. When he'd asked Julian if he could have his closet converted, he'd taken a certain satisfaction in the teenage normality of spreading his clothes around his bedroom. Of course, that meant he had to figure out where a hat might be hidden amongst his mostly plain tees and stomper boots. He was pretty sure he'd spied a hat when he'd been rooting about his mass-gathering sock-and-underwear drawer the other day...hurry, hurry...

He was in luck. He unfolded the bucket hat quickly and shook it open, tugged it down over his freshly mid-brown hair, diving back to the ensuite to check the mirror.

His fingers trembled like butterfuly wings as he tucked his brown fringe out of the way, turning his head left and right to be certain the hair was entirely hidden from view. He lifted the facemask back up over his nose. Now he was all eyes: two huge dark globes that he still hadn't grown into and probably never would.

He knew that if Jimin and the Twitch team saw his hair they'd coo and aww and tell him he did a great job. But someone would be bound to ask why he'd dyed it, prompted by the stream if not their own curiosity. It would be easier to answer glibly next week. But not tonight. Not yet.

There'd been a lingering knot in his chest since Julian did a double take at breakfast yesterday.

Did you do it yourself? Julian had blinked over his coffee. No, no, it looks great. I just meant that we could have booked a professional if you'd wanted.

A professional of another sort perched at the other side of the breakfast bar, piling bacon and sausages into a carton. Some of his stepdad's escorts liked to leave at seven am sharp. Others seemed to enjoy the offer of a free luxury breakfast.

Or maybe they enjoyed watching Jungkook squirm.

When his mother died, Julian had gone the extra mile for Jungkook. He'd always been decent: awkward smiles, generous gifts, looking distinctly uncomfortable if Soona was ever harsh, keeping Jungkook at arm's length while providing every comfort. When Soona died, Jungkook's eleven year old mind immediately began cycling through hazy and terrifying images of orphanages, foster homes, care-

Julian had put an arm round his shoulders as they crunched down the gravel path from the crematorium. His stepdad had wept all the way through the service, chest heaving, working his way through five monogrammed handkerchiefs. Jungkook had sat statue-still at his side.

I'll contact the local authorities first thing tomorrow, Julian said, and Jungkook had felt the fear pitting, thought he might vomit on his shiny Oxfords. I don't know how long it takes to apply for an adoption order, but I'll try to push it through as fast as I can.

It took Jungkook a few more gravel crunches to realise. Then he crumpled against Julian's side, a huge sob ripping up his throat.

Hey, I know how much it hurts, Julian squeezed his shoulder hesitantly, his red-rimmed blue eyes sincere. But we're going to be okay.

Jungkook couldn't articulate that his tears weren't from grief.

I love you, the words had tumbled unbidden from his mouth.

Soona Adley, formerly Soona Jeon, used to give him an odd look when he'd attempted those words as a small child, but Julian's tear-tracked face melted further.

I love you too, Jungkook. His stepdad reached into his black cashmere overcoat to pass him a sixth handkerchief. I promise we'll get through this.

Jungkook had never felt wanted before. Julian made sure they ate at least one meal together every day, despite being neck deep in paperwork. Julian went to parent nights at school. He'd forked out thousands of pounds on gifts without blinking. He asked Jungkook how he was feeling, how his day had been, what was on his mind. He did so much more than he needed to, and a good deal more more than Jungkook's own mother had done.

So Jungkook hadn't minded when he started to book escorts.

No one could replace your mother, Julian told him, cheeks stained pink with embarrassment as fifteen year old Jungkook watched the leggy blonde taking the stairs down to the front door one Wednesday morning. I'm just... a little lonely. It's a discreet company.

It's okay. Jungkook had said. Really. It's not my business.

You're not angry with me? I don't want you to feel uncomfortable.

Jungkook had assured him it was fine.

And it was. Even when, a year down the line, Julian started booking men instead of women. Then when he started booking exclusively Korean men. It was all fine, until Jungkook noticed that the Korean men leaving the master suite were getting younger and younger. When gradually, almost imperceptively, they started looking a little more like Jungkook, his height and build, natural dark hair in a similar cut to his.

He gave himself one last look in the mirror and scrambled back to his closet. He was being dumb and he knew it. Next week he'd get on the Twitch stream and reveal that he was now brunet. Or they'd already know from his ASMR video. They'd fuss and he'd allow himself to bask in it. And he'd be able to look Julian in the eye again.

He put his headset on over the bucket hat and logged onto Twitch.

Jimin had his audience enraptured, as always, and Jungkook had to pause for a second to drink in Jimin's candyfloss hair, angel eyes and dental-dazzle smile.

"So then I said, don't let the door hit you on the way out-" Jimin waved a manicured bubblegum pink nail in the air. "And she turned round to glare at me, mid-walking, and at the same moment the door opened and-"

Jungkook pulled up his own feed on the second monitor. Although Jimin was primarily a Beauty YouTuber, he pulled in at least 3000 viewers a night on Twitch, often more. At least 100 of those would hop over and watch Jungkook stream at the same time, and even less were his own fans outright. Which Jungkook couldn't quite fathom out because playing games with Jimin's rowdy friends was about the furthest removed thing from ASMR he could think of.

"Nochu!!" Jimin cut himself off mid-flow, clutching his chest, almost rolling off his chair. "Your little hat! Don't kill me!"

"Hi!" Jungkook caught and devoured Jimin's smile. He'd been so intimidated by Jimin at first. But once he'd worked up the courage to reply to Jimin's first DM, the conversation had flowed freely. Jimin was so welcoming and persuasive, it wasn't long before Jungkook found himself agreeing to be on a Twitch team. And adding spray sounds to his dry sounds repertoire. Jimin had that power.

"Noch!" Jay Hope was already logged in and was apparently drumming on his desk in celebration, webcam off as usual. "How's your week been, sweets?"

Nochu had been an off-the-cuff choice when Jungkook had created his YouTube account at the start of the year. It's not you, its me became Nochu for short, and NochuASMR had seemed memorable enough. He was still getting used to hearing it said out loud.

"Good!" He replied to Jay. "You?"

Jay Hope didn't get the chance to answer before Jin burst onto their stream, webcam also off. "RM's gonna be a minute, how're my best boys?"

"Happy now I'm with you guys!" Jay Hope said. "Work has been such a slog today!"

Jay Hope's job was something to do with computers. Jungkook wasn't sure what Jin did, but unlike Jay Hope, he knew what Jin looked like. Jimin had DM'd him a selfie last month, and when Jungkook had curiously asked about the tall guy with the broad shoulders in the background, Jimin had revealed that it was Jin.

Jin was probably the best looking person Jungkook had ever seen. That was when he'd began to suspect that all Jimin's friends were good looking, and had felt even more honoured and terrified that Jimin had invited him to join.

"Isn't Nochu's hat so cute, Jin?" Jimin cheered.

"Wahh! Adorable!" Jin said, and as the words ticked his ears, Jungkook could picture Jin's bright eyes and full lips and classical features. He was suddenly glad of the mask stretching over his hot cheeks.

"Are you blushing in there, Noch?" Jimin said mischeviously, quirking a brow. "So what's the deal? Bad hair day?"

"Bad hair week," Jungkook quipped back, grateful when Tae joined the stream.

"Evening all," Tae's silken tone sent shivers down Jungkook's spine.

"You know we're having revenge on you tonight, right?" Jin challenged.

"It's not that sort of game this week," Jimin informed him. "Since this is our four month anniversary of playing together, I thought we'd shake it up a bit. I'll explain when we're all here, the chat is looking forward to it!"

Jungkook could barely get snatches of Jimin's livestream comments, but his own were a little easier.

madnadjita_mitra: Imagine he whips the hat off and his hairs pink

oxmxtty: Hope you had a good day Nochu

june.song88: Hurry up RM!!!

rseui56: 나는 너를 사랑해 .Nochu, 진지하게 너와 결혼 해. 너를 사랑해

laura.henry: Nochu looks kinda nervous

ironduckies7111: Where's your hat from?

"Am I late?" RM's deep voice joined the chat.

"You know you're late," Jimin sassed. "Right, lets get this game ohh-onn!!"

"How are you, baby boy?" RM asked, and his words went straight to Jungkook's groin.

He swallowed. "Yeah, good!"

He was liked well enough at school, but he'd never felt like he fitted in. He figured it had something to do with living the first half of his life on the broken pavements of a council estate, where trainers hung by frayed laces from phone wires and the only sparkle was broken glass. His fellow pupils had only ever known arrogant privilege and they flexed on eachother daily. If they ever found out his mother was a golddigger they'd drop him like a rock.

He'd made a Twitter account to promote his YouTube channel, not to make friends. But that first follow and DM from Jimin had snowballed into DMs every other day, and Jungkook had realised a while ago that he was addicted. After Jimin had coaxed him onto the Twitch team, he was utterly hooked. The six older boys were so cool but had still opened their arms to him. Sometimes he even made them laugh, and that felt amazing. Maybe he couldn't call them friends yet, not when they hadn't met in person and he hadn't seen all their faces, but they gave him hope that he had found 'his tribe.'

"I was waiting till one of us wasn't free, this game only allows six players," Jimin talking over the cartoon intro that was explaining the rules on screen. "It's a personality quiz."

"Where's Yoongi?" Jungkook crinkled his nose, realising.

"He had to work tonight, sweets," Jay Hope explained. "He sends you his love."

"Aw. We'll miss him." Yoongi was one of the quieter ones, and his calm, unruffled nature easily attracted Jungkook's awkward introvert. Plus there was the little matter of the 'soft spot' everyone claimed Yoongi had for Jungkook. Jungkook hoped Yoongi wasn't working too hard. He typed in 'Nochu' for his name when prompted and drew a neat little face for his avatar. He had a pretty solid winning record when it came to their weekly gaming sessions, but this one looked more gimic than strategy.

"So basically, we pick a category and then assign a role within that category to each of the team," Jimin said. "Yoongs will have to play another time. He loves putting people in boxes."

"Jimin!" Jay Hope choked out as the others spluttered with laughter.

Jungkook furrowed his brow. He didn't think of Yoongi as judgmental.

weasy_was_taken: Ahh I love this game!

boogerly: Anyone think Noch has changed his hair?

Justdebbiehere: Do the others have twt

dzayeuder: Damn Yoongi is my fave :(

bellabella8310: Nochu, do you fancy Jimin?

allisa.face: I don't get the game

"You guys are going to match your fellow test subjects to the roles that fit them best." The computer declared.

"Everyone follow? It's gonna help us discover ourselves," Jimin giggled.

A bunch of topics in colourful cartoon chemistry bottles appeared on the screen.

"Everyone vote for the category that looks the most interesting." The computer instructed.

"Disney Princesses!" Jimin enthused, honing in on the first chemistry bottle as Jungkook scanned the options, nerves ebbing at his insides.

"You'll want to be all of them," RM dismissed with a low chuckle.

"I mean true... okay, how about Critic Quotes? Or Monopoly Cards?"

Jungkook clicked to cast his vote on Critic Quotes, not sure what to expect.

"Which quote best suits each of you?" the computer breezed, as their six names appeared on the screen and a timer began to count down in the top corner.

Jungkook scanned the options quickly.

'Laugh Out Loud Funny.'
'Fun For The Whole Family.'
'A Special Effects Extravaganza.'
'Check Your Brain At The Door And Have Fun.'
'An Emotional Roller Coaster.'
'Keeps You On The Edge Of Your Seat.'

Wow, and he was supposed to match everyone up to one of these?

"You'll see a little 99% sign next to each role. Tap that to lock-in the answer you're 99% certain will match what everyone else picks." The computer added.

99% certain? Jungkook was way out of his depth.

"Noch has panic in his eyes," Jay Hope laughed.

"He's realised he might not win this week," Jin grinned. "Have fun with it, kiddo, no-one will be offended."

"Except me," Jimin chimed in. "Give me the good ones, okay?"

"I'll do my best," Jungkook choked out, aware in his peripherals that his own chat stream was discussing the 'panic in his eyes.'

Jimin was getting 'Special Effects Extravaganza'. Jungkook had binged enough of his makeup videos to know Jimin went for bright, glittery looks and had the personality to match.

"Done," Tae drawled, momentarily distracting Jungkook from his mission.

He had to hurry. He dragged his own name over 'An Emotional Roller Coaster', just because it sounded the most offensive. Jin seemed the most family oriented, so he could have 'Fun For The Whole Family'..

The screen showed that RM and Jimin had finished their matches too. Fifteen seconds left on the timer..

He gave Jay Hope 'Laugh Out Loud Funny'. Tae used to make him feel cripplingly shy, so he was dropped on 'Check Your Brain At The Door And Have Fun'. Which left RM with 'Keeps You On The Edge Of Your Seat', quite apt, since his voice regularly did things to various parts of Jungkook's body. He hurriedly hit submit.

Jin and Jay Hope came in just behind him and just on time. "Let's see the votes," the computer announced, lining their little avatars up on screen. "There's a winner!" It added, as Jimin took four out of six votes for 'An Emotional Roller Coaster'.

"I don't know if I'm happy with that," Jimin perfected his rosebud pout while his stream rushed with opinons.

Jungkook won 'Fun For The Whole Family'.

"Ohh Jin and Jay Hope are tied!" Jimin said gleefully as their avatars were plucked up for 'Laugh Out Loud Funny'.

"Which artistic flourish would you add to the Mona Lisa?" The computer asked. "Enter your answer on your device."

"We've to type anything we like?" Jay Hope said.

"Keep it clean," Jin warned.

"Don't keep it clean," Jimin countered.

"Don't tell him to be a bad influence on Nochu!" Jin was firm.

Jin: Give her my eyebrows
Jay Hope: Add my signature

"Wouldn't those hairy caterpillars overwhelm the delicacy of the portrait?" RM ribbed.

"Excuse me, these eyebrows are sculpted by the gods!" Jin roared in mock-anger. "I've a good mind to come over there and-"

"Careful, Jin," Jungkook cut in. "You don't want to be a bad influence."

"Brat," Tae laughed.

"I'm not sure a signature counts as an artistic flourish," Jimin pointed out casually amid Jin's ongoing rant at RM.

"Yeah, but it'll make me rich, and that'd be a laugh," Jay Hope said. "You're not voting for Jin's eyebrows are you? He already thinks he's doing Lisa a favour."

Oh right, the rest of them were to vote for the winner. Jungkook couldn't deny that the notion of the Mona Lisa with Jin's thick dark eyebrows was pretty amusing. He tapped to vote for Jin.

Jin's rant only concluded when he realised he'd won 'Laugh Out Loud Funny'. Jungkook looked into the webcam and shook his head in amusement.

x.x_hellboyno_x.x: Jin should put his cam on

pxnda_89: Jin is actual the funniest tho

notice_me_jimin: Nochu why dont u collab w Jimin?

JiminxLove: I wanna see the brows!

jamzam51602: I think the signature would actually be funnier tbh

ayal147: Nochu you're so cute..

Jungkook managed to pull back a few points as Tae took 'Check Your Brain At The Door And Have Fun' and RM won 'Keeps You On The Edge Of Your Seat'. Jay Hope got 'Special Effects Extravaganza'.

"Okay, what's next?" The computer offered a new batch of colourful topics to choose from.

"Novelty T-shirts?" Jin suggested.

"Boyband Members!" Jimin wheedled. "Come onnnn."

Jungkook chuckled, casting his vote. Despite protests from the others, they were just as whipped. Boyband members it was.

His chuckle turned into a groan as he reviewed the six options.

'Boy Next Door.'
'Hot Boy.'
'Little Baby Boy.'
'Bad Boy.'
'Funny Boy.'
'Replaced And No One Noticed.'

"Well one of them is super obvious," Jay Hope prodded, "huh, Noch?"

"What do you mean one of them?" Jimin complained.

It was very established that Jungkook was the youngest, and he'd bristled the first time 'baby' had slipped from someone's mouth. Now, the word 'baby' stoked a small glow in his stomach.

It was embarrasing though, he was seventeen, not-

He liked winning. Plus his mask would disguise his sticky cheeks. He dragged his own name over 'Little Baby Boy', and 99'd it. His eyes darted over the other options and he bit down on his lower lip. He was even more out of his depth on this one.

"Chop, chop!" Jin was done already. "Or I'm going solo on your asses!"

Just for that, Jungkook was giving him 'Bad Boy'.

Tae was done too. So was RM.

"I don't wanna replace anyone," Jimin huffed.

"Replace yourself then," Tae smirked.

"Come on, I'm clearly 'Hot Boy.' One of you is getting replaced!"

Jimin was hot. But-

Jungkook tried not to think about it as he dragged Tae's name over 'Hot Boy'. He didn't even know what Tae looked like...

Jay Hope was done. "Hurry it up people!"

There were ten seconds left on the timer. In a rush of panic, Jungkook dropped Jimin over 'Boy Next Door', he pulled off those vibes when he vlogged. Jay Hope was louder than RM so he had to take 'Funny'- would RM be offended by the 'Replaced' one? RM was a contender for 'Hot Boy' too-

He hit submit with two seconds to spare, mentally crossing his fingers. Jimin came in right behind him.

"Sheesh, you two took your time!" Jin chuckled, as the animation on screen lined their avatars up again.

The eruption of awws when Jungkook's avatar claimed all six of the 'Little Baby Boy' votes made him physically bury his head in his arms. When he dared to peek, his chat was on fire, almost matching speed with Jimin's.

martin_5.1: He their baby for real

nejilu.luanna: Is Nochu the youngest?

czx.traffic: Nochu is so cute

quenni_99: You did RM dirty on this one

_killerlook101: Nochu is 17 and theyr 19-22

faride1998: They made him shy!!

hazaifa10122: Nochu! احبك

"Noooo!" Jimin complained as he and Tae tied for 'Hot Boy.' "Get off my turf, Tae!"

"What can I say?" The burr of Tae's voice hit the pit of Jungkook's belly. "They know what's up."

Their avatars were set up in competition.

"What do you offer adoring fans to cool them off?" The computer chirped.

Jimin laughed. "Who says I want them to cool off?" His stream went wild.

"Down Ruby, I'm trying to think-" Tae chastised his dog as a loud wuff was picked up by his mic. For once Jungkook was glad that Tae's cam was never on. Even on-screen dogs made him tense up in fear.

"Shall we all agree to vote for Tae?" RM proposed, mischief layering his voice.

"Evil and brilliant," Jay Hope chuckled.

"I'm down for that," Jin teased.

"Nooo!" Jimin wailed.

Jungkook grinned as the two typed responses popped up on screen.

Tae: Give them eachother. Fans for the fans.
Jimin: SCREW YOU ALL

Jungkook couldn't help but drop Jimin a sympathy vote. Plus, if he voted for Tae twice, there might be some viewers who'd pick up on it.

"Nochu, you're the only real one," Jimin whined as the others mocked Tae's near clean sweep.

Jin and RM had also tied for 'Bad Boy'.

"What's the worst thing you did this week?" The computer challenged them.

"Oh, I don't know if I can write that down, I don't want to be a corrupting influence," Jin protested.

"What, you've got an overdue library book?" Jungkook grinned.

They all laughed.

"Maybe he used the neighbour's wifi."

"Or didn't hold a door open for an old lady."

"Well you'll just have to be patient for two more sec- yep, submit." Jin said, satisfied.

RM: Nudged a serial killer off a cliff.
Jin: Siphoned fuel out of a mega-jerk's car.

Jungkook couldn't help but giggle at how ridiculous they were. "As if." But he had to give RM the vote for creativity.

In the end Jimin took 'Boy Next Door', Hoseok took 'Funny Boy' and Jin was left without a role.

"Don't worry," the computer reassured him, "here's an alterative role up for grabs. Your fellow lab rats will vote on which suits you best."

Jin's avatar was plopped down between 'The Boy That Gets Replaced And No One Noticed' and 'The Heartthrob.' Well that was the easiest vote Jungkook had to cast.

Their points were tallied and the next selection of categories popped up.

"Avengers!" Jay Hope crowed.

"I'm with you, but I only accept Iron Man," Jungkook tapped it too.

"No, no, I haven't seen half the movies, Ice Cream Favours-" Jimin said.

"What do you mean you haven't seen half the movies?" Jungkook was aghast. "Which half?"

"The half with the plot, I guess," Jimin laughed. "None of it makes sense. Come on guys, Ice Cream Flavours... or wait, Heist Jobs!"

"Heist Jobs, has to be," RM grinned.

"Come on, Jin," Jay Hope pleaded. "You know you wanna be Black Panther."

"You're outnumbered, boys," Jin laughed as he and Tae both selected Heist Jobs.

'The Brains.'
'The Muscle.'
'The Driver.'
'The Distraction.'
'The Traitor.'
'The Law.'

"There's another no-brainer here, huh, RM?" Jin giggled, and they all groaned in unison.

"It's hard doing this without Yoongi," Jay Hope sighed. "Nochu, what do you wanna be?"

"That's not how the game works," Jungkook grinned. RM was definitely 'The Brains.' Tae betrayed them in their session last week, he had to be 'The Traitor'. He 99'd it. Jimin could be 'The Driver'. After all, Jimin was the driving force behind the Twitch team. Which was Jungkook? Muscles was more an aspiration than reality. He was more distracted than the distraction. And 'The Law' seemed to imply a level of control he didn't possess.

"This lot are so slow," Jimin said to his camera, "what would you guys put us as?"

Jungkook glanced up to see Jimin's head turned to read the comments. Jimin was wearing barely any makeup tonight, and it was clear he didn't need it. His skin was glowing. His features were doll-like, and yet there was a masculinity to them-

"Tick tock," Tae said as he locked his votes in.

Jin moderated most often, defending Jungkook's innocence as if he didn't go to high school. Jungkook dunked Jin onto 'The Law'. He figured Jay Hope would be an energetic distraction in a real heist. It left himself as 'The Muscle.' He did enjoy gym, so it would have to do.

He was the last one in.

"Hard time choosing?" RM intoned, his deep voice filling the channels of Jungkook's ears, tingling his nerve endings.

"Not for yours," Jungkook smiled behind his mask.

He wasn't surprised to see RM claim all of 'The Brain' votes. He was surprised to see himself win a majority as 'The Distraction'.

"You think I'd be a good distraction?" His eyes popped.

"Your whole existence is a distraction, Noch," Jimin batted his eyelashes. And Jimin wondered why they had a pack of viewers trying to ship them. Jungkook laughed it off, though he couldn't help the delight swirling in his belly.

Sure enough, Tae took 'The Traitor' win. "Does this have something to do with the way you all got annihilated last week?" Tae was faux offended.

"More about how you left the milk out on the counter for three hours yesterday," Jay Hope laughed. Jungkook was still trying to piece together who knew who best and if they'd all met offline. It sounded like Jay and Tae might actually be roomates.

"How did I get 'The Law'?" Jimin griped a moment later.

"Because you're always laying it down," Jin retorted. Jungkook was a little surprised to see Jin win 'The Driver', and Jay Hope 'The Muscle'. There was still so much he had to learn about them.

"From our calculations, you two are complete opposites," the computer commented, dropping Jungkook and Jay Hope's avatars into the ring with bubbles titled 'Little Baby Boy' and 'Muscles' over their heads, the bubbles flipping to reveal 'Sweetheart' and 'Aggressive' in their place. "We're not leaving here till we find out which of you is better at being you. Write an answer that fits the trait above your head. What would be the tagline of your action movie?"

Jay Hope had it easier, but then that gave Jungkook more scope to steal points.

Nochu: Welcome to Pillowfight Club.
Jay Hope: You'll kill to see it.

"Sorry, Jay," Jungkook grinned as he racked up the votes.

Jimin was mock-outraged when the game labelled him as 'Square' versus RM's 'Wildcard'. He was even more outraged when the others forced him to win.

"I put in the policestation." He threw up his hands as the other four sniggered.

It was probably the most un-square answer to 'The police give you permission to set off fireworks anywhere you want, where do you choose?' But the others clearly couldn't resist baiting Jimin.

And then their final roles and scores were delivered. Jungkook had come a respectible fourth. He tried to let the breath he'd been holding out quietly. It was a save.

"'Moody, Squeaky-Clean Super Square'," Jin bellowed with laughter, reading out Jimin's title. He was a 'Wise-Cracking Darling Commuter'.

"'Supersmart, Semi-Renegade Thrillseeker', RM," Jay Hope read, "they got you good!"

Jungkook was a 'Fast, Dependable Mega Sweetheart' and felt his cheeks tinge as a chorus of awws erupted when Jimin read his out. Tae's 'Sexy Adrift Coward' had the group and both Jimin and Jungkook's streams in stitches. And Jay Hope seemed content with 'Funny Quasi-Tough Party Dude.'

"I hate you all but that was fun," Jimin declared. "Since Yoongi isn't here, what title will we invent for him? Lets see what the chat has to say."

lucymeres9870: Nochu and Jimin should be bfs

iluvflowerpower19: Do they ever all go on cam or just Jimin and Nochu?

guoguodebingtic: Dry humoured sharp mystery

lafty_star_: Hot voice guy

notice_me_jimin: Who else thinks NochuXJimin collab?

moondiaz94: How about smart fast talking chill guy?

thomasdoubledynn: Petition for Tae to show his dog!

They debated over a few options before collectively settling on 'Creative Semi-Sarcastic Schemer.' It wasn't long before the hour was through.

"I gotta bail, Jimin, I haven't had dinner yet." Jay Hope said.

"I've got homework," Jungkook added reluctantly.

"I better take Ruby out." Tae said, adding, "I'll text you later, Noch."

"Yeah, yeah, get lost you lot," Jimin dismissed them before turning to the camera. "I'm down to solo play for another hour if you guys are game!"

His chat exploded in the affirmative.

"Good night everybody," Jungkook waved. "Thanks to everyone who joined our side party over here!"

may_1314: Bye Nochu have a good night

dzayeuder: Bye babie!

danielmirandaintv: Que fofos!

emmaledger: Noch collab w/Jimin!

tran5878: That went in too fast

viviheiro: Byyyye

mandaf.salmarov: Excited for new video Saturday!

t.wojciechowsha: Bye Nochu hope your hmwk is easy

9iiayx: Bye everyone!

"Everyone needs to look out for Nochu's new video this weekend!" Jimin added. "I'm not going to sleep a wink till its up!"

His smile corkscrewed into Jungkook's heart.

"Study hard, Noch," Jin said warmly.

"Yeah, see you next week," RM's voice was still making him perspire.

"I'll tell Yoongs you missed him," Jay added. "Right all! I'm out!"

"Bye!" Jungkook said one more time, giving a little wave before he left too.

He sank back in his chair as the silence of his room engulfed him, letting his heartbeat settle. He felt the glow of happiness, of belonging, he felt exhausted, pummelled, he felt-

He hooked the mask from his ears and slowly peeled the bucket hat from his head, using his tiptoes to rock himself in the spinny chair, feeling lightheaded and overwhelmed.

It always hit him after their weekly Twitch sessions. He didn't know if it was simply being an introvert, or knowing that the public was watching, or whether it was those voices that burrowed into his chest, down his spine, through his stomach, and then kept on travelling down.

For only the hundredth time, he imagined what RM, Tae, Jay Hope and Yoongi might look like. Even if they didn't look like Jimin or Jin, they had the assured ability to turn Jungkook's insides to yoghurt every stream.

It was going to take forever to concentrate on his Maths, Biology and History.

When he finally slipped into his lonely King Size bed at eleven pm, his mind was still awash, their voices were still imprinted on his ears, his body still sensitive, a trace of sparks just under the surface of his skin.

He snuggled his head into a pillow, curling his quilt over his shoulders, closed his eyes. He could still feel the heat pooling.

He tried to block the shame out as he rolled over and reached blindly for a wad of tissues from his bedside table, his other hand slipping into his pyjama bottoms. What would they think of him if they knew it was their voices that echoed in his head? He rocked himself through it, clamping his mouth shut to stifle his groans, even though no one else slept in this wing. Finally, he fell asleep, his greedy body sated, his mind fatigued with guilt.

He felt better when he woke. Things always were better in the morning. He swung out of bed, padded across the plush carpet and peeped out the curtains. The morning sun was only just beginning to warm the cold grey soup of cloud and sky, and the buildings of St John's Wood still looked like sharp-edged cut outs in the distance. Leafy poplars tented the road outside Julian's 55 mil mansion, but Jungkook could hear birds and the muted drone of early morning traffic.

His side of the house was cloaked in silence. Soona had always been an early riser and he supposed there was an instinct in him to be the same. Plus it left plenty of time for breakfast with Julian.

He tossed the contents of his wastepaper bin into the toilet of the ensuite and flushed them away, trying not to think about them. Then he dived into the shower, turning the main dial to a nudge above punishingly cold. Icy water poured down his body, wiping away any trace of his misdeeds, giving him a new buzz of energy.

His teeth chattered as he exited and he wrapped himself up in a huge cream fluffy towel. He swiped the wet hair out of his eyes and reached for his electric toothbrush, wandering over to the mirror to see if there was any damage today.

Clear skin again. Yess.

Only a year or two ago, he'd stand in front of the same mirror and fret over his face for minutes on end. But now his mild acne scarring had all but faded, and he no longer had the urge to squeeze and manipulate his nose like a sculptor with clay.

In fact, he looked good today. His looks were improving in general. The thought brought a small smile to his face as he spat out his toothpaste and turned to uncap his moisuriser. Even the mid-brown hair was looking awesome for a first time DIY job.

He had a new spring in his step as he crossed to his socks-and-underwear drawer and grabbed himself the essentials. Feeling clean and fresh, he flopped on top his bed, still snuggled in the towel, reaching for his phone to check the time.

6:15am. Oh, and he had a text from Tae from last night. Just seeing Tae's name made something tiny flip over in Jungkook's chest.

Tae: Hey, you might already be in bed. Can I call you tomorrow? Whatever time suits. Just us.

Jungkook felt his heartrate pick up a little. A phonecall with Tae. He could do that. After all, it wasn't any different from speaking to him on Twitch.

Except it would just be the two them. No stream of comments or other voices. No decoration, no distraction.

But it was Tae. Tae wouldn't laugh at him if he stumbled over his words, would he?

He hovered his thumb over the phone screen, then clicked aside. He'd answer while he was being driven to school, there would be plenty of time while stuck in traffic. He'd psych himself up for it.

There were a couple of group chat messages from school friends, but he clicked in and out without reading those. He jumped onto Twitter to check his notifications. Somehow, without being particularly funny or showing his face he'd accumulated 4633, no, now 4638, followers on Twitter. It was probably the Jimin effect.

He liked a few tweets, most of them Jimin's, sent a couple of replies, then did a quick scan of the news. A new French President had been elected, Genevieve Page had been found dead at the bottom of the Botany Bay cliffs in Kent just weeks after her trial and Jungkook's least favourite singer had scooped an award he probably didn't deserve. Otherwise, the headlines were pretty sparse.

He towel-dried his hair, then located the various components of his school uniform. Seniors got a different blazer and tie and even though he knew he was falling into the school's trap, he couldn't help but take some pride in his grown-up status as he shrugged them on.

He couldn't say no to the phonecall with Tae. But what if he blew it? Or what if Tae asked to meet up? Was Jungkook brave enough to meet a stranger he'd met online?

Once he'd finished lacing his shoes and combing his hair into something presentable, he grabbed his bag and began the sojourn to the breakfast nook.

Julian's home was a beautiful building, with high ceilings, designer wallpaper, gorgeous maple floors, an underground garage and an indoor pool. Jungkook just sometimes wished it was a bit smaller.

As he rounded the stairs and crossed past the formal diningroom he could hear Karisha's voice and an unfamiliar male voice responding. He turned the corner after the downstairs powder room and stepped into breakfast.

"Morning Kookie," Karisha gave him a hearty smile. "What would you like this morning?"

The escort was slathering a croissant with butter.

Jungkook stopped dead in his tracks.

"Oh hi," the escort glanced over just long enough to show he was Korean, with sharp, feline eyes but rounded cheeks like Jungkook, an angular jaw like Jungkook, a height similar to Jungkook. And he couldn't be a day over 21. "I'm Sugar. He said it was okay to grab some food before heading out."

Jungkook could barely take in his words. Sugar's hair was mid-brown. No roots in sight. Box fresh. Identical to Jungkook's.

He knew then that he wouldn't be able to stomach breakfast.

X-X-X

Chapter Text

So many of you jumped on the K7 train! Thank you!!

I'll start replying to your comments soon. That's the biggest way you can support this fic and motivate me to write, so I appreciate it. Thanks for the kudos and bookmarks too :)

If you want to get more involved with the fic or support my writing then hop onto @Ao3Gobi17 for my Twitter where I'll be posting more info shortly!

This chapter is going to be pretty angsty for poor Kook, heads up.

X-X-X
X-X-X

"Good morning, Jungkook," His stepdad entered from the direction of the master suite, wearing his paisley silk robe and loafers. "Sleep well?"

Jungkook could hardly muster a response. Karisha was sliding Julian's customary macchiato across to him as if it were a normal day. Hadn't she noticed? Was she pretending she hadn't?

"Yes, thank you," his voice cracked like an intercom.

Julian had been reaching for the newspaper, but paused. Blue irises behind Tom Ford reading glasses. The lenses magnified the creases at his eyes. "Is everything alright?"

Wisely, the escort stuffed the end of his croissant into his mouth and kept his head down.

Karisha's dark eyes tracked after Julian's as she set Jungkook's glass of milk on the marble countertop. "Are you feeling unwell, Kookie?" She tilted her head in concern. "You look pale."

"I'm fine," Jungkook said tightly. Out of an instinctive sense of politeness, he stepped over to the milk and downed it, hoping it might drown the twisted butterflies in his stomach. "Thank you. I'm not hungry. I'm going to head to school early."

Deep plough lines embedded across Julian's forehead. "I don't know if David will be ready for you. It's only 7am."

"It's okay," Jungkook summoned a plastic smile and set the glass down carefully on the countertop, backing off. "I'm going to walk, I need the fresh air."

Julian cast a questioning look at Karisha. Karisha gave her employer a minute shake of the head. "I'll see you for dinner?" Julian asked, consternation in his tone.

Jungkook nodded helplessly. "See you then."

He turned tail and made for the front door, walking the corridor like an automaton, hiking his school bag further up his shoulder.

Was he wrong? He could count his physical interactions with Julian on one hand. Two pats on the back, the one on his left shoulder, that tap on the knee and the side-hug from his mother's funeral. Jungkook had soaked up those rare touches like he was starving. He remembered each vividly.

He passed by the gentleman's room and crossed under the branched chandelier that hung over the foyer.

David and Keaton were eating bacon butties in the on-duty staff room. "Are you going already?" David peered at Jungkook through the open doorway, almost dropping his breakfast in his haste to doublecheck his watch.

"I'm going to walk," Jungkook said. "Is that alright?"

Keaton chuckled. "Remember, you're supposed to tell him, Kook, not ask."

Jungkook's plastic smile stretched thin to polythene. "Sorry."

"You need to be more snooty or you'll never make it as a rich kid." David chucked his food on the table, brushing real and imagined crumbs from his trousers as he hurried to open the front door for Jungkook. "I'll get the gates for you."

As soon as he was out on the front steps, the front door locking behind him, Jungkook inhaled a deep breath. The sky was still baggy, the sunlight thin and grey. Cool air brushed over his face, wafted at the sleeves of his blazer, helped steady him a little.

The front gates glided open as he crossed by the front lawn, releasing him onto the street. He turned up to the right, walking alongside manicured hedges, leafy green trees overhead. Cars hummed in the distance on the main road. Normality.

Julian had always been awkward and physically distant around him when he was a child, had barely ever touched him as a teen and and had certainly never made any sexual overtures to him as a young adult.

Was it possible that the escort had Jungkook's new hair colour by chance?

No. It couldn't be a coincidence. Not after dozens of escorts with identical hair. Not when Sugar was Julian's youngest booking to date.

A lone Mercedes sped past him, flagrantly breaking the speed limit. Up ahead, coming towards him, were a couple in designer sportswear walking a pram and a pomeranian. Jungkook couldn't help but cross over the road to avoid it, tiny and fluffy as it was. He continued along their long street, where mansions gave way to luxury terraced housing.

He had to move out. He'd known that subconciously for a while. It was why he'd started the ASMR videos after all. And he was monetised, but the still-fledgling channel couldn't afford London rent. He'd have to find someone willing to rent him a room on the cheap, or else move out of London altogether. But where would he go? Would Julian let him? Would he let Jungkook take the video making equipment?

On top of that, he legally had to be in education till he was eighteen. Would Julian keep paying his private school fees if he moved out? Could he transfer to a public school just before exams? What if Julian offered to pay for everything: rent, travel, maybe even for uni. Should Jungkook take his money?

It almost made him chuckle. Six years after Soona's death and he was still floundering.

He could talk it out with someone. But who? His school friends were out. Karisha, Keaton and David worked for Julian so they were out. Jimin? But it was a lot of baggage to throw Jimin's way, and he wanted Jimin and the others to think he was in control..

As he crossed the intersection, he could hear the far-off mixture of honking horns and rumbling engines filling the air, as the roads downtown clogged with cars, taxis, trucks, buses and bikes. The sounds faded behind the buildings as he resumed up his street. The dark square windows set against the eggshell paint of the next block watched his progress.

So what if he was right about Julian. What if Julian did have those terrible feelings. He'd never acted on them. Wasn't that noble? Wasn't Julian a better person than Jungkook was, lusting over older boys he'd never actually met and getting off to the thought of them without their consent?

He turned sharp right and cut into one of the side streets. He had plenty of time to kill. He'd head in the general direction of school and worry about precise directions later.

He passed a nursery which had not yet opened for the day, and walked on by flats with identical red brickwork but different coloured lacquer on the doors. A man strolled by on the same side of the street, fists buried deep in his coat pockets and a too-big Burberry knit on his head.

Maybe he should talk to Julian at dinner. Try to keep everything amicable and normal, just say that he'd be turning eighteen after the summer and that he felt ready move out.

He allowed himself a weak smile. Or he could always rainbow-dye his hair next.

A corner cafe caught his eye, and he considered jumping in, but his stomach hadn't quite finished roiling. He moved on, passing a locked up community centre and the back of a pub.

A white van pulled up in sharply just in front of him, despite tons of available spaces on the quiet road. Unease curdled deeper in his stomach. Did drivers do that to enjoy spooking pedestrians? He kept up his brisk pace, the slow breathing of the engine filling his ears as he passed.

On the plus side, the thought of chatting to Tae on the phone didn't seem so overwhelming now. He'd stop in for food nearer school and text him back then.

The van doors opened behind him, loud in the quiet of the street. Something made him quicken his pace.

Maybe he should tweet something funny. Whatever response he got on Twitter would be a well needed distraction. What could he say? Or he could tease that this weekend's video would have sciss-

His shoulders were harnessed in strong arms, swinging him around. His film of suspicion immediately dissolved into a thin line of fright. A figure in a black balaclava was surging towards him, while the grip from behind propelled him forwards. The back doors of the van were open like a mouth waiting to swallow him whole. Panic screamed up his throat, and he tried to cry out, but a gloved hand came over his mouth, trapping little urgent cries of protest.

His body reacted a second later, and he kicked and bucked, twisting his head, trying to escape the glove. His heart contracted as the back of the van came up to meet him and his face was smushed into the rough carpet, bag wrenched from his back and one arm forced up behind him in a half-nelson. A heavy body thudded on top of him and he struggled all the harder as he heard the van doors close. One desperate kick found a soft mark and he was rewarded with a grunt.

"Shoes off," the one on his back muttered, gloved hand clamped over his jaw, preventing him from lifting his head to see, suppressing his air intake. Jungkook's muscles trembled from effort as he writhed and lashed out and choked, feeling first his left then his right ankle being grabbed, feeling his school shoes being ripped from him, thudding against the side of the van while his socked feet kicked ineffectively in the air.

His arm was inched further up his back, skewering him on a bolt of pain.

"Shhh," the one lying on him hissed in his ear. "Settle down."

Loud tearing reached his ears and Jungkook let out a sob of wild despair that pooled in his throat, blocked by the glove. He could smell the aftershave of the one who was on him, could hear shallow breathing in his ear. He felt the grips on his jaw and arm tighten as the other one sat on his legs and wound tape round his wriggling ankles.

His heart was beating so loudly that the sound was echoing in his mind.

"Listen," the one at his ear said, and Jungkook could barely hear him, the words running together like treacle in his pounding brain. "I'm going to blindfold you. You can be a good boy and I'll use cloth. If you want to be bad, I'll use tape." The hand over his jaw released just a fraction, but held his head in place. "What'll it be?"

Jungkook gasped for air. A blindfold is good some demented part of his mind told him. Blindfold means they might not kill you.

"Well?" The voice purred in his ear. "What'll it be?"

"I'll be good," Jungkook choked out. The thought of strong adhesive tape being pressed against his eyelids and eyelashes was terrifying.

He was rewarded with a pat on the cheek. The one who'd bound his ankles got off and a second later Jungkook felt a band being tugged over his hair, gloved hands working what felt like a fabric sleep mask over his eyes, snuffing the thin grey carpet and plastic interior wall from his vision. Then, working together, they lifted his head sufficiently to wind a cloth tightly round his head, over the mask, sealing it in place, eliminating even the slightest chink of light. He was in darkness.

The pressure was removed from his arm and his body was rolled over, two pairs of hands making quick work of grabbing his squirming wrists in front of him and winding tape around them and his shirt cuffs.

He seized in a big breath.

"You scream," the voice warned, "you get your mouth stuffed."

Jungkook clamped his mouth shut.

"There, he's a quick learner," the voice said callously, then murmured to his silent partner. "You drive."

Jungkook felt one pair of hands lift from him, and the tread as the partner stooped and clambered into the drivers seat. He heard the sharp click of a belt, the rumble of the accelerator. Then they were moving away.

A whimper lodged itself in his throat. This was his last chance, but he couldn't seperate his wrists or ankles, couldn't see-

"Shhh," a single gloved finger pressed against his lips. "I'm right here, princess. Be good."

Jungkook shrank back from the finger, rolled onto his side, lay still. There was a low chuckle in response.

"Hey, we got him," the same voice said a moment later, pausing as if he were on the phone.

Was it planned? If it was planned, that was good right? It meant professionals and a ransom, not rapists or murders or-

Jungkook's mouth was dry with fear. He always took a ride to school. If this wasn't random, it meant someone in the household had told these guys about his last second change of plans.

"He's behaving," the voice reported, and Jungkook thought for half a second that he recognised the voice, despite the balaclava muffle. "We'll come get you, give us ten minutes."

"Look for a spot for his bag, V," the same voice instructed a moment later.

"Where are we going?" Jungkook whispered into the darkness.

"If I tell you, I can't let you go. Is that what you want?"

"No..."

"Then don't ask questions, cupcake."

Jungkook clammed up. A minute later the driver murmured "got a spot."

"I'll babysit junior. Check his mobile's in there first. Make sure you've got the location down."

There was a huff from the driver as if the instructions were obvious. They were pulling in. Jungkook heard another vehicle overtake them as the driver parked up. Then he heard the scuff of the driver making his way into the back again for his bag. He tensed up in fear as a gloved thumb pressed down on his lower lip, wobbling it. "No screaming, okay?" His captor said. "This only goes two ways. We get what we want and you get to go home, or we don't get what we want and you die. Option two doesn't suit anyone."

He said it so casually. Jungkook wasn't stupid enough to scream with the hand still so close to his mouth, teasing at his lip, and who knew what weapons close by. The driver shuffled back to the front and the van door quickly opened and shut. The gloved thumb continued to play along Jungkook's lower lip, the leather tip pressing into his mouth, reminding him, as the driver quickly returned, and shut the door behind him again.

The leader finally lifted his hand and Jungkook inched himself back to put some distance between them as the van pulled away again.

He tried to marshall his thoughts, but they were tumbling into a deep well of fear. Instead, he concentrated on his breathing, inhaling the faint diesel smell on the carpet. In life or death situations, staying calm was everything. He pushed back on the panicked blanks firing in his brain. If this was a ransom, the stats were in his favour. He was relatively safe up till the ransom was due to be paid. He had to take every advantage he had in the meantime.

He had no sight, but he could listen. Any outside noises might reveal their location. If they turned the radio on he would know exactly how long the journey was, what times they hit traffic at. And he could try to count the number of turns.

He knew the driver was called V already. There weren't many guy names beginning with V, were there? Victor, Vincent.. he just had to keep his head, keep listening.

He strained to listen now. There was some traffic on the road. The van was moving at a decent speed, so they hadn't left the residential area.

He jerked in fight when the gloved finger fell back over his mouth like a threat.

"Shhh," the leader said, as they made a second stop.

"Just as well you brought the van," the newcomer remarked, closing the van doors behind him, V-the-driver moving off a split second later. He was near Jungkook and there was nothing obscuring his voice.

Jungkook knew that voice. He was certain of it.

"All okay?" The finger was removed from his lips as the van picked up speed again. Jungkook barely noticed, his entire focus on the newcomer's voice.

It was a young male. It had to be Sugar, didn't it? That was somewhat comforting. David, Keaton and Karisha hadn't betrayed them. Judging by his last comment, Sugar had sent a message to his friends opportunistically.

All because Jungkook hadn't waited for his ride with David.

He mustn't get stuck on what-ifs. Concentrate.

There was no more conversation between the three, and just as Jungkook suspected they were entering heavier traffic and was debating the risks of yelling, the driver, V, turned the radio on.

Okay, good, that was something.

Jungkook felt a pang of disappointment when he realised it wasn't radio at all, but some kind of pop compliation mix. He counted the songs anyway, the sheer normality of them jangling in his ears. V turned the music up higher when they hit the really sluggish works traffic, as if he'd read Jungkook's mind.

Jungkook bided his time, lay still and counted the songs. He wondered if Julian had booked Sugar from the usual company. If he had, Sugar's details would be on file. It might help the police.

Fifteen songs later, which given London traffic probably meant about five or six miles, they pulled in. Jungkook had completely lost track of all the turns the van had made, but was reassured that they hadn't left London.

"Tell us when," the gloved hand seized his jaw again and Jungkook kept still, expecting the finger, but balked in horror when he heard the rip of tape. "Shhh," the leader said. "Just for a few minutes."

Jungkook's chest heaved in panic as thick sticky tape was pressed over his mouth.

"Be good and he won't wind it round," the voice cautioned him again, smearing it down flat as Jungkook tried to scrabble away with his bound hands and feet.

The music turned off. "You'll be clear in twenty seconds," V reported from the front.

"I'll get the door," Sugar said. "You got him?"

"Yep."

Jungkook felt himself being dragged across the floor, gathered towards his captor. He breathed frantically through his nose, unable to fill his lungs fully.

"V?" Sugar said.

"Clear."

Jungkook heard the van doors open, felt the cool morning air surge in.

"Go," V said a moment later.

Jungkook was lifted in strong arms and a moment later swung up as easily as if he were a coat being thrown over the leader's shoulder. He felt the breeze brush past him, and mere seconds later the temperature adjusted a fraction, the slight echo of footsteps telling him they'd entered a building. He heard a door close heavy behind them, shutting out the cool air. Then the leader's shoulder was ramming into his belly and he knew they were going upstairs, his head swinging, bumping against the man's back. If he'd eaten breakfast he'd be choking on it.

Footsteps reverbrated behind them, catching up and overtaking and he heard the sound of a key in a lock.

A loud bark greeted them and Jungkook gave a squeak of absolute terror behind the tape.

"Down, girl," Sugar said mildly.

"I'll put him upstairs," the leader said.

More stairs. The leader's shoes thudded beneath them, as Jungkook's head reeled and the hard shoulder dug into his stomach on a steady rhythm.

When he was finally set down, it was on a soft carpet, in the corner of a room judging by the feel of the walls beneath his shoulders. His head lolled helplessly, his body dizzy, trying to recalibrate in the dark.

The leader was picking at the tape on his mouth, and with a few practiced flicks had the edge up. "Just be glad you've got a baby face," he said as warning, then tore it off.

It hurt, but the sheer relief of being able to breathe again was even more intense. Now all Jungkook cared about was the dog. Where was it? Could it get upstairs where he was?

"If you fuss we're the only ones who'll hear," the leader informed him, his voice distant as if he were turning away. "So I wouldn't fuss if I were you."

Jungkook heard his steps on the wooden flooring outside the room. He tried to shuffle himself into a more comfortable position, head bumping clumsily against the wall he was propped against. Its going to be okay he told himself wildly. He tried to picture his mother's face. The kidnappers would have met their match it if it had been her and not Jungkook. Soona had regarded most things in life with distain and Jungkook wished for only the thousandth time that he could summon just some of her fortitude.

He had to focus. There was something about the leader's voice. If he'd only met Sugar today, why was the leader's voice also familiar?

Then, his worst nightmare. He could hear the rapid feet on the steps, and he braced, trying to make himself tiny against the wall.

For a moment he thought it had gone by, but then, without warning, there was hot rank breath on his face. He felt his stomach fold up. He opened his mouth to scream but his insides had frozen. A cold wet nose pressed against his neck and sniffed loudly.

Then the front door opened again downstairs. The dog wuffed and Jungkook cringed in utter terror, but it was gone, paws clattering on the stairs.

His breath came in short panicky bursts, even after it had long gone. He couldn't think much about anything after that.

X-X-X

"How was your sleep?" RM murmured, as Yoongi trotted upstairs, bottle of water in hand.

"Needed it," Yoongi kept his voice low too. "I'm taking the kid a drink."

"Already did it."

"Three hours ago according to Tae."

RM conceeded with a nod.

"He's innocent, Joon," Yoongi reminded him, cats' eyes narrowing.

"Not so innocent. He's been living off stepdad's money, hasn't he?"

"That's not really his fault."

"I know, that's why I gave him a drink." Pretty much as soon as they'd got home the fight had been snuffed out of the kid, and he'd been good as gold these past nine hours. RM had elected not to pop back with more water because seeing those pink lips wrap around the bottle neck and watching that soft throat swallow had made him feel like he was betraying the others.

"You didn't warn me," he leaned back against the rail, crossing his arms.

"Didn't warn you what?" Yoongi frowned.

RM inclined his head towards the open doorway just a few metres away.

Yoongi realised. "I didn't get a good look at him at Adley's." He wagged a chastising finger in RM's face. "Plus, for all you know, he's jailbait."

"I did my research on Adley. Junior's seventeen."

It was Yoongi's turn to concede. "Well remembered. Just don't let Tae see you making googly eyes at the kid. He's stressed out of his box about Nochu. He'll throw hands."

"What's wrong with Nochu? Did something happen?" RM's body moved to action mode instantly.

"Don't get fired up, nothing happened. He just hasn't texted Tae back since last night, is all."

RM sighed, waiting for his spiked blood pressure to level off again. "Well, it's what, four o'clock? He'll be finishing class. What's Tae texting him for anyway?"

Yoongi shrugged. "All I know is he's fretting and he's on edge. So don't go complimenting the kid in front of him."

"Noted. I'll check on him," RM said and Yoongi nodded, making to move on towards the kid, till RM seized his arm and tugged him back.

"You okay after last night?" He whispered against Yoongi's mouth, before pressing in for a kiss.

Yoongi returned it briefly. "Yeah, he wasn't any bother. Wanted to be called Daddy, otherwise pretty vanilla."

RM stole another kiss. "I don't know if I like someone else coming for my title."

Yoongi chuckled. He'd been pulling cons since before they'd met, but RM couldn't avoid the surge of possessiveness he felt when he thought about Yoongi sleeping with the enemy.

"Did he say anything useful?" He added.

Yoongi shook his head. "He was cagey about discussing work. I got a general look at security and the interior layout, but I guess we don't need to worry about that anymore."

RM nodded. As Yoongi walked over to the doorway and bent in over the kid, he couldn't help but retreat a pace and take another look in.

Adley Junior was sinfully pretty. Despite the way his school shirt had come loose during their earlier struggle, his waist was still visibly snatched, his legs looked toned beneath the starchy school trousers and his face... RM could only see half of it of course. But he could spend hours admiring the rounded off tip of Junior's nose, his sharp cupid's bow, two rabbit teeth just visible above a plush lower lip. The kid had made himself small, huddled in the corner by the bed, only relaxing a fraction when Yoongi quietly greeted him.

He was petrified of the dog. RM had clocked it immediately and he was confident it was the reason the kid wasn't going to be scraping himself out of the corner anytime soon. They'd agreed to leave the door open so they could listen out for him, and RM couldn't count the number of times he'd herded a curious Ruby away this morning.

Looking over the rail, he saw Tae hunched at the table on his laptop. He took to the stairs.

"I'm onto you, sweetheart," he said pointedly, as he descended the last step and turned in towards the raised level where their dining table sat.

"Don't know what you mean," Tae said sulkily, staring into his screen like he was sizing up for an engagment ring.

RM hooked his foot round the leg of the neighbouring chair and sat, nudging Tae so he'd turn round and face him.

"We said we'd all choose who'd be first to phone Nochu," RM reminded him softly.

The nineteen year old's outraged, guilty expression confirmed his suspicion. "That's not what I said to Yoongi!"

RM was going to have to keep a closer eye on Tae, they weren't out of the woods with him yet. Maybe he'd get Hobi to clone his phone again. He reached out and gently rubbed Tae's arm.

"I guessed." He said. "Why else would you be so hung up on a text?"

Tae's hand abortively twitched towards his silent phone. "If I text him at night he always replies in the morning, early." He mumbled. "Always. And it's 4pm."

So they'd been texting a while. RM stored the information away.

"Hey," he said, tugging Tae's chair a little closer to him, so he could stretch his legs on either side. "I bet he's feeling shy. He'll be working up the courage to text you back."

"Do you think Hobi could track his phone if I asked?" Tae worried his lip.

"Hobi needs to concentrate on communicating with Adley today. And we agreed to respect Nochu's privacy till we'd decided on him. You're getting worked up about nothing, Tae. He's been in class."

Tae swallowed, puppy eyes downcast under his hard brows. "I know," he said. "I just have a bad feeling. If anything happened to him I'd-"

RM understood. He'd kill anyone who laid a hand on Nochu, they all would by now. Things had changed so much since that January evening, when Jimin had planted himself on RM's lap, casually rubbing their groins together through their jeans while simultaneously declaring I've found the one!

RM's first instinct had been to allow himself to be distracted, but he also knew Jimin's ploys all too well. Yeah? he said, placing both hands on Jimin's hips like he might consider slowing him down.

He's an absolute darling, he's seventeen, I watch him on YouTube-

Is this the kid you watch when you have insomnia?

Yes, Jimin ground into him, making his blood rush south. But its not just because of that. You need to see his eyes, they're the prettiest.

After they'd messed up with Tae, RM had been extra cautious. Let me see him then.

Jimin had dug into his back pocket without missing a beat, sliding his hand along RM's chest on the way back up.

Two big brown luminous eyes stared back at RM from Jimin's phonescreen.

Is he Korean? RM asked, picturing what those eyes might look like gazing up at him.

Third gen. Isn't he the most innocent thing? I've been talking to him for a few days. He's adorable. He lives in London too.

Those were good things, sure. Let me see his full face then, RM had said.

Jimin intensified the roll of his hips, and it took all RM's self control to stay in the conversation. Oh, he wears a mask for YouTube, he's quite private.

With the willpower of a god, RM steered Jimin back a fraction. Jimin, are you trying to tell me you've only seen half of his face?

Are you telling me with those eyes he could ever be ugly? Jimin countered.

RM groaned, because he knew he was losing the battle on both sides. Is he sexually active?

Not yet, Jimin said smugly. I asked about his sexuality and he mentioned kissing a few people and being more attracted to the boy than the girls. I don't think he plans on coming out in high school. But if the right boy - or boys - came along! And he thinks I'm beautiful-

Everyone thinks you're beautiful.

I just know he's the one, Joon. I can feel it. I want him! Jimin said, toying with the button of RM's jeans before deftly flicking it open.

RM looked at those big eyes again. And how many of us have you already persuaded?

You're the first, Jimin leaned in to kiss him while sliding his hand in. They'll listen to you.

Then he played his Ace. Jin will love him.

The following week, Jimin was introducing Nochu to them on Twitch. No promises RM kept reminding them all. He's got to be a fit for all of us.

Sixteen Twitch sessions later, they were all pretty much smitten. RM would have had Nochu under his roof two months ago, but Jin kept reminding him that they needed to take things slow, coax Nochu into meeting them in person first. Get him used to the idea that they were boyfriends. Then with what they did for a living.

"He'll be in touch by tonight," he assured Tae, rubbing his knuckles gently across Tae's gold-toned cheek. "And when you call him, arrange to meet up."

Tae's eyes widened in surprise.

RM bent in and pressed a soft kiss to Tae's mouth. "But I'll be coming too. You need someone to keep an eye on you."

X-X-X

Jungkook felt wretched.

He was in a perpetual state of fright each time the dog wandered close to his room, and the fear had worn him out. He hadn't eaten all day and was still in complete darkness. Worse, they'd been giving him water, and he'd drank, thinking it would keep his mind clear and show that he was cooperating. But now his bladder was bulging uncomfortably. He'd been trying to wait it out for about an hour now. He was sure from the indistinct voices that at least two of them were in the room next door. Would they tape his mouth if he called out? Would the dog come if he called out?

But what if he wet himself? They'd be mad at him if they had to deal with that.

He just had to be brave. Had to be more like Soona. One, two, three...

He chickened out, sinking back against the corner he was tucked in. But his bladder persisted a moment later, shooting warning signals through his pelvis. He didn't have long.

"Hi?" His first attempt was breathy, barely audible to his own ears. His second was better. "Hi? Can you help me?"

The burr of voices next door paused. Then came footsteps on the wooden corridor. Jungkook hoped it would be Sugar. Sugar had told him not to be scared earlier.

It wasn't Sugar.

"What's your problem?"

And it wasn't the near-silent V either.

"I need the toilet," Jungkook tensed for the worst.

The leader tssked. Then a strong hand clamped over his ankles and Jungkook jerked back against the wall, nearly wet himself, nearly knocked himself out.

"Keep still, or you'll get cut," the leader said and Jungkook realised that he was sawing through the tape.

"Thank you," he tried as he felt the last of it come free from his socks, no doubt leaving the same sticky residue he'd had to rub from his mouth. His clothes had protected his skin, but as the blood began to circulate properly again he felt his feet begin to throb. He tried to wiggle his toes and winced at the spike of pain.

"Okay, up," the leader ignored his politeness and hauled him up by the armpits. Jungkook clumsily found his footing. It hurt, but his bladder's need was far more desperate, as was his general desire to preserve his life. He tried an experimental step forward.

The leader didn't have time for Jungkook's babysteps. Jungkook was suddenly waddling forward, barely keeping his footing as he was propelled by the hands wedged under his armpits. Carpet changed to cool wood underfoot and he was swung left and then left again before his socks met with even colder tiles.

He was positioned and then released. "Toilet's in front of you."

Jungkook felt a renewed burst of panic. "But I can't-"

"Fine," the man had unbuttoned his trousers and tugged his fly down before Jungkook could protest. "Can you do the rest yourself?"

"Are you going to watch?" Jungkook hated how tiny his voice got.

Another laboured sigh, like he was asking for too much. "I'll be looking the other way."

Jungkook had no way to know if it was true, but beggars couldn't be choosers. He shuffled forwards in the dark till his legs knocked against cold porcelain, then he applied his bound hands to getting his boxer briefs down. His helplessness was humiliating, his fingers numb and fumbling, his hands unable to seperate.

When he'd finally got himself ready to go, contorting himself in the hope of aiming right, his body decided it didn't want to cooperate.

"Some time today would be nice," the leader intoned, and Jungkook just hoped he'd kept to his word and was looking away.

When the stream finally started he couldn't help but stifle a little choke of relief.

"Are you done?" The man said as Jungkook was clumsily reaching to tug his underwear back up.

"No-I haven't-" he cut himself off as two warm hands clinically tugged his boxer-briefs and trousers back into place.

"Thank you," he amended hopelessly as he heard his zip, the man's aftershave catching his nose again at such close quarters. "Can I wash my hands?"

"Sure." There was no sigh this time, and Jungkook had to consider that a breakthrough. Maybe if he just kept letting them see that he was a person too..

He was lifted unceremoniously in the air and deposited somewhere nearby. He heard the twist of the taps and rush of water in front of him.

"There we go," the leader said, seizing Jungkook's forearms and guiding them to the centre of the filling sink. "I suppose you want soap too."

"Please." The soap smelled of honeysuckle and even with the man crowded in behind him, rubbing the soap against his hands, it was about the nicest thing that had happened to Jungkook today, and he almost wanted to cry.

"Alright, I think we're done, princess," the man said, and turned Jungkook around again, like a doll. "Towel."

Jungkook rubbed his hands ineffectually against the fibres, getting most of the wet off. He considered asking for food, but maybe that would be pushing it. Maybe they'd feed him when they ate.

"Okay, back we go," the man began frogmarching him back to his room. Jungkook went along obediently, only startling when he heard the thud of four paws on wood coming towards them. In terror he bunched back against the man for protection.

"You really don't like dogs, huh," the man remarked. "Move along, Ruby." He raised his voice. "V, can you keep her with you?"

He put Jungkook back in the room, sat him down, and Jungkook heard the rip of tape but then silence.

"Behave yourself, I'll leave it off," the man said, but it didn't matter now.

Jungkook knew who he was.

He heard the man tread out of the room, mildly scolding Ruby, ushering her to follow him.

Ruby was Tae's dog.

And that could be a coincidence, in a series of impossible coincidences that had plagued Jungkook, but he knew it wasn't.

Because the moment he'd heard the dog's name, he'd broken through the muddle of his mind and instantly matched the voices.

RM had just been with him. Sugar was Yoongi. He hadn't heard much of V's voice, but it was almost certainly Tae.

He crumpled like a tissue against the wall.

He'd thought they were his friends. He thought they liked him. How many times had teachers taught them not to talk to strangers online? And stupid, stupid Jungkook had actually thought Jimin would look twice at him, that Jimin's hot friends would think he was worthy of their company. The others must be in on it. It had all been some kind of elaborate ruse to get to Julian. Jungkook was nothing to them, had always been nothing.

He tried to blink back tears but they soaked into the eye mask. He curled in on himself, bringing his knees to his chest, deep gulps wracking him.

He heard the front door open and close downstairs, the distant tread of shoes. He buried his forehead in his kneecaps as the footsteps moved to the stairs, wanting to be left alone.

"Hi girl!" The new voice said in reponse to the thunder of paws on the stairs, and Jungkook recognised who it was immediately. Dread lined his stomach as the steps carried on towards his room.

The owner of the steps didn't continue on to wherever the others were. Instead, Jungkook heard the footsteps pause outside his open door. He tried not to let his shoulders shake.

The pause lingered a moment longer. Then there was a sharp intake of breath.

"Oh my god." Jin's voice was hushed with shock.

Jungkook held his breath as hands gently kept his head forward and fingers tugged at the knots of the blindfold.

As Jin finally lifted the sleep mask away, Jungkook tried to look up at the hazy shape of him, but even the muted lighting blinded him, causing his eyes to fill and burn more.

"Oh my god. My baby." Jin said, and there was so much affection and horror in his voice that like a child, Jungkook desperately reached up his bound hands towards him. He could make out movement through his stinging eyes as Jin bent in and reached around him and he was heaved up into Jin's comforting arms. Mind flooded, eyes swimming, Jungkook sank into the warmth and safety of Jin like he was drowning, legs clinging on tight.

"I've got you, Noch, I've got you," Jin murmured, turning to carry him out of the room. "Oh my god," he said a moment later, heatedly. "I'm going to kill them for this. I'm going to kill them."

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Thank you so much for your comments, kudos, follows, RTs on Twitter, all the contributions to this story! Will reply to reviews tomorrow. Big shout out to the K7 GC for already being awesome and making choices that will be reflected in this chapter :)

If you want to support my writing please drop a comment here and/or check my Twitter profile. I'm also gonna post a rough image of what the Bangtan house layout is on there shortly :)

I've added a couple of tags, not specifically because of this chapter, just so you know.

X-X-X
X-X-X

Hoseok was compressed by bodies. He'd managed to wedge himself close enough to the doors, but not close enough to access any of the handrails. The only thing preventing him from stumbling when the carriage lurched to its stop was that there was nowhere to go.

The doors clicked and wheezed open, and Hoseok began throwing out elbows and insincere apologies as he levered himself out.

He popped from the carriage like a champagne cork, and headed for the stairs. Taking the Underground in rush hour was never his idea of a good time, but he had little choice.

Jin: Get home ASAP.

The text meant one of a couple of things. Either one of the boys were in serious trouble. Or Jin was furious.

Hopefully it wasn't both.

Hoseok had been forced to dip out of a head office meeting early, citing a family emergency. Just as well he was good at his job, or he was pretty sure his team lead wouldn't have let it fly.

He dodged between fellow commuters on the stairs, flicked his Oyster at the reader and stepped out into the open air.

Evening sun pierced the grey and suffused the streets with a golden haze that bounced off car windscreens and softened the lines of brickwork. Taxis cut in and out of lanes as if they were in a Hollywood action movie, and cars hunted pedestrians as they spilled across the streets.

Hoseok charged into the foray. Last time he'd had to hurry home he'd managed to shave ten minutes off his route. Now was a good time to improve on that.

There was no point in worrying till he got there, but it didn't stop questions tripping through his mind. Jin wasn't one for dramatic texts, and it was odd that there hadn't been a follow up message. He hoped they hadn't lost or accidentally killed the hostage. He'd already used up his lunch hour making contact with Julian Adley via VPN chain, telling him to collect the kid's school bag and not to go to the cops. It would be a bit awkward if their bargaining chip disappeared on them.

He wove around a cluster of tourists in identical yellow t-shirts and a couple who'd had one too many drinks. The evening air was saturated with cold. He cut between two hissing and juddering buses and played chicken with a motorbike before turning sharp onto the block three down from theirs, where there was enough room to break into a proper jog.

The shop was locked when he rolled up. Hoseok tapped the code into the keypad at the main door, charged up the stone steps and fumbled for his front door keys, catching his breath. He couldn't hear any screaming, so that was something.

He ducked inside, quickly turning to lock the door again. He couldn't hear Ruby's paws, so either she and Tae were out or-

"Hey, Hobi."

Jin was sat on the sofa with one of the others bundled up on his lap, all cocooned up in the throw blanket they left lying over one armrest.

Yoongi was Hoseok's first anxious thought, seeing the brown hair. But Yoongi wasn't one for cuddles, and if he was so badly hurt that he needed one, Jin wouldn't be so calm.

Jin inclined his head gently to Hobi, come here, then pressed a kiss to the top of the brunet head. "Here's Jay," he murmured. "Look."

Jay? That was the name he used on Twitch. Hoseok hurried close, cutting between two of the royal blue armchairs that formed their semi circle round the TV.

The head stirred, turning from where it was nestled on Jin's chest.

Hoseok stared at a pair of eyes as round and bright as full moons. His breath caught.

"Hi sweets," he dropped to a crouch, breaking out a big confused smile. "It's me."

Nochu blinked at him, gave a wobbly smile back. Hoseok glanced at Jin, confused. The kid looked shell-shocked, out of it. How was Nochu here? Did he know they had a hostage upstairs? What had happened?

Jin gave Hoseok a dreamy smile, pressing another kiss to Nochu's hair. Already besotted.

"When did you get here?" Hoseok reached forward to touch Nochu's face, but the eyes widened, and he settled for gently rubbing Nochu's back through the blanket. "I like your new hair. I didn't know you were coming."

He shouldn't be surprised. For all the talk of equal partnership and joint decisions, Hoseok knew he didn't have much of a say. The likelihood that they'd take an actual vote, then gently transition Nochu into a relationship? It had bordered on fanciful.

And it was clear from Jin's expression that the decision was made. Nochu was theirs. Hoseok couldn't even bring himself to be irked about it. He would have voted for Nochu if they'd asked, he was pretty sure they all would have. And the teenager was even more attractive in person. The rest of his face matched his eyes: striking, but soft. Hoseok scanned the squishy cheeks, pretty little pockets at the sides of Nochu's mouth and bunny front teeth.

Isn't he perfect? Jin's gaze read.

"Where are the others?" Hoseok asked, giving Nochu another gentle smile.

As if on cue, one of the upstairs doors opened and Joon called down from the balcony, distant and forlorn: "Jin?"

"Get back in that room!" Jin roared, covering Nochu's exposed ear to muffle the sound. "Sorry for shouting, baby," he murmured a moment later, as the door shut again and Nochu sank back against him, closing his eyes, looking wiped out.

Where's the hostage? Hoseok mouthed to Jin, bewildered now.

"Turns out," Jin said. "Nochu is Adley's kid."

Hoseok almost fell back on his ass. "What?" He whispered.

"They had him tied up upstairs," Jin combed his hand through Nochu's hair, voice barbed at the thought.

"But-" Hoseok was about to ask how they could miss Nochu's signature dark marble eyes, but then he saw the pink marks at the kid's temples. He'd been blindfolded. Then he noticed the strips of tape lying at the foot of the sofa. He swore softly.

"They still don't know it's him," Jin said. "You're going to have to tell them. I don't think this little one is going to budge off me to let me do it, are you Noch?"

Nochu mumbled something, rubbed his face into Jin's jersey, and Jin gave that satisfied smile again, keeping his arms bundled round tight.

Hoseok swallowed. He'd been so detached when he'd typed the message for Adley. The hostage had been a pawn, a tool, not a person. Not one of the few people Hoseok cared about. How were they possibly going to sell a relationship to Nochu now?

Though judging by the way Nochu was curled into Jin, not all hope was lost.

"Can't Jimin tell them?" He begged.

"He isn't back from his shoot yet," Jin said. "I sent him the same text as you. Tell them not to bother coming down till they're prepared to apologise."

Hoseok loved kisses and cuddles and holding hands and sex. It was how he conveyed complicated emotions. He wasn't a talker, not like some of the others.

"Please," Jin said, quietly imploring. "Now Nochu's had some space to recover. They need to make things right."

Hoseok rose. He hadn't even taken his rucksack from his back yet, and he slung it in the direction of the other sofa. "Has he had anything to eat?"

"He's had water," Jin said. "Did you get any lunch, baby? No? I'll kill them, I'll kill them." But it had no force to it. "Hobi, will you grab him something? I think there's bananas on the counter?"

Hoseok nodded, hurrying to collect one from the bunch. He plucked it free and cranked it open, peeling the sides down as he hurried back. He proferred it to Nochu, and Nochu shifted beneath the throw as if he were trying to wriggle a hand out, but Jin shushed him, lifting one of the arms clasped around Nochu's blanketed waist to take the fruit. "I've got you, baby."

Hoseok couldn't help but stare as Jin held the banana to Nochu's mouth, and Nochu obediently bit the top off, his round cheeks squishing as he cautiously chewed. Somehow it was both tender and sensual at the same time.

They both glanced at him as Nochu took a second carefully controlled bite. Hoseok felt the blood rush to his cheeks. "Um, okay, I'll go tell them then."

"Thanks, Hobi," Jin said gratefully, his gaze already turning back to the teenager.

Jin had the easy job. Hoseok could have snuggled and comforted Nochu all day. That was his forte, this wasn't.

He took to the stairs.

How had they become seven so suddenly? How could he tell the others that their careful plan to draw Nochu in gently had just blown sky high?

He'd welcomed Yoongi wholeheartedly when they'd brought him in. Before that, Hoseok had been the outsider but so in love with them that he couldn't leave. When Yoongi had made them five, he'd balanced things out. When Namjoon called the first family meeting to discuss looking for a sixth, Hoseok had resisted. The five of them worked well together, played well together. A sixth could only dilute what they had, would only complicate their dynamic. But of course, it hadn't really been up to him, and he'd fallen for Tae completely afterwards.

Yoongi was the one who'd originally resisted the conversation about a seventh. Eventually, he'd made the terms clear, in his inimitable dry fashion.

One more only. You go past seven, and I'll walk.

Hoseok had marvelled at Yoongi's force of will, as if they weren't all hooked on eachother.

One more only, Namjoon had quickly agreed as Jimin had scrambled to sit on Yoongi's lap to mollify any tension.

Swear to it, Yoongi demanded, accepting Jimin's embrace. Every one of you. We cap at seven, no matter what.

Hoseok had learned to be happy with six and was afraid that Jin, Joon and Jimin would keep adding people to the relationship with the same exuberance they overdecorated the tree with each Christmas. He'd been first to swear, and the relieved look in Yoongi's eyes had told him that they had the fear in common.

Just weeks later, Jimin was telling them about Nochu. A short while after that, Hoseok realised that he was developing feelings for a high school senior who he'd never met in person. Nochu was the perfect juxtaposition of quick-witted and shy. His eyes triggered Hoseok's cute aggression like nothing else.

The part where he was now wrapped in a blanket and traumatised on their downstairs sofa was so surreal that Hoseok felt like his mind hadn't quite caught up.

Namjoon was pacing the room like a caged animal as he walked in. Tae and Ruby sat on the bed, and the dog wuffed cheerfully and leapt off to greet Hoseok, wiggling her butt. Tae acknowledged Hoseok with a glance and then went back to staring at his phonescreen, his face wan.

Yoongi sat at the computer desk, one foot propped up on the chair, his knee tucked under his chin. "You know what's going on?"

Hoseok closed the door behind him. The atmosphere was thin and ready to splinter.

"Okay, I don't want to be the one to have to tell you this," He crossed his arms to block his discomfort. "But the hostage you lifted today is Nochu."

They stared at him, eyes widening like ripples in a lake.

"No it isn't," Namjoon shook his head passionately. "That's Julian Adley's kid. Yoongi was in his house."

"Turns out he's both," Hoseok said, his stomach squirming. He stooped to pet Ruby, focusing on running his hands through the Australian Shepherd's shaggy fur, making kissy faces at her. "So, um, not the best first impression, guys."

Namjoon turned abruptly to the wall and pressed his forehead against it.

"I should have known.." Yoongi stared at the carpet, slow understanding dawning on him. "I thought he was a sweet little thing. But I barely saw his face. And he's changed his hair."

"He was wearing a hat last night." Joon said, turning to let the back of his head roll against the wall as he gazed up at the ceiling. His eyes were flashing with emotion, like he'd simultaneously won and lost a winning lottery ticket.

Hoseok glanced over at Tae. Tae's face was stone.

"God, I was mean." Namjoon ran a hand through his hair briskly, blowing the air slowly out of his mouth. "But we didn't know. He must realise we didn't know." He blinked. "How did Jin know?"

Hoseok shrugged.

Yoongi rubbed his face. "Well, Tae, you can stop worrying now. He's downstairs. And you're not the one who slept with his stepfather last night. If I'd known.."

"Hey, we decided it was best not to compile information on him," Namjoon was side-eying Tae too.

"Yeah, so you could control how he got to know each of us," Yoongi retorted, then sighed. "It was right not to invade his privacy. We were just unlucky. He's going to hate us."

"We can still make it work," Joon said resolutely, and Hoseok could see the wheels and cogs already turning to make the situation turn out in his favour. "Jin, Hobi and Jimin can help us since they weren't directly involved. We'll have to explain why we snatched him. I don't think we should tell him we're all in a relationship, not tonight. We need to keep him settled, try to get him comfortable, make sure he doesn't try to leave. If we can get a day or two under our belts, whoever he likes best can make the first move."

"You think you're going to persuade him to stay?" Yoongi frowned. "Joon, he'll be out the front door as soon as we turn our backs."

"We'll teach him to stay," Joon said. "It's not like we have a choice unless we bin the whole project. Plus, he can identify Jimin to the public for sure. And we want him in our lives, don't we? You're not going to give up on him just because of this screw up?"

Yoongi contemplated. "No, I still adore him. But I'd kill us for this," he added quietly. "If it was anyone else."

Joon nodded. "I would have killed us too. But it was a mistake, and all we can do is fix it. Maybe it was meant to be like this, right Tae?"

Tae's face was completely closed off. Hoseok concentrated on Ruby, scratching behind her ears, dodging her wet nose in his face. "Good girl!" He cooed under his breath.

"How mad is Jin?" Joon added a beat later, on less stable footing.

"Emmm...not so mad now," Hobi said awkwardly, thinking of Jin's blissed out expression. "Maybe you should be more worried about Jimin's reaction when he finds Nochu all stressed out on the couch."

At that moment, they heard the rattle of the door.

"What?!" Jimin's cry of delighted surprise carried all the way upstairs. "Nochu? Oh my god! Was this... was this a surprise for me?!"

Hobi shrugged. "Or not."

"Come on," Joon said to Yoongi. "Let's patch this up."

Yoongi grimaced and stood to follow the leader, pressing a soft tingling peck against Hoseok's mouth as he passed. Ruby trotted after them curiously, leaving Hoseok with Tae.

Hoseok didn't have the words. He communicated from behind a screen, his language was SQL and Java and Python.

"Come on, Tae-bear," he said softly. "Let's go downstairs."

Tae's mouth was turned down like an umbrella. His phone lay abandoned on the quilt, his hand laying palm up beside it.

Hoseok relied on what he did best. He crossed to the bed and linked his hand with Tae's, bringing it to his mouth and planting a kiss on his knuckles.

"It's gonna be okay," he said. "Nochu will forgive us."

Tae just looked numb.

"Come on," Hoseok tugged on his hand gently, and when Tae came, he pulled him into a tight hug, which was barely reciprocated. He led Tae out of the room and towards the stairs. Looking over the balcony, he could already see Jimin's face lit up like a lighthouse.

X-X-X

"You're so pretty!" Jimin cooed, taking Jungkook's face reverently in his hands. "Oh my god, Nochu! Are you real?"

Jungkook's head was a cocktail of emotions. Jimin was centimetres from him, his delicate fingers leaving trails of goosebumps, smile plucking at Jungkook's heart.

Jin was still holding him, and Jungkook was drowning in the sensation. He'd never been so acutely aware of the absence of being held in his life. Jin's strong arms meant safety, meant care and comfort, clouded his mind like marshmallow, reassured him that Jin's words were true. That they hadn't known it was him. In his exhausted state, he'd found a haven in that rose and citrus scent and warm beating heart beneath Jin's soft sweater. He didn't want to relinquish it, clinging like a limpet to Jin even as Jimin turned his chin aside.

But he wasn't stupid. He knew he was still in danger, perhaps more so.

His stomach dipped as Sugar, as Yoongi and one of the others walked downstairs, the dog at their heels. The dog squeezed between the other sofa and the side table, making for Jimin. Jungkook shrank into Jin, squeezing his feet even further back on the sofa.

"That's Ruby, she's really friendly," Jin soothed, but Jungkook could barely take his eyes off it as it made for Jimin. Its snout was like a wolf's. It had the same colouring as a hyena: grey, white and golden brown. When Jimin bent to ruffle its thick fur, Jungkook caught a glimpse of its pink tongue and sharp teeth. He bit back a whimper.

"You're pretty too, Ruby," Jimin chirped into one of its ears and its back end wagged. Jungkook couldn't physically get any closer to Jin. Jin responded to his attempts by planting another kiss on his head, causing shivers to ripple across his shoulders. "I've got you," Jin said, and Jungkook held onto that thought desperately, burying his face in Jin's neck, peeping between the dual dangers of the dog and the two incoming men.

"Joon!" Jimin nudged the dog towards a fabric basket near the TV and dashed towards the first of the two men. Jungkook stared as Jimin leapt into the man's arms, pressing a kiss to his mouth. The man whispered in Jimin's ear. RM or Tae? Whichever he was, he was clearly Jimin's boyfriend. Jimin hadn't told Jungkook he had a boyfriend. But then, it seemed like there was a lot of things Jimin hadn't told Jungkook. He felt that wash of dismay lap at him again, but he pushed it back in favour of focusing on Jin's warmth.

The man, Jungkook guessed it was RM, set Jimin back down, and with a cheeky grin, Jimin raised his fist to fistbump Yoongi. Movement on the balcony above their heads suggested that Jay and Tae were on their way down.

It was too much.

RM was coming towards him.

"Shhh, it's okay," Jin shushed, sensing Jungkook's fear. "He's coming to apologise." He regarded the man sternly. "Or I'll string him up."

RM stooped down on his haunches, much as Jay had done earlier. Jay had been slim, with a look of latent strength, hair scragged back in an elastic band, high cheekbones and a heart shaped mouth. RM was just as handsome, but in a completely different way. He had tan skin, dimples, muscles in his arms, across his back and pressing against the long legs of his jeans. He was even better looking that Jungkook had imagined. When he spoke, it was undeniably RM, his voice richer and darker than Jungkook remembered.

"We didn't know it was you, baby," he said, and the admission made Jungkook want to cry again. "I promise. We didn't know your name or where you lived. We care about you so much. Will you forgive us, sweetheart?"

Jungkook's voice was ragged. "I don't know, are you going to let me go?"

His words hung in the air like dust motes. Jay Hope and Tae had descended the stairs now, and Jungkook could feel the vehemence radiating from Tae. He was afraid to look at him, instead focusing on RM's face, and the feeling of Jin's arms.

Jimin scrambled back to join him on the couch and pressed into Jungkook's other side. Jungkook welcomed the added protection.

"Don't you want to stay?" Jimin wheedled. "Now you know its us. Now Namjoon's apologised. Come on, Noch."

So RM's real name was Namjoon. Jungkook tried to keep track.

The others were flopping onto the other sofa and the pair of matching armchairs.

"Don't put pressure on him, Jimin," Jin chided. "He needs time. He's had a hard day."

"Of course you don't have to forgive me right now," Namjoon added, searching Jungkook's face. "Let me make it up to you, Noch. Let us all make it up to you."

Jungkook swallowed. They could make it up to him by letting him go, but it seemed like it wasn't on the table. And they'd just walked the conversation into a cul-de-sac. He had to tread carefully.

"Why did you do it?" He whispered. "Because Julian's rich?"

RM, Namjoon, pursed his lips and his dimples deepened even further. He was impossibly hot, and even though this was Jimin's boyfriend and Jungkook shouldn't care what his kidnapper thought of him, it was still deeply embarrasing that RM had taken him to the bathroom like he was a pathetic little kid.

"Of course you have a right to know what's going on," Namjoon said. "But I'll tell you when you're feeling more comfortable. Jimin, why don't you take Nochu upstairs and get him a change of clothes? He's still in his uniform."

"No it's o-" Jungkook started, but Jimin was already burrowing into the soft throw blanket and was sandwiching Jungkook's hands in his.

"Come on!" Jimin cooed, excitedly. "Let's go get you comfy!"

Jungkook leaned into Jin uncertainly, but Jin was betraying him, unravelling him from the blanket. Jungkook couldn't help the small whine ripping up his throat. He didn't want answers, he wanted to be held.

"I'll see you in a minute, Noch," Jin appeased, as Jimin dragged Jungkook from the couch, Jungkook's legs fumbling, feeling lightheaded, trying to keep his eye on the dog.

He hadn't looked around till now. The building appeared to be a converted factory space with two levels. Uplights and chrome radiators were attached at various intervals to the exposed brick wall. Huge windows ran the length of an entire wall revealing the sky darkening like a bruise and what looked like maisonettes across the street. The downstairs level was mostly open plan, just two doors leading to what looked like small rooms beside the kitchen. The sitting area for the TV was between the front door and the foot of the stairs, the kitchen behind that in a nook, a dining table sat on a dias at the end near the windows. Aside from a few plants and boxes, it was spartan and airy.

Jimin was tugging him towards the stairs eagerly. It was an open staircase with chrome railings. Last time Jungkook had gone up these stairs he'd been hanging upside down on Namjoon's shoulder. The recent memory brought on a ghost of that panic, but Jimin gave him no time to dwell on it.

The top of the stairs led to a balustrated balcony - more chrome railings - in the shape of an L, the shorter length aligned with the wall of huge windows, the longer length running above the kitchen and two other rooms, four doors upstairs.

Jungkook looked down from the balcony as Jimin led him to the first door. The dog hadn't moved from its basket which was reassuring. The others weren't talking, but he was pretty sure that would change in a moment. They just didn't want their words to drift up to him.

"Do you all live here?" He asked quietly, wrapping his arms round himself as Jimin closed the door behind them. His mouth was still floury from the banana. His stomach was queasy. His head was struggling to tread the waters of this new reality.

"Hmm?" Jimin moved to the dresser. "Yes and no. Tae, Yoongi and Hobi have their own places. But they spend most of their time here. Look!" He shook out an oversized tee and gave it a sniff. "This is Jin's. I'm going to wear one of Namjoon's and we can twin."

"But-" Jungkook put his hands out reluctantly as Jimin thrust the tee at him.

"They don't mind. I always borrow their clothes," Jimin was already shucking off his marocain blouse, kicking off his moccasins. The room was all window on two sides, a desk with a computer on the side near the door, a double bed in the centre under fairy lights, the dresser and a single wardrobe. There was nowhere for Jungkook to look but at Jimin's lithe frame, his champagne coloured skin and pectorals and dusky pink nipples. Jimin gave him a dazzling smile as he brought the t-shirt down and bent to slide his black skinny jeans down his legs. Jungkook stared down at Jin's t-shirt, face flaming. He raised it to his nose, in part to block Jimin out, and caught a gentle waft of rose, saffron and orange blossom.

Jimin had stripped to boxerbriefs, socks and the t-shirt. "Wanna smell it? It smells so good!" He said, lifting the front, exposing his six pack to Jungkook again.

Reluctantly, Jungkook bent to smell RM's t-shirt. It smelled of his aftershave: wood and something peppery and masculine.

"Come on, let's get you out of your clothes," Jimin breezed. "They look so itchy."

Jungkook's brain stalled as Jimin eased his school blazer from his shoulders, then Jimin's nimble fingers were on his shirt buttons.

"You're so beautiful," Jimin marvelled as the shirt came loose. Jungkook's cheeks were sticky. When Jimin turned to fold his shirt on the chair, he quickly pulled Jin's oversized tee over his head to cover himself.

"Sit on the bed, I'll get you clean socks," Jimin ordered bossily.

Jungkook did as he was told. He wondered why Namjoon and Jin shared a dresser. Who's bedroom was this? Was this where either Namjoon or Jin played on Twitch?

"There we go," Jimin finished sliding a second fluffy sock up past Jungkook's ankles. "These are cosy. Leave your trousers on the chair, and we're good to go."

Jungkook chewed his lip uncertainly.

"You're gonna get too hot under the duvet if you leave them on," Jimin giggled. "We're gonna snuggle on the couch!"

Even though he was already ill-dressed for making a run for it, taking his trousers off felt like a commitment to not running. But he'd be stupid to try right now. It was smarter to go with the flow, to wait for an opportunity..

"Good job!" Jimin cooed, snatching up the trousers as they pooled at Jungkook's feet, tossing them on the chair. "Now we're matching!"

Jungkook curled his fingers round the bottom of Jin's t-shirt. Although oversized, it didn't quite cover his boxers sitting down. He stood up, relieved to see that it covered him up more.

Jimin was grabbing the quilt from the doublebed. "Give me a hand, we're gonna be so cosy!"

Jungkook was grateful for the poofy polycotton barrier as they stepped back out onto the balcony and he trailed after Jimin towards the stairs.

As Jungkook had suspected, the conversation in the sitting area hushed as they descended. The dog perked an ear and got up to investigate, but fortunately Jimin was in front of their procession of two, and Tae called the dog back to him, voice flat.

Jungkook kept the quilt in front of him like a shield as he inched back towards Jin and the sofa. The dog flopped at Tae's feet, and he got his first real look at Tae.

Tae had fashionably untidy dark hair, golden skin, piercing eyes and the most symmetrical features Jungkook had ever seen. However those features were set hard like a mask. He wouldn't even look at Jungkook. Jungkook felt almost as nervous of the owner as the canine.

Jin raised up an arm for him to tuck under and a wave of ease washed over Jungkook again. He gratefully accepted, tugging the duvet up after him. True to his word, Jimin snuggled up close, his bare legs brushing Jungkook's.

"It's serendipity," Jimin said. "You being here. I feel so freaking.. complete." He let out a little contended sigh, propping a cushion behind his head.

In the safety of their little nest, Jungkook had to suppress a yawn of fatigue. He was exhausted, but he couldn't afford to let his guard down. He eyed each of them in turn, skipping quickly over Tae, trying to read them.

Every single one of them was a work of art. And he thought he saw warmth in several of their gazes as he cuddled into Jin's side, his cheek finding a comfortable spot on Jin's shoulder. He couldn't deny the relief that they still liked him. But he knew that if Jin hadn't recognised the shape of his head, and had enough suspicion to remove the blindfold and check, he'd still be up there. Hands taped, in darkness, hungry and scared and alone.

They only cared because he was Nochu, not because they were good people who were really sorry.

Jin twisted his neck to press another soft kiss to Jungkook's head. It felt so good, it made him want to earn another and another. It made him want to sink into sleep, like a deep sea diver weighed down by water.

But he had to concentrate. Namjoon was leaning forward in his armchair, forearms propped on his knees, fingers steepled.

"You're safe with us," Namjoon began, his dark eyes searching Jungkook out. "And as uncomfortable as it would have been, I want you to know that you would have been safe with us regardless. We weren't going to hurt you."

Jungkook could still feel the indentations on his scalp, wrists and ankles. His near-empty stomach had all but dissolved the meagre banana. For the sake of self-preservation, he didn't argue.

"Do you know what a vigilante is?" Namjoon studied him carefully.

Jungkook nodded. "When you take the law into your own hands."

"It's kind of like the Avengers," Jimin said, gently rubbing his leg against Jungkook's knee in a way that was incredibly distracting, "just no superpowers, y'know? They go and fight criminals and bad corporations and stuff, even if they have to break the law."

"But they're comic book characters," Jungkook said. "You're vigilantes for real?"

Namjoon nodded. "We were going to tell you this, when you got to know us better."

"There's only six of us," Yoongi chipped in. He didn't look that much like Jungkook, not really. He was far better looking, with a button nose and razor jawline. But the hair shade was uncannily similar, resparking worries Jungkook couldn't afford to dwell on right now. "We work together on causes that we believe in. A whole variety of projects. Unfortunately the law and the police force tends to be corrupt-"

"-and people in general are just so nasty-" Jimin added, adjusting his cushion-pillow.

"-that we have to pick and choose. We can't fight everything. We just do our bit and we take satisfaction in that." Yoongi spoke as if they were doing charity work. "One of the projects we've recently chosen involves Julian Adley."

"I call us Kim's Six sometimes," Jimin cut in again. "You know, like Ocean's Eleven?"

Jungkook nodded against Jin's shoulder.

"Do you know who Vrishi Bhakta is?" Namjoon asked next, observing intently.

Jungkook hesitated. Slowly nodded. "He's Julian's boss."

"Have you met him?" Namjoon's face became alight with interest.

"A few times."

He saw the interest spread to eagerness. "Well Bhakta is our main man of interest." Namjoon explained.

"Then why Julian?" Jungkook hugged his end of the duvet to his chest.

"Because Bhakta doesn't exist," Namjoon said plainly. "Or rather, Vrishi Bhakta is a false name. Hobi, that's Jay Hope, has scoured the internet. There is no real trace of Vrishi Bhakta, despite being CEO of Apexi Research. He has a small board of directors, and Adley just happens to be the one who regularly books escorts, so he was our way in."

"So you don't want Julian's money? You want him to lead you to Mr Bhakta?"

"Money can be useful," Namjoon said, "but if we kidnapped someone for money that would make us the criminals, right?"

Jungkook was pretty sure they were still the criminals, but he nodded obediently.

"Adley is to all intents and purposes Bhakta's right hand man," Yoongi added. "He attends photographed events in Bhakta's place, and gives the majority of the speeches. We were certain he'd have files at home that would reveal Bhakta's identity." He shifted uncomfortably in the other armchair. "Or, some men are willing to blab about work when they think they're just talking to an escort. So last night, I was at your house, trying to see which avenue we could pursue. When I overheard you saying you'd walk to school this morning, I contacted Joon and Tae who were coming to pick me up. We don't normally involve innocent people, and I'm even more sorry that it was you, Nochu."

"So you've contacted him?" Jungkook asked. "You've asked him for Bhakta's real name?"

"Yes and no," Jay- Hobi said. "I have made contact. But its been more for the standard do-not-go-to-police stuff. We find that people with a lot of money and power don't give it up so fast. Adley would guess that our intentions are to bring Apexi Research down, and his career with it. We were going to, um, lean on him a bit first."

"You don't happen to know Bhakta's real name, do you?" Namjoon tilted his head, the possibility occuring to him.

Jungkook shook his head again. "He calls himself Uncle Vrishi."

"Well I hope you aren't too fond of him. He is not a nice guy. And he's got your stepdad up to his neck in it too."

"Julian wouldn't get involved with fraud or whatever-" Jungkook argued, hurt on Julian's behalf.

"Shhh," Jin soothed, "let Joon tell you."

"I think you've been stressed enough for one day," Namjoon said. "So I'm not going to go into any gory details with you tonight. But let me ask you this, do you eat meat?"

Jungkook probably should have lied, but something made him nod his head.

"Me too," Namjoon said. "And personally, if an animal's killed humanely, I'm okay with that. But how do you feel about animals being tortured?"

"Julian isn't torturing animals!"

"No baby, he's got people working under him who do it for him," Namjoon said. "I'm not lying to you. We have ample evidence of what goes down in the Apexi Research labs. Thousands of animals are dying daily in horrific ways. We're going to find him and use him to destroy the whole company. You can help us. Maybe you've been to Bhakta's house, or you can describe what he looks like or-"

"He's not doing any of that tonight." Jin interrupted. "He needs rest."

"And we need to celebrate!" Jimin proclaimed. "Why is everyone still so serious? Lighten up! We're all together now. Now Nochu understands, let's enjoy ourselves!"

"His name isn't Nochu!" Tae snapped at Jimin, his eyes molten. "His name is Jungkook. I'm taking Ruby out."

"Don't look at me," Hobi said, as the front door slammed after a grim faced Tae and his excited dog. "I've done my bit for the day."

"I'll go after him," Yoongi sighed, making to rise from his chair.

Namjoon shook his head. "Leave him, he'll be back in a bit. Jimin, I don't think Noch-um Jungkook- is feeling ready for a party yet."

"Okay, well can we at least get a takeaway and have some drinks and watch a movie?" Jimin made puppy eyes, then grinned when Namjoon nodded. "Yay! Nochu, we'll watch one of your Avengers movies I haven't seen! The one with Metal Man."

"Iron Man," Jin corrected with a smile of his own.

"Yeah, that guy. I'll order food for everyone. I've finally found a place that does honey wings, Yoongi! We have to try it tonight. Can someone lend me their mobile?"

An hour later, Jungkook had a plate perched on his duvet covered lap, laden with food, and was trying not to shovel it in. The sky had darkened and the wall lights barely reached the recesses of the large room. The Marvel opening sequence was playing on the TV and Jimin was already bored.

"We can do YouTube videos tomorrow," he whispered in Jungkook's ear, tickling the fine hairs. "I'll do a beauty video with you and you can do an ASMR video with me. Are you up for it, Kookie?"

He'd developed the nickname in the last twenty minutes and was enjoying using it.

"They did not mess up the honey wings order," Jin chuckled, his laugh rumbling in his chest.

Yoongi nodded mournfully, holding up one of the offenders. "Barbeque. Drowning in it, too."

"We'll take some, right Kookie?" Jimin said.

"Are we watching this film or what?" Hobi sent them all an exasperated arched eyebrow.

They were all drinking, aside from Jungkook who'd declined. He had to keep his mind clear. His head was full of overlapping thoughts. He could smell Namjoon's woody aftershave on Jimin, Jimin's own scent of bubblegum, mingling with Jin's rose and citrus. His stomach was finally sated, he was so comfortable, and he was being held close by one of the most beautiful men he'd ever seen.

It ought to have been a dream come true.

But he could only imagine the horror that Julian was going through right now. He so badly wanted to let him know that he was okay. But he couldn't. He had to play along, be careful, let them think he had no intention of escaping.

A thought had occured to him, and his insides had gone warily still while they were unpacking the food a few minutes ago.

Namjoon had joked about nudging a serial killer off a cliff last night.

In the news today, Genevieve Page had been found dead at the bottom of a cliff.

They said they picked different projects. Genevieve was a murderer who had escaped conviction after a shoddy trial. That was surely the epitome of unjust.

Which meant that maybe they weren't just kidnappers or blackmailers. Maybe they killed people, to satisfy their own sense of justice.

Jungkook had to be careful. If he toed the line, they'd be good to him, he could see that. But if they caught him escaping, they could turn.

He nuzzled into Jin's shoulder, knowing that it would grant him another kiss on the head.

He had to be smart. He had to wait for a moment when their guard was down, and then run like hell.

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Review replies are coming tomorrow! Thank you so much for your ongoing support of this fic and your theories! Reading the comments is more interesting than reading the actual chapter haha. Big thank you to my GC for your advice on this one! If you're looking for a reference for the nails etc in this chapter, you'll see them on my Twitter

X-X-X

With the morning, came clarity.

Jungkook's lashes were gummy with sleep. Snatches of peculiar, disconnected dreams swirled through his mind as he stared at the ceiling and he slowly blinked them away.

Jin's arm was draped over his middle. Jungkook turned his head carefully: Jin was still asleep.

The selfie Jimin had once sent didn't do Jin justice. Up close, his skin was creamy, his lips rich and plump and a glossy dark fringe fanned over his forehead and broad eyebrows. Jungkook breathed in the lingering scent of rose, orange and saffron as he sank back into the soft pillow.

Jin had been so kind to him last night, steered him to the downstairs bathroom cabinet to find a new toothbrush, led him upstairs to the first bedroom.

What do you prefer? Jin had murmured, arm lingering around Jungkook's waist. We can stack some pillows between us. Or we can spoon.

The prospect of sharing a bed had been staggering. Jungkook's stomach had swooped at the additional offer. They'd spooned, Jungkook curling back against Jin, collecting another gentle kiss to his head. A warm rush of comfort and wellbeing had enveloped him, as Jin tucked the duvet around them. Held safe and warm, he'd slipped into an indulgent sleep.

The guilty pound of his chest berated him now. It was one thing to act like he was cooperating. But to allow himself to sink so deep...

Thin sunlight filtered into the room around the edges of the large window blinds dominating two of the walls. Jungkook watched tiny dust motes dance in the light near the ceiling. It was hard to tell if he'd slept in. He strained to listen, thought he could hear the passing rumble of a car, but it was gone too quickly for him to be certain.

He couldn't afford to play a long game with 'Kim's Six'. He'd be playdough in their hands. He may have successfully lied to them last night, but if they chose to wring everything he knew about Bhakta from him, he'd cave.

How could he escape? The question seeped like a drug through his head, turning him upside down and inside out as he stared up at the light fixture. His heart spiked horribly at the thought of what was ahead. Last night he'd been weak from hunger or sleepy and sated. Couldn't have mustered an escape if he'd wanted to. But now they'd be watching him, reading his expressions and his body language. He had to look like an open book while analysing every opportunity that came his way.

The bedclothes shuffled beside him, and Jin's arm shifted on his waist. Jungkook looked aside.

Jin's gaze was lidded and blank for a few moments, then his eyes locked on Jungkook's and his mouth stretched into a luxurious white smile. Jungkook's heart began to thud for new reasons.

"Morning," Jin said, his voice husky with sleep.

"Hi," Jungkook whispered back. Now that he wasn't glued against Jin, the magnitude of their bodies being pressed together all night was paralyzing.

But Jin didn't seem to regret cuddling. He reached up and carded his fingers through Jungkook's hair, scratching at his scalp. Instinctively Jungkook leaned into it, his unconscious revelling in the attention while his conscious screamed in dismay.

"How do you feel?" Jin murmured.

Feeling was the problem. "Okay," Jungkook said, trying to prevent the intense shivers shooting down his spine from running down his front too.

Jin contemplated his answer, and Jungkook could only stare back, wide-eyed.

"I can't believe you're here," Jin said softly. "I've been wanting to meet you since January, you know that?"

"But we only got introduced in January?"

Jin smiled, eyes still lidding like he hadn't fully woken. He reached across and gently thumbed across Jungkook's frown. "Don't underestimate how cute you are. I knew we'd get on, you and me. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, I want you to come tell me, alright?"

Jungkook nodded fervently, cheek brushing the pillow.

Jin combed through his hair one more time. "I left your toothbrush on the desk," he murmured. "The upstairs bathroom might be free. Yoongi is probably awake, he'll get you breakfast."

Can't I stay with you? Jungkook wanted to ask, but this was exactly his problem. Jin was everything he'd never had rolled into one: a father, a protective older sibling, a dream boyfriend. He was more than Jungkook's imagination could have ever fabricated.

And that made Jin dangerous.

He nodded instead, wriggling over to his side of the bed, fresh chill curling around his bare legs as he spilled out from under the duvet. His toothbrush was lying on the corner of the desk as Jin said, a plastic cap over the bristles. He collected it. His school clothes were gone from the chair and he wondered when he was getting them back.

He reached for the door handle, but paused. "Jin?"

"Mmm?" Jin's eyes were closed as if he were about to drift off again.

"You didn't know they'd grabbed me, right?" He hated how small his voice was.

Jin's face creased for a moment, then he opened his eyes again. "Not till after they'd done it," he said, observing Jungkook. "But I knew before I got home. We don't always agree with eachother's methods, Nochu. They think a scared but unharmed teenager is worth preventing the torture of thousands of animals. On paper I see their reasoning. In practice, I know they were wrong."

"Their research is wrong too," Jungkook insisted. "Julian wouldn't hurt animals, he just wouldn't."

Jin regarded him. "It's amazing what people are capable of," he said softly, "when they aren't the ones pulling the trigger."

Jungkook worried his lip as Jin closed his eyes again. He cranked the door open centimetre by centimetre, looking out for the dog. All clear.

He could hear the low pitch of voices coming from downstairs as he made his way to the bathroom. A nudge on the door told him it was open, but as he pushed it wide, he came suddenly face to face with Jay Hope. His breath caught.

"Oh good morning, sweets, did I give you a scare?" Jay- Hoseok grinned, leaning in to nuzzle Jungkook's nose with his, making his breath catch all the more. "I'm sorry. The lock is half broken, I forget to use it. But don't worry, I'm all done. Will I show you where everything is?"

He was wearing a red shirt and blazer over dark trousers, his hair tied back, a rucksack on his back. Jungkook clutched his toothbrush and nodded.

"Okay, so towels are under here, deoderants and hair products too. You might find a disposible razor too, if you need one. Toothpaste over there. Shampoo and body lotions are already in the shower. Use whatever you like. I don't recommend you putting the shower setting on high unless you like you skin overcooked."

Jungkook looked around the narrow room. He'd been in here yesterday, helpless and bound and scared, blindfolded, trying to manouver his trousers off and back on again. It looked like such a normal bathroom: blue and cream, with a tiled floor, an aquarium print shower curtain and a honeysuckle scented candle to match the soap.

"I'm going to book a few days off work as soon as I can," Hoseok said, turning back round, cupping Jungkook's chin gently in his hands. "I'm sorry I can't skip today."

"It's okay.." Jungkook said, blinking as Hoseok's lips pressed to his forehead.

"Have a good day, baby." Hoseok said and hurried out of the room.

Jungkook swallowed, his forehead smarting. He examined the lock. A couple of the screws were hanging loose. He fiddled with them, rolling them under his thumb to improve the stablity. Then he jimmied the lock, only satisfied when it ground awkwardly into place. There was no way he was using the toilet if six criminals or the dog could walk in on him.

In the end, he chose not to shower, opting for a quick wash in the sink. A shower would mean that he was staying. He splashed cold water on his face and shivered as goosebumps rippled down his arms. The mirror revealed that he'd gone another day with no spots and he gave himself an wobbly smile.

He was reluctant to abandon his temporary fort, but unless he planned to smash out the bathroom window and fall two storeys below, he had no other choice. He tore his gaze from the red brickwork of the building across the road and grappled with the lock again, peeping out before he emerged.

As his fluffy socks padded along the balcony he could hear the tinkling of teaspoons downstairs, shuffling coming from the bedrooms on his right, and mercifully, no dog. The windows revealed a bright blue sky overlapped with a grey mesh of clouds. Jungkook may have slept in, but he was up before the street. A car drove by, the purr of the engine low, barely reaching his ears. He eyed the maisonettes across the street. Most of the curtains were still drawn.

There was a man walking down the street. The stab of adrenaline which hit Jungkook's system left him stalk still. If the man just looked up-

But the man wasn't looking up. Jungkook could yell out, but the windows looked like triple glazing, and his captors were all just metres away. He stared desperately at the top of the man's head for a few precious seconds, but the man was walking briskly, eyes glued to his mobile phone.

Jungkook abandoned the idea and moved on before they caught him. As the kitchen came into view, he saw Hoseok and Namjoon kiss, then Hoseok and his rucksack headed for the front door, key rattling noisily in the lock.

It stunned him for a moment. Namjoon was cheating on Jimin. Blatantly. And in front of Yoongi too. Namjoon didn't look the slightest bit ashamed and Yoongi was unperturbed, sipping his orange juice.

As the door locked behind Hoseok, Jungkook descended the stairs, suddenly aware that he didn't have cover for his bare legs. Namjoon and Yoongi were murmuring to eachother, but paused as they caught sight of him.

"Morning, Jungkook." Namjoon smiled warmly, and Jungkook tried not to focus on his dimples or the timbre of his voice or the fact that he was a cheater. "Is Jin up?"

"I think so," Jungkook said. Namjoon came towards him, chucking under Jungkook's chin as he passed and clambered upstairs. Jungkook felt narrowly more at ease when it was clear that he and Yoongi were alone.

"What can I make you?" Yoongi stooped and retrieved a carton of milk from the fridge, then reached overhead for a new glass. "It won't be as fancy as you're used to, but I can do a mean bacon roll or scrambled egg."

Jungkook watched the liquid white slosh into the glass, oddly touched. "Can I have toast please?" It seemed rude to ask for a proper breakfast when he was planning to leave. Plus he'd eaten his fill last night.

"Sure," Yoongi nodded, cat's eyes tracking to Jungkook's bare legs. "Bread basket's over there. Toaster." He paused. "Do you want me to do it for you?"

Jungkook hadn't made his own breakfast in years, but before Soona met Julian, it had been his daily routine. Soona liked him to be self-sufficient where possible. He certainly wasn't above making his own toast if that was what Yoongi was implying.

Trying to hide his jutting lower lip, he opened the bread bin and wrangled a slice of bread from the plastic poke.

"I've been thinking," Yoongi said, as Jungkook pressed the bar on the side of the toaster. "I feel terrible about yesterday, but you're safer with us."

"Julian doesn't do animal testing." Jungkook fired out a single look of defiance, then retreated to stare into his glass of milk.

"I'm not talking about the animal testing. And I don't think someone who runs animal testing labs is automatically a danger to his own stepson." Yoongi's eyes tracked upstairs, making sure no one was approaching. "I considered how to break this to you, but I'm pretty sure you know. Look at our hair."

Jungkook felt dread line his stomach.

"So?" He choked.

"So, I had to dye my hair yesterday, in order to secure the booking." Yoongi stepped closer. Despite being around Jungkook's height, his aura was both steadying and intimidating. "Is he sexually harrassing you, baby?"

Jungkook shook his head so fast it might fall off.

Yoongi tilted his own head. "But you didn't ask me what I'm talking about. So you at least suspect."

"He's not like that," Jungkook said valiantly.

"I don't care how rich or powerful he is," Yoongi said with serene conviction. "If he's a threat to you, I'll deal with him."

That was what Jungkook was afraid of.

"Can't you just leave him alone?" He whispered.

"We need him to get to Bhakta," Yoongi shrugged. "Otherwise, I'd be happy to. Even if he hasn't made a move yet, that doesn't mean he won't. I know we got off to a rocky start, but the six of us would protect you from anything, even family."

Just not from yourselves. Jungkook's toast popped and he welcomed the distraction. "Can I borrow the butter please?"

Yoongi sighed. "Of course you can." He bent back into the fridge. "Cutlery drawer is on your left. I've got to head out now, but I'll see you tonight." He nudged the carton forwards. "It's only margarine, I hope that's okay."

"Thanks," Jungkook reached for it.

Yoongi lingered a moment longer, watching him. "I really am sorry we frightened you yesterday," he said. "I know I'm going to have to work hard to earn your trust."

Jungkook cracked the lid off and slipped a knife into the margarine. "Have a good day," he said, attempting to mask his emotions in faux warmth.

It worked wonders. Yoongi's shoulders relaxed. "I'll see you later," he promised, and as Jungkook worked on his toast he heard the key clatter in the lock, the door thud shut and then a second jangle. Seemed like everyone had their own set of keys.

He slid the margarine back in the fridge and bit a half moon from his slice, curling his other hand round the glass of milk, thinking about the door. Would there be a spare set of keys somewhere? What if a key was within arm's reach right now? Should he have a root about the chrome kitchen? He could always pretend he was looking for a plate...

The sound of feet on the balcony above made him jolt and focus on his toast.

Jin swept by the huge windows, jogging downstairs. His hair was damp and slightly curly. He was wearing a cream sweater and forest-green cords. With his height and broad shoulders, he looked like a guardian angel.

"You can help yourself," Jin said, eyeing Jungkook's measly breakfast. "I'm holding off till lunch, still bloated from dinner. I'm going to miss you all morning."

"You're leaving too?" Jungkook tried to stifle his whine. He didn't want Jin to go. Not Jin. Who would he be left with? Namjoon? But then, Jin had to go, so that Jungkook could escape.

"You're gonna miss me too?" Jin's smile spread. "Oh darling."

Jungkook flopped against Jin's chest the moment Jin's arms extended to let him in. Jin smelled even more strongly of rose and saffron and orange now. He melted as Jin pressed a kiss to the crown of his head.

"I'll be counting down the hours," Jin said. "Then we can talk and make plans and do whatever you want to do."

It took all Jungkook's willpower to extract himself from Jin. He was going to miss him. Now that he knew what it felt like to be held.

"Have a good day," he parroted, trying to keep himself from wavering.

"You too," Jin rubbed the back of his fingers against Jungkook's cheek. "I think Jimin has a whole itinerary planned for you."

Jungkook watched Jin extract a pair of brown dress shoes from the rack near the door, and then with a small wave, Jin was unlocking the door, disappearing through it, locking it behind him. Jungkook could hear the echo of his dress shoes on the first of the stone steps leading to the street. He ripped a bite out of the toast as if it might compensate for his weakness. He wondered whether Jimin or Namjoon would be down next.

When the key clattered in the door again, he guessed Jin was returning for something and couldn't help the tiny bud of hope that blossomed in his chest.

It wasn't Jin.

The dog burst into the room, butt wagging furiously, grey and white coat rippling. Jungkook dropped his toast in horror, his glass of milk clunking against the counter. The dog saw him, made right for him-

Jungkook swung himself up onto the kitchen counter, jabbing his side on the overhead cupboard, making himself as tiny as possible, pulling his ankles in so his socked feet didn't poke over the edge. Panic rose like bile inside him.

"Ruby," Tae warned, turning his key in the lock again, before stalking towards Jungkook. Jungkook's breath hitched.

"Come with me," Tae told him. "We're going to walk the dog together."

Jungkook shook his head dumbly.

Tae's eyes flashed darker, his voice dipping into a growl. "JungKook come with me to walk the dog together."

The look he was giving Jungkook was so intense that it stifled the air between them. All Jungkook knew was that if he got off this counter he was going to die, and when he heard the tread of feet above their heads, he prayed they would come downstairs-

"Jungkook, I'm trying-" Tae cut off.

"Ruby! Best girl!" Jimin cheered as the dog scampered up the stairs to greet him, gobbling Jungkook's toast in its jaws.

"Tell him you want to come," Tae hissed under his breath.

"What're you two talking about?" Jimin and the dog bounded down the stairs together. "Kookie! Jin will have you for putting dirty socks on the counter. Okay, actually no, he'll still think you're precious. But he'll have us for letting you. Tae, what's that face for?"

"Jungkook and I are going to take Ruby for a walk," Tae glared at Jungkook. Jungkook didn't feel the full force of it because he was busy tracking the ever changing motions of the dog. Now it was noisily lapping up water from its bowl.

"What? No, he's making videos with me," Jimin said. "We agreed last night, didn't we, Kookie?"

"Well he can do that after, we won't be long." Tae's voice was taut.

"Did you ask Joon?" Jimin cocked his head, analysing Tae, face suddently serious.

"I wanna make videos with you," Jungkook told Jimin desperately.

"Yay!" Jimin beamed. "You can stay and join us, Tae!"

More sounds on the steps. Namjoon.

"Ruby," Tae ordered, and the dog came to his heel immediately. He hurried to the door as Jimin sidled to the stairs to greet Namjoon.

"Was that Tae?" Namjoon asked. "What was the rush?"

"He was just popping in to say hey," Jimin stood up on tiptoes to peck Namjoon's lips. "Me and Kookie are going to get set up for filming now."

"What filming?"

"You know, Joon, for YouTube. Kookie will wear a mask like always. Adley doesn't know Kookie does YouTube. He'll never know to look. Please don't spoil our fun."

Namjoon kissed him back. "You're a minx. You know this means I have to edit the videos."

"Thought you'd never ask," Jimin smirked.

Jungkook watched the exchange, slowly letting his legs dangle off the counter now that the danger was gone. Would Jimin help him escape if he knew Namjoon was a cheater? Was it better to say nothing?

Namjoon's eyes bored into Jungkook has if he could read his thoughts. He began to walk towards him, and Jungkook tried not to shrink against the splashback.

"I'm going out for a few hours, baby," Namjoon said, his voice low and silky. "Can I trust you to be a good boy?"

Jungkook nodded, even as sirens blazed in his head. He prayed Namjoon couldn't tell.

"Jimin will look after you," Namjoon chucked under his chin again, but more slow and deliberate this time. Jungkook felt a flash of lightheadedness "Make sure he dresses you before you film. I'll see you soon."

Jungkook hoped he never saw him again. He wasn't going to get a better chance, with five out of six gone. But he'd have to bide his time. What if Namjoon stopped outside the front door to get into a vehicle or check his phone? He couldn't afford to be hasty.

"Wash your hands in the sink if you're done with breakfast, Kookie," Jimin said excitedly, as Namjoon locked the front door behind him. "I could barely sleep last night, I had to watch one of your videos to settle me down! Oh, damn, I forgot to tell Joon something-"

He rushed to the front door, combing his pockets for a key which he quickly inserted in the door. "Joon?!" He called down the stairs, voice echoing. Jungkook could distantly hear the tone of Namjoon's voice. So Jimin had just caught him in time. He couldn't pick up what they said to eachother, but Jimin returned a moment later, locking the door again.

"Come on Kookie! Or are you still hungry?"

Jungkook slid off the counter and turned the tap on the sink, pumping the liquid soap.

Jimin had left his key in the door.

Whatever Jungkook did now, he had to make sure Jimin didn't realise his mistake. He had to keep him distracted.

"Are you going to lend me some clothes?" He said, trying to keep his voice even.

"Yes, I have so many ideas!" Jimin bounced on the balls of his feet. "Are your hands dry? Come on then!"

He was led back upstairs, into the bedroom he'd been blindfolded in. Jungkook could barely think about how normal the room looked, or identify the corner he'd spent most of his time in, because all he could think about was the key.

"Tae or Yoongi are probably the best bets for a fitted look on you," Jimin said, opening the wardrobe wide and diving in. "I know what I want for your eye makeup and nails, we need to find something to compliment it. Maybe block colours... yes! This. It's so not you, but it'll be perfect."

Jungkook was presented with a creamy-tan ribbed sweater of Tae's, black jeans of Yoongi's, and black underwear which could have belonged to either. He kept his own boxers on instead, wrestling himself into the jeans when Jimin's back was turned.

Jimin's gaze was molten as Jungkook buttoned the jeans. "Those are too tight on your thighs," he said quietly.

"Should I.. do you want me to change?"

"Gods, no." Jimin swore a couple of times in admiration. "You're really made that way, huh. Here, wear this silver chain too, I'll put it on for you."

The sweater smelled faintly of cocoa and leather. Jungkook couldn't help but lift it for a second sniff.

"Ahh, you're so cute!" Jimin admired his own handiwork. "I love your baby freckles so much. You'd be perfect for the Constellations tag. Come on, let's go get our grind on." He grinned cheekily.

Jungkook trailed after him as they headed back downstairs. Jimin was chatting about the review he'd written for last night's takeaway over the honey sauce debacle. Jungkook could hardly tear his eyes from the key in the frontdoor.

"Did I forget something?" Jimin said suddenly, his brow creasing, as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

"I think Namjoon's cheating on you," Jungkook blurted out in a panic.

Jimin wheeled and stared at him. "What?"

"I saw him, this morning. He was kissing Jay, I mean Hoseok. On the mouth. Yoongi saw it too."

Jimin's face broke into a huge smile. "Oh you're such an angel for telling me. It's okay, Kookie, he's allowed to kiss Hobi."

"He's allowed?" Jungkook's confusion was mingled with relief that Jimin did not look at the front door.

"Sure. It's kind of complicated to explain, a bit like an open relationship? But not too open. Joon will explain to you later on today, he's better at that sort of thing. Come on, into my office."

His office was in the corner of the building, directly below Jin's bedroom and beside the downstairs bathroom. Jungkook walked in after Jimin and recognised it immediately.

"Is it weird seeing it from the other side?" Jimin grinned, as Jungkook looked around.

It was weird. Jungkook knew this room. He'd watched a couple of Jimin's famous videos a year or two ago. After Jimin had befriended him he'd binged many more. The pale pink walls and pristine white door and white shelves with the little trinkets and Jimin's silver and gold play buttons were something he'd always associated with a safe space. But there were surprises too, corners of the room and a cupboard he'd never seen. He hadn't realised that two walls of the room were dominated by windows. The one behind the computer set up had a grey blackout blind over it, but the one on the left was currently uncovered, allowing daylight to penetrate the room.

"You take my chair," Jimin decided, bustling around, turning the computer and camera on, tugging open drawers haphazardly and tapping his mic. "We can use natural light while we have it. The mic's sensitive so as long as no one comes home randomly, we'll get a good recording."

Jungkook eased himself into the cushioned white gamer's chair gingerly. He saw this chair every week, and now he was sitting in it. Should he run for it before the filming started? But the office door was closed behind them. Jimin was a nudge shorter than Jungkook and Jungkook was hopefully the better runner, but he didn't want to fight Jimin. And Jimin's six pack no doubt meant that he was stronger than he looked.

"So normally I'd say we do the ASMR video first," Jimin was still setting everything up. "That way you aren't spoiling my video in your video. But I think there's a high chance I'll be too sleepy after the ASMR video to do the Beauty video. Can we do mine first and we'll just have to take the look off before yours? Kookie?"

"Yeah, that's fine," Jungkook deserted his impulsion to bolt. The others weren't going to be back for hours. He needed to stay calm. Choose the right time.

"Don't worry, I washed my hands already," Jimin was now rubbing a white cream between his palms. Jungkook didn't have time to ask what it was before Jimin's fingers were on his face, moving with a craftsman's sureness. He boxed his breath inside his chest as Jimin smoothed cool cream over his forehead, down his nose and temples, across his cheeks, around his mouth and along the line of his jaw, thumbs sliding over his neck.

"Perfect," Jimin's eyes were bright and close and every tiny hair on Jungkook's body was standing up on end. When Jimin moved aside, Jungkook let his breath out in shallow pants.

Jimin was armed with a brush now. "You need to breathe, Kookie," he giggled as Jungkook seized another deep breath in anticipation. "You're not going to hold your breath for half an hour are you? Better get used to it now, I don't mind. Aww you're blushing. You're such a cutie."

"I'll try," Jungkook's cheeked burned harder as Jimin took his chin and rolled the brush gently over his face.

"Practice now," Jimin grinned, gently blowing air on him, making his skin tingle. "Go on."

Jungkook wished he hadn't ate the buttery toast. Cautiously, he did as he was told.

"There we go!" Jimin cooed. "Now just breathe like you normally would for your ASMR videos." He finished with the brush, admired his work, and then swivelled to retrieve a black mask from one of his drawers. "I'll hook this round your ears. Perfect. Let's take a selfie together. We can post it to your Twitter and I'll retweet. I'll wear a mask too so it looks like I'm pretending to be mysterious - maybe we'll tweet Guess who I'm filming with this week? Sound good?"

Jungkook nodded.

Jimin hooked on a grey fabric mask and fluffed up his candyfloss hair. "How do I look?"

Jungkook nodded again. Jimin laughed. "Okay, I'll take it." He held out his mobile phone and bent so their heads were pressed together, "say cheese!"

Jungkook stared dumbly at the camera as Jimin snapped a few shots.

"Okay," Jimin pulled the phone back to his chest and flicked through the options. "What's your twitter password?"

Jungkook hesitated.

"I won't nose around if you don't want me to," Jimin assured him. "Go on."

Two seconds later, he was humming in satisfaction, unhooking his own mask and tossing it aside. "Hey, you're taking off, you know. Not far from 5K. I reckon we can push you over with these videos. Eww, GlitterGuru39 obviously gasping for a follow back. See, she knows you're moving up in the world. No thank you. Okay, I'll log onto mine and RT, then we can get started."

Jungkook thought about the door behind him, how it had slid soundlessly, but shut with a thud. Would he be able to open it silently before he made a run for it? Could he make an excuse, say he was going to get them both a drink of water and then leave it ajar?

"I'm so excited!" Jimin set his mobile down. "Two seconds while I get both cameras set up."

"Can, um, can I go get a drink?" Jungkook didn't have to fake the dry throat.

"There's a minifridge round the side of the desk. Help yourself."

Dammit.

Jimin unfolded a second chair from the cupboard and did a quick test to make sure they were in frame and that the lighting and audio were set.

"Good to go, Kookie?"

Jungkook took one more nervous sip of water, then sat the bottle at the side of the desk, pulling his mask up cautiously.

"Guys, I have the most special guest on my channel today!" Jimin cheered, as if he and his audience were already mid conversation, stretching out his arms and wiggling his fingers in Jungkook's direction. "Kookie is here to get his-"

He swore a moment later. "Sorry Joon!" He yelled into the mic, then lowered his tone. "I swear I won't forget every time. You can just cut everything before this. Okay.... Guys, I have the most special guest on my channel today! Nochu is here to get his nails and eyes done - is this your first time, Noch? - Okay, so we're popping his makeup cherry right here, right now! You probably know Nochu for his ASMR channel, but if you don't, click here to subscribe! Get you a guy who can fascinate you and put you to sleep, amiright?"

He'd said it all almost without stopping, in his usual Jimin fashion. Jungkook's brain hadn't caught up with being on the other side of a Jimin video.

"You feeling shy, Noch?" Jimin gave him a cheeky wink.

"Yeah, a bit." If he escaped, this video would never go up. It would always just be him and Jimin talking. But if he didn't escape... Jimin had over 3 million subscribers and pulled in even more views. That was a lot of people who would be watching him.

"Nochu and I game with our Twitch Team once a week," Jimin said, "links in description. We just met at the start of the year, and now we've met in person! Honestly, I still can't believe he's here. Are you real?" He gave Jungkook a mock-poke in the side, and Jungkook nudged the chair away from him with a little yelp of protest. "Guess you are! Well we're going to do nails first. I know you're all thinking pastel, but we're not getting more baby than this face-"

He held his arm out to pretend to cup under Jungkook's chin, but Jungkook had rolled too far back.

"C'mere, I'm complimenting you," Jimin teased as he tugged the arm of the chair to wheel Jungkook back towards him. "-This face. So I decided to set myself a challenge. We are going smokey, rusty with the eyes and black and cherry red gradient on the nails. It's gonna be so sexy I'll get demonitised. Oh yeah, Noch, you got something to tell everyone?"

Jungkook blinked. I've been kidnapped and Jimin isn't as innocent as you think he is and I'm trying to work out whether to make a run for it right now.

"Your hair," Jimin stage whispered.

"Oh yeah, I dyed my hair!" Jungkook's smile was fake, but fortunately, the mask hid it.

"He's so nervous, it's cute," Jimin grinned to the camera, placing his hand on Jungkook's knee. "So Noch. Did you enjoy playing Role Models two nights ago?"

"I... yes."

"Great, because I'm gonna throw a personality quiz at you while I get to work," Jimin said wickedly. "Now, put one hand here on the rest, so we can use the overhead camera, Joon! You can cut this part out if you want. Yeah, that's right, don't let me block your light.. let me see if I sit here... yeah that'll work. And I'm just going to pull the quiz up, don't worry, it's not scary. Alright Joon, we're good.... I'm sure you've all heard my stories about filling out every form I could find as a kid. My mum still gets enough junk mail to flatten a rainforest. Forms, quizzes and personality tests always get me going. And tick boxes, oof. Let's not even go there. I figure we'll use the quiz from two videos ago on Nochu."

He opened a miniature case and began to pull out what looked like tiny silver instruments of torture to Jungkook, who was feeling sufficiently highly strung to slowly inch his hand back from the nail rest.

"I'm just gonna shape your nails a teeny bit," Jimin said. "Tidy up your cuticles. Ooh baby, it's gonna be so pretty! It won't hurt. C'mere." He reached out with his own manicured hands and seized Jungkook's wrist. Reluctantly Jungkook allowed himself to be put back in place. Jimin seized his thumb and began to file the nail. Jungkook stared in disgusted fascination at the dust accumulating on the plastic mat below.

"Okay, question one." Jimin said cheerfully, reading from his computer. "'You find it difficult to introduce yourself to other people.' Agree, Disagree, or Not too sure?"

Jungkook thought about it. "Disagree. I don't know how to continue conversations... but I know how to say hello and move on."

"And would you have slid into my Twitter DMs if I hadn't slid into yours first?" Jimin arched a perfect brow.

"I mean, no, but you're Jimin. That's not the same thing."

Jimin giggled. "You're so cute, Noch. Let me wipe your fingers. Hey, doesn't that look better already?"

Jungkook had to admit he could see the difference. But weren't the nail ashes a bit gross?

"Okay, question two." Jimin said. 'You rarely do something just out of sheer curiousity.' Agree, Disagree, or Not too sure? I don't know what the point of the 'Not too sure's are, honestly."

"Me neither," Jungkook allowed himself a real smile. "It's Agree for that one. I am curious, but not enough to act on my curiosity, you know? Why are you grinning?"

"Nothing, baby," Jimin said, biting down on his lip, smirking at the camera. "Agree, then. Other hand please. 'Being organised is more important to you than being adaptable.' Agree, Disagree, Not too sure."

"Agree," Jungkook nodded. "If your plans are good you don't need to adapt them often."

"If you're open to adaption then you can cut through all the fussy planning," Jimin countered.

"I like the fussy planning."

"We're not alike," Jimin confided to the camera, abandoning his job to waggle a finger between himself and Jungkook. "Okay, question four. 'You are usually highly motivated and energetic.' Agree, Disagree, or I guess."

Jungkook had already spoken more than he'd ever spoken for a YouTube video. "I have energy," he said. "I don't think I'm lazy... but... can I go with 'I guess'?"

"Its your quiz, Noch," Jimin said, "and we're all gonna judge you for whatever you get at the end."

"'I guess', then."

"Sure, okay, let's wipe down this hand and the surfaces. Give me the first hand again, and we're going in with the base coat. Do you know what a base coat is for?"

"Does that count as one of the questions?"

"I'm just testing how much of my channel you've actually watched. Okay, 'You do not mind being the centre of attention'. Agree, Disagree or Sometimes?"

"Disagree. I don't like the spotlight."

"But you like attention right? Or else you're in the wrong career."

"It's not really a career yet. If I was as popular as you I might find it hard."

"You heard it here first, guys!" Jimin grinned to the camera. "Go subscribe to the boy, but don't let him get as popular as me, got it? He can handle a few more K."

"Only if you want to," Jungkook shifted uneasily. He didn't like that Jimin was gifting him subscribers while he was ready to run out the door and never see him again.

"When they see your eye makeup they'll all be subscribing, baby." Jimin drawled. "Okay, other hand please. But don't go moving the other one about and messing stuff up."

Jungkook obediently swapped hands.

"'People can rarely upset you.' Jimin read. "True, Not true, or maybe."

"True.. I think." He just wasn't on people's radar enough for them to want to upset him. And he wasn't counting what had happened yesterday.

"Done! Now we better make sure Hand One is dry before we proceed. I'm going to be using Cherry Red from the Nailsaholic Deluxe 2 range, and we're gonna layer a couple of coats down first. I'd say this is more of a Ruby than Cherry, what do you think, Noch?"

Jungkook suppressed a shudder at the thought of the dog. He could feel the cool slick of the polish as Jimin carefully swiped it on. "It's pretty," he offered cautiously.

"So pretty. Okay, question seven. 'It is often difficult for you to relate to people's feelings'. True, Not True, It Depends."

"I think I can relate to people's feelings." Unless they're kidnappers and murderers. "So, Not True."

"I think it varies for me," Jimin said. "Sometimes I don't get how other people tick. Then other times I relate so hard to the emotion even if the person's experience is unconnected to me in every way. We'll come back for a second coat, other hand in the meantime. No smudging!"

"I won't!" Jungkook couldn't help but wonder how different things would have been if 'Kim's Six' hadn't been vigilantes. Jimin was every bit as charming and absorbing in real life as he was on screen. He eased Jungkook into friendship as if they'd known eachother their whole lives. And he was more attractive than Jungkook could bear.

"I know, you're a good boy," Jimin teased. "Question eight. 'Your mood can change very quickly.' Yes, No, Always."

"No. I mean, in normal circumstances.."

"Are you inferring that I'm affecting your mood? Am I like one of those mood rings that change colour?"

Jungkook looked down at his hand. "I think I'm the one changing colour."

Jimin laughed. "Well they say red is the colour of passion. You feeling passionate about something? Or someone?" He wiggled his eyebrows flirtatiously.

Even though it was a joke, and he and Namjoon were in an open relationship, Jungkook couldn't help but feel awkward. "I'm passionate about not smudging my nails?" He said.

Jimin just laughed more. "Switch hands, please. Okay, that's a No for question eight. 'An interesting book or a video game is often better than a social event.'"

"That's a hard yes."

"You didn't even let me give you the options! He's actually such a good gamer guys. He reels you in with those innocent eyes and then he outsmarts you. And he's quick on the draw."

"I wish I was quicker," Jungkook said, still thinking of the key in the door.

"If you get any quicker you'll be too OP for our group of losers," Jimin grinned. "And switch. Question ten. 'If someone does not respond to your text or email quickly you start worrying if you said something wrong.' Totally me, Not me, perhaps at times?"

Seeing his nails so crimson made Jungkook feel like they weren't his hands. It made him want to hold them differently, like they were delicate. "Perhaps at times," he said. "If there's been lots of quick texts back and forth and then suddenly nothing. I don't have high expectations of people getting back to me quickly otherwise."

"You're a sweetheart," Jimin said. "If someone doesn't reply quickly they're dead to me. Hey, I'm happy with that! While your nails are drying I'm going to apply some liquid latex. 'You do not let other people influence your actions.' True, false, I don't know."

"Liquid latex?" Jungkook wasn't sure he'd ever seen that before. It looked like glue.

"Don't worry, bubs, it comes off at the end," Jimin said, already painting the thick white onto Jungkook's skin around the nails. Jungkook stared at it in fascination, only blinking when he realised he hadn't answered the question. "Um, False. I think everyone's actions are influenced by other people, aren't they? I know mine are."

"Yeah, I wish my actions were only influenced by me," Jimin sighed, clicking the answer quickly on the screen before painting more of the latex on. "'You rarely get carried away by fantasies and ideas'. True or False?"

"What happened to the maybes and the sometimes?"

"I guess they got carried away. Oh god, I've been around Jin too long, that's exactly what he would say!"

"Hey, don't smudge my nails," Jungkook grinned. "Well, I think its true then."

"No fantasies for you?" Jimin's gazed was lidded. Jungkook was immediately reminded of how stimulated he got from just their voices. "No," he said, injecting firmness, "and I don't get carried away by ideas, if anything I'm slow to act on ideas."

"Disappointing," Jimin observed. "Switch hands. 'Emotions control your actions more than your mind.' Yes, No, Maybe sometimes."

"Are Maybe and Sometimes two different options?"

"Same option, just extra emphasis."

"Umm, no. I mean not usually. I tend to think about my actions before I carry them out."

"Anyone else getting the vibes that this boy doesn't know how to be spontaneous?" Jimin asked the camera, as he reached to click 'no.' Okay, fourteen. 'You would rather improvise than spend time coming up with a detailed plan.' I think I know the answer to this one. 'No way,' right?"

"Right. If you improvise you might mess up."

"Yeah, but that's the fun of it." Jimin clicked 'No way.' "Okay, we're almost done with the latex. We'll give it another minute to dry. 'You often contemplate the reason for human existence.' Always, Never, Sometimes."

Jungkook had to pause for that one. "I think about it but never get anywhere concrete. To survive? To be happy? But then that would infer we have a purpose. That we exist due to intent.."

"You have thought about it," Jimin remarked. "Are we going with 'Always'?"

"'Sometimes'" Jungkook amended. "I suppose I push it to the back of my mind a lot."

"I had a good rant on this one when I was doing the quiz, didn't I?" Jimin told the camera. "Alright, it's time to prep the sponge. So we're going to do a lil' gradient here. I want black at the root of his nails but keeping them predominently red. We're going to use a nice burgandy overlap in between."

So the latex was to stop Jimin getting nail polish all over Jungkook's fingers with the sponge, he understood now.

"Let's have Hand Number One at the ready," Jimin said. "We might need to pat it on a few times. 'You enjoy going to social events that involve dress up or role play activities.' Yes, No, Well if I'm in the mood. Please let it be yes. Dressing up is so fun."

"Well if I'm in the mood," Jungkook rebutted, twisting his lips in apology.

"Wasn't it a dressing up party where you kissed your first.. you know?" Jimin waggled his eyebrows.

Jungkook could feel the blood suddenly throbbing in his cheeks. "Mm hmm," he said, grateful that Jimin hadn't voiced it out fully. He doubted anyone from school watched his YouTube channel but some might watch Jimin's. "It was just spin the bottle," he added quickly, in the hopes that it dampened any perceived drama.

"Petition for Nochu to come back on for a storytime," Jimin raised a hand like he was in class, then went back to patting Jungkook's nails. "We're nearly there now. 'If your friend is sad about something you are more likely to offer emotional support than suggest ways to deal with the problem.' Sounds like me. Or Not me."

"I'm kind of awkward," Jungkook said. "I don't know that I'm good at emotional support.."

"Oh baby, cuddling you would be emotional support!"

"Um, well, I don't really hug my friends," Jungkook said. "So I guess it's a 'Not me.' I'd try to be there for them and listen, but I'd feel like I could help more if I tried to solve the problem."

"You're fricken adorable," Jimin shook his head. "Other hand. So that's a 'Not me.' And we're on to question eighteen. 'You consider yourself more practical than creative.' Yes, More creative, or It depends on the situation."

"I try to be practical about everything," Jungkook considered, "but I lean towards the creative school subjects."

"And you're a YouTube creator," Jimin nodded. "So what'll it be? More creative? Depends on the situation?"

"Depends on the situation I guess."

"Switch. Okay, question nineteen. 'Being right is more important than being cooperative when it comes to teamwork.' Agree or Disagree?"

"Well...." Jungkook's mind strayed to Jin this morning. Jin thought the others were wrong to take him, but for the sake of teamwork.. "There's no point cooperating if the outcome is wrong. But if the purpose is teamwork and being right or wrong doesn't make such a difference, then I'd have to say Disagree."

"I'm with you on that one. Sometimes you've gotta take one for the team," Jimin nodded approvingly. Jungkook watched with fascination as Jimin peeled the liquid latex off his first hand. "I'm going to go in with a clean up brush dipped in acetone just to catch anything the liquid latex didn't. They look hot, Noch!"

They did look good, the latex had meant that everything was perfectly within the lines.

"Okay, final question!" Jimin said. "'You feel more energetic after spending time with a group of people.' True, False or It depends on the people?"

"Depends on the people," Jungkook was grateful the last one was easy.

"So after our Twitch sessions, are you energetic or worn out?" Jimin grinned.

"A bit of both," Jungkook admitted. "Distracted, maybe."

"Says the person who won the title 'Distraction' the other night," Jimin informed the camera, clicking submit as he did so. "Switch hands. So what do you think you're going to get for your results?"

"Well I can see-"

"-Hey! No cheating, We're pretending we haven't clicked it yet! It's for the grand finale when we reveal your nails!"

"Oh, okay..."

"Gotta have words with this one on timing," Jimin chuckled. "Well let me finish the tidy up and while we go in with our glittery top coat - don't make those eyes at me - this look is begging for a glittery top coat - I'll tell you what I got when I did this quiz."

"I think I saw it on Twitter. Brazen Fox?"

"Yep! It was quite accurate too! Who can remember how it went? It was like 'textbook extrovert... confident, bold and charming... something about making the most of being the centre of attention and landing in trouble...' I forget. But we all agreed it was me. This look we're doing for you today is more of a brazen fox look, but what do you think your true nature is?"

"Am I still pretending I haven't seen it come up on screen?"

"Yes Koo- Joon! I'm sorry! I was doing so well! Can we redo that line Kookie? Just try to say it the same way, I liked the sass. This look we're doing for you today is more of a brazen fox look, but what do you think your true nature is?"

"Um, are we still pretending it hasn't come up on screen?"

"Yes Noch, we are."

"Oh, um, then... an enigmatic panda?"

"What's enigmatic about a panda?"

"I don't know, I guess that's the mystery?"

Jimin laughed. "You're a funny kid, you know that? Okay, we're going in with the glittery top coat, this is not a drill. Comment below what you think Nochu will get on the quiz. If you say the right one I'll know you've been cheating and the makeup gods with smite you down!"

As his nails dried, Jungkook tilted his fingers slightly to see the glitter catch the light. They looked too glossy to be his own nails, with a sleek transition from black to red.

"You like them, don't you," Jimin cooed. "Just wait till I do your eyes!"

Jungkook had forgotten that part was coming. God, what was he doing still sitting here? He was supposed to be figuring out an escape, not getting distracted by shiny things-

"Other hand. Okay, you can read out your results now."

"Timid Dragon: you are quiet, reserved, thoughtful and introspective. You like to be organised and on top of your game, and work best in tidy and pleasant environments. You prefer to have a small group of close friends over a huge social group any day. You value the time you get on strolls with your earphones or in bed with your books, and love to discover new things about yourself."

"How accurate would you say?" Jimin's face was entire focused on the final nails.

"It's pretty accurate. Are dragons timid?"

"That's what I should be asking you, you're the Timid Dragon. Or lets ask the comments. Theories on Timid Dragon please. Okay, we just gotta sit tight and let those nails finish drying. Joon! Will you cut here for a minute please? Kookie, don't you move, I'm going to grab all the stuff we need for your eyes and for the ASMR video."

"I can-" Jungkook started, thinking it could be his opportunity.

"Don't you move," Jimin said sternly. "We spent ages on those. No fidgeting."

Jungkook held still. If Jimin goes upstairs... he thought, body tense and alert, but Jimin only ran next door to the bathroom briefly and spent the rest of his time moving around Jungkook, opening and closing drawers.

"Okay, so we'll leave the ASMR stuff over to the side, and I think that's all we need for makeup.."

"That's all?" Jungkook stared at the near-mountain of equipment.

"Yeah, I'm going for a manly look," Jimin said seriously. "A bit more minimalist. Okay Joon, that's me set up again. How do the nails look, Kookie? Dry? And here we go everyone, the final nails! Let them see the shimmer, Noch. Damn, I am good or what?"

"You're good," Jungkook said, mind back on the key in the door.

"Now to match this look, I'm going to do a smokey, rusty eye on you. Your only duty is not to talk, because I don't want you moving your face, okay? I'll do all the talking."

"Okay," It was going to be hard enough to concentrate on his breathing. And not looking mesmerised when Jimin came in close.

"So The Jimin Palate 003 is going to come in handy here," Jimin held it up to the camera, palm behind to allow for focus. But first, we are going to give Nochu's brows a little brush to neaten them up and then we are going in with eye primer-"

Jungkook did manage to zone out a little. He couldn't see what Jimin was doing, but Jimin moved with a surgeon's precision, staring at Jungkook's eyes as if he were merely a blank canvas. At one point, Jimin's hand slid round to the nape of his neck and Jungkook gulped hard, unable to regulate his breathing again till Jimin had turned aside.

Jimin talked through the makeup advice as he went. He put something on Jungkook's eye bags straight after the primer, then he covered Jungkook's lids in something that looked like a nude-beige. He build up colour with some kind of bronzey rose, then burgundy and then he went in with black and talking about smudging a lot. The black returned to touch up Jungkook's upper lashlines. When Jimin pointed the sharp brown eyebrow pencil, Jungkook thought about retreating in the chair again. But Jimin was patient, gave him calm directions to look up or down, assured him that he wasn't going to poke him in the eye. Then came a white pencil and some kind of highlighter. Finally, black mascara, even worse than the pencils, and Jungkook gripped the arms of the seats in terror, while Jimin giggled and reassured him.

"You look stunning..." Jimin breathed, finally stepping back to admire his handiwork. Jungkook could see his own black lashes in his periherals, could feel the weight of product on his lids, but he couldn't imagine what he looked like.

"Let them see your nails at the same time," Jimin instructed him, and Jungkook obediently waved them a little at the camera.

"Here's a mirror," Jimin produced a handheld one from his top drawer.

Jungkook barely recognised himself. It wasn't one of Jimin's big sparkly extravaganzas, either. The contrast of his clear brow bone contrasted with the deep smokey black and pinkish red near his lashes. Coupled with the black mask which disguised his soft features, he looked like a cool manga character.

"Do you like it?" Jimin walked round to the back of the chair, crossing his arms on it and leaning over, rocking Jungkook slightly.

Jungkook nodded, not quite able to tear his eyes away from himself.

"Can we call the video 'Popping Nochu's Makeup Cherry'?"

Jungkook choked a little. "I'll have to think about that."

Jimin returned to his own chair, tugging Jungkook to face him. "Damn, I'm good," he said again, fascinated, shaking his head. Jungkook got the distinct feeling he wasn't talking about the makeup.

"Now hop over to Nochu's channel, where he pops my cherry with my first in-person ASMR experience!" Jimin said. "That's NochuASMR. If you're feeling stressed, I swear this boy can work miracles! Don't forget to subscribe to us both, hit the bell for notifications, and throw a thumbs up our way so we can keep making videos like this. I love you all, and never forget-"

He paused in the manner of a priest at the height of his sermon. "It isn't a skin routine if you don't use sunscreen! Bye Minnies! Bye other people randomly watching!" He waved, and Jungkook copied him.

"Smashed it," Jimin said gleefully. "Thanks, Joon! I think we'll go straight into Kookie's video now! I'm just gonna toss some of the polish and makeup in a drawer! Isn't he gorgeous by the way?"

Jungkook felt his chest fizz at the thought of Namjoon watching and agreeing.

"It's too good to waste," Jimin said, as he swept his belongings into his top drawer in a way that made Jungkook wince. "Do you wanna just keep it on for your video? It'll kill the surprise of mine, but I'm sure my fans will watch anyway. You'll have to explain the look - and don't forget your hair! - before we start. Do you want me to speak at all?"

"Um, I haven't done ASMR with someone before," Jungkook twisted uncertainly in his seat.

"Just do whatever feels natural. You can play with my hair or face or rub my neck or shoulders. I've got a spray bottle all set up for you and a comb. Gloves too. Pretend I'm your prop."

"Okay..." If Jungkook got away, this video would never be used, he just had to remember that. "Well, I think we need to use your seat, because I can't get easy access to the back of your head in this one."

"Sure, sure," Jimin said. "Are you gonna stand? Adjust the camera however you like. I'll shove the big chair out of view. The natural light is still working okay, right?"

A minute later he was settled in the fold out chair, face on to the camera. "I'm vibrating, I'm so excited." He said, rubbing his palms on his thighs. "I'm in your hands, baby. Try not to mess up your pretty nails. Joon, any time from when Nochu calls it."

Then he took a deep breath.

"Hi," Jungkook whispered. "Welcome back to NochuASMR. Today we're trying something a bit different. This is Jimin. Most of you will already know who he is, but I'll um, link his channel down below."

Jimin smiled sweetly at the camera, then closed his eyes.

Nervously, Jungkook reached out and laid his palms flat against Jimin's shoulders, patting softly. "If I look a bit different, it's because Jimin and I made a Beauty video on his channel. Feel free to check it out. Hope it doesn't distract you too much. Oh, and I uh, I dyed my hair. Thank you for subscribing and the thumbs up, and I hope you enjoy this one."

He took a steadying breath of his own, then let his hands run over the slope of Jimin's shoulders down to his upper arms. The muscle melted like putty under his fingers. Gathering confidence, he used the viewfinder to gently brush his fingers along Jimin's forehead, coming down the side of his face and stroking under his jaw. He felt Jimin give a little shudder.

He reached for the comb next, giving the teeth a quick scrape on either side of Jimin's head. Jimin shuddered almost imperceptively again. Carefully, Jungkook sank the comb into Jimin's hair and slowly drew his way round the left side of his head. He did the same on the other side. Putting the comb in his pocket, he slid his fingers in, letting the candyfloss hair breeze through his fingers as he scratched softly across Jimin's scalp. A near silent groan came from Jimin's throat.

Feeling braver, Jungkook pressed down gently on the side of Jimin's neck, then his shoulders, then his upper arms again, before reaching for the spray. He put a hand into Jimin's hair, laying it on his scalp, and then sprayed both sides, following up with the comb. He ran his thumbs from the base of Jimin's head down the back of his neck and outwards to scoop round to his collarbones, inhaling Jimin's bubblegum scent as he worked.

Next he tried finger flutters, close to one ear, and then the other. He watched Jimin in the viewfinder. Jimin was breathing deeply, eyes still closed, zoned out already. Even his head felt heavier.

This was the right time.

Jungkook worked back through his repertoire, but more slowly this time. Okay, so first thing, he had to open the door behind them without immediately alerting Jimin. Then he had to cross past the kitchen and the sitting area, had to get to the front door. He had to turn the key as calmly as he could, even if it took a couple of attempts, he'd hopefully have reached the door before Jimin realised what was happening.

Then there were stairs down to the main door which led onto the street. He'd have to make a snap decision on whether to run left or right. If there was no traffic he'd cross the road and go for diagonal left or diagonal right. He'd run for at least a block or two, or until he saw something that looked safe, like a retail chain store or maybe a family with kids. He'd find somewhere to hide, or lay low. He'd borrow a phone, and he'd call Julian. Or if he was in danger of them finding him first, he'd call 999. Okay.

He tried not to let his nerves seep through his motions. He hadn't started escaping yet, things could continue on as normal. He should pretend like he wasn't going to do anything for a few seconds, just to calm himself.

He worked for another minute, concentrating on steadying his own breathing, building up the space between techniques so that Jimin got used to not being touched for gaps at a time. His body was ready to dissolve with terror.

Do it Jungkook he hissed at himself.

Nerves jangling, he reached back to the door and eased the handle open. If Jimin stirred, if Jimin asked, he was going to get the throw from the couch.

He painfully held his breath as the door slid open silently. Jimin was unmoving.

Heart hammering, he stepped forward and ran his hands softly over Jimin's shoulders again, as if it had just been a normal pause.

His whole body was going into fight or flight mode. It was now or never. His entire life could hinge on pulling this off. He had to do this. He could be home in an hour or two. Home in an hour or two.

He gently lifted his trembling hands from Jimin, stepped backwards, out of the door, and ran.

His heart pounded sickeningly as he rounded the sofas and armchairs. His body was moving, but his brain was frozen, putting everything into slow motion, repeating the same images over and over again.

His hand felt slippery over the key, and he turned it desperately, yanking on the handle.

It didn't work.

He tried again, double-lock, it was a double-lock. It opened.

He propelled himself into the hallway, socks smacking the cold stone steps as he wheeled to his right.

The main door opened when he was halfway down the stairs.

Jungkook's legs turned to water.

Namjoon closed the main door behind him with a thud that echoed up the stairwell. His eyes glinted like bullets. "And where do you think you're going, baby boy?"

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Thank you to everyone who's been dropping Kudos - K7 has already overtaken two of my completed fics, which is wild. The comments you dropped on the last chapter were my fuel to write this one and I will reply to them very soon! And K7 GC - can't thank you enough :)

Jungkook experiences quite a bit of distress at the start, fair warning! Hope you enjoy!

X-X-X

Namjoon surged forward like a dark wraith.

Jungkook turned tail and fled. The connection between his brain and limbs had severed, his legs churning upstairs mindlessly. There was a second door on the landing, at right angles to the apartment front door. A chance. The only chance.

The door loomed bigger as if it were coming out to meet him and Jungkook turned so that his shoulder made first contact-

He bounced back off the door with a howl of pain. Locked.

An overwhelming sense of dread overtook him then, sinking all rational thought, while his legs crashed him back through the apartment door. Namjoon's shoes echoed on the stone steps behind him like a death sentence.

The downstairs level of the apartment was still as a tomb, Jimin's office door lying ajar, nowhere to hide. Gonna die, gonna die, gonna die- Jungkook knew the upper level was a dead end too, but animal terror had him taking to the stairs.

He heard Namjoon lock the front door behind them as he rounded the balcony, past the large windows, eyes skittering desperately for anyone on to be on street below-

Gonna die, gonna die, gonna die-

Four rooms upstairs. Namjoon was hot on his heels. Going to have to break a window, need time, time-

He charged for the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him, scrabbling for the latch.

The bolt missed the door keep, almost entirely came off in his hand.

The screws, the screws were loose again, the screws were going to kill him! He tried desperately to roll them back, panic rising like flood waters as he heard Namjoon coming closer-

The door surged towards him suddenly and it took all his weight to close down the gap. No, no, no, no, no

Namjoon rammed the door again, violently, and Jungkook felt himself being overpowered, knocked off balance, landing on the bathroom tiles, where he scattered backwards like a crab, body angled in terror, vision veiled in tears. "Please don't kill me, please don't kill me-" he begged. "Please don't kill me, please- NO!"

Namjoon had seized him and Jungkook punched at Namjoon's chest, his blows disappearing like water into sand, facemask knocked to the ground, screams coming out as futile whimpers. No, no, no, no, no-

"Shhhhhh," Namjoon was in his ear.

"I don't want to die!" Jungkook blundered helplessly, locked against Namjoon's solid frame, blinded by the tears now streaking down his face- gonna die in a bathroom, gonna die in a bathroom-

"Oh no, baby," Namjoon shushed. "No, no, no. Come here. It's okay. I'm not mad."

His voice was calm. Jungkook's body flopped like a fish out of water as Namjoon pulled them both down to the bathroom floor again, huddling him on his lap. The flat of Namjoon's palm tapped firmly against his butt, paused, then struck again, pause and again, small swats grounding and resetting Jungkook's brain each time it attempted to take off into white panic. He felt like he was in a fairground ride, spun in so many directions that he could no longer tell which way was up.

"Shhh," Namjoon's voice steadying and dominant. "It's okay. It's okay. Take a few deep breaths for me. Good boy."

Jungkook inhaled Namjoon's aftershave, throat rasping and gulping as he tried to obey. Namjoon's strong arm held their bodies close, enveloping him like a rag doll, his legs sprawled out on the floor. His forehead was cold with sweat, wet eyelashes fluttering like dying flies against Namjoon's shoulder, ears stuffed with cotton. His mind was slithering down a relief-slicked slope with each passing second.

"There we go, its okay," Namjoon soothed. "Big breaths." He rocked Jungkook against him. "I knew you were going to try, baby. I knew you'd need to get it out of your system. I'm not gonna hurt you."

"But you murderered Genevieve Page," Jungkook managed to choke out.

Namjoon's rocking stilled for a moment. "Oh my poor boy." He sighed heavily. "I should never have made that joke on Twitch. Look at me."

His voice compelled Jungkook to angle his neck back, breath hitching as Namjoon's face came closer. Namjoon pressed a light kiss to the apples of both damp cheeks, making the hair stand up all over Jungkook's body.

"You're safe, cupcake." Namjoon said gently. "I'll tell you why. First reason. I care about you very much. All six of us do. We're your team remember? Think of all the fun you've had with us these past few weeks. We're those same people. And we're very fond of you."

Jungkook could barely take the words in, the memory of Namjoon's mouth imprinting like twin brands on his face.

"Second reason," Namjoon continued. "Do you know what Genevieve Page did to her victims? Did you follow the trial?"

Jungkook knew enough. Robbie was obsessed with true crime and he'd put Jungkook off his food on more than one occasion, regaling their lunch table with graphic descriptions of how Page and her boyfriend had lured, raped and strangled five young men and women. Between shoddy policework at the crimescenes and a ruthless defence lawyer pinning it on the low-IQ boyfriend, Page had got off. There had been a public uproar when she'd been found not guilty. Everyone knew she'd done it. Jungkook could still see that smug photo with the caustic smile that was recycled by the headlines.

"I read the court transcripts," Namjoon explained. "And studied the case privately. It's cut and dry. She got off on a sob story, technicalities and evidence that became inadmissable. I reached out to her by letter during the trial, sent her a torso shot, told her how attractive she was and that I wanted to date her. Would an innocent have snuck out past her minders so quickly after a horrific case ended? Would they have laughed at my jokes about those dead students? Would they have been in the mood for sex in the car at 5am after our walk along the cliff edge?"

Jungkook shivered, body cold now. Namjoon rubbed up and down his arm. "So I am a murderer," he said plainly. "But only if you consider people like Genevieve Page to be human. What I did was justice for Teresa, Aziz, Bethan, Yuan and Dale. And for whoever she would have killed next. I don't need you to agree with my decision, I just need you to see why you're not in any danger."

He spoke so reasonably. Jungkook felt ease and unease mingling together in his chest.

"And like I said, I expected you would run," Namjoon said. "I told Jimin to leave the key in the door. And now I know you won't try it again, I have no reason to be mad." He paused regretfully. "Though Jin will be disappointed when he finds out."

Hot tears spurted up unbidden behind Jungkook's eyes. The thought of Jin's hurt expression, Jin turning his back on him, not wanting to hold him or touch him- His face crumpled as a fresh sob ripped up his throat.

"Hey, hey," Namjoon soothed, rocking him again. "You know what? We don't have to tell Jin. Jimin and I can keep it between us. I'll speak to him."

He wasn't going to tell Jin? Jungkook sobbed anew, but now from overwhelming gratitude, his arms wrapping round Namjoon's shoulders, inhaling his wood and pepper scent, accidentally smearing snot and tears and makeup onto his jacket. Waves of lightheadedness lapped over him, and he clung on like Namjoon was an anchor. Namjoon patted his butt again, reassuring taps.

"Precious boy," he said, nuzzling his face into the top of Jungkook's head. "We don't want you to be scared. We want to keep you safe. Do you believe me?"

Jungkook nodded into Namjoon's jacket.

"You'll see that it's still us, if you just give us a little time." Namjoon said. "And Ruby, she frightens you too, doesn't she?"

Jungkook nodded again.

"Are you scared of all dogs? Yes? Did something bad happen when you were smaller? Or is it a phobia?"

"Both," Jungkook managed. "My mum.." He choked off. He couldn't.

"You can talk about it when you're ready," Namjoon reassured, patting again. "But I'll tell you something about Ruby. She's a very happy dog. She likes people. She doesn't bite. She won't hurt you-"

"I don't wanna-" Jungkook's voice pitched in horror.

"Not gonna make you do anything, just letting you know. She's like me. Not as bad as you might think."

Namjoon's chest rumbled in a chuckle and Jungkook soaked in the warmth and held on tight. "Okay" he mumbled. He was worn out. Something felt instinctively right about being held by Namjoon, who, now that Jungkook's tears had abated, carefully eased their bodies a few inches apart with two strong hands spread around Jungkook's waist. His thumbs met just above Jungkook's navel, rising and falling smoothly with Jungkook's breaths. Jungkook stared down at the hands, and a moment later, Namjoon looked down too.

"I'm proud of you for listening so well," Namjoon brushed his thumbs up and down a fraction and an involuntary hot glow bloomed in Jungkook's belly. "Let's wash your face, then we'll go see Jimin and plan lunch together. Okay?"

Abstractly, Jungkook knew that he had to try again. But he buried the thought as far down as he could. Namjoon hadn't killed him, wasn't angry, wasn't going to tell Jin. Wasn't angry, wasn't going to tell Jin.

"Okay," he whispered.

X-X-X

Tae whistled for Ruby, and she bounded from the fringe of trees at the edge of the park.

"Time to head home, huh?" He ruffled her head. Ruby wagged her bobtail eagerly and he smiled. The intense joy and optimism with which Ruby viewed the world was the only thing that balanced him out sometimes.

They'd spent the early morning hours walking mindlessly. Ruby enthusiastic and unconcerned. Tae brooding, tight mouthed and hunched deep in his tracksuit top.

After his utter failure to get through to Jungkook this morning, they'd walked some more, Tae sunk so far inside himself that he'd bumped into people in the bustle of the main thoroughfare, while Ruby darted around legs, sticks, prams and wheelchairs, pausing only to investigate lampposts and check back on him.

They'd ducked down a few sidestreets after that, under brick arches tagged with graffiti and host to aggressive looking weeds, coming out onto a scrap of wasteland behind offices. Ruby had found an abandoned tennis ball and enforced a few rounds of fetch, before they'd drifted on to the park.

Tae had taken more than enough time to think, but still couldn't get his head on straight.

The sky had lightened to a faint lick of blue and a faint warm breeze was wafting up from the South, filling his nose with the smell of freshly cut grass. Watching Ruby's chaotic wanderings from a cold park bench, he'd tried to sort his emotions into some kind of structure.

Foreboding had been creeping him all day yesterday. He'd known that Nochu was in harm's way. But he hadn't known that he was the harm's way. When Hobi had awkwardly told them Tae had immediately been sick to his stomach, like a trapdoor had opened up beneath him.

He'd been so caught up in Nochu yesterday that he hadn't even taken Jungkook water. More than either of the other two, he was the cause of Jungkook's suffering. It had broken him in a way he didn't think he was capable of feeling anymore.

And they'd chosen the Apexi project for him. They hadn't said as much, but Tae knew it. He was the resident animal lover. Animal cruelty was never high up Kim Six's list when there was so much human on human cruelty to choose from. So everything was his fault.

He'd been unable to disguise his utter self loathing when he'd got that first look at Jungkook's fever-bright unfocused eyes coupled with Jin's satisfied smile. When he'd slammed the door behind him and Ruby last night, he'd been furious with them all, but mostly with himself. And it had felt like he'd left his heart on the other side.

Another dog was eyeing Ruby curiously from one of the paths intersecting the grass, wandering astray from its walker.

"Go on if you like," Tae told her. "I'll wait."

Ruby tended to only show interest in puppies, but occasionally she made exceptions and Tae hadn't figured out in the pattern yet. In this case Ruby seemed more interested in tracking a scent towards the nearest bin, and then stayed by Tae's heel as they crossed towards the exit.

Hobi's sending a message tonight to say we'll make contact in a week, Namjoon's voicemail message had updated him last night. I know we'd hoped to get on with this job a lot quicker, but we're going to need a week, at least, to settle him in.

It made sense, which was why Tae despised it. If Jungkook had been anyone else, and not their Nochu, they'd have hit Julian Adley up within 24 hours. If Adley feared for his stepson's life more than he loved his job, they might already have an entire dossier on Vrishi Bhakta and Apexi Research. And Jungkook would have been returned home.

But Jungkook was their Nochu, and that meant that they couldn't afford to begin any transaction with Adley, for fear he immediately come good on his side of the bargain and then call the cops when they failed to uphold their end.

He didn't care much about leaving Adley to stew, he'd seen enough animal testing videos from Apexi Research to have no compassion for the man who was practically vice-president. But he did care that more animals would die horribly because of the delay. And he cared about what it meant for Jungkook.

If Jungkook hadn't 'settled in' within the week, no doubt they'd extend to two, send Adley a photo or something to keep him going, promising him that demands were coming. Meanwhile, Joon would silvertongue his way into the kid's good graces, Jimin would act like nothing bad had happened, Jin would beam like a proud parent, and Hobi and Yoongi would make sketchy glances at eachother across the room as if being a little critical somehow absolved them. They'd grind Jungkook down till he wanted to stay. Till he thought he wanted to stay.

Tae and Ruby set off towards his boyfriends' shared apartment, Ruby now taking the lead. A scattering of highschool kids passed on the other side of the street, bunking off, he guessed. Tae couldn't help but glance at their loose definitions of uniforms.

He wasn't sure what was worse: seeing Jungkook in his school uniform last night, looking entirely innocent, or the interesting view Jungkook had given him this morning, sitting with his feet up and knees bent on the kitchen counter, Jin's oversized tee riding up past his hips. Tae hated himself for noticing, but he couldn't shake the image from his head.

A bus coughed to a halt at the stop up ahead, and Ruby ambled over to inspect the passengers as they disembarked. Tae couldn't help a small smile. She was looking for that one old lady they'd met a couple of times who kept dog treats in her pockets. The old lady's stop wasn't anywhere near here, but that didn't prevent Ruby checking every bus that pulled in just in case.

Another old lady was among the three new pedestrians. She looked shaky on her feet, so Tae whistled. Ruby came immediately.

"Good girl," he praised, running a hand through her shaggy hair. "Come on, let's go home and you can have a treat."

"You should keep that dog on a lead," the old lady's face screwed in a knot as they passed her. Tae ignored her. He had bigger things on his mind.

He'd been pleased when they'd pursued Nochu at first. He'd agreed that Nochu had beautiful eyes, he'd enjoyed his company on Twitch, and when it all started sounding like a sure thing, he'd allowed himself to fantasize about the rest of Nochu's face. About how breathy that tone would get in bed. About how good it would be to not be the youngest. He'd only realised a fortnight ago that he was in love.

He and Ruby passed a strip of rundown shops, jostling for space on the narrow stretch, tinny pop music drifting out from under the doors. Ruby navigated round a gaunt couple with skin stretched tight over their bones and nicotine-stained teeth. The woman cooed to Ruby, but Ruby was distracted by the toddler and his father across the street.

The problem with being in love with Nochu was that Nochu wasn't like them. Tae could love the other five because they were as corrupted as he was. Nochu was sweet, quietly optimistic and good natured. He lived life within the rules. Tae couldn't bear to let them ruin him.

Ruby waited for him at the end of the row and they did kerb patrol, before advancing onto their home block.

Now what really mattered is what came next. His impulsive attempt to get Jungkook home at all costs had been dangerously stupid. He was sure Jimin knew. Perhaps by now they all did. What was their next move? What was his?

He glanced in the shop window as they reached the main door. There were a few customers milling inside. Jin would probably close for lunch in an hour or so.

He buzzed them in and Ruby bolted upstairs, waiting for him at the top, a paw on the door.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it, you're fast, I'm slow," Tae said, reaching for his key. He locked the door behind him as Ruby rushed over to her water bowl and plunged her muzzle in. Tae shrugged off his jacket, crossed to wash his hands in the kitchen sink. The house was quiet. Was anyone home? Where had they taken Jungkook? They hadn't moved him because of Tae's stunt this morning, had they?

He refilled Ruby's bowl, fed her the treat she was waiting for, and watched her leap up onto one of the sofas, turning a few times before flopping down with a contented grunt.

Jimin's office door was open, so Tae wandered over. "Minnie?" He said cautiously.

Jimin was sat in his spare pull out chair, hands clasped in his lap, almost wooden. "Oh, hi Tae," he said, and Tae read past the tremulous grin immediately.

"What happened?" He grabbed either side of the chair, bending in. "Are you hurt?"

"No, no, I'm fine," Jimin took a rattling breath, then fixed Tae with a second grin, equally lopsided and pathetic. His lids were heavy, pupils dilated.

"Are you... are you having a drop?" Tae crouched down infront of him, rubbed Jimin's hands in his. Lukewarm. "Where's Jungkook?"

"Upstairs with Joon," Jimin said, words slightly disjoined. "Talking, reckon, been quiet for a while. Ruby?"

"Let's go sit with her," Tae said. He'd seen Jimin like this once or twice after sex, like he'd had an out of body experience or got lost somewhere along the way. But not just sitting in his office. "Come on," he said. "I'll piggyback you."

He felt Jimin shuffle forward and grabbed his legs, hoisting him up once Jimin's arms secured around his neck.

Ruby was already dosing at her end of the sofa when Tae eased Jimin down but one eye opened and she adjusted herself to lay her head on Jimin's calf and stare up at him with warm eyes.

"Good girl," Jimin said, his voice dreamy, running a hand softly over her soft head. Tae fetched him a drink of water, observed carefully as he drank.

"I'm fine," Jimin eyed him over the glass, a small tremor in his hand. "Really, Tae."

"Don't believe you," Tae said simply, perching the glass on the side table, kicking his shoes off so he could clamber aboard on Jimin's other side. Jimin pressed his face in and Tae obliged by kissing him gently. When Jimin gave a muted plea for more, he kissed him again, slowly, sliding his hand round the back of Jimin's neck, rubbing his nape to encourage him to take it easy.

"What happened?" He tried again at an interval, breaking their mouths apart when he was sure Jimin could take it.

Jimin shrugged. "Nothing, really. Kookie was doing ASMR on me, it so blissful, and we'd been getting on so well, so I just relaxed a lot. I didn't think he would try to leave."

"He ran for it?" Tae's jaw slackened.

Jimin nodded, snuggling closer. "Yeah. Joon knew he would. I disagreed. Thought he liked me, thought he trusted me-" he broke off, blinking rapidly as his eyes threatened to fill. "Anyway, like I said, I'm fine. And sounds like they're fine. So everything's fine."

"Oh Minnie," Tae breathed, pressing their foreheads together. He could feel Jimin trembling. "Come on, lay down with me."

Ruby gave them a disparaging look and relocated to one of the armchairs as Jimin allowed Tae to scoot him down so that their legs lay tangled together down the couch. Tae wrapped his arms round Jimin's back, breathing him in.

"He's scared of us, can't you see that?" He murmured against Jimin's mouth. "He wants to go home. He can't be okay just because that's what you'd like, or because Jin dusted off his shining armour. He was trying to go to school, Minnie, and we stole him off the street. And then he found out his kidnappers were the people who were supposed to care about him."

"I do care about him," Jimin protested in a whisper. "I love him."

"Jimin, we had him tied up in the bedroom for eight hours."

"But we apologised," Jimin said. "We explained it was because we're trying to shut down Apexi Research and save the animals. He knows we didn't know it was him."

Jimin had been living with Jin and Joon for so long that Tae worried he was no longer capable of seeing things rationally. The stages of anger and revulsion Tae was still going through seemed to have bypassed Jimin altogether. But Jimin didn't realise. He was trying to understand, he just couldn't.

"Try to think if you were in his place, Jimin," he rubbed his nose against Jimin's decidedly cold one. "Please, think."

Jimin tucked his pink hair into the crook of Tae's neck and Tae held him, sharing their body heat. Jimin hated feeling vulnerable. It had taken a long time before he'd let Tae see past his mischevious happy-go-lucky exterior. Tae closed his own eyes, and listened to Jimin's breathing and waited for his emotions to stabilise.

"What are you going to do now?" Jimin whispered a few minutes later, his voice more sturdy. "I covered for you this morning."

Tae hesitated, swept with a rush of relief, tempered by the knowledge that Jimin's loyalty would ultimately never be with him. "We need to let him go," he admitted. "We're only going to mess him up. He has to go. For his sake."

"But its too late," Jimin contended, keeping his voice low. "We've all caught feelings, Kookie included. You've flirted with him on the stream. He hasn't stopped checking us out since he got here, despite it all. And he's already started following Jin around like a baby duckling. He's going to be a perfect fit.”

And Tae was a hypocrite for only caring about Jungkook's feelings now, when all of this would have seemed well and good last month.

"It's different though," he murmured. "We weren't going to abduct him. We were going to go out on dates with him. He was going to have a choice."

"He still has a choice, its just a different kind of choice," Jimin said. "He has to stay here anyway, while we work on the Apexi project. We might as well get to know him in person. Tae, he doesn't have anyone. Except maybe his stepdad, and that's the guy who tortures animals for a living. He doesn't have other family, he isn't close to his school friends. The six of us are practically his best friends, Tae, and if you take him away, he'll never get the chance to decide for himself. Plus, you need us and we need you. What would I do if you left me?"

Tae could hardly bear the thought. "I wasn't going to leave you," he muttered in Jimin's ear. "I was just going to drop him at his front door and come home."

"He knows who I am, Tae," Jimin whispered back urgently. "I'd be under arrest. Please don't be impulsive again. If he really doesn't want to be with us, we need to generate enough trust that he won't give me up to the police."

Tae hadn't thought of that.

"Promise me," Jimin insisted. "Just let it be. For now. Try to ease him in."

Tae nodded, squeezing his eyes tighter. It wasn't like Jungkook would go with him anyway. He'd already scared him off on that count.

They reluctantly shuffled apart when two pairs of footsteps sounded above them. Ruby cocked an ear and half opened one eye, saw it was Joon and Jungkook then yawned wide and snuggled back into the upholstery.

It took Tae half a second to register that Jungkook was wearing his jumper. He felt his resolve crumble hard.

"We're not going to tell Jin or the others about what happened just now," Joon said, his gaze transferring to include Tae too, then quickly flicking back to Jimin with a frown. "Are you alright?"

"I am now," Jimin squeezed Tae's hand as he sat up. "I left the camera still recording in the office though."

Tae eyed Namjoon's arm round Jungkook's waist, revealing how narrow it was. Jungkook's huge glossy eyes were darting between Ruby and the two of them, and he made no move to break away from Namjoon.

"I'll get it," Namjoon was still studying Jimin uncertainly, seeing the remnants of what Tae had seen. "Jungkook, why don't you go sit down with Jimin and Tae?"

Jungkook sent him a look of panic, and Namjoon smiled indulgently, steering him towards their sofa.

"You took your makeup off," Jimin whispered, beckoning to Jungkook with both hands.

"I messed it up," Jungkook fiddled nervously with his hands - Damn, Jimin had only put the prettiest nail polish on him - "I'm really sorry, Jimin."

"I'm sorry too," Jimin croaked. "I was too much, wasn't I? I'm always too much."

Jungkook's forehead creased, and Tae's chest ached to see them both hurting. "I'm sorry I've been so angry," he threw it on the pile, meeting Jungkook's eyes. "It wasn't at you. Never at you."

Jungkook was so beautiful that it singed Tae's skin. Even as Jimin drew him to sit between them, Tae could tell that he would indeed fit perfectly.

But if Jungkook still wanted to escape, Tae would make it happen. He just had to be certain Jungkook wouldn't throw Jimin under the bus. And that he'd trust Tae to help him next time.

Though judging by the way those dark marble eyes trailed after Namjoon like he was being abandoned, Tae wasn't sure if there would be a next time.

X-X-X
Jungkook sat gingerly between Jimin and Tae, tucking his feet up just in case. The dog looked like it was sleeping, but its eyes kept opening to slits each time someone shifted.

He hadn't thought until just about how horrible Jimin must have felt being abandoned in the middle of their ASMR session. Jimin had been talking for weeks about how he'd die and go to heaven if they ever met up and did a session. And Jungkook had used that against him. Jimin was being so nice about it too, but he looked pale and Jungkook couldn't help but feel guilty.

And Taehyung... Tae had terrified him this morning, his aura violent and intense. But now he seemed calm. And the way Jimin and Tae had been holding eachother - just friends? Or did Namjoon and Jimin's open relationship extend to Tae as well as Hoseok? Seeing them so intimate and interlinked had made Jungkook glad of Namjoon's stabilising arm round his waist.

And now he was sat in between them, having interrupted their moment. He couldn't help but feel uncomfortable, longing for Jin to come home and extract him. But at least they would protect him if the dog moved.

"Everything's saved and shut down," Namjoon clicked Jimin's office door behind him a minute later. "Oh, look at you three, my sweet boys." He leaned over the couch from behind, hands squeezing Jimin and Tae's shoulders briefly, nudging them against Jungkook. "What do you say we make some lunch together?"

"Kookie's tired," Jimin said, bunching up closer to Jungkook, which in turn, pressed Jungkook's leg up against Tae's. Jungkook felt heat fill his cheeks. "And me. We've been working all morning." He made his eyes wide. "Can't we order something in?"

"No, we need to use up what we have in the fridge." Namjoon scolded. "Okay, I agree Jungkook could do with a cuddle. I'll start and you can come help in a few minutes. Tae, why don't you talk to Jungkook about Ruby? He doen't want to touch her, he just needs some information to help him feel more at ease."

Jimin promptly snuggled into Jungkook's side and pulled out his mobile.

"Well, she's an Aussie," Tae began slowly, as Namjoon began moving things around behind them in the kitchen, "that's short for Australian Shepherd. Though they orginate from Spain and are mostly bred out of the USA, so make that make sense. She's about five or six we think-"

Jungkook tried to listen, because Tae's voice sounded like velvet when he wasn't angry. But it was hard. He did want to rest. But without Jin, he wasn't sure he felt comfortable closing his eyes. Still, Jimin was a comforting presence on his left and hearing the warmth in Tae's voice as he spoke about his dog was reassuring too. If only he wasn't talking about a dog. If only Jungkook could get his head round the fact that their thighs were pressed together. If only his mind could stop wading in and out of his mantra. Wasn't angry, wasn't going to tell Jin. Wasn't angry, wasn't going to tell Jin.

He fixed his eyes on a piece of carpet under the chair the dog was in, and tried nodding in the right places.

"What time will lunch be, Joon?" Jimin asked a short while later, not looking up from his emails.

"Quicker if you come and help me."

"I'm busy being the breadwinner."

"You're going over my knee in a minute, mister. Don't you want to know how to be self-sufficient?"

"Why would I do that when I've got you?" Jimin batted his eyelashes.

"Yes, they're always like that," Tae supplied, and Jungkook smiled a little, his breath catching when Tae smiled back.

The lock sounded in the door and Jungkook stiffened immediately as the dog leapt off the armchair to investigate.

"There you are Joon, help's arrived!" Jimin breezed.

Yoongi locked the door behind him, and Jungkook felt himself deflate a little that it wasn't Jin. Yoongi and the dog greeted eachother before she came bounding back to jump up on the same seat. Jungkook kept his knees tucked up tightly.

"She likes to welcome everyone home," Tae explained. "We're like her pack."

"Let me guess," Yoongi hung his coat up, eyeing Namjoon. "You need a cooking partner."

"Got the chicken grilling, haven't started on the veg yet."

They didn't mention Jungkook's escape attempt and Jungkook relaxed a little, especially when the dog's eyes closed again. Jimin was still rhythmically scrolling through his phone on his left and as Namjoon and Yoongi chatted about what they needed for their next food shop, Jungkook felt himself begin to drift. Every so often, Tae would tell him something about the dog and Jungkook would enjoy his voice and block out the words.

"Ruby has pale blue streaks in one of her eyes," Tae said. "Heterochromia is quite common in Aussies. They can have any combination of blue, brown, green and hazel. There's a legend that they were called Ghost Eye Dogs, because of the blue eyed ones, and were considered sacred. Probably why Ruby thinks she's queen of the pa-"

He was cut off when Jimin gave a loud gasp in Jungkook's left ear.

"What is it?" Yoongi called over.

"Last night's takeaway!" Jimin's lips were pursed into a tiny rosebud. "They wrote the rudest response to my review!"

"Let me see," Tae said, and the phone was passed over Jungkook's knees. "Well what did you write?" Tae frowned as he scanned the response.

"It was a fair review, I rated them highly for what they'd done well," Jimin wrapped both arms round his stomach. "I complimented them on delivery time and some of the food, I just said that we'd tried that takeaway for the first time because of the honey wings and that the wings didn't have honey sauce on, so someone must have mixed the sauces up."

Jungkook craned to look at the phone screen.

We make the honey sauce in-house and it distinctly tastes of guess what... HONEY. If it wasn't to your taste why not do the normal thing and pick up the phone and call the shop. Cannot take this review seriously. Can tell you had fun writing it. Good job.

"Jerks," Tae chuckled, then glanced across at Jimin, who looked withdrawn and shuttered. "They open for lunch. Wanna go slash their tyres?"

Jimin pouted and nodded.

Jungkook's head bobbed back and forth like it was a tennis match. Did they mean it?

Evidently, they did. Tae was already tugging his shoes on. Jimin had taken his phone back and was scrolling again. "They've been rude to so many customers," his brow wrinkled. "I can't believe I gave them any stars. That was blatantly barbecue sauce last night. Why wouldn't they just say sorry and move on? Or not reply at all?"

"Jungkook, would you like a job to do?" Yoongi said as both boys made to move. "Come over and give me a hand."

Glad to not be left near the dog, Jungkook scrambled up with Jimin and Tae, and hurried to Yoongi.

"We'll be back in half an hour," Jimin stood on tiptoes to press a kiss to Namjoon's mouth, then turned to Yoongi. Yoongi wryly raised his fist for a fist-bump.

"It's okay," Jimin dismissed. "Kookie sort of knows." And he kissed Yoongi on the mouth. "Come on Tae. You got balaclava and gloves?"

Jungkook blinked. Yoongi too? Were they all in interconnecting relationships?

Tae was rooting about under the kitchen sink and emerged with two pointy tools that looked like sharpened screwdrivers but with more rounded handles and two small, solid hammers.

"Don't walk about flaunting them," Yoongi warned him. "Jackets."

"I know," Tae said, and with an uncertain glance at Jungkook landed a butterfly kiss on Joon and Yoongi's mouths in quick succession, hightailing it to the door where Jimin was waiting.

"They're irrepressible," Yoongi remarked fondly, as the door locked behind them. "Okay, Jungkook, give your hands a wash in the sink, then you can help me slice the bell peppers."

Obedientally, Jungkook crossed to the taps. So many weapons had been at his disposal this morning. Not that he could have used any of them. He glanced over his shoulder as he washed his hands, making sure the dog was still asleep. "Are Jin and Hoseok in a relationship with eachother too?" He asked softly, wary of their answer.

Joon and Yoongi looked at eachother.

"Clean dishcloth in second drawer down," Namjoon said. "Are you sure you wanna talk about that right now? I'll give you the truthful answer, if you do."

Jungkook both knew and didn't know what to expect. "Please tell me," he said.

Namjoon slid the grill back in and turned to lean his elbows against the counter. "Okay, then." He said in measured tones, judging Jungkook's reaction. "We're all dating eachother."

"All six of you?" Jungkook gaped.

Namjoon nodded, gaze intent. "It's not conventional, but then, neither are we. Of course, its not public knowledge. You can imagine the implications if people knew Jimin had five boyfriends. Not exactly conducive to what we do. We were thinking about telling you soon, actually, we felt like we could trust you."

Jungkook twisted the dishcloth in his hands. All dating eachother. Jin was dating Namjoon. So many YouTube rumours about who Jimin was dating, little did they know he was dating five people. Hoseok and Taehyung weren't roommates who bantered over milk, they were boyfriends. Of course Yoongi hadn't batted an eyelid when Namjoon and Hoseok kissed this morning, Jungkook had probably just missed him receiving his own kiss.

They were quite possibly the six hottest people he'd ever seen, and they were together.

And five of them came online just to hang out each week with Jungkook.

"Is there more?" He asked.

"More?" Namjoon said, at the same time Yoongi cautioned, "Joon."

They only came on Twitch to play with him and Jimin. Why would they do that if they saw Jimin all the time? If they were in one big relationship, why did they vote Jungkook as 'Fun for the whole family' and 'The Distraction,' on the last stream?

Maybe he needed to sit down. But the dog was over there, so he couldn't.

"There's something else, isn't there?" He said, and felt the air between the three of them immediately thicken.

"I don't think we're ready to talk about that just yet," Namjoon said, casting a glance Yoongi's away.

Jungkook wrung the dishcloth tighter. Thinking of every time he'd come off the Twitch stream riled up, and slunk into his bed with a handful of tissues, or woken with a problem only cold showers could fix. He'd assumed it was his own testosterone-fuelled imagination running wild, because they couldn't possibly...

Yoongi kept working away on slicing the vegetables, and Namjoon lifted six plates down onto the countertop, then reached for the glasses, bringing them down in twos, clinking them against the counter, before pulling what looked like hummus and sauces from the fridge, tearing open a bag of tortilla wraps, beginning to assemble the pieces. Jungkook stood and watched them and held onto the dishcloth like it was a comfort blanket.

After a few minutes working in silence, Yoongi set down the knife with a thud, pursed his lips, pushed off from the counter and turned. "You know. Don't you?"

"I... I think I do." But he was afraid to say it out loud. Afraid of what it meant.

Namjoon stopped working too, and he and Yoongi exchanged a glance.

"We had plans to meet up, maybe go out for a few meals in ones and twos, get to know you in person," Namjoon said. "If you'd wanted to. There was no rush."

Yoongi nodded firmly. "What happened yesterday was our fault, but it wasn't intentional. You need to know that Jungkook. We made a conscious choice not to find out Nochu's real name, to let you decide what to tell us in your own time. You're not supposed to be in this position." He shot Namjoon a dark look. "And nobody is putting you under any pressure."

Jungkook's breathing was ragged and he tried to hide it. He imagined Jimin and Tae heading out the door and planting a kiss on his mouth as easily as they had on Yoongi and Namjoon's. He pictured Namjoon's hands on his waist but lingering with intent. Yoongi, Hoseok, Jin- He didn't know if it was a dream or a nightmare.

Namjoon's phone rang, interrupting them. "Sorry, it's Tae," he told Jungkook, hooking it out of his back pocket. "You okay?...What? Okay, we're coming. Send the address."

"They're in trouble?" Yoongi said immediately, tone shifting.

"Yeah, big trouble," Namjoon said grimly. "We both better go."

They looked at Jungkook.

"We could drop him off with Jin-" Yoongi started.

"No, we've not got time to worry around customers," Namjoon shook his head as his phone buzzed a text.

They were going to leave him alone in the house with the dog, they were going to leave him alone in the house with the dog-

"Can I come with you?" Jungkook begged desperately, voice jamming in his throat, just the thought of being left with it, probably tied to something so he couldn't escape- "Please? I won't- I swear-"

He met Namjoon's eyes beseechingly. Please trust me, please. Please.

"Okay," Namjoon conceeded, and Yoongi's head whipped round at the decision. "I'm counting on you to be good. Hold Yoongi's hand. Yoongi - I'll take the van. You lock up. I'll forward the address."

"Got it," Yoongi nodded and Namjoon grabbed keys off the hook on the wall and bolted for the door.

Jungkook cautiously reached out a hand to Yoongi. He wasn't going to do anything that would prevent them saving Jimin and Tae. Had the takeaway owners caught them? Were they hurt?

Yoongi looked at his hand for a moment, then swallowed and took it in his, his grip loose. Jungkook tightened it, looked at Yoongi for instructions.

"Alright," Yoongi shook his head, pressing his tongue against his cheek. "Let's go."

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Thank you for your kudos and reviews, you've kept me motivated to write :) Thank you to the K7 GC for all their input too! Sorry this one came out a little later - as always, if you want to keep track of when I'm likely to update, I'm on Twitter.

A couple of warnings for this chap: There are clear references to the sexual abuse and exploitation of underage teenagers (ie under 16) in this chapter. It's not by K6 and it's not shown 'on screen.' Shout out for some moderate violence that is on screen.

Also Kook uses a British-born descriptive term that some consider offensive. It's commonly used in the UK across business, politics, media which is why I've left it in.

X-X-X

The cold penetrated Jungkook's socks as they thumped down the stone stairs. Was it only minutes ago he'd been running for his life down these same stairs? There was little time to contemplate it as Yoongi singlehandedly twisted the main door latch and they stepped out onto the street.

The sky was blue, etched with lines of white from aeroplane exhaust and a few straggles of cloud. The street he'd seen from the windows took on new dimensions as the distant grumble of traffic and closer pitch of someone using powertools filled his ears. The air drifting over his face was lukewarm and he could smell something grassy and floral in the air.

It was like leaving the cinema after an engrossing film, trying to orientate himself to reality. He was out, but he wasn't free, still tethered to Kim's Six by Yoongi's hand.

Which, by all accounts, he was holding onto more tightly than Yoongi was to his.

"This way," Yoongi led him left and left again, under an arch then round the back of the building. Jungkook hurried to keep pace and keep their hands linked, wincing as stray pebbles jabbed the soles of his feet.

There was a small carpark area with no markings on the tarmac. Yoongi walked them up to a black sedan with tinted windows, then promptly dropped his hand. Jungkook bit back a whine of dismay at the loss of contact.

But Yoongi was merely opening his driver's door. "Get in," he glanced over his shoulder, and Jungkook hurried to climb into the back. The car smelled sharply of air freshener.

"The front would have been fine." Yoongi remarked drily, stretching his seatbelt across, clipping his phone to a holder near the air con vents.

Jungkook's face burned. He'd got into the back without thinking. Like a spoiled rich kid. "Should I-"

"No, just put your belt on," Yoongi was already reversing, one hand round the back of his headrest, head craning to look out the back window.

The sedan wolfed down the mile and half journey. Jungkook stared out of the window, trying to work out where they were. Hackney, maybe? The more he tried to pin the landscape down, the more it seemed alien. Middle-class houses faced crummy low-rises across the road, there was a fenced off area with community garden plots, now there were nice houses on both sides of the road, then a stretch that looked similar to Kim Six's place, with large windows above a strip comprising of a charity shop, hair and beauty salon, chemist and African takeaway. They drove past a pair of joggers out of their tracksuit bottoms, legs gleaming white in the spring sun. An old lady walked stooped over with her shopping back almost brushing the ground. A young woman with Beats headphones atop curly hair was weaving around a cluster of school kids on their lunch break.

It looked so normal. Was this all really happening? He'd wept on Namjoon's lap this morning, he'd worn makeup for the first time, he was being driven god-knows-where by Yoongi to rescue Jimin and Tae from people who were probably mad about their tyres getting slashed. And still suffusing his crawling nerves was the overwhelming gratitude that they hadn't left him with the dog.

He looked down at his hands, at his fingers fidgeting on his lap, Jimin's work on his nails still miraculously intact.

"Do you think they'll be okay?" He asked tentatively. Traffic had caused Yoongi to slow, but he turned into a side street at the first opportunity and picked up speed again, taking glances at the map on his phone screen.

"They've been in worse scrapes, I'm sure," Yoongi's tone was measured.

That wasn't reassuring. Jungkook didn't know how he'd cope if someone had hurt Jimin. And even Tae had been much calmer and less frightening on the sofa earlier. They were only nineteen. What if they'd been beaten up or worse?

Moments later, Yoongi pulled in at the side of a road between a couple of parked cars. Jungkook glanced around.

"We just passed it," Yoongi informed him. "I didn't want to park up too close."

Sure enough, when Jungkook turned to look through the back window, a white van was parked several yards back, its height making it visible above the several cars parked between.

It was that van. Dread pooled in his stomach just seeing it.

"We're here," Yoongi said, tone brisk. "Boys okay?"

He was pulling a balaclava over his head and rooting about in the glove compartment. Watching between the front two seats, Jungkook could see that he'd speeddialled Namjoon.

"Bring a gun," Namjoon's voice was sharp and breathless through the loudspeaker. "It's a child sex ring. They have backup coming."

Jungkook's dread became an engulfing sense of fear. A what?

There was an audible click as Yoongi pressed some kind of catch in the glove compartment, allowing him to reach down into a second compartment below the first. "On my way." He drew out a gun, before tossing it back in, clicking his tongue. "I've spoken to them about leaving the fake in here." He quickly retrieved another, presumably real. "Sit tight and lay low, Noch. Head down and stay quiet."

He didn't wait for a response, grabbing his phone and throwing the driver's door open, springing out and slamming it shut. Jungkook heard the central locking a half- second later, and Yoongi was sprinting up the street to where the white van was parked.

Jungkook sank back in his seat, head thudding. His own fear was a choking weight around him, filling up the inside of the car, stifling him even more. He stared out at his surroundings with renewed uncertainty.

They were parked on a long and narrow street. On their side was a row of parked cars, a few gaps between. He could make out a bookies, the sign for a tyre repair shop, a newsagents, and then futher down a walled off area which could have an office or a community centre or something behind it. He couldn't see the entrance to the takeaway, but assumed it was roughly lined up with the white van. Across the road were low rise flats with modern security entry but deteriorating everything else, rusty gates, untrimmed front gardens, peeling window sills. In the distance, cars drove by on an intersection, but otherwise, there was no one else around.

He could run.

The car doors were locked to prevent anyone getting in, but there was nothing stopping him from unlocking one from the inside and getting out.

He was paralyzed at the thought. I know you won't try it again Namjoon had said. If Jungkook did try it again, and Namjoon caught him... he remembered the restrained power of the careful smacks on his butt, and the look of the devil in Namjoon's eyes when he'd first caught him. The pure and certain belief that he was going to die that had wracked him.

He shuddered. No, he couldn't try again right now. Namjoon would know, just like he'd known earlier. And this time, there would be no understanding, no forgiveness. And Namjoon would tell Jin-

And Namjoon had chosen to trust him. If Jungkook messed up now, whenever they went out again Namjoon would tie him up and he would leave him with the dog-

No, he didn't have to try anything this time. Julian would understand. He had to pick his chance carefully. And now wasn't that time, not when Jimin and Tae could be hurt, or there could be hurt children, and a possibly-violent gang on the loose-

He closed his eyes briefly, trying to steady his shallow breathing. Just do what Yoongi said. Lay low. Stay safe.

It all happened fast. Three teenage girls peeled out onto the street near the white van, their faces frantic as they looked left and right. They began running helter-skelter down the pavement in the direction of Yoongi's car.

In almost the same instant, as he turned his head, Jungkook saw a group of four men round the corner further down the stretch, on the opposite side of the road, fanning out diagonally to net both sides of the street as they pounded the asphalt. The backup. The girls were about to run into the backup.

Jungkook turned his head again frantically, thinking he could yell out for them to run the opposite way, but now a man with bright red blood emblazoned across his grey t-shirt burst from the takeaway, across from Kim Six's van. He bellowed a curse at the girls and they ran all the faster, either blind with terror, or unable to see the gang past the parked cars on their side. The four men honed in on them.

Jungkook scrambled to unclick his seatbelt and hit unlock on his car door. "Get in!" He yelled to the girls in panic, throwing it open.

One of the girls made a beeline for him, and the other two skidded to a halt for a second before following. Jungkook hastily scrambled into the front of the car as the three of them piled in, in a mass of skinny arms and legs.

"Hit the lock, hit the lock!" The first girl screamed to the last. "Drive!" She yelled to Jungkook.

"I can't drive!" Jungkook yelled back. Plus Yoongi had the keys. He swallowed a great lump of terror as the last girl pressed the door lock down just in time, then his heart bungee jumped from throat to intestines and back as the four backup men and one bloodied pursuer converged on the car mere seconds later.

Two of the four were white, the other two middle eastern. The man with the t-shirt covered in blood looked mixed race. They had to be in in their thirties or forties. Some of them had beer bellies, but they all looked tough. They clustered near the front of the car catching their breaths, the bloodied one spat out instructions or was perhaps filling them in, his voice low enough that Jungkook couldn't catch the words through the car.

"Taz is going to kill us," the one who locked the door whispered. The girl in the middle was cursing over and over like a mantra, clenching her arms round her stomach. The first girl stared at Jungkook with hostile eyes. "Do something then!"

They couldn't be older than fourteen and were built like pipe cleaners with tiny school skirts and rumpled knee length socks. Jungkook could see a white sticky stain on the first girl's school tie and suppressed the urge to vomit. There were spray blood spots all over the middle girl's white shirt.

The men were prowling round the front of the car now. One tried the driver's door and Jungkook's organs ladled up inside him, but the door was indeed locked.

"Has someone got a mobile phone?" The question felt like it was tumbling back down his throat. Bad, bad, bad, this was bad "You need to call the police."

"They'd kill us before the police got here." The first girl spat. "Plus, police won't do nothing. Call your psycho friend, the one who stabbed Kenny's junk."

Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad.

One of the men stepped forward to the car window and rapped on it.

"If we get out they won't be mad," the middle girl said suddenly, making a move for the door handle.

The other two girls grabbed her arms and held her back. "They will too!" The first girl hissed. "Kenny's bleeding out, and I think they shot Umit. They'll kill us. Where's your psycho friend?"

That last part was directed at Jungkook. "I don't-"

Then the same man pressed his face to the driver's window, smushing his nose up against the tinted glass to see through it. It was one of the white guys, with pinholes for pupils and a face like a slab of rare steak. He made eye contact with Jungkook through the glass and his face burst into a jack o'lantern grin.

"It's another kid!" He reported, his voice distant but unmistakeable through the car. "Look for yourself!"

One of the middle eastern guys, with close-cropped hair and olive skin leaned in next. He too looked at Jungkook in the front seat. Wide-eyed, Jungkook could only stare back, a thin layer of window glass between them. It was like a zoo exhibit, though he couldn't tell which side was the exhibition. Slowly, he crept his hand over to the horn. If they tried anything, he'd keep jabbing it and pray that Namjoon, Yoongi, Jimin or Tae heard. The middle girl was swearing over and over again, the other two still and silent as statues as the man's gaze flicked over them.

The man smiled at Jungkook too, mustard teeth bared in a monstrous smile. Slowly, maintaining eye contact with Jungkook, he pressed his tongue flat against the bottom of the window and licked up, slow and deliberate.

"Taz is going to kill you," one of the girls narrated unhelpfully.

"Come out toys," Taz called. "Come out and bring your pretty little boyfriend with you."

Then suddenly glass was exploding behind Jungkook's head, showering him across his back as half a brick tumbled into the footwell of the passenger seat. Jungkook smacked the horn over and over and over, as the girls screamed, and a barrel-bodied second white man pushed his arm through the jagged gap on the passenger window, feeling for the door lock.

Instinctively Jungkook abandoned the horn and threw himself forward, shoving the man's arm as hard as he could into the broken glass. The man let out a bellow of angry pain as it cut into his bare flesh and blood oozed up immediately.

Then pops rang out from up near the white van. Yoongi. Or Namjoon. Jungkook almost sobbed in relief as the bleeding arm retracted and the men ducked for cover. They didn't return fire so maybe they didn't have any guns. Turning his head, glass trickling from his shoulders, Jungkook saw three of them dart up the side of the rows of cars, trying to use cover to get closer to the shooter. He looked out to the driver's side. Steak-face guy lay like a beached fish on the pavement, blood pumping up over his filthy stained t-shirt, spreading out over his enormous belly.

He was gurgling and choking. He was dying. Yoongi or Namjoon had shot that man and he was dying. The realisation slammed the breath from Jungkook.

"Your friend shot Owen," one of the girls breathed.

Jungkook was counting. Owen was down, the three guys were now out of his vision as they made their way towards the takeaway-

One left.

"I think your friends are distracted," Taz said, unclicking the passenger door. He had a knife in his hand. "No, don't even think about touching the horn again. I'll stab you before you finish."

With one quick whip he had the door open and his body was filling the gap. Jungkook's vision got bits in it like a TV that wasn't tuned in properly.

"Taz-" the first girl started.

Taz's grin switched off like a lightbulb and his face went dark. "Shut up Abby."

Jungkook began backing up against the driver's door, hands desperately feeling for the lock and handle. The knife followed him.

"Umit likes boys," Taz said conversationally, and as Jungkook's fingers found their prize, Taz's hand came out and seized his face, fingers gouging into his cheeks. He had ashtray breath. "Maybe he'll play with you later while I deal with these little tarts." His voice hardened. "Now where are the carkeys?"

X-X-X

Jin hung his apron up and tossed his disposable gloves in the recycling, reaching for the soap to wash his hands.

"You alright from here?" He asked Hye-Hwa.

"You're cutting away a little sharp," his sister raised a manicured brow at him.

He was. His mind had been full of Jungkook all day.

"You can handle it," he cast his gaze over the shop and tea-room. Four of the six tables were occupied, each already served their tea and pastries. There were currently seven customers milling around the shop floor, browsing through their eighty varieties of white, green, oolong, black, flavoured, herbal and fruit and recipe tea. He'd skipped out on Hye-Hwa on more hectic days than this.

His sister huffed. "S'pose I don't have a choice."

That was true. Jin hadn't made the mistakes Hye-Hwa had. While Jin had perfected the art of being their father's favourite child, Hye-Hwa had made the blunder of coming out. Jin had been given a healthy allowance and the entire shop and apartment space above when he'd moved out while Hye-Hwa had been given the cold shoulder.

He knew his sister well. She hadn't just accepted Jin's job offer in return for his paying her uni fees and a basic wage. They'd both figured that she was going to be cut out of the will. Although the old man wasn't on his way out yet, Jin was certain Hye-Hwa would be there to remind Jin that she hadn't outed him all these years, in the hope of a split.

"I might need you in a bit more over the next couple days," he said.

"I have exams Jin. Get Areum."

"You call her then, see what hours she can do."

A customer had approached the till, practically salivating over their array of pastries, so Hye-Hwa's response was cut off. Jin took the opportunity to waltz out of the door, and dug into his pocket for his keys, insides fizzing at the thought of what was awaiting him upstairs.

RM had been nothing short of magnificant from the beginning. When Jin had first blurted out I want a baby in the middle of sex, RM hadn't skipped a beat.

Well maybe you should expand on that a little bit RM pumped his hips vigourously, eliciting moans. Jin's breathing was shallow, as every bit of blood in his body rushed south. So I can see if we have a problem or not.

There was no judgement, no panic. RM trusted him.

Not an actual baby Jin said, voice hitching in pleasure. I don't want kids.

That's a relief Namjoon panted, so what then? Isn't Jimin our baby?

Not like that, Jimin's like us, Jin dismissed. Our family needs someone dependant, someone innocent. Someone who needs looking after. It'll gel us together.

Young then? sweat beaded Namjoon's brow as he picked up the pace.

Legal Jin countered, then amended, but younger than Jimin would be nice.

We practically have three kids already.

Yeah but Hobi and Yoongi are yours. It's my turn. And I want a baby.

Isn't anyone going to ask me? Jimin popped off to look up at Jin, lips cherry red, eyes bright. Jin smiled down at him indulgently, gently guided him back on. RM readjusted his grip on Jimin's hips, and Jimin moaned around Jin again, the vibrations shooting through his pelvis.

Okay, RM said, dark eyes meeting Jin's, that understanding they always had passing between them. I'll talk to Hobi and Yoongi in the morning. We'll look out for your baby.

So sure, no one was perfect, and RM had gone wrong with Tae, but even Jin had thought Tae looked the part. Plus it was a happy mistake, because it was impossible to imagine their lives without him now. They'd got it right on their second attempt with Nochu, and Jin knew without a shred of doubt that Jungkook was the one. Even his own fury yesterday at the stress they'd subjected his little one to had all but evaporated when he saw how beautifully Jungkook melded to him and sought his affection.

The others could work round the Bhakta/Adley mess for the the Apexi mission. Jin just wanted to focus on getting Jungkook settled in. They still had some things to work on, like his fear around Ruby. His general distrust of the others. But they'd get there.

He buzzed himself in and legged it upstairs, eager to see those dark saucer-sized eyes and hopeful smile. He rattled his key in the lock and there was a pause before Ruby wuffed and he heard her pattering towards the front door to greet him.

"Hi girl!" He bent to ruffle her ears before locking the door behind him. "Anyone home?"

He'd been expecting a response to the affirmative, but all was quiet. He quickly clocked the half-prepared lunch sitting out on the counter. Quickly, he reached for his phone, heart beginning to race.

RM: Koo w us. Prob at takeaway

What kind of problem at a takeaway? They clearly hadn't been going out for lunch. And why the hell did they take Jungkook with them?

Ruby nudged his knee for more attention. "It's probably your fault, right?" Jin stooped down to scratch behind her ears. "I hope they're being careful with him."

If he knew Jimin it was probably something to do with that mistake in last night's order. Why he needed a rent-a-crowd for what was probably some vandalism, Jin didn't know. But if Ruby was home then Tae was likely there, perhaps Yoongi too. The four of them could more than handle themselves, whatever it was.

He walked over to wash doggy germs off his hands, examining the abandoned food to see what he could salvage. Whatever was happening out at the takeaway, their little one would stay close to heel. RM had texted him earlier to update on how intercepting Jungkook on the stairs had gone. Jungkook's reaction, in RM's words, had been excellent progress.

God, he hoped they got home soon, he just wanted to snuggle Jungkook up on his lap again.

X-X-X

Two thoughts sliced through Jungkook's consciousness.

Taz thought he had the upperhand because he thought the carkeys were in the car. He must not find out otherwise.

"If you let them go, I'll give you the keys," his voice was grainy.

Over towards the white van, there was fresh commotion and yells and pops. Surely someone from the nearby businesses or homes would have called the police by now? How long would it take the police to get here?

Taz's fingers were still embedded in his cheeks, the knife close to his face. Jungkook couldn't help but stare at it in morbid fascination. It was probably going to be the thing that killed him.

"No, no, we're not bargaining. Who do you think I am?" Taz sneered.

Jungkook had no idea who he was.

"Where. Are. The. Car. Keys." Taz punctuated each word with a crushing squeeze on Jungkook's cheeks. The girls were silent and stalk still in the back seat.

Taz's phone began ringing but he ignored it. It gave Jungkook a glimmer of hope, maybe his friends were calling for help, and that meant the battle near the van would be over soon.

"Please, don't hurt me," he said, letting his desperation come through.

Taz tightened on his face even more, pain rippling from Jungkook's teeth now. "If you tell me in the next five seconds, I'll consider it."

"They'reunderthebackfootmat," Jungkook said, letting his words garble under Taz's grip.

Taz let go. "Where?"

"I threw them under the back foot mat," Jungkook said, indicating the seat behind him, fighting the urge to rub his stinging cheeks. He still had his hands over the lock and the driver's door handle.

"Mia, hand me the keys," Taz ordered, thrusting his hand between the two back chairs, still watching Jungkook.

"I can't find them!" Mia said breathlessly after a few seconds of shuffling.

Taz turned on Jungkook, eyes flashing.

"Under the foot mat," Jungkook repeated as if she hadn't heard, as if she'd just looked down. "You need to lift the mat."

"Please Taz, they're not there?" Mia said. "Dani, tell him they're not there."

Jungkook just needed the knife to turn away. "Well did you kick them?" He said desperately, "look closer."

He made eye contact with Abby.

"I see them!" Abby pointed, "in the corner just passed the door storage bit, between the seat and the door. See?"

"Noo..." Mia whined in terror but Abby's corroboration was enough for Taz in exasperation to push his body between the two front seats to look for himself.

Jungkook could have escaped out the door then, but he was long past that point. He sprang forwards, over Taz's butt and legs, and threw his hand into the still-open glove compartment.

Taz felt him, Taz gave a roar, but Abby grabbed at his knife arm, and bought Jungkook the seconds he needed to press the barrel of the fake gun to Taz's head.

"Drop the knife," he said, every fraction of his body running haywire, his whole being singularly focused on the fake weapon he held in his hands. It felt like a gun, it looked like a gun. He just prayed Taz thought it was a gun.

"You aren't gonna do nothing" Taz's voice was ugly.

"You know what? I don't wanna die," Jungkook said, swallowing hard. "And I don't want the girls to die. So if I have to shoot you, I'm gonna shoot you."

He meant it too. If the gun had been real, he meant it. He had to mean it or Taz might know.

"Drop the knife," he said again. "Drop it carefully."

Taz couldn't see the gun, but he could feel it bumping against his skull. And he could see the expressions on the girl's faces which told him this was no bluff.

Jungkook heard the knife clatter off the plastic cup holder and then a softer thud as it hit carpet.

"You don't wanna shoot me," Taz said, and Jungkook could hear the fear in his voice. "You don't wanna live with that. You don't want the girls to see that."

Jungkook figured the girls had already seen someone die, judging by their reports on the 'psycho friend' and the blood spray on Dani's shirt. They stared between him and Taz with bated breath.

He couldn't reveal that he didn't know what he was doing, or give Taz the impression he didn't actually have a gun. Even the way he was holding it was probably all wrong.

"I'm going to sit back in my seat," he said, hardly knowing what he was going to say. "I'll keep the gun aimed on you at all times. You have five seconds starting now. If you can get out of the car in five seconds, I won't shoot you." He edged himself off of Taz's legs. "Five-"

He wasn't giving Taz time to think. Already Taz was shoving the top of his torso back through the front seats.

"Four." Jungkook kept the gun level, and saw Taz still risk a moment's glance to check, but in his own fear, he must have thought it was real too, because he was already scattering the broken glass on the passenger's seat as he scrambled out of the still open passenger door.

"Three." Jungkook continued.

"Just shoot him," Abby said suddenly.

"Two." Taz had his other foot out of the car now, and was out of the vehicle before-

"One." Jungkook realised he hadn't been breathing. Taz was running away, running back the way he'd came.

"Zero," He said, slumping back in the seat, exhausted.

"Why didn't you-" Abby started, but was cut off as there were a handful of pops and Taz contorted in the air in the middle of the road, his body slumping to the ground.

"Oh my god," Mia clung onto Dani. "Oh my god. Is he dead?"

Judging by the amount of blood already, Jungkook was betting yes.

Yoongi arrived at the car a few seconds later, clearly the one who'd fired the gun.

"Anyone badly hurt?" He asked, looking between them, eyes giving away nothing behind his balaclava.

They all shook their heads. Yoongi walked round to the driver's side. "Drop it in the glove compartment-" he told Jungkook softly. "Feel around, there's another couple of balaclavas at the bottom. Put one on."

"What happens to us?" Abby asked bravely as Jungkook automatically did as Yoongi instructed. He felt a thousand pounds lighter as his fingers left the gun. "And the knife?" He shook glass from the first balaclava he could find.

Abby scowled at him, but reached down and handed the knife to Yoongi before Jungkook could say anything more.

"You're safe with me," Yoongi told them mildly. "Face covered, Bun? Come out then, walk up to the van, the others are waiting for you. Don't worry, everyone's incapacited or dead. I'm going to drop the girls somewhere safe."

Jungkook's face was itching. He did as he was told, and Yoongi squeezed his shoulder hard as they swapped places.

Owen was dead now. The corpse stared up blankly, incredulous.

Yoongi's car was already pulling away and Jimin, recognisable by his height and clothes, was further up the pavement at the white van, gesturing for Jungkook to hurry.

"Come on, baby," Jimin took his hand as soon as he neared. "Gotta get out before the cops show."

Jungkook's feet stopped up short when he saw the back doors of the van opened wide to greet him, and in the back, Tae, near drenched in blood. He baulked.

"S'okay, come on," Jimin wheedled, bundling him in with surprising strength, slamming the doors behind them. "Come on, sit down by me." He tugged his own balaclava from his head, tossing it aside, reaching to peel off Jungkook's.

Namjoon was in the driver's seat and pulled away the second they sat down.

Jungkook stared at Tae. Blood, blood, blood. Tae looked unhurt. He was wearing someone's life blood. Jungkook pressed himself up close to Jimin's side, holding tight to Jimin's hand. Nausea welled up sharply and his stomach began churning like a food processor, pulse thumping in his throat.

"We're not going far, just to clean Tae up a bit and swap vehicles," Jimin gently brushed a thumb along the back of Jungkook's hand. "I don't know how much you saw on your way to the van, but these were really bad people, okay? Nobody got hurt who wasn't in a grooming gang. We've dealt with one before. They offer schoolgirls free food or alcohol for favours and then get them addicted on drugs, or threaten their families so that they do whatever they want." His eyes were fervent and he shuddered. "If we hadn't seen those girls being herded in the back door- ugh, I can't even think about it. I promise you we did the right thing, Kookie. And you were really smart to honk the horn and warn Yoongi when they arrived."

Across from them, Tae blew out his breath, cradling his head in his hands. Greasy, sticky blood seeped into his balaclava.

There was some blood spray on Jimin much like Dani but Jungkook tried to focus on the scent of Jimin's bubblegum hair instead. It was hard, because the sweet iron smell of blood coming from Tae was overpowering.

"Is he okay, Minnie?" Namjoon called with concern from the driver's seat.

"Yeah, he's okay," Jimin reached up with his free hand and stroked Jungkook's cheek, sharing body warmth as the van rattled down the road. Jungkook couldn't help but lean into it, surprised to sense that he was shivering. "Was there CCTV on that street, Joon?"

"Yeah, at one end, but I drove in and out from the other. Likely other cameras around though. You both kept your faces covered on approach?"

"Of course." Jimin pouted. "We're not beginner tyre-slashers, Joon." He wriggled to sit even closer to Jungkook and laid a head on his shoulder. "It's all done, Kookie. We saved those girls and whoever else they were gonna abuse. You've been really brave."

Namjoon ground to a halt just over ten minutes later. The reek of diesel entered the van, coupled with a faint chemical tang which hit the back of Jungkook's throat.

"Here we go," Jimin used the grip on his hand to lever him up, and Tae got to his feet too, opening the back doors for them.

Jungkook felt like he could breathe a little better when they exited the van, inhaling the fumes as he looked around the garage.

"Damn, V," a white guy in overalls said looking Tae up and down. "I suppose you want hosed down again."

Tae nodded tightly, heading off sharply as if he knew where to go.

"We didn't have time to put cover down on the carpet," Namjoon had hopped out of the driver's seat and was striding over to the mechanic. "Might need it replaced all together. Definitely need a plates change."

"And I suppose I don't want to know?" The mechanic waved his hand in the direction Tae had gone.

"Best not," Namjoon said. "Is the red Ford free?"

"Yeah, yeah, you'll wire me the cash?"

Namjoon nodded.

"I'll get you the keys. Leave the van here. I'll cover it over."

Namjoon and Jimin followed the mechanic to his office and Jungkook trailed behind like driftwood in their wake.

"You're recruiting them younger and younger," the mechanic remarked, eyeing Jungkook as he passed over a set of keys.

"Where is it parked?" Namjoon asked, ignoring the remark.

"Out back. Lenny might have it blocked in. He's over doing repairs up that way if you need him."

"Thanks," Namjoon said.

"No, no, I'm happy to help you guys, you know that. I'll never forget what you did for my mum. Here's the shoe wraps."

"You give me a call if you ever need us again," Namjoon nodded. "Come on Min. Noch."

Tae met them at the car. He had wet hair and a grey joggers and tee on, wearing flip flops, with a sagging plastic bag in his hand. Jungkook was dazed. How many times had Tae done this? Why was he by far the most bloodied one? He couldn't help but look at the way the wet strands rested against Tae's golden skin.

"Come on Kookie," Jimin prompted. "I bet Jin's home by now."

The car was from a cheaper range, with manual locking, and little leg room, but Jungkook was only too happy to get in, with Jimin at his side and Namjoon and Tae up front. Namjoon and Jimin had put plastic wraps round their shoes.

Jungkook could only latch onto one thought now. Jin. Please. He needed Jin. Please, please, please, please-

The journey back was almost a blur. Namjoon drove into the same carpark behind their building. Jungkook clambered out of the car quickly, impatient when Jimin and Joon paused to toss their shoes into Tae's bag. He was the first one on the stairs as soon as Jimin had buzzed them in. It was only when Jimin began unlocking the front door that he heard the dog and was frozen, stuck between his one desire and his biggest fear.

"I'll lift you up out of the way," Namjoon offered. At this point, Jungkook would accept anything. He reached his arms out to Namjoon and Namjoon heaved him up, both hands under his butt, as Jimin opened the door. The dog dashed out past them into the hallway excitedly, mostly interested in Tae. Namjoon lifted Jungkook over the threshold and Jin was there-

"Welcome home, baby," Jin stopped what he was doing immediately, relief etched on his face, arms outstretched.

Jungkook ran to him, melted into him. He let out the hugest sigh of his life as Jin's arms wrapped round him and he inhaled orange and saffron and rose.

"Yes! Jin finished lunch!" Jimin cheered.

"Tell me this wasn't something petty," Jin said, his voice taking on a more disciplinary tone, shepherding Jungkook over to their spot on the sofa. Jungkook heard the brush of the throw being moved on the sofa and shut his eyes with relief, tucking his legs up in case the dog came close. Just breathing in Jin and soaking him up.

"It escalated." Namjoon said. "There was a child sex ring working out of the takeaway we used last night."

"You're kidding?" Jin gasped, and Jungkook felt the throw coming round his shoulders, tucking him in, swaddling him against Jin.

"Nope. Tae, you better go shower again, I don't think you got all the blood off. I might join you, actually."

"Me and Tae discovered it because we were in their carpark trying to screw with their cars," Jimin said. "How stupid can they be, being rude to customers, drawing attention to themselves like that. Anyway, these girls were fourteen, max. We suspected something was up from the way they were speaking to the girls and they came in round the back. Tae gave me a leg up so I could look in one of the windows. I don't need to tell you what I saw, but I was so furious we didn't have a decent weapon between us. Turns out Tae managed pretty well with the hammer and bodkin. Do you want me to bring your and Kookie's lunch over, Jin?"

"Please," Jin said, and Jungkook felt his layers of conscious thought getting fuzzy with tiredness as he was held secure. "And where's Yoongi?"

"Taking the girls home. Or to hospital maybe. He's going to try to get more names out of them. But we sent a solid message today. At least four of them dead, and none of them in a physical position to start messing with kids again."

Jungkook shuddered. The thought of those men hurting Abby, Dani and Mia made his skin crawl. What Kim's Six had done made his skin crawl too. Even what he'd done himself. It was all wrong, all of it. But the gang deserved it, didn't they? He'd confirmed the girls' suffering himself, there was no doubt these were wicked men. And maybe the police wouldn't have done anything, like they'd said. Were Kim's Six right then?

"And Jungkook witnessed all of this?" Jin said, pressing a kiss to the crown of his head.

"No, well not much, I don't think," Jimin said. "Yoongi parked a bit further down the road so he wouldn't be in any danger. But Yoongi shot someone near the car, maybe two actually. Did you see much Kookie?"

"Enough," Jungkook mumbled into Jin's chest, relishing Jin's sympathetic soft noise and the way his hand rippled over his hair.

Namjoon and Tae went upstairs, the dog at their heels, and a short while later Jimin was wearing pyjamas and was cuddled in beside Jin and Jungkook. Something soft was prodding against Jungkook's mouth.

"It's just a wrap, darling," Jin murmured. "You don't have to open your eyes. Just take a big bite. Then we'll give you a drink. You know what I think?"

Jungkook could already smell the wrap, but he opened his eyes to slits as he bit off the head and closed them again as he chewed, his jaw working against Jin's chest. He hadn't realised how hungry he was either.

"I think your shoulders must be a bunch of knots with all the stress you've had," Jin said, his free hand travelling up Jungkook's back through the blanket to feel. "Oh yes, my poor boy. Do you know what we'll do? Jimin, be a doll and run a hot bath for Jungkook?"

"With bubblebath?" Jimin said excitedly. "I'm on it."

Jungkook let out a little noise of protest. A bath sounded like heaven, but he didn't want to be seperated from the safety of Jin's arms.

"It'll work the kinks out of all these muscles," Jin soothed, rubbing his back. "And once you're comfortable under the bubbles you can give me a shout and I'll come in and give you a neck and shoulder massage. How does that sound? Here's your drink."

"Sounds good," Jungkook croaked, opening his eyes and mouth sufficiently to accept the cool water that trickled over his tongue and drenched his throat.

He quickly learned that the bubblebath smelled like Jin. He sank under the bubbles quickly, aware that he'd left the downstairs bathroom door open, nervous that the dog would burst in or that someone else would accidently walk in on him naked.

The hot water soothed him almost immediately, lapping against his chest, tingling against his skin, enveloping him in relief. Jimin had been liberal with the bubbles and they covered the surface of the bath densely, protecting Jungkook's modesty. With his stomach now filled, his thirst quenched, he was able to try to relax and take in the quiet ambiance of the room, from the blinds over the large window, to the candles that Jimin had lit for him. He sank back and let each muscle uncurl itself, trying to let the horrors of what had happened ease out of his body, filling his mind with comfort.

There was a gentle knock on the door. "Can I come in?"

"Yes please," Jungkook called quietly, and Jin stepped into the bathroom, slipping the lock on the door. Jungkook breathed out in relief. The downstairs lock worked then. Now no one could barge in.

"I see Jimin went ham on the bubbles," Jin chuckled, rolling up the sleeves on his sweater. "I've brought a cushion to kneel on. Would you like me to give your hair a wash while I'm here?"

"Are you sure?" Jungkook didn't deserve so much. "I can-"

"No, you've not to do any work, your job is to relax," Jin chided him gently. "Whose shampoo would you like to borrow? Mine is rose water and- are you nodding already? Okay. We'll use mine. Sit forward a little while I fill up a cup of water. Good boy. Tilt your head back for me."

Jungkook could barely breathe as two of Jin's fingers propped under his chin and tilted it back, warm water pouring back from his forehead over his scalp.

"There we go," Jin said, unaware of the effect those two fingers had had. "Oh sweetheart, you've got some scratches on your shoulders."

From the glass, Jungkook supposed, grateful from Jin's tone that they must not be severe. He certainly hadn't noticed them sting.

Now, I want you to close your eyes and listen to my voice, and let your breathing even out," Jin said. "I'm lathering up some shampoo for you now. Here we go. Everything feels better after a nice hot bath, right?"

He was massaging it in to Jungkook's hair, rubbing along his scalp. "Jimin says I'm a passable masseur, so I'll give it my best go."

Jungkook would have scoffed at Jimin's opinion if his jaw hadn't gone lax at the sensation of touch all over his head. This was the most luxurious thing he'd ever experienced. The stimulation was nothing short of delicious. Jin's hands were nurturing, weaving care through Jungkook's locks. And then those two fingers were back, tipping his chin while his hair was rinsed.

"You've got lovely hair," Jin mumured. "You take good care of it, huh. I think we better go in with some conditioner too then, right?"

Jungkook nodded lazily, his mind already drifting to a plane of tranquility.

After Jin had finished with his hair he got Jungkook to sit up against the back of the bath and began to massage him. He started on Jungkook's temples, working his way around his ear lobes, and Jungkook let a groan of pleasure slip from his lips before he realised what he was doing.

That snapped him back in the direction of reality.

Jin shushed his nervous apology. "Don't keep it in," Jin said. "It lets me know if I'm doing a good job. It's all part of a good massage."

Could Jungkook let himself go that far? Jin began to gently knead his neck, and unconsciously he moaned again. Jin was reaching places that had never been worked on before. He'd always been way too shy to go for a massage on holiday, or ask Soona or Julian if they would book one for him. Jin was working through uncharted territory as he gently dug into Jungkook's shoulder blades next, the pain celestial.

"Concentrate on taking some more deep breaths for me," Jin said, getting a little tougher on Jungkook's neck, eliciting more moans. "Good boy. Is that too painful? No? Oh, look at these scrapes, are these from today?"

Jungkook's mind couldn't catch up with his body as he felt something pillowy soft over one of his scrape sites. Then came another. Then Jin dipped his mouth into Jungkook's neck and left another gentle kiss there, and another. Jungkook's back arched with pleasure. Now it was a little keen that escaped his mouth.

"Good boy," Jin whispered again, his mouth leaving and his fingers curving over Jungkook's shoulders to rub at his collarbone and chest, massaging with his thumbs. His pinkie fingers nudged Jungkook's nipples as they rubbed circles higher up, and Jungkook became instantly aware that one muscle had come to life, while all the others lay in harmonious lax.

He let out a little gasp of horror at himself, opening his eyes. He had plastered each leg against the sides of the bath. Jin accidently swiped across his nipples again - Jungkook hadn't known they were so sensitive, why hadn't he known? - and his problem only got bigger beneath the bubbles.

"There's nothing to be embarrased about, darling," Jin said conversationally, returning to Jungkook's shoulders. "Do you want me to take care of you? Or do you want to do it yourself?"

"Myself," Jungkook squeaked, face hotter than the bath.

"No problem, angel," Jin planted another kiss on his neck. "I'll leave now so you have time before your bath gets cold. I'm going to put out a big fluffy towel out for you, and then I'll close the door and stand guard so no one comes in. You take your time, give me a call when you're done and I'll bring in clean clothes. Does that sound good?"

"Th-thank you," Jungkook said, mortified at himself.

"Don't be ashamed," Jin said. "You did exactly what I asked. You were such a good boy." He kissed the top of Jungkook's freshly clean head.

When Jin clicked the bathroom door shut behind him, Jungkook dared to lower his arms into the bath and sink down so the water came up to his chin and his knees poked out from the bubbles.

Jin had offered to help him. They'd been taking about the same thing, hadn't they?

His fingers stole closer and closer, listening for noise on the other side of the door. He couldn't do it with half of Kim's Six possibly just metres away. But the door was shut, and if he couldn't hear them right now, then they couldn't hear him..

He clamped down on his lower lip. Do it fast. Don't make a sound.

He closed his eyes. He imagined if he'd said yes. He imagined Jin's hand, the way it had run up and down his neck, strong and assured.

He stifled his moan just two minutes later, dopamine flooding him, drenching every cell of his body. He sank back against the bath, basking in the afterglow, mind hazy with relaxation and relief and pleasure and lingering self-consciouness.

The water verging towards cool was what eventually prompted him to get out of the bath. He eyed the towel, making a plan of action before he moved for it, almost slipping on the floor in his eagerness to wrap it around him. Wrapped up snug, he walked back to the bath on damp feet and pulled the plug with pruned fingers. He wasn't calling for Jin till he was sure the evidence had washed away. Even though Jin surely knew what he'd done.

He liked smelling of Jin. With the warm cosy towel wrapped around him it was like Jin was hugging him as he paced around the bath and waited for the water and bubbles to recede.

"We've got good news!" Jin said, when Jungkook finally called him back in. He was armed with a t-shirt, pyjama bottoms and boxers. The boxers were brand new, still folded around the cardboard packaging, the plastic hook sprouting from it. "Hobi just called. He's wangled time off work starting tomorrow!"

Jin's smile was so infectious, Jungkook couldn't help but smile too.

"Are you all dry?" Jin fussed. "Arms up, then!"

It seemed silly to argue when Jin had been so understanding earlier. And the door was locked. Jungkook dropped the towel and raised his hands, eyeing Jin's reaction nervously.

Jin didn't look down. "Over we go," he said, inserting the arm holes over Jungkook's hands and tugging down past his wet hair. "That's a good fit. Hold on I'll get the boxers out. These might be a bit big on you, but the pyjama bottoms have a drawstring, so that'll help." He snapped the plastic, tearing through the cardboard and tossing it in the direction of the sink. He knelt down, looking at Jungkook's feet. "There we go, step one.... and step two."

He tugged them up without much fanfare but Jungkook still felt an embarrasing half-twitch as he realised the level Jin's head was at.

But Jin was moving on, gathering up the material of the legs of the pyjama bottoms. "And step one again... and two. There we go! I don't think you've dried your feet enough. Stand on the towel, I'll give them a rub."

"Is Yoongi back yet?" Jungkook asked, mesmeried as Jin efficiently worked the towel between each toe.

"No, but he texted fifteen minutes ago to say he's on his way, so hopefully not long now." Jin smiled. "Okay, you're all done. Ruby's upstairs sleeping on one of the beds so she won't bother you. Make yourself comfortable on the sofa while I tidy up in here." He smiled indulgently at Jungkook's stuttered thanks. "You have no business being this cute," he confided, getting to his feet and stealing another forehead kiss, which Jungkook was more than happy to give.

Jimin was flicking through the channels on the TV, his head on a cushion in Tae's lap, lying on his side with his legs sprawled on the couch. Jungkook eyed Tae cautiously as he approached them, but they were just as clean as eachother now, as if the blood had all been imagination. Tae was eyeing him back equally as cautiously, his mouth in a straight line.

Jungkook didn't know if it was the happy chemicals still washing through him, or just the sheer joy of Jin's touch, or even if he was just so relaxed he couldn't find it in him to worry.

He gave Tae a little smile. Tae gave him a small smile back.

Namjoon crossed by the windows upstairs. "Catch," he said from the balcony, and Jungkook reacted just quickly enough to catch a balled up pair of socks. "Figured Jin had forgotton something," Namjoon said.

"Must be old age," Jungkook quipped suddenly, surprising himself.

"Oi, I heard that, young man!" Jin mock-bellowed from the bathroom. Jimin and Tae broke into grins. Jungkook felt a new warmth creeping up in his chest.

The door sounded in the lock. Yoongi quickly locked the door behind him and Jungkook braced for the sound of dog footsteps but none came. It really was asleep.

"All good?" Namjoon asked Yoongi.

Yoongi nodded absently, and it took a moment for Jungkook to realise Yoongi was hurrying towards him. His body gave a slight jolt, more out of confusion than fear, as Yoongi rounded the sofa area, his face intense.

"Baby..." Yoongi breathed, his hands coming out, not touching Jungkook but hovering around him like he was too precious to touch. He shook his head in Jungkook's face, and swore softly, his tone full of delight and dismay, his cat-eyes searching Jungkook out like he couldn't quite believe it.

"What is it?" Jimin sat up from Tae, hair a mess.

"I told you to lay low," Yoongi murmured. "Oh my god, Jungkook, what happened to laying low?"

His next words took Jungkook's breath away. "I am so proud of you."

Those were not words Jungkook was used to hearing. He felt those words thunder in his heart, reading only sincerity and wonder in Yoongi's face.

"Did we miss something?" Namjoon frowned, coming downstairs.

"This kid," Yoongi shook his head. "He didn't just honk the horn to warn us. He got the girls into the car so the gang couldn't get their hands on them again. He sliced up one guy's arm protecting them. He went up against the ringleader with a fake gun." He shook his head again. "You were so brave, Jungkook. You were so, so brave. I am mad at you for putting yourself in danger, and I'm mad that I wasn't there to protect you. But oh hell, if you aren't one of us."

"Kookie!" Jimin scrambled up from the sofa to envelop Jungkook in a hug, swinging him half off his feet. Jungkook felt giddy, riding an unknown high.

"Well, damn," Namjoon's voice came from the stairs. "You really can do everything." It was the joke he always made whenever Jungkook won a game.

"With no weapon?" Tae blinked from the sofa.

"Baby," Jin breathed, stepping out of the bathroom wide-eyed, genuinely stunned. Jungkook turned in Jimin's arms, and Jin's stunned grin made him grin back, basking in Jin's expression.

"You probably saved those girl's lives!" Jimin squeezed him, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Why didn't you tell us? Kookie, that's incredible! We have to celebrate! How will we celebrate?"

"Not with a takeaway," Tae said, and Jungkook laughed.

"I think we can handle a little home party," Jin said. "There's some bits in the freezer."

"And drinks!" Jimin said. "And music, and games! Yoongi, hurry and clean up!"

Namjoon grinned. "Well we've got about two hours till Hobi gets home. Reckon that's enough time to mastermind a party?"

"Screw that," Jimin said. "I wanna dance right now. Hit the music Joon. Dance with me, Kook!"

Pure joy was challening through Jungkook's veins. For the first time, it felt like it really was them.

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Heyy we're back, apologies for the delay. Big shout out to the K7 GC for decisions made on this one, and as always, if you dropped me a review, I love you for it. Review replies are coming!

According to UK law there is no underaged drinking here... if you consider this to be a 'supervised environment' lol. Fair warning if you don't! Hope you enjoy :)

X-X-X

Pop Punk reverberated through the apartment, filling the walls, making the floor vibrate. Yoongi hummed along, kicking into a pair of joggers and tugging a clean t-shirt over his damp hair. He rooted about for his second-favourite pair of slippers under the bed.

He padded onto the balcony, unable to resist the impulse to tap the beat out on the banister as he went. His boyfriends had pulled the blinds down, insulating the apartment in privacy. Only the sidelights were on, making the brick walls glow. Shadow and throbbing bass were cast into the recesses of the room.

Below him, Jin was arranging their alcohol supply by colour theory on the dining table. Jimin was dancing his ass off to Fall Out Boy, jumping on and off furniture, bursting into air guitar when the chorus hit, dragging Jungkook back towards him each time the younger considered making a bid for freedom. Jungkook's eyes were bright, giggles spilling from his upturned mouth. Tae was sprawled out on the couch watching and Namjoon was in his usual armchair, sorting through the games.

Yoongi smiled, fondness aching in his chest.

"Drinks up!" Jin bellowed above the music, turning to pour one for himself.

"Whee!" Jimin manhandled Jungkook into a backhug and frogmarched him to the dining table. Jungkook didn't seem to mind, his eyes large as he took in all the bottles.

Yoongi had resisted the proposition of a seventh the most, but only because he'd known there would be an eighth and a ninth and a tenth until the relationship was diluted entirely. He'd battled Jin and Joon to a compromise he didn't know they'd stick to. But then Jimin had found Nochu, and Nochu had fitted Jin's baby boy fantasy like a glove. Yoongi had started believing that they'd stop at seven. Before he knew it, his soft spot for the kid was a mile wide.

His emotional investment had smacked him square in the face when Hobi told them that Jungkook was their Nochu. Especially because he knew, and he knew Jungkook knew, that he'd made that call. He'd laboured over his guilt last night, kept poor Hobi up with it, talking through every angle so that he could find one he'd be at peace with. Hobi, bless him, gave up on changing the subject and swallowed Yoongi in a hug till he relented.

But now, things were so different.

Because Jungkook, their little Nochu, was a badass.

Yoongi had guessed as much when he'd got back to the car, but he'd also gotten the entire play by play because one of the girls was also a nervous rambler. Jungkook had put himself in a stupid amount of danger - turns out Yoongi was partly to blame for that too - and he'd pulled it off with flare. He'd been quick-witted, gutsy and remarkably poised.

Yoongi was brimming with affection and pride. The kid was more than Jin's checklist. More than a sweet-natured accessory to Kim's Six. They'd be changing their name to Kim's Seven before long.

"What're you having?" He asked Jungkook when he arrived downstairs. Jimin was ferrying drink orders to Namjoon and Tae, so Jungkook had both hands free to wrap around his glass. He was gingerly sipping at the cocktail with cheeks already flushed. Baby wasn't a drinker, which if anything, endeared Yoongi all the more.

"It's a Cuba Libre," Jungkook glanced at Jin for corroboration.

"He's seeing if he likes the taste," Jin's eyes were merry. "Will we stack some more ice in your glass, baby? There we go. Do you think Hobi would be mad if I asked him to pick up some limes on his way home?"

Yoongi snorted, "yes."

"It's nice without limes," Jungkook tried to be diplomatic. "Thank you."

Yoongi still kept expecting to see the face mask when he looked at him, but instead there was a round-tipped nose, soft cheeks which could produce a variety of dimples at an acrobatic rate and a defined cupid's-bow. Those teeth had already caused Yoongi to blurt out the word 'Bun' in public. He wanted to kiss every little freckle on Nochu's face and watch his big eyes grow even bigger. He wanted to uncover more than just the face mask.

"So bartender..." he said. "What're the chances of getting a whisky on the rocks?"

"Depends if you've got the goods to pay up," Jin teased.

Oh it was like that, was it. Yoongi flicked his eyes to the kid to gauge how comfortable he was but Jimin was already stealing him away to headbang to Sum 41.

"I suppose you say that to all your customers," he challenged Jin, leaning forward on the table, filling as much of Jin's vision as he could, fixing his gaze on that plush mouth.

"Only the ones that can take it." Jin's tongue flicked out and brushed his lower lip, all the encouragment Yoongi needed to press in.

There were still days when he thought he hated Jin, but Jin-kisses were god-tier. He indulged for a while, exploring familiar but dangerous territory, lightly scraping his teeth against Jin's pillowy lower lip, feeling a tug of pleasure behind his navel.

"You overpaid." Jin's voice was husky as they parted.

"Give me change with my drink, then."

The smooth second brush of their lips nearly became more before they heard Jimin cheer, "Hobi!"

"What's all this news!" Hobi cheered back, shrugging his bag to the side, rounding the sofas to reach out for Jungkook, arms out like a glider.

Jungkook beamed. Hobi wrapped him up in a big hug, ponytail swinging as he rocked the teenager, almost spilling the drink in his exuberance. "Did you rescue three girls on your own?" He mirrored the kid's huge eyes, holding him at arm's length, wonderstruck. "Who do I have to beat up for leaving you on your own?"

Jungkook shook his head, cheeks pink with delight.

"And look at your nails!" Hobi cooed a moment later, mouth popping open, taking Jungkook's free hand in both of his. "Jimin, did you do these? They're so pretty!"

Jungkook was soaking up the praise. Yoongi had never met someone so attuned to praise before, and he was dating Jimin.

"Glitter and gradient, works every time," Jimin grinned. "Hurry and get changed, Hobi, we're having a pyjama party!"

"I noticed I'm the odd man out," Hobi laughed. "I'm coming back, sweets, save me a cuddle."

He planted a quick kiss on Jimin's head, leaned over the sofa to do the same to Tae, crossed to the stairs, and made victory eyes at Yoongi and Jin.

"Tae, Jimin, Jungkook, you're on snack duty till Hobi gets back," Jin clapped his hands.

Yoongi took his first slug of whisky, enjoying the way it swept against the back of his throat. Usually he spent the night in a sombre mood whenever he'd shot people, but nothing could eclipse his elation tonight. Not even having to play party games.

He wandered over to their leader as the teens raided the kitchen cupboards. Joon, like Jin, was often a figure of contention in Yoongi's life, but one of the things he'd always admired about Joon that he was a family-first kind of guy. No one else would have party games already prepared in advance.

"Crystal Maze?" He asked, recognising the game board lying on the carpet. "Want a hand?"

"I'm just pulling out the raunchy ones," Namjoon was sorting his stack of handwritten cards into two piles. "Don't want to give Koo a heart attack."

That was a good call. Yoongi was pretty sure the last time they'd played they hadn't actually finished the game.

"So." Namjoon's eyes were still intent on his job. "Fake gun, huh."

"I couldn't leave him with no protection," Yoongi defended, chugging more whisky. "And I couldn't have him turning it on me when I got back."

"Your risk paid off," Joon contemplated. "But it was a wild risk, Yoon."

"For what it's worth, I wouldn't have brought him with us at all."

"Mm, I know. That was my risk, and I think that paid off too."

Yoongi's eyes drifted to Jungkook, a shy but eager look on his face as Jimin and Tae ribbed him and eachother while they tore open packets and wrappers.

"I'm not usually one for fate or destiny," Namjoon mused, twisting the smaller pile of cards into an elastic band and sliding them to the bottom of his box of games. "But I might make an exception."

Yoongi felt that sentiment. This relationship had been a lot. He'd come in as a conman, soley interested in persuading Hoseok to run away with him. But Hoseok wouldn't budge and there was an animal magnetism about the other three that Yoongi couldn't quite define. Before long he was falling for them too. Tae had been spectacularly miscast and Yoongi had even considered getting out of dodge when things were rocky. But it had resolved itself, and Yoongi found himself drawn to Tae, with his engimatic personality, sweet nature and sudden violent rages. He'd assumed they were a complete set, but he now knew he was wrong. Jungkook and the dynamic he'd bring to their family was a godsend.

"I better drink more before I say something sappy." He announced, realising he was on the verge of gabbling all that out.

Namjoon chuckled, poking around his games equipment, probably all too well aware.

Tae intercepted him on route to Jin's bar, holding a bowl of crisps in one hand and bowl of chocolate raisins in the other like he was a set of scales. "Snack?" He brandished his trademark squared-off smile, and Yoongi noted that Tae too, wasn't experiencing the usual after-effects from the carnage they'd committed. He stole a few crisps and gave the chocolate raisins a scathing look. "Those are an abomination."

"Bar's self-service now," Jin reported, carrying a filled-to-the-brim peach cocktail towards the sofas. "Oh, chocolate raisins, good job, Tae."

He dug in and Yoongi chucked his last mouthful of whisky back to obscure the horror.

Before long, Hobi had returned and began herding them towards the sofas, wearing his ridiculous fluffy Wookie onesie.

"What teams, what teams?" Jimin whipped a bottle of vodka off the table and necked a few gulps to lay claim to it.

"I'll be Mazemaster tonight," Namjoon said. "Team one: Jin, Tae and Jimin. Team two: Yoongi, Hobi and Jungkook."

None of them missed Jungkook's instant pout and rather than being offended, Yoongi felt waves of affection lapping at his chest. Cute, cute, cute.

"Come over to the dark side, sweets," Hobi chuckled, linking Jungkook's hand and pulling him away from Jin. "Maybe you can tip some luck in our favour."

"Nooooo, Kookie!" Jimin cried out in faux-despair as Hobi wrapped the little one up in a nutcracker hug.

"Turn the music down," Jin poked Jimin's side. "Game faces, boys. Let's obliterate them."

Yoongi flopped back beside Hobi and Jungkook, enjoying the glaze of alcohol and the gentle burn on his throat. Jungkook was just about finished his own drink and submitted to being crushed against the softness of Hobi's onesie, eyeing the game board with glassy eyes.

Yoongi was a realist. He knew it would take a lot of work to earn Jungkook's trust, never mind to get him to take their side against the animal-torturing pervert step-dad. But this was a good way to start: bringing Jungkook to his most familiar element, tossing in a dash of booze and the physical affection he seemed to crave so much.

One thing Yoongi knew for certain. Jungkook belonged with them. Julian Adley could deliver Bhakta and the entire Apexi corporation to them on a platter, but there was no way in hell he was ever getting his greedy pseudo-incestuous paws on Jungkook.

X-X-X

Hoseok smelled like clean linen with an undertone of fresh eucalyptus. Jungkook's initial longing to be on Jin's team was being eroded by the dual forces of rum and being encased in Hoseok's fluffy arms. He breathed in Hoseok's cool, clean scent. They'd all played this game before. He had to clear his thoughts to stand a chance.

Jimin had other plans. "It's against the rules to play unless you've had at least two drinks!" He turned the music down a fraction, then more when Jin gave him a stern look. "Who needs a top up?"

It was rhetorical. Jimin topped up everyone in turn. Jungkook eyed his second Cuba Libra with consternation. He'd hid that he was a total lightweight up till now. It had hit him harder than he'd like to admit, alcohol numbing his tongue and throat, stoking heat in his stomach, perpetuating the sheer joy he'd felt ever since Yoongi got home.

Well, he ought to at least have a sip to show Jimin that he appreciated the gesture.

"Have you ever watched The Crystal Maze?" Namjoon asked him, pointing to the game board on the carpet. The centre was emblazoned with the name, and the rest of the board was split into quarters, each a different colour against the dark backdrop.

Soona had never been a fan of TV and even less of British TV. "Is it like Takeshi's Castle?" Jungkook guessed.

"Less messy," Namjoon said. "In The Crystal Maze you work as a team to take on four different types of games: Mental, Mystery, Physical and Skill across four different zones." He pointed to the board. "Which are Aztec, Industrial, Medieval and Future. If you win a game you earn a crystal. Each crystal gains your team an extra five seconds for the final game."

"We bought the board game," Yoongi explained, "then threw out half the rules."

"Your teams will be pitted against eachother." Namjoon said. "Six games, six possible crystals each. Some games require a solo team member and others have automatic lock in. I'll explain if it comes up. Team names?"

"Team Kim Seokjin!" The other five all called at once. Jungkook twitched in surprise at the passion in their voices.

"To avoid confusion tonight, Jin's team can be Team Kim Seokjin," Namjoon adjudicated.

The other team cheered. "We're doomed," Hoseok moaned. "Never mind, sweets, it's the taking part, right?"

Jungkook jutted out his lower lip. "We can still beat them."

Yoongi chuckled. "Maybe Team Nochu will be lucky too."

"Team Itzme," Jungkook stretched out from Hobi's arms to reach for his new drink. He returned it to the side table with infinite care and only a slight wobble as the alcohol stung his insides and made the heat rise in his face. Jimin had not favoured the mixer like Jin had.

"Team Itzme?" It was their turn to look confused.

Jungkook nodded, bravely gulping his mouthful down, allowing Hoseok to bundle him back into a snuggle. "It's Not You, It's Me."

"Wait, that's why you're called Nochu?" Jimin's eyes ballooned.

Jungkook nodded absently. He was kind of tipsy. He should eat something to soak it up. Where had Tae put the snacks?

"You're so cute!" Hoseok cooed, pressing his nose into Jungkook's warm cheek. "Team Itzme! What are you looking for now?"

Yoongi correctly interpreted Jungkook's search and retrieved the nearest snack bowl. Jungkook gave him a floppy smile as he dipped in. Yoongi smiled back. Yoongi's smile was so pretty. It revealed his pink gums and white teeth and utterly transformed his brooding face, and oh god, Jungkook had drank too much. Eat the pretzels.

"Alright, Team Kim Seokjin versus Team Itzme," Namjoon extended his arms like he was performing a show. "We begin your journey through The Crystal Maze... in the Aztec zone." He tapped his phone and Jungle sounds eminated from it: birds, crickets, a parrot squawk and occasional wild animal growl. "Blame the phone app for any audio inaccuracies."

"You guys are going down," Jimin started hiking his shoulders up, getting up on his knees on the sofa, poking his fingers in Jungkook's team's direction as if he was gunning for a fight.

"Steady on, Jason Statham," Jin hauled him back, laughing. "You'll trigger Jungkook's competitive side."

"Nah, I plied him with alcohol, he's out, look how soft he's gone."

"Hey!" Hoseok protested, his arms squishing around Jungkook's middle, "we resent that! Don't we sweets?"

"Yeah!" Jungkook said, trying to juggle his features into something fearsome, stuffing more pretzels in his mouth.

"You can show them you mean business by winning your first crystal," Namjoon said. "What type of game would you like?"

"You choose, Jungkook." Yoongi offered. "Mental, Mystery, Physical or Skill."

Jungkook scrunched his nose as he chewed and swallowed. "Physical."

Namjoon sorted through his cards. "Here we go. A Physical game in the Aztec Zone. You're going to play against the other team, so everyone up!"

"Yaahh!" Jimin escaped Jin's clutches to barrel himself over the gameboard and into Yoongi, knocking him back on the couch as he tried to rise. Yoongi laughed, whacking Jimin's head playfully with a cushion.

"Seems like your team's already out of control," Hoseok taunted Jin.

"Will that make it hurt more when you lose?" Jin jibed back, then softened his gaze for Jungkook who'd noticed the walls buckling at the edges of his vision. "Do you want a drink of water, baby?"

It was probably a good idea. Jungkook nodded.

"I'll get it," Tae volunteered. Jungkook could have fetched it himself but Hoseok's onesie was very cosy to lean against, so gave Tae his best grateful smile when it was pressed into his hands. Looking over the bob of the water as he drank, he saw Hoseok's fingers brushing against the base of the glass.

"Team Itzme, you're swimming downriver." Namjoon laid two sheets of newspaper a metre or two apart on the floor behind Team Kim Seokjin's sofa. "It's perfectly safe, aside from the river rapids. When they hit, you have to get onto one of these islands. The current gets so intense, that any team member touching the river will have their whole team swept away. If you survive after three minutes, or if the other team fall in first, then you win a crystal. Start swimming!"

"Come on, Jimin," Tae untangled Jimin from Yoongi. "Back stroke."

They lay on their backs and made snow angels and giggled at eachother. As soon as Jungkook had placed his empty glass down Hoseok took his hand and led him around both pieces of newspaper in a figure of eight like they were really on a mission.

"River rapids in 5, 4-" Namjoon began.

"Quick!" Hoseok leapt towards the nearest newspaper sheet. "Yoongi!"

There was enough room for them all to stand, though Jungkook found himself sandwiched tight in the middle and Yoongi kept fidgeting.

"Check your left heel!" Hoseok warned Yoongi as Jin, Jimin and Tae rushed into position on their island.

"-1," Namjoon finished, immediately stepping forward for inspection, his face intimidating. Jungkook felt a thrill of nervous laugher bubble in his throat as he clung on to Hoseok, hyper aware of Yoongi's arms wrapped round them both.

"Alright, everyone survives." Namjoon reported. "Off the islands. Keep on swimming."

Jungkook watched Namjoon tear both newspaper sheets in half and remove the halves from the game.

"Hey, don't steal our island!" Hoseok complained. Team Kim Seokjin had wrapped their arms round eachother's shoulders like it was a rugby scrum, put their heads together, and were making rapid circles around their island.

"We're stuffed," Yoongi said. "I'm not built for this one-"

"River rapids in 5, 4-"

"Oh god." Yoongi whined.

Somehow they all survived the next round, despite Jimin leaning out precariously from his island to try to knock them off theirs. When Namjoon reduced the scrawny piece of paper by another half, Jungkook wondered how they could possibly-

"Stand on my feet," Hoseok instructed frantically as Namjoon completed the next countdown, "Yoongi, side-on with one foot in the air."

Jungkook tried his best but suddenly the room was rocking harder than before and Yoongi collapsed on the floor first, dragging Jungkook and then Hoseok on top of him.

"Bwahahaha!" Jimin gave a comic book villain laugh. "No crystals for you!" He'd climbed up onto Jin's back like a monkey and Tae's feet were between Jin's, their arms stretched between them as a smug counter balance.

"Better luck next time, Team Itzme." Namjoon chuckled as they reassembled on the sofas. "Team Kim Seokjin, it's your turn."

Jin, Jimin and Tae glanced at eachother. "A Mystery, please," Tae requested.

Namjoon consulted his cards. "Alright. To earn your first crystal you must unearth the hidden password within three and a half minutes."

"And how do we get this password?" Jin asked.

"Your opposing team have one minute to set up a treasure hunt for you," Namjoon gathered some small opaque cartons from his box and shook one. Jungkook heard a rattle.

"What's in there?" Jimin narrowed his eyes.

"You'll find out. Okay Team Itzme, here are ten pieces of treasure. Hide them anywhere in the apartment, but they must be partly visible or we'll still be finding them at Christmas. Team Kim Seokjin, close your eyes. Team Itzme, your minute starts... now."

"Four downstairs, six upstairs," Yoongi whispered urgently, hurriedly splitting the cartons up, pushing them against Hoseok and Jungkook's chests. "Bun, you do downstairs."

Hobi and Yoongi charged upstairs. Jungkook was glad he wasn't being sent up where the dog was. He held his four plastic cartons close as he stepped out from the TV area, pulse echoing in his ears, breath shallow with childish nerves.

The first carton went onto the bottom shelf of the bookcase in the nook behind the stairs, the second went into the bathroom tucked slightly behind one of Jimin's candles, the third went into the plantpot and the fourth went into a shoe on the rack behind Namjoon's armchair.

"And time!" Namjoon called a few seconds after Jungkook had returned to the couch. "Downstairs you two!"

Yoongi and Hoseok looked mightily pleased with themselves as they trooped back down.

"You'll still be finding them the Christmas after," Yoongi boasted.

"Team Kim Seokjin," Namjoon gestured. "Find me the password. Your three and a half minutes, start, now."

Jimin, Jin and Tae got up in a scramble of arms and legs. "You two go up!" Jin ordered. "Go, go, go!" He zigzagged haphazardly for a moment, then darted for the dining table, checking behind the bottles.

"There's one in the bookcase," Jimin yelled excitedly from the balcony above.

"If we don't get a crystal, they don't get a crystal." Hoseok reached an arm up for Jungkook to tuck back into his side.

Jin retrieved two of the cartons quickly but couldn't find the third and fourth. He cracked the two cartons open on the rug. Three jigsaw pieces spilled from each. Jin spread them out onto the gameboard, using it as his table as he attempted assembly. The pieces were solid white but for bits of permenant marker which revealed that Namjoon had scrawled a word across the completed DIY jigsaw.

"Jin, we've got three!" Tae yelled from upstairs and a moment later cartons thudded against the couch like missiles. Four white and tan fluffy legs came into view a moment later and Jungkook winced and braced himself. They'd woke it up. He reached out for his drink and balled his body up against Hoseok's.

"You're okay," Namjoon told him as the dog came trampling downstairs. "Hobi, don't let her up on your sofa."

"One of you keep looking, one of you get down here and help me!" Jin called.

"Less than a minute and a half left," Namjoon informed them.

"Ruby nooooo-" Jimin cried from above as the dog seized a carton in her jaws and began to dance with it, butt wagging.

"Good girl," Tae darted after her breathlessly, holding his hand out. "Good girl, Ruby!"

The dog pranced away from him, easily weaving away from his grasping hands.

"Ruby's on Team Itzme," Namjoon remarked and Yoongi and Hoseok laughed. Jungkook wished Ruby was on Team Go Back To Bed. He took a big gulp of his drink, relishing how it mellowed out his fear.

"Forget that one!" Jin ordered Tae. "Check the kitchen! Go, go go!"

"Hey, steady," Jungkook felt warm fingers stroking his cheek, then Hoseok was prising his drink from him. "Look, she just wants to play. Plus you've got two strapping bodyguards here to protect you!"

Jungkook sank his head into the brown fluff of Hoseok's onesie, monitoring his peripheries for any sign of it coming his way.

"Another one!" Jimin called from above. "Heads up!"

The dog abandoned the one in its mouth to investigate the new arrival, and Tae dived in.

"There's not enough!" Jin yelled, tilting his head to try to fill in the gaps and read the word, moving a couple of the jigsaw pieces around.

"Here!" Tae cracked open the carton splattered with dog saliva, shaking three more pieces out on the rug. The dog was celebrating its acquisition of the other carton, practically skipping around the room in delight. Jungkook kept his eye on it.

"Twenty seconds," Namjoon intoned.

"Techno-something?" Jin frowned. "Techno-lan?"

"Ruby, good girl, come here!" Tae tried.

"Can't find any more!" Jimin yelled from upstairs.

"Ten seconds."

"Oh," Jin breathed out in relief. "I've got it. Aztecs. It's 'Tenochtitlan'."

"Your pronounciation is terrible," Namjoon grinned. "Team Kim Seokjin have won their first crystal!"

"Yayy!" Tae and Jin practically chest bumped as Jimin rushed down to join the celebrations.

"Booo," Yoongi said with a pokerface, sipping his whisky. Jungkook couldn't help but smile. He gazed enviously at the plastic prism ball that Namjoon lifted from the box and placed in Jin's hand. He wanted one.

"Tae, try to settle Ruby in her basket?" Namjoon asked before moving on to a new round, his dark eyes pausing to observe Jungkook.

"I'll get her a chew toy, hang on," Tae said obediently. He got the dog to flop down in its cloth basket and Jungkook hoped it was inclined to stay put.

"Back to team Itzme," Namjoon said. "Physical, Skill, Mental or Mystery?"

"Mystery worked out for them, lets go Mystery too." Yoongi said.

Namjoon sorted through his cards before smirking, hopping to his feet and sauntering towards the kitchen. "Okay, another Mystery for the Aztec zone. This one involves three mysterious drinks."

"This is why you've been keeping the mint diluting juice in the fridge!" Jin said triumphantly. "I knew you hadn't cracked!"

Namjoon's deepset dimples showed as he swung the plastic bottle in one hand, carrying three glasses by their stems in the other, heading to the dining table and blocking their view as he worked. "Team Itzme, each of you must take a drink. Two of you will have a nice cocktail and one of you will have mint diluting juice. Which by the way, I won't be diluting. Team Kim Seokjin have to guess who drank the mint juice. If they get it wrong, you'll win your first crystal."

"Oh wow, you went in hard with the food colouring," Yoongi's eyes widened, craning his neck to look over the back of the sofa as Namjoon finished. Jungkook tore his eyes away from the dog to take a peek too.

Namjoon had the three fancy crystal wine glasses in a row on the dining table and was using a straw to give each a final mix. One drink was pillar box red, one royal blue, the third emerald green.

"Declare your colour, boys." Namjoon ordered.

"You might actually like the mint," Yoongi murmured to Hoseok, as they bent their heads together conspiratorially.

"I like mint icecream, that is not the same thing! It's going to be straight up mouthwash!" Hoseok pulled a face.

"If its really gross it'll give the game away," Jungkook cupped his hands round his mouth to hide his whisper.

"Agree," Yoongi nodded. "Whoever gets the mint should overreact, really ham it up to the point where it looks like it could be fake. The other two should act like they're trying to calmly hide how disgusting the mint drink is as if they really have it. Hopefully they think its a doublebluff."

"I'm taking the red," Hoseok said. "I have a good feeling about it."

Yoongi turned to Jungkook.

"The... green?" Jungkook said hesitantly, hoping Namjoon wouldn't take the obvious route of mint and green together.

"Okay, then I'll take blue," Yoongi said.

"Who's first?" Across the room, Namjoon ran a finger round the rim of the first glass.

"Red please, Joon," Hoseok said.

Jimin, Jin and Tae nudged eachother with thinly concealed delight as Namjoon and the red drink approached Hoseok, the Mazemaster's steps precise and almost foreboding.

"Face the front," he said suddenly, his voice dropping an octave.

Jungkook sensed an instant change in the atmosphere in the room. Namjoon walked up behind them, curved his arm around Hobi's head and raised the glass to his lips. Hobi raised his chin as Namjoon tilted the glass, and only inches away, Jungkook felt an unexpected tickle of excitement-

"Gahh!" Hoseok spat, almost spraying them, choking. "Ughh that is the most- ugh!"

He coughed and spluttered.

"He's faking," Jin said.

"He's not faking," Jimin countered. "That was definitely it."

"He didn't even try to hide it if it was," Tae added.

"Blue please," Yoongi said, as Hoseok wiped his mouth, still pulling the most disgusted face. He'd definitely got the mint juice. Jungkook felt a sense of relief, but also wished it wasn't so obvious to the other team.

"Face the front then," Namjoon's voice dipped again, and Jungkook heard his footsteps tracking back to the drinks. He watched as Namjoon approached and held the blue drink in front of Yoongi. Yoongi reached up to take it but Namjoon's other hand tapped on his, and Yoongi sighed and opened his mouth. Despite what had just happened with Hoseok and the fact that they were playing a fun, silly game, Jungkook could swear some of his blood was rushing south. He really must be tipsy. Surrupticiously he slid one of the cushions into his lap, just in case he had a problem budding. He didn't dare look to check.

Yoongi swallowed, throat bobbing, drinking every last drop. As Namjoon brought the glass away, he grimaced, but kept his chin up as if he was valiantly trying to bear through it.

"...Yoongi didn't enjoy that," Jin said after a long pause in which Team Kim Seokjin seemed to be struggling to collect their thoughts.

"He's not into cocktails," Tae pointed out.

"Yeah, but they don't bother him," Jimin said. "Hobi, were you acting?"

"You'll never know," Hoseok croaked weakly.

Jungkook realised that it was his turn. And if anything, the atmosphere seemed more intense now.

"Face the front, baby," Namjoon's voice was deep and honey coated. Jungkook heard the ominous scrape of the heel of the glass along the surface of the dining table and then the clip of Namjoon's footsteps vibrated in his ears, as he approached.

A crystal glass with emerald-green liquid entered his vision, emerging between his head and Hoseok's. Fingers slid over the back of his neck then clamped down, levering him, encouraging him to tip his chin up. The cool rim of the glass budged against his lips. Silence was stuffing his ears.

He lifted his head, exposing his neck, and the glass moved with him, fruity alcohol spilling down his throat. He swallowed rapidly to avoid choking, the fingers at the scruff of his neck burning molten.

When he'd emptied the glass he felt giddy. Buzzy, liquidy, all warm and tingly inside, completely unaware of whether he'd over or under reacted. His thoughts sloshed around his head, and when Namjoon's hand lifted from his neck he could still feel its presence.

"I need an answer, team," Namjoon intoned softly, returning to join them all, sitting back in his armchair like it was a throne. Jungkook watched Namjoon's hands rubs over the ends of the armrests. "Who drank the mint juice?"

"...Um..." Jimin said. "Jin?"

"I think it was..." Jin said and trailed off before rallying. "It was Hobi. I'm sure."

"No, he didn't, he played up too much," Tae said. "Or did he? I think..." He shook his head, seeming distracted.

"You okay, sweets?" Hobi whispered in Jungkook's ear and Jungkook gave him a floaty smile, though his head felt heavy as he turned it. He hadn't even drank that much, but his whole body was tingling, heat coursing through his bloodstream.

"I think Yoongi was being an actor," Jin said suddenly. "I don't know."

"Yoongi then," Jimin said helplessly. "Yoongi had the mint juice, Joon."

"Team Itzme, you've won your first crystal!" Namjoon smiled as Jungkook's couch erupted in cheers. Jungkook clapped his hands, swept up in the thrill of the win. When Namjoon presented their first crystal to him, he cupped it in his hands like treasure.

It was game on after that. Namjoon brought them to the Industrial Zone, where his phone played the soundtrack of trickling water, clanging and grinding metal, and the occasional squeal of hinges. Team Kim Seokjin chose a Skill game, and Jimin successfully took on the solo mission of driving a remote controlled toy car through everyone's legs without bumping into anything, earning his team their second crystal.

Then it was Team Itzme's turn again, and they went for a Skill too.

"Copycats!" Jimin accused, still high off his latest victory.

Jungkook's team had what Namjoon called the Engineer's Crane. A circle was marked out with a rope, with a flimsy plastic cup in the centre filled with grapes. They could use any means neccessary to extract the grapes from the cup, without tipping it over, or entering the circle. The timer had almost ran to zero and the phone was emanating scary urgent noises when they finally got the last grape out with their kitchen skewer taped to a wooden spoon combo. Jungkook sank back against Hoseok, heart still giddy with excitement as he clutched their two crystals in his hands. They'd narrowly avoided Automatic Lock In.

The final game in Industrial was for Team Kim Seokjin and they chose Physical and were annoyingly efficient at lego building an 'airtight safe' around a 'bomb' in two minutes. They gloated as the crystal score went to three-two, and Jungkook joined his team in firing lame insults back.

The Medieval zone soundtrack consisted of howling wind, regular plops of water, crows, fire crackles and the occasional clop of hooves.

"Skill worked out for us last time," Hoseok suggested, but Yoongi sighed when Namjoon shuffled his cards and came up with 'Hiding From The Enemy.'

"Isn't that Physical, not Skill?" Hoseok argued.

"Hey," Namjoon said, spreading his hands like a benign emperor. "I don't make the rules."

A few cushions were thrown his way.

Jungkook had played sardines before, and got the gist quickly. The lights would go out. One member of Team Itzme would get a thirty second head start to choose a hiding place that could fit more than one person. The next team member would then set off into the dark, twenty seconds ahead of the third member. Team Kim Seokjin would be sent out to hunt them down ten seconds after that. They had to work seperately and silently but if they found any member of Team Itzme, it was game over. In order to win, Team Itzme had to be hiding together when the timer ran out.

"I'm going to sit beside Ruby," Namjoon eyed Jungkook steadily after he finished explaining. "I'll give her a pet and keep my hand near her collar so she stays with me. Are you going to be okay with lights out?"

It was a big ask. But there was something in Namjoon's manner that made Jungkook feel confident he could trust him. He nodded his too-heavy head.

"Good boy," Namjoon smiled and Jungkook's chest glowed with renewed happiness.

"I'll go last," Yoongi whispered to them, "less time living my worst nightmare."

"We can concede-" Hoseok started.

"Oh I'm half-way drunk, let's do it."

Namjoon settled on the floor beside the dog, and nodded reassuringly to Jungkook. "Hunters hit the lights, then shut your eyes."

"Tap the stairs," Hoseok's mouth bumped against the shell of Jungkook's ear in the instant darkness. Then he was haring away, his shadow heading in the general direction of the bathroom. Jungkook slipped round the side the sofa, feeling out in the fuzzy darkness with his hands, and crept to the stairs, stepping on the first couple, just loud enough that Team Kim Seokjin might hear. Then, ever so carefully, wary of his wobbly reflexes, he tip toed back down and stood by the sofa. He could feel his pulse thumping in his throat.

"Next one, go," Namjoon intoned.

Where would Hoseok have gone? He was smart to avoid upstairs, since it was the obvious choice. What places had Jungkook seen downstairs that might take three people?

He stepped towards the kitchen area, aware of how close he was to the silent hunters who would be listening. He crept forwards arms extended, then felt round the counters in case Hoseok had climbed up but his fingers touched nothingness. He made his way to the bathroom next, edging the door open, hardly daring to breathe.

"Go," Namjoon said, and Jungkook wondered if Yoongi could see him, or if he knew where to look. They had ten seconds now before the hunters set off. He fanned his hands out, straining to see the position of the bath in the darkness, feeling along the taps then wiggling his fingers in case Hoseok was in there.

"Hunters, go." Namjoon said. "Remember, no conferring, no sticking together."

Jungkook could feel the hysterical desire to giggle and reveal himself now. There were footsteps on the stairs. Someone pushed the bathroom door open and he ducked down tight behind the bath. It could be Yoongi, but he didn't dare look.

The person stepped forward, their movements too noisy to be Yoongi. They slapped their hand against the inside of the bath a few times, just inches from Jungkook and as he knelt with bated breath, they moved away. Full of giggly trepidation, Jungkook snuck out after them. Where would Hoseok be hiding?

Whoever it was, was now prowling near the front door. Jungkook thought he saw another shadow past the dining table. Sucking in his breath, keeping to the wall, he inched his way to Jimin's office, sliding the door open and dipping in, hoping he'd made the right choice.

All he could see in the darkness was the lit up button of Jimin's monitor. Again, he stretched his hands out, startling when his hands brushed Jimin's chair and it moved.

"Shh," a voice said. Hoseok. Where was he? Was he under the desk?

He was. Jungkook stooped to a crawl and squeezed into the cramped space beside Hoseok. Hoseok silently slid the spinny chair back towards them as a shield. Then he wrapped an arm around Jungkook's waist and dipped his nose into the back of Jungkook's neck and held still. Jungkook could feel every breath Hoseok made. How much time had passed? He could hear two of the others upstairs, but he was more worried about whether Yoongi could sneak past the one who was downstairs.

They sat in silence for what was probably only thirty seconds but seemed to stretch endlessly. Then Jimin's door moved in the dark. Jungkook stopped breathing for a second but Hoseok seemed to know that it was Yoongi, because he was bundling Jungkook up closer to him, sliding the chair soundlessly aside to allow space.

Yoongi breathed the slightest groan as he reversed himself in to join them. His body pressed against Jungkook's, and Hoseok slid the chair back.

It was only a game, but in the dark it felt more real, like he, Hoseok and Yoongi really were huddling away from hunters in a Medieval world. As cramped as he was, Jungkook knew immediately that this was his favourite game. It gave him a feeling of belonging, their heartbeats and lungs moving in unison, their ears straining together.

Three minutes were almost up when Jimin's door slid open again. Jungkook squeezed his eyes shut and concentrated on not breathing. The person tapped against the chair, budging it a little, then felt round the top of the desk, moving towards the cupboard.

From the TV area, Namjoon's phone blared out the final warning seconds-

"Hi," Tae crouched down suddenly infront of them, the glee in his deep voice unmistakeable. "Gotcha."

"Oh thank god, get me out," Yoongi begged as Hoseok let out a wail of despair.

"Three-two, and its our go!" Jimin crowed as Hoseok turned the sidelights back on.

True to his word, Namjoon's hand was on the dog's collar. Jungkook had been so caught up in the game he hadn't doubted Namjoon for a second.

Jin's group asked for a mental game next, confident that they'd take their fourth crystal.

"It's a conundrum," Namjoon shuffled his cards. "You are a medieval farmer, and you have to cross a lake in your boat with your belongings-"

"Oh good, I know this one!" Jimin grabbed at Tae and Jin exuberantly. "It's the fox, chicken and corn riddle. You gotta keep the chicken with you at all-"

Jin put a finger to Jimin' lips, stifling his laugh. "Wait." He waggled his eyebrows for Joon to continue.

Namjoon smirked back. "Your boat can hold maximum two items apart from yourself, regardless of size difference."

Jimin's brows knitted. He reached for his bottle of vodka as if it might add brainpower.

"You have a fox, chicken, spider, caterpillar and a crop of lettuce. As Jimin guessed, the fox will eat the chicken if they're left unattended. The chicken will eat the spider if left unattended. The spider will eat the caterpillar if left unattended. The caterpillar will eat the lettuce if unattended."

"And the lettuce will eat the fox if left unattended," Hoseok whispered to Yoongi and Jungkook then laughed at his own joke.

"I'll give you thirty seconds to consider the problem," Namjoon said, pulling an A4 piece of blue card, and five smaller pieces of card where he'd hand-printed the names of the five items. "Then you'll have exactly two and a half minutes to demonstrate a solution that gets all your items across the river, intact. Your time starts...now."

"Okay," Jimin took one more quick mouthful of vodka. "So it must be like the version I know, somehow."

"Shhhhhh I need to think," Tae batted him away, putting his hands over his ears.

"Tell me how the one you know goes," Jin hoisted Jimin up onto his knee, inclining his ear.

"If they don't get it we could ask for a Mental and see if he gives us the same one," Yoongi whispered.

"Well, if he takes the chicken and the caterpillar, then the other three are okay together," Hobi murmured back. "Then he must take two that would be bad together and take one of them back."

"Okay," Yoongi nodded. "So step one is chicken and caterpillar."

"You are now free to use the board to show the solution," Namjoon announced.

Tae scrambled forward on the rug and spread the five items neatly apart, sliding them up and down with the tips of his fingers.

"So he should go back and take two that won't be problematic together and then switch them for the chicken and caterpillar," Yoongi said. "Which ones would that be?"

Jungkook's mind was blank.

"Noo," Tae said in frustration, as his first attempt failed.

"We've got the first step," Jin told Tae, Jimin still whispering in his ear. "It's chicken and caterpillar, why don't you put them over and then we'll see how it looks."

"We could trade the fox and spider, fox and lettuce or spider and lettuce for the chicken and caterpillar," Yoongi said. "So it must depend on the next stage."

Jungkook snuggled into Hoseok and occupied himself with his drink so they didn't ask him for input.

"Right, let's try the spider and the lettuce next," Jin was saying. "We're going to have to take two back again.."

"Jin's got it," Hobi whispered, shaking his head.

Sure enough, Jin was directing Tae, and Tae's eyes lit up as he saw the solution appear under his hands.

"Nicely done," Namjoon nodded, stopping the timer as Team Kim Seokjin celebrated their fourth win. "And forty five seconds to spare. Team Itzme, you wanna try winning some crystals?" There was mirth in his eyes. "Or are you giving up?"

Jungkook wasn't giving up. They could still win this. "Can we do another Physical?" He asked eagerly, keen to do something he had a chance of excelling at.

"Physical in Medieval... Okay, so this is a single player-"

"I'll do it!" Jungkook shuffled out of Hoseok's arms, only belatedly glancing at Yoongi and Hoseok for approval.

"Oh I think you'll want Yoongi or Hobi to do this one sweetheart," Namjoon looked at the card again then looked up at Jungkook, his eyes lidded.

"I can do it!" Jungkook insisted. He was in good shape and he had gaming skills. He could handle a Physical.

"Come over here and read the card then, before you decide," Namjoon beckoned to him.

Jungkook's gaze went to the dog but it was curled up napping. Cautiously, he stepped over the game board towards Namjoon. Namjoon spread his legs and patted his knee. Hesitantly, Jungkook stepped between them, perching against Namjoon's thigh, inhaling the scent of his peppery aftershave. Namjoon's arm snaked round his waist, securing him, and Jungkook finally got to see the card in Namjoon's hand.

King of the Castle: Impress the Mazemaster with your best kiss and earn a crystal. No time limit.

"I can do it!" Jungkook said resolutely. Of course he could do it. He'd kissed a couple of people before, he knew how to kiss.

"What is it?" Someone asked from the couches, but there was a silence so deep pulsing from Namjoon that Jungkook could hear the blood in the channels of his own ears.

"Okay, baby," Namjoon's tone was deep as an organ. "You do it, then."

Fuelled by liquid courage, Jungkook turned on Namjoon's lap. He laid a hand on Namjoon's jaw to steady his target, then decided to use both hands for safety and pressed in towards Namjoon's mouth. Their lips brushed and Jungkook felt sparks burning through their thousands of nerve endings. A warmth spread through his body, his head light as air as he sucked softly on Namjoon's lower lip, then felt Namjoon's tongue demand entry, and then Namjoon had taken over completely, reducing everything to pure pleasurable scorching sensation.

Jungkook was reeling when Namjoon released his mouth, drinking in Namjoon's handsome face, his mind both unlocked and entangled all at once, mouth smarting.

"I have to award you two crystals for that," Namjoon said hoarsely.

"Two crystals!" Hoseok and Yoongi bellowed while the other team went into uproar.

"I wanna win double crystals!" Jimin demanded, as Namjoon gave Jungkook a gentle squeeze about the waist then reached into the box and placed twin crystals in his hands. He stomped over the board and pressed his lips to Namjoon's mouth right in front of Jungkook. Jungkook couldn't help but use his front row view, watching their mouths working in perfect sync...

"It's not your game, its Team Itzme's game," Namjoon panted as they broke apart.

Jimin flicked him on the forehead. "You're the worst." He glowered then grinned at Jungkook. "And you're cute when you're flustered."

Jungkook hadn't quite found his equilibrium when Hoseok retrieved him and led him back over to their couch. Had that really just happened?

"Well." Joon said slowly. "That leaves Team Itzme with four crystals and Team Kim Seokjin with four crystals as we enter the Future zone." His delivery was met with the high pitched bleep of computers and bubbles popping in the background.

"We'll take another Mental," Jin said.

"Then you have a number code to solve. There's a two minute timer," Namjoon said. "The code is three digits. No numbers will repeat. If you say a correct digit but in the wrong position, I'll wink. Three correct digits in the wrong order would get you three winks. If you get a digit correct and in the right position you'll get a thumbs up. Got it?"

They got it.

"You only get ten attempts at the code," Namjoon said. Use them wisely within your two minutes. Timer starts... now."

Jin, Jimin and Tae looked at eachother.

"123," Jimin tried.

Namjoon looked at him and winked once. Jungkook was suddenly very glad his team weren't playing this one, because he wasn't sure his body would cope with Namjoon winking right now.

"Oh damn," Jimin turned to the other two. "Do we keep mixing them till one's right?"

"But we won't know which one," Jin pointed out. "Let's try to rule more numbers out. 456."

Namjoon gave a single thumbs up.

"Okay, so one of 789 is in play too," Jin said.

"So how about we go 411?" Tae whispered. "That way we can potentially rule out 4 and 1?"

"Go for it," Jin said.

"411, Joon."

Namjoon gave a single thumbs up again.

"Okay, so its probably 43-either 7,8,9 or 4 -either 7,8,9 then 2." Tae said.

"Woah, I think my brain just clocked out," Jimin said.

"Give it a go, Tae," Jin said, "we've still got plenty of tries."

"437," Tae tried.

Namjoon kept a poker face.

"Oh," Tae puzzled.

"4 is wrong," Hoseok whispered to Yoongi and Jungkook. "Which means its something-51 or something-16. First digit is 8 or 9."

"Right," Jin said to his team. "Let's keep track here. What did he say to 411?"

"He thumbs'd it up." Tae said.

"Hobi's already worked it out, look at his face!" Jimin pouted.

"So its not 4." Jin reasoned. "Which means.... how about 851?"

Namjoon gave two thumbs up.

"951!" Tae said eagerly.

"You got it. Five for five." Namjoon said.

Jungkook helped Yoongi boo this time.

"Yeah! Take that!" Jimin scrinched one eye shut to air box at their chests.

"I'm down to tackle a Mental game." Hobi said. "You both down?"

"If you want to hard carry," Yoongi shrugged and nodded.

"This is your final opportunity to win a crystal, Team Itzme," Namjoon said. "You want a Mental game? Okay. Here we go. I need one of you to listen and two of you to talk."

Jungkook figured that the the talkers would be the ones doing the mental legwork. "I can listen!" He volunteered.

"Are you sure, baby?" Namjoon said. "I'll keep an eye on Ruby again. But the listener needs to wear a blindfold."

Jungkook could sense the atmosphere again, but in a different way now, all eyes on him. Maybe he should switch roles. This wasn't the same as walking about in the dark. Having a blindfold on again- he suppressed a shudder.

But there was so much hope in their expressions. If he did this it would assuage any guilt they felt over yesterday. It would make them smile. He caught eyes with Jin. It would make Jin smile.

"I'm sure," he said, heart thudding against his chest.

"Then your mission is to navigate the asteroids," Namjoon's gaze made every fine hair on Jungkook's body stand on end. "You have to walk blindfolded from the foot of the stairs, round the side here, up onto the dias and round behind the dining table. Past Jimin's office and the bathroom and into the kitchen. If you touch the walls, or the sofa cushions I'll be laying on your route then its an Automatic Lock In. You know what that means."

Jungkook nodded, Namjoon had explained earlier. If he got 'locked in' they'd need to pay a crystal to buy him back.

"It's a Mental game," Namjoon said, "because your team will be allowed to shout directions to you, and the other team will also be allowed to shout directions to you. You'll have three minutes on the clock."

Jungkook swallowed hard. "Okay."

"Are you sure, darling?" Jin's brow furrowed. "Yoong or Hoseok could swap with you."

Jungkook wanted to make them proud. "I can do it," he said.

"Brave boy," Namjoon murmured, motioning for Jungkook to get up and manouvering him to the foot of the stairs with a hand on his lower back. His fingers whispered in Jungkook's hair as he tugged a sleepmask down over Jungkook's eyes. Jungkook inhaled a sharp breath, but Namjoon's hands were gentle at his sides, running up and down. "Alright?" He said. "Stand there and I'll drop the cushions down, then I'll go sit by Ruby."

Jungkook reached out and held onto the bottom railing for security. He could hear Namjoon shuffling around. He could sense their gazes on him and it made the air in the room thinner.

"Your time starts now," Namjoon said softly.

"Okay, baby," Hoseok said, "step to the right then take two big steps to your...eleven o'clock."

Jungkook sucked in a breath. He was safe with them now. He had this. He let go of the railing and did as Hoseok said.

"Okay good, now turn a bit to the left, bit more, good," Hoseok said. "Now you're gonna-eumph!"

Before Jungkook could ask, Jimin chimed in. "Straight ahead Kookie, just keep on going!"

"No, there's an asteroid up ahead," Yoongi chipped in. "So we're gonna step over it-"

"Time's moving on!" Tae called.

"Listen, sweets," Hoseok said, sounding like he was grappling with someone. Jungkook's money was on Jimin. "You've got to take a big step again over the asteroid. But first, a couple of little tiny steps to get closer."

Jungkook inched forward in the empty darkness, steeling himself as though the cushion would explode if he hit it.

"Good - get off me-"

"If you step from there you're going to touch it!" Jimin said. "You need this crystal! You need to-augphh."

"I got him," Yoongi panted.

"Stop there, big step!" Hoseok called out.

Jungkook shut his eyes behind the blindfold and stepped into the void, stretching his leg out. When his foot thudded against the floor he winced, but quickly brought his other foot over to join the first. One obstacle down.

"A few normal steps forward!" Hoseok called, "that's it, pause there, it's a step up onto the dias, its not too high remember-"

"Oh no, higher than that!" Jin said as Jungkook raised his foot and in a panic Jungkook raised it higher, his foot then finding no purchase as he brought it down. He half-stumbled and almost reached out to the wall to rebalance himself before remembering.

"You've got this!" Yoongi yelled. "Don't listen to them, remember! Especially not Jin!"

The alcohol wasn't helping either. His body must have processed a lot of it because he wasn't as dizzy as before, but he could still feel it in his veins. But Jungkook was determined, and not just for the game now.

Blocking out Jin's instructions was the hardest part, but he dug in and took every snatch of information from Hoseok and Yoongi he could get. He made his way around the dining table, bypassing a cushion in record time, wobbled as he came off the dias, found his footing and walked toe to heel through a narrow cushion gorge, carefully stepped over the last obstacle, and ripped the blindfold off in sheer joy as Hoseok and Yoongi began whooping, blinking as he reorientated himself.

"You did so well, baby," Jin said. "You honed in on the right voices. That was amazing!"

Jungkook snuggled up on the couch again, wondering if he'd ever felt this happy.

"So Team Itzme finishes with five crystals," Namjoon said, "and here's the last game for Team Kim Seokjin. What'll it be?"

"Finish on a Mystery?" Jimin asked his team.

"Mystery..." Namjoon rifled through his cards. "Yep, okay. I'll give each of you a note. Two of you will have true facts about yourselves to read out. One of you will have a lie. The other team has to guess who is telling the lie. If they guess wrongly, you win a crystal. Give me a second to scribble them down."

"Might as well find a coin to toss," Yoongi told Jungkook and Hoseok. "He's gonna use something really obscure."

"Just try to guess from their expressions." Hoseok shrugged, looking doubtful too.

"Dont look yet," Namjoon warned the other team, handing over a note to each in turn. "Jimin, you're first up."

"I once came last in a beauty contest." Jimin said, then looked up at them with Mona Lisa eyes.

"Okay, we found the lie." Yoongi said.

"Tae," Namjoon prompted.

Tae was staring at Jimin, trying to work out if it could be true. He lifted his card. "I still have my childhood cuddly toy," he said, his face impressively blank.

"It's one lie and two truths, right?" Hoseok narrowed his eyes.

"Jin." Namjoon said.

Jin smiled at them and Jungkook smiled back. "I dream in black and white," he read off his card.

"I'll give you a moment to confer, Team Itzme."

"Jimin's the lie. Got to be. Tae could have a soft toy at his place," Yoongi said. "Jin... I didn't know people could dream in black and white, but I'm more inclined to believe that than Jimin coming last."

"Yeah, but did he come last because he didn't show up?" Hoseok said. "I think it's Tae and the toy. Tae's not the type to be sentimental...right?" He looked at Tae who shrugged, maintaining his blank expression.

"Baby?" Yoongi said.

Jungkook twisted his mouth. They could all be true as far as he was concerned. "I think they would disqualify Jimin if he didn't show up," he said. "The lie must be coming last."

"Final answer?" Namjoon asked.

When they nodded, Jimin exploded in delight. "Six, crystals, six, six, count'em!" He waggled four fingers and both thumbs at them. "Because you underestimated how much of a brat I could be as a kid. I caused so much havoc that day the judges placed me last as petty revenge."

"I knew you were a child model, when did you do beauty contests?" Jin was surprised.

"Age five to nine. My mum." Jimin waved a hand aside as if that explained everything. "I hated every minute, but it was worth it for this moment right here and now. Team Itzme got bodied!"

"You're still a brat," Hoseok shook his head, laughing. "So whose was the lie?"

"Mine," Jin said. "Namjoon is the one who dreams in black and white."

"Really?" Yoongi was skeptical. "It's a real thing?"

"Not as rare as you'd think either," Namjoon said. "Well, Team Kim Seokjin, you have a full house. I think we're going to have to put a ban on that team name."

They took a pause for dinner. While Tae took the dog out it was all hands on deck as Jin got the oven going. Jungkook's job was to set out the cutlery and he studied hard to make sure he'd set everything straight

He drank more as they ate together, his eyes flickering from one face to another, admiring their good looks, winning smiles from them. Then they played the final round, The Crystal Dome. The board was flipped over to reveal a dark blue scene with prism shapes and pictures of gold and silver tokens scattered like confetti. On top of the board Namjoon spread facedown cards. "Gold gets you a point," he explained. "Silver deducts a point. Team Itzme has 25 seconds and Team Kim Seokjin has 30 seconds." He armed them with toothpicks and miniature plastic arms with suckers on the end with must have come with the original game. Jungkook got surprised when the gameshow music started up on Namjoon's phone and Namjoon whipped out a cordless hairdryer to make it even harder for them all. The madness of the final round made Jungkook laugh till his sides hurt.

Team Kim Seokjin beat them by eleven points.

"Not even close!" Jimin provoked, but Jungkook only grinned. He'd had the best time, the most fun he'd ever had. And it was them. They hadn't been putting on characters for Twitch, it really was them.

He soaked up the banter and conversation with a full belly and only a half eye on the dog. When Jin said it was time for bed - he had to work a couple of hours in the morning - Jungkook said goodnight to them all freely and let Jin guide him to the bathroom and then to bed.

"Did you have a good night?" Jin said, stroking his hair. Jungkook could feel himself slipping down into the welcoming arms of sleep already, surrounded by warmth and softness. The bed felt like it was rolling, but Jin's arm's were safe. He nodded eagerly, and Jin kissed his forehead.

As he was sinking away, a loose thought pinned itself to the forefront of his mind. Now that everything was okay, he'd call Julian in the morning. Julian would come get him, and maybe Jungkook could explain it was a bit of a misunderstanding, or if that was a bad idea Jungkook could go home but arrange to meet up with them? He couldn't stop seeing them, right? Not if Namjoon was going to kiss him like that and Jin was going to hold him like this.

He chuckled at his own fragmented thoughts. With everything that had happened he hadn't even tackled the part where they were all in a relationship which seemed to have an opening for him.

He was way too drunk to work out what he was going to do with that.

X-X-X

Chapter Text

I may have got a teeny bit distracted celebrating K7 hitting 1K kudos on chapter 7! Thank you very, very much for making that happen. And as always, every review is motivation for me to write so thank you for those! :) A huge thanks to the K7 group chat for your ongoing input :D Hope you enjoy this one.

A few warnings: There are mentions of vomiting (but not seen 'on screen') and also mild corporal punishment (seen 'on screen'). And angst for Kook which is def on screen. As always, you can keep up to date, chat to me and watch the K7 movie trailer on Twitter

X-X-X

It was still dark and his body was restless. Jungkook looked up the smudgy, shifting ceiling, trying to analyse the nausea that had woken him from his shallow sleep. The waves came in at low ebb but he had to keep swallowing back the taste of salt water. His eyes stung, and the walls buckled a fraction in response to him changing position. Why had he drank so much? It wasn't like him-

Jin shifted beside him. "You awake, baby?" He murmured, bedclothes rustling.

"I'm sorry, didn't mean to wake you up," Jungkook felt instant guilt, woozy when he turned his head.

"It's no problem," Jin coughed to clear his throat, propping himself on his side to observe Jungkook. "Are you feeling queasy? Oh sweetheart."

"I'm okay," Jungkook whispered back. "I don't think I'm gonna be sick."

In his infrequent brushes with illness, he'd gradually learned which types of nausea would fade and which would expunge the contents of his stomach. This one was borderline, but there was no way he was going to humiliate himself by vomiting in front of Jin.

"Here, I've got water," the mattress flexed as Jin rolled over to his side of the bed and fumbled about. "Sit up, come on, let me help you."

Jin's cool hands came around his hips and Jungkook took a deep breath and levered himself up. Jin helped steer his hips backwards, plumping up the pillows behind him, before a bottle of water was uncapped and held to his lips.

Jungkook took a couple of sips before reaching up to tilt the bottle away.

"Let me have your hands," Jin soothed. "I'm going to rub the pressure points for a little bit. Good boy."

"But you have work in the morning," Jungkook protested faintly, already mesmerised by Jin's thumbs rubbing identical points on his wrists.

"Work, shmurk," Jin chuckled softly, leaning in to press gossamer lips to Jungkook's temple, leaving tingles as he drew back. "Are you too hot? Cold?"

The light cotton of Jungkook's tee was snagging against his sweaty back. "Warm," he admitted reluctantly.

"Okay, let me try this for one more minute, then we'll make you more comfortable, does that sound good?"

Jungkook didn't know if the thing Jin was doing was real, but it felt like it was helping. He gratefully watched the roll of Jin's thumbs in the inky darkness.

Once, when he was little, about six, he'd vomited all over his bed and pyjamas in the middle of the night. It had been his first and only experience of food poisoning. Panic had surged through him the moment he stopped heaving. Weak as a leaf, he'd tried to bundle his blanket together to drag it to the bathroom, a nonsensical, childish plan to try to wash it.

The loud creak of his bedroom door - or perhaps his own clumsiness - woke his mother up.

M'sorry! Jungkook had begged when she'd she'd flicked the light on and stepped out into the narrow hallway in her blue nightdress. I didn't mean to!

In one sharp gaze, Soona had taken in his stained pyjamas and the blanket he was hauling along after him, a pungent smell emanating from both.

Go into the bathroom and take your pyjamas off. Throw them in the bath. She'd instructed.

With a sense of dread, Jungkook had obeyed.

When she returned, she held out his spare set of pyjamas to him. Are you going to be sick again? Her voice was clipped. She started her shift at the supermarket at 6am.

He shook his head. He'd emptied his entire stomach, to the point where he'd barely been able to catch a breath. Now he only felt weak and shivery.

Gargle some water then, wash your hands and go sleep in my bed. Soona filled his plastic cup and handed it over.

Jungkook had swirled the water in his mouth and reached up on tiptoes to spit into the sink, debating if he should say anything. I'm really sorry, he'd mumbled, close to tears, but biting them back, because she hated when he cried. He reached up for the soap.

Soona sighed. Jungkook, whose fault is this?

Mine, he gulped miserably.

She looked at him critically. It's no-one's fault, she corrected. Except perhaps Mrs Wilson saying those leftovers were still in date. How could it be your fault?

He shrugged, wretched from being sick, from waking her up, from getting the answer wrong.

She'd ran a palm over his brow then, and in that instant, he'd felt nothing but the glide of her fingers on his forehead. He'd leaned into it, suddenly desperate.

Dry your hands and go to bed, Jungkook, Soona withdrew her hand.

But I made a mess-

Go on.

He'd trotted to her bedroom and climbed up onto the hard bed. It felt both familar and otherworldly. Exhausted, he'd crawled under her quilt, curled up against the body heat she'd left behind and pressed his head into the lumpy pillow to inhale her scent. He'd fallen asleep moments later.

He thought about that night a lot, looking for glimpses of something that hadn't been there.

"Is that better?" Jin gently released his hands and rubbed tenderly on the back of his neck.

It was. Jungkook hadn't realised how much tension he was holding in his neck till it dissolved again under Jin's ministrations.

"Why don't you take your t-shirt off," Jin suggested. "It'll help regulate your temperature."

Jungkook hesitated.

"Hey," Jin whispered against his ear with a little giggle. "I've gotchu, Nochu."

Jungkook couldn't help but giggle too, partly because it tickled. Jin helped him detangle himself from his tee and he shivered with fresh chill.

"Okay, let's get you back under the covers," Jin said. "Will we prop your head up a little? If you need a heat, I'm right here."

Jungkook wondered hazily if he was in love. He fantasized what life would be like if he'd met Jin some other way. If Jin had deigned to date him, if it had just been the two of them: Jungkook and his handsome, worldly-wise older boyfriend, who treated him like gold, planted kisses both earned and unearned on his head and held him close.

As the remnants of nausea abated and he became more comfortable, he found himself pressing back into Jin, longing to inhale more saffron, rose and orange, wanting to be touched.

Jin obliged him, drawing them close so that Jungkook could feel Jin's ribs and hipbones against his back, Jin's hand resting protectively on his thigh. They breathed together, and Jungkook felt his eyelids slip shut as the weight of sleep overtook him.

He woke alone the next morning, the quilt tucked in around him, grey grainy light seeping past the edges of the windowblind.

His head was thick, his tongue furred, mouth rank. Worse, the space beside him was empty and outside of his little cocoon, when he stretched a hand out across the sheets, cold. Jin had gone to work.

The pressure on his bladder prompted him to get up. It was as if his body had become too big for him and he couldn't fine tune it. He shrugged the rumpled t-shirt back on, missing the arm holes twice, and made the bed clumsily before shuffling towards Jin's door on stiff limbs. He cracked the door open to check for the dog. Then he hobbled his way towards the upstairs bathroom, wincing at the light gleaming off the tiles.

He composed arguments in his head while he leaned on the sink and brushed his teeth. In the cold light of day he was sure he would need to make an argument. He needed Namjoon to understand that going home to Julian was a non-negotiable priority and that they could work out what to do after that.

He spat into the sink, grimacing at his own reflection in the mirror. There was a dull thump at his temples, and even another good skin day didn't improve his mood. His hair looked like it'd been caught in a high wind and he scowled at himself as he tugged someone's comb through it. It was like every nerve ending had been frayed in his body.

If Namjoon thought this was up for debate, then he was going to meet a whole different Jungkook this morning.

He left the bathroom and trudged round the balcony. The raised window blinds revealed wall to wall clouds above a gloomy street. He made for the stairs.

"Hi sweets!" Hoseok was at the kitchen counter, pouring mix into a frying pan. "You want pancakes?"

Jungkook shook his head then ground out a "no, thank you," to not be rude. Tae must be out with the dog. Jimin and Yoongi were gone too.

"Morning, Koo," Namjoon sent him a warm dimpled smile from the sofa. He was tearing open a couple of envelopes with cellophane windows. Jungkook pursed his lips. Was he imagining things or had Namjoon just dropped the second k in his name? On the wall, the TV heralded the incoming 10am news, the cloying voiceover for the title sequence already grating on him.

He stepped between the two sofas and slumped down, along from Namjoon. Namjoon reached an arm round his back and slid him close so that their legs were touching. It was hard for Jungkook to resist the clear invitation to cuddle in.

"Jin said to let you lie in. You got a hangover, Koo?" Namjoon smoothly turned the TV off, as if he wanted to give his attention to Jungkook, but Jungkook wasn't stupid and he wasn't in the mood.

"I want to watch the news." He tried to reach over Namjoon to take the remote.

Namjoon chuckled. "Someone's grouchy this morning. Okay, I'll put it back on."

"-ney in North East London," a presenter with fuchsia lips and perfectly coiffed hair said. "Hazeema Adam has more details."

"Yes, Kate, that's right, just behind me here, on Blossom Court Road, the bodies of eight men aged between 30 and 60 were discovered yesterday afternoon, in what some are calling a gang hit. Six of the victims have been identified as 33 year old Taz Yavuz, 51 year old Owen Mitchell, 32 year old Jamie Abbasi, 40 year old Scott Duggan, 40 year old Joseph Russell and 42 year old Umit Erdogan all from North East London. They were found lying along this stretch of road, leading into the entrance of Happy Belly Takeaway here on my left, each with gunshot wounds. Ambulance crews pronounced each man deceased at the scene. Two additional victims were found deceased inside the premises of Happy Belly Takeaway but have different injuries and have yet to be formally identified. The owner of Happy Belly, Kenny Mitchell, is well known in the local area. Peter Taylor lives just across the road, and was the first person to arrive at the scene. Peter, describe what happened to you yesterday afternoon."

A burly white man with a shock of unkempt white hair, bulbous nose, and a bottle green mac eagerly stepped closer to her windcovered mic.

"Well I was driving home," the man said. "And I thought, lordy, someone's left a mannequin in the road. Was joking to myself that it was bit early for Guy Fawkes Night. Anyway, I stopped the car, was going to get it off the road so it didn't cause a hazard, and it was then that I realised it was a body."

"That must have been a dreadful shock for you," the reporter exuded an empathy that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Well, I'd say so yes. Blood all over him. Knew he was dead. So I called the police and then I kept looking around for anyone injured. Before long I saw another body, on that side of the pavement, and then it was like a trail. There were a bunch of them over there, one guy just inside Kenny's takeaway, I recognised him. So I kept going, the door was open, so I went in-"

"With no thought to your own safety."

"Well, I can't say I thought too much about anything. Anyway, it was a house of horrors in there, stabbed to pieces. Nothing I could do, so I left again, and by that point, the police had showed up and I told them where the bodies were."

"You live just across the road, in these flats here. How have your neighbours reacted to the news?"

"Shocked, everyone's just shocked. See Kenny every week for my Friday night takeaway. And now he's dead."

It was more information than the reporter had wanted. "Mr Taylor, thank you for speaking to us at such a distressing time." She turned to face the camera head-on. "Police are supporting the families of the deceased but are still completing identification of the two victims inside the takeaway. Fears are growing for owner Kenny Mitchell and chef Cole Hampsted who as of yet are unaccounted for."

"Spread all over the floor!" The interviewee said off-camera, his voice unmistakable.

"The police investigation continues. Back to you at the studio, Kate," the reporter smiled grimly.

"Thank you, Hazeema. The London Metropolitian Police have just issued the following statement," the presenter said. "We can confir-"

"Is that what you wanted to see?" Namjoon said calmly, over the sound of the TV.

Jungkook nodded, his heart like a clenched first behind his breastbone. He was stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He'd been having the time of his life with these people last night, he'd kissed Namjoon and it was by far the best kiss he'd ever had and he'd completely blanked out everything that had come just before.

Spread all over the floor. Tae had destroyed a man's body so badly that he'd been wearing his lifeblood. Then he'd come back home and played a silly board game. Yoongi had been so delighted with Jungkook's desperate self defence, Jimin had just wanted to party. And Namjoon was as unfrazzled and in control as he was now.

They were murderers. Even if they'd murdered evil people, they were murderers. You couldn't just take another person's life, whoever it was, and immediately switch to a fun night. Even Jin and Hoseok, who hadn't directly been involved, hadn't blinked an eyelid.

He was so stupid. So, so, so stupid.

"I can hear your brain whirring from here," Namjoon chuckled, and Namjoon's knuckles nudged the soft of his cheek. "How about we discuss it when you're not hungover, huh?"

"How about we don't discuss it at all?" Jungkook snapped, tilting his head away from Namjoon's knuckles, only partly succeeding due to Namjoon's arm holding him in place.

"Well that's fine too," Namjoon gave his shoulders an infuriatingly calm shrug. "I don't suppose there's much to discuss when child abusers die, is there?"

"I'm going home. This morning," Jungkook said flatly.

Silence spread out in the room like a shroud.

"Oh god," Hoseok mumbled from the kitchen counter.

"You want to go home this morning," Namjoon repeated, voice cool as a knife. "And how are you going to do that?"

"You're going to give me your key and I'm going to walk out the front door, that's how," Jungkook snarled, holding out his hand. "I mean it, Namjoon."

"Check your attitude, little boy." Namjoon warned. "I know you're feeling bad tempered this morning but-"

Agitated, Jungkook ripped himself free from Namjoon's arm and charged towards Hoseok. "Hobi, give me your key! Give me it!"

"Sweetheart," Hoseok's hands were up, palms out, placating. Telling Jungkook no.

Frantic, Jungkook's eyes darted all over Hoseok's frame as if he might somehow see the outline of a key. In the same motion, he caught sight of the kitchen knife lying within reach on the counter. He and Hoseok met eyes.

An instinctive breath of emptiness caught in Jungkook's throat as he was grabbed from behind, hauled back towards the sofas. He struggled, screaming every curse word he knew, bucking against Namjoon as he tried to put him on the sofa, kicking and aiming elbows until Namjoon bundled him down to the rug on the floor, flat on his back, Namjoon sitting on his middle, hands holding Jungkook's wrists down on either side of his head.

"Settle down," Namjoon said, voice dark. But Jungkook was done with Kim's Six. He struggled against the vice of Namjoon's grip. He twisted his hips and wrenched and cussed Namjoon out as loudly as he could.

"Baby-" Hoseok said distantly.

"I've got him," Namjoon said, and suddenly, in one deft movement, Namjoon had pushed Jungkook's wrists together, clamped them under one big hand. He lifted his weight from Jungkook's middle and rolled Jungkook towards him so that Jungkook was face down, hips propped over Namjoon's knees. As his hand left Jungkook's wrists to grip his torso Jungkook tried to-

Smack.

The impact shocked Jungkook to the core. Each precise and even blow that followed tumbled through his nerves, cracked across his brain like a flash of electricity. He squirmed, gasped, writhed but Namjoon kept going, measured out another spank and another, until Jungkook went lax, dumbstruck, tears needling at the corners of his eyes, both sets of cheeks scalded pink.

Namjoon rolled him off his knees and back onto the rug, snatching his wrists again and sitting astride him. His eyes bored right into Jungkook's, his smile double-bladed. Jungkook stared up him, panting for breath, stunned. He could feel friction heat radiating from his pyjama bottoms. He hated Namjoon, hated, hated-

"Have you calmed down?" Namjoon shuffled his weight down Jungkook's body so he could lean in, and Jungkook felt Namjoon's breath grazing over his neck, their faces close. "Then let me give you three very good reasons why you're not going home. Number one. Apexi Research hosts some of the worst animal abuse I've ever encountered-"

Jungkook growled low in his throat, refusing-

"Hoseok, let him see the photos," Namjoon snapped. When Jungkook's growl dipped into a pathetic whine, he relented. "You don't have to see the photos, not if you don't want to. But we have a stupid amount of evidence. And if we want to do the job properly, then we need the location of Vrishi Bhakta. And we need your step dad to give that location up. If you leave, thousands upon thousands of animals will continue to go through unspeakable torture. Number two. I don't like that step-dad made Yoongi change his haircolour to yours and call him 'daddy,' in bed."

What? Jungkook's heart plummeted. In the distance he could hear Hoseok echoing the question out loud.

"Yoongi told me," Namjoon said. "He had no reason to lie, it was before we knew you were Adley's stepson. Usually I don't judge kinks, but in this case, I think you're at risk. In the interests of your own safety you can't go home. And Number three-" he paused then and Jungkook knew his anguish was written all over his face. "And number three-" Namjoon softened his tone. "I know you don't believe me yet, but we care about you very much." Slowly, allowing Jungkook time to jerk his head aside, he lowered his face to place a soft kiss against Jungkook's lips, gauging his reaction before gently releasing his wrists and climbing off him.

Jungkook stared up at the high ceiling, mind reeling. It was lies, he knew it was lies. Someone who had it in for Apexi had doctored the photos, and Yoongi was lying about Julian, or else Namjoon was lying now, because they wanted him to stay. Julian wasn't- Julian had never harmed him. Would never harm him. Julian hadn't got him drunk, or denied him freedom, or smacked him like an unruly infant-

A flood of wretchedness overwhelmed him.

"It's okay, it's going to be okay," Namjoon murmured, reaching out to gather him in a hug.

"I want Jin," Jungkook whispered, as Namjoon gently pressed their bodies together, rubbing his back.

"Jin's at work, baby." Namjoon said.

"I want Jin!"

"If you're going to act out, you won't even see him when he finishes work," Namjoon said sternly.

That did it. Jungkook felt a huge sob erupt out of his throat, and his eyes began to flood. He tried to cover his face, breath coming in great heaves.

"Oh sweets," Hoseok's voice was dismayed, and Jungkook felt a second pair of hands prising him from Namjoon's lap. He clung on to the scent of fresh eucalyptus. Hoseok and Namjoon were arguing in low tones, and Jungkook's blotted hearing caught Namjoon's words "-can't trust him."

"I'll be good!" He choked out immediately, lifting his head from Hoseok's shoulder, voice congested with tears. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was good yesterday! I'll be good!"

He stared desperately at Namjoon, alive to every movement of his face, every blink, every lift of his eyebrow and twitch of his mouth.

Namjoon observed him back, brown eyes calculating. "Fine," he said, eventually. "Let me call him while you wash your face."

"Thank you," Hoseok leaned in to kiss Namjoon's cheek, voice purged with relief. "Come on, sweets, let's get you cleaned up. We better get some proper clothes on you too, huh? I'm a shoe size 7 and a half, do you think we're about the same?"

Chest hitching, Jungkook allowed Hoseok to move him from bathroom to bedroom, let him fuss him into clothes and wash his face and rub his damp cheeks. Each time he tried to have a coherant thought it floundered and got washed away. All he could do was think Jin, Jin, Jin.

When the two of them hit the stairs, Jungkook felt his trembles increase, like someone getting closer to their fix. He would feel safe in Jin's arms. He would explain everything to Jin and Jin would let him go home. He just had to stay calm and be good so Hoseok would take him to Jin.

Hoseok pushed open the main door onto the street. An ambulance siren sliced through the incessant rumble of traffic. He led Jungkook to the right. Next door to the apartment entrance was another door, with a window plastered with accepted bank cards and framed by a border of multicoloured stained glass. Jungkook could smell grassy, floral fragrance even before Hoseok opened the door and a little bell tinkled to announce their arrival.

The shop they stepped into had a tranquil ambiance, a swell of light conversation and occasional shuffling at equal pitch to low relaxation music funnelling through overhead speakers. Jungkook looked around at the clean, minimalist design of the shop: wooden floors, cream walls, and dark shelves stocked with what like all sorts of tea. The smell was richer indoors: earth and fruit, nuts and herbs, incense and petals.

Beyond the shop floor on the right was a sales counter with a curved glass display revealing golden baked goods on neat black trays. Towards the left, the room spilled into more space, revealing what looked like a small seating area. The coloured glass designs on the walls back there made it look like Aladdin's cave.

And coming out from behind the sales counter, stepping through the tearoom onto the shop floor, wearing a black apron over his grey slacks and a plum coloured polo neck: Jin.

He beckoned, and Jungkook abandoned Hoseok in his rush to get there, skidding round one of the customers browsing the tea, causing a couple of people to glance aside.

Jin stepped back into the tearoom, punching in a door code which must lead to the staff area. He ushered Jungkook through, holding the door with his foot for Hoseok. They were in a short, narrow corridor and Jungkook couldn't wait any longer. He flung his arms round Jin's back and sank against his front, almost knocking him off his feet.

"Woah, darling, come on, there's a bit more space in my office," Jin steered him into the first room on the left. Jungkook didn't catch a glimpse of it. He'd buried his face in Jin's polo neck, just breathing him in, saturated with relief.

"What happened, Hobi?" Jin said, his voice pained. "My poor boy."

"They sort of had a scuffle," Hoseok muttered from somewhere nearby.

"They had a-? Sweetheart, why?" Jin sounded horrified. "Why, Hobi?"

"He, um, he's still not set on staying," Hoseok mumbled uncomfortably.

"You want to go home?" Jin asked him.

There was something dangerous hidden in his tone that tipped Jungkook off even as "yes," tumbled from his mouth.

"No," he amended quickly. Realising how much of a lie that sounded, he buried his face in as much as he could and mumbled, "I don't know."

"Oh baby, it's okay to be confused," Jin's tone reverted to comforting. Jungkook clung on to him tightly even as he felt his organs caving in and sinking.

Jin wasn't his rescuer. Jin wasn't his hero. Jin wasn't going to help him leave.

"Come and see my tearoom," Jin's hand carded through his hair, making his scalp shiver, then turned him around, hands on his shoulders to steer him. "Did you eat yet? No? I'll get you something. We can make you a nice calming tea infusion too. How does lavender, lemon and jasmine sound?"

He guided Jungkook to the table in the back corner, nudging him into a seat. "I'll go get you-"

Jungkook tugged at Jin's apron, a whimper in his throat.

"Okay, okay," Jin sat down in the seat beside him. "I'm here, baby. I'll stay with you."

Hoseok took the chair across from Jungkook. Clinging onto Jin in case he changed his mind, Jungkook's gaze skated around. The designs on the walls comprised of beautiful stained glass shapes, each set indivdually against the cream walls to form swirls and patterns, catching the lights from the ceiling. There were about half a dozen glasstop tables, with coloured patterns closer to mosiacs on them. Two of the other tables were currently occupied. A young black couple in business suits were engaged in deep conversation, a tea set between them. Two older white ladies wearing sweaters and three quarter length skirts were at the other table, talking loudly enough to mask the conversation of the other two.

Normality. And just around the corner, more customers on the shop floor. Jungkook leaned heavily against Jin, and shut his eyes. He could call out to these people. He could yell that he'd been kidnapped, and beg someone to call the police.

But what would happen then? Would people believe him, or think it was a prank, since they'd seen him rush in to greet Jin? Jin was the pinnacle of respectability. If these were regular customers they'd have been suckered by Jin's charm just as Jungkook was. Jin would make a glib excuse, and Jungkook would never leave the apartment again.

Or supposing the customers did believe him. Jungkook didn't think Jin and Hoseok were armed, but they might have a weapon hidden in the shop and Namjoon was just upstairs. What threats or harm might they do to customers who wanted to call the police? If Jin owned or rented the entire building then their identities and livelihoods would be on the line if the police were called. And he knew how easily Kim's Six could kill. He shuddered internally. They knew he wasn't going to try anything. He couldn't afford to endanger himself or the people around him.

A young woman wearing disposible gloves and a black apron like Jin's came up to the old ladies with a tray in hand. They smiled appreciatively as she placed a teapot and two stained-glass teacups in front of them. Then she approached Jungkook's table. She looked at him, glued as he was to Jin's side.

"Damn, Jin," her pretty face screwed into a knot. "Why don't you leave something for the rest of the gay boys?"

"We'll have a lavender, lemon and jasmine infusion, please," Jin gave her a saccharine smile. "And.. do you like lemon, darling? And a lemon pastry too."

"Sure," the waitress shrugged. "Hoseok?"

"Yeah, I'll have a pastry too. Thanks, Hye-Hwa."

"That's my sister," Jin explained as the waitress walked away. "She loves me really."

His sister? Jungkook tried to get another look, but she'd swept into the back area behind the counter. "It's a family business?" He asked, eyeing the other young woman who was currently serving at the counter.

"You could say that," Jin grinned. "Areum's not related though."

"And your sister knows that you and Hobi and ...?"

"That I have five boyfriends? Yeah she knows. It would be hard to hide, they're always popping their heads in. That would make for a good sitcom premise though, right Hobi?"

Hobi smiled tightly. Jungkook could see the strain on his forehead as he looked between them.

It was like some kind of good cop, bad cop, Jungkook realised. It suited Namjoon to send him straight to Jin after spanking his butt like that. It drove Jungkook closer to Jin for comfort. Even as he began to understand the psychology of what they were doing, he couldn't bear to detach himself from Jin's side. If anything, he was trying to resist the impulse to slide onto Jin's lap to be held properly. It would be so easy to just let them win. They wanted to take care of him, he believed that, his butt would be still stinging right now if they didn't. He just had to go along with their terms.

But he owed it to Julian to make it home, even if he didn't move back in permenantly. Julian had been there for him when not a soul in the world had. Jungkook had waited till the day of his mother's funeral to hear the words I love you too, Jungkook And he'd treasured those words ever since. Jungkook was going to return Julian's loyalty to him.

Because no matter what happened between Yoongi and Julian the other night, the fact remained that Julian had never taken advantage of him. Julian wasn't the one holding him against his will or playing mind games. Jungkook had to get home to him.

"Here we go. Lemon pastries, tea," Jin's sister said, laying each down on the table. "Enjoy."

The lemon pastries were golden with a dusting of sugar. Jungkook's teacup was made of some kind of coloured glass, a mosaic design, which made the contents look even more inticing. He slid the cup closer to himself and inhaled the steam coming from the amber coloured liquid before taking a sip.

Would Jin's sister help him? She might know about her brother's boyfriends, but did she know what he did on his time off? It seemed like they didn't get on so well. What if he got a note to her somehow? He dismissed the idea quickly. Jin and Hoseok were right here. Plus, like Jungkook, she might put family first.

"They're pretty, aren't they?" Jin ran finger over the outside of Jungkook's cup. "Had them specially made. Everything tastes better out of a glass, I think."

"Pastry is incredible as always," Hoseok commented.

"I'm sorry," Jungkook realised suddenly, "I ruined your pancakes. And your morning off work."

Hoseok's face melted. "Oh sweets, that's not important. As long as you feel better."

"We're the kings of abandoning meals," Jin chuckled. "Do you like the tea?"

Jungkook nodded, taking another sip before setting the cup down and reaching for his pastry. He took a nibble, then a much bigger bite immediately afterwards. Jin and Hoseok grinned fondly.

"I think Areum's got a new fan," Jin ruffled the back of Jungkook's hair.

The flaky, sugary goodness was perfectly offset by the tart of the lemon. Jungkook had to stop himself from gulping the whole thing down in one. He snuggled against Jin's side as much as the chairs would allow and held his tea in cupped hands, enjoying the heat, dipping in for a sip every few minutes. The tea was calming, soothing out his wrought nerves, taking the edge off his headache. He kept half an ear on Jin and Hoseok as they chatted about their favourite TV show premise and let his eyes sweep over all the coloured glass on the walls.

They thought they had all the power, but they didn't. He had power too. He could barely comprehend what six beautiful men who had eachother had seen in him, but their intention had been to ask him on dates. They wanted it to work out with him. Even just now, Hoseok's guarded features had dropped the moment Jungkook apologised for ruining breakfast. When Jungkook fell in line, they were happy. That was where his power lay.

He just had to act like all their mind games were working. He didn’t have to fake liking them, or at least, who they were on the surface. All he had to do was make it appear that they were winning him over. That he trusted their judgment and that they could trust him. If he played his cards right, they'd give him more and more freedom. And then he'd have plenty of opportunities to make his escape.

"Is Jin in?" Someone asked Areum at the counter. Jungkook recognised that voice.

"Oh, here comes trouble," Hoseok smiled, turning to look.

"Hye-Hwa! Oh my god, I love your earrings! So pretty."

"You want anything?" Hye-Hwa gave Jimin a big smile, her face transformed.

"No thanks, I just came from brunch. Oh, hey guys! Why are we all here?"

"Remember, you're too good for them!" Hye-Hwa shook her head as she crossed to shop floor to greet a customer. The other customers in the tearoom couldn't help but look up and take in Jimin's candyfloss hair, his angelic face, smart trenchcoat and chelsea boots.

"She always says that," Jimin grinned, taking the seat beside Hoseok. He pecked Hoseok's lips then leaned across the table for one from Jin. Half-panicked, Jungkook glanced at the customers, but either they'd looked away just in time or were pretending they hadn't noticed.

"That smells so good, Kookie!" Jimin raised both hands to blow him a kiss diagonally across the table. "Can I have a sip?"

Feeling a little shy, Jungkook slid his glass teacup towards Jimin.

"Lemon, lavender, jasmine," Jin said as Jimin lifted it to his mouth.

"That would be perfect with a soak in the bath," Jimin groaned lowly, "it's gorgeous. Thanks, baby."

He slid it back. Jungkook noticed that up close, Jimin's makeup wasn't completely covering the dark circles under his eyes.

"Well I have a job for us," Jimin leaned forward over the table conspiratorially. "We're talking a whole damn heist. We need you in about three different locations at once, Hobi."

"What's happened to Emily now?" Jin sighed.

"Hey, that's not fair, she's one of the few YouTube people I can trust. Kookie you'll know who she is, it's MillysMakeupXoX."

MillysMakeupXoX was a huge name in the YouTube Beauty Community. Jungkook had watched her collab with Jimin before.

"Anyway, the problem is Tony Gwan," Jimin said.

"Again?" Hoseok winced.

Jungkook knew that name too. Tony was just as big if not bigger than Milly's Makeup.

"I warned her not to give him a second chance, not after last time. But she's so soft hearted, and he hit her with a big sob story. Three months ago, she was at his place and they had this huge heart to heart, just the two of them, in private. She told him some stuff she's only ever told me, stuff that would really damage her. Anyway, fast forward to the last few days. I don't know if you keep up with YouTube drama, Kookie, but the rumour mill went off about Tony Gwan again. Now there's another bunch of fans saying that he used his star power to pressure them into sexual stuff they weren't comfortable with."

"This happened last time, and nothing came of it, right?" Jin frowned.

"Yeah, because most of these people are anonymous. Plus everyone's over the age of consent. And behind the scenes Tony Gwan throws money or threats at his problems so nothing sticks. This time, is a bit different, though. A 19 year old guy has posted a YouTube video, actually showing his face, giving his name, with this very plausible Storytime of Tony Gwan slipping him his number at a meet-and-greet. He's put the texts up in his video. Long story short, he says Tony invited him to a hotel when Tony's fiancé was abroad for work, and he went along, as a fan, desperate to meet his idol again, and that's when Tony's intentions became clear."

Hoseok grimaced. "And how does this affect Milly?"

"The 19 year old gave the hotel name and the date. The texts seem to confirm it, but there's no video footage. Tony Gwan said that the texts are fakes, and he was at Emily's place that whole day and overnight."

"Which he wasn't?" Jin concluded.

"Exactly. He named another YouTuber who he said was there too, and they confirmed it. But Emily knew it wasn't true. She called him up yesterday to confront him, and that's when he told her he'd recorded that conversation from three months ago. He wants her and her team to be his alibi. Or else he releases his recordings. I guess he has dirt on the other YouTuber too. So she's trapped."

"You want me to hack into his computer, then?" Hoseok murmured.

"From the way he was talking to her, he has a recording on his mobile, but he'll for sure have it backed up on his computer at home, and he might even use a backup memory stick. He thinks he's untouchable."

"So what are you thinking?" Jin tilted his head.

"He'll be at the event I'm going to on Wednesday night. All the big British YouTubers will be there. Kookie, I get a plus one, you should come! That would be such good exposure for your channel! Anyway, whenever there's an event in a hotel he always stays over."

"You are not going back to his room, and Jungkook certainly isn't either," Jin said.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm not a good actor like Yoongi, I'd throw up. But what I can do, is swipe his phone at the event and switch it out for a dupe. He has a custom cover, so I just need to get a replica cover made before Wednesday. I'll take his phone, and meanwhile, one or two of you will get into his hotel room, take any laptops or memory sticks. He'll have security, but at least that means there'll be less people at his home, which is just outside of London. That'll be the trickiest part for us, because he's just had a new alarm system installed."

"How do you know he's just had a new alarm system installed?" Hoseok asked.

"He did a recent house tour on his channel. Two tours in fact. Which means we have pretty much a full layout of the house to work with. Either way, if we hit all three spots at once, at best we'll remove everything he has on Emily. And at worst I'm pretty sure we'll have enough incriminating evidence on him that it'll be a stalemate and Emily won't be forced into being his alibi."

"You're a good friend, Jimin." Jin said. "But we do have a project on at the moment."

"Hobi can bump Adley on another week, can't he?" Jimin said. "If he's going to give Bhakta up, he will, and if he's not then we'd have to move to a plan B anyway. Another week shouldn't make a difference. And I told Emily I'd help her as long as she didn't ask any questions. I at least need to do the phone part. And it would be nice if I didn't get caught when someone tries to track it." He batted his eyelids at them.

"Well, we'll schedule some time tomorrow to talk it through," Jin relented.

"I love you," Jimin said with a soft little sigh.

"The others haven't agreed yet."

"They'll agree if Namjoon agrees. Namjoon will agree if he thinks you want it. Thanks Jin. Thanks Hobi. Kookie, you should definitely come, I'll introduce you to loads of people. So is work over, Jin? Are we taking Kookie shopping now?"

"Shopping?" Jungkook blinked.

"Yeah! You need a whole wardrobe!" Jimin clasped his hands in delight. "I have so many ideas for you. You're going to look so cute. And we need to find you the perfect outfit for going clubbing tonight!"

"We're going clubbing tonight?" Jungkook blinked harder.

"We hadn't decided on that for sure, Jimin," Jin gave a crooked smile.

"Come on, it's Friday! Where's your sense of fun? We haven't been clubbing in two weeks!"

"But I'm not eighteen yet," Jungkook said.

"It's okay, I know the bouncer at one of our usual places, he'll sneak you in," Jimin grinned at him. "Don't you wanna let loose a bit?"

"I though that's what I did last night," Jungkook mumbled.

Jin chuckled. "Either way, we might keep you on the soft drinks tonight, huh? Would you like to go out? You'll be safe with us."

Jungkook must have looked scared. He nodded slowly. He had to accept any offer to get out of the apartment, earn every freedom and possible opportunity he could.

"I'll call Namjoon, check if he wants to come with," Jin decided.

Jimin reached his hands across the table to Jungkook, wiggling his fingers. "Are you excited? I'm gonna be your personal stylist!"

"Not everyone gets excited by clothes, Jimin." Hoseok prodded him.

Jimin sent him a flirty grin. "I bet I can get you excited about clothes today."

"We're going to go pick up some clothes for Jungkook, maybe grab some lunch," Jin said into his mobile. "Are you in?...Okay. No, he's going to stay in and finish editing your YouTube videos."

"You're the best, Joon!" Jimin sang in the direction of the phone.

Hit with sudden inspiration, Jungkook tugged at Jin's sleeve. "Can I speak to him?" He mouthed.

Jin looked surprised. "Jungkook wants to speak to you."

When the phone was handed over, Jungkook wondered if it was too much of a gamble. But he needed to be able to convince Namjoon more than anyone else.

"Hi baby." Namjoon's voice was rich and dark and measured. Jin, Jimin and Hoseok were watching attentively.

Jungkook tucked the fingers of his free hand under his thigh, compressing them against the chair. "Are you mad at me?" He said cautiously. In his peripheries he saw Jimin's head bounce between Hoseok and Jin's faces in confusion.

"No," amusement flickered in Namjoon's tone. "Are you mad at me?"

Yes. "I'm sorry," Jungkook blurted out. "I was angry. I wasn't listening."

There was a pause on Namjoon's end and he thought he'd overdone it.

"I think you're mistaken, I'm sure you're mistaken," he added quickly. "But I'm sorry I didn't give you a chance to talk. I've never had a hangover before."

Namjoon chuckled, and the other three at the table awwed and Jungkook knew from the levity of Namjoon's tone that he had succeeded. He became sharply aware of the thump of his heart.

"I did notice," Namjoon smiled down the phone. "But you're cute when you're mad. If you survive your shopping trip with Jimin then I'll see you in a few hours, okay? I'll have your video all edited up for you."

"Okay, thank you," Jungkook said, and held the mobile back in Jin's direction. "He's had some tea and something to eat," Jin told Namjoon. "I think he's feeling better." He carded a hand through Jungkook's hair as he spoke, and Jungkook leaned into it. Hoseok was staring at him as if he was a puppy.

"Tell him about Emily," Jimin prompted Jin eagerly.

"Oh yeah, Jimin wants us to pull off a whole operation for one of his YouTube friends," Jin reported. "Tell you about it later on."

"And we're going clubbing tonight, Joon!" Jimin called towards the phone.

"Did you catch that too? Apparently our schedule is packed," Jin smiled indulgently at Jimin. "Okay. I love you too." He hung up the phone. "Anyone need the bathroom before we go? Do you need to go baby?"

Jungkook shook his head. "I'll nip in quickly," Hoseok said. "Want me to drive?"

Jimin drum-rolled his knuckles on the tearoom table. "Shopping time! Shopping time!"

Jungkook smiled back, even as Hoseok and Jin groaned.

He'd could do this. He could play them at their own game. Take his first best opportunity, and run for his life. He had no-one but himself to rely on, but that was the child Soona had raised. And maybe when this was over and he was home safe with Julian, he'd be able to tell himself that at long last he'd done something she'd be proud of.

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Thank you so much for your comments and kudos on chapter 8! Will be replying very soon. I had a bereavement since chapter 8, so hoping this one reads ok! If you're curious I'm posting my earliest drafts of this chapter online, so you can track how it went from a couple of sentences to a silly number of pages. Will post the link to it on my Twitter. Enjoy!

X-X-X

Hoseok bounded back to the car while Jimin was hooking his designer mask round his ears. "Prices hiked up again," he groused, smearing their ticket against the inside of the windscreen.

"Keep that wallet out," Jimin used his fingers to box up and down Hobi's side mischeviously. Hoseok sighed and fished for it from his back pocket.

"Don't you dare, Hobi," Jin intervened, hooking an arm round Jimin's waist to drag him back.

"But it might stop him going overboard."

"You think anything will stop him going overboard? He can go overboard on his own money."

"Spoilsport," Jimin pouted behind the mask. "Kookie needs nice things."

Kookie was standing at Jin's side like a newborn lamb, looking between them with his saucer eyes.

"Hows this compromise," Jin said. "I'll pay for the essentials, you pay for the frivolous." He reached out for Jungkook's hand under his sleeve and linked their fingers.

For a moment Kookie converted to rabbit in the headlights, then he relaxed, gazing at Jin with a shy, starry-eyed look. Jimin remembered what being seventeen and enthralled with Jin felt like. Fierce, protective love tugged at his heart. This was a huge step for Jungkook.

And reassuring for them. It was pretty hard to run off while your fingers were interlinked with someone else's. Whatever wrinkles they'd had with Jungkook this morning, Jin's magic had smoothed them out. He'd even been easy to distract in the car. Jimin was confident he hadn't got his bearings until they'd reached the city centre.

"Let's go baby," Jin gave Jungkook a soft tug, and they headed for the exit, hands swaying gently, footsteps echoing off the concrete multistorey carpark. Jimin stole his own hand into Hobi's, leaving Jin and Jungkook a pace or two ahead. It allowed Jimin and Hobi to keep eyes-on, just in case. And it would make it easier for Jin to steer Kookie aside if Jimin was recognised.

It wasn't the only thing they'd discussed last night, once Jin had taken Jungkook to bed.

Absolutely gorgeous, Yoongi had said hoarsely, giving his head an awed shake. Jimin seconded that emotion. It wasn't just Kookie's malleable cheeks, bright eyes or that plump lower lip. It wasn't even his lithe body with its trim waist, healthy skin and toned thighs, though Jimin was very much looking forward to dressing and undressing it. Finally relaxed, Jungkook had been affectionate, giddy and all-round adorable. Cuddly. Eager to please. Funny. The embodiment of them hitting the jackpot.

Yeah, were you trying to kill us, Joon? Tae's eyes were hungry but his smile sated. Jimin snuggled into Tae's side, basking in relief. He was buying into Jungkook staying. Everything was working out.

He might not be so amenable in the morning, Namjoon had warned, but even he looked pleased as punch. Jimin only had to bury his face in Tae's soft jumper and close his eyes to replay the image of Jungkook's chin tilting up, submitting to Namjoon's glass, throat flexing as he swallowed, Namjoon's grip dominant on the back of his neck. The images of Kookie in his little blindfold holding onto the stair railing was equally branded against Jimin's eyelids, as was the sweet kiss which Namjoon had so smoothly corrupted.

Jimin was in lust and half-drunk and he'd had one thing on his mind. He'd leaned up to give Tae's earlobe a cheeky nibble.

We need to take our time with him. Let him dictate when he's ready for any of the big milestones, Namjoon added, gaze straying to Jimin's mouth. He'd discretely adjusted himself more than once during the party, and Jimin had every intention of helping him out tonight. I don't want him so much as overhearing sex before he's settled in. I'm looking at you Jimin.

Why me? There's five of us! Jimin protested.

Namjoon smiled indulgently. Because you'll forget to be quiet.

Tae, I'm sleeping at your place tonight.

Oh, I was going to stay here. I'm drunk and Ruby's asleep.

Noooo. Hobi? Jimin beseeched, careful despite the lubrication not to include Yoongi.

I'm tired out, Minnie. A lion's yawn punctuated Hobi's words. I'll come over early to spend the day with Nochu. Tomorrow night, okay?

Yoongi? Jimin asked for the sake of appearances, though the spectre of defeat already gripped him, his heart plummeting deep into his belly.

I'll join you and Hobi tomorrow night, how about that?

I suppose it'll have to do Jimin couldn't help but reflexively yawn too. Imagine having five boyfriends, nearly six, and not being able to get laid whenever he liked. That was how ridiculous his life was. He teased at Tae's ear to distract himself, eliciting little shivers, eyeing the others provocatively.

Behave. Namjoon warned.

Make me.

But Namjoon had been too smart to fall for that one. How about we talk about your other favourite pastime. Shopping.

"So where do you buy your clothes?" Jin was asking Jungkook up ahead.

"Online... I don't shop a lot..."

"You need to go easy on him," Hobi murmured into Jimin's ear, eyes intent on Kookie.

"Of course I'll go easy on him." Jimin scoffed. "I'll pick everything. He just needs to let me dress him up."

"That's what I'm talking about."

"Call it a rescue," Jimin squeezed Hobi's hand, a skip in his step. "I mean, you did try, and the sweater paws are cute, but he looks like he walked through a jumble sale."

Hobi was about to defend himself but Jin was toeing the exit door open and cooler air swirled into the carpark. Jimin felt the new tension in Hobi's grip as they took the stairs down to ground level, but he wasn't worried. Namjoon had sanctioned the trip after all.

They stepped out onto the street. Drizzle discoloured the afternoon, moisture ghosting over their faces. Dusty red buses and black cabs crawled through dense traffic and the fumes were acrid, stinking in their throats. They were assimilated into the crowd of people funnelling towards the main street, faces ebbing and flowing around them, heads drawn like tortoises inside hoods, some sidling alongside buildings to seek cover under the glass canopies and terra cotta arches, others braving the smir without concern.

Jimin loved London.

"Skincare first," he called ahead. "Turn right up here." He'd already mapped out a route for them in his head. He'd always thought there was something special about shopping. When he was little the shops has been a playground of colourful mazes and hiding from his mum. As he'd grown older he'd found a sense of therapy in the lighting and textures, the upbeat music, the vinyl flooring, the tantalising suspense of what could like around the corner. He'd graduated to designer stores as the YouTube money started to come in, which felt even better.

He drank in the tall, white stone, pale terra cotta and red brick buildings in 19th century style. Londoners rarely looked up, but Jimin did. He loved the contrast of the decorative carvings and columns, baroque gables, towers, domes and relief sculptures of cherubs, fawns, gargoyles and wreaths all above shopfronts of aluminium, glass, plastic and LED lights.

"What brands do you use?" He called ahead again as they reached their first destination.

Jungkook glanced at him over his shoulder. "Umm, I don't need anything expensive."

"Don't worry about that," Jimin dismissed. As if he wouldn't give Jungkook the best. "Do you have SPF built into your routine?"

"Umm.."

"Hey, do you even watch my videos? 'It isn't a skin routine'....?"

"'If you don't use sunscreen'." Jungkook recited obediently as the first set of automatic doors slid open for them. He tried to navigate Jin towards the low end products.

"Jungkook," Jimin warned, his voice bossy enough to tip the balance. "Pick up a basket. Premium skincare is over that way. Then we'll grab a comb and deoderant and some other bits."

"You're going to convince Jin that luxury skincare's an essential when we hit the till, aren't you?" Hobi murmured, tucking their joined hands into his own coat pocket playfully.

"Nooo, what do you take me for?" Jimin chuckled, curling his other hand round Hobi's elbow, leaning into him as they trailed the others. "Though not a bad idea. It would salvage more money for clothes.."

"I'm happy to chip in, you know. Especially if it helps him feel more at home."

"You're the sweetest." Jimin meant it sincerely. It was nice, having a little moment just the two of them, their hands snug in Hobi's pocket.

"We don't get to do this too often," Hobi said, mirroring Jimin's thoughts. "We should plan a date night, sometime, just us. After Jungkook's settled."

"I'd like that," Jimin smiled, pausing in the aisle to lay a quick kiss on Hobi's mouth. "I come from a very noisy household."

"You're a scamp," Hobi chuckled, recognising the line. "I thought I was being subtle."

"It was sweet," Jimin watch Jin and Jungkook pause to examine moisturisers. "So you get full points for consistency."

In those days he'd been trying to juggle YouTube and open university. When he first met Hobi he was ensconced at his usual library table, books fanned out around his laptop, chewing on a pen.

Is this seat free? A gentle voice had asked.

It was, but Jimin knew there was an unoccupied table over by the Reference Section. He tore his eyes from his screen.

The guy was about his age, probably a little older. His hair was in a ponytail, he had lean, handsome, Korean features, a heart shaped mouth and a hefty backpack on his back.

So not automatically a creeper. Possibly one of those people who thought being Korean gave them an instant kinship.

Sure, Jimin had said, waving at the seat diagonally across as if freeing it up. He returned to his laptop. Ponytail was cute as hell, but Jimin had two boyfriends he was devoted to and low tolerance for friendships.

Ponytail slung his scarf over the back of the chair and shrugged his backpack and coat off. Jimin clocked the spine of his book as he set it down on the table. Web Application Security and Advance Penetration Testing.

You studying? He nodded towards the book as Ponytail sat, his chair squeaking on the wood floor.

Ponytail's delight was unmissable. Already qualified. I'm a software tester. But there's always something new to learn.

Namjoon was looking for technical support. Was pretty frustrated in fact, unable to find someone who would both cover his internet tracks and be trusted not to shop him to the police.

What about you? Ponytail asked, face open, keen.

About this far from dropping out Jimin pinched his thumb and forefinger together, eliciting a quiet chuckle. I haven't seen you in here before.

I have a lot of noisy siblings, Ponytail grinned. He had nice teeth. Saving up to get my own place, but figured I'd try this for peace and quiet in the meantime.

Sorry, Jimin flashed him a smile of his own, imitating his body language, leaning in, maintaining eye contact, keeping his voice low and intimate. I guess I'm not helping with that.

Oh, please, continue not helping Ponytail said, two little rosy blotches appearing on the apples of his cheeks.

Okay, now they were definitely flirting.

You trying to escape a noisy household too? Ponytail asked.

Jimin tugged his mobile out from his pocket, locating the last picture he'd taken of Jin and Joon, loved up, sprawled on eachother's laps. He showed them to Ponytail. I live with these two. Sometimes it's hard to concentrate at home.

Ponytail saw exactly what Jimin wanted him to see, and his delight was unmistakable.

Feel like you're third-wheeling sometimes? Ponytail feigned commiseration.

More than I should, Jimin grinned. It was true, though it reassured him oddly. He'd be content with even half the loyalty Jin and Joon showed eachother.

Well, if you ever need someone to fill in for a double date, I'll be free. Ponytail offered. I'm Hoseok.

Jimin reached out across the table to shake his hands, letting his grip linger. Jimin.

And so, what Hobi thought was a double date, was in fact both a single date and a job interview. By the time he'd learned the truth he was smitten with Jimin.

"They just put their first product in the basket, time to investigate!" He tugged Hobi forward with him.

"Oh my god, are you Jimin?" A wide-eyed teenager stopped them in their tracks, bobbing nervously, clutching her bag to her chest.

Jimin let off a colourful flurry of swears in his head, prodding Hobi to go catch up to the others. He turned to his fan and made his eyes pop. "What gave me away?"

"Your hair," she giggled, both hands over her mouth now. "Oh my god, I've been subscribed to you for two years! I love you so much!"

"What's your name? Is this your mum?" Jimin gave the woman behind her a friendly wave. "Hi!"

"I'm Caroline! Can I take a picture with you? Please?"

"Sure!" Jimin noticed Caroline's excited eyes stray after Hobi, no doubt trying to figure out who he was. Damn. He was going to have to keep the kid talking till the others had finished their shop in here, wasn't he? She was exactly the demographic who would recognise Jungkook, especially since Jimin's twitter had been awash with interest in Nochu and whether they were dating since he'd posted that teaser photo. "Is it a mum-and-daughter shopping day?"

"We're on holiday! I told mum you live in London, but I can't believe we actually saw you!"

"Wow!" Jimin said. "Are you going to hit all the tourist attractions? See a show?"

"Yeah, we're going to see Lion King tonight and Les Mis tomorrow!" Caroline was fumbling with her phone, hastily plucking at untidy strands of hair, trying to smooth them down.

"You'll have the best time. At least one of them will make you cry, I guarantee it. Hey, so how about you and I make a deal?"

Caroline was practically transfixed. "A deal?"

"Well I love meeting fans, but I won't get any shopping done if a whole crowd shows up, you know?" Jimin said reasonably. "So if you wait a few hours before you post our photo then I'll drop you a reply. Is that cool?"

It was a bargaining chip he'd used before. The need for instant gratification would be high, but she'd rack up far more attention later if he tweeted or commented too. Usually dangling that carrot would buy him a few hours.

"Of course!" Caroline's eyes ballooned. Jimin tried not to be mad at her for ruining his skincare consultation with Kookie. "Maybe your mum can take a couple of pictures for us?" He said. "That way she can get our full outfits in."

Once he'd seen Jin, Kookie and Hobi hit the tills he reached out for a goodbye hug and hastily wound his way across the shopfloor to the exit. The three of them emerged a few minutes later, a paper shopping bag in Jungkook's hand.

"At least you didn't have to pay." Jin tickled under Jimin's chin, sensing his disappointment. "I bet you're regretting the pink hair now."

"Never," Jimin said resolutely. "What did you get, Kookie? Lemme see?"

"You can lecture us back in the car." Jin nudged him away. "Let's try to get to another shop without you being recognised. Come on, baby."

Hobi offered his hand as Jin and Jungkook set off and Jimin took it. It looked like it had showered while they were indoors, but now a faint lick of sun pierced the grey above, making the small puddles on the road look black.

"Jin has him eating out of the palm of his hand." Hobi reported quietly, as Jimin called out directions and they followed on. "I don't think we need to worry."

Jimin nodded. If his experience yesterday had proved anything, it was that Namjoon didn't make wrong calls. Kookie wasn't planning on going anywhere.

"Do you think we were always destined to be seven?" he mused.

"Maybe not," Hobi said. "But he is perfect. I just hope we can be perfect for him."

They scouted out the smaller shop floor in Dr Marten's and no-one started squealing at Jimin so he could finally get down to business.

"I'm thinking chelsea boots, platform boots.. maybe ankle boots too," he smuggled Jungkook's hand out of Jin's and into his own, sneaking the skincare bag across to Hobi, dragging Jungkook over to the first rack. "You love stomper boots, don't you? Oh those are cute! Oh damn, these suades though. Which ones jump out at you?"

"One pair is okay..."

"Kookie," Jimin spun Jungkook round to face him, bracing his hands on his shoulders. "We're going to spend lots and lots of money today and there's no point in fighting it. You deserve it and I can afford it. All I need you to do is place absolute trust in me. Are we gonna do this?"

Jungkook stared at him and Jimin found himself obsessing over his enlarged features, and those prettiest freckles. "Okay," his almost-boyfriend said helplessly.

Jimin wanted to lean in and kiss him, but his mask was in the way, and a shop assistant was coming up to ask Jin if they wanted any help.

"Brilliant," he beamed. "You're all mine."

X-X-X

"You've never worn leather trousers?" Jimin exclaimed.

"You want me to wear leather trousers?" Kookie bleated.

Hobi and Jin chuckled at their equally incredulous faces.

"Oh we've just found the bottom half of your clubbing outfit!" Jimin fist-pumped, did a little victory dance. "These ones?" He held them up against Jungkook's waist, sizing up the length. "No, these ones. Yes! Come on, come on, come on, lets go find the changing room!"

He'd been putting on a mini fashion show in each changing room for Jin and Hobi. Jungkook had been such a doll, letting Jimin dress him up while the other two waited outside. Jin and Hobi's faces when they'd first seen Jungkook in a crop top had been priceless.

Jimin, he's not going to the club in this, Jin moved forwards as if his hands were magnetised to the garment, reaching round Jungkook as if he was trying to see if it would tug down, fingers grazing his lower abdomen. It's way too revealing.

It was, which was exactly why Jimin had put it on him. Jungkook had soft honey skin, a flat stomach and the deliciously early stages of definition. Jin's fingers toyed with the hem of the black satin beaded number, and he and Jungkook swallowed hard. Sorry, baby, did I give you goosebumps?

Jungkook was overstimulated, his jaw loose, probably not realising that he was swaying a little under Jin's hands. So precious.

We can still buy it right? Jimin said.

Hobi breathed out a few swears. Really pretty..

Jimin, no, he's seventeen, its way too sexy. Jin's thumbs ran tiny circles above Jungkook's hips.

He'd break. Not for the club, Jimin wheedled. But he can keep it at home, right? We can't put it back, it's practically made for him. Don't you love it, baby?

Jungkook was preoccupied with what Jin's thumbs were doing.

If Jungkook likes it, you can buy it Jin relented as easily as Jimin expected. But he needs to be covered up tonight, okay boys?

Okay, Jin Jimin had smiled sweetly, already imagining Joon, Tae and Yoongi's faces whenever they got the fashion show.

He knew before they'd tried the leather trousers on that he was going to save them as a surprise for everyone.

"Don't you need... talcum powder?" Jungkook's eyes were transfixed by the sheen of the leather as Jimin undid the button and fly and bent to untie Jungkook's shoes.

"Noo, there's cotton lining inside. We'll pick up some new underwear for you that would work with these." He had a feeling baby boy wasn't about to go commando. "Trousers off, please."

Together they went into battle. "It's squeaking because its new," Jimin gasped. "I've got a moisturizing lotion at home we can rub into the seams. Push! That's it, that's it, Kookie!"

"They're tight," Jungkook whined.

"They're fitted. Okay, up, hold onto me, do a little shimmy for me. There. Okay, lets get you tucked in."

Reverently, he zipped Jungkook up, did the button. "We did it," he breathed.

"Can we come in now?" Hobi called impatiently from the other side of the changing room door.

"No!" Jimin called back. "We're holding you in suspense!"

Jin and Hobi started complainining, but he blocked them out.

"Kookie," he stood back, his breathlessness no longer caused by exertion. "Your thigh game is unreal."

Jungkook was looking at himself in the mirror, taking in his own long legs, his own ass, the way the trousers accentuated his muscles.

"You look hot as hell," Jimin said frankly. "Do you like them?"

Jungkook had favoured oversized hoodies and soft plain tees and jeans and joggy-bottoms and Jimin had let him indulge in whatever made him comfortable, while Jungkook had tolerated Jimin's choices with a little strained expression. But there was something different in his eyes this time, as he ran a cautious hand over the material and frowned at the mirror. "Yeah, I like them," he said softly.

Jimin didn't know who had dared let Jungkook go through life unaware of how good looking he was, but it was as if he'd finally caught on. He wanted to run his hands up and down those legs, but he settled for stepping behind Kookie, hugging his waist, resting his chin on his shoulder so they could look in the mirror together. "Hear me out," he said. "We pair these with the white tee, the one with the eggshell green undertones."

"The blousey material one?" Jungkook wrinkled his nose.

"Trust me. "We can tuck it in," Jimin rolled up the bottom of Jungkook's sweater to try to replicate the effect. "You get to show off this tiny waist, Jin can't argue that you're not covered up. I'll redo your eye makeup from yesterday. And if its cold you can pair it with that lightweight oxblood jacket we bought early on. We just need to get you a choker. What do you say?"

"Okay..." Jungkook said slowly.

Jimin couldn't help but nuzzle his nose into Jungkook's warm neck. "You're the best boy."

Jungkook loved skinship. He even subconsciously tilted his neck a little to give Jimin better access. Jimin wanted nothing more than to make out with him in the changing room, but it would show on Jungkook's face after, and Jin would slaughter Jimin for it.

"Now the not-so-fun part, we gotta detach them from your legs," he settled for a quick smooch on Jungkook's neck, then backed off.

Working together, with effort, they extracted Jungkook's legs, and Jungkook redressed himself as Jimin stroked the leather folded over his arm.

"You look tired," Jungkook said softly as he was relacing his shoes.

Huh? Jimin blinked, then turned to check in the mirror. Well that new undereye concealer was a fail. He'd need to keep a note for his May Hits and Misses video.

"Didn't sleep much last night," he said cheerily. Had he slept at all? He wasn't sure.

"Is it because of yesterday?"

How does he know?

Jimin turned. Jungkook had finished lacing his shoes, and sat on the little bench staring up at him. There was an air of desperation behind his gaze.

And then, Jimin realised. Jungkook meant because they'd murdered the child abusers.

"Yes, because of yesterday." He gave a small smile, knowing Jungkook would misinterpret his meaning.

Jungkook nodded, unadultered relief spreading across his face.

Jimin couldn't tell him the real reason of course. And he wasn't mad at Kookie, not in the slightest. He was mad at himself for slipping, especially because Joon had warned him. He'd just wanted so badly to believe that Jungkook was happy.

"We need to pick up a suit too," he changed the subject. "Or at least something formal for the Langchester Hotel on Wednesday night."

"You think they'll let me go?" Jungkook asked uncertainly.

"It's not up to them," Jimin said stoutly. "I say you're my plus one, and if you wanna go, we're going. It'll make YouTube into a career for you. Here, you don't even know how much your Twitter is kicking off already. Look at your followers-"

He sat down beside Jungkook and brought it up on his phone. Jungkook's eyes bugged. "My followers have doubled..."

"We've only just got started," Jimin felt that rush of love again.

Jungkook looked up at him.

Jimin couldn't help but tilt Jungkook's chin towards him and press the softest kiss on his mouth.

X-X-X

"We're pretty much done, right?" Hoseok stabbed at his salad, trying to pick up a forkful of soya bean, sweet potato, avocado and lettuce. "It's not that I don't mind being pack horse, but I don't think you guys have enough wardrobe space for all this."

"Kookie can keep some things at your place," Jimin had an answer for everything. "We just need a couple more bits. He needs a pair of high waisted trousers, some fishnets to go with his ripped jeans, a suit, some jewellery, more underwear. Is there anything else, baby?"

Jungkook was tucked into the corner of their booth. "I think I mentally checked out a while back," he said, and the other three laughed.

It wasn't true. His mind had been racing non-stop. Trying to hide it had been the hardest thing. Even in the car, when they'd so blatantly been distracting him, trying to prevent him getting a glimpse of street names or signs, he'd committed to not looking, to having all his focus on them, while his brain was firing like a spinning siren.

It was worse once they were out in public.

You could run now.

He's looking away. Run now, Jungkook.

There's another fan coming for Jimin, make eye contact, call out-

Their guard is down. Run, you coward.

But he'd learned from yesterday. Their guards were only partly down. They were still watching him. He had surface trust only. And if he could just keep earning it, he'd only have bigger and better opportunities. Jimin was even talking about taking him to a YouTube event, where he'd be the only one able to monitor him if the others did the heist. Jungkook would surely have escaped before then, but it showed that it would serve him to be smart.

I'm sorry, Julian he thought to himself. Please hold on. I'm coming home. I just can't afford to get caught.

It was confusing too. He could see the pain in Jimin's eyes when he'd asked about his dark bags. Killing those men hadn't sat right with Jimin either. Jimin had just kissed him in the changing room, and it hadn't been like the extravagent, excessive Jimin he portrayed. It had been so careful and considerate and momentary, and Jungkook's heart had pounded afterwards.

He looked at Jimin, who was sharing his side of the booth with all the shopping bags, while the three of them were bunched together on the other side. He wanted Jimin to be the Jimin he'd crushed on for months, the Jimin who was his friend. He would be so easy to confide in. But when he saw Jimin interact with Hobi and Jin, he just knew that Kim's Six came first.

There were silly things that had made his brain short circuit too. Like the leather trousers. Was it real leather? If it was real what made leather trousers okay and Apexi Research the source of all evil?

His own salad comprised of tomato, apples, cucumbers and diced chicken. It was much simpler to just focus on eating.

"Oh my goodness, I have the best idea!" Jimin clapped his hands suddenly, startling the nearby tables in the courtyard restaurant. "There's a tattoo and piercing parlour in this department store!"

"Jungkook is not getting a tattoo, put that thought right out of your head," Jin brandished a forkful of feta and peppers at Jimin. "Not before he's eighteen. Plus we don't have any fake ID for him."

"Not a tattoo," Jimin dismissed. "He could get his ears pierced!"

Jin paused. "Well, if he wants to. He might want to think about it." He reached up his free hand to comb at Jungkook's fringe.

"Do you want your ears pierced, Kookie?" Jimin said excitedly, reaching diagonally across the table towards him. "You would look so pretty!"

And it would show that he was staying.

"What kind of earrings would I get?" Jungkook asked, and Jimin's face lit up more.

"You don't have to do it just because Jimin likes the idea," Jin scolded softly.

"You don't have to say no, just because Jin thinks he's soo responsible," Jimin jibed back. Jin threw a crumpled serviette at him.

At the end of the day, the piercings would heal up if he took them out, wouldn't they? It would be worth it. A physical demonstration that he was wasn't planning to escape.

"I'll do it," he said.

Hoseok cooed. "What do you want to get?"

"Silver or platinum I think," Jimin narrowed his eyes tight as he looked at Jungkook's ears.

"Let him pick himself, brat," Jin teased.

Jungkook stuffed the last of his salad into his mouth, chewed. "What do you think, Jin? I don't want it to look..." He didn't know if girly was the wrong word to use.

"Studs would make a lot of sense, since its your first piercing," Jin said. "You'd look great with hoops, but while your ears are healing you don't want them catching on things. Why don't you wait to see the options?"

They posted their empty trays of food into the bin and Jimin lead the way through the store. Jungkook held onto Jin's hand a little tighter as they approached the shop. How much was this going to hurt?

The piercer had so much metal in her she could be recycled. Her dreadlocks and tattoos were equal parts intimidating and cool. Jimin had her charmed in five seconds flat. Before Jungkook had time to process the shop, a drawer full of pairs of studs was opened and he was nudged towards it.

"What ones do you like, sweets?" Hoseok set their bags down in the corner, gaze roving over the coloured gemstones of different sizes, the gold and silver and white gold and platinum hearts and stars and flowers and moons and squares and diamonds and animal silhouettes and hoops and black studs.

If he was trying to out-brain them, he might as well go all the way. "Jin, will you pick for me?"

"Darling, are you sure? You're going to have to keep these in for a few weeks."

"Six weeks," the piercer clarified.

"I'm sure," Jungkook said. "I trust you."

He almost felt guilty when he saw Jin's expression, but then he remembered how he'd ran to him this morning, thinking that Jin would save him.

"Okay," Jin pressed a kiss to his temple, and the piercer's embellished lower lip pouted out, clearly just as enamoured with the notion of the handsome older boyfriend as Jungkook had been. "Let me see. How about these crescent moons? They're not too big, they're in platinum which will keep Jimin happy.."

They were a good choice. They would suit him. For a moment, Jungkook forgot himself and felt grateful.

His good spirits evaporated a little when he was sat in the hydraulic chair, the piercer all up in his face, two dots marked on his alcohol-wiped ears. Now she had some kind of needle with a plastic tube covering it in her gloved hands.

"Happy with the placement?" The piercer asked.

"It doesn't hurt a lot right?" Jungkook checked.

"It's just a pinch."

"We don't want it running with the curve of his ear," Jimin reminded her, tracing the shape in the air. "The other way round."

"Increscent on this side, I got you. You okay if I start?"

Jungkook fumbled for Jin's hand. "Okay."

She set the handheld mirror down and lifted something that looked like a plastic clip to hold his lobe steady. Jin squeezed his hand reassuringly. Jungkook braced for pain.

"Take a relaxing breath for me," the piercer said. "Just a pinch, remember."

Jin rubbed his thumb over the back of Jungkook's hand and there was a second of pain that went almost as soon as it had come.

"There we go, one down," the piercer said cheerfully a few seconds later. "Now if I can get you boys out the way so I can get round to the other side-"

"It's so pretty!" Hoseok awwed as she wheeled her stool and tool trolley round to his other side.

His ear felt hot.

"Do you sell the saline spray too?" Jin asked, as the piercer prepared his other stud to go in.

"Yep. Spray twice a day, front and back. Otherwise its best not to touch them. And try not to put pressure on them when you're sleeping." His other ear was clipped. "Ready to take another relaxing breath for me?"

Now that he knew it didn't really hurt he wasn't worried about the second one.

"Brave boy!" Hoseok cheered as the piercer handed Jungkook the mirror again and she and Jin went to the till.

"Guess your ear piercings just became 'essential,'" Jimin giggled. "I love them. Do you love them?"

Jungkook laid butterfly touches on his ears. "They're a bit hot."

"They're a lot hot," Jimin chuckled.

"The heat will go away soon," Hoseok soothed. "Do you think you look different?"

He did. It felt like he'd marked himself as theirs, even though he knew he could take them out.

He could help but catch his reflection in all the shop windows as they wound their way to their last few stops. Even when they finally returned to the car, shifting the weight of a ridiculous amount of bags from one hand to another, he couldn't help but stop and stare at himself in the car window as the others packed the boot.

He decided that he liked them. He suited them. He didn't have hate them just because of what they represented.

He pretended he was getting drowsy in the back seat on the way home. He felt Jin prop something soft under his head two minutes into his performance.

"You've tuckered him out," Jin said.

"Not asleep," Jungkook mumbled, shifting his head, trying to protect his ear. He heard Hoseok gave a soft giggle. The others began conversing in lower voices, not about anything that would help him. His eyes began to feel like they had bricks attached.

"Baby boy," Jin's voice was in his ear, the back of his finger stroking his cheek. "We're home, sweetheart."

Jungkook startled. Sure enough, they were in that rudimentary carpark behind Jin's shop and the apartment.

"I fell asleep," he scrubbed his eyes, bemused.

"You did. How do you feel?" Jin reached over to unclick his seatbelt for him.

Like he might have lost a valuable opportunity to sneak a peek at a street sign. But maybe it was for the best. It added to the evidence that he was staying. Plus, he still had a chance to catch the name of Jin's shop.

He clambered out of the car and accepted some of the bags. They'd spent a lot of money on him. A couple thousand. It made him deeply uncomfortable, but he'd quickly realised he'd blow his own cover by protesting too much.

They walked under the arch together and round to the right where the main door was. Jungkook looked up, but Hoseok, probably accidentally, was right beside him, blocking his view of Jin's shop front. He'd have to catch a glimpse later. At least he had their street number now: 127. It was a start.

He startled a little when Jimin began turning his key in the front door and the dog began wuffing on the other side. When the door opened and it charge out, fur waving furiously, he quickly sidled indoors out of its way.

"Good timing, I just did a food shop," Yoongi had dozens of plastic bags strewn across the kitchen counters and floor. "All hands on deck."

"We've got more bags than you!" Jimin said cheekily. "Come on, Kookie!"

They bumped into Tae on the stairs. He did a doubletake at Jungkook. "You look different.."

"I-"

"Gotta go, Tae," Jimin dragged Jungkook after him. "Let's throw everything on the bed. Do you wanna play video games?"

"Can I help Yoongi with his bags?"

"S'pose so," Jimin cocked his head. "Then do you want to play video games?"

"Okay."

"Yess, come on then. Yoongi doesn't actually want help, he has a system for where he likes to put things."

They crossed Hoseok and Jin with the rest of the shopping bags as they headed back down. "You better clear out some of your wardrobe, Jin!" Jimin said brightly.

"Excuse me, it's 90% your clothes." Jin shot back.

"Oh well, toss Joon's stuff out! You don't mind, do you, Joon?"

"Mind what?" Namjoon held his arms out and Jimin jumped up into them, hooking his legs round Namjoon's waist, while Namjoon supported his butt. Jungkook glanced aside awkwardly when they kissed.

"Are our videos done?" Jimin cheered when Namjoon set him down and nodded. "Wahh, thank you! Tae, do you wanna play video games?"

"In a minute, I'm helping Yoongi."

Jungkook looked at Namjoon and Namjoon looked back at him.

"You got your ears pierced," Namjoon's voice was velvet. "Was that Jimin's idea?"

Jungkook nodded, reaching up to touch one of them self-consciously. "I agreed. Jin picked them."

"Let me see," Namjoon said stepping closer, his hand gently unpicking Jungkook's. Jungkook let it drop. For a moment he found it hard to breathe.

"They're beautiful." Namjoon said, dimples embedding his cheeks, eyes searching Jungkook out. He knew Namjoon would be the hardest one to convince.

"Yoongi, did you bring clubbing clothes with you?" Jimin was sprawled on the couch, kicking his legs in the air.

Yoongi paused to frown at Jimin and gesture up and down at his black jeans and poloneck.

"Noooo..." Jimin was aghast. "It's okay, you can borrow something of Kookie's. I'll sort you out. We're going big tonight."

"Oh we are, are we?" Yoongi shook his head, mirth in his gaze. "I thought it was only good boys who help put the shopping away who get go clubbing."

"I can help," Jungkook said, circumventing the sofas and armchairs to avoid the dog.

"See, here's a good boy," Yoongi berated Jimin. "Of course you can help, Bun. Fridge stuff over here, Cupboard over there. Frozen over there."

"You've got earrings on," Tae said, suddenly as frozen as the bag of peas in his hands.

"That's just a little spoiler for what's to come," Jimin said airily. "Oh that reminds me! The trousers! Be back in a couple minutes!"

"He'll be back the moment everything's put away," Yoongi remarked to Tae. "They're really pretty, baby. What made you get your ears pierced?"

"Jimin." Namjoon said it at the same time as Jungkook.

"That explains it." Yoongi laughed. "No, Bun, onions don't go in the fridge pile."

Jungkook felt heat crawling up his cheeks. "Oh." He moved the bag to the cupboard pile. He'd just assumed fruits and vegetables-

He picked out some of the cans from the bags instead. He was on safer ground with those.

"I'll teach you how cook sometime, would you like that?" Yoongi said.

Jungkook nodded fervently. If he moved out, and it was hard to think about moving out when he was trying to get home, but if he moved out, he'd need to learn to fend for himself.

He helped as much as he could with the unpacking, handing items off to Tae or Joon when he wasn't sure where to place them. Then Jimin was back with his Playstation and hauled Jungkook and Tae to the sofa to play. After a while, Jin squeezed in beside them. There wasn't a lot of space, so when Jin whispered "you want a cuddle?" It seemed logical for Jungkook to scooch up onto Jin's lap and trounce Jimin and Tae from his vantage point against Jin's front. Jin's arms tucked under his, wrapped around him securely. He was getting dangerously conditioned to needing to be held like this.

Yoongi, Namjoon and Hoseok collaborated on dinner. Jungkook tried not to pick at his food as the banter flowed across the dining table. Last night he'd been so innocently happy at dinner. The best thing to do was replicate that mood, but the alcohol had been exchanged for all his scrambling, buzzing thoughts and he had to settle for pretending to be tired and cheerful.

"Okay, Kookie, go wash up, brush your teeth, I'm gonna bring our clothes into my office, meet me there," Jimin instructed as soon as dinner was finished. "And none of you disturb us, okay? I mean it. We want it to be a surprise."

"We're just gonna be here pre-gaming," Yoongi said, carrying two bottles of vodka over to the dining table. Apparently Jungkook was the only one who'd suffered a hangover this morning.

"You better all spruce up," Jimin threatened, "or we won't bring you with us."

"Club doesn't even open for another two hours," Jin observed. "You don't think you're starting a little early?"

"Good luck, Kook," Tae smiled.

Jungkook felt like he was going to need it. He wasted a little more time in the bathroom than neccessary, and Jimin actually came to collect him.

"Right," Jimin closed his office door behind them determinedly. He had a little clothing rack on wheels out, and garments hung bunched together on the left and the right. Both their clubbing outfits. Jungkook could feel an army of butterflies hatching inside him.

"Clothes off, all of 'em." Jimin instructed.

Jungkook was mute for a moment, but Jimin was already turning, cutting a tag off the new underwear. "Go on," he said. "We'll get you dressed first. I've got a hairdressing gown we'll cover everything with so we don't get makeup on your outfit."

The army of butterflies were now investigating the nooks and crannies of Jungkook's stomach. He stripped, so aware that the other five were just on the side of the door, and that despite everything, Jimin hadn't actually seen him naked yet.

"Catch," Jimin said, balling up the new microfibre briefs and tossing them over. Jungkook caught them, and Jimin glanced down and gave him an impish smile before turning back to all the products he was lining up for use.

They'd figured out a rhythm with the leather trousers, or else Jimin's moisturiser had worked because they went on a little easier this time.

"Arms up," Jimin said cheerfully, heading for the rack.

Jungkook was less sure about the top. It was Jimin's choice, maybe looked like a tee from a distance, but was made of thin pale material, and didn't-

"Jimin, can you see my-?" He looked down at them.

"Just the barest hint," Jimin said immediately. He worked around Jungkook carefully, methodically tucking the top into his waistband. "Okay, choker time."

He'd found one that matched Jungkook's earrings. It was a thin black band with a silver crescent moon hanging from the centre, which, when Jimin placed it around Jungkook's neck, laid just above the dip where his collarbones met under his throat. Fragile silver chains ran from either side of the centre and joined at the hook at the back. Jungkook had never worn anything like it.

"So beautiful," Jimin breathed, looking him up and down. "Blimey. Look at you."

Jungkook could only look down at himself as Jimin hadn't presented him with a mirror. He was most worried about his nipples. Maybe it was because he was so close up. Maybe from a distance they weren't noticable.

"Boots," Jimin dashed over to collect them. "The heel isn't too big, you'll be okay in these. No, don't bend over, sit on the fold out chair, I'll put them on."

Jungkook recognised the dark red jacket hanging on the clothing rack as 'his.' That was a relief, he'd liked that jacket. And he could keep it on if he needed to.

"Atta boy," Jimin patted Jungkook's boots when he'd finished. "Okay, hair and makeup."

Jungkook sat in a waterproof hairdressing gown for what felt like an eternity. Jimin was messing with his hair, parting it, using some kind of gel, exposing some of his forehead. Then moisturisers and creams were being rubbed into his face, while Jimin lectured him on better skincare choices.

When he saw the amount of make up Jimin was bringing out, he considered making a break for it and hiding behind Jin.

"Don't worry," Jimin repeated. "I won't make it heavy."

It felt heavy, but then Jungkook wasn't used to makeup. At least he had got used to breathing on Jimin while Jimin worked. After a while, he realised he could zone out, and might as well, because Jimin was unstoppable anyway.

Jimin checked his watch when he finally deemed Jungkook finished. "Give me twenty minutes." He said, scrambling to unhook his own clothes from the rack.

"Will I wait for you?" Jungkook said uncertainly, afraid to move his face too much in case he ruined Jimin's efforts and was made to sit through it again.

"Go out and see if the boys look good, and if they don't, report back."

Jungkook felt a little sick as he stood and reached up to take the hairdressing gown off. He felt taller. He knew from earlier how much he liked his legs in leather. But the top... he reached for the jacket.

"Let them see you first," Jimin chuckled, shucking his clothes off.

He wasn't really going to have a choice. Jungkook sucked in a breath, and turned the door handle.

They were mostly sitting on the sofas, Yoongi was coming downstairs.

The first head turned, and Jungkook stared. Then they were all standing up, coming round the sofas as if they were coming to meet him.

Yoongi sat down abruptly on the steps. "Are you real?"

Jungkook assumed he was directing it at Jimin behind him, wondered what on earth Jimin was doing. But when he tore his eyes from them, he realised Jimin was still shuffling about in the office.

"No, he's talking to you," Namjoon said, something animal in his tone.

Jungkook had never seen anyone or anything as hot as the five men around him. He took in the silk shirts, the tight trousers, the intoxicating scents of aftershave mingling together, the cuts of their jaws, and the styles of their hair. Tae's was curly. Hoseok had let his loose. Jin's was pushed back entirely from his forehead.

He felt a little woozy.

Jin swore softly, his eyes trailing to Jungkook's chest.

"Is it too much?" Jungkook said, desperate to break the tension.

"Have you seen yourself?" Hoseok asked softly. "You're breathtaking."

Jungkook reached for the doorframe. He knew his legs had never looked better and Jimin must have done an incredible job with his makeup too.

"Gonna have to keep close watch on you," Namjoon said. "You're gonna have so many men and women trying to fall at your feet."

"Don't scare him Joon," Jin was first to snap out of the reverie they all seemed to be in. "Jimin, you anywhere near ready? Will I book the minicab now?"

"Yeah, I'll be ready before it gets here!" Jimin called.

"Remember there's seven of us," Namjoon told Jin.

"I'm not likely to forget," Jin chortled. "Baby, come over and have a seat while we're waiting. Jimin - you better call your doorman ahead of time!"

"Okay, but let me put trousers on first!" Jimin called back. "Unless you'd rather I didn't?!"

"You know what I'd rather!"

Jungkook wasn't sure if he could openly stare, so he snatched glances at each of them from his seat beside Jin on the sofa. He'd never seen such gorgeous men. Were they wearing make up too? Just a little perhaps? He wasn't sure he could wear the jacket after all, his skin felt so hot.

It was all a bit of a blur as Jimin finally emerged looking draw-droppingly beautiful in an actual blouse with billowy arms, long earrings and the tightest trousers Jungkook had ever seen. He remembered to take a look at the name of Jin's shop belatedly, as they were climbing into the minicab, but the sign wasn't lit up, and he thought it would be too obvious if he was peering for it. He'd try to look on the way back.

"Yeah seven of us this time," Jimin was on his phone to the bouncer he knew. "Do me a favour, Rex.... he's eighteen if you count in Korean years. Well he'd be eighteen here if he was born premature, okay, its not my fault he was born on schedule-" he covered his phone with his hand- "were you born on schedule?" And when Jungkook shrugged helplessly, he put his sweet voice back on. "Rex, I'll owe you so bad. We won't let him out of our sight. No, no, he's not gonna drink. I know your job would be on the line, but you trust me, right? Right. I'll see you soon, Rex, you're the goat."

The minicab trundled through the dark London streets, and Jungkook felt several pairs of eyes on him, so opted for trying to count the journey time rather than catch any signage in the glow of the streetlights. His hands felt clammy. The others were talking, but his ears were tuning him out. His legs were up against Namjoon's and Jin's. It was hard to concentrate.

He thought it was about 25 minutes later when they pulled up. He didn't know for sure. The driver hadn't said a word about one of them being underage for the club, and Hoseok tipped him well.

The club's name couldn't be missed. BI-DAR gleamed in neon letters above the door. The queue was already out into the street. The thud of bass plugged Jungkook's throat.

He was glad when Jin took his hand. He knew he was safe, he was with six vigilantes after all, but he'd never been anywhere so adult before, and he felt like the queue could see right through him. Most people looked like they were in their twenties or thirties and there were a lot of same sex couples as well as mixed groups. One or two looked disgruntled as Jimin led them into the priority queue, but most seemed to accept it, their eyes tracking hungrily over Kim's Six as they passed to the front. Jungkook didn't blame them.

"Rex!" Jimin reached out his arms, embracing a man who was built like a nuclear bunker, wearing a battered, waxed jacket and a razor cut goatee. There was no question from the way the man looked at Jimin that he had a huge crush on him. Jungkook felt intimidated by it. Jimin was tiny compared to that guy. But nothing inappropriate happened, and the others seemed at ease.

"Need a batch of girls next," Rex informed his colleague who was facing the front of the main queue. "Alright, you can head in."

He opened the door for them, and a swell of warmth and red lighting greeted them. The others began scanning their IDs quickly in a cluster, and Jin took Jungkook's hand and moved him along with him. Rex gave seven nods of confirmation as if he'd seen seven and not six.

It was only as they passed the ID scanners that Jungkook caught sight of a face in the queue, only a few from the front, his head jutting out as he tried to get sight on Jungkook, a friendly smile on his face when they locked eyes.

Soobin.

Oh my God. He'd recognised him, hadn't he? What if he came up to say hello? What would Kim's Six do to him?

They'd crossed the threshold now, and the queue and Soobin had gone out of sight. Would they not mind as long as Jungkook played along? If Julian hadn't reported the kidnapping then there was no reason for Soobin to suspect something was wrong. Maybe he was panicking over nothing. Soobin might have just been smiling to be polite. It's not like they were actually friends or anything..

"Let's gooo!" Jimin whooped, pushing a second pair of double doors open. "First round on me!"

Jungkook swallowed hard. He wouldn't endanger Soobin or the people in the club. Had they also passed a security scanner at the ID part? Could Kim's Six have weapons on them? He couldn't risk having Soobin call the police if there was even a chance.

Could he get a message to Soobin though? A message that Soobin could get to Julian? Was it possible?

"Don't be nervous," Jin bent his head and called in his ear above the noise. "I've got you."

Jungkook nodded. Yes, Jin, that's the problem.

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Thank you for all your support for K7 last year, and for the comments on the last chapter! Review replies coming :) Huge thank you to the K7 GC for all your input! Just so no-one's confused, Soobin is 18 pushing 19 in this fic (therefore older than Jungkook).

And since I just know "Dropping Gobi a comment" topped your New Year's resolution list, here's your chance to check that goal off ;D

X-X-X

Jungkook was met with a chaos of sensations. Bass thrummed through his jaw, vibrated up along the soles of his chelsea boots, assimilated his body to the pulse of the building. Fusicia, purple and blue laser lights ricocheted over the walls and fanned across the convulsing dancefloor. Cloudy vapour oozed from the stage, and peppermint filled the air.

The bar was immediately to their left as they entered, lit from above by hanging bulbs, bodies crammed around its scarlet ribbed front. A thin spectators area with a ledge bordered the dancefloor, intersected at intervals by single steps down onto the floor. Across the hall, the stage held a DJ booth, lighting control rig and two large fans.

"You lot find us a spot," Jimin ordered, extracting Jungkook's sweaty grip from Jin, tugging him along after him. "We'll bring the drinks." Brooking no protest, he wove Jungkook around clusters of drinkers, wedging them into a narrow space at the bar. They were served almost immediately.

"Hey, Mateo," Jimin beamed. "Gimme a couple shots."

"Your usual?" The bartender got the drinks by sense of touch alone, setting two miniature glasses in front of them, filling them with azure blue. "What're the lads having?"

Jimin ticked them off on his fingers. "Mojito, Sex on the Beach, Purple Rain, G&T and two Johnnie Walkers. What'd you want, Kookie? A coke?"

Jungkook nodded dumbly, trying not to think about whoever's body he was brushed up against. Had Soobin come in yet? He watched another barman take to the plush stairs leading up from the bar, carrying four bottles wedged into an icebowl with lit sparklers. There was so much flesh on display everywhere he looked: long legs, midriffs, backs, cleavage. Bodies were encased in leather and lace and mesh and latex. It felt like he'd lose his virginity just by inhaling the same air. The bass hammered his ears. His heartbeat thumped in his throat like a trigger.

"Coming right up," Mateo winked at Jimin.

"Let's go then," Jimin slid one of the shots across to Jungkook, leaning the voluptuous elbow of his blouse on the counter. "You look like you could do with some liquid courage."

"But... you told Rex..."

Jimin scoffed. "As if he's going to check. Trust me, this'll take the edge off." He raised his own, and reluctantly Jungkook let him clink their glasses together. The lack of clink suggested some kind of imitation glass. He took a breath-

"Hello boys, having a good night?"

Jungkook almost dropped his shot.

The man was in his late-twenties, a harness over his shirt, moustache like an accidental smear of boot polish. Standing close enough that they could easily hear him over the music. His Lynx body spray stung Jungkook's nose. He could see each tiny individual bead of sweat on the man's forehead and the dilated blood vessels in his eyes.

"Fine, thanks," Jimin said airily, neither rude nor welcoming.

The man looked between them, his gaze dragging up and down, finally settling on Jungkook's chest. My nipples Jungkook was flooded with panic. He fumbled to cross his arms.

"I just wanted to say that you're both looking gorgeous," the man was undeterred, now drifting to Jimin's mouth. "Can I buy you a drink?"

"No thanks, we buy our own drinks," Jimin said firmly. "You have a good one."

The man's eyes lingered for a few moments longer. "Okay," he shrugged. "Maybe I'll see you on the dancefloor."

"Now I know you need that shot," Jimin giggled the moment the man wandered back into the crowd. "Poor Kookie. People are gonna make offers, just shut them down."

"B- aren't you going to spend the whole night turning people down?"

"Nah, people get intimidated when we're all together," Jimin raised his shot glass again. "Now. Three, two-"

Jungkook chugged the shot back. Lime, bitter orange and an overwhelming rush of alcohol punched his chest and quelled his racing mind for a moment. He held onto his tiny wedge of countertop till the impact abated.

"That's £62.50," the bartender added a seventh and final drink to a black plastic tray.

"Take £75, Mateo," Jimin flashed his smile and banknotes in equal measure. "Kookie, carry two of the cocktails, I'll manage the tray. Wait for me to pay, I'm not having someone run off with you."

Jungkook tracked after Jimin like a gosling, with a lurking sensation that he might be winched into a dark corner at any moment. He caught a glimpse of Soobin stepping onto the dancefloor, his arm around the waist of a black girl with silver and gold braids in her hair and a sequin bodycon dress. Soobin wore an open-necked black shirt over a mesh top and tight wine coloured trousers. His attention was all on the girl. Jungkook didn't know if he was relieved or disappointed.

His own semi-constrictive outfit made it hard to navigate the bustle without spilling either drink. He let out a breath of relief when they reached the rest of Kim's Six. They'd claimed a section of ledge and Jimin was distributing the drinks. "Purple Rain, Tae, whisky Joon, whisky Yoongi. Kookie's got yours. Baby, its Sex on the Beach for Jin, Mojito for Hobi. Here's your coke."

"Thank you, darling," Jin took his cocktail from Jungkook's hand. "Come and stand by me. The lightshow starts at half eleven, then the party really kicks off."

Jungkook was all too happy to squeeze infront of Jin, hemmed safely in against the ledge. He sipped at his coke, icecubes jangling, and tried to see if he could spot Soobin in the crowd again.

"What're those massive fans for?" He asked Jin.

"You see the guy working them?" Jin pointed, then slipped his arm around Jungkook's waist. "He's the Aroma Jockey. He mixes oils into the steam." He chuckled and bent to murmur into Jungkook's ear. "It's supposed to add to the experience, but really its just to mask any unpleasant nightclub smells."

The others were bunched around them, slugging their drinks back, watching the stage attentively. Jungkook ran a finger round the condensation on his glass, trying to figure out what his plan of action was. Should he try to find Soobin and get his attention? Should he just lay low and stick close to Jin?

The lights and music went out, blanketing the dancefloor in darkness. Jungkook's ears drums echoed with the silence. The clubbers across the dancefloor and round the bar began to cheer. Light rings lowered from the ceiling above the reveller's silhouetted heads, and the screens behind the stage gave sudden bursts of light as a theatrical voiceover recording played.

It was like they were in a cross between a concert and a movie. First there were just dramatic electronic synth noises bursting across the room, accompanied by lasers that came and vanished with the sounds, dropping vertically down on sections of the crowd like an alien abduction. Then the voiceover built up, and so did the music, and the lights began shooting in all directions like bottled magic, fanning across swathes of crowd, flashing in different colours and directions, until Jungkook didn't know where to look first, immersed in the climaxing sensation.

For a second, lights and music turned off, and the deep voiceover laid down a hook. Then the beat dropped and everything went crazy.

"Let's goooooo!" The DJ yelled into his mic, and everyone surged forward.

"Come onnnn!" Jimin was tugging at Tae's hand, spearheading Kim's Six's route onto the dancefloor. Hobi, Yoongi and Namjoon peeled off after them, and Jungkook felt Jin steer him to take up the rear. People parted for them, closing in behind Jin and Jungkook the moment they reached the others, swallowing them whole into the horde.

Jimin and Tae went in hard, gyrating their hips to the beat, Tae's nose scrunching in awe as Jimin squatted and then popped back up a moment later, his arms up in the air. Jimin caught Jungkook gawping and stuck his tongue out cheekily.

"Are you ready for this!" The DJ belted out, and as the tempo increased, grapefruit wafted over their heads. The laser lights scattered fuscia, blue and purple all over them. Hoseok's hands clamped to Jimin's hips as if magnetised. Jimin looked up over his shoulder, and they kissed, before Jimin ground back against Hoseok's groin.

Namjoon tickled under Jungkook's dropped jaw. "Shy? Just relax. Move your hips."

Jin's breath was tingling at the back of his neck, Namjoon was in front, hands on either side of his ribs, placed above Jin's. Yoongi and Tae were whooping. There were bodies everywhere, as if the clubbers had one shared hive instinct. Jungkook listened to the music, tried to follow the rhythm.

"That's it, Koo," Namjoon praised, and Jungkook, for a lethal half-second, fell for Namjoon's white smile and golden dimples. He felt safe inside their circle. Men and women attempted to join them, but were left on the peripheries. One woman, her face a beacon of alcohol sweat, made a bid for Tae's ass but Hoseok brushed her away and Yoongi's hand seized her objective instead. Tae giggled, unconcerned.

Jimin snuck in behind Jungkook to take Jin's spot. Jin reached out to hook Namjoon's belt loops and drag their fronts together. It was hard to know where one of them stopped and another began, blue, pink and purple lights illuminating segments of their handsome faces and provocative frames for an instant then darting away. Jungkook could feel his entire body tingling to let go, to just feel, to enjoy Yoongi's hands now folding round either side of his chest, thumbs dangerously close to his nipples, Yoongi's cat's eyes mesmerising him, his smile wicked.

Jungkook and Soobin made sudden eye contact between Yoongi's shoulder and Jin and Namjoon's entangled bodies. Jungkook's heart plummeted instantly, dread filling his stomach. He turned his head, focused on Yoongi's chin, pretended he hadn't seen him. Kim's Six couldn't do anything in the middle of a dancefloor, could they? But with all the dark and light and motion-

"Dance with me!" Tae grabbed at his collar next, Hoseok seizing at Yoongi and Jimin. Tae's gaze was pure and open, unabashed, his eyes sparkling when the light caught them. He was so gorgeous he stole what remained of Jungkook's breath. He let Tae manhandle him, closed his eyes, hoped Soobin wouldn't do anything, then let himself go, breathing in cedarwood from above, putting his arms up, perspiration running down his back, his mind swamped.

In his own way, Soobin was the reason Jungkook was here now. Before that game of Spin The Bottle at Elise Harrington's costume party, Jungkook had been perfectly fine not addressing his sexuality.

Come on, Kook! Danny, dressed as Deadpool, plastic mask perched on his head like sunglasses, had slung a drunken arm round Jungkook. Elise is starting Spin The Bottle. We're gonna get off with so many girls!

His friends were already on a high from being counted among the cool kids, and were drunk on vodka or tequila or both. Jungkook had nursed the same solitary drink, not wanting to disappoint Julian by coming home reeking of alcohol.

He could do with a kiss or two. It had been six months since Aamna broke up with him, and he'd had nothing to contribute when lunch table conversations turned to girls. He sat cross-legged on the floor, between Robbie and Danny, as Elise Harrington knelt in the centre, her American cheerleader dress barely covering her underwear. The air was thick with clumsy excitement. There were older teens here, and Jungkook could barely meet eyes with some of the girls who looked like women.

Elise's bottle had skittered in a circle, finally coming to rest on a white guy with straw blonde hair in a faux-police uniform. He's from Fulton Cross High, Robbie informed Jungkook as others brayed and cheered, a few sneaky phones pointed at the ensuing sloppy kiss. Robbie was as well versed on school gossip as he was on true crime.

The bottle went round again, and Caitlyn McCabe from the year above kissed Benjamin Walsh. If there were extended rules to this game, they were lost in the frenzy of hormones.

It was Danny's turn next and his bottle teetered dangerously close to George Chu. The party squawked, then let out a cry of disappointment as the momentum continued just enough to rest between George and an Indian girl who didn't go their school. Danny didn't wait for a referendum, and motioned at her urgently.

When Jungkook's turn had came, he'd realised his mistake. He needed to be flat out drunk to kiss a girl in front of an audience. But it was too late now. Aamna had broken up with him for his inability to take the initiative. So at all costs he had to go in for the kiss first.

He'd spun the bottle. Stared at it rotating on the olive wood flooring.

Whoooo! Danny drummed at his knee drunkenly, proud of his own conquest, as the bottle went round and round endlessly.

It landed squarely on an asian boy with a long face, dimples and round eyes.

Jungkook had blinked dumbly, reached out for the bottle to spin it again. Elise Harrington grabbed his wrist. That's against the rules, Kook! She cried gleefully, as his friends made sympathetic groans behind him.

It was an out-of-body experience. Jungkook was frozen in the centre of the circle, hand still on the bottle, when the other boy untangled his legs and shuffled across the floor towards him. He was unfamiliar, about a year older, gangly and good looking.

Okay? The boy said, then wasted no time.

Jungkook had kissed Aamna plenty of times, and Ishani Laghari once at the last school disco. This was immediately, terrifyingly different. The boy was taking the lead and Jungkook only had to reciprocate. As awkward as it was, it lit a fire within him.

It felt like a bucket of cold water had been upended over his head when it was over. His cheeks were scorched. The other kids cheered and he shuffled back between Robbie and Danny, heart palpitating.

I'd never have the guts! Danny jostled his shoulder. Better luck next round, man!

That's Soobin, Robbie sniggered. He's cousins with Ahnjong. Senior at Fulton Cross. Then he crawled forward to spin the bottle and scored a girl way out of his league.

Soobin had smiled warmly at Jungkook across the circle and Jungkook wondered if Soobin knew what he'd done. So many people had it on film. Now Jungkook would be haunted by rumours till the end of his school career.

In the end, he'd been saved. Xin from his Bio class got him on her first spin and he'd counted it as redemption. Stephen Bisset got a guy on his spin and stormed off, the crowd braying and jeering as he went. Two girls were matched and even more phones came out as they giggled and pressed their mouths together. And then Tommy Heron had got Elise, and the ensuing kiss made it way too obvious that they were a couple. The whole game had self-destructed as Quinn (Elise's best friend and Tommy's girlfriend) had sprang at them, trying to tear Elise's hair out. Jungkook had dipped and called Keaton to come pick him up. All anyone was talking about the next day was Elise, Tommy and Quinn.

It's not like Jungkook hadn't known before Soobin, but Soobin had confirmed it, opened the floodgates. Eight months later, Jungkook had been unable to resist being sucked into the whirlpool that was Jimin.

He danced like there was no tomorrow, Tae singing along when lyrics were played, successfully making him laugh. He was pressed between Hoseok and Yoongi, then his arms were round Jin's neck, Namjoon's hands brushed like shivers over the seat of his leather trousers. He danced through menthol and spices and spearmint and roses, till he was half blinded by the lights.

Around two hours had passed before Namjoon corralled them for a break. Jimin was merry. "Strawberry Daiquiri," he pointed at Tae authoritively, as they all sank against a newly procured section of ledge near the bar. "In fact, you can help me. Rosé wine, Hobi, Martini for you Jin? I know what these two are having. What about you, baby? Tell you what, let's get a Lemon Drop and Parma Violet with lemonade. You can see which one you like."

"Jimin, he's not to have another hangover," Jin warned, his skin glowing with sweat, looking twice as beautiful.

"Then you help carry water too and we'll cover all the bases. Come on, Tae."

"Are you having fun?" Yoongi murmured in Jungkook's ear as the three set off.

"I think so," Jungkook admitted and Hoseok, Namjoon and Yoongi laughed.

"Hi, you guys tore up the floor!" Three teenage girls in mini-dresses flocked to Namjoon's other side. "You wanna dance with us later?"

"Well I don't know about that," Namjoon chuckled. "Are you lot any good? You might bring down our average."

"Is there something going over towards the fire exit?" Yoongi was straining to see, pointing over to the left.

"Huh?" Hoseok frowned, craning to look over all the heads.

"Have a good one, ladies," Namjoon smiled. Jungkook turned back, but Hoseok and Yoongi were forging into the crowd, moving fast.

"What's going on?" Namjoon seized Jungkook's arm sharply.

"I don't- they just left-" Jungkook stared, pointed.

"Are the others still at the bar?" Namjoon tried to look too. For a split second, there was a gap in the crowd and Jungkook caught sight of dark figures charging into others near where Yoongi had originally pointed.

Namjoon swore under his breath. "Stay right here," he said. "Don't move. I'm just gonna check. I'll be watching you."

He let go of Jungkook's arm and rushed into the crowd.

Jungkook swallowed the sick, sour fear that threatened to engulf him. He was suddenly exposed, alone. He could run. Or could he? The space between him and the main exit was densely packed, and there- he caught a glimpse of Namjoon already looking back at him between bobbing heads. How far could he get if Namjoon came running back?

"Hope you don't mind me saying hello, I'm Dove," a girl with silver and gold braids squeezed in beside him, and in a split second Jungkook recognised both her and the tall figure behind her.

"Sorry, I told her you probably won't even recognise me," Soobin chuckled. "It's Jungkook, right?"

"He told me you were his bi awakening, I couldn't not say hey," Dove giggled. There was a lipstick half moon on the rim of her glass. Her dress reflected thousands of tiny fractals of light.

"Hi," Jungkook squeaked, casting another anxious glance in Namjoon's direction, but he couldn't see him. Maybe he should- no- there was Namjoon again, rising above the crowd. He must be on the stairs that led to VIP.

"Are you okay?" Dove frowned.

"My name's Soobin," Soobin said. "We met at a party like a year ago. Don't worry if you don't remem-"

"-Something's wrong," Dove batted at Soobin's chest, cutting him off, peering at Jungkook keenly.

"I'm in trouble," Jungkook blurted out, glancing between them and the space where he'd last seen Namjoon.

"You need to get out of here?" Soobin's eyes widened. "Hey we live exactly two blocks over," he thumbed to the right. "You can come back to ours if you're not safe."

Security guards were spilling into the bar from the main entrance. Someone had smacked the fire exit door open, and even from here, Jungkook could feel cold air reach his bare arms. Half of the clubbers continued obliviously, others turned their heads to see what was going on. Things were moving fast, and that meant Namjoon would be back any second. Jungkook couldn't forgive himself if something befell the young couple. But they were right here. But if Namjoon caught him- His guts were making a stew of themselves.

"Look, can you do something for me?" He burst out. "Can you pretend you're talking to eachother but listen to me?"

"Um, what?" Soobin blinked.

"Look at me, babe," Dove ordered him. "Go on, Jungkook."

"Do you know Robbie Nicholls?" Jungkook asked, half turning his back on them.

"No..."

"Okay, can you get a message to your cousin Ahnjong, and get her to give you Robbie's number? Please."

"Everyone please remain where you are. Security are dealing with a minor incident," an automated voice rang out suddenly and the DJ dipped the music. Jungkook made eye contact with Namjoon again, closer now. Namjoon was coming back for him.

"What is going on..." Soobin breathed.

"What's the message?" Dove asked, "I've got my phone out."

Heads came between Jungkook and Namjoon and Jungkook choked out "Langchester Hotel, Wednesday night. Tell Robbie he needs to get the message to my step dad."

"Langchester Hotel, Wednesday night. Robbie Nicholls to tell your step dad, got it," Dove confirmed.

Jungkook's brain scrambled. Robbie knew where he lived, but would he make the effort to deliver the message? "Tell him its as serious as Genevieve Page," he added. Robbie wouldn't ignore that.

"The serial-" Dove started, confused, but Namjoon was close now. "Thank you, please look away" he said desperately, then hurried towards Namjoon.

"Thank you for your patience, I'm told the situation is now under control. Now where were we!" The DJ roared, and the beat came back on, full blast.

"What happened?" Jungkook asked, practically banging into Namjoon in his haste to show that he was trying to reach him. "Are they okay?"

"Were you talking to that couple?" Namjoon countered, seizing Jungkook's arm and turning him around.

"...Yeah... they were asking if I was bi."

Namjoon eyed him darkly, then looked over at Soobin and Dove as he pressed Jungkook forward. Jungkook didn't dare look too, but they must have turned away, because Namjoon was mollified.

"What did you tell them?" He let go of Jungkook's arm and wrapped his arm around his middle, guiding him past Soobin and Dove and the bar, heading for the exit.

"That I'm not bi."

Namjoon chuckled, bending in to kiss his ear. "Shouldn't have left you on your own looking so pretty, baby boy. Come on, we've got things to do."

"Where are the others?" Jungkook's head was reeling. He had every reason to believe that Soobin and Dove would contact Robbie and that Robbie in turn would contact Julian. He'd done it.

"Two guys spiked a teenager's drink," Namjoon muttered in his ear. "Were about to hustle him out of here all drugged up. One of our boys saw it and they dived in. The kid's okay, the security staff have him. I saw Yoongi and Hobi cutting through the fire exit. Looks like our targets bolted and we're giving chase."

"They were going to...rape him?"

"Almost certainly." Namjoon was hurrying them out past the cloakroom, towards the main exit that sat aside the entrance, still admitting clubbers. "The boys will try to avoid CCTV and run them into a bottle neck where you and I will cut them off."

"We're going to-?" everything was moving too fast for Jungkook. Namjoon was pushing at the exit and they spilled out onto the street, where smokers were standing in knots. The sky was yawning blackness, the air chilly. Namjoon brought them towards a short queue of black cabs across the street and ushered him into the back of the first. Jungkook could still hear the bass from the club blaring in his ears.

"Can we head towards Barnfield Head, please," Namjoon said. The driver grunted and nodded, checking his mirrors and indicating.

Jungkook shivered, a rash of goosebumps spreading out across his bare arms, all the stimuli from the club gone, replaced by stark coldness, the purr of the engine.

"Here," Namjoon shrugged his jacket off, sliding it over Jungkook's shoulders.

Jungkook couldn't believe it. He'd as good as got a message to Julian. Julian would know where to find him on Wednesday, if Jungkook just made sure he was there.

Namjoon was texting rapidly on his phone. Jungkook clutched Namjoon's jacket close round his shoulders and stared outside at the dark streets, stared at everything inside the taxi. Red light indicates door are secured...light indicates your voice may be heard by the driver...Hearing loop...Thank you for not smoking...Doors are secured when vehicles is in motion of when footbrake is applied...Please wear your seatbelt the law requires you to wear your seatbelt...

"If you can take us on to Marlowe South," Namjoon said a few minutes later, reaching over to Jungkook to remove his wallet from his jacket pocket and something small, cylindrical and black which he tucked into his trousers. "Thanks."

When they pulled up on a desolate street lined with houses, Jungkook felt the trepidation rising inside him. Namjoon paid, nudged him out of the taxi, grabbed the jacket collar. "Put your arms in, we may have to run."

Jungkook fumbled to obey. The taxi was pulling away.

"Walk fast for now," Namjoon ordered, gripping the back of his neck loosely, his phone out again. "This way."

He marched Jungkook down the street, then veered right, paused as an influx of texts reached his phone, pulled up his map, then said "run."

They broke into a sprint, Jungkook fighting against the constriction of the leather trousers and his boot heels, Namjoon's jacket flapping at his sides. "Right," Namjoon panted. "No, no, left, this way. We cut them off here."

He dragged Jungkook half off his feet, darting through a fenced off lane between two gardens, zig zagging around other houses and parked cars, dodging street lights, cutting across somene's front lawn, leaping the short metal fence on both sides, leaving Jungkook no option to do the same.

"Gottem," Namjoon wheezed finally. Jungkook practically crashed into him. They were at the entrance of a poorly lit alley, tall brick buildings on either side. Jungkook tried to catch his breath, lava filling his mouth. Two men were hurtling up the alleyway towards them and came to an abrupt halt, their chests also heaving for air.

"You two belong in the sewers," Namjoon said coolly, breathing shallowly.

"You with those kids we lost a while back?" The Korean one staggered forward, gasping for breath. One side of his face was swollen and bloodied as if he'd already taken a punch or two. "They aint catching up in their pretty boots."

"I wouldn't underestimate how much they hate guys like you."

The man stalked forward, and Jungkook realised that Namjoon didn't have the upperhand here. It was just him and Jungkook. The Korean guy was broader than Namjoon and almost the same height, and the black guy was a tank in a denim jacket.

"So, what, you're gonna call them and tell them where we are?" The first guy's smile was battery acid. "That your plan?"

"Hello petal," Denim Jacket added, "You gonna hold us off?"

His stare was zeroed in on Jungkook, his eyes glinting.

"Stand behind me, baby." Namjoon murmured, gaze never leaving the two thugs.

Jungkook was only too happy to shuffle half a pace behind Namjoon. They should run right? He and Namjoon could just run back the way they came-

"Tough guy," the first one sneered at Namjoon. "Gonna carve you up."

Jungkook's breath hitched. He had a knife, he had a knife- Did Namjoon have a gun? Why would he have a gun? They'd been clubbing. How far away were the others? Oh my god.

"Maybe you should start running," Denim Jacket belly-laughed. "Maybe we'll let you go since you've brought such a sweet little doll for us."

"I'd been debating how much to hurt you," Namjoon's voice was chilly. "Now I'm glad there's a knife."

Jungkook imagined that Namjoon was going to keep stalling them, but the air vanished from his lungs as the knifeman charged. It all happened fast. A moment later Knifeman was screaming and there was a thud and Namjoon swept aside, one hand keeping Jungkook behind him, then sprayed a mini deoderant-sized tube at Denim Jacket. In the meagre lighting, Jungkook could make out a red spray all over the man's face, and in the same motion, Namjoon smashed his boot into Knifeman's wrist, and the knife clattered to the ground. Both men were howling, screaming, clutching at their eyes, trying to cover them. Denim Jacket bellowed and lowered his head to rugby tackle Namjoon, but without his sight, was unable to adjust his direction when Namjoon sidestepped.

Then, the others were there. Hoseok was leading, darting up the alleyway, the others hot on his heels.

"Throats first, shut them up," Namjoon ordered, delivering a punch to Denim Jacket's belly. Tae waded in, his eyes blazing and raw, his kicks vicious. Denim Jacket tried to cry out through a mouthful of blood. Yoongi and Jimin were there too and the two bodies became putty under their feet, only tiny grunts and gasps for air filling the alleyway.

"Hey, you don't need to watch this," Jin squeezed past, narrowly avoiding Tae's elbow, reaching out to rub up and down Jungkook's arms. "Come on, let's take a little walk."

Jungkook's mouth was dry, tongue stuck to his palate. He was shivering into Namjoon's jacket. He let Jin lead him round the corner, partway down the glass littered street, before he couldn't hold on any longer and turned to press himself to Jin's front.

"Oh sweetheart," Jin breathed, encasing him in protective arms. "I'm sorry. We've never had a problem at that club before. They were drugging some poor teenager, and people were just letting it happen around them. I couldn't leave it. Don't worry, we'll go home soon."

"Are they going to kill them?" Jungkook whispered.

"Do you want them to?" Jin returned.

Jungkook didn't know. He didn't know. He didn't want Kim's Six to be murderers again. Not again. But men like that... they were monsters. If Namjoon hadn't had his pepper spray...

"I don't want them to be guilty..." he tried to inhale Jin's scent. The dancing had made it fade, and he desperately needed to smell it.

"Oh, we won't feel guilty," Jin ran a hand across his scalp, making him shiver anew. "Maybe best if we stick to another club for a while, though."

"What time is it?" Jungkook asked. The ghost of the club's bass was still punctuating his hearing, but it masked the sound of two men being pounded into the gravel behind him.

"Around 2am. Past your bedtime, huh?" Jin nudged his cheek with his knuckle.

"And yours," Jungkook managed.

"True, that!"

Jungkook tried to savour the soft kiss that pressed against the crown of his head, tried not to think about what was happening just round the corner. Namjoon was glad they'd brought a knife. What was he going to do with it?

The others emerged a short while later. Hoseok carried something wrapped up in dark cloth, and Jungkook was fairly sure it was the knife. He couldn't stop staring at it.

"Let's start walking." Namjoon said breathlessly, flexing his hands, shaking them out. "You okay, Koo?"

Jungkook nodded, leaning into Jin's side as they set off. Whatever okay meant. He eyed the others. Fatigue and adrenaline mixed on their faces, their breathing was laboured, their bodies as taut as stretched elastic. And Tae-

"Tae," Jin said, aghast, as a flickering street light revealed the worst of it.

"We tried to be careful," Jimin said, "but somebody had to do the messy part. You guys are gonna have to walk home."

"And where exactly are you going mister?"

"To Hobi's. With Yoongi. For sex. They promised."

"Kinda tired, Jimin," Hoseok groaned, then relented as Jimin's face fell. "Okay, okay. We're not doing anything fancy though."

"That's fine!" Jimin perked up instantly. "Think we can call a cab?"

Yoongi scanned the other two and himself critically, particularly their boots. "Yeah, we look alright, but better put a bit more distance in."

"Make it look like you've come out of another building, use cash, don't get dropped at the door," Namjoon cautioned.

"Yeah we knoww, Jooon," Jimin stretched up on tip-toes to kiss him. "We'll come over tomorrow to plan my heist for Emily, okay!" He hopped over to Tae, wrinkling his nose. "You smell of them. Ew. Kiss me."

When he'd received his kiss he turned to Jin.

"I love you," Jin said gently. Jungkook watched their mouths meet right infront of his face.

"I love you too," Jimin said. "Kookie, sleep well, baby."

"You too," Jungkook choked and Jimin giggled. "Your nose matches my hair!" He planted a kiss on the tip, grabbed Hoseok and Yoongi's elbows and began hauling them away. Hoseok touched his temple in a mock salute and Yoongi nodded a farewell. They ducked into a side street and were out of sight a minute later.

"Well, on the plus side, this is closer to home than the club was," Jin observed.

The walk home was near silent. The sky was hauntingly dark, the buildings coalescing into that darkness, street lamps casting misty cones. Namjoon was on guard for pedestrians and stray cars. Jin held Jungkook's hand and hummed softly under his breath. Tae didn't say a word, but each time Jungkook glanced across he could see the rich crimson streaked across Tae's clothes, the grim downturn of his mouth and the hooded look in his eyes.

Kim's Six hadn't scattered or skulked into the shadows. They were barely afraid of being caught. Jungkook couldn't process it, so he focused on the faint squeak of his trousers and clip of his boots, fraught nerves bottling up inside him. He didn't recognise their street when they finally turned onto it and was surprised when they stopped and he saw number 127.

"Shoes off, Tae," Joon reminded as he opened the main door, kicking his own off. "I'll fetch them in a minute and clean up."

Jungkook and Jin's feet echoed on the stone steps, the others padding up after them. Jungkook wondered if his headache from this morning was returning.

Jin turned his key in the lock and pushed the door open, and from dead silence came an almighty bark, the sound shooting through Jungkook's frame. The dog sprang out of the doorway like a tornado.

"Ruby!" Tae praised. "We woke you up! Down girl."

Jungkook shrank back as the dog obeyed Tae but sprang at him instead, teeth bared, hair rippling-

"Get away, get away!" He screeched somewhere beyond terror, swiping out violently with his hands in blind panic. The tips of his frantic fingers made contact.

"Don't hit her!" Tae roared, the tendons in the side of his neck flaring up like whip cords. "She's trying to welcome you home you-"

Jungkook plastered himself back against the wall. He saw the murderer's face-

"Tae!" Namjoon's voice was deadly.

Tae's whole body was coiled to strike and for a moment, Jungkook thought nothing would prevent it, not even Namjoon and Jin.

"Just don't hit her," Tae pointed at him, voice choked, tears filling his eyes. "She just wants you to like her, don't you understand that? She's been trying so hard. You can't hit her."

"Didn't mean-" Jungkook stuttered out. He hadn't. The dog had caught him off guard. The apartment had been silent, and he'd simply forgotten-

Namjoon had his hand on the dog's collar. "Into the house, good girl," he said, nudging it forward. "Tae, indoors. Now."

When they'd crossed the threshold, leaving him with Jin, Jungkook felt a delayed sob quiver up his throat.

"Shhh, don't cry, you just got a fright," Jin soothed, and Jungkook prised himself from the wall to fall into Jin's arms.

"I didn't mean to hit it," he gulped.

"I don't think she noticed that, honestly," Jin said. "The tone of your voice startled her. You know she won't hurt you, right?"

Jungkook nodded. He couldn't shake that expression in Tae's eyes, that look of sheer destruction.

"You've been really brave tonight." Jin murmured. "Come on, lets get you into your pyjamas, and we'll sit and decompress for a bit before bed."

Jungkook held on tight to Jin's waistband as Jin locked the door behind them, his eyes glued to the dog, who was now curled up its basket. It watched him with dark eyes.

"Stay, good girl," Jin told her, prising Jungkook from his waist, leading him upstairs. He carefully wiped Jungkook's makeup off while Jungkook sat on the bed, one gentle hand under his chin. The tender strokes on his face were relaxing. It felt so good when Jin's long cool fingers rubbed night cream across his forehead, down the bridge of his nose, over his cheeks and under his mouth. He let out a little puff of relief.

"Lay back," Jin said, and Jungkook obediently flopped back on the bed. Jin undid the button on his leather trousers, and carefully worked them off his legs, soothing a hand in circles over Jungkook's bare thighs as he exposed them. Jungkook felt like he might melt into the mattress.

Jin slid soft pyjama bottoms up his legs. "Hips up," he murmured and Jungkook obeyed, feeling the elastic rest against his waist.

"Good boy," Jin soothed. "Sit up for me."

Jungkook heaved himself up on one elbow then helped Jin extract him from Namjoon's jacket, the choker and pale t-shirt. "There we go," Jin rubbed at the back of his neck with strong thumbs, reaching for a clean tee, snapping the new tags off. "Hands up, darling."

He wrapped the duvet around Jungkook's shoulders when he'd finished. "Gimme two seconds to change, then we'll go cuddle downstairs."

"Can't we stay up here?" Jungkook pleaded.

"We'll come back up to sleep in a little bit," Jin said, and despite it all, Jungkook couldn't tear his eyes from Jin's chest, and when he turned, his muscular back. Jin was godlike. "But this is going to fester with Tae if we don't settle things now."

"It's okay, I know why he was mad-" Jungkook spread his hands in little circles on the sheets. "We could just-"

Jin tugged his top down and knelt, crossing his arms on Jungkook's lap, looking up at him. Jungkook stared down into Jin's open brown eyes.

"Precious one," Jin breathed. "I know you don't want to, but you'll feel better, I promise you. Trust me?"

Jungkook trusted and mistrusted Jin completely. He cinched the duvet tighter. He didn't have much of a choice. And he had to keep earning their trust.

"Okay." He said.

"Come on," Jin rose, extending his hand. "Let's bring with quilt with us."

Namjoon had put a video of a crackling fire up on the TV screen and turned the radiators up a notch, making the living room space cosy. The dog was asleep in its basket.

"There they are," Namjoon smiled warmly from the kitchen counter. "Tae, you carry Koo's hot chocolate over."

Head bowed, clad in his own pyjamas now, Tae lifted a mug from the counter and Jin sat down on the sofa, unfurling the duvet cover. He patted the space beside him, but Jungkook was past that. He planted himself in Jin's lap determinedly, and Jin gave a little chuckle, turning him a little to face towards the others, wrapping the duvet round. "Thank you, Tae."

"Thank you, Tae," Jungkook chorused weakly, closing his fingers around the ceramic mug as it was proffered. Sugary steam filled his nostrils. Namjoon had dropped little marshallows in.

Tae glanced back at Namjoon, looking unsure of himself. "There's duvet space," Jin said softly, reaching to lift Jungkook's feet. "Come on, snuggle in."

Tae's bottom lip trembled. "Is that okay?" He whispered to Jungkook.

Jungkook nodded, even though it wasn't. He only wanted Jin touching him.

Tae cautiously lifted the blankets and tucked in at Jin's side. Jin adjusted Jungkook's legs across Tae's lap.

"Space for one more?" Namjoon brought another mug over. "I won't steal your blankets." He sat between Tae and the other armrest and pressed the hot chocolate into Tae's hands. "We should look into getting a proper fire, you know, it would look cute."

"Add it to the list," Jin grinned. Jungkook wanted to rest his head against Jin but couldn't risk spilling his drink. He sipped at it, peeping at Tae and Joon over the top. The heat and sweetness soothed him, and Jin stroked over his head and the side of his face as he drank.

"We need to have a word about Ruby," Namjoon said, his voice parental. "I know you'll protect her with your life Tae-"

"You don't have to say it," Tae whispered. "I'm sorry, Jungkook. My mind was elsewhere. I should have intercepted Ruby. I know you weren't trying to hurt her."

With his legs on Tae's lap, Jungkook could hardly look away from his quietly beseeching, distraught face. "I'm sorry I scared you," Tae said. "I'm really sorry."

Out of the corner of his eye, Jungkook saw Namjoon smile at Jin. Jungkook didn't know if it was to win Namjoon's trust, or because he couldn't bear the unrest in Tae's eyes, but he settled his mug in his lap with one hand and reached under the duvet for Tae's with the other.

The shock and gratitude that dawned in Tae's eyes told him that it was worth it.

"I know it's- she's friendly," Jungkook said. "I'm sorry I panicked."

Jin kissed the side of his head, then leaned round to kiss Tae's too. Tae held on to Jungkook's hand under the duvet as if it were a lifeline.

"I'm proud of you both," Namjoon said. "We've had a stressful few days. We all need to be more vigilant when Jungkook and Ruby are in the same space. The more he gets used to seeing her around, the less intense the phobia will be. I'm reading up on it and the most important thing is that we take it slow. Especially if you have associated trauma with dogs too. That's right, isn't it?"

Jungkook nodded.

"We don't have to talk about that tonight," Jin said. "But we're ready to listen when-"

"I'll talk about it," Jungkook almost surprised himself.

"You're sure?" Jin was taken aback. Tae gripped his hand tighter under the duvet. Namjoon looked astonished too but composed himself. "It's something to do with your mum, isn't it?" He said gently.

Jungkook nodded. He'd do it. Because then Namjoon would decide to take things even more slowly, and keep the dog away from him. And because he had to do everything in his power to make sure they trusted him. He was going to be at that YouTube event on Wednesday and Julian was going to save him.

Chapter Text

Kim's Seven has just become my fic with most hits! Thank you so much for your comments and all your support! Review-replies coming soon. Hope you enjoy the update :D No major warnings, but Jungkook is going to be speaking about a traumtic event, so be prepped for that.

X-X-X

"I was always nervous of dogs," Jungkook began. "It wasn't a phobia at first. At least, I don't think it was. There were a lot of big dogs round our estate, and they seemed even bigger when I was small."

"Guard dogs?" Namjoon clarified.

"Pets. But they were used to intimidate. A status symbol. A lot of them were trained to be aggressive, and others weren't trained at all."

"Oh, you mean a housing estate," Namjoon realised, as Tae gripped Jungkook's hand more tightly. "I assumed you were born into money."

"The opposite, really," Jungkook chuckled. "We couldn't even afford a pet. I don't remember any specific incident growing up, just that I was always skittish around the big dogs, and that my mum tolerated it when I was small and found it irritating as I got older."

It was the school holidays, and Julian had a two-day conference up in Scotland. His hotel was just ten miles from the seaside village his family had holidayed in throughout his childhood and Julian wanted Soona to see it. Presumably he had suggested bringing Jungkook along too.

They'd flown to Edinburgh the night before, stayed over in a hotel there. Jungkook's imagination had been taken with the Gothic architecture, and he'd spent the next morning in the back of their hired Mercedes-Benz, sketching mossy turrets spikey railings and soot-darkened roofs as grey motorway and green landscape whizzed by.

After a while, Keaton, Julian's new driver, left the motorway. They sailed through narrow, winding country roads, snaking between cornfields. Sun would dapple the car whenever they passed between trees then bounce off the windscreen as they emerged into the open.

Keaton slowed as they entered Julian's little seaside village, and Jungkook was surprised at how animated his reticent stepfather became. That's the park I used to play in with my brother Julian pointed. Here's the old bowling green. Looks like its still open, too. Oh, and this is the main street.

The village main street was so unlike home. There was no supermarket, no bookies, no cinema, no high flats, no litter. Jungkook caught a glimpse of a single pharmacy, bookshop, bakery, florist, butchers, fishmongers and fish and chips shop. There were two pubs, but one was inside the only hotel. Cobblestone roads wedged themselves between some of the buildings. Even in warm weather, shoulders and midriffs were covered. There was an air of slow but steady about the place. Soona made all the right noises, asked a couple of questions, but Jungkook knew she was bored.

At Julian's direction, Keaton parked up at the end of a street off the main road. On one side were stone cottages with blooms in geometric beds. On the other side was a small stone wall and below sheep grazed on pastureland.

Fresh, salty air filled Jungkook's lungs as Julian opened his door and offered Soona a hand down. Soona had dressed for the occasion, in a floral print tea dress and she giggled as the skirt immediately wafted in the breeze. Her dark eyes had met Julians as she tried to hold it down and Julian grinned too. I've got fifteen minutes before I better head. Let's see if the bench at the top of the hill is still there. Tom, could you bring the blanket for Mrs Adley please. Jungkook, aren't you coming?

Jungkook hadn't been sure that he was invited. He fumbled for his seatbelt, followed them and the bodyguard through the narrow lane at the end of the road and out onto the exposed sunsoaked landscape.

The sea glittered below them. They were at the top of a grassy incline which led down to the footpath hugging the coast. The sea stretched on beyong imagination, glassy blue ridges swelling and twinkling. Julian and Soona had already ensconced themselves on a nearby park bench, the blanket tucked over Soona's lap, Tom standing at a discreet distance.

There used to be a swingpark with a roundabout just there, Julian was pointing. We'd run and push with all our might, hang on for dear life. It felt like our brains were about to slip out of our ears. And we'd climb all over those rocks, skinning our knees. Mum and dad would bring a disposable barbeque to the beach. We always joked that the sand that found its way onto our burgers added texture. And across the water, you see the island?

Jungkook perched on the other end of the bench. There were some dog walkers at the foot of the hill, moving away from them. It looked like there was a family down on the beach and two adventurers were attempting to swim in the North Sea. Julian was talking about the island the stories he and his brother had invented about it. Jungkook could see why this place would have seemed so magical to Julian, though it was hard to imagine that Julian had ever been a child.

There's plenty to explore for a few hours, Julian said. We'll drop you off at the Saturday fete, you'll enjoy looking through the stalls. If you want to go for a walk later then this footpath will take you along to the old harbour. We'll have a nice dinner together at the hotel whenever I get finished.

Sounds perfect, Soona said, tilting his chin towards her and kissing his lips. Julian gazed at her fondly, momentarily distracted from the beauty around him. Jungkook, take care of your mother for me, huh?

Jungkook nodded obediently. Julian was nice. They didn't really talk much, and it was a bit awkward sometimes, but he didn't act like Jungkook was a bother. And Jungkook enjoyed moments like this when Julian talked about his parents and brother.

When they got back in the car, he carefully threaded his rooftop picture through the plastic rings and brought up a new blank page on his pad. He began to sketch out an image of kids playing on the beach with the island in the background. It was supposed to be Julian and his brother, but Jungkook couldn't imagine what Julian would have looked like, so he improvised.

They retraced their route and a minute later Keaton was pulling up across the road from the fete. Soona and Julian kissed again.

I'll be at your disposal as soon as Mr Adley is at the conference, Keaton told her as he opened her door. He'd figured out what Julian hadn't, that Soona wouldn't stick it out for long.

Leave that, Jungkook, she said, as he made to bring his pad in tow. We're here to look around.

Reluctantly, he tucked his pencil into the rings and left it on the back seat, clambering out as Keaton kept a watchful eye out for traffic. They waited for a car to pass then crossed over to the grassy common, flanked by trees. Stalls were laid out with children's toys and board games, trinkets, little ornaments, home made confectionary, home made candles-

Quaint, Soona muttered under her breath.

Jungkook realised quite quickly that aside from one mixed race family, everyone here was white. He'd never felt conspicuous before, but as he and Soona approached, they garnered some curious looks. He supposed this was the kind of place where generations of people stayed in the one spot.

He wasn't sure if his mother was capable of feeling self-conscious. She strode forward as if she was on a mission. Perhaps she was. Or perhaps she just wanted to find something sentimental for Julian, so she could call it a day and they could go to the hotel. Jungkook cast an envious eye at the kids getting their face painted. He wasn't going to ask, he knew she'd think it was a waste.

He trailed after her, and discovered he'd been too busy looking at the people to notice how many dogs they had with them. He flinched sharply as one bounded past him, off the lead. Most of them were on leads, but sometimes they'd cross paths with eachother and barking would briefly erupt from random stalls.

Jungkook, you're eleven years old, Soona was exasperated. Do you see the other children jumping a mile whenever a dog barks?

No.

Well, can you try to be a bit less dramatic?

He did try. But it was hard, it was like he was hardwired to be nervous of dogs, and he hadn't encountered so many all in one place for years. After they'd eaten lunch, Soona called Keaton and asked if he could collect them in twenty minutes. Jungkook had been unable to avoid an audible sigh of relief. The twenty minutes dragged in. Then Keaton had texted to say he was in the same spot where he'd dropped them off.

He paused in the account, gulped, bewildered at the upsurge of emotions. "Take a breath," Namjoon advised, and Jin rubbed the duvet against his side comfortingly.

"You don't have to-" Tae began.

"I think you should finish," Namjoon said solemnly. "You'll feel better."

So Jungkook did.

"There was just the one carparking spot. And directly across the road was the way we'd come in, a couple of steps which led up to the level part of the green. At the foot of the steps was a squared off passing point for pedestrians, because the pavement that went around the green was single file in both directions. We went down the stairs, Keaton was directly across the road, and I was hurrying forward to go to the car, but my mum suddenly told me to stop."

Tae and Namjoon were frowning. Jin kept up the gentle motion of rubbing his side.

"I thought maybe there was a car coming," Jungkook said. "She startled me. Maybe I was already too nervous, I don't know. There wasn't a car anyway. She told me we'd go over in a minute. And then I saw that there was a couple coming up towards us at the passing point, single-file of course, and in front of them was this big brutish dog practically pulling its owner off the lead. I can still see it. It was breathing heavy, saliva coming from its jowls.." he shuddered. "I remember trying to steel myself to be brave. I figured that I had space to manouver out of its way. And then I saw that there was another dog, a smaller one, coming up the pavement from behind us and realised that they were both going to converge on us at once."

Let's just go to the hotel, He pleaded. Keaton's waiting.

He gets paid to wait, Jungkook. Soona was having none of it. Perhaps there was even a note of satisfaction in her tone.

Jungkook thought about running back up onto the green where there was space. He thought about sprinting across to Keaton and getting into the car so that she couldn't remove him without causing a scene.

But he did neither of those things. He was rooted to the spot, because in that moment he was more afraid of the filthy looks she could conjure up from her vast arsenal than he was of the dogs.

The big dog growled low like a drill. Jungkook wasn't sure if it was at them or the other approaching dog, but it struck terror into him.

I think its angry, He said, but his pitiful words fell on deaf ears. When Soona set her mind on something, that was it. He gulped air in fevered snatches, his hearing and vision beginning to blur with the panic-

Hello boy! Soona said. Jungkook tried to make himself as small as possible.

Jungkook, come and say hello to the dog, Soona's voice brooked no nonsense, but he was frozen.

I'd watch your fingers- the dog owner warned, and then the smaller dog was growling, its teeth bared. With a snarl, it sprang forward on its extendable lead and lunged for the big dog.

The big dog in turn clamped down hard with its huge jaws. Onto Soona's wrist.

Soona stared at it, tried to rip her hand back, but the dog came with it, jaw like a vice. Soona screamed then, kicked out at it, somehow her hand came free and she wrenched her bloodied arm back and sprang onto the road away from both dogs, who were mauling eachother just half a metre from Jungkook-

"I don't know if she knew there was a car coming," he squeezed his eyes shut. "The police said later that he'd entered the village doing sixty miles an hour. Everyone who was there said that they'd heard his approach." He shrugged. "He admitted to breaking the speed limit and being culpable for what it was worth. But she'd stepped right in front of him."

"She was killed outright?" Namjoon's voice was sombre.

"They tried CPR, I didn't see it, Keaton put me in the car," Jungkook told him. "I don't think they had to try for very long."

"And you were away from home, you had none of your family there," Jin said quietly.

"I don't have any other family. It was just the two of us before she met Julian."

The air in the room was palpable. Tae was holding his hand like an anchor. Jin was stroking his cheek, in soft soothing gestures. Jungkook didn't know how he felt. He'd never talked about it, aside from to the bereavement counsellor. And then, he'd been working so hard to tell her what she wanted to hear, wanting her to give Julian a good report about him.

Namjoon rose from the sofa, reached out and lifted the lukewarm hot chocolate from Jungkook's lap, passing it to Jin. His eyes were molten, and Jungkook thought he saw anger, but he was sure he hadn't done anything to make Namjoon angry and Jin was holding him safe-

Namjoon bent, observing Jungkook's face for a moment, his gaze unreadable. Then he leaned in and his arms came around Jungkook, and Jungkook didn't know what was happening at first, but then he realised that Namjoon was hugging him, holding on as if he was trying to make the past six years up to him. Jungkook could smell Namjoon's aftershave and the hard muscles of his arms, and Tae's hand in his, and Jin behind him, securing him in his lap.

Something inside him shifted.

When Namjoon finally, gradually leaned back, Jungkook almost came with him.

"Thank you for telling us," Namjoon said simply. "Don't let anyone say that you're not brave." He observed Jungkook again. "Come on. I'll give you a piggyback upstairs."

Jungkook only became aware of how exhausted he was when he was tilting like the rake of a mast, toothbrush hanging from his mouth as Jin sprayed his piercings with saline solution. He shuffled along to the bedroom, eyes half shut already, feeling Jin's arms wrap around him and the duvet surround their bodies. Jin was murmuring to him, but he was already drifting off to sleep.

X-X-X

"Nghh," he mumbled, his nose picking out the merest trace of rose, saffron and orange.

"What're you snuffling for?" Jin's voice was husky with sleep and mirth.

Jungkook nestled into the best spot and inhaled. Yes. Here.

"Well good morning to you too," Jin grinned, and Jungkook felt the vibrations spread across his chest. He dragged his eyes open a fraction as his body began to alert him to their proximity.

He was slumped on top of Jin, face pressed into the dip under his chin. Jin's hands rested on his skin, just above his tailbone, the tips of Jin's fingers delving under his pyjama bottoms in soothing circles. Their legs were entwined, one of Jin's nudging Jungkook's knees apart.

"Hi snuggly boy," Jin's chest rumbled again with a chuckle.

"Morning," Jungkook mumbled. He ought to be panicking, lying like this, chest to chest and practically junk to junk. He thought he might even have a little-

But he felt so good. Everything felt so good. He soaked up the delicious warmth, the sensation of being held close, their bodies melded against eachother. And he was allowed to enjoy it. He could let himself luxuriate because he'd already got his message to Julian and his only job now was to show them that he was happy.

"It's almost noon," Jin was sending gorgeous shivers up his spine as he gently kneaded Jungkook's upper glutes. "You wanna get up?"

"No."

"Well, that sounded pretty decisive," Jin's voice was indulgent.

"Mm-hmm." Jungkook let his eyes slip shut again, wriggling to settle back into sleep.

"You're such a cutie," Jin cooed as if it physically hurt. "Half an hour more, okay?"

"Mm."

He felt himself being stirred awake just a few moments later. He mustered his sleepy features into his most ferocious glare.

"Oi, half an hour," Jin angled his phone screen so Jungkook could see that it was actually 12:22. "We had a deal."

He clung on like a koala when Jin tried to shift from under him. There was nothing else he wanted, nothing more he needed than this.

"We gotta spray your ears," Jin pressed a kiss into his helix. "And at least one of us needs to use the bathroom."

Honey-yellow daylight was filtering through the windows as they shuffled out of Jin's room towards the upstairs bathroom.

"It's going to be a comfy clothes day," Jin uncapped the bottle as Jungkook rubbed one eye and winced in anticipation of the cold of the spray. "Come downstairs for breakfast when you're ready."

Breakfast arrived before Jungkook did, by virtue of Jimin, Hoseok and Yoongi armed with brown paper bags spotted with grease.

"We had the munchies so bad," Jimin was explaining as Jungkook descended the stairs. Jungkook noted that Tae and the dog were out. "Oh, afternoon, baby! Do you like Maccies?"

Did he ever. Jungkook's whole system was suddenly crying out for salt and sugar and fat.

"I've got your bag!" Hoseok rustled it at him. "And I think I'm overdue a hug."

Jungkook realised why he'd felt so unsettled while he'd been getting ready. He eagerly sat at Hoseok's side, leaning in, receiving his reward. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome, sweets."

"You look so cosy," Jimin pouted, nodding at Jungkook's oversized tee and joggy bottoms. "You want a milkshake with that?"

Jungkook nodded and took a big bite out of his burger. Fast food heaven. Hoseok and Yoongi looked tired, but Jimin was abuzz with newfound energy.

"So I've been thinking," Jimin handed Jungkook's drink over and clapped his hands. "Since Hobi's got time off work, why don't we take Jungkook on all the dates we were going to take him on!"

"I don't remember discussing what dates we were going to take him on," Yoongi remarked, stuffing french fries into his mouth.

"Yeah, because we hadn't done it yet. There's so many cool things we could do! We could draw up a whole list-"

"Shouldn't Jungkook be the one drawing up the list?" Jin remarked from the kitchen.

"Well, he can help. What kind of dates do you want to go on, Kookie? Do you wanna go to a theme park? Or do you wanna do boring historical stuff like Namjoon? Or-"

"Glad that's not a leading question, 'Min," Namjoon smirked, leaning over Yoongi to steal a fry.

Jungkook grinned at Jimin's enthusiasm. "I don't mind," he said, still half-marvelling that they wanted to date him. "Whatever you guys like." And more to the point, anything that convinced them it was safe to let him out of the house.

"I'm making a list on my phone," Jimin decided. "Yoongi, you start. Where would you like to take Kookie on a date?"

Taehyung and the dog returned home just as Jungkook was sucking hard to extract the last droplets of his chocolate milkshake.

"Been keeping yours warm in the oven," Jin told Tae.

"That's a lot of McDonalds, you guys are gross," Tae said, as Jungkook gingerly curled his feet up on the couch and leaned closer into Hoseok.

"You know you want it," Jimin giggled.

Namjoon intercepted the dog as it finished lapping from its water bowl, then it was wholly distracted by Tae's McDonalds. Tae chose the furthest seat from Jungkook and the dog thumped its butt down at his side, paws together like a soldier, nose in the air.

"So we've got the theatre, drive-in movie, crazy golf, high speed river cruise," Jimin listed. "Themed restaurant, we're going to do all the dates Jungkook was supposed to have before he moved in, Tae, any ideas?"

"I didn't hear my idea on the list," Namjoon chided as he came round to collect their rubbish.

"I conveniently forgot to add it. Jungkook doesn't want to do stuffy art galleries or museums, do you baby?"

"I don't mind."

"You're just too polite. Oh my god, a silent disco walk! We have to! That'll be hilarious."

Tae was sneaking fries to the dog. Jungkook watched in morbid fascination it how its jaws closed round the food, just a fraction from Tae's fingers.

"Maybe I do have an opinion on that one," he said.

"Ha!" Hoseok pointed across at Jimin's face.

Soon they were all gathered in the seating area and the conversation turned to Emily.

"Let me get this right," Yoongi said. "You want us to break into a multi-millionaire YouTuber's home because he has some dirt on one of your friends?"

"Yep, and we need to steal his phone and break into his hotel room," Jimin smiled brightly. "Best case, Hobi works his magic and we remove all trace of the recording he took. Worst case, we find dirt on him we can use as a stalemate."

"Surely the worst case is getting caught?" Yoongi arched a brow.

Namjoon also seemed reluctant. "Apexi is a huge operation," he reminded Jimin. "You think Vrishi Bhakta is going to start dissolving his company by himself? We should be concentrating on one job at a time. And as you rightly mentioned, when we're not working, we should be spending our time on Jungkook."

"Let's put it this way," Jimin crossed his arms. "If I try this alone, what is the likelihood I'll get caught?"

"Hey," Namjoon's voice became stern. "I don't think we'll be having any emotional blackmail, young man."

Jungkook stared between them. Was Jimin in trouble?

But Namjoon's tone was steady. "If it's a six-man job then all of us do it, or none of us. How damaging would this voice recording be to your friend's reputation?"

"It's not even her reputation she cares about, it's gonna break up her family," Jimin said, earnestly.

"In what way?" Tae snuck the last couple of fries to the dog.

Jimin shifted in his seat. "I promised I'd keep her confidence."

"I'm going to need to know what I'm looking for, Minnie," Hoseok said gently.

"She has a toddler," Jimin said finally. "And her husband's not the father."

"If she cheated on her husband that's on her," Namjoon said. "I thought you of all people-"

"No, it's not like that." Jimin shook his head. "She was raped. She didn't tell her husband. He's not a nice guy and they were in a bad place. She was sure he'd accuse her of cheating and she couldn't deal with it. She didn't discover she was pregnant until she was around 30 weeks. And she let him think the baby was his."

"Damn." Jin breathed.

"I know it was wrong and she knows it too, but you've gotta remember that she was still traumatised and that he was being an emotionally abusive ass. And now things are the best they've been. He's still an ass to everyone else, but he's decent to her, and he loves that kid. If Tony Gwan releases his recording, it will ruin her life."

"I'm not sure being an ass disqualifies him from knowing the truth," Namjoon said.

"For what its worth, it could ruin his life too," Jimin shrugged. "He's a better person now because of that kid."

"And why did she tell Tony Gwan?" Hoseok frowned.

"He has that way with people. Builds up trust, plays a long-game. She thought they were having this intimate heart to heart. And now he's extorting her so that she'll give him a fake alibi to counter an accusation that he pressured a fan into sex. Can you imagine how evil this guy is?"

"I suppose if Tony Gwan was to die unexpectedly, fingers would be pointed at your Emily when the police went through his stuff?" Namjoon mused.

It was strange to hear it brought up as an option so casually. Even if Jungkook stayed with them for the rest of his life, he didn't think he'd ever get used to it. He pressed himself a little closer to Hoseok and Hoseok reciprocated by wrapping an arm round him. Jungkook inhaled clean linen and eucalyptus.

"I think yes, it could make things worse, and aside from the obvious extortion, I don't know if he deserves to die," Jimin said. "The accusations against him are pretty complicated."

"You know what, I'm in," Yoongi said. "I think your friend's suffered enough."

"Really?" Jimin's eyes widened, as if he didn't expect Yoongi to be first.

"Yeah, I mean she's friends with you, surely she deserves a break," Yoongi teased, and Jimin stuck his tongue out at him.

"And her kid has a chance at a happy upbringing if we intervene," Jin added. "If we can do it safely, I say we do it."

"Okay," Tae nodded.

"Hobi?" Jimin's eyes were as big as fifty pence pieces.

"Yeah, fine, I'm in too. If we can make it work, like Jin said."

Jimin turned to Namjoon, and Jungkook couldn't imagine how Namjoon could say no to that face.

He was right. "You've got your heist," Namjoon nodded, and Jimin leapt out of his seat, nearly tripping over the dog to kiss him.

"Tell us what we need to know," Yoongi said, when Namjoon deposited an excited Jimin back in his seat.

Jimin puffed up his chest. "Right. So Jungkook and I are going to the same YouTube event as Tony: Langchester Hotel, Wednesday night."

Namjoon's forehead creased a little, gaze brushing over Jungkook. "We'll see about that."

Jungkook bit his tongue. He couldn't afford to look too keen.

"He has to go, Joon," Jimin fought his corner. "It's gonna do wonders for his channel, plus he can be my look out. I've already got a guy working on a dupe of Tony's phone case. I'll make the switch at some point during the evening. Meanwhile, two of you need to get into his hotel room, take his laptop, tablet and any flashdrives. And then, the harder part, his mansion is about an hour out of town. I know the address. There's a new alarm system, unfortunately."

"You been to his house?" Namjoon asked Jimin.

"Ew, no. But he's done a couple of recent house tours on YouTube, so you've pretty much got a full layout."

Kim's Six leaned forward eagerly in one motion. Jungkook watched them get to work. They watched the house tours first, pestered Jimin with questions about Tony's habits and history, even asked Jungkook if he'd interacted with him. Jungkook hadn't. Tony Gwan was a top tier YouTuber. It was surreal just watching the house tour knowing what he knew.

"We could book a hotel room, Kookie and I," Jimin suggested. "We'd have a legit reason. And two of you could work from there. If we can find out which room he's in."

"Will his room already be assigned on their system by now?" Yoongi asked. "Bun, have you been to the Langchester before?"

Jungkook hadn't.

"I have actually," Jin said. "I don't remember it well but posh hotels tend to assign bookings three to five days out. If he has loyalty with the hotel then he probably gets the best room unless Beyonce is staying."

"I doubt he has loyalty," Jimin said. "We've never had a YouTube event at the Langchester before. And his home isn't that far away."

"We can google how many luxury suites there are," Jin said. "But there's a strong chance that we're not going to be able to narrow his room down through guesswork."

They turned to Hoseok.

"I could hack in," Hoseok said. "But you need to remember that if this place caters to the rich and elite, they're going to have people like me who test their systems for weaknesses. I can do it if we have no other choice, but I'd rather not risk triggering their security in advance."

"I can tackle the hotel room," Yoongi decided. "Exploit the human weakness. I'll call up pretending to be his assistant and ask how close we are to a certain amenity. I can get reception to swing me the information without giving booking details. Jin, can you pull a floor plan of the Langchester up on your laptop?"

"I'm more worried about his new house alarm," Jimin fretted.

"I have an idea," Namjoon said. "Jimin gets Tony's phone. If we send a message from that phone to his staff to say he's sending over engineers to check on his alarm they'll let us walk right in."

"But why would someone randomly check on his alarm so late in the evening?" Jimin frowned.

"If it had been acting up," Tae leaned forward, understanding Namjoon's thought. "If it went off seemingly for no reason, earlier in the day, they'd either write it off as a glitch or they'd call the company to send someone out. Either way, it's not so weird if Tony, a few hours later thinks 'you know what, this is still weighing on my mind, I want the company to quadruple check the alarm right now.'

"His PA will probably be at the hotel with him," Jimin nodded. "I'll need to figure out who would be left in charge at home, but it's bound to be someone a little wet behind the ears."

Jungkook watched them tease out details for the remainder of the afternoon. They researched the alarm company. Jimin went online to see if there were luxury suites still available to book. Yoongi wandered upstairs to make his call in peace and came back with Tony Gwan's room narrowed down to two possible neighbouring options.

It was like watching a machine in motion.

"Let's list a couple of the most promising passcodes for getting into his phone," Hoseok said. "I'd definitely give 123456 and 111111 a try first, but if there's an important date in his life-"

"His own birthday, I bet," Jimin snorted, "I can look that up for you."

"Perfect. If you get me his laptop I can still get into his phone, but the code would be quicker. I think I should be at the hotel. I need to make sure we can't be tracked, and I need to get that message off about the alarm company coming. I can show whoever's going to the house what to do with the computer so I can work remotely from his laptop while you look for more memory sticks."

"I'll go in as the alarm team," Yoongi suggested. "I can try to con my way in if they're sketchy on the message. And I'm used to having to disguise my features. Wouldn't mind having Tae or Joon there as muscle though."

"It's the hotel for me," Jin said. "I call pull off Lost Rich Guy if I have to. And maybe I can be the go between for Hobi and whoever swipes the laptop."

"If Tae doesn't have a preference let's wait till we've figured out more details before we decide which way to split." Namjoon nodded. "Now, I don't know about you lot, but I'm starving."

"That's my cue," Yoongi stood, stretching his legs with a yawn. "Bun, you want a cooking lesson?"

Jungkook nodded hesitantly.

"I know exactly which apron to tie on you," Hoseok cooed. "Come on, you'll be a head chef before you know it."

"Kookie, what's your YouTube password?" Jimin said. "I'm gonna upload our videos."

He'd remembered Jungkook's update time. Even Jungkook hadn't remembered Jungkook's update time. He gave Jimin the password. His short-lived YouTube career was probably over anyway.

Hoseok cinched an apron with two cartoon avocados cuddling around his waist, then went upstairs. Jungkook scanned for the dog, but Tae was now sitting on the floor brushing it while he and Namjoon continued to talk. He didn't mind turning his back to wash his hands. After last night, he was sure they wouldn't let it catch him off guard.

"Okay, here's the plan," Yoongi's voice was like an express train. "We're doing spaghetti with a salsa dressing. That means chopped tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, wine vinegar, crushed garlic, salt, pepper, sugar. Maybe we'll throw a salad together on the side. Let's get our ingredients lined up, can you grab a pan for the spaghetti, a big one please. We'll need a sieve too, it's by the pans. Good. Can you grab the wooden spoon out of the cutlery drawer? Now the spaghetti we're using tends to the capellini side, that means its thinner, and it cooks quicker-"

At first Jungkook thought the budding ache in his chest was from the speed of the lesson. But as he tried to lean a little closer, only for Yoongi to slide away, still talking nineteen to the dozen, he realised he struggling with the absence of human touch. He tried to edge a little closer to Yoongi again, only for Yoongi to evade him again.

"Don't chop them too finely, Bun, that's perfect," Yoongi said as if he wasn't dodging Jungkook. "Now tip them into the bowl for me and you can chop the basil leaves more finely. That's it."

Did Jungkook make Yoongi uncomfortable? Was that why he was talking so much? But then Yoongi had talked lots during their heist-chat. So what was Jungkook doing wrong?

It was like an itch under his skin. He couldn't understand why it was so bad, he'd had Jin or Hoseok touching him all day up till now.

Hands stole around his hips. "How're my boys getting on?"

Jin. Jungkook almost sank back against him, his relief was so inexplicably powerful. He had to get a grip and fast. He couldn't expect one of them to be at his side all the time. And what was he going to do when he escaped? Sort it out, Jungkook.

"Jungkook's on the salsa, I'm about to put the pasta on," Yoongi reported.

"Have I got time for a shower?"

"A quick one, yeah."

Jin laid a peck on Jungkook's cheek then headed for the stairs.

It kept Jungkook going, and he did his best to focus on what Yoongi was teaching him. When they served dinner, he was met with claps on the back and hands tousling his hair, and his chest swelled with joy.

"You wanna watch our makeup video back?" Jimin prompted him as Jin and Namjoon cleared the table and Yoongi settled on the sofa for a cat nap. Hobi and Tae were taking the dog out, and Jungkook felt like he could breathe a little easier.

He made a conscious effort not to touch Jimin as they sat in his office, and the seperate chairs helped a bit. Jimin didn't.

"Look how cute you are!" He squealed, squeezing Jungkook's knee. "Does it seem weird seeing yourself in here?" He'd stood and was draping his arms over Jungkook's shoulders. "I outdid myself there," a cheeky kiss on the crown of Jungkook's head.

Jungkook resigned himself to enjoying the attention. "Are the comments good?" He said.

"People are loving it. We'll get a proper look tomorrow. You're gonna be famous, baby."

When they eventually got to the end, Jungkook realised he was curious about the ASMR video. How had Namjoon edited it? Would Jungkook see the fear in his own eyes as he contemplated running?

"We smashed it, right!" Jimin cheered, clicking out of YouTube.

"What about the other one?" Jungkook was taken aback. "Did you post it?"

"Yeah, of course! It's doing great numbers. You wanna see the numbers now?"

"Well, aren't we gonna watch it too?"

"You watch it later on, Kookie. I'm gonna- I'm uh, I'm gonna work on our social media now, okay?"

Jungkook had rarely seen Jimin at a loss for words. Was there something wrong with the video? But Jimin wouldn't post it for the internet to see if that was true. Was it because Jimin associated it with him running away? Maybe that was it.

"Do you want me to help you?" He asked. "With the social media, I mean?"

Jimin's office door knocked.

"It's me," Tae said, nudging the door open. "Jungkook, do you wanna come see the roof? There's a nice view."

"Oh. I was gonna help-"

"No, you go with Tae," Jimin smiled at him warmly. "It'll do you both good. We'll squeeze in some Twitter time between all our upcoming dates, okay?"

It wasn't that Jungkook was scared of Tae, not really, or at least, not when he wasn't angry, but he didn't understand him, and that was enough to make him cautious.

"Okay," he said reluctantly.

Tae's hopeful expression brightened. "Okay," he said back. "Are you free now?"

"Put a jacket on, sweetheart," Jin cautioned, passing by the doorway. "Don't catch a chill."

Jungkook scrambled upstairs to zip himself into his new bomber jacket. He laced up his new trainers and readjusted his bucket hat over his head nervously. Maybe Tae really did just want to show him the roof?

Tae and Namjoon had their heads together when Jungkook descended the stairs again.

"You're going to check out the sunset?" Namjoon smiled. The dog was chewing at a toy in its basket. Jungkook took a wide berth just in case, nodded to Namjoon with a tentative smile and followed Tae into the cool of the landing. Tae already had the door on the left unlocked.

He nervously made his way up the stone stairs, Tae behind him. Tae seemed increasingly anxious too, which didn't help.

There was another door at the top and a stack of deckchairs folded up against the wall of the tiny landing. Tae hooked two up in one hand and deftly unlocked the door with the other.

Well, it was a roof alright, with a small perimeter wall and not much else. Jungkook looked around and shivered. The day was dying and the evening air had a bite to it.

"It's not the best view," Tae unfolded the deckchairs, set them out. "But Ruby and I live in a ground floor flat. I like coming up here. Sometimes I watch the sunrise, sometimes the sunset. Have a seat."

Jungkook took one, and Tae gave him a trace of a smile, jamming his hands into the pockets of his jeans, clamping the metal zipper between his teeth. Jungkook pulled his sleeves down over his hands as far as they could go. The buildings were like sharp edged cut outs against the skyline.

"I've been with them less than a year," Tae said, eyes staring straight ahead as if he were walking a tightrope. "I feel like they get me. They didn't at first. Or, Jin didn't. But things are good now. I can't imagine life without them, you know?"

Jungkook didn't know what he was supposed to say. Tae had been speaking to Namjoon earlier. Had Namjoon told him to take Jungkook upstairs and sell him some propaganda?

"Can we watch the sunset together?" Tae said. "Is that alright?"

"Why don't..." Jungkook plucked up the courage. "Why don't you sit down then?"

"Oh. Yeah. Okay." Tae sank into his deckchair with an audible thud.

Jungkook waited to see if he was going to say anything else, and when Tae fell silent, they did watch the sun go down behind the buildings. It wasn't a spectacular sunset by any means, but as the sky grey dark, London pulsed with lights, animated in a web of intertwining colours. Jungkook was cold, and he tried to chase errant thoughts of going back down to snuggle up with Jin.

"You remember I wanted to phone you?" Tae said finally, his voice low.

Jungkook nodded. It felt like a lifetime ago.

Tae shuffled his chair round, till he was facing Jungkook. He leaned forward, and Jungkook couldn't help but mimic his movement.

"I was going to warn you," Tae murmured. "It wasn't right. You were so innocent, are so innocent and we're corrupt, we're damaged, me most of all. I was going to warn you about us, warn you not to meet us, warn you to cut off all contact if that's what it took."

"I don't understand.."

Tae held his palms out between them, then rubbed them together, then held them out again. "My head's pretty messed up," he said. "But at least I know that I'm messed up. I know that everything I feel, I feel too strongly. I'm telling you about the phonecall, because I want you to believe what I'm going to say next. I realised about two weeks ago that I was in love with you."

Jungkook's stomach kicked.

"I'm not telling you so that you'll say anything back," Tae said hurriedly, waving his hands in near-panic. "I'm telling you to make sure that you understand that I mean what I say. If you won't turn us in, especially with Jimin being in the public eye, if you swear you won't turn us in, I'll help you escape."

Jungkook felt like the breath had been sucked out of his lungs.

He was rigid for an instant, drinking in Tae's earnest dark-eyed expression.

Then he realised.

Namjoon.

Namjoon had engineered this. He'd sent Tae with this believable story, to test Jungkook. If Tae reported to Namjoon that Jungkook had agreed to escaping, Jungkook would never leave the building again. And he certainly wouldn't make it to the hotel on Wednesday night where Julian could save him.

"And what if I want to stay?" He whispered.

"You want to stay?" Tae tilted his head slightly.

With all the strength he had, Jungkook managed to nod. "I don't, it's not that I agree with everything," he said, trying to make it more believable. "But I have feelings for all of you. I don't know if it's love, but I-"

"Jungkook," Tae clasped Jungkook's hands in his and Jungkook remembered how Tae had held onto his hand so tightly last night. "Jungkook, please tell me honestly, are you really going to be happy here? With us? With me? Please tell me the truth."

"It is the truth," Jungkook lied. "I didn't want to stay at first. But I do now. If you all want me to stay." A hysterical desire to laugh bubbled up in his chest and he worked it into a smile. Namjoon was not winning this one.

Tae gave him a desperate, goofy grin. "You want to stay," he repeated, sounding awed.

Their faces were already close, and afterwards, Jungkook didn't know which one of them had leaned in first for the kiss.

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Thank you for all the reviews you gave the last chapter! Replies coming as soon as I can. Thank you to Rosie and the K7 groupchat for input on London dates. K7 has just become my most kudos'd fic and we're only about half way, I appreciate the support so much.

One thing I'd like us all on the same page for: Jungkook is 17 years and 8 months old, which means he is well over the age of consent in the UK. It is completely legal for him to engage in sexual activity with K6. However, I've tagged dub-con because of the severe power imbalance. Being kidnapped, he's not truly in a position to give consent, even if he verbally or visually cues consent.

(There is a scene in this particular chapter which I'd rate 16+ due to content, so please be aware.)

Keep up to date with me on Twitter and strap in for a long chapter!

X-X-X

RM propped his chin on his fist, elbow on the rest, ears tuned to the door. Ruby would alert him when they came down and he didn't think Tae would leave without her, but Jungkook sure as hell might.

It was a calculated risk, letting Tae take Koo up to the roof. Tae was an open book, and RM hadn't liked what he'd read.

"You're pensive." Jin bent to ruffle Ruby's fur then sank into the neighbouring armchair.

"Wary about leaving them alone," RM admitted. "How do you think he's getting on?"

"Oh, god." Jin unpicked RM's hand, forcing him to raise his head, linking their fingers over the armchair rests. "He's exactly what I wanted."

That made RM smile. He lifted their hands and kissed Jin's knuckles.

"He's so affectionate," Jin's expression was dreamy. "And if last night's story was anything to go by, he needs us."

RM nodded. The story of Soona Adley's demise had left him at odds. He'd barely been able to disguise his delight as poetic justice befell her, but the vulnerability and quiet grief emanating from Jungkook had drained it out of him. RM had wrapped their little one up in his arms, wishing wholeheartedly that he could turn back time and be there to hold him when it happened.

"I keep reminding myself that the rest of you need time with him too," Jin admitted. "I want him all to myself."

"It's alright for now, he needs your stability." RM nodded. "But we'll have to teach him to share you."

Jin arched a thick sculpted brow. "Sounds like you want a seeing-to."

RM smirked. "Wanna give you one."

"I'll have to think about it. I've still not forgiven you for how he got here."

RM had been quietly afraid of that. "You'll forgive me once he's happy, won't you."

Jin considered. "When he's no longer afraid of us."

RM had to concede that it was fair.

Ruby's ears twitched and half a second later RM heard them on the stairs. He bent and tucked his fingers into Ruby's collar. "Would you-"

Jin obliged, reaching down. "Who's the best girl?" He cooed at Ruby, as she strained towards the door, bobtail wagging in welcoming committee mode. RM sprang up from his armchair, muscles tense, making Yoongi and Hobi glance up from the dining table. Their front door opened. RM lowered himself back into his seat at the first sight of Jungkook.

It was a different Taehyung who walked back into the apartment. Koo did his wideeyed scan for the dog and RM leaned out from the chair to nod to him reassuringly as Tae locked the door.

The boys took their shoes and jackets off and walked over to the couch. Tae's smile was spilling over his face. They flopped down and RM was surprised to see him kiss Nochu's mouth. Nochu returned the kiss, and Tae gazed at him, mesmerised and giddy.

"Damn," Jin breathed under his breath, scratching behind Ruby's ear to distract her.

Damn indeed. Not only was it cute as hell, but all the taut angles of Tae's body, the strain in his jaw and the fear in his eyes were gone. RM had made the right call. Somehow, just like that, his foremost concern was wiped from his mental checklist.

Moving on to the new incumbent, RM studied Jungkook. He was drinking in Tae's handsome features, and seemed just as enthralled by their shy kisses. RM had noticed him in duckling mode earlier, tracking Yoongi up and down the kitchen counter. He appeared to be settling in, but RM wasn't convinced. Baby boy was smart.

They had to decide whether to put their demands to Adley on Wednesday or stall again. And Jimin was going to put his foot down about the YouTube event. But Koo wasn't going anywhere. Not until RM was sold that he wanted to stay.

X-X-X

Namjoon corralled a bunch of them to join his Sunday morning workout session. Yoongi didn't usually join but had found himself stuffing gym gear into a holdall. He didn't know what had possessed him to get up early while Hobi slept on, sprawled in the bedsheets.

Well, actually, he was pretty sure he did.

Jin and Jimin didn't frequent the gym as often as Joon and had to make the most of it. The two of them were grinding through an intense workout at the other end of the room.

Jungkook was familiar with the treadmill and leg press, but Namjoon had him flat on his back on the barbell bench.

Yoongi lifted some weights of his own nearby, but gave up on the facade, and sat up, crossing his legs, watching Namjoon load a pair of plates on.

Jimin had bought Jungkook about three of everything and he'd chosen to wear a polyester tee and joggy bottoms for his workout. Yoongi caught a sliver of trim little waist as Jungkook strained his arm muscles and raised the bar for the first time. Namjoon was spotting him, and the weights were beginner, but Yoongi still knew it was a set up.

"Hands a little wider," Namjoon instructed, "squeeze the bar tighter. Are you driving your heels into the floor?"

"Mhm," Jungkook tried to adjust as he concentrated, all too aware of Namjoon standing over his head.

"Good boy. How's the weight?"

"It's okay."

"Lets see you go again. Try to tuck your elbows a little more." And as Jungkook unracked the bar: "I've been thinking about Apexi Research. Possibly we don't have to involve your step-father after all."

There it was. Yoongi had known it was coming.

Jungkook raised the bar back up in the air, but seemed to get stuck.

"Pretend you're squeezing the bench with your shoulder blades," Namjoon advised him. "Up and back. There we go. Do you think you can do a few reps now?"

"I guess.." Jungkook blinked up at him. "You're going to change your plans? You're not going after Apexi?"

"Go on then. No, Apexi is finished, that's non-negotiable. But we don't have to involve your step-father directly. Not if you can tell me where Vrishi Bhakta lives. That's much better Koo, it's not hitting too high on your chest now. Keep going."

"You'll kill Bhakta, won't you?" Jungkook was trying to keep his breathing steady, as the bar went down and up again.

"Maybe," Namjoon said. "If we have to."

"I don't know where he lives." Jungkook said.

"Put the bar back, I don't think those weights are challenging you enough."

Jungkook's eyes darted left and right as Namjoon reached for new plates. He took in Jin - eons away and oblivious - then realised Yoongi was the only one nearby. His plaintive brown eyes almost had Yoongi intervening.

But he understood where Namjoon was coming from. Going through Adley meant ransoming Jungkook. They were trying to salvage their relationship with him, not compound it by using him as leverage.

"There we go," Namjoon said. "Remember to take the bar in the crease of your hand. You call him Uncle Vrishi. You've been to his house."

Jungkook had sweat beading on his brow as he lowered the bar to his chest. "We have a chauffeur." He sucked in a breath and lifted it, then drew it back down. "I don't really watch where we're going. And I haven't been recently."

"You can manage a couple more," Namjoon said. "So he lives in London?"

"Yeah... or just outside."

"And does he have family? Kids? Grandkids?"

"A wife," Jungkook said reluctantly, muscles straining.

"What's her name?"

"...Mrs Bhakta?"

"Are you taking the mick?" Namjoon's voice laced with subtle danger.

Yoongi admired Namjoon's work and agreed with most of his ethics. But he was hitting a limit here. He'd fallen for Nochu these past months, and when he'd discovered the resemblance between Jungkook and his childhood pet bunny, every protective fibre in his body had triggered.

"No... I haven't met her," Jungkook said in a small voice.

"But you've met him often enough to be on 'uncle' terms."

"That's just what Julian said I should call him."

"Was there anything memorable about his home? What do you remember about the exterior?"

Jungkook looked bewildered.

"Take some time to think about it, Bun," Yoongi interrupted, staring pointedly at Namjoon. "You can let us know later on."

"Okay," Jungkook said gratefully, and Yoongi felt satisfied warmth pool in his chest. Namjoon gave him one of his looks, but Yoongi didn't flinch.

"Are you really sure it's Apexi Research doing the animal cruelty?" Jungkook finished his reps, replaced the bar and slowly sat up on the bench, turning to look at Namjoon apprehensively. "He doesn't seem like the type-"

"A hundred percent sure." Namjoon let Yoongi win this one and began to unload the plates. "People aren't always what they appear, Koo."

"Yeah," Jungkook chuckled hoarsely, rubbing his arm. "So I've learned."

Yoongi couldn't help but smile. Whenever Jungkook held his own it meant he felt a little more comfortable. Making Jungkook feel comfortable was the priority.

"Come on, Bun," he said. "Let's go do treadmill for a bit."

The smile he got in return practically melted him.

X-X-X

Four of them headed to the Thames around noon. Hoseok drove and Jimin sat up front while Tae cuddled beside him in the back. They drove into a multistorey carpark then took a nearby Underground to Westminster. They were still trying to keep him disorientated, but it was overkill. Tae couldn't go longer than fifteen minutes before leaning in for a kiss and every time he did, Jungkook's brain short circuted. The dewy-eyed joy when Tae looked at him made his chest sing and his heart want to forget who Kim's Six really were.

And when he did remember, he felt a guilt he didn't dare unpack.

Jimin led the way across Westminster bridge and Jungkook looked up at Big Ben, the Elizabeth tower and the Houses of Parliament, admiring all the gothic iron-clad spires, quatrefoil motifs, gold leaf gilding and opal glass of the iconic clock face. There were people everywhere around them. Hoseok was holding his hand, and he briefly wondered what Jin was doing back at the apartment.

They headed towards the London Eye. Jungkook didn't come to the touristy parts of London often but admired what he saw. Iron victorian sturgeon lamposts lined the Thames, crowded in by enduring landmarks, twenty-first century skyscrapers and shiny modern attractions, yet the city was one cohesive piece.

Jimin brought them onto a pier near the London Eye, where a short queue and a red speedboat with six benches awaited them. Jungkook let Jimin buckle him into a lifejacket and listened to the skipper's safety advice before they all clambered aboard.

The sun was out tentatively, casting glitter on the dark water. The breeze blew in their faces as they were taken out onto the river. Above a soundtrack of British artists and famous British speeches, the tourguide pointed out the Houses of Parliament, London Bridge, the Globe with its thatched roof, the Gherkin, Shard, Cleopatra's needle, dome of St Paul's Cathedral and Tower of London, filling the history in as she went.

Once they'd passed Tower Bridge, the skipper cranked up the speed, and the tour guide switched to a Bond soundtrack.

"Wahhhh!" Jimin shrieked in delight from behind Jungkook.

Jungkook couldn't help but scream with laughter too as adrenaline kicked in, the wind blowing in his face, the skipper expertly bumping them left and right at full speed, making him giddy with elemental delight.

He beamed at them, exhilarated, as they finally drew up back at the pier. The others had grins rippling across their faces too.

"That was such a blast!" Jimin wrapped his arms round Jungkook's waist after they'd disembarked. "See, I said we should do dates. I'm a genius!"

"Look at your hairrr!" Hoseok cooed, reaching out to tidy them both up at once, his own locks escaping his ponytail and standing at all angles.

Jungkook made eyecontact with Tae and Tae impulsively nudged his face in and kissed him again.

X-X-X

Namjoon wanted to get Jungkook used to their weekly routine, even the mundane parts which was why Hoseok was tasked with the unenviable mission of prising Jungkook from Jin's side after they'd returned from the speedboat date. Why did he always get the awkward jobs?

Jungkook seemed a little more willing to go when Jin assured him that the laundrette was just down the street. Tae volunteered to come too, which wasn't slick, but incredibly sweet. Hoseok could barely resist how soft Tae was on Jungkook. It reminded him of the early days with Tae.

The two of them trotted after him, two bags of dirty laundry bundled in their arms, chattering about speedboats.

The laundrette was also a dry cleaners. Privately Hoseok believed that Jimin's wardrobe was singlehandedly keeping the business afloat. Inside it was kitsch, with rows of mint washingmachines and mustard lockers and wooden benches. Jimin had taken an Instagram photo here once and Joon had nearly blown a gasket.

Only one other customer was in, watching his clothes tumble like it some kind of cheap therapy. The boys followed Hoseok up to the counter and dumped their bags, then snuck back to sit on the benches while Hoseok waited to be served.

As their bags were being labelled, he rested his elbows on the counter and watched the younger two. Tae was playing with Jungkook's ear, running his thumb round the lobe, murmuring to him. He looked like a love struck teenager. Hoseok supposed that's exactly what he was. He wanted to kiss all over both their faces for being such cuties, but settled for quiet admiration as he waited for their collection and paid.

They were heading back up the road when Jungkook piped up, gesturing to the fresh garment bags over their arms. "Is my uniform in there?"

Oh God.

"I don't know, sweets," Hoseok tried to say it lightly. They'd got rid of everything he'd been wearing that day.

Jungkook didn't push it, and Hoseok would have much preferred to pretend he hadn't brought it up at all, but Tae was here too, and if Namjoon found out from Tae that Hoseok had deliberately omitted information..

He sighed, stomach twisting. He was going to have to text Namjoon. He hoped Namjoon didn't read too much into it. It was just an innocent question. Jungkook had been good as gold all afternoon.

X-X-X

That evening, after Tae had returned from taking the dog out, they all went out to the movies. Jimin had dressed Jungkook up warmly, zipping his new padded jacket up to his neck and squishing his cheeks between the faux fur lining of his hood.

"It's an outdoor cinema!" Jimin enthused as he ruffled Jungkook's hair to his liking. "I've never been, but I've heard it's really cool! It's got an Enchanted Forest theme, which is going to be perfect for Imahone Rising."

Jungkook remembered Danny and Arjun talking about having a movie night in Arjun's home cinema when Imahone Rising came out. He wondered abstractly if they'd have it without him. Probably. He hadn't shown a great deal of enthusiasm, and they'd think he was off sick. Unless Robbie had told them all about the message from Soobin and Dove. Even then, it would probably be water off a duck's back.

The people carrier dropped them off at the front door. On the face of it, the cinema looked like an office building. Jin led the seven of them inside and showed their tickets to the staff. Then they were directed out towards another building on the lot. Even from the outside, it was clear that this was part of elaborate set - the building looked like a cottage with curved gridded bay windows displaying a warmly lit interior and an old fashioned bell that jangled when they stepped inside. Inside, it was kitted out like a curiosity shop and another staff member told them to head to the back of the shop and open the wardrobe.

"Ahhh so excited," Jimin squealed, plucking up Jungkook's hand to squeeze, half hopping on his tiptoes.

The 'shop' wound round a few corners to a dead end. Namjoon opened the doors of the large wardrobe and Jungkook was taken aback to see a row of thick coats.

"Oh my god, its Narnia!" Jimin squished Jungkook's hand like putty.

Namjoon reached out and felt past the coats into the wardrobe. "Alright," he said, mildly surprised. "In we go."

They brushed past two rows of fur coats, emerging into a cavern of fake moss and rocks. On either side of the walkway water was lit in blues and whites. A fantasy soundtrack with piano chimes and forest sounds played overhead.

"It's like a disney set," Jimin stopped to take everything in as the others moved ahead. They turned the corner and read the engraving on the cavern wall under the sculpt of a gargoyle: Only The Chosen Can Find The Secret Passage.

"I bet you say that to all the boys," Jimin giggled at it.

"Careful," Jin called softly from up ahead. "The floor's a bit wet."

"How do we get past the curtain of water?" One of the others said.

"They're probably waiting for the back of the party to catch up," Namjoon suggested.

"Yeah, you can't leave us behind, we're the chosen ones, the wall said so," Jimin grinned, swinging his and Jungkook's hands.

Sure enough, Jungkook only got a good look at the water curtain for a second or two before it stopped pouring. They walked out over a pond that rippled with sapphire and emerald lights. The walls and ceilings became leaves and foliage with twinkling lights while a musical crecendo issued from hidden speakers. The others admired as they went, but Jimin hung back again, especially taken with it all. Jungkook tried to imagine for a moment that this was all real and they were living another life, where he and Jimin were walking through a forest together in a world where they didn't have to deceive eachother.

The others had reached another dead end with the imitation trunk of a tree which barred their path. "Are you the chosen one?" A voiceover suddenly boomed. "Who dares place their hand upon me?"

"Well, it's hardly an escape room," Namjoon chuckled. "Jimin, do you wanna-?"

"Let Kookie do it," Jimin said eagerly. Jungkook wanted to protest, but Jimin seemed keen, so he stepped past the others and laid his hand on the hand-shaped groove in the trunk. Immediately the trunk began to rotate, revealing an opening which showed the cinema beyond.

"So cool!" Jimin buzzed as they stepped out into the cinema and were greeted by another staff member.

The cinema wasn't as 'outdoors' as Jungkook had expected. It had walls and a floor and some kind of tent-like canopy above, which miniature chandeliers hung from. The cinema screen was framed by more faux leaves and twinkling lights and the rows of huge beanbag seats were in various shades of green.

They ate burgers at the bar up the back as more moviegoers arrived, then a fan recognised Jimin and Jin steered Jungkook away. Which suited Jungkook just fine, deliberately pressing himself closer to Jin so that he'd sit next to him for the film.

An actress, dressed up as an extra, waved a fake sword around and hyped them up before the movie began. Jungkook sank into his big comfortable beanbag, snuggled deep into his new jacket and rested his hooded head on Jin's shoulder. Jin put his arm round Jungkook's waist and he settled in to watch.

They discussed the movie for the entirety of the ride home. The inevitable comparisons to Lord of the Rings came up, and Yoongi talked nineteen to the dozen about all his plot theories and expectations for the sequel. Jungkook joined in the chat too, asking questions about points he'd missed. In bed, Jin rubbed over his shoulders and up his back and over his butt and Jungkook was asleep before they'd even said goodnight.

X-X-X

Tae took Ruby out early Monday morning. He felt like he owed her a big day.

"You're doing everything right," he told Ruby, as they passed occasional coughing cars and snarling delivery vans, cutting down a dog stained and litter strewn side street. "He just needs a little time. He'll love you eventually. Joon says maybe in a few months. You've just gotta hold out, okay?"

Ruby was distracted by a scrunch of balled up newspaper. Tae chuckled to himself.

He was still basking in the lightness he felt. He hadn't wanted to betray them, he hadn't been sure how he'd pull it off either. He'd been so caught up in the risks, he hadn't realised how much Jungkook liked them.

His heart still felt like it was soaring as high as the sky, paling into daylight above them.

The moment they arrived in the park, Ruby made a beeline for a puppy labrador. It was small enough that Tae guessed it was on one of its first days out after vaccinations. The owner, a middle aged woman in a salon uniform, looked nervous as Ruby galloped up.

"She's friendly!" Tae called ahead, hurrying to catch up.

Ruby was sniffing at the puppy, and the puppy sniffed back, both tails wagging.

"He's my first dog," the owner said, a little more at ease now. "What's her name?"

"Ruby." The pup was initating play, prancing around Ruby wildly and Ruby obliged, nudging its little body with her face. The puppy seemed a little overwhelmed, and became briefly intrigued by a loose stone on the grass, then came back to investigate Ruby again.

"Is she young?" The owner asked. "Milo is fifteen weeks."

"I think she's five or six," Tae said, as the puppy reverted to play, pouncing at Ruby.

"Oh, you didn't have her as a pup?"

"She's a rescue." Tae watched Ruby living up to her name, an absolute gem in the face of determined puppy assault.

"She's very tolerant of Milo," the woman said, as the pup tried to latch on to one of her ears.

"She loves babies."

"Do you think she's been a mother?"

The vet had said most likely yes, but Tae could never bear to think about that. "She's ready to adopt your little one," he said instead. He tried not to be that dog person who blossomed whenever their dog was praised, but it was so hard not to be proud of her.

Ruby and Milo played for a while longer, before the owner was due to get ready for work. Ruby gave Tae the most mournful expression when they left.

"I love you," Tae smiled, crouching down, rubbing her cheeks and scratching under her chin. "Come on, you gonna race me to those trees? Bet you I'll win!"

As Ruby raced ahead of him, air tousling her fur, he wondered how Jungkook would have reacted to the puppy. Probably just the same due to all the inconsistent movements.

Ruby wheeled back round to loop round him and overtake again, pounding the grass.

"I'm defeated!" Tae panted, upping his ante before she could tease him a third time.

It was funny, he'd never have joined Kim's Six if it wasn't for Ruby. And Jungkook would never have joined if it wasn't for Tae being the wrong fit for Jin.

"So really, the reason I'm so happy is down to you." he told his dog, thumping against the clump of trees and catching his breath. "Come on, let's head down to the canals."

X-X-X

Jungkook expected Jimin to employ violence to drag Jin and Yoongi to the silent disco tour, but they came willingly.

They merged into a group of about forty, wireless headphones atop their heads. Jungkook stretched his arms out, feeling the soreness from his workout yesterday, somewhat apprehensive.

Then the music kicked in and those well versed in silent disco began belting out the song from the middle of their cluster in Trafalger Square. Jungkook lifted his headphones to hear, and was mortified enough to try to edge away from the group.

He didn't count on Yoongi singing too. Jungkook blinked at him, and Yoongi gave him a cheeky smile that showed his gums. Then the majority of the group were singing, waving their hands in the air, shimmying their hips.

This must be what it feels like to be in a cult, Jungkook thought, but then the song changed to Mr Brightside, and he couldn't help a little hum under his breath.

Their brightly dressed guide walked them from the fountains, column and bronze lions of Trafalger Square, on by the steps and portico entrance of the National Gallery, and up past the restaurants and cinema at Leicester Square. He had a mic and occasionally interspersed the music with some London trivia. Jungkook got hooked somwhere between Reach and Bat out of Hell, and decided to let go of his inhibitions. People stared at their crowd, especially at some of the dodgy dancing from the three middle aged woman up front, but Jungkook quickly realised it didn't bother him so much. Not with Yoongi looking so carefree, and Jin laughing and singing, and Jimin bumping hips with him to encourage him to dance along.

They crossed by the theatres of the West End and were treated to numbers like Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You, then turned up to Covent Garden and down through Chinatown. Jungkook knew so little about his own city. He'd always been too poor or too rich to truly experience it.

"You have a nice voice, Bun," Yoongi commented as they handed their headphones back in at the end.

"Thanks," Jungkook rubbed the back of his neck. He'd never really used it, and hadn't realised Yoongi had been slipping his headphones off.

"Well you sounded terrible," Jin teased Yoongi, then giggled as Yoongi made to jab him.

Jimin was quieter. Jungkook had noticed Jimin's energy levels waning towards the end of their walk. Standing so close, Jungkook could see that the dark bags were back under Jimin's eyes, concealed beneath makeup.

Jimin caught him looking and smiled cheerfully. But Jungkook couldn't shake that something was off.

X-X-X

Jimin was worn out. Somehow he'd pushed through the disco and he thought everyone had enjoyed it. Jungkook had gone from uptight and anxious to living his best life blessing the rains down in Africa at the top of his lungs. Jimin had sneakily snapped a few adorable photos.

He was going to have to beg Joon for sex tonight. He couldn't manage on two hours' sleep tomorrow. He'd have to admit to Joon that he couldn't bear to use ASMR right now.

He let Jungkook have his phone and logged into his Twitter account to keep him occupied on the drive home.

"I've been answering some tweets for you," he looked over Jungkook's shoulder. Jungkook gave a tiny gasp as he noticed his followers. He'd been on less than 5k earlier this week and it was now 27k and climbing.

"I keep getting alerts," Jungkook said in awe.

"Yeah, we need to adjust your settings," Jimin felt a trace of smugness. He remembered the arduous grind when he'd first started YouTube. Being able to hand Jungkook a pre-made audience was a luxury.

After they'd somewhat tamed his Twitter account, Kookie wanted to move on to the YouTube comments on Jimin's video.

batom_garoto: eu te amo!!

Suriya Ana: Does Nochu ever take the facemask off?

Jr099: 5:49 thank me later

Zennith: Ahh u did such a gd job Jimin

JUST No-one: Jimin: "Well they say red is the colour of passion" *wiggles eyebrows*

June Ayalla: Jimin mi vida hermosa gracias por compartirnos este video.

.michael.: I think their dating

Izzyrules: I know you'll never see this comment but I love you so much, Jimin! You've inspired me to experiment with my own makeup.

Sniperdog1001: Full face next time?

Milagros britez: Que guapo, Jimin.

Lacondra Owl: He has the prettiest eyes I've ever seen

Wonderful Dream Boy: Okay, now kiss.

IloveJimin: What's ASMR?

JamesBrooks: I love how little by little he gets more confident

Mira: Nochu looks like a real life anime character

Abigail Fong: Jimin is my all time fave, you can feel his energy coming through the screen

Harper_21: You can tell theyre banging

Jacob: Why is Jimin so talented, I can't even brush my teeth properly

PotionX1: Aww theyr so cute together

Grace and Pheobe: Are they bfs?

"Basically, they all think we're dating," Jimin gave Jungkook a sly little tickle under his ribs. "Let's keep them guessing, we'll get a lot of mileage out of it."

Maria Jaghori: I want the dressing up party storytime! I bet Jimin was gonna say it was a BOY he kissed!

Cassidy Biagetti: Is Nochu gay

Jiminrocksmedaily: You always make my heart feel lighter, Jimin, please never stop being you

Mxrissx: Jimin 003 is the best palate, I'm literally on my fourth one!

Величайший: я бы подставила свое тело под пули чтобы спасти тебя я правда готова сделать все для тебя мне лишь бы только видеть твою улыбку

Max Hyte: Omg he's so shy and tiny. Must squish.

Zanah Cacaj: you are awesome at what you do.love you and your makeup

Churchill Nelson: I got Brazen Fox on that quiz too Jimin

Y M: I love Nochu he'd my favorite ASMRtist!

Fernie xo: Thumbs up if you want Nochu to do Jimin's makeup next collab!

SimKim99: 매우 예쁘다!!

Jungkook scrolled and scrolled, and Jimin leaned his head on Jungkook's shoulder and watched through blurred vision.

Ruby and Tae were still out when they got home. Since he'd been filled in on the dead mum story, Jimin was far more conscious of how Jungkook reacted depending on whether or not the dog was home.

He planted the quickest kisses on Joon and Hobi as they kicked their shoes off, then flopped down on the couch beside Jungkook.

"I'm going to look at the ASMR video comments," Jungkook told him.

Jimin pursed his lips. "Yeah, sure." He only had to watch to make sure Jungkook didn't make any unsupervised communications. He didn't really have to read-

Toni H: Your makeup is everything omg

Y M: I love you so much Nochu. You always help me destress.

BeyoncesPen: Plz do more of these I got such tingles.

November.i: The two prettiest bois on YT and so relaxing

Galloping Greta: Nochu! Congrats on scoring a double collab with Jimin! I'm so proud of you! Going up in the world, boy!

Sandro Monae: You can tell from his face he was way under

Jimin felt a cold knot in his belly. He looked aside into the fabric of the sofa. He could see Jungkook scrolling in his peripheries, which was all he needed to do.

A few minutes later, the question he was dreading. "Can I watch the video?"

"Oh, yeah, of course!" Jimin jerked up quickly. "Let me get- um- maybe Jin will watch-"

Jungkook's hand came down on his wrist, his fingers curling round gently, brow furrowed. "You don't wanna watch it."

"No, I- I've just got to-"

Jungkook's eyes looked troubled. "Is it because I ran away after it?"

A conveyor belt of excuses ran through Jimin's mind but he was too exhausted to pluck one out. He nodded.

Jungkook set the phone down on his lap. "I could do it again for you. Properly, I mean." His big eyes were so sincere, searching Jimin out.

Jimin's heart leapt in dread. "No, no, you don't have to."

"I want to," Jungkook said. "I ruined it last time for you, didn't I?"

Jimin could feel his breath getting shallow. He couldn't risk being so vulnerable again. He looked down at his phone supiciously.

Jungkook immediately pushed the phone across the couch, far away from him. "I want to make it up to you," he said with certainty. "If you'll let me. Not for Youtube, just for you."

Jimin was in fear's territory. He didn't know what would happen if he made the wrong choice.

"Okay," he whispered.

Jungkook's strained face softed in relief, and he gave Jimin that pure, innocent smile of his.

Jin and Joon were working on something at the dining table.

"We're going upstairs to do an ASMR session," Jimin tried to keep his voice level.

"Is that a memo to keep the noise down?" Jin grinned.

Jimin summoned a weak smile, collecting the equipment from his office in a mechanical blur.

"So this is your room?" Jungkook asked, following Jimin into the third room along the balcony. Since Jin had exiled them from the first bedroom, Jimin supposed it was sort of true. He nodded stiffly, trying to hide how much he was on the brink.

"Do you want to lie down?" Jungkook suggested, reaching out for the equipment.

"On my front?" Jimin whispered. "Or on my back?"

"On your back," Jungkook said. "If you're okay with me touching your face?"

"You can touch whatever you want." Jungkook wasn't going to run away. For starters, Jin and Joon were at the bottom of the stairs. And for seconds, Jungkook was happy with them now, genuinely happy. It was going to be okay.

Desperation flooded his system as he lay down, head sinking back against the pillow.

"I'm not gonna leave," Jungkook soothed. "Close your eyes?"

Jimin did as he was told, hoping his tremble wasn't noticeable.

He felt Jungkook's fingers touch his forehead, smoothing across. Even though the ASMR hadn't started, Jimin felt tiny ripples of tingles burst out across his face.

Then he heard finger flutters on either side of his ears, and he groaned in relief. Tingles poured over his scalp. He heard the sound of the spray next and his eyelids already felt like kilo weights.

Jungkook's fingers pattered over his nose and cheeks, across his jaw, then fluttered again near his ears. He stroked lightly down Jimin's arms, and Jimin breathed deeply. He was sinking. He could hear the noise of Jungkook flicking the comb, snipping the scissors, fluttering his fingers again. Jimin was weightless - as insubstantial as a pollen cloud, his molecules barely clinging together, suspended in air.

He spent most of his nights chasing sleep, but for once sleep was chasing him, and it chased him down fast.

X-X-X

"Hi babes," Jin cracked the door open. "We're heading out for dinner in half an hour, you two wanna get ready?"

"He's sleeping," Jungkook murmured from his seat on the carpet.

Jin entered and crossed to stroke Jimin's candyfloss hair from his brow. "How long has he been out?"

"Maybe an hour?" Jungkook wondered if he should have got someone sooner. He'd been bewildered and gratified that Jimin had fallen asleep so fast. He only wished he'd realised sooner how much their abruptly ended ASMR session must have affected Jimin.

He didn't want Jimin to wake up alone and fragile, so he'd slid down the wall and sat on the carpet and waited. Jimin slept on, his expression peaceful, chest rising and falling in even motions. And then Jungkook's mind had wandered, trying to take stock in the quiet of the room.

If they hadn't abducted him, he'd have fallen completely in love with them. It felt like he was already halfway there. When he thought of home it seemed so abstract, distant and cold, and Kim's Six were warm and comforting and safe. They had space for him. He was wanted.

He'd kept turning his head aside to look at the back corner of the room, just to remind himself of the feeling of tape around his wrists, the blackness around his eyes, the sensation of inhaling his own fear.

"He finds it hard to sleep," Jin stroked across Jimin's temple. "And he's always raving about your ASMR, I'm not surprised. Why don't you go wash up and get ready and I'll wake him?"

Jungkook unpicked his limbs, reluctant to leave. Jin was gently stroking Jimin's cheeks, whispering to him. He checked for the dog, then made his way to the bathroom then on to Jin's room. He dressed himself in black jeans and a woolly black turtleneck with white stripes, almost hesitant to choose without Jimin's direction.

Jimin was still drowzy, cuddled up against Jin's side as they bundled into the people carrier half an hour later. He smiled dreamily at Jungkook when Jungkook caught his eye.

The people carrier dropped them off outside a lively Korean restaurant. Forty-five minutes later a spread of yellowtail sashimi, sae-woo pops, ya-chae dumplings, rice balls, kimchi, ribs and fried chicken lay across the table, and the others attacked it with gusto, sharing the dishes between them.

Tae and Namjoon were stacking up Jungkook's plate for him, but Jungkook couldn't tear his eyes from Jin and Jimin. Jin was holding a sae-woo pop to Jimin's mouth, Jimin huddled into his side, yawning as he took a bite.

Jungkook didn't know what the unsettled feeling in his stomach was. Jimin looked content. Jungkook had helped him. And Jin was stroking the back of Jimin's hair like he was the most precious thing in the world. His insides should not be contorting like this.

Jin bent and kissed Jimin's temple, and Jungkook realised exactly what was troubling him.

"Are you okay, Bun?" Yoongi said suddenly, and heads turned, including Jin's.

Jungkook was mortified. "I'm fine," he nodded urgently.

"Then eat up," Namjoon plucked a piece of chicken up from Jungkook's plate with his chopsticks and offered it.

Trying not to make a scene, Jungkook leaned forward and accepted the mouthful. Namjoon's gaze was intense, and a dark ripple mingled south of the embarrassment in Jungkook's stomach.

"Do you want the soju or water?" Namjoon said.

"Water please," Jungkook said. Hoseok passed the jug down to Tae who poured attentively.

"Are you sure you're okay, darling?" Jin frowned from across the table, and even Jimin slowly turned to check on Jungkook too, face rumpled with concern.

Jungkook was horrified at himself. Still, after he'd reassured them, he shuffled a little closer up the bench to be closer to Tae. Tae beamed, sliding an arm round Jungkook's back, hand holding his waist, left hand taking up his own chopsticks. Jungkook made a valiant attempt with his own.

"Have you ever been to Korea, sweets?" Hoseok pointed towards the map on the restaurant wall.

Jungkook shook his head. He remembered Julian offering to take them before, but Soona had declined. He wasn't quite sure why. "Have you?"

"Yeah a few times, three of my grandparents are over there. They live in Gwangju, down in the south, do you see it?"

Jungkook nodded.

"Would you like to go?" Namjoon asked Jungkook, gently turning Jimin's chin to offer him some dumpling. Jin smiled at Namjoon and took the opportunity to dig into his own plate.

"I suppose so," Jungkook tried to get a good grip on a rice ball. "But I don't know if I'd feel any connection."

"Your mum was London born and raised?"

"Yeah."

"And your dad?"

"Julian...?"

"No, your biological father."

"Oh." Jungkook shrugged. "I don't know. I don't know who he is."

"Ah. One night stand?"

"Something like that." Jungkook swallowed.

"Well my dad is obsessed with his Korean heritage," Jin gathered Jimin back to his side again. "He's read a dozen books on Confucianism. And he believes obedience to the family is everything."

"He has got a touch of the mafia about him, your dad," Yoongi smiled.

"Jopok," Jin corrected with an equal grin.

"I'd like to go one day," Tae said wistfully. "I'd like to see the palaces and the mountains and the cherry blossoms."

"You old romantic," Hoseok teased.

Jungkook tried to focus on his food and the security of Tae's body, and listen to the clanking of silverware and indistinct chatter from the tables around them. They had hotteok and traditional bingsu for dessert. The others chatted more about Korea and how long it would take to be integrated and swept along with the culture.

X-X-X

"Kookie, will you help me get to sleep?" Jimin twisted the bottom of his sweater as Jin unlaced his boots for him.

The front door had just closed after Tae and Ruby and Jungkook's eyes still lingered on it. Whether he was glad Ruby was gone or was missing Tae already, Jin wasn't sure. Tae had become an utter ball of fluff since he and Jungkook had gone up to watch that sunset together. It reminded Jin of those early days when Tae seemed like the perfect baby boy and he wasn't complaining. It made a change from the broody teenage aggro that got thrown around the house sometimes. Hoseok and Yoongi had cut away at the restaurant, heading back to their respective homes, which left just the four of them.

"Did it help, earlier?" Jungkook worried his lip. "You were really groggy..."

"It was the best sleep I've ever had in my life," Jimin breathed. "Kookie, it was like magic-"

Jin could see the thread of panic in Jimin's wobbly features as Jungkook hesitated.

"Okay," Jungkook nodded finally. "If it did help."

"Thank you," Jimin choked out. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Jin exchanged a relieved glance with RM over their heads. Jimin was still unsteady on his feet, but he'd woken sufficiently to sling an arm round Jungkook's shoulder and hobble upstairs.

"Was there a touch of subspace going on with him?" RM murmured as the younger boys went out of sight.

"Yeah, seems so," Jin found it puzzling too.

RM tutted. "I feel like an ass. He's been desperate for sex before bed, and I blew him off a couple of times. I figured he'd just use his ASMR videos. Seems like they stopped working."

"Didn't Jungkook run out in the middle of their first session, the one they filmed?" Jin reminded him. "It probably made Jimin feel vulnerable around ASMR."

"Now I feel like twice the ass."

"Well," Jin glanced at his watch, "I better give them half an hour. I think twice the ass needs a serious checking out."

"A seriously quiet checking out," RM warned him, drawing him close, letting Jin see that side of him he didn't show anyone else.

Jin loved all of his boys and cared deeply about each of them, but he and RM were in the business of till-death-do-us-part. From the moment that cocky eighteen year old had first pushed him up against a wall, Jin had known.

He crept upstairs forty five minutes later. Jimin was lying back on the bed, and Jungkook was bent over him, rubbing his fingers near Jimin's ears. Jimin's eyes were closed, his mouth cutely open.

"Is he asleep?" Jin whispered.

"I think so," Jungkook whispered back. "I was just making sure."

Jimin lay on top of the duvet, and Jin reached into the wardrobe for a spare blanket to cover him.

"You did a great job," he murmured to Jungkook, tucking Jimin in, gazing down at him fondly. When he'd finished, he held his arms out knowingly and Jungkook tipped into them, melting against his front.

Jin had thought he'd seen baby struggling in the restaurant. Or perhaps he was overwhelmed by his newfound power over Jimin's insomnia. "I've got you," he rubbed up and down Jungkook's back gently. "I'm here."

Jungkook was quietly clingy as Jin took him to the bathroom. Then they changed into pyjamas together in the bedroom, Jungkook half-helping, half-unwilling to stop leaning into Jin's front.

"Good boy," Jin praised as they finally got his t-shirt over his head. He nudged Jungkook back far enough to dip his head and kiss him delicately. Jungkook's mouth was soft and eager and malleable. Jin observed Jungkook's awed big-eyed expression when they parted, his own lips prickling with arousal. A coil of anticipation twisted deep within him.

"Come on," he murmured, drawing Jungkook towards the bed, adjusting him so that he sat between Jin's legs, back against Jin's chest, the duvet sprawled over their legs. Carefully, Jin rubbed circles around Jungkook's hips, kissed his jaw. Jungkook went lax against him, a little moan peeping out of his mouth.

"Make you feel good, baby?" Jin whispered.

Jungkook's breath hitched. Jin laid one hand flat on Jungkook's stomach, then slowly dragged the other down, painfully slow, slipping under Jungkook's pyjama bottoms, listening and observing his reaction before cupping him.

Jungkook gave a little gasp. Jin kissed his neck. "Precious one."

He'd had enough practice to refine this into an art, coaxing Jungkook along. Jungkook was so responsive, his legs tensing and arching, then falling back, gently trembling.

"Been my best boy, so proud of you," Jin whispered, his kisses feather light on Jungkook's heated skin as he picked up pace. Jungkook's stomach dipped under his other hand and his breathing became more ragged, punctuated by soft moans. His hands were clenching and unclenching in the top of the duvet A heat haze seemed to shimmer in the air around them and Jin's blood had all rushed south, but he was intent on Jungkook.

Jungkook's head suddenly slapped back against his shoulder, drowned in pleasure, unable to hold itself up. Jin had him. He pressed on to the finish, murmuring praise into the shell of his ear. Jungkook uttered an urgent, formless prayer and spilled into his hand.

Jin held him through the little aftershock that followed, then used his clean hand to reach across to his bedside drawers for tissues and wipes. "Gorgeous, baby."

Jungkook blinked up at the ceiling as Jin cleaned up, his cheeks flushed, breath still catching. Jin tugged the blanket up to Jungkook's chest to keep him warm.

"What-what about you?" Jungkook whispered finally, probably because he'd felt the pressure against his backbone.

"Don't you worry about me," Jin murmured, gently rolling Jungkook onto his side, gently tugging at his lower lip with his own, dipping just the edge of his tongue in. "Did it feel good?"

Damn, those wide eyes had Jin's whole heart wrapped up in a neat bow. Jungkook nodded, and Jin pressed two more kisses into the pink apples of his cheeks.

"Thank you," Jungkook said in a small amazed voice and Jin was overwhelmed with a rush of absolute love.

How lucky that they'd found eachother. How lucky he was to be twenty two and already have everything he could ever want.

X-X-X

Jungkook woke on Tuesday morning in Jin's arms. Jin was still asleep, and Jungkook laid his head back on Jin's chest, listening to his heartbeat, inhaling those last traces of orange, rose and saffron on Jin's tee.

He and Aamna had fumbled about a few times, but nothing compared to last night. Jungkook's nerve endings had been on fire. He'd seen inkspots in his vision. He'd felt mindblowing gratification and then bliss.

Jin shuffled beneath him, and Jungkook raised his head.

"Morning, darling," Jin smiled his fairytale prince smile. Jungkook felt his heart tear free from its flimsy moorings.

He boldly planted a kiss square on Jin's lips, then wriggled away.

"What're you up to?" Jin observed him, eyes laughing.

Jungkook's insides were fizzing like sherbet. "Nothing," he grinned cheekily, ducking out for the bathroom, almost forgetting to check for the dog.

Hobi, Jimin, Yoongi and Jin took him to play crazy golf after breakfast. Jimin hustled him into ripped jeans over electric pink fishnets, and a white tee with an electric slogan. Jungkook let him do whatever he wanted, and Jimin was bubbling with energy, slipping him hugs like he was fueling an addiction. He'd kissed Jimin when he'd finished, and Jimin was so surprised that Jungkook caught the giggles.

The crazy golf was almost an hour's drive from home, and when they'd headed past the front desk, armed with their putters, Jungkook's initial impression was that he'd walked into Hollister. The lighting was dim and atmospheric, revealing glimpses of rainforest decorations, dinosaur props, and a giant fake volcano. He discovered a few seconds later that this was UV crazy golf as most of his outfit lit up.

"Come on, let's sabotage Jin," Jimin stage whispered to him.

Hanging off Jin's back, holding him in a bear hug while he attempted to take a swing quickly became Jungkook's favourite thing to do. He could feel the muscles of Jin's back and Jin pretended that he was trying to shake him off, but he wasn't trying very hard and that made Jungkook want to cling on more. Jimin attempted to sabotage Hobi, then tried with Yoongi, but Yoongi pointed his putter at him like a weapon. "Back off, buster. I can sabotage myself."

After several lost golf balls, and even more mock-wrestling matches, Hobi was proclaimed the winner.

"Winner gets kisses!" Jimin tossed his putter down and tugged Hobi's tee towards him on the final hole.

Jungkook got in for his before Yoongi and Jin. Hobi tasted as fresh as his scent.

"That was worth winning then," Hobi laughed, his hands wrapping Jungkook's sides like he didn't want to let go.

Jungkook laughed too, latching onto Jin the moment he'd delivered his own kiss. He snuggled against Jin's front and wondered what it would like to kiss Yoongi.

"Now I wish I hadn't performed so many trick shots," Yoongi grinned, kissing Hobi, almost deepening the kiss before remembering they were in public and stepping aside.

Jungook breathed in Jin's fragrance happily. It was still strong from application this morning and he couldn't get enough of it. He wished he'd tried a bit harder to win now too.

X-X-X

Yoongi and Hobi were dropping Jimin off for a meeting with his managment, and to Jungkook's surprise, Jin saw him to the door, kissed his mouth in a way that blurred all Jungkook's peripheries for a moment, then said he was popping downstairs to see how his sister was getting on.

Namjoon was towelling his damp hair, and looked over when Jin waved and locked the door behind Jungkook.

"Did you have a good gym session?" Jungkook asked brightly, making sure the dog wasn't there before bending to unlace his trainers.

"I did. You're in a good mood. Did you win?"

"I came fourth," Jungkook shucked his jacket off. "Only because Yoongi was determined to make us laugh at every hole."

Namjoon chuckled. "Probably because he knows Hobi always wins. Are you hungry? I'm waiting for Tae and Ruby to get back."

"I can wait too," Jungkook crossed to the sink and poured himself a glass of water. "Should we make lunch?"

"Tae's bringing something in. But if you'd like a job, some of my houseplants are due a drink."

"They're your plants?" Jungkook had assumed they were Jin's or Hobi's. Somehow houseplants seemed at odds with Namjoon.

Namjoon grinned, dimples showing. "I'll prove it to you. Start over there. Meet my Kentia Palm. She's otherwise known as Howea Fosteriana and she's the other Aussie in the household. She needs a weekly mist. That's my Money Tree, or Pachira Aquatica with the braided trunk. I water her every two weeks, and she needs a hefty drink each time. And these are my little row of succulents-"

Jungkook followed him around each plant in the apartment, obediently watering each as directed. Most of the horticultural education went over his head, mostly because he was distracted by the corded muscle of Namjoon's arms, and the strong hands which touched each plant so delicately.

"Yoongi doesn't like being touched, does he?" He asked Namjoon abruptly, as they were finishing on the last plant downstairs.

Namjoon prodded the earth in the plantpot to check how dry it was. "Go ahead, give her a drink. Isn't that a question you should be asking Yoongi?"

"Well, you clearly know the answer," Jungkook pointed out, pouring water in at the roots. "So I'm asking you."

"You've gotten bold, cupcake."

Jungkook could hear the shade of Namjoon's tone changing, but it didn't frighten him the way it used to. "If you want me to be in this household, maybe you ought to tell me more about it."

Namjoon coughed like something had caught in his throat. Then slowly, he cranked out a wicked smile. "Oh I get it. You want to push my buttons. You want to see what I'll do, don't you."

Jungkook set the miniature watering can down and stood. "I'm not scared of you."

"There's a saying," Namjoon's voice was silk. "Don't bite off more than you can chew. Maybe you'd rather go stick the TV on and have a nice lunch when the others get back."

Jungkook crossed his arms challengingly.

Namjoon unfolded another dark smile. "What am I going to do with you."

"You're going tell me what I want to know."

"Then you're right." Namjoon turned, collecting the plant care supplies up. The longest I've ever physically touched Yoongi is during sex. Once you're done, he'll roll away. He doesn't like cuddles. Hobi is the opposite. He'll smother you with physical affection, but try getting him to say 'I love you' or talk about anything remotely uncomfortable."

"You know everyone's weaknesses, don't you?" Jungkook supposed, trailing after Namjoon towards the kitchen. "You've got a log or something in your head. So you can control everyone."

Namjoon gave him a roguish glance over his shoulder. "Of course I do. Because that's my weakness. I love this family, and I will do anything in my power to keep control of it, to protect it. Even from itself."

"What about Tae?" Jungkook couldn't imagine that owning a dog or being violent was on Namjoon's list of faults.

"...His weakness is his inability to come to terms with himself. He's a violent killer and he hates himself for it. He tells himself never again, but he knows he has to do it again."

Jungkook recoiled from the thought of Tae as a killer at all, even though he'd seen enough evidence to know that it was true. "And Jimin?" He pressed, staring at the curve of Namjoon's butt as Namjoon closed the low cupboard and stood.

Namjoon considered him, took a step closer. Jungkook's instincts told him to step back, but he didn't want Namjoon to think he'd won. Namjoon paused, reached out, then lightly flicked Jungkook's forehead. "Jimin carries a lot of burden up here. The one I like to keep the closest eye on is his guilt. He's our glue, you see. He hooked Hobi in, and that brought Yoongi in and ultimately you and Tae. He makes up for it by keeping secrets for the others, then feels even more guilty about that."

"What kind of secrets?"

Namjoon's tongue flicked over his lower lip, a chill-half smile on his face as he observed Jungkook. Jungkook snatched a breath in as Namjoon's hands folded round his sides, holding his waist. "There are many." Namjoon leaned in and whispered, breath on the shell of Jungkook's ear. "Plenty I've found out about, and some I surely haven't. For example, Hobi and Yoongi moved in together a while back, but aren't owning to it. Jimin knows, but he can't bear to break their confidence."

Jungkook could smell Namjoon's aftershave, could feel the adrenaline spiking in his stomach, his pulse beating rapidly. Namjoon was still trying to see if he would back down. But he wouldn't. "What about Jin? What's Jin's weakness?"

Namjoon's laugh was genuine surprise. "What makes you think I can control Jin?"

Oh. "I bet you're looking for a weakness in me too, aren't you?" He dared Namjoon.

"Sweet boy." Namjoon purred, their faces close. "I know exactly what your weakness is already. I pray that I never have to use it against you."

Jungkook couldn't prevent the spasm of shock reaching his face.

"But I confess there's a lot I'm still figuring out," Namjoon's heated palms ran up and down his sides, ruffling the t-shirt. "I haven't made my mind up what to do with you tonight."

Jungkook jerked. Was it Wednesday? Was the YouTube event tonight? Had he lost track-

Namjoon smiled at his reaction, nudging him backwards with his hands. "For Jimin's twitch stream."

Jungkook had forgotten. Completely and utterly forgotten. In a few hours he was supposed to be talking live to an audience of thousands. He could literally blurt out that they'd kidnapped him. Of couse, he didn't know what Kim's Six would do afterwards, but he could still do it.

"I need to be sure that you'll play nice before I let you take part," Namjoon eased Jungkook backwards, coming with him, keeping the gap between their bodies taut.

Understanding meshed itself in Jungkook's mind. This was his ticket to tomorrow night. If he passed the Twitch test, Namjoon would surely trust him to go to the YouTube event.

"I'll play nice," he nodded urgently, socked feet stumbling as Namjoon continued to back him towards the living room area. A primitive sense, more basic that sight or smell, sent prickles all over his body.

"Well, just to be certain, let's play a preliminary game. You can show me just how obedient you're planning on being."

Jungkook's foot brushed against the side of the couch. Namjoon manhandled him backwards still, then suddenly, his hands dropped down over Jungkook's butt and Jungkook felt himself being lifted off his feet momentarily, and dropped down into one of the armchairs with a little thud.

He stared up at Namjooon. Namjooon knocked his knees aside, lifted them up over the ends of the armrests. It felt like someone had sucked all the air from Jungkook's lungs.

"Let's see you be good. Bunny."

X-X-X

Chapter Text

I spend every waking moment refreshing my Ao3 reviews, so thank you to everyone who dropped me one :) It really does mean a lot, and replies are coming.

A huge thank you to the members of my GC who actually played a couple of rounds of Among Us with me so I could grab screenshots for my chapter promo! (Especially MaddyBaby as I've borrowed some of her impromtu lines for Jin.)

Shout out to Neptune and Ame for being the only ones to figure out my Twitter hint for the game that's coming up first! I'm sure most of us have played this before (though not with Namjoon's intent!) but if you haven't, read up on safety issues first if you ever consider playing.

(There's arguably 16+ content in this chapter too.)

X-X-X

"Stay there," Namjoon ordered.

Jungkook heard him tread towards the kitchen. His thighs were stretched up over the arms of the chair, ankles dangling above the floor on either side. His palms were greasy with fear, tucked in at his sides, flattened into the upholstry.

He could extract himself from the exposed position Namjoon had put him in. But something pinned him in place. He didn't know if it was the dawning realisation that he'd pushed too far, or the promise Namjoon had dangled over him. If he was obedient Namjoon would trust him to be on the stream tonight. If Namjoon trusted him on the stream tonight, he'd green light the YouTube event tomorrow.

Or perhaps it was a base instinct, deep in his core, which told him not to move.

Namjoon was coming back over. Looking down, Jungkook could see his t-shirt quivering under his butterfly-filled stomach and pounding chest.

Namjoon loomed over him, eyes like flint. Jungkook felt his own eyes bulge as he stared up.

He startled as Namjoon loudly popped the plastic pack open in front of his face.

"Well, let's find out," Namjoon said in an undertone, "bunny."

He removed one marshmallow between thumb and forefinger, and slowly brought it closer to Jungkook's face. Jungkook felt himself go cross-eyed as Namjoon grazed it back and forth over his lower lip, torturously slow.

"Open up." Namjoon murmured finally and Jungkook felt his jaw slacken as it was popped in. "Hold it in your mouth," Namjoon instructed.

Jungkook could feel its tissue paper texture, the weight of it on his tongue. Namjoon pressed his head in closer, and Jungkook could smell his aftershave. Every tiny hair was standing on end all over his body.

"Say 'Chubby Bunny'."

Jungkook stared, incredulous. Namjoon's expression was impassive. The butterflies in his stomach began flapping their wings hard against his organs.

He pushed the marshmallow to the side of his mouth with his tongue, feeling sugar melting into his mouth. "Chubby Bunny?"

Namjoon gave a single nod, and reached back into the plastic packet. Jungkook watched Namjoon drag another up, carry it towards his face, felt the intrusion of Namjoon's fingertips past his lips as he nudged it in, saw the sheen of saliva when Namjoon slid them out.

Namjoon looked down at him, and Jungkook stared back up at him, transfixed. It was getting harder to breathe, the air thick and glutinous around them, spongey, rubbery sweetness blocking up his mouth.

"Say 'Chubby Bunny.'" Namjoon prompted softly.

"Chubby Bunny?" Jungkook partly mangled the words.

"There we go," Namjoon said, and a rush of endorphins flooded Jungkook's brain. This time, Namjoon's fingers inserted the third marshmallow right into Jungkook's mouth and pressed it into the cushion of his left cheek, forcing one of the other marshmallows towards the back of his mouth. Namjoon's rough hand cupped Jungkook's newly rounded cheek, and Jungkook felt something coil up tight in his groin.

"Shubbybunny," he said, desperately trying to adjust the three of them in his mouth to make space. Namjoon's gaze was hypnotic.

"That's it," Namjoon savoured each syllable as he slowly tucked a fourth marshmallow into Jungkook's right cheek. "You do know how to behave, don't you."

Jungkook's cheeks bulged on both sides. He felt his face burn.

"Say it," Namjoon prompted him.

"Shubbybuwi," Jungkook fought to keep the marshmallows from slipping out. His brain felt as insubstatial as the contents of his mouth, glazed with humiliation. The butterflies were now drilling holes in his liver.

"You can take another," Namjoon decided. Jungkook shook his head urgently. "No?" Namjoon traced a damp finger over one of many rips in Jungkook's jeans, then pinched at the electric pink fishnets and pinged them sharply against Jungkook's thigh. "I know you can. Don't you want to show me how good you can be?"

Jungkook was submerged, lightheaded, reduced to a single invisible taut line that ran from him to Namjoon. Helplessly, he nodded.

There was a flicker in Namjoon's gaze, and that line pulled tighter. A fifth marshmallow was pressed into the centre of Jungkook's mouth, stretching his cheeks further apart. Namjoon's fingers trailed over the loose white threads of the jeans, over the fishnets, over Jungkook's skin in soothing circles. His dark eyes consumed Jungkook's.

Jungkook's stomach was in his throat, choking him, threatening to expel the contents of his mouth. He seized a breath in through flared nostrils.

"What do you say?" Namjoon murmured.

"Shummybumi," he couldn't afford to open his mouth, stuffed to the brim as it was. A noise of distress squeaked up his throat after it.

"Shhhh," Namjoon's fingers slid under the rips, swirling around, sending little shocks up his leg. Jungkook's gaze scattered and he looked down past his white t-shirt and realised. With his legs forced wide, there was nowhere to hide it. He looked back up at Namjoon, eyes wide.

Namjoon smiled slowly. "I know, baby. Let me see you do six."

Jungkook felt a sensation of urgency in his lower lungs as a sixth marshmallow was crammed past his lips.

"Say it," Namjoon directed.

"Mm-y um-i!" He was going to choke. His hands twitched at his sides in panic.

"Hold it," Namjoon coaxed. "Let me see you hold it."

"Mmmm!" The seconds stretched tighter than the strain in his jeans, and Jungkook knew any second he was going to disgorge corn starch and geletin all over Namjoon. He tried to hold perfectly still, sucked air desperately through his nose, Namjoon's soft motions burning his thigh.

Namjoon held the packet under his chin. "Now spit."

Jungkook didn't need to be told twice. He spluttered and wiped at his lips, tongue feeling its way around his sticky mouth as Namjoon departed for the bin. His chest heaved sharply when Namjoon returned, but Namjoon was empty-handed.

"I knew you'd be good when it came down to it," Namjoon smiled, dimples showing. He leaned in and gently thumbed marshmallow tack from Jungkook's upper lip. "How do you feel?"

Outplayed, cloudy, and- Jungkook glanced down again and swallowed.

Namjoon chuckled, dipping his hands under both knees to lift them up off the armrests and lay them back infront of Jungkook. "Beautiful boy," he breathed out. "So proud of you."

Jungkook's whole body was alive to those words, and he clung to them. "I did good?"

"You set my mind at ease," Namjoon said, crouching down a little so their faces were level, hands holding onto the armrests. "Now I know I can trust you tonight."

Jungkook's heart soared. He'd been good. He'd been good.

Namjoon bent his face in and placed a kiss to his mouth. He leaned back and Jungkook strained towards him. He needed- needed-

The sound of the door unlocking jolted him back. Namjoon stood, his hands lifting from the chair.

"What are you two up to?"

It was Jin. He stood at Namjoon's side seconds later, and took in Jungkook's predicament immediately, even as Jungkook flushed and closed his legs. "Has Namjoon been teasing you?"

"Testing him," Namjoon amended. "And he passed."

Jin scoffed. "Of course he did. Have some faith, Joon." His tone softened as he regarded Jungkook, just a hint of amusement in his tone. "What will we do, baby? Will we go upstairs and leave him to his own devices? He deserves it for being mean, don't you think?"

Jungkook hadn't realised- He couldn't help but stare at Namjoon's bulge, even as he reached out towards Jin. Namjoon didn't argue as Jin steered him towards the stairs.

He clung to Jin's side as they walked up to their bedroom. He let Jin close the door and sit him on the edge of the bed. He let Jin slip his jeans off and toss them on the floor. He watched Jin run his hands over the electric pink fishnets, just as Namjoon had done before him, then lifted his hips to allow Jin to slip fingertips under his waistband and drag everything off his lower half.

"Angel," Jin breathed. "Gonna take care of you."

He shucked the garments aside, then pushed his face forward, knees on the carpet.

Jungkook couldn't process that this was really happening. Jin gently nudged Jungkook's legs further apart, slotting himself between them. Jungkook's knees had already turned to cloth.

Jin pressed a lingering kiss to his inner thigh and Jungkook gasped, brain saturated with need.

"Lay down if it gets too much," Jin reached a comforting hand to the small of Jungkook's back, and another kiss burned right into the crease of Jungkook's leg. Jungkook groaned.

"Okay," Jin chuckled, "no more teasing?"

"Please," Jungkook whispered. "Please, please-"

And then Jin obliged and all Jungkook's conscious thoughts went into oblivion.

X-X-X

"Jay Hope, RM," Namjoon said. "You got it? Jay Hope, RM."

"Jay Hope, RM," Jungkook recited dutifully.

"Give me everyone's names fast."

"Uh, Jin, Jimin, Yoongi, Tae.... Jay Hope, RM."

Namjoon ruffled his hair. "You've got it. I'm more worrried about Jimin forgetting, honestly."

They were in the last room upstairs. It was Jungkook's first time in here. It looked like it was primarily used for storage, with a clothing rack, some gym equipment, and assorted piles of boxes, but there was also a full computer setup, including a green screen and swivel chair.

"Someone will notice my mic and headset are different," he pointed out to Namjoon, surprised at how nervous he felt. Maybe it would be better if he didn't join the Twitch stream.

"That's okay, if they push you just say you're staying with a friend. And remember that the others will ask how you are. I'll be next door if you need me."

Ready to run in and cut the stream off Jungkook inferred. He wondered if they'd set a hidden camera up amongst the bric-a-brac to watch him, or if Hobi would be monitoring this computer from home somehow. He nodded. "Okay."

"We'll be using 'deafen' on discord tonight. These are your hotkeys," Namjoon pointed them out. "I'm gonna go get set up. Any questions?"

"What happens if Jimin does say my name?" Namjoon had lectured Jimin about it relentlessly over dinner and Jimin had airily blew him off.

"Worst case we'll respond as if Jungkook is one of the others, not you." Namjoon held his shoulders and studied him closely. "Are you worried? It's going to be fine, Koo. It'll be fun, like always."

Jungkook wiped his hands on his joggers. He was on Namjoon's good side, and he wanted to stay there. "Yeah, I'm okay."

Namjoon bent in and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "See you on the other side."

He closed the door after him with a soft click. Jungkook had ten minutes.

He adjusted the chair height. He lifted the headphones onto his ears and tested the mic. He hooked the facemask over his ears.

He had the internet right in front of him, and possibly no one watching.

Or maybe they'd set him up ten minutes early to see what he'd do.

He gingerly brought Twitch and Discord up on the computer.

What if this was his best chance? He'd passed Namjoon's test, surely that meant Namjoon genuinely trusted him. It would take just a few clicks to discover his precise location and post it on Twitter, or email it to Julian-

But that only led to two outcomes. Jungkook could be intercepted and be locked up for the rest of his life. Or he could succeed, and Kim's Six would end up arrested: first Namjoon, Jin and Jimin since they were in the same building, then Yoongi, Hobi and Tae.

He wanted them to get arrested, didn't he? Did he?

On balance, they were probably watching him. And besides, it wasn't worth risking his freedom, not when he was one successful Twitch stream from going to the YouTube event tomorrow. Playing along was the right move.

He pulled Jimin's stream up on the second screen.

Knower19: Jimin plz notice me

Ginger_Byles_3: Wheee the whole gang back together

VickToria548: ily jimin!!!

Buff_Pickles: When does Among Us start?

JiminxLove: We have the same chain Jimin!

ManuJameel21: Bet Yoongi is last in

Alf0ns0: eu te amo muito, meu amor

As usual they were flying by so fast he could barely read them.

He ground the heels of his palms into his eyes for a moment, trying to collect himself. Then gingerly, he turned his camera on, pulled his own stream up.

"Nochu!" Jimin cheered. "Long time no see!"

"Uh, hi!" Jungkook remembered to use the hotkeys at the last moment and gave Jimin a little wave.

"You're here, now where are the rest of us?" Jimin breezed. "My chat are taking guesses at who'll be last in."

"It's usually RM, isn't it?" Jungkook couldn't be more grateful for the facemask. This felt so alien.

"Well it's not me!" Hobi chimed in, joining on discord. "My money's on Yoongi tonight. I hear he's been nervously swotting up on game rules."

"Is that why he skipped out on us last week?" Jimin grinned. "I thought he was working."

Jungkook blinked at the numbers flooding his own chat. He'd been on less than a minute and already had his peak figures for Twitch. That was the power of a Jimin collab.

MatthewF.: OK, fess up. U+Jimin?

GhostNose: Nochuuuu I love your new hair so much

ThatASMRsleep: Hey Nochu

Mia_McDonald22: Will you do an ASMR series with the rest of Jimin's friends

Bhxpmy: Missed you all week baby

"Hey folks!" Yoongi cut in.

"Noooooo," Hobi bemoaned as Jimin cackled.

"What did I do?" Jungkook could hear Yoongi's frown in his voice.

"Nothing, nothing," Jimin gathered himself. "Looks like my RM prediction is good to go!"

"Wait, isn't that my RM prediction?" Jungkook tried to inject levity into his voice.

"Oh, sorry baby, our RM prediction."

"Hi Nochu," Yoongi said. "I'm sorry I dipped last week."

"I'm sorry you dipped last week too," Jungkook said, and panicked as raw emotion came up with his words.

"Sorry I'm late, sorry I'm late!" Namjoon was making shuffling noises in the background.

"Nooo, go away!" Jimin pouted, and it was Hobi's turn to chuckle. "You're ruining mine and Nochu's prediction!"

"Evening! Are we all in?" Jin's voice came through the speakers.

Remember you're on camera, remember you're on camera Jungkook schooled himself, feeling the blush rise in his cheeks at Jin's voice. Every so often this evening his brain would stutter to a halt like glitchy slideshow, and all the slides would be of Jin's lips, and Jin's throat-

"Hi Nochu, hi Jin," Namjoon burred.

"Oh great, where's our hello?" Yoongi complained.

"Didn't know you were in, hey Yoongs. You missed out last week. What did we name him again? Creative Schemer?"

"Sarcastic was in there somewhere," Jin grinned.

"Wait, what did you guys do last week?" Yoongi was frowning harder.

"Ahh, sorry, Ruby wouldn't settle," Tae panted. "She's chill now. Hi all!"

"Did anyone predict Tae being last?" Jimin said. "Great, we all lost the mini-game."

DaisyDolan: Jay Hope is my favourite

MadridLife103: Yessss Yoongi's back!

_open_shut_case: So are they all friends irl or what

Mary_Urisanga: Nochu you should just tell us coz we already know

SBSEBAH: Nochu seems a bit off tonight or is it just me

Jungkook didn't know if he could cope with this. How could something that had become so routine now be so unfamiliar? For all those weeks he'd only known their voices, seen snippets of their personalities, fantasized about them, been in awe of them. Now...

He had to focus. Jimin was explaining the rules of the game. Jungkook had played Among Us a few times before, but not recently, and not to a live audience.

"So if you're crewmate, you must not read Twitch chat," Jimin instructed. "Because someone will give it away. Remember to close out Ju- Jay, if you're stream sniping us. And Nochu, you definitely need to close chat if you're crew."

"And if we're killed, we can't speak at any point?" Namjoon checked.

"Yeah, not till the whole game is over. But you'll still have all your crewmate tasks to do, or if you're a dead imposter, you can still sabotage."

"Okay got it," Jin said. "Crewmates either eject both imposters or finish all tasks to win."

"Yep, and imposters kill enough crewmates to outnumber or equal them to win, or else pull off a sabotage no-one fixes in time."

"I'm gonna be so bad at this, I'm not a good liar," Tae complained.

"Then you've just gotta aim for carnage, you'll be better at that," Jimin teased. "Okay, let's get the game up!"

Jungkook moved his webcam feed to the bottom centre of the screen to cover the lobby code. He typed Nochu in as his player name and waited for Jimin to send the code on discord. On his screen colourful cartoon astronauts flowed across a backdrop of cartoon space.

"We're gonna invite three YouTubers who have gaming channels to join us later," Jimin said. "I'd really like to get three fans onboard, so if you have an active channel of at least 500 subscribers and you'd like to join us for a couple games, comment under my last Tweet, and make sure you're following me so I can DM you if you're chosen! Code's up on discord, boys."

Jungkook was already entering it. There was a little bleep as his cartoon astronaut avatar popped into the lobby.

"Heyy, Nochu!" A bright yellow Jimin did an excited dance around him. "You pick your colour before the others get in! Oh, hey, Tae, let Nochu pick his colour first."

"I'm pink!" Jin mock-roared. "I did not pay hard earned cash on this game to not get to be pink!"

Jungkook changed himself to pink. Tae giggled.

"Don't you dare, come back here, mister!" Jin's astronaut avatar popped up on screen and made straight for 'Nochu.' Jungkook took the bait and began trying to run away from him as the others piled in.

pixelperfect404: Their so cute

Millysbestfan: Let Jin be pink!!

Furrypillowcase So funny Nochu

Lianne.Peters Did Nochu say if him and Jimin are bfs?

Riddhi_56 OMG I LOVE AMONG US

Kaz89_streams: Nochu you are the best ASMRist ever

ToxicPositivity: Is Nochu the youngest?

"So instead of actually playing first round, I'm going to give you a guided tour of Skeld, okay?" Jimin said. "When I got thrown into my first ever game I was imposter. No one told me that the crew can't use vents, so I outed myself instantly."

"King of outing yourself," Hobi grinned.

"Nochuuuuuu!" Jin bellowed.

Jungkook ran his little avatar back to the colour options and switched to cyan.

"I knew you were a good boy!" Jin immediately came up behind him and claimed pink. "Oh look! You can have accessories! I can have a mini-me! I'm gonna call him Nochu!"

"Did you just call me an accessory?" Jungkook smiled.

"Accessory to the crime, more like," Jimin giggled.

"Look how cute he is!" Jin paraded his newly pink astronaut with a tiny pink astronaut trailing behind. "Meet Nochu 2!"

"What a great parent, such original names to give both your kids," Yoongi sniggered.

"Right, I'm starting!" Jimin proclaimed above Jin's rebuttal. "Remember this is just the tour! We can keep talking and leave chat on for now!"

He started the countdown and the seven of them appeared in the spaceship's Cafeteria, standing around a table with a large red button in the centre.

Jungkook took a quick stock of their colours. Pink Jin, Green RM, Yellow Jimin, Purple Tae, Red Jay Hope, Orange Yoongi. Okay.

"Alright, so in the real game we play in dead silence until a meeting is called," Jimin instructed. "Since some of you haven't played before, we're going for the most classic version of the game. That means some of the crewmates' tasks will be visual. Form an orderly conga line please."

The six of them trotted after him around the map as he pointed out the tasks, vents, admin table and cameras.

_12undoing12_: I wanna know if Nochu fancies Jimin I think yes

Quetzal.Queen: Actual so cute

DavidJThomas: Nochu did you get a new headset?

Jinx_me69: Jimin is the best tour guide ever

SeventeenthTide: Playyy alreadyy

"Okay," Jimin said finally, when they'd come back round to the Cafeteria. "So each of you can call an emergency meeting each by running up and hitting the button here. But the most likely reason for a meeting being called is when a body's reported. Whoever's Imposter, come over and kill me."

His avatar was sliced in half less than a second later.

"I've been waiting to click that," Yoongi said.

"So normally, I'm no longer allowed to participate in the game from this point, other than finishing my tasks," Jimin said. "If you're close enough to my body you'll see a report button come up. That's going to summon everyone back to this Cafeteria table, no matter what room you're in. Someone try report now."

"Ahh okay, it's on a timer," Namjoon intoned, as a new screen came up, showing Jimin crossed out in red and voting options available to the rest of them.

"You will be able to see which colour voted who and who chose to skip," Jimin said. "A tie also counts as a skip. Just remember what I explained about kill cooldowns and double kills, if there's five of you left and two are Imposters then you have to get it right. If there's three of you left then again, you must vote correctly."

"Should I have taken notes?" Jungkook pictured Tae's grimace as he spoke.

"Nah, you'll get the hang of it fast," Jimin said. "Are we ready to play?"

"Let's do thisss!" Hobi cheered.

Jungkook took his fingers off the hotkeys. "Alright chat, if this goodbye, I'll see you on the other side." He closed the box down. The game launch counted down. 'Crewmate' came up on his screen, and the game opened to them all standing around the Cafeteria table again.

"Here goes," Jungkook said, heading left towards Reactor. "I have actually played once or twice, but I'm not sure how much of an advantage that'll be."

He reached Reactor, did the one-through-ten task. The lights went out just before he finished, reducing his vision to a tiny circle around his little astronaut's body.

"Seems like quite an early sabotage?" He commented, heading down to Electrical. Red, Pink and Purple - Jay Hope, Jin and Tae - were already in there, fixing the lights. "Better take advantage and do my wires now," he said, heading up to the back. Jin came up and joined him.

"Jin won't kill me first," Jungkook assumed, not entirely sure if that was true. He diverted power and ducked out of Electrical quickly, heading towards Shields.

As he passed through Storage, he spotted Red and Yellow down by the trash chute, hovering. "Looks like Jay wants two witnesses for his visual task," he concluded, coming closer. "The chances that Jimin would kill me infront of Jay are like a hundred to one."

His screen blew up with an animation of Jimin's sunny yellow astronaut plunging a knife into his back.

"Uh, and that would be the one." He winced. "Don't worry, Jay Hope will repor- oh nope, nope, they're scurrying off together. Great, I got cornered."

His little avatar was now a cyan ghost, who could travel through walls to complete its tasks. The in-game text box indicated that a message had come in on dead-chat. Ah, Yoongi was dead too.

Yoongi: Who got you?

Nochu: Jimin

Yoongi: Jay got me. Are these guys even looking for us?!

A loud buzz indicated that a dead body had been reported.

Yoongi: About time too!

"Who killed my baby!" Jin howled.

"Where's the body?" Namjoon asked.

"Um, I saw him with you last in Electrical," Jay Hope said. "Who else was with us?"

"Yeah, we fixed the lights, and Nochu came in, and he and Jin went up the back and I headed out and went left," Tae said. "Yoongi's dead too."

"Where's the body?" Namjoon asked again.

"At trash," Jin said. "Cut him off when he was probably trying to tidy up the ship like a good boy!"

"It's Jin isn't it." Jimin said, deadpan.

"No! It is not me! Why would I kill Nochu?? And why would I kill Nochu after I know two of you have seen him with me?"

"Well maybe that's the point," Hobi reasoned. "You're double bluffing us."

Yoongi: We're screwed.

Jungkook pulled his Twitch chat back up.

Jodi_Liscano: I think Jimin and Jay Hope are gonna win

m1lky: Bad luck Noch

hitchASMR: Nochu you are so pretty

Simpedro: You need to get better at the game

KimChungCha: 사랑해 넌 최고야!!

"Well I was top right the whole round, so I'm going to have to work with the information we have," Namjoon said. "Jin, did you follow Nochu to Storage?"

"I didn't know he'd gone that way! I had more Electrical tasks than him, he left first. I was making my way to Navigation! I'm being stitched up!"

A few seconds later Jin was flung out the airlock. 'Jin was not The Imposter' the screen announced. Then the Defeat Screen came up with Jimin and Hobi's little astronauts on.

"Yahhh, why did no one believe me?" Jin complained.

"You sounded so suspicious," Tae stifled a laugh.

"Virtual high-five, Jimin!" Hobi whooped.

Jungkook and Hobi were Imposters on the second game. Jungkook sliced Jimin in O2, much to the delight of his chat, then got all the way to Comms before it was reported. Hobi had killed Namjoon.

"Well I hope you all learned from last time!" Jin said. "Don't assume it's Jin."

"Does anyone else think it actually is Jin this time?" Hobi said.

"It's Jay Hope then," Jin instantly locked in his vote.

"Where was the body, Tae?" Jungkook asked.

"O2. It was Jimin's body. I came down from Weapons. Passed Yoongi in Caf."

"I came up from Admin and went left though," Yoongi said. "Could be a self-report."

"I'm in Comms," Jungkook said. "Should we skip?"

"Nah, let's vote. Jin or Jay Hope..." Tae said.

"Why not you?" Hobi said, his vote locking in.

Jungkook clicked over Tae's name to vote. If they brought it to a draw they could win..

"Who did you vote, Yoongi?" Jin asked anxiously.

"The Imposter."

The timer was running down. Jungkook put his vote in for Tae.

The results came up with three votes against Jay Hope, one against Tae and one against Jin. Jay Hope was sent out the airlock at the others celebrated as 'Jay Hope was The Imposter' scrolled along the screen. Then the next round began.

"Well, I'm on my own now," Jungkook ran down into Admin and pretended to do an upload. "I thought Jay Hope was voting for Tae. I guess it wouldn't have mattered anyway." He eyed the countdown on his kill timer. "Who should I try to pin it on? They know I'm the only one who didn't vote for Jay. Umm.. I'll kill Tae and act shocked that he was innocent. Yoongi was the first one to mention that Tae could be self-reporting. I'll try to pin it on him and get Jin to believe me. Okay, let's check the Admin table and see where everyone is."

Yoongi's orange astronaut avatar wandered in, and Jungkook considered killing him, but ran out instead.

"Let's see if Tae's in Medbay," he told his chat.

Tae was, scanning alone of all things, the visual task displaying Green rings around his purple body.

"Hi Tae," Jungkook said, even though Tae couldn't hear him. "Whatcha up to? Scanning? Looking out for Imposters?"

He sliced through Tae and leapt into the vent, hopping out at Electrical once he was sure no-one was there. "Okay, what next, let's call sabota-"

Yoongi called a meeting.

"Tae's dead," he said. "And Admin table showed two in Medbay, so I'm pretty sure that's where his sorry little purple body is. I think I know who did it, too."

"Tae's dead?" Jungkook let his eyes balloon. "I thought he was the Imposter! So it's one of you two?"

"Well I think the main take away from this is that it's not me," Jin said. "Nochu 2 and I were coming up from Reactor."

"So did you pass Medbay?" Yoongi asked.

"Yeah, but we didn't go in."

"Did you think to look in?"

"That's kind of suspicious Jin," Jungkook chimed in. Who was he supposed to pin it on now?

"It's not meeee!" Jin despaired.

"Look, I'll make it easy for you," Yoongi grinned, and Jungkook could picture his gummy smile and white teeth. "It's Nochu. He's the only one who didn't vote Jay Hope out."

"I was listening to you!" Jungkook protested. "You said Tae might have self-reported!"

"Look at his little cyan face, though!" Jin was pouting. "He's too innocent to be Imposter."

"I'm locking it in," Yoongi said.

"Oh no, I can't send my baby out the airlock..." Jin voted too.

"I guess the jig is up," Jungkook chuckled, voting for himself. Sure enough, all three votes were for him.

"You did so well!" Jimin praised the moment they returned to the lobby. "I was rooting for you, Noch! You should have gone harder on Yoongi, Jin was ready for cracking!"

"Was not!" Jin protested. "Just because he's cute!"

"How about we try with one Imposter?" Namjoon suggested. "Might actually make it harder for crew because there's more people to suspect."

"Alright," Jimin agreed. "Let me sort it now. I'm gonna invite our three guests in shortly, so we'll go back to two Imposters when there's ten of us."

Jungkook decided to go to Security and check cams for his first move of the new game. "Maybe I'll catch one of the Imposters venting?" He told his chat, trying to figure out which screen was for which area of the ship.

The green RM with a little beansprout coming out of his head vented into cams and Jungkook saw an animation of himself being impaled on the huge spike coming out of RM's mouth.

"Dang," he said to his chat, shaking his head. "I'm not having a lucky streak am I?"

He trailed after Namjoon in his ghost form, and watched him pop out of the Medbay vent and head through Cafeteria, stopping at Weapons to fake a download. Jay Hope came up and began Asteroids, and Jungkook guessed Namjoon was waiting for his last kill cooldown seconds to be up-

Jin had found his body.

"Who would kill Nochu first?!" Jin was scandalised. "My poor boy, working hard, well actually, not doing his tasks at all, dead on Security cams, but still-!"

"I was with Tae in Storage doing wires," Jimin said.

"I was with Jay Hope in Weapons," Namjoon said.

"I saw Jay at the start in Nav, passed Jimin and Tae in Storage, hopefully they can confirm, had just stepped into Electrical," Yoongi reported. "Jin?"

"Umm..."

"You know how the saying goes, no alibi, no oxygen," Namjoon smirked.

"No! I just, I didn't see any of you this round! That doesn't mean it was me! Just because some of you were together at the end doesn't mean it was me!"

"It is absolutely, 100% Jin this time. GG." Jimin decided.

Jin took all five of the others' votes and dutifully went out the airlock.

"Um, out of interest, did we have a plan B?" Jimin said weakly as 'Jin was not The Imposter' scrolled across the screen.

Jungkook grinned as deadchat alerted him to a new message.

Jin: THEY NEVER LISTEN

Nochu: Nooooo Jin TT

Jin: Killed me right in front of my child

Jin: AND FOR WHAT

Jin: Who is it?

Jungkook typed N then rapidly realised his mistake and hit delete.

Nochu: RM

Jin: Could never trust him.

Jimin: Heyy guys!

Nochu: You too, huh?

Jimin: Yup. Sorry Jin ily

Jin: Watch him win solo TTTTTT

Tae reported next. "Jimin's dead in Caf."

"Okay, here's what I'm thinking," Hobi said. "Who pushed for Jin to go? RM."

"Yeah, Jimin and I both, and we already have proof one of us was innocent," Namjoon said smoothly.

"No, Hobi has a point," Yoongi said. "And I saw Tae a good bit this round. I'm thinking RM too."

"You wanna lose?" Namjoon challenged. "Because that's something a killer would want! Tae, did you see Yoongi the whole round?"

"Umm.. not the whole round..."

"Here's the thing," Namjoon said. "I know Jay's innocent. I saw the visual of him starting asteroids last round. So it's Tae or Yoongi for me.. and Tae just sounds so crew."

"Oh yeah, I guess you didn't kill me last round," Hobi said. "Unless you were on cooldown."

"And I've just volunteered that you did asteroids, that should prove I'm crew."

"Tae, could Yoongi have got away to Cafeteria?" Hobi asked.

"Well, maybe when I was doing my upload.. because lights were called..."

"He's gaslighting you, it's RM," Yoongi said. "No doubt."

"Oh thank god," Namjoon wheezed. "I was really questioning whether it might be Tae, but now I know. Thanks, Yoongs."

"Jay?" Tae said anxiously.

"It's not me!"

"Yeah I know that! But which.."

"Skip, then," Yoongi prompted. "If you both skip the game continues."

"We all know who wants the game to continue," Namjoon savaged.

"Oh hell.." Yoongi moaned as all three votes went against his name.

"Three defeats in a row, woo!" Jungkook joked above the others squawking like starlings as Namjoon's victory became clear.

DrogoFan41: Poor Nochu!!

Sal.Cipher: Stop killing baby first!

123Jason321: RM is too slick

JenniferCBeck: I cannot believe they fell for that

Pan_Pipe_Player: How old is everyone

ASMRsleeper: Ppl shud listen to Jin more

Domi.Bateman: Nochu you suit brown hair so much

"Alright, I think the time has come to play this game the way it's meant to be played, as a group of ten!" Jimin announced. "I've just selected the three lucky - or unlucky - fans, and I'm sending you a DM now. Warm up time is officially over!"

A couple of minutes later, he was lining the three guests up in the lobby and getting them to introduce themselves and their channel names.

"I'm so nervous," Eve confided. "You're my all time favourite YouTuber, Jimin."

"Whatsuppp, guys, I'm Pedro. I've been watching every Tuesday since February. RM, that was a sick win."

"I'm Yasim, and um, I still can't believe I'm here. I never win anything."

Jimin chuckled. "I hope you three realise you're statistically more likely to die first here."

The three fans tumbled over themselves to assure him they'd be honoured to die at his hand.

"Then we're back to two Imposters and let's gooooo!" Jimin cheered.

It was a much different game on ten.

"It's Tae!" Jimin proclaimed

"Leave your brain to science when you die, Jimin!" Jin yelled. "They're the ones with the microscopes!"

"I'm sure I saw Orange vent!" Pedro said. "But it might have been Red. It was a warm colour."

"Oh sure, blame me because I'm orange," Yoongi said.

"Have you got a license to kill, Yoongi?" Jimin teased, ignoring Jin's tirade.

"I've got a beginner's permit."

"You did not just quote Mary Kate and Ashley at us," Hobi snorted.

"Um, I don't know about Yoongi, but Tae for sure vented in Admin," Jungkook said.

"Nope, I'm in Reactor."

"No you're not, I'm in Reactor," Eve said, quick as a flash.

"Oh, um, well-"

"You're busted Tae!" Jimin giggled as the votes flurried in. "Who has the small brain now, Jin?"

"I can't believe that," Jungkook said in wonderment. "I didn't actually see who vented, I just guessed that it was Tae from last round."

"Nooooo!" Eve began laughing. "I lied about being in Reactor to back you up!"

"Are you kidding me...." Tae lamented as he was thrown out of the airlock and confirmed as an Imposter.

Jungkook was slowly finding a knack for the game, losing one and winning the next two. The hour flew in.

"Alright, one last game?" Jimin called.

Jungkook and Yoongi were Imposters.

"Alright, chat," Jungkook said. "Let's go fake card swipe, and decide what to do next. Oh wow, looks like everyone had the same idea! Well, they're actually doing theirs, but this should make it easy to keep an eye on the taskbar."

There were about five of them huddled at the cardswipe, when Yoongi stack-killed.

Jungkook blinked in panic as Hobi instantly reported.

"It was Nochu, I'm 75% sure," Hobi said as the meeting began.

"What- no- I was there, but I was on card swipe!" Jungkook protested. "There were loads of us there, why do you think it was me?"

"It just looked like you," Hobi said. "Who else was there?"

"Umm Black, Green, Cyan, Purple, Blue," Yoongi said.

"And Orange, then," Jin pointed out.

"Yeah, but I wasn't on the stack, I was just coming up to do card. Poor Eve."

"Yeah, we'll avenge you, Eve!" Jimin exclaimed. "Nochu, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"It wasn't me? I didn't even see who it was..."

"Nochu," Namjoon said.

Jungkook felt his heartbeat begin to race. "Yeah?"

"Are you the Imposter?"

"No. Please skip. If it's not you, it's Tae or Yasim."

There was a pause.

"I believe him," Namjoon said. "Tae and Yasim, I'm watching you two. Let's skip."

"It's Nochu, he's putting puppy eyes on and you're falling for it," Hobi was adamant in what he'd miss-seen. "I'm voting Noch."

"You're tearing this family apart, Jay!" Jin cried dramatically.

"Skip," Jimin decided, "we know who we're keeping an eye on."

"Ugh, that was too close," Jungkook told the chat as the game resumed. Both Hobi and Yasim had voted for him, but the others had skipped. "Yoongi's bold. Okay, I'm gonna wait my cooldown out in reactor, then we'll go take someone out.. maybe not Jay, maybe that's too obvious?"

He saw Jimin go into Security across the hallway, just as his timer counted down 5-4-3-

"Okay, let's go," he decided.

Jimin was on cams.

"Do I want him to be my alibi, or should I kill him?" Jungkook pondered, mouse hovering over the kill button. He saw it blink indicating that Yoongi had killed elsewhere. He clicked hurriedly and Jimin was split in half. He jumped on cams to see if anyone was coming. "Okay, lets hit O2 sabotage and hopefully steer them away from the body.."

O2 was fixed quicker than he'd like, but his cooldown was approaching 6-5-4 again. He checked cams again. "Perfect, Pedro's coming down from Top Engine. Hey, Pedro!"

He ran into the corrdor and wiggled his little avatar's body, indicating that Pedro should follow. His cooldown was inching down: 3-2, "Come see! In here!" 1-, "Jimin's out cold!"

Pedro followed him into Security.

"Looks like it's catching," Jungkook hit the kill button as Pedro reached the entrance.

Abibatu_Ik: LOL NOCHU

Trats.56: Yesssssss Noch!!

Rooney04: My heart is beating so fast

Bl4deC4ndy: Go go go go go

"Okay," Jungkook could still feel the adrenaline rushing him at how smoothly he'd pulled that off. "Do I just camp the bodies, or do I vent out now? Oh, uh-oh-" he rushed for the vent before realising Yoongi was the one barging into Security. Yoongi did a little happy shimmy over Pedro's body. "Okay, looks like we're gonna be camping the bodies together.. let's do it!"

Yoongi trotted out into the corridor and went up sharply, slicing through Jin who was on his way down.

"Oh damn..." Jungkook's eyes went wide. Were they going to pull this off? Now he had the top and bottom of the corridor to guard, and his countdown was still at 10, 9.. he darted up and down, "how many kills do we have left to win? Is it just one more? Should I call lights and go hunting?"

As if reading his mind, Yoongi hit the lights sabotage and went down.

"Ah, okay," Jungkook nodded. "I'm going up."

He turned up towards Medbay, only to see Namjoon's green astronaut emerge from the entrance. Instead of turning left towards Jungkook, RM took a sharp right towards Cafeteria. And then, lights were fixed.

Greezo: RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN

Jon.Bailey: He's running for the button!

MobKor24: AAAAAAAAAAA

"He is going for the button..." Jungkook's cooldown was still running down- 4, 3, 2- he spammed kill- Namjoon was almost at the meeting button- 1-

The Meeting Called animation appeared on screen.

Immediately followed by the Victory Screen for Jungkook and Yoongi.

"Nooooo-" Namjoon roared- "he killed me on the button! He killed me on the button!"

"We killed everyone!" Yoongi crowed.

"We were nearly done our tasks!" Hobi wailed.

"That was a genius play!" Tae yelled.

Jungkook's ears sang with bloodrush.

"I thought it was too quiet-" Yasim cried out. "Everyone was dead! No way!"

"That was insane!!" Jimin yelled.

"I can't believe we pulled it off.." Jungkook exclaimed, clutching his chest. His heart was still pounding.

"I believed that little innocent voice!" Jin was outraged. "You pulled the wool over my eyes!"

"He actually was innocent for that one, it was my kill," Yoongi snickered.

"I didn't even mind dying first, that was so much fun to watch!" Eve cheered.

Jungkook felt giddy as his chat rushed him with compliments.

"Well, I reckon that's the perfect place to leave it!" Jimin grinned. "Pedro, Yasim, Eve, thanks for joining us! Stick around and I'll give your channels another shout out on Twitch!"

"Thank you so much for having us!" Pedro said quickly. "An actual honour!" Eve added. Yasim echoed their sentiments.

"Now me and my chat have got plans, so begone the rest of you," Jimin grinned. "Same place, same time, next week."

"We're all getting thrown out the airlock now," Namjoon chuckled.

"Bye Jimin's chat! Bye Nochu's chat!" Tae said.

"Thanks for dropping in on the side party," Jungkook addressed his chat, waving. Even though people were leaving now, he still had four times his usual figures. It was utter madness.

Hedgey.FM: We love you Nochu!

x-Lara11-x: What an amazing victory to end it on

thepepsichamp: Plz play it again next week

Jess_Lancaster: But you and Jimin tho?

Poppy.Welsh: Have a great evening Nochu

Landonisatwitchstar: Can't wait for your next upload

"Bye, Nochu!" Hobi said. "Don't stay up too late!"

"And don't do any homework, stick it to the man!" Jin cried out, and Jungkook pictured him throwing a comical first in the air.

"Don't give him bad advice!" Yoongi protested. "See you soon, Noch." The others chimed in too.

"Bye everyone!" Jungkook called out. "See you next week!"

He logged off and closed everything down. The silence in the room was deafening. Permeating. Cold.

Had he screwed up?

Namjoon pushed his door open a moment later and Jungkook turned towards him in the spinnychair. "I-"

Namjoon's smile stretched back to his molars, dimples embedding in his cheeks. "You were amazing! What a good play!"

Out of nowhere, Jungkook felt his eyes fill.

Namjoon's expression changed immediately and he crossed to stoop down in front of the swivel chair. "Was it too much, baby? It's okay. Hey, you did a really good job-" he reached out and thumbed the tear that Jungkook had valiantly attempt to blink back. "Come on, let's go downstairs. We gotta keep the volume down, since Jimin's still streaming, okay?"

Jungkook nodded, fiercly swiping his eyes. He didn't know where the block of emotion wedging his throat had come from.

"Piggyback?" Namjoon offered, turning to let him clamber aboard.

Jungkook draped himself over Namjoon's shoulders like a scarf. Namjoon reached around and gripped his thighs as he stood. Jungkook shut his eyes as they walked to the stairs and trundled down, trying to make sense of himself.

Namjoon sat them down gently on the sofa and gathered him close. "You were so good," his voice was warm in Jungkook's ear. "So proud of you." His hand tapped very gently on Jungkook's butt, grounding him. "My best boy."

Then Jin came downstairs after them and Jungkook instinctively reached out for him. Jin bunched in beside Namjooon so that they had Jungkook across their laps, sandwiching him from either side. "You and Yoongi blew my mind on that last game," Jin stroked Jungkook's hair behind his ear. "You did us all proud, didn't he Joon?"

"He really did," Namjoon sounded so genuinely happy. "Even though it's been tough on him. And I've been tough on him. He still came through for us. Love you so much, baby." He kissed Jungkook's temple.

"Are you overwhelmed?" Jin studied Jungkook's face in concern, still stroking his hair.

"I'm okay now," Jungkook drank in Jin's eyes, feeling heat build in the apples of his cheeks as his gaze slipped to Jin's mouth. He snuggled into them, inhaling orange, saffron and rose mixed with aftershave.

"You've proven yourself," Namjoon's voice was protective and comforting, his hands rubbing small circles now. "You've more than earned our trust."

"Sounds like we're gonna be Kim's Seven tomorrow night then," Jin leaned in to plant his own kiss on the tip of Jungkook's nose, his proximity radiating safety and warmth.

Jungkook didn't want to go.

Realisation hit him like a sledgehammer, even as his body went lax under their cuddles.

He didn't want to go.

He could tell them about Soobin and Dove, and maybe they wouldn't be mad if he confessed, and they'd let him stay at home, or sit with Hobi in his vehicle. He could tell them right now, get it off his chest.

But Julian. Julian might be coming to rescue him, desperately hoping-

He couldn't do that to Julian.

Could he?

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for continuing to support, your comments are the story's fuel and I'll be sending you review replies as soon as I can. Hope you enjoy the update, it's a long one! Warning for some rather blatant predatory behaviour. And some general intensity, but nowhere near the stress we've all been through tonight, so I'm sure you'll be fine, eep!

X-X-X

"Morning, baby," Namjoon called as Jungkook passed the faint wash of light coming through the windows. The dog looked up from its water bowl and eagerly pattered towards the stairs. Jungkook shrank back from the top step.

"Ruby, c'mere, love." Tae summoned. When the dog cleared his path, Jungkook made his way to Namjoon. Namjoon tossed his mail aside and held an arm out invitingly. Jungkook plunked down in his lap and Namjoon's muscles contracted to draw him in.

"Sleep well?" His murmur tickled Jungkook's ear.

"Yes." His nerves had exhausted him. Jin had struggled to prise Jungkook off this morning. "You?"

Hobi and Yoongi were on the other couch, Tae and the dog at their feet. The three were engrossed in discussion but smiled at Jungkook when they met eyes. Tae and Yoongi were dressed head to toe in dark khaki and Hobi was putting them through their paces: What's the name of your company? What's the name of the security system? Why would a setting on Gwan's home network interfere with the security system?

Namjoon nodded and kissed his temple, and Jungkook snuggled in, languid. Namjoon would suffice as a substitute Jin.

"Did Kookie and Jin get up? Morning baby!" Jimin's voice came from the direction of his office. accompanied by the shuffling of fabric and rumbling of wheels. "I'm all packed, Joon!"

"Good job," Namjoon's eyes crinkled, craning his neck to look past Jungkook. "Keep your voice down. Try not to distract the others, huh?"

"Distraction keeps them on their toes," Jimin rushed the sofa and leaned over. He'd borrowed Namjoon's aftershave. Jimin rubbed his nose against Jungkook's. "I'm gonna make breakfast, okay?"

"Okay." Jungkook wondered at Jimin's exuberance. Moments later the kitchen area erupted with clangs, rushing water, and frantic chopping.

"He's had a new lease of life since your ASMR sessions," Namjoon said fondly.

Jungkook burrowed in closer. Before long, a bowl of washed fruit was deposited victoriously in his lap, and he had to grab it to steady it.

"Wow, Jimin, you really stepped up," Namjoon said wryly.

"Thanks, Joon!" Jungkook couldn't tell if Jimin had noticed the sarcasm. "I'm gonna see if Jin's left Kookie's toothbrush and saline spray out for packing!" He took the stairs two at a time.

"Well, we better not waste this." Namjoon plucked half a strawberry from the bowl and held it to Jungkook's lips.

Jungkook felt a brief panicky surge as he opened his mouth and Namjoon slotted it in. A beat passed.

"You can eat it," Namjoon's chest rumbled with a hearty chuckle.

Cheeks burning, Jungkook began to chew. Namjoon popped a grape into his own mouth.

What will you do if one of the staff insists on standing over you? Hobi interrogated the others. What if they try to call Tony and they start to get suspicious when he doesn't pick up?

"He'll run us through ours once they've finished," Namjoon held a banana slice to Jungkook's lips. "We're not used to split operations."

Jungkook accepted, chewed, swallowed. "Joon... I think... I think maybe I shouldn't go tonight."

His heart quaked, even as he said it. But Namjoon's body didn't stiffen.

"Why's that, sweetheart?" The back of Namjoon's two fingers stroked the soft of his cheek.

Excuses queued behind Jungkook's teeth, including the truth, but he bit each back. Namjoon would be furious. He wouldn't trust him again. Even if Jungkook tried to explain that the message to Dove and Soobin was days ago, Namjoon would only see the betrayal.

And besides, was Julian really going to show up at the YouTube event? Even if Dove and Soobin had been sober and thought Jungkook was sober and actually believed him, that didn't mean they'd successfully sent the message to Soobin's cousin. Even if Ahnjong had receieved a message, it was a stretch to think that she'd actually pass it on to Robbie. And if Robbie by some miracle had actually got the message, was he really going to go out of his way to deliver it to Julian? It wasn't the same as forwarding a text. He'd have to physically take a ride to Julian's, post a note through the postbox, or speak to him in person. And that was assuming the message was still intact even after being flung around so many times.

No, Jungkook would be an idiot for admitting to something that wasn't going to happen anyway.

"Are you nervous?" Namjoon's voice was doting. "There's nothing for you to worry about, cupcake."

"Okay."

"Someone will be with you at all times," Namjoon fed him a grape. "Your only job is to have a fun night. Observe us. Meet some YouTubers who could help you build a career like Jimin's."

Jungkook nodded, head brushing against the back of the couch. Besides, Namjoon knew everything and Namjoon wasn't worried. So Jungkook shouldn't worry either.

Yoongi and Tae got to their feet. "We're going!" Tae hollered to the floor above, then crossed over to Namjoon and Jungkook, flopping himself on top of them. Namjoon let out a little wheeze and Jungkook stifled a giggle, trying to rescue the bowl.

"Miss you already," Tae kissed his cheek, then his nose, then his mouth as Jungkook wiggled and basked in the attention. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Namjoon got a hand on the bowl and Jungkook reached up his arms to pull Tae in towards him, inhaling cocoa and leather. He wondered if he'd ever get used to the adoring way Tae looked at him when they parted.

"You've got this," Namjoon tugged Tae's chin over for a kiss. "See you tonight, gorgeous."

"We won't let you down." Tae planted one more kiss on Jungkook's forehead then returned to the dog and knelt infront of it, running his hands through its fur, murmuring instructions in its big ears. The dog almost looked as though it was listening.

"See you on the other side," Yoongi strolled over next, dipped in to kiss Namjoon, his face close.

Jungkook felt anticipation fill his lungs.

"Have a good day, Bun," Yoongi said, and Jungkook drank in Yoongi's dark cat's eyes before Yoongi tilted his head and softly pressed in. When he stepped back, Jungkook instinctively leaned forward for more, lips smarting. When Yoongi turned, Namjoon murmured "someone's lovestuck," in Jungkook's ear.

Jin and Jimin rounded the stairs as Hobi gathered Yoongi and Tae for an embrace. The dog broke away to greet Jin and Jungkook curled a fraction closer into Namjoon as it raced by.

"There's my best girl!" Jin cooed. His crisp white shirt accentuated his shoulders and was tucked into sharp-crease charcoal trousers. Although Jungkook had spent the past eight hours sleeping pressed against Jin, he had to stifle the instinct to try for Jin's full attention.

"Fiancé is abroad, I've seen his Insta," Jimin reported to the others. "So my bets are on Tony's PA being the plus one. If he brings the usual bodyguard and makeup artist this evening it leaves anywhere between two to six people in his mansion, bare minimum. Good luck, guys."

"You're the worst," Yoongi groaned, beckoning for a kiss nevertheless.

Jungkook felt Tae and Yoongi's absence the moment they locked the front door behind them.

"Good morning! Is this breakfast?" Jin chuckled, stealing a strawberry from Namjoon and Jungkook's bowl.

"Morning," Namjoon's voice was husky.

"Okay, let's have a run through with you four and get you on the road." Hobi clapped his hands like a teacher.

"Early access isn't till eleven," Jimin trotted over to sit by Hobi, reaching to gather and pet the dog.

"And it's nine now, so let's be punctual," Hobi reminded him. "We've as certain as we can be that Jimin's room is next to Tony Gwan's."

"People would sell their organs for a luxury suite in the Langchester," Jimin commented. "His suite is double the standard size, imagine."

"Jimin checks himself and Jungkook in," Hobi narrated. "Jin and Joon, you make sure to come in once he's getting his key card, play it cool, Jimin will greet you, are you guys already checked in? everyone goes up together. You get into Jimin's hotel room. Jimin remarks that he sold his left kidney for this. Now what?"

"Jin and I hit Tony's door and the next one over in our maintenance uniforms." Namjoon said.

Hobi nodded. "Aim for under sixty seconds apiece. Talk me through it."

"Jin plays supervisor." Namjoon said. "I'll take the reader off the mount with the screwdriver. Hold the magnet in place to bypass the tamper."

"Good. Run me through the wires."

"Power, Ground, LED control, Data zero, Data one."

"And what colour are Data zero and one?"

"White and green."

"Okay, next?"

"I'll install the ESP key credential skimmer on the wires behind the reader."

"Which wires?"

Namjoon listed them with his fingers. "Power, Data zero, Data one."

"And once you're connected wirelessly on your phone?"

"I tap a credential and hit replay to access the hotel room. Same again on the other room."

"Great." Hobi stretched his legs out. "Now lets run through the evening."

"Kookie and I arrive sharp, check out the tables, find the one Tony Gwan and PA will be sitting at." Jimin volunteered. "I'll pretend to lose an earring under their table, and attach Hobi's signal jammer. Then when Tony arrives I do the phone switch."

"At the earliest opportunity," Namjoon nodded. "We're on standby for you, Jimin. If you don't get the phone, we make a judgement call on whether to proceed."

"Oh, I'll get that phone," Jimin smirked.

"I'll be in the main hotel bar, near the entrance to the grand ballroom," Jin said. "Jimin gets Tony's phone to me and I'll take it out to Hobi."

"This is where timing gets crucial," Hobi nodded. "At any point, Tony could become aware that his phone has been switched. He will call the cops if he thinks he can stop us mid-extraction. That could get particularly dangerous for Yoongi and Tae. I have the most likely couple of passcodes prepared, but if not, I'll be prepared to hack in. I'll text the Gwan mansion to expect Tae and Yoongi."

"Meanwhile, I'll confirm the suite on Tony's other side is unoccupied," Namjoon said. "If we're lucky, it'll have been booked by a Youtuber who'll be at the event. If not, I have a couple of distractions available to make sure it's empty by the time Jin gets back. I'll stick a couple of Hobi's fake listening devices in the room: ceiling near the door, air con. I'll prop the door open with a chair."

"When I get back upstairs I'll knock on Tony's door," Jin took up the narrative. "I'll tell Tony's team that I'm concerned I've found a listening device in my room, and ask if they have the same in their room, I'll then draw them to 'my' room to show what I've found. Once inside, I'll close the door and adjust the chair to show them the bug on the ceiling. They'll be puzzling over that, and then I'll discover one just inside the aircon vent, which should draw them further into the room."

"By which point, I'll be sweeping Tony's room for laptop, tablet, flashdrives," Namjoon said. "When Jin indicates, I'll call the room and he can use the phonecall from 'reception' as a further distraction to hold them in the room. I'll return to Jimin's room, throw everything in a case and leave."

"I'll bluff that reception are sending someone up, or that they're explaining it away," Jin said. "Either way, as soon as Tony's people have gone back into their room, I'll make a run for it, and follow Namjoon out to Hobi. We drive off."

"And the jammer under the hotel table should buy a fraction more time if Tony's team text or call the PA," Jimin nodded. "If Jin's got them stressed enough, they'll be caught up a while checking the walls and fixtures in their room first. Kookie and I will play it innocent and stay at the hotel tonight."

"You've got it," Hobi nodded.

"What happens if one of Tony's team goes back to hotel room while one of them stays with Jin?" Jungkook felt ill at ease. "What if they find Namjoon in there?"

"We do have backup plans," Namjoon held another slice of strawberry to Jungkook's face, popping it in when Jungkook opened his mouth to ask more.

Jungkook had a pretty good idea of what one backup plan might be. God, he hoped they could pull this off without terrifying any innocent people. He chewed on the proffered strawberry and Namjoon rubbed a knuckle softly under his chin.

"Well Miss Ruby and I are going to have a chill afternoon while you lot enjoy the high life." Hobi said. "I'll give you a ring when I've parked up and we'll check our earpieces and mics are in order."

"I've got our clothes all packed, Kookie," Jimin bounced on the sofa. "Are you excited? It's your first heist!"

"Don't stress him," Namjoon pointed at Jimin. "I want him to have a good night."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Jimin dismissed. "Where's my goodbye kiss then, Hobi?"

As the four of them threw on jackets and shoes, Jungkook caught Namjoon murmuring to Hobi and Hobi's eyes jumping to him as Namjoon spoke. Was it something about Julian? Had they demanded ransom information about Vrishi Bhakta? Had Julian replied?

"Have a good time, sweets!" Hobi extended his arms when he noticed Jungkook looking. Jungkook stepped forward and inhaled clean linen and eucalyptus. Hobi embraced him tightly, then kissed him with determination. Jungkook was gently reeling when Namjoon shepherded him towards the front door.

"Bye Hobi, bye Ruby!" Jimin trundled two mint coloured Rimowa trunks over the threshold.

Namjoon paused, then lowered his hands to Jungkook's waist, to stop him following. "Do you think you could try calling bye to Ruby too?" He said carefully.

Jungkook stiffened. But they were right at the door. He was pretty sure he could slam it shut before it could get to him.

"She's trained not to come after us when we're heading out," Namjoon pointed out. "She didn't go after Jimin, did she?"

"Bye Ruby?" It sounded more like a question than a farewell and he cringed back against Namjoon as he said it, but the dog didn't come after him.

"Good boy!" Namjoon praised, nudging him out into the stairwell. Jungkook glowed.

"Well done, baby!" Jin rubbed his upper arms while Namjoon locked the door. Jungkook felt wave after wave of endorphins flood him at Jin's expression. Even on the car journey, pride swelled in his chest. He'd spoken to it directly, used its name, and it hadn't come for him. He tried to turn towards the window to disguise his smile brimming over. Jin and Namjoon were in companiable silence up front, and beside him, Jimin was brainstorming them a list of future collab ideas. By the time they pulled into the Langchester carpark, all the nerve-wracking uncertainty Jungkook had gone to bed with and woken up with was gone.

The Langchester had a French Renaissance styled exterior with a slate mansard roof and bronze stonework etched with sculpted heads wearing laurel crowns, roses and plums. Jungkook followed Jimin past the doorman and into a marble floored reception. A large chandelier twinkled and glittered from a scalloped ceiling. Royal blue velvet armchairs and low granite tables sat between corinthian columns framing the windows. Jungkook waited by the cases while Jimin gave the receptionist his I'm-as-cute-as-a-fuzzy-duckling smile and her glossy coral-manicured nails clicked over the keyboard. Her gaze was so fixed on Jimin that Jungkook doubted she even noticed Jin and Namjoon's arrival behind him.

Jimin went through with his part nevertheless. "Oh, did you book in already? We've just got here. Want to see our suite?"

The suite was immaculate, with mahogany furniture, gold accents and a luxurious king sized bed. Stone coloured velvet curtains flanked the windows, and Jin crossed to close them. The plush grey and cream carpet absorbed his footsteps.

Namjoon coughed, as if choking on the opulence. "Well, this place aint up to much."

"Neither are we," Jimin took a run and jump at the bed, starfishing out. "Egyptian cotton, I can feel it."

"You've given the credit card a healthy workout this week," Jin remarked, moving to unzip the first case and pull out hi-vis.

"Worth it. Come up, Kookie, they're gonna be ages, did you see the distance between doors?"

"Actually, Koo, will you pop your head out and see if anyone's coming up the corridor first?" Namjoon wriggled into a hi-vis vest. Jin straightened papers with the Langchester logo on a clipboard.

Jungkook nodded, opened the door a nudge, holding his breath as he peeped out. The cream and brown corridor was barren and still. "It's clear," he murmured.

"Woohoo, now c'mere," Jimin held his arms out as far as they would extend, wriggling them, lolling on the bed. "Let's snuggle!"

"Set?" Namjoon lifted a tool roll bag from the case.

"Yep," Jin nodded.

Jungkook kicked his shoes off and clambered up onto the bed. Jimin latched onto him like a praying mantis, snuggling into his chest, tangling their legs. Despite Jimin's lazy reassurances, Jungkook was on edge till Jin and Namjoon returned.

"Done," Namjoon reported, as they made quick work of packing their equipment away. "Now, despite that, um, outstanding breakfast, I think we should order brunch."

"Okay," Jimin said aimiably. "I'll call room service if you guys hang our clothes up."

"I can help-" Jungkook squirmed to be helpful.

"No, you're too cute to do manual labour," Jimin refused to relinquish his grip.

"And you're not too cute to go over my knee," Namjoon warned, but there was no heat in it and Jimin seemed to know. "Cuddle me," he nuzzled Jungkook. "What do you want for brunch?"

Jin and Namjoon hid in the bathroom while the waiter brought up dainty sandwiches, beetroot salad, grilled sea bream and scones with jam and clotted cream, and then afterwards too, when Jimin called him to collect the remains. Then they all flopped back on the kingsize bed together. Jungkook claimed his favourite position, curled into Jin's front. He couldn't help but let out a little sigh of contentment. Jimin's nose was buried in his neck, Jin's hand smoothing his hips.

"Pass the remote, Jin," Namjoon murmured from Jimin's other side. "Let's have some music."

Jungkook snuggled in as soft jazz filtered through the suite. Feelings of ease and wellbeing flooded him and he let himself just be. After a while, he felt like he might nod off, till Jimin extracted himself from their bundle to use the toilet.

Namjoon took the opportunity to slide off the bed and pinch one of the curtains. The afternoon looked colder: dark clouds racing across a sullen sky, a hint of spitting rain.

"The waiting game is no fun, right," Jin ran a hand through Jungkook's hair, massaging the follicles. "Do you want to pick a movie to watch?"

"I've got a great movie idea!" Jimin yelled from the bathroom.

Namjoon shook his head, amused. "Who taught you to be such a brat."

"Just naturally talented!"

"Good ears, anyway," Jin grinned. "Ignore him, darling."

"I don't mind if Jimin picks.." Jungkook enjoyed the way Jin's nails were scratching softly over his scalp. "Jin?" He asked sleepily, "how did you three meet? You knew eachother before the others, didn't you?"

"Oh," Jin paused, then carded his hand through the strands instead. "Well, yes, you're right. Namjoon and I knew eachother first, then Jimin, then the others. It's a bit of an embarrassing story though."

"Embarrassing?" Jungkook couldn't help but turn his head to observe Namjoon's reaction.

Jimin unlocked the bathroom door, still drying his hands on the fluffy embossed towel. "It's hilarious. They picked eachother up at a club. Both thinking that they were exclusively a dom top, and that the other wasn't. They didn't find out till they'd had an extended wrestling match on Namjoon's bed."

Jungkook swung his head back to Jin. "You didn't...discuss it? Before?"

"Well," Jin pulled a face. "We should have. He was talking like he was going to take charge, but that doesn't neccessarily mean anything, you know. If anything, I wanted the challenge and I thought that's what he was giving me."

"And I was eighteen," Namjoon returned to the bed, motioning to Jimin to hop back on. "I liked him battling for control. It was the part where he didn't give me it and we didn't have sex that I didn't like."

"So.... how did you still end up together?" Jungkook knitted his brow.

"Despite it all, we had a chemistry I'd never experienced before," Jin smiled at Namjoon over Jungkook's head. "I made some glib comment as I was leaving that we'd make good friends, and he gave me his number."

"And then I knew I was falling for him, because we kept going on dates, even though it was going nowhere sexually," Namjoon grinned. "We could barely kiss without one of us trying to take over."

"And then they realised that the only way it was going to work is if they found me, which is what they did," Jimin grinned, cuddling into Jungkook's back again. "Do you really not mind if I choose the movie? I was only kidding, you can pick if you want."

"I don't mind..." Jungkook was still trying to understand Jin and Namjoon's dynamic.

"I'll tell you a secret," Jimin whispered suddenly, cupping his palms over Jungkook's ear. "They got me and then added three new people into the relationship, and you know what? Somewhere along the line they worked out how to submit to eachother. Turns out they didn't need us after all!" He lifted his head. "You all know I'm picking a heist movie, right?"

Jungkook's mind was swarming with questions, but he let Jimin put a movie on and crack open the contents of the not-so-mini mini fridge. He settled back against Jin, Jin's fingers lazy at the hem of his jumper, and watched the film flicker without truly watching the images.

What was the percentage chance that Julian had got his message? There had to be some tiny chance, didn't there? But then that percentage would be split, because there was no telling if Julian would believe and act on the message. If he had, there would already be police in the building, right? So the chance had to be a fraction of a fraction..

When the film finished, Jimin rolled out of Namjoon's arms to flop his head back on Jungkook's lap. "Maybe we should shower together to save time, Kookie."

"Nope," Namjoon said immediately.

"Why not?" Jimin pouted, batting his eyelashes at Namjoon. "We won't get up to anything."

"One, you will," Namjoon said. "Two, it's not gonna be good for your concentration regardless, is it?"

Jimin had to concede. While he was showering, Hobi called and Namjoon rolled off the bed to talk. Jungkook shut his eyes and breathed Jin in. Somewhere towards the end of the movie, he'd realised that they weren't going to be sleeping together tonight. Worse, Jimin would be eager for Jungkook to help him sleep, which meant that Jungkook would be fending for himself after. He scrunched his legs up into the fetal position and tried to make himself small against Jin, as if Jin might take him home by accident. Jin seemed to understand, and rubbed his lower back soothingly.

Jimin emerged from the bathroom in a cloud of steam. "Your turn, baby."

After laying around for most of the day, Jungkook did feel grungy. He shampooed his hair and enjoyed the spray of water over his scalp and down his back. He tried to focus on each individual task of soaping up and getting clean rather than dwell on his own thoughts.

When he padded out in a complimentary bathrobe, Jin was straightening Jimin's hair and Namjoon was buttoning Jimin's wine coloured shirt up, threading a wire through the front.

"Deoderant and clothes on the bed, Kookie," Jimin smiled in the dressing table mirror.

"Thank you," Jungkook considered making a retreat to the bathroom, but the others were occupied with dressing Jimin. He used one hand to wriggle into his underwear then abandoned the bathrobe, sprayed the deoderant and made his way into black chinos, boots, a thin raisin-purple dress shirt and an ultramarine blue blazer with silver detailing on the buttons, collar and cuffs.

Namjoon straightened Jimin's shirt. "Give your tiepin a squeeze."

Jimin had wireless ear phones in. "Hi Hobi," he chirped. "Hi Tae, hi Yoongi!" A smile spilled over his face a moment later. He fluffed up his hair at the front. "Thanks Jin! Kookie, you ready for makeup? And I have clear polish for your nails!"

"Why don't you have the same ear pieces as Jin and Namjoon?" Jungkook asked curiously as Jimin ushered him onto the plush stool. Jin and Joon had some kind of clear gel moulds fitted into their ears, a clear wire running down to their collars.

"They're semi discreet but harder to explain," Jimin said, unscrewing the lid of his cream. "Regular earphones is more of a hidden-in-plain-sight kind of thing. Okay, shall we go classy and simple with brown shadow? What do you reckon? Jin, will you dry and straighten his hair?"

When they'd finished, Jungkook carefully hooked a black mask over his ears and Jimin swirled his black jacket like a matador's cape and put it on.

"Gorgeous boys," Namjoon breathed out hoarsely, and Jungkook felt a giddy tug behind his navel.

"Hey, no looking, its not good for your concentration!" Jimin winked.

Namjoon nodded seriously. "Let's huddle." He drew them into a rugby scrum, their four heads pressed together. "I have just one thing to say." Namjoon said. "Nochu. Nochu. Nochu. Nochu."

Jimin scoffed. "I won't mess it up. But actually, I do have something to say. It will mean the world to Emily if I can tell her she's no longer being blackmailed. Thank you for doing this."

"Stay safe, sweethearts," Jin said. "Have a nice night."

Jungkook's palms were clammy as he watched Jimin slide a black device - like a phone but clunkier, with antennae - into his left inside breast pocket and a thin, sleek gold plated engraved phone into his right. Jimin plucked his invitation from the dresser.

"Room card," Namjoon reminded him, holding it out.

"I'm running out of pockets." Jimin grinned. "Come on Kookie, let's go!"

Jungkook was swept up in a feeling of foreboding as Jimin took his hand and led him from the hotel room to the lift. He avoided his reflection and stared at the carpet till they reached the ground floor. There were signs in place to direct them to the grand ballroom, but Jimin knew where he was going. "Evening!" He greeted the first security guard, flashing his invitation.

"Evening," the guard grunted, gesturing for them to pass.

"Welcome!" A YouTube hostess greeted them inside the entrance and shook Jimin's hand. "Jimin! I'm a fan! And nice to meet you too!"

Jungkook took her hand nervously, looking around the ballroom. The carpet was axminster and there were panel mouldings on the champagne walls. Large circular tables with pristine tablecloths and white floral displays filled the majority of the room. At the far end of the room was a stage, rich red curtains drawn. Along the back wall was a similar curtain, lit at intervals by spotlights, a large light up letter display reading YOUTUBE, flanked by metalic silver balloons. There were two tables near the sign with drinks and gift bags on. Only a few handfuls of people had arrived before them, just enough for the dull drone of conversation to ring over indistinct pop music.

"These will grant you easy access in and out of the ballroom." The hostess handed two thin debossed wrist bands to them. "There's a bar just across the hall. There will be a complementary drink with dinner and there are welcome drinks over there. Please collect a giftbag too. We really want to make this a special night for our UK creators. You're seated at table..." she consulted her floor plan, "table nine. Have a great evening!"

"We'll try." Jimin grinned back. "Come on Koo-cutie."

Jungkook followed after him, rolling his wrist band on.

"Oh, nice!" Jimin picked up one of the identical gift bags and peered inside. "I hope they have that body spray we got at the Streamys. "You take mine too, baby. I need a free hand to mess with my earring, and I'm not leaving my drink behind."

Jungkook cast a glance over the the clusters of people in the ballroom and nearly choked. "Squibology is here," he hissed.

"Sure he is, he's the biggest Welsh gamer," Jimin said, then giggled. "Are you star-struck?"

"He's my favourite YouTuber.." Jungkook breathed.

"Well, now I'm offended," Jimin giggled again, bypassing the non-alcoholic side of the table and handing Jungkook a glass of bubbly.

"I meant aside from you," Jungkook felt his cheeks flame behind the mask. "Um, thanks."

"C'mon, let's take a nosy at the tables," Jimin fiddled with his earring. "I do declare my earring feels a little loose. Hmm. Well off we go-"

More people were filtering in behind them. "Jimin!" One girl waved from the bottleneck at the door.

"Hey!" Jimin waved back cheerily. "See you in a bit!"

"I guess we better hurry," Jungkook commented, as a young couple at the far side of the room waved to acknowledge Jimin too.

"Yep, keep your eyes peeled."

'Tony Gwan' and 'Tony Gwan+1' were assigned to table three. Unfortunately, there were four YouTubers standing right there, chatting loudly, their champagne flutes emptied.

"Noch, will you guard my drink, I just dropped my earring under the table!" Jimin announced.

"Oh, do you want a hand?" One of the young men said, overhearing and turning.

"No, no, I'm sure I see it..." Jimin said distantly from under the table, his butt sticking out. Jungkook felt like he was swallowing rocks. Surely Jimin had to attach the jammer with some kind of adhesive.. The young man had his hand on the tablecloth as if he was about to lift it-

-"I'm Nochu," Jungkook threw his hand out, "I'm a big fan of yours."

The young man startled. "You are?"

"Yeah!" Jungkook said valiantly. "I wish I could do what you do!"

"Wow," the young man shook his hand back vigourously. "I think this is the first time I've been recognised in public! What pieces do you have?"

"Got it!" Jimin skidded out from under the table. "Here's hoping that's my only wardrobe malfunction of the night! Nice to meet you, I'm Jimin!"

"Hi, Minnie's Makeup, right?" One of the young woman said, then connected Jungkook to Jimin. "Oh, and you're one of the ASMRtists. I've never really understood ASMR."

"You just haven't seen Nochu in action, you should watch one of his videos," Jimin enthused. "I swear the boy has magic powers. Noch, you gonna introduce me?"

"Oh. Um-" Jungkook blinked.

"I'm Tom Edgware, I create bespoke furniture pieces," the young man said eagerly, digging into his pocket and offering Jimin his card. "I've just started putting videos up on YouTube."

"I have just the free pocket for this," Jimin threw a few hundred watts Tom's way, tucking the card into his left inner pocket. "Which one of these beautiful people did you come with?"

"He's my plus one," the second girl said. "I watched your collab at the weekend, it's doing numbers!"

"Thanks," Jimin grinned. "I feel like I recognise you, actually..."

"Oh I'm Patsy Pendleton. I'm just out of costume."

"Oh my goodness!" Jimin clutched her hand. "Why haven't we met before? You look nothing like Patsy! I love your skits! Anyway, hey, look, before it gets mobbed in here, I need to take Noch to meet Squibology. He's his favourite YouTuber. Not me. I know, shocking, right."

"I meant aside from you..." Jungkook whined, as Jimin collected his champagne, and snatched Jungkook's giftbag-weighed wrist. "Um, and you-" he stuttered at Tom Edgware as Jimin dragged him off.

"Oh my baby's an actor," Jimin spluttered, weaving between tables. "I thought you actually knew who that guy was!"

"He was about to climb under the table with you!"

"Probably could have given me some interesting pointers on the structure!" Jimin released Jungkook to touch his tiepin. "We're jamming it up in here, boys. He isn't here yet."

Squib was with a bunch of friends or fans, and Jungkook found himself lagging behind as Jimin steamrolled past them all. "Hey, I'm Jimin! Nice to meet you! I've got your biggest fan with... um.. hiding behind me. Noch, come on."

"Oh, you're so cute!" One of the girls trilled, and Jungkook knew then that his blush had escaped his mask. His throat was dry as sandpaper. "Hi."

"Hey, man," Squib said. "You good?"

"Mmhm!" Jungkook choked out.

"You hail from Shrewsbury, right?" Jimin salvaged what little Jungkook was making of the conversation.

"Swansea, though my accent's mixed."

"Jimin, I'm literally wearing your makeup, aren't you going to notice me?" One of the girls at Squib's side pouted, causing the rest of the group to chuckle.

"Damn, I've outdone myself," Jimin pretended to doubletake. Just like that he had Squib's group eating out of the palm of his hand. "Well, I think you and I ought to take a picture, gorgeous, especially since we're waiting till Nochu and Squib finish theirs."

Jungkook fancied that the carpet was staring up at him.

"You wanna take a pic?" Squib said.

Jungkook badly wanted to simultaneously take a picture and disappear.

"He's so shy!" The one who'd called him cute squealed. "And you're not even that cool, Squib!"

"I am the coolest, woman! C'mere bro," Squib stuck his tongue out at her and gestured to Jungkook.

"Um, I don't have a phone-"

"That's okay, Squib's on Twitter, aren't you?" Jimin said smoothly. "You can DM him it. He's NochuASMR."

Squib laughed at Jungkook's intake of horror. "I'm sorry, he's brazen-" Jungkook found his voice. "Jimin!"

"It's alright," Squib chuckled, reaching into his back pocket for his phone. "Any friend of Minnie's Makeup is a friend of mine, right? And Daph wants to start an ASMR channel, don't you Daph? Maybe you could give her some tips."

"Mass collab!" Jimin cheered, his head leaning in comfortably close to the girl's as he posed.

"Thank you!" Jungkook said shakily after Squib snapped the photo. He was pretty sure he'd blanked out during it.

"No problem, dude. NochuASMR, right?"

"I heard a rumour they're doing a disco," one of the boys said. "Come dance with us later."

"Yeah, what's with that?" Jimin frowned. "They're usually desperate to give us an agenda. The only memo I got was about dinner. Oh, Emily's here! Come on Koo-cutie! See you on the dancefloor, guys! 'Mon, Noch."

Jungkook was still reeling from meeting the Squibology when Jimin dragged him up to a curly-haired young woman with a surly heavyset man at her heels. Behind them, YouTubers were flooding into the ballroom, and two YouTube hostesses now manned the door.

"Jimin!" Emily squealed, throwing her arms out like it hadn't been a few days since she'd last seen him. "You look hot."

"You look hot!" Jimin corrected, then his tone shifted a shade. "Hi Rod."

Rod grunted. "Evening."

"You're Nochu!" Emily released Jimin to take and squeeze Jungkook's hand. "I've been binging your videos since your collab with Jimin!"

"Really?" Jungkook had received some lovely messages from people saying they'd watched all his videos, but it was surreal hearing it from a famous Beauty Guru.

"We're table nine, you?" Emily asked eagerly.

"Yes! The YouTube gods are looking out for us. Let's dump the gift bags. Is Roxie at gran's tonight?"

"Yeah, we're probably not going to stay late, she stuck part of a toy up her nose on Monday, got us into such a panic, didn't she, babe?"

"Oh poor baby!" Jimin was aghast.

"We took her to A+E, they got it out okay," Rod grunted.

"Rod was up all night watching her breathing, weren't you, love?" Emily said. "But she's fine, thank goodness. Let's find our places... oh here we are. Where are you?"

"Two down. We might have to persuade Redz and his plus one to switch with us," Jimin grinned, as Jungkook sat the gift bags on their respective chairs and offloaded his flute onto the table. "Oh, look, there's a bunch of anon YouTubers getting photos together, c'mon Noch! See you in a bit, Ems!"

"I don't-" Jungkook fumbled, as Jimin dragged him across the room, towards eight or nine masked YouTubers shuffling into a group near the stage, a small audience of friends in a semi-circle around them.

"Tony's here," Jimin said in low tones, and Jungkook saw that he was pressing his tiepin to activate his mic. "We're moving in. Go on, Noch."

The group were standing close to table three.

"Are we all ready?" The cameraman called.

"Nochu!" PriMal saw them hightailing it across the room. "Nochu, quick, come join us!"

PriMal knows my name! Jungkook was flabbergasted, but didn't have time to process it before Jimin swung him into the group, leaning subtly back against table three to observe. It was a struggle for Jungkook to focus on the camera as PriMal slung an arm round his shoulders and drew him into the group.

"Now are we all in? Say whatever you like, cause we can't see most of your mouths anywayyyyy!" The cameraman called. "Aaa-nd that's a wrap! I'll post the best one on Insta and tag you!"

"You didn't DM me back about doing a collab together," PriMal collared Jungkook as the group dispersed.

Jungkook blinked. "I didn't know we were following eachother."

"Oh, you've got someone running your Twitter account? I thought it was you!"

"It usually is, it's um, it's been a busy week."

"Oh sure, you did blow up this past week, didn't you. Well hit me up, I'm so down for an ASMR session like you did for Jimin! ...You do know who I am right?"

Jungkook nodded frantically. "You're PriMal, you're famous."

"You can call me Mallory on the downlow," PriMal winked, the sequins on her masquerade style mask catching the overhead lights. "Well, I missed the champagne on the way in, so I'm gonna go get some, come say hey to me later, I'm on table five."

Jungkook's brain was spinning when he finally turned back to Jimin. The atmosphere at table three was stetched out tighter than a Croyden facelift.

"Well, I don't appreciate you throwing Emily under the bus," Jimin crossed his arms over his chest.

"It's not really any of your business, Jimin," Tony Gwan's pencilled-on eyebrows rose like accent marks. "But Emily and Ziggo were with me that night. I've got this teenager dragging my reputation through the mud for the clout. I think it's only reasonable to expect Emily to defend me. Who's this?"

Jungkook had been unabashedly starting. Much like PriMal, or Squib, seeing Tony Gwan in the flesh was daunting. Perhaps even more so, because he was a performance brought to life. Tony was tall and willowy and wore a tailored gold jacket with enormous beaded shoulderpads. Beneath thick false eyelashes, his gaze was black, lightless glass. His wig was straight, glam and strawberry blonde. His makeup accentuated his high cheekbones and taut jaw. His perfectly painted lips pursed in a sour trout expression.

A frown creased Jimin's brow. "This is Nochu. Emily really was with you that night?"

Unnervingly, Tony Gwan's gaze didn't leave Jungkook. "Look, it's pretty obvious why she doesn't want to own it. This creeper sent a slew of false allegations my way. She's a cutesy makeup channel aimed at teens, I get it. But I'm not gonna have this kid lie that I pressured him into sex and not defend myself!"

His PA, Jungkook assumed it was the PA, nodded tight-lipped from behind him. The rest of table three, if they'd arrived, had made themselves scarce. Tony Gwan was surely a controversial invitee.

"I wish she'd been upfront with me about it," Jimin sighed, shapeshifting into a regretful act. "Maybe I was hasty."

Tony Gwan laughed. It reminded Jungkook of a bath being drained. "You're a good friend, Jimin, I've always respected that about you. So what's your name?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Jungkook clocked a phone in a gold case sitting on the table. He didn't know if it was the real one or Jimin's switch.

He rounded Jimin's other side, forcing Tony to turn away from the table. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I'm NochuASMR." He thrust his hand out and Tony Gwan took it and squeezed. Hurriedly, Jungkook slipped his hand free and reached out to the PA, causing her to turn aside from the table too. "Nochu. Nice to meet you." He didn't dare look Jimin's way.

"Is that your real name? Where did you come from then?" Tony drawled. Uneasy prickles worked their way up and down Jungkook's spine.

"Um, London."

Tony laughed again. "Jimin's boyfriend?"

"Um, well, not yet, we're hanging out," Jungkook floundered.

"Ah, I see. I can respect the hustle. Gotta get that coin, right?" Tony blasted him with a colgate white smile. It bounced off Jungkook without making a dent, but he tried not to show it. "The audience loves a will-they won't-they. How old were you when you started YouTube?"

"Seventeen?"

"Not been in the game long, then?"

Jungkook felt a creeping but absolute certainty that the former fan's allegations were true. Tony looked like he wanted to eat him alive. And the PA's face didn't flicker, even as Tony Gwan scanned Jungkook up and down again. Jungkook prayed Jimin had done the switch.

"Um, January." He said.

"Yeah that's why I've taken him under my wing," Jimin said, face neutral. "Gotta teach him who he can trust. Noch, I'm gasping for a drink, will we hit the bar?"

"Sure," Jungkook nodded. "It was nice to meet you, Tony and um-"

"It's Selena, sweetie," the PA said.

"I think I need a drink too," Tony said. "What do you want, Selena?"

Jimin didn't wait for Selena to give her order. His arm was almost bruising around Jungkook's.

"Switch done," he said briefly, finger on his tiepin.

"He's a total creep.." Jungkook said.

"Namjoon would have shot him in the head for that," Jimin said in a low voice, shaking his head. "I dread to think what Tae would have done. He's ten years older than you. Ugh. He'd slime himself into your life till you couldn't wipe him away."

"Is he always that blatant?" Jungkook felt icky at the thought.

"Not that I've seen, should have done your makeup terribly." They stepped out of the ballroom and Jimin made purposefully for the bar. His hand loosened on Jungkook's arm. "Who am I kidding, you'd still be a stunner. Just stick close to me tonight, alright?"

Jungkook nodded fervently.

The bar was a sprawling space, but packed out, and loud. "There's Jin," Jimin said under his breath, squeezing between knots of drinkers, most of them with bands round their wrists. Jungkook made his way after Jimin, mumbling apologies, having to navigate fresh routes in the ever-shifting crowd. Up ahead, Jimin had reached Jin, and was wagging his lashes coyly at him.

There was only about six bodies between them when Jungkook saw Keaton.

Hope and terror leapt in his chest. Snatched his breath. Rooted him to the ground. Slowed everything to dream time.

Keaton hadn't seen him. He was standing against one wall, scanning the YouTubers and hotel guests, his face grim.

Jungkook glanced back at Jimin and Jin, his head seemingly taking an age to turn. Jimin was slipping something gold into Jin's pocket, whispering in his ear flirtatiously. His eyes darted back to Keaton. Keaton! I'm here.

Keaton wasn't looking at him. Jungkook desperately searched Keaton's expression across the bar. Should he call out to him? Should he-

"Are you looking for someone?" A hand cupped his elbow, turned him.

"I-" Jungkook choked out.

Tony Gwan looked down at him benignly. He was simultaneously beautiful and terrifying. "You want a drink?"

"No, thank you."

"Do you mind if I check something?" Tony asked politely. Then, before Jungkook could respond - his mind still on Keaton and Jin and Jimin - Tony reached up and carefully lifted the facemask down to Jungkook's chin. Before Jungkook could process it, Tony had lifted the mask up into place.

"I hope you don't think I'm being rude," Tony said. "But the Beauty Community is where the money is at, and you look like you've got the face for it. I'm self-made, you know. Started with nothing. Seven years, twelve million pound mansion," he laughed, and Jungkook thought of draining bathwater again. "I bet you've never seen anything like that before, huh?"

"Um-" Jungkook's brain was shambling in fog. Keaton was here. Did that mean Julian-? Well it must. But Keaton hadn't seen him, wouldn't see him if Jungkook didn't do something. But he couldn't- Jin and Jimin were literally handing off the phone right now- if Tony caught them, or realised something was off-

"Jimin's a good beauty guru, but he doesn't have my experience," Tony drawled. "And he doesn't have his own company. I'm staying in the Palladium Suite tonight, it's on the top floor. If you want to slip away from the party later, I can give you a tour, show you what you could be capable of."

"I-"

"There you are!" Jungkook almost sobbed when Jimin tugged him out of his paralysed state, ignoring Tony completely, hauling Jungkook back towards the main hall.

"He's really got his eye on you," Jimin said darkly. "It's okay, we're gonna stick like glue from now on."

It was enough to staunch the panic building in Jungkook's chest. "Can we go sit at the table for a bit?" He said weakly.

"Of course!" Jimin's face looked troubled. "I'm sorry, I thought you were right behind me."

"I was trying to be."

Emily and Rod were mingling, so Jimin quickly greeted another couple seated across their table, then shuffled his chair to Jungkook's, clasping Jungkook's hand in one of his, rubbing the back of his hand with the other. "You look so shaken, baby. We can call it a night and head up to our room as soon as Jin and Joon leave."

"No, it's okay," Jungkook didn't know how to tell him. Keaton was in the bar. Julian was here. Julian had come to save him. Had he been fooling himself that the message wouldn't get to Julian?

But if he laid low when they made the journey back up to the suite, Keaton wouldn't find him, would give up. Kim's Six would be none the wiser that anything had happened. Everything would just continue as it had been.

"Can I give you a hug?" He whispered to Jimin.

"As if you have to ask. Come here," Jimin wrapped his arms around Jungkook's waist and Jungkook leaned his head against Jimin's shoulder. Yeah, that's what he'd do, he'd just stay here and have the dinner with Jimin, and then they'd go upstairs and Jungkook would try to help Jimin get to sleep while Tony Gwan ranted and raved through the wall that his blackmail was gone. The thought helped steady his pulse a little.

"Hobi's in," Jimin reported a few seconds later. "First try, that was lucky. Jin's heading to the lift now. Yoongi and Tae making moves."

"Could I invite everyone to find their seat?" The stage curtains had been drawn open while they were away. A hype man was up on stage. "The Langchester's cooked our dinner, and that's a treat I don't wanna miss out on! Plus! YouTube has a little surprise in store for all you UK content creators! Come along! Hey, nice dress! You look like you wandered into the wrong ballroom! I see you at the back trying to sneak out to the bathroom! Should have done that earlier! C'mon, we've got a party to start!"

"Jin's heading for the door." Jimin whispered to Jungkook, smiling at Emily as she and Rod and the rest of table nine assumed their seats. The hubbub in the ballroom dipped as the majority of the crowd settled.

"Well don't you lot clean up well!" The hype man teased. "As the waiters and waitresses bring out your starters, please watch the incredible footage of what you the UK content creators, have already brought to YouTube this year!"

There was a large screen behind him, and as he stepped to the side of the stage, the video began to play a splice of famous UK YouTuber intros.

"Hi, I'm Cassie!"

"Welcome back to my channel!"

"What's up Buttercups! It's me, Max!"

"Hey guys, it's Squib-"

"Good morning eveybody!"

"It's Ibrahim here!"

"This is MillysMakeupXoX!"

Good day to all my Anarchists out there!"

The video then segued to a compilation of recent YouTube triumphs: subscriber goal counts being reached, charity fundraisers and viral videos.

Jungkook almost didn't register when his starter was set in front of him. He was offered a drink, but pointed dumbly to one of the water jugs on the table.

The YouTubers hooted at the now iconic clip of Luca Hayward's mum walking into his bedroom while he was dressed as Spiderman, clinging to the ceiling by flex tape and a single handheld grappling hook. Jungkook's table roared as Luca lost his grip and plummeted onto his bed in a cascade of plaster that had been instantly become a meme.

"Jin's just hinted for Namjoon to make the call," Jimin murmured under the laughing. "I hope that wasn't too fast, it seems fast. Yoongi and Tae are in, but they haven't said any- no, hang on- yeah they're going up to the room!"

Jungkook managed a mousy nibble of his smoked salmon bruschetta under his mask.

Everyone applauded as the video came to the end, and their host came back out on stage. "Hey, save some for me guys! That looks too good. Now, you may have noticed that the programme we gave you was a little on the sparse side. That's because we wanted to reward you creators for your hardwork, creativity and ingenuity. So while the Langchester has been cooking up your dinner, we've been cooking up a little surprise of our own! We have thirty awards that we would like present to the creators who've really stood out to us this year, and over their YouTube journey!"

"Didn't know they were going to throw an awards ceremony in," Jimin commented, taking a big bite out of his bruschetta. "I guess they only notified the recipients."

"And first up... she raised over 400K for Childrenish in February, she streams 24/7 and somehow stays awake - our first award of distinction goes to.... PriMal!"

Jungkook felt like his clapping was out of sync with the rest of the room. Everything was moving too fast and he was moving to slow.

"Umm!" PriMal bent her head into the mic, holding the silver coloured award like an Oscar, her champagne flute in the other hand. "Most people who say they didn't prepare a speech are liars. In this case I literally had the distance between my table and the stage to come up with mine. What can I say? Thank you for the recognition YouTube! Look out for more more content to come from me! Thanks everyone!"

There were a couple of cameracrews around the stage, Jungkook hadn't noticed them till now. They tracked PriMal as she headed back down the steps and everyone clapped again.

"Tae and Yoongi are booting the computer up," Jimin reported quietly. "Nothing from Jin and Joon for a bit, I wish they'd check in.."

"Are you-" a waitress said apologetically, gesturing to Jungkook's barely-touched starter.

"Thank you," Jungkook waved his hand to show that he was done with it. He felt like he was going to choke on his own saliva.

"Our next award of distinction goes to a content creator who gets bigger and better every year. If you'd told me that history could be interesting, I'd never have believed you. Now I've got my Mastermind Category sorted! Please give it up for.... Darnell Davis!"

Jimin clenched his fist in victory under the table as the room erupted in applause. "Joon's back in our room," he hissed, his eyes alight.

"Hey, please leave my food, I haven't finished yet!" Darnell waved frantically at the waiter rounding his table, causing riplles of laughter through his audience. "Well, damn. If you'd told this little boy from East London that I'd receive recognition for history of all things-"

Jungkook felt his body give a little jolt. Keaton was at the bar. Oh my god, Keaton was at the bar.

"You okay?" Jimin said sympathetically, rubbing Jungkook's knee as Darnell descended the stage. His face transformed to excitment an instant later. "Joon's packed up. He's going. Yoongi's swiped flashdrives, Hobi's got Tae downloading something-"

"-is downright hilarious!" The hype man said. "Our third award of distinction goes to....Minnie's Makeup!"

"What?" Jimin said, as the room lit up with applause.

"Go Jimin!" Emily hooted, thumping on the table joyfully.

Jimin was frozen for a second, unable to process it. Then he gave Jungkook a huge, bewildered, delighted grin, and made his way towards the stage.

Jungkook felt as though a fist was in his stomach, punching it upwards.

Keaton was at the bar.

He stood, stumbling backwards out of his chair. He opened his mouth to make an excuse to Emily and the rest of the table, but he had none. He wound around the tables, his pace picking up to match his sick, pounding heart as he went.

Behind him, Jimin's tone was bursting with joy. "I'm blown away! I'm- I-"

Jungkook was practically sprinting for the back of the ballroom.

"I- my words have run away with me," Jimin's voice turned to horror. "They've run away, they've got away from me-"

Jungkook knew Jimin's fingers were on his tiepin.

"I guess I should hurry up and think of something, right?" Jimin said and Jungkook heard a few murmurs of hesitation and giggles rumbling across the audience as he rushed past the security at the ballroom door-

-"Don't run, sir," one of them said from behind him as Jungkook dashed towards the entrance of the bar, scanning desperately. There were only half a dozen- he wasn't there- he wasn't there-

Applause echoed from the ballroom.

Reception- what way was reception? Jungkook was paralysed by indecision.

A hand stole around his elbow.

"I didn't mean this early," Tony chuckled smoothly. "But okay, come on, the lift's this way-"

"Kook?" Keaton's voice sounded suddenly from down the corridor, uncertain and then desperate. "Kook??"

"Keaton!" Jungkook called back frantically, tugging free of Tony.

Namjoon rounded the corner at the top of the corridor, case in hand, running full pelt, his feet pounding the carpet.

"What's-" Tony said, grabbing Jungkook's arm again.

"He's stolen your laptop!" Jungkook cried out desperately, pointing at Namjoon. Namjoon had death in his eyes.

"Sir, you need to stop running!-" One of the security guards barked at Namjoon.

"You stole my laptop?" Tony shrieked in outrage.

"Don't. You. Dare. Move!" Namjoon roared at Jungkook, coming at him like a wraith of impending doom.

His words transfixed Jungkook, immobilised him in terror. Jin rounded the corner further behind Namjoon.

"What's in that case?" Tony demanded, stepping to block Namjoon.

Jungkook felt a solid grip about his wrist, was yanked off his feet. Keaton.

"For god's sake, run!" Keaton screamed.

Jungkook ran.

Pandemonium had broken out behind him as he and Keaton ran past reception, barrelled through the front doors, past the doorman, helter-skelter down the front steps. Jungkook thought he heard a gunshot behind him above the yelling.

"Black car," Keaton choked out, still dragging Jungkook off his feet.

The car was immediately outside the hotel, the back door open. Jungkook ran for it as fast as his legs would stretch. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Hobi rounding the hotel, eyes wide and horrified.

He threw himself into the backseat and slammed the door on his second shaky attempt. He saw Namjoon and Jin burst out of the hotel entrance. Keaton had flung himself into the passenger seat. Within a couple of breaths the car went from zero to sixty.

Jungkook frantically craned his neck to look out the back window. There was a black car right behind them. He gave a cry of alarm.

"They're with us," David said from the driver's seat. "It's okay, they're with us."

Jungkook sank back against the leather seat, exhaustion and horror hitting him like a sledgehammer, dragging the facemask off his mouth as he gasped desperately for air. His legs felt gummy and useless. His whole body was shaking. This wasn't real. He was washed out and weak, his breath coming in great burning, aching mouthfuls.

It was as if he'd stepped into the fabric of a dream.

It was over.

It was over.

He turned aside. Julian sat across from him, watching him silently.

Julian looked exhausted. He was pale, haggard, deep bags under his eyes. His mouth was slightly opened like he wanted to speak, his hands slightly raised as if he wanted to reach out, but it was as if he was frozen.

Jungkook let out a sob and held out his arms. Julian had come for him. Julian had come for him.

He heard his step-father choke out a sob of his own as Julian enveloped him, a hand on the back of his head like he was the most precious thing in the world.

"My Jungkook." Julian gasped out, pain, shock and disbelieving relief in his voice. "My Jungkook."

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Thank you for your patience everyone. I'm wowed by how many of you left comments, you pulled me through! Strap in for angst and stress (I promise I'll give Jungkook a break soon lol). I ended up splitting some of this chapter up for the next one, which means I have a good head start and hopefully the wait won't be as long! Review replies coming as soon as I can :D

X-X-X

"Hospital?" David inched and sprinted through late evening traffic. Red, amber and green lights, the pinprick glitter of high rises and the drone of engines crowded them in.

Jungkook's face was lodged against Julian's shoulder, breathing in his Belstaff lapels. He barely suppressed a whine as Julian extricated himself. His stepfather held him gently at arm's length, tracking him up and down. Keaton wriggled round in the passenger seat to check on him too, their chests still rising and falling in haggard tandem.

"No, I'm okay," Jungkook panted, anxious to bury himself back in Julian's arms. "They didn't hurt me."

Julian looked Jungkook up and down again, eyes aching with relief. "Thank God. Home please, David." He reached across the seat behind him, his other hand hovering by Jungkook's sleeve. He shook out a tartan fleece blanket and carefully drew it around Jungkook's shoulders.

Jungkook hadn't noticed he was shivering. He bunched the blanket ends in a fist at his chest. Julian offered water, but he shook his head. Julian tentatively slid back beside him and Jungkook huddled close, gathering his breath. Julian's hand twitched on his lap, then reached between them to close over Jungkook's free one.

Jungkook had so much to say to Julian but the words were jammed. He burrowed in tight and let the warmth from the blanket penetrate his skin. As his eyes slid shut the orange-yellow streetlights streaked out then flickered across his lids like a silent movie. Tension saturated the car, in the low infrequent mutters from the others, in the occasional zig-zags of overtaking, in the way Julian's hand trembled on his. His mind was racing out of control and he closed it tight, like a fist clenching.

When he eventually sensed the pressure break in the car, he scraped his eyes open. They were back in St John's Wood and David was turning onto their street. As they rolled under the dark canopy of trees lining the road, Julian squeezed Jungkook's hand. "We'll call the police once you're safely indoors."

"Are they.. are still looking for me?"

"I haven't called them. They said they'd kill you if I did. It was the first message they sent," Julian said hoarsely.

Of course. If the police were looking for him, Kim's Six wouldn't have let him out in public. But hearing it from Julian's perspective.. They'd threatened to kill him.

Sure, they hadn't meant it. But they'd said it.

The wrought iron gates glided open and David turned in. The black car followed behind. New floodlights lit the driveway. Jungkook saw the same roman brickwork and white window frames, the same portico entrance, the same front door with its oldfashioned knocker, the same landscaped flowerbeds. For the past week, home had felt as insubstantial as the fabric of a dream, but now it was real, solid. The past week was the fever dream.

"I've hired a personal security company," Julian explained, as David drove around towards the garage entrance. "Part of their team are in the car behind. They're ex-military, SIA licensed, extensively vetted. The house is secure as a vault."

"I... could we phone the police tomorrow, then? I just, I can't-"

"Of course, of course we can wait," Julian fretted, squeezing his hand. "As long as you're home safe, that's all that matters. I'll call them first thing in the morning."

"Thank you," Jungkook croaked, panic in his gut. The police would expect him to give Kim's Six up. Why hadn't he thought of that before? Or perhaps he had thought of it before, but hadn't minded then. Now the idea of betraying Kim's Six, more than he already had, was stifling all his rational thought.

They drove into the basement, and David parked up beside the S Class.

"Crushed that," Keaton murmured, scrubbing his face.

David nodded in thanks, hopping out to grab Jungkook's door. Emotion surged over Jungkook's panic. If Jungkook had just let David drive him to school-

He pulled the blanket tighter around him and David had to extend a hand to help him clamber out. "Glad you're alright, Kook," David whispered as Julian stepped out on the other side to greet the security detail spilling from the other vehicle. He gave Jungkook's elbow a little squeeze through the blanket. Jungkook almost swayed in for a hug before he got a grip of himself. "Thank you," he whispered back.

"Jungkook," Julian called, and Jungkook shuffled towards him, bundling the blanket up to stop it trailing.

"This is Mohammed," Julian gestured to a tall, keen-eyed man with a trim beard and a crisp uniform. "He and his team will be living with us for near future, possibly longer."

"Mr Adley," Mohammed held a hand out to Jungkook. "It's a privilege. We'll be at your disposal 24/7."

Jungkook tentatively shook, eyeing the three men standing alert behind Mohammed. Julian hadn't spared any expense. It was hardly the first time Julian had hired protection, but not a full team living on the premises. He allowed Julian to shepherd him towards the elevator, the security team's footsteps echoing through the garage.

They stepped out onto the ground floor, and despite everything being the same, Jungkook felt like a stranger. Had the mansion always been so big?

"Shall we sit in the morning room?" Julian offered gently. "Isaac's left for the day, but the fridge is stocked. I'm sure Keaton or David would bring food through for you."

Jungkook wasn't sure he could eat a thing. But Keaton had already nodded briskly and he and David veered off in the direction of the kitchen. Three of the four security men dispersed, the fourth following them at a discreet distance.

"Matias is one of my two personal bodyguards," Julian explained, catching Jungkook's furtive glance behind them. "I'll introduce yours shortly. Don't worry, he'll wait outside the door. We'll be able to speak privately."

The morning room had glass panel sliding doors which opened almost an entire wall onto the enclosed garden. The panels were closed, but the curtains were open, revealing the blue-grey of the hedges and the marble water feature in the centre of the groomed lawn. Tiny lights lit the pathway encircling the garden. Jungkook could just about make out the shape of the swing that Soona had often sat on.

The morning room was one of Julian's favourite rooms, Jungkook had always assumed it was because of the swing, or because he could bring his work in here and view the greenery. The room was subdued with mostly whites and greys and the occasional faded pink or blue accent. There was a fireplace they never used, one of Julian's work desks, and a seating area.

Jungkook took the couch. Julian perched in the snuggler opposite. His stepfather's features had a worn bleached look, as though the colour had been washed out. His blue eyes looked as though they had a clear film over them that needed to be peeled off. The few creases at his temples were even more pronounced. Realising just how much his stepfather had been hurt punched the air out of Jungkook's chest. As much as the past week had changed Jungkook forever, it had changed Julian forever too.

Julian was observing him too now, beyond a search for injuries. Jungkook swallowed hard as Julian's eyes narrowed in confusion at the makeup then widened in surprise as he caught sight of the pierced ears.

"I-" Julian started, and Jungkook held stalk still, as though Julian might uncover everything just by looking at him. In slow succession Julian faltered, exhaled, cocked his head slightly, gave a minute shake of his head, cleared his throat, knitted his brows. "What-" he finally gestured limply towards Jungkook's face. "I don't- I don't understand-"

Jungkook wished he could tell him. Julian deserved answers. But anything Jungkook told Julian, Julian would expect him to tell the police in the morning. And if he and Julian were safe, he wasn't going to throw Kim's Six under the bus. He couldn't.

"You got my message," he tried to divert Julian, clutching the blanket a little tighter.

"Your school friend, Robert, came here on Saturday morning," Julian nodded. "A woman had called him, a stranger. He didn't quite believe the caller, but she was able to prove a connection to someone he knew, and you had been off school. So he came to me."

Dove and Soobin must have got Robbie's number from Ahnjong to call him directly. Jungkook hadn't thought of that. They'd given him his best shot at escape. He felt a rush of gratitude towards them both.

"Robert relayed the message, and that day, I got down on my knees and prayed that it was from you." Julian clasped and unclasped his hands in his lap, his voice wavering. "I'd made offers to this group, I was willing to give them anything, but they weren't forthcoming. I feared that their only intention was harm. When I got your message, I dared to hope. I tortured myself by hoping. It's torturing me even now, even though I have you back."

Jungkook had never known for sure if Julian loved him. They'd lived on eachother's peripheries when Soona was around, and even afterwards, although Julian had shown him every kindness, Jungkook had never known what was duty, or possibly affection for his mother. Lately, he'd wondered if Julian even viewed him as family. Seeing his ordinary unruffled step-father reduced to such raw honesty was overwhelming.

"Thank you for hoping," he whispered. "Thank you for coming for me."

Julian gave him a soft bittersweet smile.

Keaton knocked and entered, carrying a tray. Jungkook automatically shuffled forward to move the lamp on the nearest sidetable aside, so that Keaton could set it down. David followed behind Keaton, armed with slippers. "Shall I take your coat?"

"Yes, thank you," Julian reached for his buttons.

Keaton readjusted what he'd brought on the tray. There was a teapot and mugs, a selection of sachets of tea, a chocolate bar, a bunch of grapes, cheese, salted crackers and what smelled like peanutbutter dip. "Here," he handed Jungkook the hot water bottle he'd had wedged under one arm. "Let me get your slippers from David."

Jungkook clamped his hands on either side of the hot water bottle and felt heat infuse into his palms, stinging deliciously. "I'll take your jacket?" David prompted him, crossing over, laden with Julian's coat and shoes.

"Oh, thanks," Jungkook looked down at his blazer. He realised that they were all looking at it, at the intricate silver detailing set against the ultramarine blue. As he uncomfortably wrestled his arms out, he caught sight of Julian's bewildered expression again.

David scarpered off as quickly as he could. Jungkook held the hot water bottle to his chest, as if it might block out his dress shirt. Keaton had knelt and slid his boots off before he could protest, lining slippers up under his feet.

"Please call me if you need anything, even through the night," Keaton glanced over his shoulder at Julian, turning back to shoot Jungkook a significant look to show that he was included.

"Thank you, Keaton," Julian nodded. "Thank you for everything you've done for my family today."

Jungkook readjusted the blanket and hot water bottle to maximise comfort as Keaton closed the door behind him.

"I looked up the Langchester's website shortly after hearing your message," Julian said slowly, trying to get a glimpse at the rest of Jungkook's outfit. "I noticed that there was a YouTube event on tonight. I had chalked it up to coincidence-"

Jungkook had to protect Jimin. "I tried to escape them," he blurted out. "Days ago, I mean. I was scared to get caught trying. They left me alone for a few seconds on Friday, and I quickly made up a message for you. I didn't really know the couple or if they'd get the message to Robbie. I didn't know if you'd be there-"

Julian stood, wracking his hands through his blonde-grey hair. He blew the air out of his lungs shakily. "A matter of seconds."

Jungkook nodded fervently. "And I was scared to try to escape after that, in case I ruined my best chance." He thought of the dates he'd been on, how happy he'd begun to feel, while Julian had been agonising. His eyes stung with the shame of it. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry," Julian paced towards the curtains, staring out across the lawn. "I'm sorry. I let you down, in the worst possible way. I didn't think I'd be targeted like this. It could have cost your life." He shuddered, twitched the curtains as if he were going to close them, then crossed over to the tray Keaton had brought in, lifting one of the two Cucinelli side plates. "When did you eat last? Do you think you could manage something?"

"I'll... I'll have some crackers," Jungkook scanned the assortment, eager to set Julian's mind at ease.

"Okay, look there's peanut butter to dip them in," Julian put the small glass bowl on the plate and stacked half a dozen salted crackers around it. "And here's hot water and teabags-"

"No tea," Jungkook said quickly. "Please. I'll drink the hot water-"

Julian frowned at the urgency in his tone but nodded and poured a mug, setting it in the couch coaster, holding the sideplate out almost ceremonially. Jungkook nibbled on a cracker, hoping it would reassure him. Julian delayed, then returned to his chair.

"They told me they were after Bhakta," Jungkook told him. This, Julian needed to know.

Julian nodded. "They finally sent demands. Today of all days. They wanted Bhakta's location, and my cooperation and silence."

"I didn't tell them anything," Jungkook assured hastily. "They want to destroy Apexi Research. Dismantle it from within. They said since you're closest to Bhakta they'd get you to give him up."

Julian nodded grimly. "There's a lot they can do with the majority shareholder and CEO in their power. They can break contracts, terminate employments, discover every little company that supplies us and put the squeeze on them, push us towards dissolution. Terrorise anyone on the board of directors who stands up to them."

"Someone's been feeding them false information," Jungkook added. "They think Apexi Research does animal testing. That's why they're gunning for it. I told them Apexi doesn't..." He trailed off, taking in the look on Julian's face.

"It's legal," Julian said. "It's regulated by the ASRU department, the Home Office."

Jungkook's stomach contracted, tight. "They were telling the truth?!"

Julian's clicked his tongue against his teeth. "That depends on what they told you. Yes, Apexi Research performs animal testing. But in line with the ASPA, the scientific procedures act. It's not for cosmetics, or sport, or anything needless."

Jungkook's head felt swollen. Namjoon told him the truth. All this time, he'd thought the photographic evidence was a bluff.

Julian frowned. "Jungkook, do you know who co-funds our animal experiments? The British Heart Foundation. Cure Parkinson's Trust. Alzheimer's Society. Cancer Research UK. We're trying to develop new treatments and medicines. We're trying to save lives."

"Not animal lives."

Julian looked at him strangely. "They're just animals."

"Is it because a dog got my mum killed?" Jungkook tried to understand.

Julian's face morphed in consternation. "No, no, of course not. It's because my dad died of a heart attack, it's because my best friend at school developed cancer at age fourteen. It's for the thousands that die in the UK each year and the millions that die across the world. Not all new treatments can be tested on human subjects. Jungkook... do you agree with them?"

"I-" Jungkook didn't know. He'd been so invested in his own moral righteousness, certain that the money he benefited from wasn't made at the hands of animal testing. His mind swept through the possibilities of animals being poisoned, or injected with cancer cells or brain damaged or drugged or whatever animal testing included. Was it more wrong than Julian losing his loved ones? "I don't know..."

"It's okay," Julian's tone softened. "Perhaps I should have told you about it before, I just wasn't sure if you'd be squeamish. Don't fret over it, please."

Jungkook numbly pushed a piece of cracker into his mouth, letting the conversation sag. Was it okay to tie a seventeen year old up in a room for a day, if it prevented the mutilation or suffocation of many, many animals? Did Julian staying within the law exonerate him? What made one person good and another bad?

"Was it Sugar?" Julian asked quietly.

Jungkook's head jerked up. "Sugar?"

Julian shifted uncomfortably. "My, you know, the escort. He left shortly after you did and it made the timing seem targeted. His profile was removed from the website too. The company were tight-lipped."

"It was two men who grabbed me," Jungkook said carefully. "Not Sugar."

Julian sagged in relief.

"But Sugar's the reason I didn't wait for my ride that morning."

It was as if he'd watched himself say the words, as if they hadn't come from him.

"What do you mean?" Julian's voice lowered futher, but his eyes said everything.

Jungkook felt his hands tremble around the hot water bottle. "I dyed my hair," he said, chewing on his own heart. "To see if you would make the escort do the same."

Julian stood up abruptly, and Jungkook flinched back into the sofa, but Julian turned aside, walked towards the small mirrored drinks trolley in the back corner and poured a whisky into a crystal tumbler.

"I think..." Jungkook said to Julian's back. "I think maybe I should move out."

Julian knocked the drink back in one. Set it down on the trolley. Jungkook's insides had turned to dust.

"I don't think we can discuss this tonight," Julian said in a detached business-like tone. "You've been through an ordeal. It's not a good time. You should be recuperating-"

"Please," Jungkook begged, something giving inside of him. "Please. Let's just talk about it."

Julian pursed his lips, turning away from him to stare back out into the garden. Jungkook felt his heart sink down into the pile carpet.

"Okay," his step-father said finally, turning towards him. "Okay. Let's talk about it."

Jungkook set the sideplate down beside the mug, instinctively wondering how to make a quick getaway in slippers with a blanket tangled around him. But Julian sat at the opposite end of the couch. Jungkook tucked himself into the corner so he could face him.

Julian hunched his back, examined his fingers, rubbing at the knuckles of one hand. "I don't want you to move out," he said. "I would never... please believe that I'd never hurt you."

"I do believe that," Jungkook said, tears pricking, unbidden. "You've been kind to me my whole life. But I can't watch the escorts looking more and more like me-"

Julian wilted, mouth drooping into a quivering line. "I thought you didn't know. What a deluded-" he swore breathlessly, rubbed at the creases in his forehead.

"Is it..." Jungkook felt a plug in his throat. "Is it because I look like her?"

There was a pause before Julian's face contorted. "I don't think I can do this." He muttered. "Anything I say is going to make you hate me."

"Please," Jungkook pleaded. "You're the only family I've got... Please, Julian."

Julian nodded, still not meeting his eye, trying to gather himself. "I didn't think it would come to this," he said eventually. "You imagine where your life will take you-" he pinched his nose where his reading glasses would perch. "I knew what I was getting into when I married your mother. She was upfront about what she intended to bring to our relationship. She'd be faithful, she'd make good conversation, she'd listen to me, laugh at my jokes, make love to me. She did all of those things. But she told me that no matter how much she liked me, she'd never love me."

Jungkook felt a stab in his chest. That was Soona, alright.

"I fell in love with her, just the same," Julian said. "And the more I loved her, the more I believed that she loved me back. She never did."

"She didn't love me either," Jungkook whispered.

Julian nodded. "I remember asking her about you, on more than one occasion. I didn't know how to talk to children, but I was willing to try to be a father figure if she'd just show me how. But she barely paid you attention. And it felt wrong for me to spend time with you in her place. I tried to encourage her. I tried to bring you both along on business trips, or plan holidays together."

"I remember you trying." Julian had been a distant but generous benefactor in the early years.

"I think-" Julian said helplessly. "I think she wanted to love us. She just... she couldn't. It wasn't in her."

Jungkook couldn't prevent the hot tears welling up. "I always thought.. that she'd been raped, or had me with someone that she hated, and maybe that was why-"

"It was a one night stand," Julian supplied softly. "She intended to have you. I suppose she'd held out hope that motherhood would change her."

"But it didn't." Jungkook could barely hear his own voice. "I didn't."

"She raised you in the best way she knew how," Julian said. "She made sure you were provided for. And naively, I presumed that if you had structure and schoolfriends and toys, you'd be happy. I took your good behaviour for contentment."

Jungkook's tongue felt like leather in his mouth.

"And then, a few weeks after she'd passed," Julian continued, "I came across something. I still keep it in my desk." He got to his feet heavily, completing the manouver in three distinct sections, and plodded like a prisoner of war towards his morningroom desk. Jungkook watched him lift a thin notepad from the top drawer. No, a sketchpad. His sketchpad.

Julian held it tenderly. "I should have returned it, I was going to, the moment you asked, but you never did."

He sat back down slowly, gingerly, like Jungkook was a wild creature who might attack or flee at any moment, and carefully handed the sketchpad over.

Jungkook took it. It was smaller than he remembered, but immediately familiar. He flipped it open. On the first page, in terrible handwriting, he'd written his name and his age. He flipped through the first few images, remembered the new pens he'd been trying out on the first couple of pages. He saw crude sketches of Edinburgh, of a gothic tower and dark roof skyline.

He paused at the unfinished image of Julian and his brother playing on the beach as children. He knew he'd reached the last drawing. He ran the pad of his thumb across the edges of the paper. When he's began this sketch, his mother had been alive. Maybe in another universe they'd got back into the car together and he'd finished it.

"It spoke to me," Julian intoned. "It told me that I'd failed you just as much as Soona had. I tried to do better. We were both grieving, it was hard. But I tried to make time for quality conversation each day, to get to know you."

He swallowed, reaching out for the sketchpad, as if he was afraid Jungkook wouldn't return it. Jungkook passed it back over, and watched Julian rub his fingers absently over the spirals.

"Well," Julian heaved a sigh. "It was my deepest shame when I booked the first escort. I knew I'd never marry again, and it seemed like a good idea. I told myself that it was a simple business transaction. And after a while, the shame lessened and I booked another. Then, eventually another."

"Then you started booking men," Jungkook said flatly. "Then you started booking younger men."

"I believed for the longest time that there was no pattern, that it was just someone different each time. It was around last summer that I understood what I was doing. You were just shy of seventeen."

"And what were you going to do after Sugar?" Jungkook pressed. "Can you even get escorts under twenty-one?"

Julian stared at the sketchpad, head bent. "I wasn't planning. It was a series of blunders and pretence. But I won't, anymore. Never again."

Jungkook stared.

Julian looked up at him sharply. "Because it would make you uncomfortable," he said. "Jungkook, the last thing, the very last thing, I want in this world is to hurt you."

Jungkook shook his head.

"You do look like her," Julian continued slowly, defeatedly. "I see her in you sometimes. You have the most incredible smile. You tilt your head when you're confused. Sometimes you zone out." He shrugged. "You're impossibly beautiful."

Jungkook's blood spiked.

"But you're so different from her too," Julian said, staring him desperately in the eye again. "You're sweetnatured, and you're thoughtful, and you're imaginative and you're patient. Your heart is mile wide. And I love you."

Jungkook was frozen stiff.

"Look," Julian chuckled dully. "I'm fifty-three years old, and I was married to your mum. I know its not mutual."

"I'm seventeen, Julian," Jungkook managed, voice hollow.

"You don't think I'd change my feelings if I could?" Julian said simply. "No one can help who they fall in love with. All I could do was protect you from myself by not taking advantage of you."

Jungkook felt a tear trip down his cheek before he even realised he was crying. He attempted to swipe his eyes with the edge of his blanket. Wordlessly, Julian reached into his pocket and held out a folded monogrammed handkerchief. If anything, it made Jungkook want to cry more. He took it, and dabbed at his face.

"Nothing has to change between us," Julian said urgently, clinging to his own words like a drowning man. "Truly."

Yoongi had warned him, Namjoon had warned him. And if he was honest with himself, Jungkook had already known. Not this extent- not that Julian loved- For a split second Jungkook's imagination put him and Julian together and was hit by a wave of immediate revulsion.

"I should move out," he repeated, woodenly.

Julian was silent. He was looking at the YouTube wrist band, and Jungkook wanted to tuck it away, but that would draw even more attention to it.

"I should introduce you to one of your bodyguards and let you rest," Julian stood, eyes shadowed. "Shall we take some of the food up?"

"Julian.."

"We can look into getting you your own place," Julian said, busying himself with Jungkook's tray. "Once we're no longer being targeted. If that's what you want."

"Thank you," Jungkook said, aware of the liquid tiredness sloshing in his brain. It would have to do for now.

The air was like a choking weight between them as they walked towards the lift, Matias the bodyguard in tow, face impassive. "Papa Two to Whisky Two, over," Matias informed his radio as they stepped into the elevator. Jungkook looked down at his slippers to avoid seeing Julian's face in the lift's reflection.

An asian man built like a prison warden stood by his bedroom door, hands folded behind his back. "This is Hikaru," Julian said. "Hikaru, Jungkook. Hikaru and Ben are assigned specifically to your protection. They'll accompany you wherever you need to go. I'm going to negotiate with your school over the next couple of days and see if we can arrange a bodyguard presence there too."

Hikaru gave Jungkook a long, slow look that focused in on his face and hands. "Evening, Sir."

"Evening," Jungkook mumbled.

"Hikaru will be posted outside, you can call on him anytime," Julian continued. "He won't invade your privacy unless he has a reason to be concerned for your safety. Try to get a good night's sleep. I'll see you in the morning."

Hikaru opened his bedroom door for him and switched the light on.

"Good night," Julian said, an odd tone in his voice. Jungkook stumbled over a response. He heard the muffled tones of Julian speaking to his bodyguard, then all fell silent.

He wrapped his arms around himself. His bedroom. His bed, his ensuite, his former walk-in closet with his YouTube set up. Just as he'd left it, except someone had turned the heating on for him.

He walked over to his bed slowly and sat on the edge, tracing shapes in the material.

He needed Jin. He needed Jin so bad. He needed Jin to scoop him up onto his lap and hold him.

But Jin probably hated him now. Or worse, he was hurting. Just so Jungkook could come back and hear his stepfather confirm what he'd dreaded.

He'd betrayed Kim's Six soundly. In his panic, he'd blurted out about the laptop to try to get Tony Gwan to block Namjoon's path. But what did that mean for the team? He'd seen Jin and Namjoon get out of the hotel, but would Yoongi and Tae have got out of Tony's house in time? And what about the gunshot, that was a gunshot he'd heard right? If there had been shot, the hotel would be pulling CCTV for the police. It would show Jin and Joon's connection to Jimin. Even if Jimin had managed to stay in the ballroom with the YouTubers to avoid suspicion, he'd get hauled in for an interrogation. Even if there hadn't been a gunshot, the hotel might still call the police.

Could Hobi get rid of CCTV? Wouldn't the hotel have it backed up somewhere? Would Kim's Six be forced to go on another mission just to cover the tracks Jungkook had exposed?

Would they have pulled off the heist, or would Emily be forced to choose between protecting a creep or tearing her family apart?

Oh god, how was Jimin going to sleep tonight? How was he going to manage?

He pushed himself off his bed, ducked into the closet, thumbing the power button on the computer. He had to speak to them. He had to explain. He'd sent the message to Julian days ago-

He jerked back like he'd been burned.

He couldn't contact them. Not on his home computer. Because the police would check it, wouldn't they? And if they saw that he'd contacted Kim's Six the moment he'd got back to his room, they'd catch them.

He hit the power button again, backed away. He had to think about what he was going to tell the police. It was blatantly obvious he'd seen their faces. Keaton might even have clocked their faces. And again, Julian could put the police onto checking the Langchester CCTV, and if Kim's Six hadn't been able to get rid of it, Jimin was in trouble.

His mind shambled in fog as he entered his ensuite to wipe his makeup off, ducking his ears under the cold tap because he didn't have any saline solution. There was a strange remoteness about all his products lying out, just where he'd left them. He brushed his teeth and washed his face, staring at himself in the mirror.

How could Julian say that he was in love with him? They might not be blood, but he was supposed to be Jungkook's father. If Kim's Six found out he'd said that, they'd kill Julian, wouldn't they? Even if they were furious with Jungkook right now.

Slowly, he retrieved pyjamas and changed. He tossed the traitorous YouTube band in his bin and dumped a couple of hankies on top. He switched the lights off and padded to bed in the cloaking dim, doubts dogging his heels. He should try to sleep, get up early, think it through with a clear head. It must have taken a lot for Julian to tell him, right? And so much self-control not to abuse the power he had. If Jungkook could move out, they might be able to salvage some of their relationship.

He lay, and stared at the ceiling as the minutes slowly became hours. He was beyond exhausted, but his body wouldn't let him rest.

What would Soona say, if she were here now? She'd probably mock him for trying to do his kidnappers any favours. What would she say about Julian?

He wanted Jin so bad.

He thought of the computer again. No, he couldn't. Mustn't. No matter how much he yearned to hear their voices, to know that they were all okay.

He rolled over again, for the hundredth time. His bed was vast and spartan and empty.

They'd had a place for him, they'd wanted to take care of him, and he'd thrown it back in their faces. If they got their hands on him... he shudded, wrapping his arms round a pillow, trying to pretend it was Jin. They'd lock him up forever.

And they'd told him the truth about the animal testing. Namjoon had been trying to protect him from seeing the images they'd gathered. But it was Julian's life on the line, not just Apexi Research.

He tried to imagine Jin kissing his head, warm, strong arms wrapping around him. He clung tighter to the pillow.

It wasn't working. He threw the duvet off and sat up. He couldn't sleep, he had no peace. His furniture looked soft and furry in the gloom.

He paced to the window. He didn't know where his phone was, but he guessed that it was around three am. The birds hadn't started a pre-dawn chorus yet. There were little trembles wracking his body, and he clutched his elbows to hold them at bay. He needed. he needed-

Hastily, he half-dressed, crossing to his door, knocking.

"Sir?" Hikaru was disconcertingly unchanged from their last encounter.

"Can I go down to the staff quarters? Please?"

"I'll accompany you, Sir."

As they neared, Jungkook felt his shakes get a little worse, like an addict needing his fix. He was too desperate to care.

He knocked on Keaton's door, heart thumping, aware of Hikaru looming at his back.

There was a pause, then rustling, then Keaton's door opened. His hair stood on end and his half-closed eyes swept over Jungkook and Hikaru and back again. "Are you okay?"

"Can I...can I sleep in your room?"

Keaton looked stricken, reaching out to grip Jungkook's arm. "Did something happen?"

"I just, I need-" Jungkook's elbows twitched up. He couldn't go to Julian for a hug. He needed Keaton to understand, to hold him-

"Jungkook.." Keaton grimaced, dropping to a crouch, reaching up to rub Jungkook's upper arms, simultaneously holding him off. "I don't have space for two in here."

"That's okay-" Jungkook nodded urgently, trying to squeeze closer to Keaton's frame.

"God, don't give me spaniel eyes, okay?" Keaton's face was pained. "It's not.. look, we can't share a room. It wouldn't be professional of me."

But I just want- I need-

"Okay, um, look. I can bunk with David and you can have my room, that would be alright wouldn't it?" Keaton glanced over Jungkook's shoulder at Hikaru.

Keaton knew.

Of course the staff knew. Keaton knew about Julian, and he was scared of Hikaru reporting back to him. All that was standing between Jungkook and the hug he so badly needed was the silent vigil at his side. His eyes stung suddenly with the unfairness of it all.

"Hey, hey," Keaton's voice lowered to a whisper. "I know its been rough. You've been so brave. But you're safe now. You're home. I- I'll go join David, you can use my space-"

"It's okay, it doesn't matter," Jungkook pulled back, retreated. "I'm sorry I woke you up."

"Jungkook-" Keaton winced.

"Can we go to the kitchen?" Jungkook asked Hikaru, forcing himself to walk away.

There was an air of cold depression about the kitchen. Twilight drained the place of colour, leaving it full of shifting grey shadows.

"Shall I wait with you, Sir?" Hikaru said, eyeing the three different entrances to the kitchen.

For a split second, Jungkook was desperate enough to ask Hikaru if he would hug him. "Sit down if you want," he said. "I'm gonna wait till morning."

Karisha was his last hope. He didn't know what time she arrived to prepare breakfast each morning, just that he'd have to wait. He sat on one of the dining chairs and watched dawn break as he shivered and sank into a shallow sleep.

He woke groggy and stiff, wedged uncomfortably against the table leg. The smell of warm bread and bacon and coffee filled his nose. Hikaru was now standing against the wall. "Good morning."

"Morn-"

"Kookie!"

Karisha. Dazed, Jungkook clambered out the chair, wincing at the gleaming brightness of the room.

Karisha had been setting Julian's morning newspaper and reading glasses down. She held her arms out and Jungkook drifted into them like an indrawn breath.

"The boys called me last night," Karisha said, stroking his hair. "Oh Kookie. I haven't been able to eat a thing all week."

Jungkook tried to smother himself in her shoulder.

"Why were you sleeping in the kitchen, sweetheart?" Karisha said gently. "I didn't want to wake you, but you looked so uncomfortable. Were you waiting for me? Dear boy."

Jungkook's body was no longer rattling, but he hoped she never let him go.

"Morning Karisha," David said. "Oh, Jungkook, you're up early."

"Help yourself, David," Karisha said warmly. "Morning, Keaton, dig in."

"Morning Karisha... Jungkook." Jungkook felt a quick palm cup the back of his head, and then Keaton and David were clanking plates and bustling around behind him.

"Some people will do anything to get out of going to school," Karisha murmured in his ear and Jungkook felt himself smile. Karisha plucked a strand of hair out of his eyes. He wondered hazily if he might fall asleep again, standing upright in her arms.

A moment later, he heard David and Keaton exchange greetings with Julian then make themselves scarce. Jungkook braced himself to be rejected but Karisha's arms swamped him tighter. His sigh was so deep he knew she'd felt it.

"Good morning! I'll have your macchiato ready in just a moment," Karisha told Julian. "Would you like your glass of milk, Jungkook?"

Jungkook nodded into her shoulder.

"Then why don't you go sit up on your barstool, and I'll get right on it," Karisha rubbed his back.

As much as he didn't want to let her go, Jungkook suddenly found that he had the strength to do so.

He eyed Julian cautiously as he took his usual seat. Julian was well groomed but bleary-eyed. Rather than his usual robe and loafers he was dressed for business. His bodyguard stood near Hikaru.

"I see you slept about as well as I did," Julian chuckled lowly.

Perhaps it was exhaustion that made Jungkook delerious enough to give a small chuckle too. Karisha slid his usual glass along to him, and he wrapped his hands round it.

"Please, feel free," Julian told the bodyguards, gesturing towards the spread that Karisha had laid out. Matias enthusiastically loaded up a plate while Hikaru stood impassively.

Julian got his coffee, put his Tom Fords on and scanned the front page of the newspaper. Jungkook smiled gratefully at Karisha as she set a plate in front of him, suddenly ravenous.

He felt better now. Things were always better in the morning. After months of fretting, at least he now knew the truth. If Julian continued to keep a physical distance, then maybe Jungkook could hang on for a couple of months and finish his exams and school, then go off and live in uni dorms and it would be a natural transition.

He walloped into his hashbrowns, sausages and waffles like a starving man, while Karisha and Julian made small talk and Hikaru and Matias observed. He figured what to tell the police. He needed to tell them everything pertaining to the attack being mounted on Apexi, and the risk to Julian's life. He could describe a group of vigilantes who were cocky enough to bring him around in public, and as for their appearance, he'd just give generic answers and say that they used code names.

Towards the end of breakfast there was a crackle from Matias' radio.

"Roger," Matias replied, then reported. "Your visitors have both arrived, Sir."

"Good, good," Julian wiped his hands on a napkin. "We'll see them in the drawing room. Take your time with your breakfast, Jungkook, they'll wait."

"No, it's okay," Jungkook quickly swiped his milk up and downed the rest. He should show the police that he was keen to cooperate. "Thank you, Karisha."

"I'll make your favourite for lunch," Karisha smiled at him fondly. Jungkook was almost swayed into going back for another cuddle.

When he and Julian walked into the drawing room, leaving Hikaro and Matias posted outside, Jungkook immediately noticed that some of the furniture had been adjusted.

"Mr Adley," a forty-something women with auburn curly hair stepped forward first, shaking Julian's hand. "And you must be Jungkook." Her smile was oil of olay.

"This is Angela Webster," Julian introduced. "She's a clinical psychologist who specialises in trauma therapy."

"Hi," Jungkook said, a little bewildered. When Soona died, Julian had sent him to a bereavement counsellor, but he'd talked to Jungkook about it first. He supposed with everything moving so fast Julian hadn't had the time.

The man had a crewcut, aquiline features and a mouth like a knife wound. He carried himself like Julian and Jungkook were the guests in his home. "Mr Adley," he shook their hands. His hand dwarfed Jungkook's.

"Thank you both for coming on such short notice," Julian said. "Jungkook, have a seat."

Jungkook had taken the seat Julian gestured to, the one reposititoned in the corner of the room, before he realised that he hadn't been given the man's name.

"You work with Mohammed's protection team?" He asked. The guy didn't give plain clothes policeman vibes.

"No, I'm independently contracted," the man said shortly, taking one of the two seats opposite Jungkook's.

"Your stepfather's been able to tell us a little about what you've been through," Angela took the other. Julian stood behind them, leaning against the grand piano. "I'm sure the last few days have been confusing for you, and frightening too."

Jungkook nodded. He wanted to talk to her, but he didn't know who the man was. He didn't like the way they were hemming him in.

"If you need to take a break at any time, you just let me know, okay?" Angela said. She was younger than Karisha, but she had a motherly tone. "I know it's a lot, but I'm going to take you back through everything that happened last week, and we'll see what you can remember. We'll take it piece by piece."

The man had a tablet on his lap like he was preparing to take notes.

Something wasn't right. Julian said he'd phone them first thing.

"Jungkook?" Angela prompted.

"When are the police coming?" Jungkook looked over her shoulder at Julian.

A beat passed.

"I've decided to handle the investigation another way," Julian said shortly.

"Julian?" Jungkook felt his milk curdle in his stomach. "Julian?"

"Take a deep breath for me," Angela soothed. "You're safe here. No-one's angry with you."

He could only think of one reason why Julian would decide not to call the police. It was the same reason Kim's Six were confident Tony Gwan wouldn't call the police after their heist.

You didn't call the police if you were in the process of committing a crime yourself.

He knew why an 'independent contractor' was here. Julian wanted to eliminate Kim's Six.

Angela leaned forward engagingly. "Well, let's get started. Tell me, Jungkook, are you familiar with the term 'Stockholm Syndrome'?"

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Ahh this came to me later than I wanted, thank you for waiting. And thank you so much for the amazing reviews, they kept me going! I was re-reading them to inspire some motivation! Review replies on their way. 'Warnings' for Jungkook having a bit of a stressful time of it, I promise he's gonna get a lil break soon lol.

Feel free to follow me on Twitter for updates on how my writing's coming along and general BTS chat :)

X-X-X

Panic dropped clean through Jungkook's stomach. Angela kept talking, but it was all static.

He stared at Julian. Julian's pale eyes levelled at him.

"You said you were going to call the police.."

"The situation has changed." Emotion coloured his stepfather's voice.

What had changed? Was it because he'd seen the YouTube band on Jungkook's wrist? Was it because Jungkook hadn't been dressed like a kidnap victim? But Julian had been so reasonable last night. What had turned a man who paid his taxes and recycled and donated to charity into the man who'd hire a contract killer?

Mr Independent Contractor scribbled something on his tablet and Jungkook's head snapped to him as if magnetised. What had he just written down? How much of a danger was he to Kim's Six? He could have a whole team. Even if he didn't, he could pick them off one by one-

"Jungkook!" Angela pitched through his haze. "Are you with me, Jungkook? Let's pause for a moment. Can you close your eyes for me?"

Jungkook blinked at her, his breathing shallow.

"It's a simple exercise to help you focus," Angela coaxed. "Close your eyes. There we are. Good job. Now, tell me what you can smell."

What he could smell? He could sense them all watching him. It felt like a million tiny bugs were writhing under his skin. "I.. um..." he inhaled, anxious to locate a scent. "There's a candle."

"Do you recognise the scent?"

"Is it vanilla?"

"Vanilla and lime, I believe," Angela said warmly. "Good job. Now keep your eyes closed. What can you tell me about the armchair you're sitting in?"

"It's grey. It's a wingback. It doesn't normally sit in this corner." He couldn't help the accusation creep into his tone.

"That's all true. Is it hard? Soft? Can you feel the fabric?"

"It's... um. The back is firmer. The seat is cushioned. The arms are fairly solid. I can feel the texture of the threading."

"Good job. Now let's focus on your insides. I'm sure you can feel your breakfast settling. How does your chest feel? Is your heart beating fast?"

"I.. yes." It was clattering against his ribcage like an old washing machine.

"We're going to try to slow it a little. Take a long, steady breath, then hold it in your chest like you're trying not to sneeze. Good, Jungkook, that's it. Hold on another few seconds, then let it out gently. Good. Let me see you do it again, try to be present in your body, feel your stomach muscles unknot and relax as you do it. There we are. And once more."

Her voice was almost hypnotic and he was working on scraps of rest. Despite it all, he felt himself sinking into the chair, the soothing fragrance from the candle clouding the front of his mind, tendrils of sleep reaching out towards him from the back.

"Well done," Angela said a few moments later, her voice liquid silver. "Okay, Jungkook, open your eyes now. Do you feel a little better?"

It was a struggle to prise his eyelids open. Angela leaned forward in her chair, her auburn hair like a halo around her head. She had syrup brown eyes and thick layers of creamy makeup which made her face slightly too dark for her pale neck.

"The most important thing to remember is that none of this is your fault," Angela assured him. "You were forced to rely on these people, and whatever 'kindness' they'd extend to you. Even in a short period of time, its possible to develop positive feelings towards one's captors, to have an emotional or psychological connection to them."

Oh.

"It's a coping mechanism," Angela explained. "It may even have protected you. But you're safe now and they can't reach you. You may feel as though you owe them something because you're not hurt, but really, you have been. They took you from your home and your family and they traumatised you. Didn't they?"

Jungkook nodded mechanically. Yes, they had hurt him. He'd experienced blind terror. They'd taped his mouth and tied his hands and covered his eyes. The dog had come near him. They'd dragged him into two confrontations with rapists, made him witness their murders. And Namjoon had put him over his knee like a naughty child.

"So let's start with what happened last Wednesday," Angela proposed. "Where did you first encounter them? Do you remember what street you were on?"

Jungkook's mouth was chalky. Namjoon and Tae would have been aware of CCTV wouldn't they?

"Was it your usual route to school?" Angela prompted.

Jungkook shook his head. "David usually drives me," he said, glancing at Julian for a reaction. Julian's expression was captioned Concerned Parent. "I don't remember the exact route I took. Maybe if I checked Google Maps.."

Angela nodded. "The first message your stepfather received told him to collect your schoolbag from a bin. Was that where they took you?"

"Near there," Jungkook said cautiously, eyes skittering to the Mr Independent's tablet as the stylus twitched.

"You're doing well," Angela smiled at him winningly. "How many of them were there?"

"Two."

"Both men?"

Jungkook nodded.

"How could you tell?"

"I heard them speak."

"And did you see their faces at that point?"

Jungkook shook his head quickly.

"And what about their vehicle?"

"It was a van. I don't- I only saw it for a second."

"Do you remember the colour? Was it a transit van? A works van? Did you see a slogan?"

Jungkook shrugged. "It was non-descript."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mr Independent square his broad shoulders and the stylus bump against the tablet. Tap, tap, tap.

"And where did they drive you?" Angela asked softly.

"I don't... I don't know."

"Do you think you left London?"

Bursts of panic needled him. She was closing in and he was running out of I-don't-knows.

Kim's Six were criminals. He knew that. He was glad he'd escaped.

But there was no way he was going to endanger their lives. Tae who looked at him adoringly and nuzzled his ears, and tried hard to keep the dog away from him. Yoongi who taught him to cook and could jabber away on any topic, but who resisted touch. Hobi who was tactile and smart as a whip, but didn't like to confront his tricky emotions. Free-spirited Jimin who had trusted him with his insecurity and flooded him with generosity. Jin, who had held him and cherished him, and made him feel simultaneously wanted and safe and on top of the world. Namjoon, who loved and protected them all fiercely, who truly believed that being a vigilante was the most noble occupation he could have.

They were criminals, and he must have indeed developed Stockholm Syndrome. But he was never going to let them be hurt.

"Jungkook?"

"No, I don't think we left London." He mumbled.

"So the journey wasn't too long? Can you estimate how long it was?"

"I... I don't know. Forty-five minutes? An hour?"

"Only an hour," Julian groaned from the piano, a network of wrinkles appearing on his forehead as he winced.

"That's very helpful," Angela nodded. "Now, was it this destination where you first saw their faces?"

Jungkook opened his mouth to use his unidentifiable mixed race narrative but closed it again. Keaton must have seen Joon and Jin at the hotel. He could have already told Julian that they'd ran from Korean men, and this could be a test. On the other hand, Keaton might have been so focused on grabbing Jungkook that he hadn't noticed, and Jungkook wasn't going to narrow down the population for Mr Indy.

As if reading his thoughts, Indy tutted under his breath, the simple noise spiking Jungkook's adrenaline.

"How old do you think they were?" Angela attempted a different angle.

"Um.. thirty?"

"Bull."

Angela startled and Jungkook shrank back in his armchair as Mr Independent Contractor rose from his seat, towering over them. He looked like he could tear Jungkook in half with one hand.

"He's lying." Mr Indy said flatly, eyes cold. "He's shifting in his seat, he keeps blinking, he's being nebulous, speaking in fragments, biting his lip. He knows exactly what they look like. He might even have names."

Jungkook's lower lip released from between his teeth with a pop.

"Alright," Angela spread a vague arm out towards Indy as if shielding Jungkook. "Let's bench the facts for a moment. How are you feeling, Jungkook? Do you feel as though you have to protect them to protect yourself?"

"He's a hitman, isn't he?" Jungkook burst out, looking past the mass of Indy's frame and Angela's auburn hair to meet Julian's eye. "You want to kill them."

Julian's jaw locked. "You don't need to concern yourself with what happens to them."

That was confirmation enough. "But you have Mohammed's whole team here for our protection. Why do you need to kill them?"

"No-one's talking about killing anyone," Angela placated.

"Then let's call the police," Jungkook countered. "Let's just call the police, Julian."

Emotion swirled in Julian's eyes, on the brink. For a moment, Jungkook dared to hope.

"One of them is a YouTuber," Julian told Indy, his voice flat, his eyes not leaving Jungkook's.

Dread piled up cold in Jungkook's chest.

"Jungkook was at a closed YouTube event inside the Langchester," Julian elaborated.

"He's anonymous," Jungkook said hurriedly. "He doesn't show his face."

"Sure, then you won't mind telling me his username," Indy dug into his back pocket for his phone. "I'll look him up right now."

Jungkook knew the names of plenty of anonymous YouTubers. He also knew that giving up a random innocent YouTuber could put them in extreme danger. His lips fused together.

"Well, we've played nice," Indy words were barbed. "We'll make more progress if Miss Webster steps outside."

Jungkook's insides seized up like an accordion. He turned desperately to Angela, but Angela had already swivelled around in her chair to see Julian.

Julian pinched the bridge of his nose with trembling fingers. "If you wouldn't mind waiting next door, Miss Webster."

"Certainly," Angela gathered her handbag. Jungkook couldn't prevent a little pleading noise slipping out of his mouth, but Angela merely swept past. Jungkook caught a glimpse of Hikaru as the door closed, his back rigid.

Julian crossed from the piano to take the seat Angela had occupied. Indy sat back down, but drew his chair closer, hemming Jungkook even more tightly into the corner.

Indy gave him a hard stare. "Let's lay our cards on the table. I'm not interested in playing with kid gloves, I'm interested in doing my job. Your stepfather is paying me good money to do it. His chief concern is your safety, which means that I have his full support in this. The outcome is inevitable. All you get to decide is if we cut to the chase or not."

There were snatches of contempt in his tone. And he was intimidatingly self-assured. It made Jungkook simultaneously want to tell him everything and tell him nothing.

"It's never two guys plotting a solo attack on a multi-million pound company," Indy said. "I'm not an idiot, and your stepfather isn't either. So what numbers are we talking? Is this a large operation? Are the people who snatched you subcontracted by a bigger group? Or is this an elite team?"

Jungkook didn't know what to respond, but Indy kept talking. "Okay, so its an elite team. Well that's much more manageable for me."

"Wha- I-" Jungkook denied.

"The information's bleeding out of your face, kid," Indy sneered. "So how many are we talking? A dozen? Less?"

Was he bluffing? He had to be bluffing, right? Jungkook hadn't told him anything... God, was he really giving the answers up in his body language?

"So let's pull a map up of London and you can point me in the right direction," Indy said.

"I'm not looking at the ma-"

"Yes you are."

"I'm no-"

"I will hold your eyes open if I have to," Indy's voice was ugly. "You will look at the map."

Jungkook quickly learned that it didn't matter what he said or didn't say. As Indy rebuffed his every protest, shut down each denial and sapped more and more bits of information from him, he felt himself mentally wear down. Julian looked increasingly upset as Indy determind from Jungkook's pupils dilating that the kidnappers were based in north or northeast London, and that they were a team of about half a dozen. But Indy need details, and as Jungkook learned his methods, he resorted to mixing up his reactions, to shifting and blinking, twisting and randomly denying, trying to keep the true facts far from his mind.

There was no clock in the room, and as time passed, Indy went from lip twitching smugness to outright hostility. Jungkook made himself small in his chair, shuffling his reactions regardless of Indy's predictions and his own mental exhaustion, aware that the atmosphere in the room was dangerously deteriorating.

"I don't want you to be a murderer," he pleaded with Julian, his whole body weary after the latest bombardment from Indy. He just wanted this to be over. He couldn't let Indy gain any more ground.

"I'm worried that's not the reason.." Julian said dejectedly, scrubbing his cheek.

Jungkook's mind was crying out for relief, and Indy was ramping up for another interrogation. He was desperate. He let his body sag. "Can I... will you give me your phone?"

Julian's eyebrows lifted just a fraction. He reached into his pocket, unlocked the phone, and slowly extended it to Jungkook.

Jungkook swallowed hard as he received it, pretending he was pulling up a map as he dialled.

He got out all three 9s of the emergency number before Indy suddenly ripped the phone out of his hand.

Indy returned the phone to Julian, his face murderous. Julian blanched when he saw for himself what Jungkook had almost done.

Jungkook was shaking, both from the violence of Indy's swipe and from the creeping realisation that he was just as much of a prisoner here as he had been with Kim's Six.

"Please," he begged Julian, hot tears filling his eyes. "Please, just leave them alone. You can pay him off. Please Julian."

Julian's face was wracked with distress. "They're going to try to run off with you again. I can't risk our- your happiness."

Jungkook understood then, that Julian wasn't worried about the threat to Apexi, or even to their safety. Why should he, when the house was secure and he had Mohammed's protection team in place. Kim's Six couldn't reach them here. That wasn't what he was afraid of.

He viewed them as his rivals over Jungkook.

Indy had observed the shift in the room. "I'll give you a choice now," the anger was potent in his voice. "We can keep this going, or we can invite Miss Webster back in and you can talk to her instead. Will you talk to her? The truth this time?"

Jungkook nodded immediately. Anything for a fraction of respite from Indy. Abstractly, he understood that Angela would be nice to him so that he'd break, but he just couldn't cope with more interrogation.

"Okay," Indy nodded, eyes dark. "I'll fetch her."

Julian's phone rang. Julian looked down and put it on loudspeaker. "Keaton?"

"Robert Nicholls is at the front gates, should I let him in?"

Jungkook and Julian's eyes widened in unison. Robbie.

"Invite him in, escort him up to the drawing room," Julian decided after a pause. "It's a school friend of Jungkook's," he told Indy. "Would you wait next door? I'll try to keep things brief."

"I would strongly recommend you monitor all of their interactions," Indy warned.

Julian nodded briskly, and as the door closed behind Indy, Julian and Jungkook were finally left alone for the first time since last night.

The silence was palpable.

"Jungkook," Julian broke first, reaching out. Jungkook recoiled. Julian snapped his hand back, his gaze desolate. Jungkook was trembling all over, couldn't get his body to stop. He wanted so desperately to hug Julian, but he didn't think he could ever hug him again.

"Do you have feelings for them?" Julian accused under his breath.

Jungkook couldn't deny it, could only stare like a rabbit in the headlights as pain ripped across his stepfather's face.

Robbie arrived like a breath of fresh air, his freckled face beaming, his tie askew. "You didn't text me back! I couldn't wait any longer. I called a cab the moment the lunch bell went." He sprang across the room, punched Jungkook's shoulder gleefully. Keaton closed the door over behind him.

Robbie glanced at Julian, noticed he was staying put, but and didn't miss a beat. "God, Jungkook, I'm absolutely buzzing. Did the police catch them? You've got security swarming everywhere! This is incredible!"

If Jungkook could just get another message to Robbie, to get him to call the police-

"Jungkook's still quite shaken," Julian said cautiously.

Robbie swore, wide-eyed. "Sorry, bro. I just can't believe it wasn't a hoax! Did I save you? Did I actually save you?"

Jungkook nodded, and Robbie's chest puffed up. Jungkook felt gratitude pool in his stomach beneath the distress. He'd never been particularly close to any of his classmates, but Robbie had gone out of the way to get Dove and Soobin's message to Julian. In any other kidnapping scenario, he truly had rescued Jungkook. He had no way to know that Jungkook had just exchanged one prison for another.

"You know what it was?" Robbie said. "It's all that true crime I read. You know, all the what ifs. If only she'd told someone where she was going. If only he'd noticed the red flags. If only someone had called the police-"

"In fact, we're both very grateful you didn't call the police," Julian said. "It maximised our chances of getting Jungkook back safely. And if you could continue to keep quiet about this whole affair, it will make things much easier for Jungkook's return to school."

Robbie's eyes gleamed at the secret, taking Indy's seat. "Yeah, of course! When are you coming back, Kook?"

"I don't-" Jungkook couldn't work out how to get the message out. Could he make a nine with his fingers and then indicate three times? Was there a TV show or something he could reference that Julian might not recognise but Robbie would?

"He's going to have trauma therapy sessions over the next few days," Julian said. "Monday could be too soon."

"Well don't take too long," Robbie reached out for another punch, then remembered. "We're off for exams in two weeks."

Exams felt a universe away. Jungkook nodded weakly. How could he do this? Julian was watching for any sign of Jungkook warning Robbie. Robbie was completely oblivious, his guard down, thinking it was all over. If Julian had gone so far as to hire a hitman, Jungkook didn't think he'd let a schoolboy stand in his way, even a rich, well-connected one.

"You need to tell me all about it!" Robbie enthused. "God, it must have been terrifying. Come over to my place when you feel up for it! I wanna know everything!"

"I'd, that would be good," Jungkook managed. The more desperate he felt, the more layers upon layers of blankness fogged his mind.

"Robert, I must thank you again. You've been a true friend." Julian rose to his feet, signalling the end of the visit.

"I'm so glad I was able to help!" Robbie stood up brightly. "Man, I nearly went to the Langchester myself, and then I told myself 'that's how you get murdered Robbie.' He grinned at Jungkook.

This was Jungkook's last chance. Probably his only chance-

In his peripheries, he saw Julian watching.

He gave Robbie a weak smile. "Thanks Rob."

"Keaton," Julian said into his phone, "Master Nicholls is heading back to school."

"Oh, I could've found my own way out," Robbie grinned. "Honestly, it's tempting to just bunk off. Who puts double physics on a Thursday afternoon, right?"

Keaton arrived to collect him, and Robbie sailed though the door, past Hikaru. Jungkook made eye contact with Keaton as he closed the door. Keaton's gaze immediately dropped to the carpet and Jungkook's last scrap of hope was lost.

Julian crossed to the door to check Robbie was gone then murmured to the bodyguards. A moment later, Indy and Angela were walking back in. Jungkook felt the life being drained out of him just at the sight of them.

"You look exhausted," Angela's crooned. "Oh Jungkook, this has all been too much for you."

Jungkook absently noted that there were little cracks showing in her thick makeup.

Angela sat across from him, reached out for his hands. Hers were cool, and Jungkook clung on like he was drowning.

"You need a rest, don't you?" Angela widened her eyes like he was a small child. Jungkook nodded wearily. "I think the best thing to do then, is give them something to work with, then you can take a break, or have a nap. Does that sound good?"

Jungkook wanted so badly to rest. He almost agreed.

"I know it feels like the past week has defined your life," Angela stroked his hands, "but I promise you, it won't feel like it forever. Let your stepfather handle everything."

He was teetering on the edge. Ready to give up, and tell them what they wanted. But then he pictured Indy attacking Jin in the tea shop, assassinating Tae on his dog walk, Hobi at work in his office, Jimin at a meeting with his YouTube managers, Yoongi in the supermarket. He pictured Namjoon's heartbroken rage and despair before he too was snuffed out.

He couldn't. He closed his eyes and shook his head over and over, clinging onto Angela's hands.

"Can he truly have been brainwashed within one week?" Julian asked from the door.

"It is possible," Angela said. "Brainwashing and Stockholm Syndrome are closesly related effects of abnormal power relationships. And if he had a prior connection with them, if for example, he was already a fan of the YouTuber kidnapper, then it would be even more likely."

"Jungkook makes YouTube videos," Julian remembered suddenly. "Could he be protecting one of the kidnappers because he actually knows him?"

"And if the YouTuber was a celebrity of sorts, then he could have been starstuck. In fact, he could have got into a vehicle willingly with such an individual."

They were coming close to Jimin again. "I sent you the message about the Langchester," Jungkook begged Julian, creaking his eyes open. "I was trying to come home."

"I know." Julian sighed sadly. "I was so proud of you."

The way Julian said it, despite everything, made Jungkook feel like he'd failed him. He slumped, his grip on Angela's hands loosening.

In turn, hope blossomed in Julian's eyes. "Why don't we pause and have something to eat."

Jungkook's head lifted at the thought of another hug from Karisha, but drooped again when Julian called her and asked for the food to be brought to the drawing room.

"Give him time," Julian told Indy or Angela. "I believe in him. He's going to do the right thing."

Jungkook closed his eyes fully and leaned his head into one of the wingbacks.

Karisha wheeled duck, roasted potatoes, red beet salad and elderflower cordial in on a trolley. As she handed Jungkook one of the plates, she gave him a concerned smile. Jungkook itched to press himself against her and bury himself in her shoulder.

He picked at his lunch as Indy and Angela ate. Julian wasn't eating either, and after Jungkook had pushed a potato around his plate for the hundredth time, Julian set his own meal aside.

Jungkook watched Julian approach the armchair and crouch at his side but still flinched abortively when Julian laid his hand on his knee. Julian hesitated, then set his jaw and pressed the hand back on. Jungkook stared at it. Julian's fingernails were clean and trimmed. A forest of blond hairs spread from the back of his hand up under his Rolex. The hand felt like a deadweight on his knee.

Julian gazed up at him imploringly. "For me, Jungkook. Please. Tell us."

It felt as though their faces had never been so close. Julian's blue eyes explored Jungkook's face, as if seeing it for the first time. Jungkook took in Julian's crow's feet, his thick brows, his clean-shaven chin, the slight indent in his nose tip. There was so much emotion in Julian's face.

With Kim's Six, Jungkook had no way to know where sexual attraction and infatuation and Stockholm Syndrome stopped and where genuine love began. But they were deep in his blood, each one of them was in his veins and arteries, and he just couldn't sacrifice them for the safety of pleasing Julian.

Julian saw the decision in his eyes. Jungkook heard his sharp intake of air. Julian's grip hardened on his knee, features twisting. "I have been through inhuman torture this past week!"

"Kind of like what you do to the animals." It slipped out of Jungkook's mouth before he could filter himself.

Julian released him like he'd been stung. "That's their propaganda," he panted, rising to his feet. "They've got their claws sunk into him."

"I can try some focused therapy sessions," Angela offered.

"Seduced.." Julian said, barely hearing her, repulsion on his face. "Seduced and brainwashed in just a week?" His face shuttered. "No wonder he can't tell us the truth. He's incapable of making decisions for himself right now. I need to keep him safe until he recovers."

That was when Jungkook realised that Julian had no intention of letting him move out. Had never intended on doing so. Had merely said the words last night to temporarily appease him.

Julian had said he had no expectations when he made his confession, but there must have been expectations. Now it was as if he imagined himself scorned. Jungkook felt his stomach roll.

"Were you sexually involved with them?" Indy asked somewhere in his peripheries.

Jungkook's mind automatically flew to Jin, to Jin's mouth and Jin's lips and Jin's hands and long fingers. When he looked at Julian again, his step-father's eyes were burning with hatred, his face white as marble.

"Then you don't need to track them down." Julian made a rusty hacking sound, half way between a cough and a bitter laugh. "They'll come for him. They won't be capable of letting him go. And when they come for him, that's when you'll eliminate them."

Indy nodded.

Jungkook was going to be sick. He had to get out of here. It wasn't enough to have the police arrive and take over the investigation. He couldn't be bait.

"I need to use the bathroom," he choked, nausea rising in his stomach.

Julian lifted the plate from his lap, a glint of satisfaction in his eye. "Go on."

Jungkook stumbled to the door, down the corridor, Hikaru following diligently after.

Jungkook couldn't fight Hikaru. He was exhausted, he had none of Hikaru's training, and Hikaru could call for backup. Hikaru looked like a man who took his job seriously. There was no way he was going to let Jungkook leave the mansion without reporting it.

So how could Jungkook lose him? And if he did lose him, how would he get out of here without being noticed? His mind felt just as useless as when Robbie was here. Panic surged up his throat.

He passed the nearest toilet, and Hikaru didn't protest. Jungkook walked Hikaru to a larger toilet which led onto one of the powder rooms. Hikaru positioned himself outside the door as Jungkook went in and twisted a tap on, staring at his fraught face and huge eyes in the Britannia mirror.

He had only one advantage. Hikaru and the rest of Mohammed's team were bodyguards. Bodyguards expected their clients to want to stay bodyguarded. But how long would Hikaru wait before checking on him? Indeed, how long would Julian wait for him to come back?

Unhelpful shards of plans smashed against eachother as he propelled himself towards the powder room. The door which led out of the powder room was just around the corner from where Hikaru stood. He could hide somewhere, then when they were all diverted to look for him, he could slip away.

He sucked his breath in as he ground the handle of the powder room door down, pressing a finger over the latch so it would release quietly. He could try to smash a window and use that as a diversion instead. But he wouldn't have anyone to open the front gates for him. He'd have to climb them, and he'd be easily spotted by whoever was on the outdoor CCTV-

In his slippers, joggers and hoodie, he made minimal noise as he tip-toed from the powder room, heart in his throat, past the open corridor on his right and a little book nook on his left. He padded on towards another door which lead to an informal sitting room. From here he could go on to access the billiards room, which would be a good distance from where Hikaru waited. Maybe he could try to set the fire alarm off-

Despite knowing it was impossible for him to engineer his own escape, he pushed on. As he edged the handle to the sitting room door open, he heard the soft swish of trousers and clip of shoes in the corridor, and darted forward, his hand barely coordinating to open the door sufficiently in his haste. The person on the approach was walking towards Hikaru. Would he notice the powder room left ajar and comment on it? Jungkook hurried through the sitting room to the opposite door. Should he look for somewhere to hide? Perhaps in the billiards room?

He heard the sound of someone closing the door of the sitting room as he rushed through the billiards one. Oh god, he had to run. He scuttled around the impressive billiards table, trying to keep his feet on the rug for as long as possible. The footsteps of whoever was in the sitting room would be muffled by the carpet-

He threw the door at the end of the billiards room open, glancing over his shoulder to see if the person had entered and seen h-

"Oof!"

He'd crashed straight into a body.

"Watch where you're going, Kook," Keaton wheezed, grabbing him. "Kook? What are you doing? Where's your- Wait, are you-"

"Shhh, please, shh-" Jungkook whispered frantically, scrabbling to get the door shut behind him. Were they coming this way? Was it someone pursuing him or a random spot check? "Please don't give me up, please don't give me up-"

"I don't understand what you're doing," Keaton lowered his voice, gripping Jungkook's arm. "Your bodyguard is here for your protection-"

"He says he's in love with me," Jungkook hissed, nothing to lose. "He's going to keep me here."

It was dismay rather than surprise that crossed Keaton's face. He didn't have to ask who Jungkook was referring to.

"Please, just pretend you haven't seen me, I don't want to get you into trouble-" Jungkook begged. "Please just-" he slumped in defeat. Keaton's job meant the world to him.

Keaton grabbed his other arm, holding Jungkook firm in front of him, looking him dead in the eye. "Tell me that you have somewhere safe to go. Tell me that you have someone to stay with."

Jungkook nodded wildly, even though it was a lie, hardly daring to believe-

Their heads jerked up at the faint sound of footsteps on the billiard room's hardwood flooring. Jungkook was practically dragged off his feet as Keaton hauled him past a matching pair of velvet loveseats and behind a nearby bar. They both ducked down.

Jungkook's heart was beating simultaneously in his head, throat and chest, as the person walked past and continued through the house, pace measured.

"Okay," Keaton ran an anxious hand over his scalp. "Okay. David is helping Karisha load up her car boot. Go to the garage, get down in her rear footwell. Don't talk to her, don't get her into trouble. If you get caught-"

Jungkook gulped, nodded, still stunned. "I'll say it was all my idea, I swear."

Keaton nodded grimly, stood to leave, then turned back and hugged him fiercly. Bewildered, Jungkook wanted to collapse into it, but then Keaton released him and marched off.

Unable to keep up with what was happening, Jungkook crept out into the corridor, listening for any sounds of nearby movement. The lift was closer, but, like the garage, the lift did have CCTV, and it was less likely that anyone would use the stairs.

He made it past the music room and had to swerve into the morning room to avoid a pair of voices on the approach.

"-over from Hikaru," one of them said.

"Bet it's good to be finally-" the other responded, their voices dipping out of earshot as they passed.

Jungkook tried to measure out the seconds in his head, then slipped out of the morning room and finally bolted for the stairs. He stopped when he stepped inside, listened for footsteps. Nothing. He took the steps in a rush, trying to make up for lost time, wheeling around the landings till he reached the bottom. He opened the security door just enough to see the lift doors gliding open. He pulled back hurriedly, remembering at the last moment to use his slippered foot to keep the door a fraction ajar.

"Thanks, David," Karisha said, and Jungkook watched through the slit as David hefted a heavy looking box into her open car boot. She'd parked her Honda near the lift.

"No worries," David shook his hands out, flexing his fingers. "Was that the last one?"

"A microwave too, I'm afraid."

"How is Isaac going to manage dinner with half the kitchen away for cleaning?" David joked.

"You underestimate the amount of equipment in that kitchen."

"I believe you. Okay. Microwave. I bet you never use it."

"It's sitting just outside the lift," Karisha looked like she was going to hang around her car, but then she reached into the pocket of her chinos and retrieved her mobile phone. She frowned. "Hold the lift, David."

"Huh? Okay."

When the lift doors slid shut behind them both, Jungkook sprinted for the Honda. Karisha's boot was pretty packed and what looked like a coffee machine and icecream machine were seatbelted into the back seat in boxes. Evidently, Julian had put a hold on the professional cleaning companies sending their rotations of unfamiliar staff in.

He opened the back door and pressed himself against the icecream machine as he closed it behind him. He squeezed himself down awkwardly in the footwell, the rough carpet brushing against his face, his legs bent up in a fetal position so he could fit. How much time had passed since he walked into the toilet? Ten minutes? Less? Was Hikaru still waiting patiently outside? Would he be distracted even briefly if that had been Jungkook's other bodyguard heading for a changeover? Or would that make Hikaru enter the bathroom sooner, wanting to introduce Jungkook before he left?

The sharp smell of Karisha's Little Trees air freshener stung his nose. He felt utterly exposed. His body tensed in fright, as much as the confined space would allow, as he head the lift doors glide open again. He closed his eyes fervently as if that might help.

"Space for this in the boot?" David was asking.

"Yes, lets just shift this one along," Karisha said, her voice impossibly close to Jungkook. "There we go, in there. Thanks, David."

"Be safe," David replied.

Jungkook lay stalk still as Karisha's boot slammed shut and she got into the driver's seat. Keaton must have told them, right? They must have seen him. But what if they hadn't? He didn't want to scare Karisha, or ruin his own escape. He lay silent as a mouse, trying to subdue his breath.

Karisha turned the ignition and engine noise erupted in his ear. He felt the car give a roll and begin to move off. He pressed himself against the floor, wishing he had a blanket or something to hide under. The steep incline told him they were heading up out of the garage. Hikaru would knock first, wait, and then check the toilet, wouldn't he? But then he'd radio them all instantly, and it would be over. Even if Keaton had stationed himself to be the one opening the gates for Karisha leaving, the nearest bodyguards would surely prevent him if news got out that their client's son had vanished.

Every second could count, and it felt like Karisha was driving so slowly, rumbling along the drive. Jungkook's breaths felt like they were being thown back in his face. The next few moments could determine the rest of his life-

He felt the car turn a corner. They were out. Out.

He lay, shocked, brain empty, as Karisha picked up some speed. Julian might give chase, might make David drive, might know which company Karisha was heading to with the appliances and intercept. It wasn't over, but he was out.

Karisha drove faster, taking some tight angles at corners and Jungkook was tossed between the front and back seats like a salad. His nausea threatened to raise its head again, but he pressed his tongue hard against the roof of his mouth and willed his body to be lifeless as a dummy.

What would Soona say, seeing him run away from the man who'd always provided for him? Would she call him a coward? A fool? Would she be proud? Where would she go now if she were him?

"Who are you going to stay with, Kookie?" Karisha said about twenty minutes later.

Jungkook would have jumped out of his skin if he'd had any room for maneouvre. "A friend," he said softly, his voice muffled.

"Are you sure they'll have you? Are they expecting you?" Karisha's tone was concerned. "I can put you up with my cousin."

Jungkook didn't know why she was so nice to him, but it made him want to cry. "No, it's okay, I know where to go," he lied. Karisha supported more than a dozen family members back home. She couldn't afford to lose her job. She'd already taken a massive risk by letting him be here.

"Alright, love," Karisha said. "I'm going to pull into a carpark soon. We're near Islington. I'll leave the car unlocked when I go to the hole in the wall. I'll leave my phone on the front seat in case you need to call your friend to tell them where to pick you up. I'll take my time."

"Thank you," Jungkook felt the true inadequency of the words.

"Let him know you're safe, when you can," Karisha said. "He really does care about you. And so do we."

Jungkook prayed that the staff didn't get caught. He'd always thought they were nice to him because it was their job, not because they actually liked him. It hurt to think that if all went well he'd never see the only three good people in his life again.

A few minutes later, Jungkook felt the car turning, and then turning again, continuing on a few seconds before turning once more and grinding to a halt.

"Take care, darling." Karisha said, and there was a soft thud, which Jungkook guessed was her mobile landing on the front seat. He heard her door open, felt cool air rush in, then the door slammed.

He allowed himself a couple of seconds to gather himself, a couple of seconds for Karisha to walk away from the car, so that any CCTV in the area would show her unaware. He wished he could go with her. His body was aching to be hugged again.

Then, gingerly, he began to untangle himself. His limbs cramped as he leaned over the coffee machine and icecream maker and shuffled his way to the nearest door. Stepping out of the car felt surreal, like he'd entered an alternate reality. A quick glance showed a retail park and Karisha's back at a paypoint.

He ran. His legs faltered clumsily as he thrust himself across the carpark, the traction on his slippers poor, skidding once on the gravel before he reclaimed his balance. He jumped over a tiny perimeter fence and hurtled down a grass slope onto pavement. Cars were pulling into the carpark, and he timed the gap with the lights and charged across the road.

He didn't know where he was going. He just knew that he had to get away from Karisha, to protect her, and eliminate the possiblity of Julian finding him through following her.

He kept up a jog, having to dash back once when his foot ran out of his slipper and hit cold, hard cement. It felt like everyone was watching him, his cheeks pink with exertion, his footwear eccentric. He chose streets at random, passed through a housing estate before zig-zagged his way towards a main street with people and shops. He slowed to a walk and allowed himself to be sucked into their wake.

As his lungs surrendered, his adrenaline crashed, but he forced himself to keep moving. It a cool afternoon, and a fresh breeze combed the city. He shivered and cinched his hoodie tighter, tried to resist the urge to constantly look over his shoulder. He passed a Ladbrokes. Costa. American Nail salon. Paddy Power. Tandoori. Off License. People glanced at him, but no-one made comment.

He kept walking up the high street, plodding on, trying not to think about the fact that he had no where to go, no one to contact, no means to do so, his mind unhelpfully cycling back to it every few steps.

He spotted a dirty pound coin lying on the ground beside an upturned plastic crate and an empty bottle of Fosters near Pret a Manger. Had a beggar dropped it? He glanced left and right, saw no-one nearby and plucked it up guiltily, rubbing it between his thumb and forefinger. That was all he had to his name now, a single pound.

He smiled at his slippers, catching himself. It was one pound more than he'd had a moment ago. Going up in the world, Jungkook. Lucky, even.

He was with pound but without plan when he saw the signs for the internet cafe. It was tucked away off the high street, at the other end of a side lane. 'One Pound An Hour' a black and yellow sign proclaimed. Jungkook was drawn to it like a moth to flame, knowing that he should resist, that he should save the money for food, unable to help himself.

He caught sight of his reflection, his face waxy and drawn as he pushed the cafe door open.

It was dingy inside, a bloom of wet mould spreading across the ceiling, the linoleum floor tacky. There were a dozen computers, six facing six, a small partition between each one. Three of them were in use, their occupants unconscious of his arrival.

He approached the counter quickly as a staff member emerged from the back room. The counter would hide his slippers.

"How long you want?" The man asked, distracted by the magazine in his hand.

"An hour, please." Jungkook said, proferring his pound.

"Alright. You wanna buy from the cafe?" There was a drinks machine and a scrawny menu behind him.

"Um, no thank you."

A form was pushed towards over the counter. "Name here, address, sign here," the man drawled. "Read the notice first. Printing costs extra. No viewing or downloading obscene or extremist material."

Much as he didn't think Julian would look for him in here, Jungkook still wrote a fake name and address and scribbled under the signature.

"Your time's up at five past three. You wanna go over that, you pay for the next full hour."

"Okay."

"Here's your log on," The man pushed another piece of paper towards him, then waved at the computers as if to say he could pick whichever he liked.

Now that he'd committed himself, Jungkook walked around the computers, selecting the one that was furthest from the other users. Tentatively, he tapped the log in details in, and waited for the desktop to boot up. The overhead light revealed a dozen dead flies in the globe. He wondered how long they'd been there.

Then he was in.

God, this was probably a bad idea.

No, scrap that, it was definitely a bad idea. But he had to know.

He logged onto Twitter, half expecting to be locked out. But his page opened up. He bypassed his feed, his new followers, his alerts, and went straight to DMs.

Jimin's name wasn't at the top like it usually was. In fact, there were a good fourteen unopened DMs, and then some opened ones, before Jungkook could scroll down to his name.

He brought up their thread. His mouse hovered over their last couple of messages, over a week old, when Jungkook was innocent and oblivious.

He closed his eyes briefly, sucked his lower lip between his teeth, and began to type.

Nochu: Jimin, if you get this, please let me know if everyone got out okay.

Nochu: I'm sorry about how it all happened.

Nochu: He's trying to track you all. I didn't say anything, but he knows some vague things.

Nochu: I hope you're okay. I'll be here for a short while if you're online.

That was all he could muster. He'd warned Jimin, and Jimin would warn the others. Now all he could do was hope that Jimin would check his phone within the next hour. He just wanted to know that they were okay, that they'd all got home safe.

Leaving the thread, he could see similarities in the preview of most of his new DMs. YouTube people he didn't even know were followers, asking if he was okay, asking what had happened. He couldn't bear to click into them. He'd look if it got towards the end of the hour and he hadn't heard from Jimin.

He rubbed a fingernail against the edge of the jagged mouse mat. Someone had graffitied underneath.

Jimin had replied. So fast. Jungkook clicked, his heart doing drumrolls.

Jimin: Videocall.

Then, a second later, a discord link.

Jungkook stared at it. Slowly, his movements sluggish, he placed the accompanying headphones over his ears. He clicked the link, switched video on.

He really might be sick.

Namjoon's face came on screen. He was alone. There was a moment where Jungkook wasn't sure if the audio and video had connected both ways as Namjoon was looking down.

Then Namjoon stared straight into his camera, right into Jungkook's eyes.

Jungkook's brain seized up, his mind turned to sawdust.

Namjoon gazed into his soul, then looked past him, his handsome face set like a mask.

"Are they okay?" Jungkook burst out, barely mindful of the other occupants of the cafe. "Did they all get out?"

Namjoon regarded him, giving nothing away. He cocked his head. "Where are you?"

Jungkook felt his face crumple. "Please, Joon, please. Are they okay?"

He thought Namjoon wasn't going to tell him at first, but then Namjoon seemed to relent. "They're okay, if you mean did anyone get arrested. Emotionally, they're not doing great. Tae has shut down, Jimin hasn't slept, Hobi won't talk about it, Yoongi blames himself."

Jungkook felt his relief blend into anxiety. "And Jin?"

"Jin loves you," Namjoon reported simply. "Jin wants you back."

Jungkook fought to swallow the lump forming in his throat.

"Where are you baby? You aren't at home." Namjoon's eyes flickered darkly. "Did he hurt you?"

"No, no-" Jungkook said rapidly. The last thing he wanted was Namjoon specifically trying to kill Julian too. "But he has someone trying to hunt you down. He has a little information, nothing specific. I'm not.. I'm not going back there, so he won't find out anything from me."

Namjoon contemplated him, his face still unreadable. "So now you want to help us?" He observed quietly.

"I'm sorry," Jungkook rubbed his arms. He'd thought Namjoon would angry, not...

"Why don't you come home? I'll pick you up."

Jungkook shook his head. "That's not my home, I was only there a week."

"I wasn't speaking about the building."

Jungkook didn't understand at first, then gasped. He quickly smothered it, shaking his head. "You gave me Stockholm Syndrome!"

"Pfft. You know that's not true. We've had chemistry for months. We'd fallen for you long before last week, and I'm pretty sure it was mutual. We became a seven quite some time ago and you know it. Want proof? Look at what you're doing right now."

The cafe shuddered lightly as a lorry went past.

"Can I see Jin?" Jungkook asked quietly, hating that Namjoon could be right.

"You can see him when you come home," Namjoon said. "Tell me where you are, cupcake."

"I'm going to stay with a friend." The lie came easier the third time.

"No," Namjoon argued. "Your stepfather will be tracking you. If he finds you he'll never let you go. You're far safer with us."

Jungkook pressed his lips together. That was true.

Namjoon's tone softened. "You told me you didn't think you should go last night, didn't you? You were having second thoughts and you were trying to warn me."

"I didn't mean to shout out about the laptop, I panicked." The words tumbled out of Jungkook's mouth.

"Jimin had to answer a lot of questions last night." Namjoon nodded. "He handled it. And luckily Tony Gwan kept quiet because we already had the dirt on him."

"So Emily's going to be okay?"

Namjoon nodded.

"And I stopped, I did stop, I listened- Keaton made me-"

"I know," Namjoon said, a tiny smile budding, a hint of dimples. "I was there, remember? I'll tell you what. Give me your location. I'll come pick you up. I won't be mad at you. You can cuddle up with Jin on the couch and we'll put a Marvel movie on." His voice pitched low. "Do you want that?"

Jungkook nodded like a puppet on a string, his lower lip trembling. He wanted it more than anything. He felt like he'd sell his soul to be wrapped up in Jin's arms right now.

Namjoon's voice grew husky. "Then, where are you baby?"

Reluctantly, every fibre of his body resisting, Jungkook shook his head.

Namjoon's eyes flashed darkly. "You're not going to make me hunt you down. Really, Jungkook?"

Jungkook felt a tug in his navel. Namjoon looked like he wanted to consume him.

"I'll find you before he does." Namjoon said grimly. "And when I do, you'll not be getting cuddles on the sofa, my boy."

He glanced down again briefly, and Jungkook suddenly thought of Hobi and his technical skills. What if Kim's Six were tracking this call? He pictured Namjoon's screen slowly narrowing down his location. What if Namjoon was stalling him right now?

"I have to go," he said, blood racing, scraping his chair back an inch, the wire from the headphones going taut.

Namjoon's gaze was unearthly. "Then run, bunny rabbit. Run."

Namjoon cut the connection. Jungkook lifted the headphones from his shellshocked head, fingers shaking as he cleared the cache and history and logged off. He scuttled out of the cafe in his slippers, and went back to walking.

What was he going to do? He didn't have any money now, didn't have an Oyster card or a phone. He couldn't go to Robbie or one of his school friends' because Julian would surely check there. He couldn't go to the police because they might take him back to Julian. It was afternoon and plenty of people were milling around, each with somewhere to go. What was Jungkook going to do when evening fell? Was he going to sleep on the street?

He passed under a CCTV camera. How advanced were Hobi's hacking skills? Could he be tracking him right now, camera to camera? He felt subtle pressure behind him, as if a large hand was waiting to pluck him, but each time he looked back, no-one was there.

He was on the run from two opposing, equally dangerous, equally determined parties.

And for the first time in his life, he was truly, completely, utterly alone.

X-X-X

Chapter Text

111 comments on one chapter (and not even an interactive!) is blowing my mind. Thank you so, so much to everyone who reacted, replies are coming. And thank for being so supportive on Twitter! I know a few people have gone out of their way to advertise K7 and I wanna say a huge thank you to you too! And finally, to the person who more than supported my diet coke addiction, you know who you are, I was really touched :)

I definitely did not intend for this to take so long to write, so I appreciate you bearing with! There aren't any major warnings for this chapter, other than length. I hope you enjoy.

X-X-X

He kept walking. His slippers were becoming increasingly grubby. His brain was like cauliflower, consumed by the compulsion to check over his shoulder. He could sense someone behind him. There was no particular sound or sight, more of an absence, a hole or a shadow. It didn't matter if he was on a lonely residential street or trudging through a populated thoroughfare. Any moment now, he knew Kim's Six or Indy would reveal themselves and seize him.

He was thirsty. His legs felt leaden. But he was done for if he stopped, so he kept walking.

He barely paid attention to street signs. He crossed densely packed housing estates, weaved through mazes of narrow streets crowded with restaurants, newsagents and gift shops. He passed Campden Market with its canal and criss-crossed little bridges, the smell of stagnant water and greasy cooking. A white van drove by him and he cringed, pressing himself against the nearest wall, almost bumping into a pair of lads in football tops. The van continued on into the distance, but it didn't stop his stomach going rigid when he saw another.

He passed people from all walks of life: people with instruments strapped to their backs and cameras strapped to their chests, people dragging granny trolleys, people weighed down by shopping bags. People in mobility scooters, in face masks, in plaid shirts, wearing white turbans, wrangling children. People in salwar kameez, people on skateboards, in ripped jeans, in khimar, in band t-shirts. All sorts of people, but all somehow the same, as if they were all living one existence while Jungkook was trapped in another. He took another hasty glance over his shoulder and a herbeaceous reek swarmed him the moment he did.

"You look lost." The man's smile was full of gaps, his body weatherbeaten and wiry, leaning close.

Jungkook backed up a step. "I'm fine, thank you," he lied.

He saw the man's keen eyes lock onto the designer logos on his clothes and slippers. "What street you looking for, mate?"

"No, I'm, I'm meeting someone." Jungkook extracted himself another step, smiled nervously, and crossed the road as soon as there was a gap in the traffic. The man let him go. Maybe he was just trying to help, but Jungkook was grateful for the daylight. He grimaced as he hurried by his sixth subway station and seventeenth Pret a Manger. He had to find somewhere to stay tonight. He wouldn't survive on the street.

He had to think. What were his options? He hugged himself against the afternoon chill. He wasn't going back to Julian. He wasn't going back to Kim's Six either, even though he could be warm in Jin's arms right now-

He shook his head as if he could physically dislodge the thought. Get a grip, Jungkook. Better to go to a homeless shelter or to the police than to Julian or Kim's Six. But he wasn't sure if a homeless shelter would admit him without ID or if it would be safe. And the police...it just took one policeman to accept a life-changing bribe and Jungkook would be back under lock and key.

If he'd stayed with a relative of Karisha's or at a classmate's, Julian would have found him. He'd made the right call staying away. And he didn't have any other friends, did he?

Self-pity burned his eyes suddenly. Kim's Six were his friends. He'd have contacted them if he'd run away from home. His online friends, his crushes, the highlights of his week. They'd have swooped in and picked him up and taken him in. And he would have gradually found out about their vigilantism instead of-

The urge to look over his shoulder overpowered him again. And Kim's Six would still have their sights on Apexi Research. Julian's life would still have been in danger. They would all still have been brought to the same inexorable conclusion.

He walked doggedly on, past dirt streaked concrete and peeling paintwork. The footfall around him was thinning out as the afternoon died. Cold saturated the air and he shivered. He really was thirsty. God, how pathetic to be nearly eighteen years on this planet but helpless as a newborn.

A woman emerged from a side street just up ahead of him. Jungkook clocked the dog lead in her hand and hurriedly checked the road and crossed.

"Come on, Rex!" The woman was grousing. "We're going home now!"

Once safely on the other side, Jungkook took a look. Rex wasn't quite as terrifying as the name might have inferred. It was a small Doberman puppy, tripping over its own legs. Jungkook wondered how long it would take to grow into the name, like its human namesake, Jimin's mammoth bouncer at the club.

He faltered in his tracks.

We live exactly two blocks over Soobin had pointed to the right. You can come back to ours if you're not safe.

Did he dare? The nightclub wasn't far from Kim's Six. And it was squarely in the area Indy had divined during the interrogation. Dare Jungkook head into an area that would put him under everyone's noses? What if Dove and Soobin didn't want him to stay? What if Soobin's offer had been fuelled by alcohol?

He heard shuffling and his head snapped round. Two women in puffer jackets were coming up behind him. One took in his slippers and gave him an odd look, but they said nothing, made to pass.

"Excuse me!" Jungkook blurted out. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm looking for an address. Could you- would you mind looking it up for me?"

The one who'd noted his slippers wrinkled her nose. "Don't you have your own phone?"

"No," Jungkook turned imploring eyes on the other woman, likely her sister, trying to make himself look small. "I'm a bit lost, would you- would you mind?"

He was ready to give up and ask the next passerby, but the sister fished a mobile phone from her pocket. "What's the address?"

"It's a club called Bidar, B-i-d-a-r," Jungkook said eagerly, and sensing instant disapproval in both faces, added "my friend lives near the club, it's not, I'm not going clubbing."

His navigator seemed to regret her assistance but nevertheless typed it into her phone. "Bidar. You're pretty lost. It's about an hour and a half's walk from here. 110 Brougham Drive, Hackney."

"Thank you!" Jungkook committed the address to memory. "It's... in that direction?"

She consulted her phone screen, turning the map. "That way," she pointed, slightly adjusting his estimate. For good measure, her sister looked down her nose at his slippers again.

Jungkook thanked them again, set off. 110 Brougham Drive, 110 Brougham Drive.

Now that he was walking with purpose, hope renewed some of his energies. He was grateful for Karisha's big breakfast this morning. His legs ached, and his eyes joined in each time he passed a bench, but he pressed on. He asked for directions sparingly. There was no way Kim's Six or Indy were going to find the handful of individuals in a population of nine million who'd told Jungkook where 110 Brougham Drive was. But the lower the odds, the better.

He checked behind him more frequently as he trekked into the last half hour. His throat began to hurt, forcing him to dry swallow. He almost wished it would rain, though he knew he'd regret the thought if he couldn't find Dove and Soobin or if they turned him away.

It was early evening when he finally plodded to a halt in front of the entrance to Bidar, swaying a little on his feet. The constant thrum of traffic had eased, and he shuddered each time he heard a new engine. It was strange to see the nightclub closed up, all the light and colour and sound snuffed out of it. He remembered what it had felt like to let loose, the bass and the scented vapours and the alcohol in him. Their hands, smiles, their bright eyes on him.

He had to focus. Standing exposed like this was dangerous. He mentally walked himself inside, figured out what angle he'd been standing at when Soobin had said 'two blocks to the right' and forced his weary legs on. Even as his body succumbed to exhaustion, nerves spiked in his gut. Almost there.

Soobin and Dove's block, if he had the right one, was a bundle of worn out low-rises thrown up out of pink concrete. Should he ring a random doorbell and ask for them? Should he circle the block and see if there was any clue that might help him narrow it down?

On the next corner there was a poky newsagents with buckling shelving in the windows. Surely Dove and Soobin would be regulars in here if it was on their block? Pursing his chapped lips, he pushed the door open and went in. He was met with weak synthetic lighting and clusters of colourful brands and packages: chocolate bars, crisps, and- his throat stung as he eyed the drink fridges along the back wall. If only he'd kept the pound. But then he wouldn't have known that Kim's Six got home safe, and maybe that would have been worse.

The man sat behind the counter had unhealthy pale skin that came with the job.

"Um, I was wondering if a couple come in here often?" Jungkook tried not to let his desperation show. "They live on this block. He's Korean, he's taller than me, she's black, they're eighteen, nineteen?"

The newsagent stared at him. He had little tufts of hair protruding from his nose and ears. Jungkook saw his countenace shift a moment later when two teenagers in school uniform came into the shop. "This isn't the Yellow Pages, son, this is a shop."

"Their names are Dove and Soobin," Jungkook tried helplessly, "you haven't, you don't know if they ever come in?"

The man glanced up at the angled round mirror in the top corner of the shop, trying to get an eyeful of the other teenagers. The gaze he levelled at Jungkook showed even more distrust.

"Dove has silver and gold braids..." Jungkook said meekly. He didn't even know if that was still true. How often did girls change their hair?

"Look, son, if you're not here to buy, then you need to beat it-"

"S'cuse me, did you say you're looking for Dove?"

Relief almost knocked him over. "Yes, Dove and Soobin!" He turned to the young woman with faded stringy green hair who began loading up the counter with a glass bottle of orangeade, pickled onion monster munch, cola laces, and a pint of milk.

"They live across the landing from me," she said. "Haven't you tried calling them?"

"I don't have my phone." Or their numbers.

"Pack of Sterlings," the neighbour said to the newsagent. "Thanks. Yeah, that's all. Come on over, we'll try their door. Let me just grab my stuff."

She counted out change into the newsagent's hand and shook out a blue plastic bag to dump her purchases in. "My name's Naomi," she said.

"Jungkook."

Naomi hooked her bag onto the crook of her elbow and dug into it the moment they'd stepped onto the street. "Soobin's probably still at work, Dove might be home though. You want a cancer stick?"

Jungkook shook his head as she undid the cellophane on the cigarettes.

"I'm trying to cut down, but last weekend was rough," Naomi lit up. "Ran out completely on Tuesday, been gasping ever since." Her eyes flickered shut as she inhaled, a little sigh of relief escaping her with the exhale. "God. Right come on, we're at the other end of the street."

Jungkook tried not to scrunch up his nose as puffs of smoke drifted past his face, tried not to look behind him. He didn't want to put Naomi off helping.

"Don't see their car," Naomi commented, pushing a rusty gate open. She strode up the short path, took a final drag on her cigarette then bent to stub it out on the brown glass ashtray sitting on the step leading to the main door. "Let's head up."

Jungkook trotted after her as they climbed two flights of stairs. Naomi chapped a letterbox, and he stood half a pace behind her, twisting his fingers in his hoodie pockets. The silence echoed.

Naomi shrugged. "Well, if you don't wanna wait on the stairs, you can come into mine."

"Oh, that's really kind, but-"

"It's no bother," Naomi jangled her keys and unlocked the door directly across the landing, leaving it open behind her. "You want orangeade? Coffee?"

"Could I have a drink of water please?" Jungkook eased his grubby slippers off and left them by the door, gingerly closing the door after them.

"Got plenty of that. Lemme scribble a note for Dove, I'll put it through the door."

Jungkook hesitated in the tiny hallway uncertaintly.

"Kitchen's in here, help yourself," Naomi emerged from the second room on the right, a torn page with hasty scrawling in hand.

The moment Jungkook saw the kitchen taps, he felt like he was dying of thirst. He cranked the cold tap on, snatched a cup from the mug tree on the counter. The first chug of water stung, hurt to swallow, but he couldn't get enough, filling his cup again and downing it.

"Done," Naomi returned, retrieving her milk and turning to the fridge. "So what's the plan? Are you guys going out tonight?"

"I'm hoping I can stay with them tonight," Jungkook said warily.

"Oh, right." Naomi's phone rang before she could follow up and she snatched at it. "Hang on-" she angled the phone away from Jungkook, pointed at the wall. "You can put the TV on if you like."

Jungkook nodded, shuffled next door into a small unkempt livingroom. He was anxious that her phone had rang so fast after he'd arrived, but it turned out that the walls were thin enough that he could hear her side of the call. It sounded like she was talking to an ex. He put the TV on low so that he didn't interrupt her. It wasn't like he could concentrate on it anyway. Naomi thought he was friends with Dove and Soobin. What if they thought he was imposing, waiting for them in their neighbour's house? He drummed his leg, stared blankly at the TV screen.

Naomi was still on the phone when her doorbell chimed around an hour later.

"Call you back," Naomi told the ex, and Jungkook heard her unlock the front door a few seconds later. He heard low tones drifting down the hallway that sounded like Soobin. Dread lined his stomach. He should probably get up, shouldn't he.

He carefully turned the TV off, set the remote down. Rubbing his elbows, he made his way down the short hall.

"Jungkook!" Soobin exclaimed, looking part Naomi, his calf eyes widening.

"See I told you," Naomi said, an edge of relief in her voice.

"I'm sorry," Jungkook blurted out. "You said you lived near here and-"

"Sure!" Soobin said, beckoning him cheerfully. "Come over to our place. You'll need to step over our shopping bags."

Jungkook nodded rapidly, stooping down for his slippers. "Thank you," he told Naomi, stepping over her threshold. Soobin and Dove's front door was open, a handful of supermarket bags strewn in the doorway.

"No worries! See you later, Soob."

Soobin nodded. Jungkook had forgotten just how tall Soobin was, he was even taller than Namjoon and Jin.

"Can I help with the shopping bags?" He carefully placed his slippers on the small shoe rack near the front door, aware of how loudly his heart was thrumming.

"No, no, you go in. Living room's at the far end." Soobin heaved half a dozen bags up in both hands. "It's Jungkook!" He called into the flat.

"Wha-?" Dove stepped out into the tiny hall, a watermelon, tub of yoghurt and block of cheese balanced in her hands. "Jungkook?!"

Jungkook stuttered an apology, but Dove's face had lit up. "Wow! Okay, go take a seat in the livingroom, let me just fling the perishables in the fridge."

Their home had a mirrored layout to Naomi's. Jungkook perched on the sofa, listening to Dove and Soobin rustling the shopping bags next door.

The livingroom was just as small but much tidier than Naomi's. There were photo frames and a couple of candles on the windowsill and African and Korean inspired prints on the walls. Little details made the room look cosy and inviting.

He jolted at the noise of radiators juddering and clanking.

"We have a moody central heating system," Soobin grinned, crossing to slouch in the mismatched armchair across from Jungkook. He was wearing smart trousers and a shirt, tie loosened around his neck. Jungkook had never really got a good look at him before. Soobin had a handsome face, three indents in the tip of his nose, wideset eyes with cute fatty bags underneath and deep dimples set far back in his cheeks.

Dove followed Soobin into the living room a moment later, throwing herself down on the other side of the couch from Jungkook. She did still have the silver and gold braids, but today they were tied up in a bun with just a single braid hanging on either side of her face. She was also smartly dressed, in a turquoise blouse and stone windowpane trousers. Jungkook snatched a quick glance at her face. Dove's skin was glossy, her eye makeup matched her top, and she had a tiny silver nose stud. Her lips were full and her teeth perfect when she smiled at him. "Well, we didn't expect to see you! Or at least so soon!" Her smile wavered slightly as she took him in. "Are you alright?"

It was a struggle to hold himself together. "I, um, I got home. I heard that you called Robbie directly, thank you for doing that."

Dove nodded fervently. "He was suspicious of us at first, but when I explained we got his number from Ahnjong he listened. He promised us he'd go direct to your stepdad with the message. He did go, right?"

"Yes, but..." Jungkook shifted uncomfortably. He could feel both pairs of eyes on him. "But my stepdad..." What if they didn't believe him?

"You're not just here to thank us, are you?" Dove frowned.

"It'll sound crazy. My stepdad. I couldn't stay with him. He's..."

"Spit it out, Kook," Soobin prompted softly.

Jungkook shut his eyes. "He has a crush on me. I couldn't stay with him. I ran away from home."

The silence was so intense that he thought he might be able to hear Naomi in the next flat.

"That's why you came here in slippers, huh," Soobin remarked.

"I didn't know where else to go," Jungkook said, unable to open his eyes and face them. "He's hired a hitman to go after the people who took me, and they're all gonna be looking for me. And I thought, since neither group knows you two, I thought..."

"Does anyone else know you came here?" Dove said rapidly.

"No, no," Jungkook opened his eyes, saw the worry on her face. "I walked here, I haven't told anyone, I just asked a couple people on the street for directions. I didn't even know your exact address. But I can go if-"

"No. Stay." Soobin interrupted. "You can stay here tonight. Can't he?"

Dove thought about it, then nodded. "We can put you up on the couch."

Jungkook felt a huge sob of relief choke his throat. He put his head in his hands, hardly believing it was true. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you-

He heard shuffling around him, a murmur from Dove, then arms encircled him from both sides.

"We'll help you figure this out, okay?" Dove rubbed his upper back, her voice pitched soft. Soobin's arms sandwiched Jungkook between them. The physical relief of the hug surpassed even the mental relief of their offer. He felt it on a cellular level. "Thank you," he breathed out, his body grumbling but soothed when they seperated.

"You're going to have to fill us in on a lot," Dove warned him, reclaiming her side of the couch. "I've been wondering what 'serious as Genevieve Page' means all week."

"I'll crack out the icecream," Soobin decided.

"Do you want a drink?" Dove nodded. "Or to use the bathroom first?"

Their bathroom was practically a cupboard, but it was clean and bright. As Jungkook dried his hands on the towel, he took a glance at himself in the mirror. He looked dishevelled and wiped out. He heard Soobin's protest from the kitchen. "Eww, Dove! Why are there two cartons of mint choc chip?"

"There's vanilla back left. Pop some toast on for him too, love?"

"Kook, mint icecream or vanilla?" Soobin called as Jungkook exited the bathroom. "I will judge you!"

"Umm.."

Soobin heaved a laboured sigh. "Not another one. I'm doing you toast too. Come and grab a drink if you like."

A few minutes later, Jungkook was reinstalled on the couch, wolfing down the toast like they were going to take it from him. He balanced the bowl of icecream on the cushion on his lap and tried not to shovel it in too. Dove had been fidgeting in her seat, poking at her icecream while he ate, and he could see she was trying to be patient.

"My stepdad's business involves animal testing," he said, after he'd swallowed the first mouthful of glorious mint choc chip. "A group of vigilantes want to bring the business down. They grabbed me on my way to school."

"Woah, okay," Dove said. "How long was this before you met the guys at the club?"

Jungkook dug in for another spoonful. "They are the guys at the club."

"The vigilantes took you clubbing?" Soobin cocked his head.

"It's complicated. I already knew them online. We were... getting to know eachother I guess. I had a crush on them, but I didn't know they were dating eachother or that they liked me to that extent. And because it was online, they didn't know my name, or even what I fully looked like."

"So you were kidnapped by... polyamorous vigilantes, who hate your stepdad but love you, but didn't know you're your stepdad's stepson?" Soobin summarised.

Jungkook nodded, reaching out for his glass of water, aware that Dove and Soobin were making eye contact over his head. "When they found out it was me, I guess they thought they'd still use me to threaten my stepdad, to bring down his business, but that we'd all keep building on our relationship. That's why we were at the club."

"And that's why you knew they were going to take you to the hotel last night," Dove nodded, understanding. "Damn. I thought it was an abusive boyfriend situation, but nothing like this!"

"I didn't even know what was going on," Soobin admitted.

"So I got rescued, thanks to you two and Robbie," Jungkook continued. "But I didn't think my stepdad would... He sort of worked out that I had a relationship with them, and that's why he's hired the hitman to go after the vigilantes."

"This is all sorts of messed up." Dove shook her head. "So you left home."

Jungkook nodded. "My stepdad's never hurt me, but I think he's... jealous? I don't think he'll let me go. And if Ki- if the vigilantes find me, they won't let me go either. I remembered Soobin saying you lived two blocks from the club, so I just...hoped."

"At least the vigilantes think you're still with your stepdad," Soobin reasoned. "So it's only him you need to worry about."

"Um, well..." Jungkook set the icecream aside in favour of hugging the cushion a little closer to his stomach. "I contacted the vigilantes a few hours ago."

He saw pure bewilderment on their faces, and guilt welled in his stomach. "I thought I heard a gunshot at the hotel, when my stepdad came to rescue me. I was scared they'd got hurt, or that they'd hurt someone else and got arrested." When their expressions didn't alter he added lamely, "my stepdad's psychologist says I have Stockhom Syndrome."

"That sounds like the King Kong of understatements." Dove grimaced.

"Is that why you haven't gone to the police?" Soobin propped his elbow on the armrest, leaning his temple on his fist.

"I thought my stepdad, might bribe them. He's a multi-millionaire."

"Or your vigilantes could know a corrupt cop or two," Dove nodded. "So what is your plan?"

Jungkook held his palms out defeatedly. He didn't have a plan in him, especially now that the central heating was on full blast, and he was safe and comfortable and fed.

"You're worn out," Dove decided. "If no-one else knows you're here, why don't you just rest. Soobin and I can clear off to the bedroom. We'll all put our heads together when we get home tomorrow evening, okay?"

Jungkook nodded. He would never be able to repay them for this.

They set him up with a sheet to lie on, a blanket to wrap round himself and a pillowcase to stuff a couple of cushions in. He had to curl his legs in slightly to fit on the couch, but his mind and body didn't care. He heard Soobin washing up the icecream bowls, then they wished him goodnight.

"...poor sweetheart..." he heard a moment later after their bedroom door had closed. Dove.

"Shh, he'll hear you!"

Dove lowered her voice, but Jungkook could just about make her out. "You don't mind... tomorrow night in? He needs..."

He couldn't quite catch the start of Soobin's response. "... should I be worried? He's totally your type."

"Um, excuse me. He's your bi awakening!"

"Oh. True."

"Plus... crush on his kidnappers still... And he's traumatised."

"...just so you know, you're the only one who's my type nowadays."

"Just so you know, it's mutual."

Jungkook heard them kissing after that, and quickly pressed the makeshift pillow over his exposed ear, cheeks hot. He shouldn't have listened in. Well, he hadn't been trying to, they were just unaware of how painfully thin their walls were. They got quiet after that and occasional traffic sounds gave way to the creaks and moans of the old building. He thought he might lie awake all night wanting Jin again, but he was exhausted, and he felt himself slip away with Dove and Soobin's blanket wrapped tight over his shoulders.

He was woken by them shuffling around in the bedroom the next morning. For half an instant his arms reached out subsconsciously for Jin, but his memory kicked in before panic did. He hurried to fold up the bedclothes neatly, his legs complaining, feet sore, neck stiff.

Dove popped her head into the livingroom first, wearing a dressing gown, her hair wrapped in a silk scarf. "You okay with scrambled eggs and grapefruit?"

"Can I help?"

"No, no, you're the guest, I'll bring it through." She yawned and smiled at him warmly.

Soobin wandered into the livingroom next, dressed sharp like yesterday, his face rumpled with sleep. He dropped his brown satchel near the armchair and flopped back. "Morning, Kook. You look less like the living dead, so that's a plus. Are you waiting in for us? I'll stick Netflix on for you." He didn't stay long, practically inhaling his breakfast, before grabbing his satchel. Dove set her grapefruit aside and pulled him down to kissable height, fixing his crooked tie in the process.

"Team talk tonight!" Soobin pointed at Jungkook as he hurried out the door.

Jungkook pleaded to do the washing up and Dove relented. He carefully carried their breakfast things into the kitchen and filled the basin, glad he could make himself even a little useful.

Dove had chosen a pastel pink blazer and faded skinny jeans today. "I'll lock you in, but there's a spare key hanging in the first kitchen cupboard." She said. "If you do leave, please lock up and put the key through the letterbox. But we'd rather you stayed. Use our toiletries if you need to shower. Grab yourself something for lunch." She smiled, paused. "And don't call any vigilantes from my flat, alright?"

Jungkook nodded urgently. He'd been thinking about how trustworthy they seemed, and hadn't considered that they were trusting him too.

"I'll pick up a toothbrush on my way home," Dove said. "See you this evening."

Hearing the jangle of the front door lock made him nervy and he couldn't help but check the first kitchen cupboard. The single key hanging on a hook reassured him, and he berated himself for his flash of doubt. A shower was a good idea. He was pretty rancid after yesterday.

He gargled mouthwash, then wrenched on the ancient taps in the shower. After a rumbling belch and a trickle of water, it came on full force. Once he had it under control, he borrowed some of their shower gel and shampoo, mindful of their supplies. When he'd finished, he wrapped himself up and padded back through to the livingroom. It was strangely freeing to be alone. It allowed him time to think.

It felt rude to enter their bedroom, but he wandered around the livingroom and the hallway, examining the photos they had displayed. They had a family shot each. Soobin appeared to be an only child to affluent looking parents, while Dove seemed to come from a family of seven. Most of their photos were of them and their friends. Two photos in particular caught Jungkook's interest. He guessed it was Comic Con, because they and their friends were all in fancy dress. In one photo, Dove had her hair in thick bunches and wore a navy suit and grey contacts. Soobin's contacts were blue and his wig white, and he wore a white v-neck over a blue turtleneck. In the other photo, Dove wore a pale blue crop top and matching skirt revealing her flat stomach. She had a gold triangle earring, a gold arm bracelet, a fake plastic jewel necklace and a long silvery-white wig. There was blue face paint under one eye. Soobin looked especially amusing in round wire-rimmed glasses, a gingery brown floppy wig, huge red bow tie, and an open mustard waistcoast over a baggy-sleeved shirt. Even through the photo, their happiness was contagious.

After he'd dressed in yesterday's clothes, he crossed to the livingroom window. The view was of a communal garden below. A limp washing line and a few bins. Beyond, he could see the road in between the flats on the other side of the block.

With nothing else for it, he supposed he'd improve his TV viewing average. He stuck a Netflix movie on, tucked his knees up on the couch.

His mind drifted to Kim's Six pretty quickly. Kim's Six had a sense of reality that overpowered everything else. A touch of folie a deux, maybe, but for six. To them, Apexi Research and Julian were pure evil. Their own actions, their own murders, those were justified, logical, compassionate. They'd formed a deep attachment with Jungkook over the past months, and they felt like he'd settled in. Because they had a strong sense that he belonged, they couldn't fathom anything else. His escape had hurt them, had shocked him, and he knew that his refusal to return had only made things worse. As they saw it, he was already one of them. Kim's Seven.

The hard part was that he felt it too. Some of the best moments in his life had been last week. Just as Soobin had told Dove that she was his only type last night, Jungkook couldn't imagine being sexually attracted to anyone who wasn't Kim's Six. He wanted Namjoon to put his hands on him. He wanted a second, much more profound, kiss with Yoongi. He wanted to hear what happened to Tae's deep tones when he got flustered. He wanted to prove to Jimin how much he cared for him. He wanted to see Hobi with his long hair splayed out on a pillow. He wanted... he wanted Jin so badly. His body craved Jin.

He grabbed a cushion to hug to his chest. That wasn't Stockholm Syndrome was it? The emotional part yes, but not the way his body had been wiring itself towards them for months. If only he'd stay, they'd fulfil every fantasy he'd ever had. They'd protect him and adore him and give him as many hugs as he wanted.

But if he didn't want to stay, then they'd hunt him down. They couldn't respect where his head was at. Which meant that they didn't love him as much as they thought they did, right?

He went through three more movies and a sandwich before Dove came home.

"Toothbrush, boxers, socks," Dove announced cheerfully, tossing each onto the couch beside him. "What're you watching?"

"I don't know," Jungkook admitted, checking for the title. "That was really thoughtful, you didn't-"

"They're from the Pound Shop, don't thank me too much," Dove grinned. "I was passing it on the way home from uni. How're you feeling?"

"Better." Jungkook wondered if the purchases meant that they were inviting him to stay for longer. He'd assumed he was welcome to sleep here tonight again, but he wasn't sure about after that.

"I'm going to do a little dinner prep, then I'll come through, okay?"

"Can I help you?"

"If you like."

She got him to cut plantain into two centimetre slices, then they placed the slices in a bowl, put water and salt in and tossed them.

"We'll fry them in about an hour," Dove said. "The salt brings the flavour out. So... what did 'serious as Genevieve Page' mean? Have they killed people, your vigilantes?"

Jungkook nodded. "Um, they killed Genevieve Page."

Dove's eyes and mouth popped open simultaneously. "You're kidding."

Jungkook shook his head.

"They threw her off that cliff?"

"Well, just one of them did," Jungkook said. "He says she was guilty."

"Oh, she was guilty alright," Dove said. "Everyone knows it. But damn... to be able to take the life of another human with your own two hands," she shuddered. "You must have been petrified."

"They wouldn't kill good people," Jungkook protested. "They're not like her."

"Hmm," Dove leaned back against her kitchen counter. "But I saw how scared you were at the club. I wasn't wrong, was I?"

No she hadn't been wrong.

Dove showed him how to fry and flip the plantain while she supervised the rice and green beans. Jungkook couldn't help but think that Yoongi would be proud as he set each golden brown slice onto frying paper.

"Yesss, plantain is the best!" Soobin cheered when he got home and saw their handiwork. His tie was askew again.

"I think you'll find that the chefs are the best," Dove poked him playfully. "Go get changed, we'll plate this up."

Half-way through dinner he plucked up the courage to ask how long they'd been together.

"Almost ten months," Soobin said. "We met at an anime convention last summer."

"Oh, I saw some of the pictures."

"The HunterxHunter and Atlantis ones were from other conventions," Dove grinned. "My ex is in all the photos from our first Con and he doesn't deserve to be on our wall."

"We only moved in together quite recently," Soobin said, stabbing three plantain at once. "Tell him about our twelve year plan, Dove."

"That's what we call it," Dove nodded. "Soobin works full time, pays the rent, pays my uni fees. I work part time to cover the bills. I'm studying Accounting and Finance at LSE."

"Maths," Soobin pulled a sick face.

"He loves it," Dove rolled her eyes, amused. "He never has to do the household finances. The idea is that once I've graduated and secured a good job, I'll take over the rent and Soobin's uni fees. He'll switch to part-time work and full time uni."

"Our parents aren't the greatest fans of the twelve year plan," Soobin added. "They think we're too young. And my parents aren't best pleased that I'm not at uni now."

"They weren't best pleased with me in general," Dove amended. "Kind of got the impression they'd planned for him to do uni, get the job then marry a white girl."

"But that's not fair!" Jungkook's jaw slackened in protest.

"At least I'm female," Dove shook her head in amusement. "Can't even imagine if he was dating a guy."

"They're getting slightly better," Soobin's thick brows furrowed, "right?"

"Yeah, we're wearing them down," Dove smiled at him fondly. "And Soobin's uncle did give him the job, which made all this possible."

Soobin nodded. "Did we warn you that we're oversharers?"

"It's fine," Jungkook said shyly. "I guess I've been doing the same."

"Tell him about Genevieve Page," Dove prompted him, jabbing a couple of green beans.

Soobin's eyebrows waggled while Jungkook repeated what he'd told Dove. "Damn... I mean, it's kind of good they killed her though, right?"

"Soobin!" Dove hissed urgently.

"Well he might have saved more teenagers from getting murdered?"

"True," Dove relented. "But what if the next person they kill is actually innocent? And they're a little more like Genevieve Page than they want to admit. They did snatch a highschool senior off the street after all."

She was right, and that was hard to think about. Jungkook crossed his arms over his chest and rubbed at his upper arms.

"Hey," Dove said, catching his attention. "You got away from them. You did that."

"Some of the staff helped me," Jungkook shook his head, rubbing his arms harder. "And if you hadn't helped me-"

"You want another hug?" Soobin offered quietly. Jungkook had to fight not to nod too rapidly.

They set dinner aside and bundled in on either side of him. The relief was immeasurable, the sensation of warmth and touch settling all his anxiety.

"You know... I went my whole life not being hugged," he muttered. "And I was used to it. I don't know why its so hard now."

"Maybe it's the Stockholm," Dove suggested, her hand cupping the back of his head gently, forehead pressing against his cheek.

"I'm not sure its Stockholm, actually" Soobin mumbled, from where he'd bent to press his head into Jungkook's shoulder. "Been thinking about it. Isn't Stockholm about aligning yourself with your captor? Like, taking their side?"

"He has a lot of positive and protective instincts towards them," Dove pointed out. "He's even avoided telling us their names."

"Yeah, but maybe that was mostly borne from the online dating part? I'd like to know their names though. Give them a google."

Jungkook bit his lip.

"What are you thinking of doing, Jungkook?" Dove asked. "Sounds like you need to leave London. We can help you with a bus or train ticket. Do you have anyone you can stay with?"

Jungkook shook his head. "I don't know what jobs I could get while I'm still seventeen. And I don't have ID and I haven't even sat my finals yet..."

"So they snuck you into Bidar?" Dove leaned back to get another look at him.

"Are either group going to stop looking for you if you do leave London?" Soobin asked.

No. Jungkook knew they wouldn't. "And one of the vigilantes is a hacker," he said quietly. "I don't know how he good he is. But I'm scared of what he can access. And they know how I think. I'm scared they'll be able to predict my next move-"

"We're going to have to think about this more," Dove twisted her mouth. "You can sit tight here in the flat for a few days if that helps."

"Hey, you know what we could do?" Soobin said suddenly.

They turned to look at him.

"We can play Catan! Three players!"

Dove threw a cushion at him. "I thought you had a good idea, you doofus."

"Playing Catan is a great idea. We can exercise our strategic minds."

It felt good to switch off for the evening. Jungkook could feel himself finally relaxing. Dove and Soobin were good fun, and he even made them laugh a few times. They trounced him soundly at Catan.

Dove had work for a few hours on Saturday morning, and he and Soobin chilled and played Xbox. Then they made him play Warhammer with little figurines. It felt like they were getting used to his presence too. Soobin cracked silly canned lines more often, and the worst ones made Dove wheeze as though her ribs were being sawed.

He heard them having sex on Saturday night, even though they were trying to be quiet. His face flamed, and he crammed his makeshift pillow against his ear.

They tried to persuade him to leave the house on Sunday morning for a jog round the nearest park. Jungkook declined. He was safe here. Kim's Six and Julian had no way of finding him if he just stayed here. Plus, if last night had told him anything, it was that they weren't getting much alone time with him in the flat.

He made lunch for them, and Soobin regaled them with Reddit posts. When he got onto tales of injustices, Jungkook couldn't help but think of how Kim's Seven would have responded to each one, how many cruel people they would have hurt or shamed, how many wrongs they would have righted. Perhaps Dove sensed where his head was at, because she gently nudged Soobin onto another subreddit.

They chatted about Jungkook's dilemma on Sunday night again, but got no further forward. They were keen to know more about the vigilantes, but he was sparse with those details. He trusted them, but he was scared they'd google names and something would ping on Hobi's computer.

They were back to work and uni on Monday, and Jungkook felt himself free-floating through his day. He knew he needed to work on a plan, he knew that with each day that passed, Julian, Indy and Kim's Six were only going to be more mad at him. But it was easier to push that to the back of his head and luxuriate in the safety of the flat. Whenever he did consider working on a plan, his creativity became instantly anaemic. He enjoyed the long stretch of hours when he was alone, but couldn't help get a little excited when they came home too, hurrying to help make dinner or fetch things for them, even when they reminded him that he was the guest.

Then Tuesday rolled round, and he was fixated on the Twitch stream all day and broke and told them about it when they got home.

"You know, curiosity is a wonderful thing, but not nearly as wonderful as self-preservation," Dove remarked, as Soobin booted up their shared laptop.

"Jungkook says he's a well known YouTuber. He's gonna get new views every day, he'd not gonna notice me dropping in.." Soobin wheedled.

Jungkook was so scared to drop Jimin's name, but he was craving to know what was happening, whether they'd come on Twitch tonight.

Dove still looked concerned.

"I could check up on the internet celebrities I'm following on Twitter, do some browsing, one click leads to another, you know?" Soobin said. "If I happen to find one that catches my eye, and he happens to have a Twitch stream on, its not going to flag up as odd if I decide to watch, is it? Dove, we gotta."

Dove was clearly tempted and it didn't take long for her to relent. "Okay, but you keep the mindset of Soobin-who-doesn't-have-Jungkook-in-his-house, okay? Don't click out of anything suddenly, don't make any leaps that you wouldn't make naturally."

Soobin saluted. "I'll chill on Twitter for an hour, follow some more internet people first. So who is he?"

"You mustn't tell anyone," Jungkook swallowed. "I don't want to hurt him."

"Okay," Soobin said.

Dove was slower. "Okay, unless telling would save your life, we won't."

"His name is Jimin, he goes by Minnie's-"

"Are you kidding?" Dove's face was a picture. "I have The Jimin Palate 002! Jimin's lovely!"

"He is, he is," Jungkook said. "That's why you mustn't tell anyone."

"I haven't watched much YouTube lately," Dove said, still stunned. "But I'm definitely subscribed to him."

"Even better for us," Soobin pointed out.

Jungkook sat near Soobin, but was afraid to crane his head towards the screen, afraid to know. Soobin's brow furrowed as he clicked and scrolled. Dove was supposed to be studying for an exam, but from time to time she'd come over and lean over Soobin's shoulder.

"Okay," Soobin said finally. "I've found you, Jungkook. NochuASMR right?"

Jungkook nodded dumbly.

"How did you-" Dove hurried over.

"You can tell its him from the eyes-" Soobin pointed at the screen. "And that aside, there's a bunch of conspiracy theories running rampant. There was some YouTube awards event at the hotel. Kook was there as Nochu and a whole roomful of people saw him run out of the room, then some kind of security incident in the lobby, which I'm guessing was him escaping. Meanwhile Jimin's on stage accepting an award and acting a little off. Look, here's a clip."

"I'm blown away!" the initial joy in Jimin's voice made Jungkook want to cry. He didn't dare look at the screen. "I'm- I- I- my words have run away with me. The've run away, they've got away from me- I guess I should hurry up and think of something, right? Let me just say that I'll.. I'll never forget this moment. Thank you."

Soobin looked at Dove significantly as applause rang tinny through the laptop speakers. "That's blatantly him referring to Jungkook running away. Seems like there were a lot of rumours that Jimin and Jungkook were dating, and they think maybe Jungkook broke up with him in the middle of his speech. And to make matters weirder, you can't see it well in this shot, but a few YouTubers cameras picked up this other YouTube guy hurrying after Kook. Tony Gwan?"

"Oh yeah, he's about the biggest British makeup guru on YouTube," Dove nodded. "I don't like the vibes he gives off though."

"Well some of the rumours propose that there's some kind of love triangle going on. Weirder still, Tony Gwan hasn't spoken about it and he usually loves a scandal. Although he is also in the middle of cheating allegations, with a barely legal fan too."

"Ew," Dove said.

"You didn't say you're kinda famous in your own right," Soobin glanced at Jungkook.

Jungkook chuckled hoarsely. "I had less than five thousand Twitter followers and less than twenty thousand YouTube subscribers."

"Oh." Soobin blinked at the screen. "You know its gone up... quite a lot, right? Like kind of significantly a lot?"

It was Jungkook's dream towards the start of the year. Now he knew he could never use those accounts again. Both might as well have been on zero.

"Are you sure you want to check out the Twitch stream?" Dove said softly.

Jungkook nodded, grinding his fists into the sofa. "7:30 is when we all come on and join Jimin," he whispered.

Soobin joined the stream at 7:15pm.

"-And that's my take on GlitterGuru39, sorry not sorry," Jimin chirped. "If you don't have a shred of integrity, then your viewers are going to notice."

Hearing Jimin's voice stung Jungkook's heart. He sounded so normal too, like nothing had happened.

"I'm going to introduce the boys to Minecraft today," Jimin said abruptly, probably answering a chat question. "Yeah, I said before, Nochu and Tae aren't feeling well, it's just the five of us. I'm taking bets on who's going to complain that its all squares first. Who do you guys suspect? Jin? Hmm, yeah, I could see Yoongi being initially unimpressed. But he's gonna get so into it.... "

Dove rounded the couch to sit on Soobin's other side and watch. Jungkook was still scared to see Jimin's face.

Jimin changed topic, and Jungkook tried to steady himself, but a short while later, they were coming on.

"Hi Jay!" Jimin cheered. "You're first in."

"We're a bit thin on the ground tonight, I hear, I thought I'd better be punctual," Hobi joked. "Hey Jimin's chat!"

For a moment, Jungkook imagined joining them. But he couldn't. Hobi would absolutely know how to find him then.

Namjoon was in next. "How's your evening going, RM?" Jimin breezed. "And are you proud that you aren't last in tonight?"

"Well that depends, who did I beat?"

"Jin and Yoongi."

"Then I'll take it."

"They sound like really normal people," Soobin observed, pursing his mouth into a bud.

"What were you expecting?" Dove leaned into him.

"I dunno. A parental advisory warning or something."

Their voices hit Jungkook's bloodstream, equal parts fear and longing.

"Evening, all," Yoongi said a moment later. "What did I miss?"

"Jay Hope and RM displaying excellent timekeeping," Jimin giggled. Jungkook tried to listen to see if it sounded forced, but he couldn't detect anything.

"Sorry, Jimin, I'm here," Jin said. At the sound of Jin's voice, Jungkook felt his eyes well up. Dove noticed and stretched out to tug him into their huddle. Soobin slung an arm over his shoulder and squeezed.

"Hey Jin!" Jimin said. He was too happy, Jungkook realised, he was overcompensating. "Well, we're all in, let's take on the world of Minecraft."

"Oof, chat's really going for him now.." Soobin breathed, and now that he was closer to the screen, Jungkook couldn't help but look.

laraoleysi: Address what theyre saying on twt

sarahhempsworth11: Where is Nochu

xJiminsbiggestfanevax: Jimin don't hide from this

fxrica: what happnd wi Nochu

oscar_knows_you: Jimin I love you so much, please just tell us

lazar.jahan: y is he pretending everythings ok w/Nochu

luxyxarmichael: buzzing for minecraft

siddhi_g45: You need to address this Jimin!

billyjohn03: Jimin have you seen twitter

Chat was on fire. "There were plenty of people asking when I joined," Soobin observed, "but there's no way he can't address it now..."

Indeed, Jimin had paused.

"What's Minecraft?" Hobi said, as if he didn't know.

"Okay, look, can we have some chill in the chat please," Jimin said. "I'll talk about Nochu while we're booting the game up. There's no big conspiracy. You know Twitter loves to blow everything out of proportion. Nochu isn't well, okay. It's nothing dramatic - he doesn't have cancer, its not meningitis or the plague he's just not well, like we all take unwell sometimes."

"Oh yeah, I heard he fell ill at some YouTube event you both went to?" Namjoon prompted.

"Yeah, I was really worried about him. He thought he was gonna vomit and he bolted from the room. It's a viral infection or something. He's on the mend, he just doesn't wanna throw up on Twitch tonight, you know?"

"He'll be back next week, chat, in fact, Tae should be over his cold then too," Yoongi said. "We'll be a seven on the next one."

"Let's all wish them a big get well soon!" Hobi said. "Take care, Tae, take care, Noch!"

"My best boys, can't wait till we're all back together!" Jimin cooed.

"We'll see you soon," Namjoon said, and Jungkook felt like Namjoon was speaking directly into his ear.

"We're gonna really miss you tonight," Jin said, and Jungkook couldn't help the tears spill down his cheeks.

7175_mai: Aww poor Noch!

ranya882: can't wait till all 7 are back together!!!

jaymielangton4: Omg so glad theyr ok

josie_loves_jimin: GET WELL SOON NOCHU AND TAY

artieprince98: Thanks for addressing this Jimin

GaryGreatness101: Jimin I don't buy it...

Mollymakesslime: This is y ppl shdnt RT rumours

brenda_nasari99: get well soon Nochuuuuu

queen_olivia_rules: Get better soon Nochu bby! And Tae too!

"Put your headphones in, Soob," Dove murmured. "Come on, Kook, this isn't good for you. Help me with my flash cards?"

The distraction was good, but that night he couldn't sleep, lay staring at the ceiling, listening to the little creaks of the building. Wednesday and Thursday, his only instinct was to stay hidden, to never leave the tiny flat ever again.

"Why don't you come out with us tonight?" Soobin said on Friday morning. "We can skip clubbing and go to a little restaurant?"

"It would be good practice for going out," Dove encouraged him.

He hadn't left the flat in a week and the thought laced him with terror. "It's okay," he said quietly. "You guys have a good time."

They weren't pleased, but they seemed wary of pushing him.

"Okay, well after I've done my short shift tomorrow morning, we're going to go to the shops," Dove said. "I want you to come with us. It'll be daylight, there'll be lots of people around, no one's going to be looking for you at the shops."

Jungkook had given a small smile like he'd think about it, but he already knew he'd rather superglue himself to the flat. It felt a little lonely not having their company in the evening, but he knew he'd made the right choice not to go out.

He was half asleep when they came home at one or two in the morning. They were creeping in with all the subtlety of two people who'd been drinking, and it was the amount of noise they made that prevented him from being afraid it was someone else.

"He'll be asleep, shh!" Dove warned Soobin noisily, right ouside the livingroom door.

"You shh!" Soobin rejoined.

They stumbled and shuffled into their bedroom and Jungkook heard them close the door.

"Okay, hear me out," Dove said, a failed attempt at whispering. "I really like him. I really do, okay?"

"Shhhhhhhh," Soobin said, twice as noisy.

"He's sleeping. What I'm trying to say is that we could be friends for life. He's the sweetest, and he's really funny when he gets going, and he's good at Warhammer, though his Catan needs a bit of work-"

"I agree. But what?"

"But there's no privacy..."

Jungkook felt his heart seize and he tightened his blanket around his shoulders.

"This flat is small for one person," Dove continued. "And there's... three of us right now. And we just started living together, we're not ready for the commitment of looking after someone..."

"Yeah, I know," Soobin sounded like he was sobering up. "I just don't see what his options are, and we're not letting him go if he doesn't have somewhere to go to."

"I agree, definitely, he could stay another three weeks if we had a plan after that. But the problem is that we don't have a plan for after that. Even when he turns eighteen, which let me remind you is September, he still doesn't have ID and he still has all these people hunting for him. We need a plan for him, Soob."

"I could ask my parents for a loan," Soobin said reluctantly. "But even if they helped, they're not millionaires. We can't pay rent or hotel bills forever."

"Do you think... do you think the police would help?" Dove hesitated. "If he says his stepdad's a pervert, surely they'd set him up with Male Refuge or something? Then we could see him, and have him over for dinner..."

"I've thought about what we could do with a million pounds," Soobin said. "For starters, our twelve year plan would be a six year plan. Or even shorter."

"As if you'd betray him."

"I would never. But I did think about what I'd do with the money. Can you imagine what another person, with no personal investment in his happiness, would do if they had a million pounds? It's far too risky."

"I have cousins in Manchester," Dove said. "But none of them have businesses, and there isn't a big Korean population in Manchester, he'd be noticeable."

"That's not the answer.." Soobin said. "But I don't know what is. I just think for now, he has to stay here."

"I know, I agree," Dove said despondantly. "If we had a bigger house I'd adopt him in a minute."

Jungkook chewed furiously on his lip. He was burdening them. He'd known he was, of course, but he'd been ignoring it. It wasn't fair on them, even though he was deeply comforted to hear that they liked him, and wouldn't throw him out. But he was going to have to leave. He couldn't afford to blank everything out. He needed a job. Could he work online? Start a new ASMR channel where he didn't speak or show himself at all and hope that it took off? But his current one had taken off specifically because of Jimin... He could try to see if someone was looking for a flatmate who would do all the cleaning and cooking and things like that? Like a live-in butler? But how would be find such a person? And he was hardly skilled in any of those areas..

He couldn't wait for the answer to come to him, he had to make something happen.

And the first step was leaving the flat.

Dove and Soobin were pleasantly surprised when he agreed to go to their local shopping centre with them on Saturday morning.

"I have one really pinchy pair of trainers," Soobin volunteered, "I'm at least a size bigger than you, so I reckon they'll do."

They did. Jungkook felt like he was entering another reality as he finally stepped out into the cool of the landing, casting wistful glances at Soobin and Dove's hallway before they took to the stairs.

Their car was an old banger, but Dove seemed to know how to handle it. Jungkook held his hands in his lap in the back seat, as Soobin goofed off to the radio and Dove negotiated the traffic. London was ever changing, and he almost believed that in a week, he'd entered a new reality.

"That's the third time you've looked out the back window," Dove warned him as she turned a corner.

"Oh. Sorry."

He stuck close to them when they parked up, paid the meter and walked into the shopping centre. His eyes pinballed back and forth as he trailed them into a clothes shop and even though they'd encouraged him to browse, he waited outside the changing rooms for them like a sentry. The shop mannequins watched him sightlessly.

His nerves settled a little as they moved to another shop and nothing happened.

"Feeling better?" Dove smiled at him while Soobin purchased a toy for his little cousin's birthday. "You actually moved up the aisle ahead of us this time!"

He nodded.

"Okay," Dove nodded. "Next shop, how about you don't walk with us, we'll meet you at the entrance, and you can see how you feel?"

He didn't want to, but he nodded again, valiantly. If he couldn't do this, he'd never be able to move out.

"You've got this, Kook," she winked at him. "I feel like a proud mum."

He did check over his shoulder a few times in the stationery shop, he couldn't help it, but he avoided Dove and Soobin whenever he saw them, and they were already waiting for him at the entrance when he came to join them.

"Here's a plan, then," Soobin said. "We're going to Boots then Marks then the Disney Store. We'll meet up at the food court in about an hour and grab McDonalds."

"KFC," Dove countered.

"Hmm, maybe. Why don't you have a wander around and meet us for lunch?"

"Okay," Jungkook agreed. There were security guards, there were shoppers everywhere, everything was bright, and bustling and safe and contained. He could do it.

"Here," Dove held out a ten pound note. "Maybe it'll make shopping a little less boring."

He thanked her, and made a point of walking in the opposite direction from them. The tenner was heavy in his hand and he zipped it into his pocket. Maybe he should buy someting for Dove and Soobin to say thank you? But then, it was their money. Maybe they'd rather have it back if he wasn't going to spend it on himself.

He noticed a card shop and wandered in. He could buy them a card, they might not think that was a waste of their money if he wrote something heartfelt on it.

It was struggle to find 'Thank you' amongst all the 'Happy Birthday's. He scanned the selection.

Maybe he could get a card for Kim's Six too? He was pretty sure he could have their address down with a quick google. He could post it when he left the area. He wasn't sure where the 'Thanks-for-the-Stockholm-and-for-making-me-fall-for-you' subsection was.

Maybe he should send Julian a card when he left the area too? Karisha had asked him to contact Julian. No matter what had happened, Julian still hadn't hurt him, was still his family, had still done so much for him...

Maybe the whole thing was a bad idea. He mustn't take risks. He dug his tongue into his cheek. He'd think about it. Maybe he should just buy Dove and Soobin some chocolate and forget about the rest of it.

He walked out of the card shop. Further down to his left he noticed a sign for what looked like a tattoo and piercing shop, and he was drawn to it.

One window focused on sample tattoo designs, but the piercings attracted his attention most.

He could just about see himself in the window's reflection, and he took a good look at the moon earrings, before focusing back in on the display. It's not like he could afford a second piercing session right now, but he could imagine what he might go for next.

Getting a star beside his moons would be too cheesy, wouldn't it? He could get a little stud.. but would it sit within the crescent of the moon or on the opposite side? What about a little hoop? Little hoops beside the moons could look cool, make him him look more grown up. Those hoops up towards the back of the display had little stars attached.. were there ones with little moons?

A muscular arm coiled round the small of his waist, enclosing him. Jungkook gasped, looked down at it, felt rigid pressure against his back as wood and pepper aftershave filled his nose. He looked up. Namjoon was like a phantom in the glass reflection, staring into his eyes.

A smoky chuckle rolled up from the base of Namjoon's throat. "Playtime's over, Koo."

Terror and testosterone surrounded them like swamp gas. Jungkook looked down again, at the arm strapping him back against Namjoon. How?

Namjoon's murmur grazed the skin of his ear. "Now, we have two options. Are you going to be good, or are you going to fuss?"

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Author note: Not me on 148 comments for the last chapter!! My mind is blown, which is also my main excuse for not having the brains to get this chap out sooner ;) And another incredibly kind person has boosted my diet coke habit, thank you so much! T.T As always, come chat to me or follow update info on Twitter.

Long awaited K6 POVs are coming back starting from the next chapter! A heads up for this one: we've got action, possibly triggering violence (including multiple character death but not named characters. At a reader’s request I have added an endnote with more specifics for those who have any killing-related triggers) and ‘mild' corporal punishment, but not as mild as the last time. And some definite angst towards the end too. Enjoy!

X-X-X

Namjoon's forearm was muscular and rigid, locking him against Namjoon's front. Jungkook's heart pounded so sick and fast that he was certain Namjoon could feel the vibrations through his back.

"Found him," Namjoon's voice rasped metallic past Jungkook's cheek, pivoting him from the jewellery display, nudging his legs forward. Jungkook's gaze washed left and right across the shoppers before realising that Namjoon must have an earpiece in. The pressure of Namjoon's body rocked him forward while the arm prevented him from tipping over his feet. People drifted around them obliviously, as if in a goldfish bowl.

Had they always known where he was? Or had they had been blufffing on Twitch to smoke him out? They must have stalked Dove and Soobin from the club last night. Must've waited to see if Jungkook would emerge from his safe haven, must've tailed them in the car to the shopping centre. Then spread themselves out so they could pounce on him like a rabbit in a trap.

He valiantly tried to make eye contact with the passing shoppers: the mums pushing prams, the dads chasing their toddlers, the couples laden with bags, the gaggle of pre-teens armed with phones and little else, the elderly woman hobbling and shuffling-

A white man in a crew neck glanced back at him suddenly, a crease appearing on his forehead. His eyes snapped away again when Jungkook tried to reestablish eye contact, and Jungkook strained in Namjoon's arm to-

He inhaled sharply as Namjoon marched them diagonally towards the other side of the concourse past an acrylic nails kiosk, forcing the crew neck guy to either circle all the way around them, or dismiss Jungkook like a flyaway thought.

"Let me answer that question for you, baby boy," Namjoon's warning whipped his ear. "No, you won't fuss. Jimin has been in absolute pieces. We haven't even seen Tae. You've caused this household more than your fair share of trouble, and you won't be causing any more."

The shoppers blurred in Jungkook's peripheries. The way Jimin's tone had turned from joy to horror at the hotel still haunted him. And they hadn't seen Tae in over a week? Was that because of Jungkook? The ferocity in Namjoon's tone made his body pulse with equal guilt and fear, left his heart quaking in his throat, his legs leaden and clumsy, god, he was even hearing imaginary gunshots again-

Namjoon stopped them abruptly and reality shuttered in. Those were gunshots. Real. Coming from somewhere deep in the shopping centre, unmistakable. A beat later, distant glass-shard screams followed them.

Kim's Six were trying to kill Dove and Soobin.

"Report," Namjoon barked as Jungkook wailed and tried to lunge out of his hold. Around him, other shoppers had paused, some slowing, glancing over their shoulders and at eachother, one or two rapidly gathering their children, others continuing on as if nothing had happened.

Jungkook rammed a kick backwards against Namjoon's shin, bucking his head like a battering ram. No, no, no, no, no-

"Hobi?" Namjoon used both arms to contain Jungkook, constricting the breath out of him. Jungkook's mind had reduced to raw static, barely aware of the motion of people around him. If they'd set out to kill Dove and Soobin, there's no way they'd have missed. What had he done, what had he done-

"I have," Namjoon puffed in Jungkook's ear, as an alarm pierced the air and a second bout of pops erupted from a different corner of the shopping centre. People were beginning to hurry, breaking into runs, the panic feverish in its momentum. He strained desperately as Namjoon began to turn them around towards the main exit.

"I'll have to put him in the van first-" Namjoon said, voice tense.

They'd barely taken a step when a large man with pinprick petrified eyes barrelled round the nails kiosk straight towards them. Jungkook saw the man register that they were in his path half a second before Namjoon twisted round to take the impact side on. Unable to swerve, the man careened into Namjoon's shoulder, making all three of them stumble. In that moment, Namjoon's grip loosened.

Jungkook had always been a good sprinter. It was something he'd been grateful for at school. Julian was one of the wealthiest parents, but he could hardly bring Julian up without bringing Soona up too. And besides, he was uncomfortable with the way the other kids were too privileged to realise that they were all rich. He'd made the school running team by his own merit, and it bought him a pass in the battlefield of popularity. He enjoyed running. He averaged a solid third or fourth place in inter-school competitions. Very occasionally, he even won.

He broke free. He heard Namjoon hiss and the guy garble an apology, knocking part of the kiosk over, but he didn't look back. If there was any chance that they hadn't killed Dove or Soobin yet, he had to stop them.

He ran helter-skelter against a growing stampede of shoppers, security guards and retail workers. He raced around abandoned prams, heels, glasses, jackets and spilled bags. A third slew of shots echoed out further ahead, over the alarm, shrieks following soon behind. Jungkook almost tripped as he was jostled by shoulders and elbows, trying to force his way through gaps in an intensifying flow of human traffic heading in the other direction.

"Jungkook!" Namjoon blazed close behind him, and pure liquid terror kicked through Jungkook's bloodstream, forcing him to pound his body all the harder. Boots...the Disney Store... where else had Dove and Soobin said they were going? They'd probably have been at Boots. Was that upstairs or downstairs? He was moving so fast he could barely look at the shops on either side of him. He just had to keep running towards the gunfire.

Then he heard new shots behind him. Much closer than the previous two bouts, but impossible to be from Namjoon. Screams erupted fresh behind him, and his mind derailed as chaos broke out around him. Kim's Six weren't-?

Despite himself, he stalled and looked back.

Namjoon's fists plunged into the shoulders of his hoodie a moment later, violently hauling him over to the nearest shop, Jungkook's borrowed trainers scrabbling uselessly on the ceramic flooring.

Namjoon pressed him up against the glass front of a window display. "I've got him," he panted heavily in Jungkook's ear, one hand putting pressure on Jungkook's galloping chest, bracketing him in with his body. Jungkook could see his clear earpiece and the mic on his collar.

"Who's shooting?" He grabbed at Namjoon's biceps. "Joon, who's shooting? Is it Julian’s hitman?"

"We don't know. Could be terrorist attack. Yoongi has eyes on one." Namjoon's dark gaze turned left, tracing towards the source of the latest shots. Behind him, people were converging on eachother, the tide turning as all those heading for the main exit turned back towards the centre, running back the way they'd came or spilling off into the shops on either side. The alarm was still blaring, barely audible over the pandemonium.

"Come on," Namjoon hauled Jungkook towards him by his scruff and turned him in towards the growing bottleneck at the shop entrance. "We need cover."

Jungkook could feel his world tilting. Could be terrorist attack. "Do you have a gun?" He beseeched, as Namjoon manhandled him in past the rails of clothing, up towards the back and behind a shoe rack with tiered blocks. A lone staff member in a black tee was ushering crowds towards the back of the shop. There was a fire exit up by the changing rooms.

"Hobi and I both have one. He's at the opposite end of the building though," Namjoon's hands came round Jungkook's hips to adjust his position as they crouched down, making sure he was in the centre.

"Are you going to stop them?"

"Oh, so you do approve," Namjoon's eyes keenly surveyed the concourse from his vantage point. It was quickly thinning out as people dispersed wherever they could. "Yeah, we'll try. But you're going safely in the van first, my boy."

Loud frantic hushing swept through the shop. The fire exit was jammed up. It was unclear if someone had fallen on the stairs or if there were just too many people all at once. Some customers gave up on the exit and slipped into the changing rooms to hide. Others hunkered down behind the displays like Namjoon and Jungkook, seeking any cover that they could, sending impassioned stares at those still causing disturbance. A man and wife in matching designer gear were crouched down at the tail end of a long rack of clothes. He was filming on his phone. Two girls in hijabis were cowering at the side of the cashier desk, clutching eachother's hands. A woman with a child who couldn't be more than ten opted to lay down flat behind Namjoon and Jungkook. Perhaps she was hoping that Namjoon, Jungkook and the shoe stand could shield them.

Jungkook felt like he was swallowing fish bones. The alarm cut off abruptly and the fragile silence was interrupted only by the sound of a pair of shoes. They echoed against the ceramic shopping centre floor like a metronome. The shooter was coming.

He jerked abortively when more shots erupted, registering belately that these were from elsewhere in the building.

"Shh," Namjoon murmured in his ear, an arm protective over his shoulders. Jungkook watched Namjoon take a look up towards the ceiling, sizing up the security cameras, before slipping his gun out and keeping it close to his body. Jungkook stared down at it, tried to hold himself perfectly still so he wouldn't disrupt Namjoon's aim. They didn't have a clear view of entire the shop entrance, Namjoon would have to shoot past a few racks of clothes, but Jungkook had faith that Namjoon could do it if he had to.

The shooter's footsteps were reverberating in his head now, louder and louder. If Namjoon did shoot the shooter, everyone here would see, including the man filming. Namjoon could hardly cover his face without being potentially mistaken for a terrorist himself. Please let the shooter walk past. Please let Dove and Soobin and Kim's Six be safe.

And then he saw him, walking past the right display window. Namjoon's hand moved up to his head, keeping it lowered, but Jungkook could still see the man from the tiniest gap between a pair of suade wedges.

He wasn't at all what Jungkook had imagined. He was a white twenty-something, stocky, with home hacked hair, bad skin and a sparse goatee. He wore all black, army boots and what Jungkook guessed was a bulletproof vest. There was a blank expression on his face and a rifle in both hands, which he swung first towards the entrance of the shop across from theirs and then across their entrance. Jungkook could hardly breathe, praying no one else made a sound, Namjoon's hand was firm on his head, waiting, wondering, the silence slicing through the air.

Home hacked went past. Jungkook caught a glimpse of him in the other display window before his view was obscured. Namjoon waited a few beats as they all listened to the sound of the boots marching away, then squeezed his mic clip. "Ours just passed us by," he said in an undertone. "Similar profile to Yoongi's. Do we have eyes on the others?" His steady expression flickered for a moment as one or two of their companions gingerly picked themselves up, faces grey with fear and relief. "Hobi, get back in, hand the kid off to someone. Yoongi, Jimin, hold. I'll come as soon as I can."

"Are they okay? Are they stuck?" Jungkook whispered, ducking his head reflexively when more shots broke out close by, making everyone around them freeze up again. That was from their shooter. Had someone moved or made a sound in one of the other shops further up? Screams and cries ricocheted back down the concourse and the mother behind Jungkook and Namjoon choked back a sob. How many shots had been fired? How many people were injured or killed?

He could see the grim concern on Namjoon's face.

"I'll stay by you," he murmured urgently, clutching at Namjoon's sleeve. "Please. You have to stop them!"

Namjoon shook his head, carefully tucking the gun away, listening out before rising and bringing Jungkook with him, turning him towards the back staff exit. He gestured for the mother and child to go ahead of them, then motioned at the teenagers behind the cashier desk, who were rigid with terror. "I'm not putting you at risk."

"No," Jungkook twisted in Namjoon's grip as the people in the changing rooms decided to make a break for the exit too, people unpicking themselves from their hiding spots and half running, half tip-toeing to the exit. One woman somehow was still carrying four shopping bags on each arm. "If you leave and come back more people are going to die. You're leaving everyone in danger-"

"Shhh," Namjoon hissed in his ear, wrapping his arms back round him. "Settle down."

He was dragging Jungkook towards the back exit. No one else seemed to care, too eager to achieve their own freedom. More shots erupted, distant again, but closer than before. Jungkook felt Namjoon tense up around him, calculating.

"I'll stay by you," he pleaded breathlessly. "Please."

Namjoon stopped pushing him, turned him around and contemplated him. Jungkook made his eyes as big and sincere as possible. He could never forgive himself if Namjoon got back too late to save Jimin or Yoongi or Hobi or Dove or Soobin.

He gasped as Namjoon's hand shot out like a dart, gripping his chin between thumb and forefinger. Namjoon pressed his face in close and Jungkook felt his eyes blow even wider as their noses touched.

Namjoon's voice was deadly, his eyes boring into Jungkook's. "If you dare move one inch from my side-"

Jungkook tried to shake his head to deny it, though Namjoon's grip prevented him from doing so effectively.

"Don't look at the bodies," Namjoon ordered, and Jungkook knew he'd decided. "And don't think that you're not still in deep trouble."

Jungkook tried to nod and Namjoon released his chin to lift his hoodie up over his head and tighten the drawstrings. "Try to keep your head down," he added, adjusting the skip cap on his own head, reaching out to seize Jungkook's wrist.

The concourse was hollow and deserted when they stepped out of the shop. Namjoon took the lead, holding Jungkook slightly behind him by the grip on his wrist. Jungkook glanced back down the concourse to the right and shuddered. He could only see shapes, but there were definitely people lying huddled on the floor. As Namjoon led him on towards the centre, he heard muted moans and cries echoing from one of nearby shops. Adrenaline buzzed in his ears, and he tried to obey Namjoon and resist looking in. It didn't make sense to stop and help. The quicker Kim's Six took the shooters out, the more lives could be salvaged.

He wondered how long it would take the police to arrive. Only a few minutes had passed, but they'd have a terror response team ready to go at all times, wouldn't they? Would they come blazing in? With such a large building, how would they cover all of the angles? Would Kim's Six have successfully eliminated the terrorists by the time they got here?

Namjoon led them from cover to cover, using the central kiosks and displays to inch them closer after their gunman, navigating stewn belongings on the floor, pausing twice when gunfire erupted again. "Sounds like they're coming from four locations, convening in the middle, can anyone confirm?" He murmured at one point into his mic, nodding as he listened to the response before hauling Jungkook onward again. A couple of the shops on either side had shutters half down or fully down, most were opened, undisturbed, pop music playing, bereft of people.

There was a curve in the concourse and Namjoon took it carefully. Jungkook felt fear and determination bleeding together as he caught sight of their shooter again, marching by a water feature with a thin metre-high barrier around it.

His eyes popped when he saw Yoongi creeping around the side of the water feature, timing himself carefully with the stride of the shooter so that he remained unseen. If the man saw Yoongi-

Yoongi had his eyes on them and rapidly gestured. Jungkook barely had time to think before Namjoon had shoved him behind the front entrance of a perfume shop. Namjoon pressed them close together, his finger jammed against Jungkook's lips.

He thought he could hear the drone of a couple of words being exchanged, then Namjoon must have heard Yoongi whisper in his ear and gave Jungkook a significant look before dragging him out, sprinting for Yoongi. As Jungkook kept pace with Namjoon, Yoongi beckoned them vehemently.

There was palpable relief on Yoongi's face when they dropped down by his side. Peeping out over the perimeter of the water feature, Jungkook could see that the length of the concourse continued on, then curved away again, near-identical to their side.

"Don't look at the bodies," Namjoon panted, nudging his head down. There were five or six of them up at the other curve, close enough to tell that they were people, silent and far enough away that he could compartmentalise it. Namjoon's breath was warm on his ear, cupping a hand to seal their connection. "Stay in a crouch. Keep an eye out behind us, huh?"

Jungkook nodded. Being sandwiched between Yoongi and Namjoon was a veneer of safety, but looking over his shoulder at the open expanse of concourse made him gulp.

"We're with Yoongi," Namjoon whispered into his mic.

"You'll have to take two each," Yoongi added quietly. "Two are here now with us. Might keep patrolling this same L shape. The other two are coming from your end. Do you have eyes on?"

He must have been speaking to Hobi.

"Where's Jimin?" Jungkook whispered anxiously, tugging at Yoongi's sleeve. "He's the only other one here, right?"

"Yeah, it's just the four of us," Yoongi nodded. "Jimin's trapped in the furniture shop up there." He pointed. "There's a few customers hiding in there with them. He's staying put since he isn't armed."

Jungkook turned and looked. The furniture shop was a stretch up on the right, the automatic doors open and exposed, a sofa, armchair and a couple of tables pushed up against the entrance to block it.

"But they'll know people are in there-" he said urgently.

"We know, Bun," Yoongi soothed. "We think they're patrolling because they're waiting for the other two. There's quite a lot of people trapped in the shops here. They don't dare run for the exit."

The solitary fire exit was on the left side, not too far from Boots. The sight of Boots made Jungkook's stomach flip. Please let Dove and Soobin already be out.

"Down," Namjoon whispered and Jungkook ducked his head obediently as he heard the thud of footsteps. Namjoon could shoot his two terrorists right now, but maybe he was worried the other two would escape, or run into Hobi who would no longer have the element of surprise.

The sinister footsteps came closer and Jungkook tried to make himself small. Namjoon and Yoongi would protect him, he was sure of it, but...

There was a pause, and Jungkook stopped breathing in case it gave them away, but then the footsteps gradually began to recede from them again.

"Yeah, they're both patrolling," Yoongi whispered into his mic a little while later, before turning his head towards Namjoon. "Floor plan shows that none of these shops have their own fire exit. I think they're baiting people to make a run for it. Then when they've all showed up, they can take their time murdering everyone who's trapped along this stretch."

Jungkook felt cold tendrils of fear coil around his chest at the thought of the massacre they were setting up. He checked behind them, making sure the concourse was still vacant.

"Hobi, position?" Namjoon asked. "Okay. Don't put yourself in danger, but you need to narrow the gap."

"What the hell was he thinking," he whispered to Yoongi, taking his hand off his mic.

"It was just instinct, kid was abandoned and bleeding out, Joon," Yoongi defended. "You were gonna put Jungkook in the van and then come back too."

Namjoon shrugged, as if to concede the point but also argue that Jungkook was an exception. "Down," he uttered a moment later, and Jungkook heard footsteps coming again. He jerked when he heard more shots echoing, figured that they were coming from one of the two that Hobi was tracking, perhaps another shop where people had been hiding. He squeezed his eyes tight, hoping Hobi was being careful.

The footsteps hurried away again, likely to welcome his approaching colleagues. So the four were almost together, ready to perform a pincer movement on this stetch of shops. And Kim's Six were almost ready, to perform a pincer movement of their own. With four armed opponents, it was risky. Jungkook felt an engulfing sense of foreboding-

Namjoon swore under his breath. Jungkook couldn't help but look. A group of about a dozen people were hightailing it out of Boots, streaming for the sole exit Yoongi had pointed out earlier, noisy in their haste.

"The safest way to do this is together, two each," Namjoon said into his mic as Jungkook caught sight of Dove and Soobin among the group. Soobin had blood trailing down his leg and his gait was awkward. One of his arms was round Dove's shoulders. "Give me the signal once you're in place. Don't risk yourself."

"Down," he said a split second later, his fingers barely off the mic as one of the terrorists appeared from round the curve, and began shooting into the Boots group as if it was a video game.

For Jungkook, everything dropped into slow time.

"Shoot him," he hissed to Namjoon, as the first of the Boots group slammed through the exit doors, and the two at the back of the group fell to the ground.

But Namjoon wasn't going to, because he didn't have the signal that Hobi had both sight and cover. He was going to sacrifice the Boots group in order to reduce the risk of Kim's Six being harmed.

A third body fell to the ceramic floor, and Jungkook moved on impulse.

"YAAAAAHHHHH!" He screamed at the top of his voice, sprinting round Yoongi, who snatched at him and missed, making a death run for the only refuge he had a chance to reach, the furniture shop, drawing the shooter to the right side of the concourse, and away from Dove and Soobin's group, forcing Namjoon-

Shards of glass fell like jagged rain from the furniture shop window and he desperately vaulted up over the first sofa, gunfire ringing out loud behind him, rolling and banging his knee off a table as he crashed over on the other side of the sofa, his head thumping against the armchair resting on top of it.

He half-lay, half-sat there, his lungs heaving, his throat like iron. He'd nearly got himself killed.

The gunfire had stopped and he dared to peep up around the side of the armchair, dreading what he would see.

The gunman lay dead, multiple bullets through his head. It was the one Yoongi had been observing before, not the one who'd passed Namjoon and Jungkook earlier. There were five members of the Boots group on the floor too, four of them groaning, blood seeping out of them. One of them was slithering back towards the Boots entrance and looked as though he might succeed. One woman was clutching her stomach and crawling for the fire exit and she too looked like she could make it. The other three appeared to be dead or dying, and too exposed to help. None of them were Soobin and Dove. Jungkook sagged back on the sofa, equal elation and remorse walloping his chest. Soobin and Dove had made it.

And Namjoon had shot the gunman to save Jungkook, just like Jungkook had known he would.

He heard one of the gunmen swear and watched from almost entirely behind the armchair as the three of them rushed round the corner, saw their comrade dead. They had identical rifles and appeared to be looking for even the slightest movement. Jungkook prayed he hadn't given Namjoon and Yoongi's position away.

Home hacked was sweating like a saucepan lid, his formerly blank expression evaporated at the sight of one of his own dead. He shot at the man who was trying to get back into Boots, missed, gave a little shrug, turned back to his dead friend.

"Is is the police?" The second shooter said, his voice asthmatic, his pale eyes skittering back and forth.

"The police aren't here. Someone got a gun off the dark web like we did," the third scoffed, a sing-song emphasis in his speech. He raised his voice, loud and callous. "He's a glitch. He's hiding now, cause he knows its three on one."

"So let's get on get on with our shopping spree," Asthmatic jammed a cigarette in his mouth and fumbled to light it. Jungkook could almost smell his ashtray breath from here. "I need to up my K/D."

Home hacked was still staring at their fallen colleague. "If we take a crowd of people hostage the police will have to let us go, right? Pay for like a plane and ransom money and shi-."

"-Shut up, dude. We're not here to negotiate. We're here to make history!"

Jungkook had a feeling that Home hacked no longer wanted to go down in history, but it was too late for that.

"You camp here, we can take a shop each," Asthmatic decided. "I want the furniture one, they've tried to put up barricades."

Jungkook eased himself fully behind the armchair then ducked down sharply as bullets erupted. Had they spotted Namjoon and Yoongi? Were they aiming here-

He wheezed as a lithe body jumped on top of his, pressing him down against the seat of the couch, butting his head off the side of the armchair again. Jimin.

"S'okay-" Jimin whispered frantically in his ear as a stray bullet smashed over their heads into the table leg, splintering wood over them. "Stay down, stay down-"

When the bullets stopped, Jungkook thought he might sob. Let them be okay, let them be okay.

"There, its over," Jimin whispered, scrambling up off him, helping him sit up. "We're okay," he said into his own mic. Jungkook shook his hair, stared at Jimin. Jimin gave him a wobbly smile. There were dark rings under both his eyes. His face looked drawn. He had a beanie over his candyfloss hair and there was a gash in his right arm.

Jungkook gasped, pointed at it.

"Bit of wood got me," Jimin said. "That's what I get for not wearing a jacket, right?" He looked up over the sofa at the concourse. Jungkook knelt up to look too.

Namjoon and Yoongi were walking up to the bodies of three slain shooters, their bodies oozing blood, thick as gravy. Jungkook felt a rush of overwhelmed relief, before Namjoon turned to look back at him and Jimin, his gaze murderous. Jungkook felt himself shrink down the sofa.

"I don't even think they an agenda beyond killing people," Jimin dug into his jeans pocket and tugged out a piece of black cloth. "Help me tie this?"

"What happened to the signal?" Hobi's voice was incredulous as he rolled up.

"More like who." Jungkook's insides reacted directly to Namjoon's words and his fingers shook as he tried to knot the cloth around Jimin's arm.

"What's happened?" Someone with hushed tones called out from the back of the furniture shop.

"The shooters are dead," Jimin called. "We can get out. Cover your kids' eyes though, its not pretty."

With his reassurance, some of the customers and three staff members gingerly began to make their way over.

"The shooters are dead!" Hobi called a moment later at the top of his voice. "Stay put if you feel safer, but we can all get out now!"

A middle-aged woman carefully stepped through the shattered window display and was immediately sick at what she saw. Jungkook had to block out the sound of her vomiting or he might vomit too. A father quickly scooped up his two young children, telling them to close their eyes as they followed after her.

"Did you kill them?" Someone was asking on the concourse.

"God, no," Yoongi said, sounding amazed at the suggestion. "We were hiding, same as you. The shots came from down there. Don't know who it was, but they were aiming at the shooters alright. We best evacuate and let the ambulance service get in."

People were rightly afraid it was a trick, but as the furniture shop emptied, so did many of the other shops, and there was a steady stream of emboldened people limping or dashing towards the exit.

That was when Namjoon, Yoongi and Hobi turned to approach the furniture shop.

Jungkook almost fell off the sofa as he backed off, trying to smother the panicky surge in his throat.

Namjoon didn't take his eyes from Jungkook as he clambered over the furniture and stalked towards him. His eyes were clouded over with rage. From one pocket he whipped out a black cloth, similar to the one Jimin had, and reached out his other hand without looking back. Yoongi grimly deposited a black eye mask in his palm.

No.

"I'm not sorry!" Jungkook said brazenly, even as he stumbled backwards, even as the danger he'd put all of them in raced through his head. He stumbled around a cabinet, unable to tear his eyes from Namjoon's. "He was going to kill my friends. You weren't gonna shoot him- I-"

Namjoon twisted the cloth in his hands. "That's enough, princess."

Jungkook backed himself against the far wall and Namjoon pounced. "Wrists," he muttered as Jungkook struggled against him, tried to get Namjoon's hands off his head. Jungkook felt someone snatch them, and Namjoon secured the eye mask over his head, tying the cloth around, surrounding him in darkness. Then they let go, and Jungkook instinctively reached up to free his sight, but as he did so, two hands sealed around the small of his waist, and he was hoisted up into the air. He heard Namjoon exhale with effort, smelled his aftershave, then Namjoon's shoulder jammed into his stomach, one muscular arm trapping his thighs, his front hanging in midair, chest thudding against Namjoon's back. Not again, not again-

He swung a fist as hard as he could against Namjoon's back.

Smack.

Jungkook gasped, all thoughts snapped out of his head.

"I said settle down." Namjoon's voice was dominant.

"I'm going to stay back and get a look at the CCTV," Hobi said anxiously, stumbling over his excuse. "Don't want to eliminate all the footage, just in case there was organisation behind this pack of losers."

"Don't be caught with a gun," Yoongi warned him. Jungkook felt Namjoon begin walking out of the store, leaving him lolling down Namjoon's back.

"I know, I'll be careful."

"I'll give you a hand," Jimin said.

"The police will likely have a perimeter set up soon," Namjoon advised, his voice above Jungkook's head. Jungkook wriggled, dizzy, only to be met with a second crack across his butt. As soon as his senses had returned, he attempted to reach up for the blindfold again.

"No. You. Don't." Namjoon sent three more sharp swats across his butt as they crossed the concourse and Jungkook subsided, stunned. The metallic smell of blood filled his nose.

"Yes, it's safe!" Yoongi called out somewhere off to Jungkook's right. "But don't let your wife see!"

So that was their excuse for walking out bold as brass with Jungkook blindfolded over Namjoon's shoulder. His ass smarted, and Namjoon's other hand rested just below it, warning him.

He had to wait to seize his chance, wait till they were outside and there was a crowd. He heard them bang the fire escape open and cool air circulate from below.

"Watch, its slippy there," Yoongi said, and Namjoon grunted in acknowledgement. They'd be forced to dump him and run if he kicked up a fuss, wouldn't they? Wouldn't they? They wouldn't pull a gun on anyone after all this?

Namjoon put a hand square over his butt as they descended the stairs, and Jungkook felt queasy as Namjoon's shoulder jerked into his stomach, tried to brace his hands against the small of Namjoon's back just to keep some kind of equilibrium. Namjoon had no right to do this, to pick him up like an infant, or hunt him down like a quarry. No right at all.

The blindfold let nothing in, but the air told him they were now outside, and on level ground as his upper half swayed against Namjoon's back. It was hard to catch a breath being upside down, and he tried to conserve as much energy as possible.

"You let me know if he tries opening his mouth," Namjoon ordered, as if reading his mind. They were moving sharply, and Jungkook could hear traffic and the accumulative noise of people, but no-one close, not yet.

"Which way are the ambulances?" Yoongi hollered a moment later, sounding anxious. "...Thank you!"

Oh, so now they were passing him off as injured. "Put me down," Jungkook hissed through his teeth.

"Don't test me, Jungkook," Namjoon's voice betrayed an anger that was almost uncontrolled.

They were avoiding main roads, Jungkook realised, as Namjoon picked up speed. Distantly he could hear sirens. He had no semblance of where they were, but when he heard someone speaking, and it sounded close, he opened his mouth. Yoongi tcched.

Smack. "You've got to be kidding me," Namjoon snarled. He didn't stop this time, and Jungkook could barely snatch a breath as spanks rained down on his butt. Where were the people he'd sensed nearby? Were they ignoring his plight? His whole body twisted as red hot pain travelled up his spine, pulsing along his nerve endings, fanning outwards, throwing his entire nervous system into chaos as Namjoon kept going.

Distantly, he became aware of Namjoon climbing into the van. There was a moment's relief when he was hoisted down from Namjoon's shoulder and laid on the thin carpet. He heard the door slam shut, and then the driver's door open ahead of him. He opened his mouth to yell, but Namjoon had rolled him over his knee, wrenched one arm up into a hammerlock and recommenced as the van rumbled off. Behind his blindfold were a tumult of shapes and stars and swirls of electric colours, even as the shock of the spanking drove tears and whimpers, muted cries and then uncontrolled sobs from him.

"Have you had enough?" Namjoon's voice was cold.

Jungkook nodded into the carpet desperately. He felt Namjoon's palms sweep softly over his stinging ass, and it was that mocking caress which made the tears of humiliation and frustration keen over into a deeper despair. He lay limp, forehead damp, throat hoarse, a spectre of defeat, while Namjoon's caress branded him.

He wished it was Jin holding him. Jin would hold him when they got home, wouldn't he? Even if he'd been bad, even if Jin was disappointed in him. Jin would hold him, and would make everything okay. He sank his head in his folded arms, not daring to touch the blindfold again. He could pretend that it was Jin soothing his burning ass right now, if it wasn't for the smell of wood and pepper aftershave, and the palpable tension in the air.

It was as if Namjoon understood, because he didn't issue a warning when the van finally pulled up. He gathered Jungkook up in his arms, and Jungkook didn't resist as Namjoon lifted him, one arm under his knees and the other around his back, holding Jungkook against his front. Now that they were so close, his whole body was clamouring for Jin, the pain in his ass almost forgotten in the anticipation of being back in Jin's arms, being held and cossetted and-

"Clear," he heard Yoongi say, and he leaned his head against Namjoon's shoulder as Namjoon clambered from the van, to try to show him that he wasn't going to fight. What if Jin was at work? They'd text him, wouldn't they, say that Jungkook was upstairs. He'd come straight up, right? Jungkook wasn't sure he could wait till Jin finished work-

He knew the sound of the stairs as Namjoon went up to the apartment. He heard the key in the door. He squeezed closer to Namjoon in anticipation of the dog but there was no welcome home. Of course, it would be with Tae and Tae hadn't been home. Would Tae come home now that he was back?

Namjoon was going upstairs to the bedrooms. Jungkook hadn't expected that, but maybe he was going to lay him down on a bed and tell him to rest, at least till Jin came up. And then Jin would snuggle him on the bed, and his cool fingers would slip under Jungkook's joggers and stroke his skin.

Namjoon walked past his and Jin's room. Jungkook was sure of it. "I want-" he started, lifting his head from Namjoon's shoulder.

Namjoon turned into the upstairs bathroom. Jungkook knew he'd been loafing around in the same clothes for a week, but he'd been changing his underwear, and he'd showered, he was clean-

"I don't need to go," he whispered.

Namjoon ignored him, sat him down on the bathroom tiles, the coldness of them jolting through his joggers. Confused, Jungkook reached up for the blindfold, but Namjoon tapped sharply on his wrists, making him drop them back into his lap. "Is Jin coming?" Jungkook asked, cutting to the question he needed answered most. He didn't know what Namjoon was doing, but it wouldn't matter when Jin got back.

He heard a clank of muffled metal on metal. "Nam-?"

His wrist was seized, and he felt something on it, then felt a click. He shook his hand, and felt the weight of something dragging behind him on the bathroom tiles.

Namjoon seized his other hand, and he connected the gaps just as Namjoon did, cuffing him on the other wrist, attaching him to the other side of the length of chain, which seemed to be looped around the...the toilet?

Oh my god.

"Let me go!" Jungkook screamed, far too late, straining at the cuffs, trying to kick out at Namjoon, drumming his feet on the tiles, dizzy with fury and horror that what he'd dreaded was coming true. He'd tried to escape and now they were locking him up, never to escape again. "Let me go!"

He heard the loud rip of tape and went stalk still in shock.

Namjoon must have been satisfied that his threat was understood, because a moment later, there was the soft click of the bathroom door closing behind him.

Jungkook held still, listening for what felt like ages. With every minute that Namjoon failed to return, the adrenaline slumped out of him, leaving exhaustion. His butt stung against the cool of the tiles. His head swarmed. He shuffled back and met the edge of the toilet seat. There was plastic, or some kind of cover over the chain, it didn't clank as much as it should when he shifted, but by letting one hand fall behind him, he could get a good grip on the length of it with the other, could try to feel how it was attached to the cuff. He couldn't feel any weaknesses.

Namjoon wouldn't leave him stuck in here for too long. He was just teaching him a lesson.

Awkwardly, he shuffled to lay down on the floor. How many people had died at the shopping centre? Dove hadn't looked injured, and he hoped Soobin's injury wasn't bad. They might be at the hospital now. They wouldn't know if he'd been killed, injured, or been one of the lucky ones. With the trauma they'd just experienced, they probably wouldn't be looking for him in a hurry. No one would be looking for him, aside from Julian.

He began to loose track of time. He knew it hadn't been more than an hour or maybe two, but it troubled him that he didn't know which. Surely Jin would come home, and he'd come up and see him, even if he was being punished. His body was craving Jin, his skin was itching for Jin to touch it. It was cool and dark and still as a tomb up here. He couldn't even hear the others talking downstairs.

The bathroom door opened. Jungkook almost banged his head off the floor in his haste to sit up, accidentally tugging on one of his own wrists, dragging the other behind him. Jin?

Silence, probably Namjoon then. Jungkook tensed in case Namjoon decided to spank him again. There was an odd part of him that almost wanted to welcome it.

He heard the shuffle of clothes, and then something metallic touched his lower lip. Jungkook balked, unsure of what it was, but the metalic thing pushed in a little further and a quick shake of the contents below it told Jungkook that it was a metal straw.

He closed his lips round it and sucked and swallowed. He hadn't realised how thirsty he was and how much he'd needed a drink.

"Thank you," he whispered when he'd scraped up every last droplet from the bottle. "Joon, I-"

He hesitated when Namjoon stood, then strained in panic as Namjoon's tread moved further away. Namjoon still hadn't said anything. And now Jungkook's whole body was crying out to be touched.

"Joon!" He tried plaintively, just wanting to hear his voice. But all he heard was the soft click of the bathroom door closing.

That was when he remembered Namjoon's words when he'd come home from the crazy golf date, when he'd dared to challenge Namjoon about each of Kim Six's weaknesses, and his own.

"I know exactly what your weakness is already." Namjoon had said. "I pray that I never have to use it against you."

X-X-X

Chapter Text

This chap is a pretty significant turning point for Jungkook and the Kim's Six dynamic and the plot in general. You saw the set up of Kook's punishment already, and it is going to cause his mental state to deteriorate till he's at his lowest point. The deteroriation will be over within this chapter and his recovery will begin here too. It's very hurt/comfort. You can decide for yourself if you're okay reading it, but this is a big heads up for angst, trauma, panic, dark thoughts, the whole shebang.

And that aside, thank you SO much for all the motivating comments, kudos and the retweets on Twitter for both the chapter and the promo video. I have the best readers! I was always determined to see K7 through to the end, but you help pull me through whenever I'm struggling with it. Review replies are coming. In the meantime, strap in...

X-X-X

Yoongi tossed the van keys in one hand, tapping the new message icon on his phone with the other.

Yoongi:We got him. Back home now. Hobi and Jimin doing clean up then back too. See you soon x

He sent it to Jin and Tae. Hopefully it was enough to bring Tae home. They'd all been devastated when Jungkook gave them the slip at the hotel, but the rest of them had stuck together. Even Hobi had buckled down to work, just so long as they didn't talk about how upset they were in front of him. They'd rallied to counter-attack Adley, then rallied again for a manhunt when Jungkook escaped him too. But Tae had taken off with Ruby, and they hadn't seen hide nor hair of either since. Yoongi trusted Tae to take care of himself physically, but emotionally, that was a different matter.

He popped his earpiece out as he let himself into the building and climbed the stairs two at a time, residual adrenaline thrumming through his veins.

The blinds were closed, the downstairs dimly lit. Namjoon was sat on the sofa, back hunched, arms propped forward on his knees. The news was on, aerial footage of the shopping centre on display, the ribbon at the bottom of the screen announcing a current death toll of sixteen, including the four shooters. Classic method of panic control, they'd notch it up fraction by fraction as normalcy bias set in.

He kicked his shoes off, fished the mic wire out of his shirt. "Bun upstairs?"

Namjoon gave a minute nod. "He's in time out."

Yoongi sank into one of the armchairs, rubbing a hand through his dyed hair to massage his scalp. God, that had barely been an hour and a half: tailing the couple from the club as they took Jungkook to the shopping centre, briefly losing track as they parked up, splitting up to locate him, everything turning upside down.

A shot of ground level came on screen, showing the main entrance cordoned off in a wide perimeter, blue lights flickering over the screen. The emergency services had showed up in full force. Hobi and Jimin better be making moves.

He cast a glance over Namjoon. Namjoon, who had been their rock when everything had fallen apart this past week. Namjoon looked plagued.

"Well," Yoongi said hurriedly, "on the plus side he's home, he's safe, seems like Adley didn't hurt him, we have a chance to get it right with him this time-"

Timing was everything. Once they knew that Jungkook must have slipped the hotel name out at the club, it cast their subsequent dates in a more hopeful light. Most likely, Jungkook had opened up sincerely. Stolen their hearts innocently. Yoongi still hadn't got past that sweet, enthusiastic first kiss at the crazy golf, Jungkook's soft mouth and bright eyes and those little cheek pockets. Sure, they hadn't done enough for Jungkook to admit passing on word about the Langchester, but it could have been close. And if it had been close, it meant things could still work out.

The Metropolitan Police Commisoner was issuing a statement now. The police were working on identifying the four deceased shooters and the reason for the attack. Based on initial eyewitness reports, this did not appear to be an act of Islamic Terrorism.

"It was lucky you and Hobi were armed," he commented. "It was lucky we were there at all."

Namjoon nodded. His face was still grey, and it set Yoongi on edge more than he liked to admit. "I texted Tae and Jin," he was working up to a ramble. "They'll be-"

"Don't tell Jin," Namjoon said suddenly.

Yoongi petered out. He knew which part Namjoon was talking about. "...You wanna talk about it?"

"There's nothing to say. I made the wrong call."

"You didn't. If you hadn't come, Hobi would have been up against four. And they might have got to Jimin first. The police could have arrived while we were still active."

"He nearly died, Yoon," Namjoon was hoarse.

"I know that," Yoongi said hurriedly. "But I don't think he knows. And you saved him, that's all that matters. He was only thinking of his friends."

Namjoon swallowed, a faint reflection of the TV's blue lights spilling over his face.

"And I'm sure he knows he did wrong," Yoongi pointed out. "You made it abundantly clear in the back of the van."

Namjoon wiped his hands back and forth over the knees of his trousers. "I've never had to be so careful," he muttered.

Yoongi got it. Namjoon's fury had been borne of fear. Yoongi had watched the bullets smash into the display glass around Jungkook and for two agonising seconds everything had hung in the balance. The alternative outcome wasn't even worth thinking about.

"If anything," he admitted, "I should have grabbed Kook before he legged it. But you made the right call. This might have a bigger death toll than 7/7. None of us were shot. We got him back. It's done." He paused. "And I won't tell him."

He'd never heard of Namjoon keeping anything from Jin before.

Namjoon nodded in thanks, the lines of his body still taut.

"Is he asleep?" Yoongi nodded upstairs.

"Unlikely."

Yoongi frowned.

The front door unlocked and Yoongi turned to look. "Everyone okay? Kookie upstairs?" Jin fiddled with his boots, grimacing at the TV, his lack of surprise indicating that he'd already seen the news.

"Everyone's okay. I need you to sit down first," Namjoon said.

Jin shot a confused glance towards the stairs, but passed Yoongi's armchair, bent to plant a kiss on his lips, then flopped down beside Namjoon. "Hobi and Jimin on route back? I assume Tae and I got the same text?"

Yoongi nodded.

"Okay," Jin cupped Namjoon's jaw and kissed him too. "I'll just go up and check-"

"No," Namjoon said.

Jin's jaw slackened a notch, and he glanced at Yoongi for clarification.

Yoongi tilted his palms up and out to indicate that he didn't know either. But he had a horrible sensation that he wasn't going to like it.

X-X-X

Jungkook felt like the darkness was melting into his face.

He was atuned to every tiny sound, the faint drone of traffic from the front of the building, the indistinct hum of hushed voices downstairs, but none of them became anything substantial, nothing to hold onto.

He'd figured out the toilet, managed to wrestle his joggers and boxers down with one cuffed hand while the other was dragged taut behind him, twisted himself like a pretzel to half-stand then strained backwards to flop onto the edge of the seat where he could shuffle back. The chain had a bit more give up on the seat, and he could have wrenched at the blindfold, but didn't dare. He'd let one hand trail behind him, using the other to aim.

He'd also realised that he could just about reach the sink with the same hand, fumble his fingers against the honeysuckle soap, clumsily paw at the nearest tap, spraying water. The discovery scared him more than anything else. If he could access water, they really could leave him in here forever.

He'd hurried back down onto the floor after that, as quickly as the chain would allow. They wouldn't do that to him. He was being punished. It wasn't forever, couldn't be forever. He just had to be good.

The darkness prodded and poked at him, holding him hostage, forcing him to confront what he'd done. He'd thought only of saving Dove and Soobin's lives. He hadn't thought about the way he'd exposed Namjoon and Yoongi's position, instigated a shootout which Namjoon hadn't been prepared for and might not have won. He'd made the shop where Jimin was hiding a target by running into it. He'd forced Hobi to rush towards the shooters, endangering him perhaps most of all. He hadn't meant to gamble their lives as well as his own. He wouldn't have been able to live with himself if one of them had been killed.

He slumped to lay on his side again, protecting his still-tender butt. His body trembled against the cool bathroom tiles as anguish swept his mind. They had a right to be upset with him. He'd told Namjoon he wouldn't leave his side, and then he had. The image of the three people from Dove and Soobin's group who mostly likely died were burned into his head. The memory of the screams and commotion and panic went round and round his head. He could have potentially ruined Kim's Six's whole ambush. How many more might the shooters have killed before the police arrived if that had happened?

He deserved the still stinging glow across his rear end. Maybe he'd feel better if Namjoon had smacked harder. His skin felt restless all over, all the more sensitive because he didn't have his sight. The hardest part was that he was still holding onto hope that they'd come. That one of them would come. That Jin would come.

He heard the pad of footsteps just outside the bathroom door, and then the swing as the door opened. He shuffled himself to sit up, heart thudding in desperate anticipation.

There was no voice. Namjoon then. Could it be over? Even if Namjoon wanted to spank him again, he wouldn't mind, not if it was over.

The comforting aroma of vegetable soup hit his nose and his heart sank. He could feel the warmth from it lightly grazing his chin. He didn't want it. But he had to show Namjoon that he was being good, so when the clinical metal straw prodded his lower lip, he opened up and began to suck.

The soup was pulped smooth, thick and hearty, filling his empty stomach with warmth. It made him want to cry. He drank it all.

"Thank you," he said quietly, still daring to hope.

The straw withdrew. He could sense Namjoon standing, stepping away from him.

"Joon-" he said, mindful to keep his voice down, trying to fashion it into something submissive while it quivered with need. "Please. Please let me out. I can't- Please Joon."

Nothing. Disappointment stabbed violently his at chest and spread through him like wildfire.

"Joon...!" he scraped out, one last plea as he heard the bathroom door softly close.

Despair hit him hard. He yanked wildly with both arms, and the chain clanked against the toilet, loud despite its plastic coating. He yanked and yanked uncontrollably, till the pain in his wrists made him stop, gasping in the darkness. His skin was roiling. He couldn't endure this.

If Julian was here right now and wanted to hold him, Jungkook would have jumped into his arms. God, if Soona was here right now, he wouldn't even hesitate. If his body kept going through these withdrawals he was going to lose his mind.

X-X-X

"Thank you," Jimin said wide-eyed and anxious to the policeman who'd directed them round towards the blue tent set up across the staff carpark. He and Hobi kept their hands on their heads, scuttled out alongside their little group, then veered off up towards the barrier when they reached the curve of the building where there was a marginal blindspot. One or two people looked like they were about to follow them, stuck in herd mentality, but fortunately stuck to the majority and continued on to the tent.

Racial profiling worked in their favour, and Jimin was confident this was going to be one of those cases, even they were intercepted. They kept their hands on their heads, moving steadily, keeping their expressions shocked. When they hit the red police tape of the inner sanctum they ducked under, still keeping their hands in place as they stepped up onto the street. At the other end of the street there were a fleet of ambulances, one or two taking off, sirens flashing blue. Police lined the walkway, and Jimin knew they were going to be spotted for sure. He gave Hobi a nudge with his hip and changed their direction to hide where they'd popped out from.

"Woah, woah, woah, where did you two come from?" An officer barked at them sharply, drawing the attention of a couple others.

"We gave our details at the tent," Jimin nodded his head back behind him, beseeching. "They checked we weren't hurt and said we were okay to go. We're trying to get to our car. We're parked over that way."

"You can't just cut through here! This whole area is out of bounds. Didn't you see the blue tape?"

"Oh," Jimin welled up. "Oh, we're sorry, we're just trying to get home. We thought maybe, because we'd already been in the shopping centre, that maybe the blue tape wasn't for us-"

The policeman heaved a sigh and shot a look at his colleagues which indicated that their stupidity would be an upcoming topic of conversation. "Follow me, please."

He walked them all the way past several coppers, up to the outer perimeter blue tape, held it up, ushered them out. Told them to take the long way round to their vehicle.

"Nice," Hobi said, finally flexing his hands and shaking them out once they were further up the street. "We picked the right exit. I was worried about someone in the press spotting you."

"I'm not that famous," Jimin grinned, stretching his own hands and arms out. But they had definitely wanted to avoid the press. They'd figured the staff carpark and location of many of the centre's bins was the right emergency exit to be found near. They'd also been fortunate that there were so many people tucked into corners in the centre. The police were trying to bring paramedics in, evacuate people out, and protect their scene. He and Hobi had blended in easily.

"You were so cool," he slipped his hand into Hobi's. "How'd you corrupt the footage we needed gone and still leave enough for them to ID the shooters?"

"Well it helps when people leave their IP CCTV passwords on default configuration," Hobi gave a small smile. "And I ran a premade programme. It was kind of primitive, actually. Breaking into the room was the hard part, so thanks for the assist."

"Always," Jimin said, sending him a cheeky grin. Hobi was all tense lines, and Jimin knew he was worried about Jungkook, but there was no point in trying to talk about it. Hobi could hack into the GCHQ before he could hack a conversation with intense emotions. Jimin did wish they could have discussed what had happened. It had been horrible being stuffed at the back of that furniture store. Even though he could communicate with the others, had known they were coming, it was still unpleasant being confronted with his own mortality, worrying about his boyfriends.

He gave a little squeeze, and Hobi squeezed back, and that would have to do.

"Next Underground?"

"Yeah, seems alright."

There were one or two people taking footage on the police tape on their phones, but from this street, it looked frankly unimpressive. The further they'd walked from the shopping centre, the more people they saw. Most shops were still open. People peered out from restaurant windows. Cars and pedestrians alike were more harried than usual. A lot of people were on the phone. One or two had stopped to talk to apparant strangers, gesticulating in the direction of the shopping centre. In London that counted as minor miracle.

He and Hobi turned in at the next Underground station. It was standing room only and Jimin took full advantage by leaning against Hobi, tucking his head on his shoulder. Hobi put an arm round him. Their carriage was sombre and silent and the motion of the Underground almost threatened to lull him to sleep. He'd barely slept a wink this past week. Not just for worrying about Kookie or Tae. Being the weak link in the chain twice over was a harsh pill to swallow. He'd stupidly blurted out that they were going to the Langchester back on the shopping trip. And he was the one who'd had Jungkook directly under his care when they'd lost him.

God, maybe he was the weak link three times over now, being hemmed in at the furniture store like a damsel in distress. Ugh. At least Hobi made a good vertical pillow. He was glad they'd blindfolded Kookie before they'd left the shop. Hopefully he hadn't seen too much. It was always so much harder when innocent people were dead.

They fished their earpieces and mics out of their shoes once they were safely away from the Underground and stuffed them in their pockets. Mostly everyone they passed seemed to be on the phone, checking in on friends and relatives. Jimin thought of checking on Alex for a wild moment, but there was literally no reason for him to be over this way.

He felt eager as they turned onto their street. He needed to lie down, preferably snuggled up to Kookie, to reassure both of them that everything was going to fine. They rolled up to the front door and Hobi fished out his key and led them up. Jimin didn't hear Ruby which meant Tae wasn't back yet. Tae had been so stunned when Jungkook escaped that it had broken Jimin's heart. Surely, he'd be on his way back now.

Tension was spread out over the living area like a rug.

"Is someone hurt?" Jimin asked, hurriedly bending for his shoes.

"No one's hurt," Namjoon said, voice on edge. "Any trouble with the footage?"

"Sorted," Hobi gazed over Namjoon, Yoongi and Jin nervously. "Jimin, I'll clean the cut on your arm."

"Use the downstairs bathroom," Namjoon inclined his head.

"Why?" Jimin frowned. "Is Jungkook using the upstairs? Is he upset?"

Quiet.

"He's in time out." Namjoon said.

Jimin looked between them. "What do you mean he's in time out? For escaping?"

Hobi looked distinctly uncomfortable. "Let's go check your arm," he said, hurrying towards the bathroom.

"I'll explain once your arm's cleaned," Namjoon said.

"You can explain now," Jimin held his ground. "Is he in disgrace because he tried to escape? That's not fair, Joon. He'd barely been with us when he got the message out about the Langchester. And what was he supposed to do when his stepdad's people turned up for him? Ignore them? Even if he'd wanted to stay, he couldn't-"

"Lower your voice," Namjoon said. "Let Hobi clean your arm."

Hoseok had already sought refuge in the bathroom, and Jimin could hear him retrieving the first aid kit.

"Jimin's right though," Yoongi's voice was rough. "Is he supposed to be our prisoner or our boyfriend? Didn't we get him back to keep him safe? Aren't we supposed to be making amends to him?" His body language betrayed his emotion and Jimin fought the impulse to go sit on his knee. Yoongi wouldn't be distracted by something sexual right now.

Jin wasn't arguing with Namjoon like Yoongi was, but he was drilling Namjoon with such a stony look that Jimin felt his heartbeat start to race.

He'd overheard them the night Jungkook escaped.

"You get him back," Jin's voice had tied a knot of fear in Jimin's chest, even though the words weren't directed at him. "You get him back, RM."

Jimin had acted like he hadn't heard, but Jin's words had stretched out across the air like a shroud, lingered with him, kept him awake all night. It was the first time Jimin had seen any type of fracture between Jin and Joon. Getting Jungkook back was supposed to fix everything. Why did it feel like things were still falling apart?

X-X-X

Jungkook could sense his mind diminishing as tremors wracked his body. Namjoon hadn't just harnessed his weakness, he'd amplified it. It was all he was now. He tried to picture Soona holding him, lying by his side, her arms wrapped round him. The image fragmented to dust every few seconds, and he fought to piece it back together. He'd lost all sense of time in the darkness. He was helpless witness as his skin's gnawing hunger became raging starvation.

"Namjoon..." it limped out of his mouth. "Namjoon, please."

He bit down hard on his lip. Be good be good be good.

"Namjoon!" He called out, raising his voice enough to carry out of the room. "Namjoon, please!"

Even if Namjoon came in to silence him, he'd have to touch him. Jungkook just needed to be touched and he'd be able to bear it.

"Namjoon!" The cry ripped out of his throat.

He put all his focus into his ears, listening for the sound of someone coming. The nothingness made panic take over. "Jin!" he choked on his sob. please please please please please please please

He counted the beats by his frantic heart, but the silence pulsed in his ears. "Jimin!..... Tae! Hobi! Yoongi!"

They weren't going to come, they weren't going to come, and it was going to kill him-

His veins and arteries constricted like snakes around his throat. "Namjoon!" He screamed.

Nothing. Nothing meant anything anymore, everything was nothing.

"Namjoon!"

The agony became acute. He'd rather be dead. He needed it to be over.

"Ruby!" He screamed.

X-X-X

RM stationed himself at the foot of the steps from the first moment Jungkook cried out. He stared them down, even as they flinched and looked upwards and made abortive movements from the sofa.

Hobi was the first to break rank, mumbling an excuse as he made a beeline for the front door. RM had expected that of Hobi. He didn't know how to truly confront himself, nevermind anyone else. The pointed criticism in Jimin's tired eyes was new through. Jin anchored Jimin's hand in both of his, his face impassive, but his eyes bored into RM's more effectively than words ever could.

It was Yoongi who stepped up to challenge him.

"Back off, Yoon." RM measured out his voice the way he'd measured out Jungkook's spanks, pressing every ounce of emotion down.

"You back off," Yoongi retorted, turning his shoulder to brush past. "I'm going to him."

"Nope." RM blocked him. "I told you, it's too earl-"

"Jin!"

RM felt physical pain reverberate in the hollow of his stomach. Jimin gasped, turned to look at Jin wildly. Jin set his jaw, his eyes burning into RM, right through to the core.

"He's in distress," Yoongi hissed. "Do you not care that he's in distress?"

"Keep your voice down." RM warned sternly.

"Jimin!"

Namjoon grit his teeth. Damn. Jimin was twitching on the couch like he was going to get up, trying to unfold his hand from Jin. Jin cupped his face instead and leaned in to murmur to him.

Yoongi scowled at them, then summoned a fresh attack, socked foot on the first step. "Move, Namjoon."

Jungkook followed up with Tae's name, Hobi's, Yoongi's... his voice was so full-throated that it chafed as he cried out. RM braced himself before Yoongi rammed towards him, voice hard with fury, "move-"

RM wrenched his muscles, used his height advantage to fend Yoongi off, backed him down the step. He spread himself as wide as he could, a human blockade. Yoongi snarled at him and pressed back in to wrestle, a tangle of swear words emptying from his mouth. Despite it all, RM knew he still had the mental edge. Yoongi was still pitching his voice low.

"Namjoon!"

RM's chest spasmed. Baby.

"Come on," Yoongi spat out, his voice hushed and frantic and confused. "Come on, move, move-"

The front door opened, and they turned-

It was Tae and Ruby. Ruby sprang in, animated and happy. She made towards her empty water bowl and Jimin hastened up to fill it for her.

Tae looked dreadful. His skin was sallow, he hadn't shaven, his mouth was sharply downturned and his eyes looked unhinged as he scanned them all.

"Namjoon!" Jungkook cried out again.

Tae rushed towards the stairs immediately.

"Sit down Tae," RM said, mustering everything he had into keeping his voice solid. "He's on time-out."

"Ruby!"

RM felt his heart rend, felt his face slip for an instant. Ruby's ears pricked up at her name and she trotted towards the stairs. Yoongi grabbed at her collar to stop her climbing up. "That's it," he fixed Namjoon with the most savage glower in his arsenal. "He's calling for the dog, and he's terrified of the dog. Whatever sick strategy you think you're playing, it's done. You're done."

RM was struggling. It wasn't just because the 23rd was coming up. Each time Jungkook screamed out, RM was back at the shopping centre and a gunmen was shooting at his baby, and RM's hand had felt so slow around the gun, clumsy, moving like treacle. It was so hard to stop his boyfriends, when all of his impulses were telling him to gather Jungkook up in his own arms-

"Why are you keeping us from him?" Tae gasped, his hands cranking in and out of fists, eyes glossy, frame trembling, almost swaying at the bottom step.

"I've already explained it to the others," RM said, hyper-aware of Tae's increasing agitation. "If Jungkook gets any kind of positive affirmation now, from any of us, then we're going to end up in a loop. He'll be back in the fold, happy as larry, we'll all be deceived, and then he'll give us the slip again. Ultimately, that only leads to more misery for him, more misery for us. He needs to decide to stay. Permenantly. And the only way he'd going to realise that is by being alone now."

"And I told Joon," Yoongi accused, "that he can't legitimately choose us if he's too upset to think!"

"You know what happens if he leaves?" RM countered. "He's a sitting duck for Adley. You think Adley would ever let him go? And what about his hired assassin? If Adley wants the six of us dead so badly, and they have Jungkook, they're going to force the information out of him. All of us are in danger if he leaves."

"We can make sure he doesn't escape," Yoongi changed tacks, begging now. "Let's just not leave him on his own. He's just witnessed a terrorist attack. Come on, Joon."

Tae was twitching all the more. RM recognised the expression on his face. It was the look on his face before he tore into a murderer, a paedophile, a rapist.

"If we do this right, just once, we never have to do it again," he told both of them. "You can spend the rest of your life making it up to him. When its over, he won't want to leave us. I'm keeping an eye on him. I'm not going to prolong it, but I'm not going to ruin it."

"How long?" Yoongi whispered.

RM consulted his watch. "At least another eight hours."

Yoongi's face snapped back to anger. "That's psychological torture! You're going to break him! That's what you're trying to do, isn't it, you're trying to break him!"

That was when Tae lost it. RM saw Tae's hand go behind him to his waistband and he wondered if it was a knife or a gun. He supposed abstractly that if this was it, it was the right hill to die on. He was fairly certain the others weren't going to pull Tae off him.

His muscle memory kicked in and he grabbed at Tae's arm. Tae lunged forward with everything he had, kicking and headbutting like a savage, and Yoongi startled back a pace, bringing Ruby with him. RM was strong, but so was Tae, and Tae's usually anger was spiralling in a way RM had never seen before. He kept a tight grip on the arm, wincing when Tae's head hit his cheekbone, and his other fist pummelled his shoulder, focused only on defence.

"Tae," Jin called unexpectedly. "Tae, sweetheart."

RM braced for bone-crushing impact but it didn't come.

"Come here, baby," Jin said softly from the couch.

Tae's face crumpled immediately. RM watched the fight go out of him, his gaze immediately distraught and childlike. He let go.

Jin held his arms out, and Tae's reaction was instantaneous.

"There we go," Jin bundled Tae up in his arms, rocking gently, whispering in his ear. Tae buried his face in the sofa, burrowed his body into Jin. Distressed, Jimin sat down beside them, reached over to stroke Tae's hair. Ruby bounded away from Yoongi and jumped up onto the sofa on Jin's other side to plop her head on Tae's leg.

"Joon, please," Yoongi said, so rattled Namjoon could barely hear him. "He's only seventeen. This is wrong."

"Head home," RM said, years of practice allowing him to project an austere calm he didn't feel. "Take Hobi too if he went up to the roof. Come over in the morning and you can see Jungkook then."

Fraught with emotion, Yoongi slowly did as he was told, collecting his shoes and a jacket, locking the front door behind him without saying goodnight.

"You're gonna stay with us tonight, Tae," Jin murmured. "Okay? Come sleep by me tonight?" He steered Tae towards the downstairs bathroom, Tae lax and pale against him.

Jimin slowly got up and put a little food out for Ruby. RM supposed that was wise. He listened to Jin and Tae in the bathroom. He tried to keep up appearances, leaned against the wall so he didn't slump down on the step.

Jimin approached him quietly, while Ruby gobbled up her late meal.

"Can I just-" Jimin started, and RM shook his head firmly to intercept to the request.

Jimin stared at him like he didn't know him, and his lower lip trembled. RM reached out to him, but Jimin turned tail and followed Jin and Tae into the bathroom. RM watched the three of them trudge up into the first bedroom, and close the door behind them.

Ruby had flopped down in her basket, watching him, eyes reproachful.

"You too, huh," he said to her, crossing to the bathroom to take his contacts out. He fetched more water for Jungkook, hit the lights, padded slowly upstairs. He had to take a moment outside the upstairs bathroom to collect himself.

He'd hurt every single one of them. That had been his plan and it was working, but it didn't ease the burden. They'd hate him after this, and although he'd cleared the path for Jungkook to reconcile with them, he didn't know where it would leave him. It didn't matter, ultimately. If he lost his family to keep the rest of them together, he would do it a hundred times over.

He pressed his forehead against the door frame, felt the throb of his right cheek, then slowly pushed the door open.

Jungkook was strung up tight in the dark, braced into the tight bundle. It was probably because he'd shouted earlier, worried RM was coming with the tape. Probably had no idea that Jin's shop had been shut for hours.

He crouched down and Jungkook sucked his lips in between chattering teeth, his shoulders coming up towards his ears. He was in a bad way. RM gave the bottle of water a little shake and pressed the metal straw to Jungkook's sealed mouth, careful not to touch him directly.

Jungkook let the straw penetrate. He drank, and RM watched the little gulps of his throat through his imperfect vision. For a wild moment, despite it all, he thought about calling it quits. It wouldn't take much. A quick hug, a gentle stroke of his cheek, a quick kiss to his forehead. He longed to cup his hand against the soft curve where Jungkook's skull rounded into his neck. Take the blindfold off and plant kisses on his eyelids, gather him close.

Yoongi was half-right, but RM wasn't trying to break Jungkook, he was forcing his conscious and subconscious minds to switch. The higher level rational self had to give way to the lower level emotional self. Jungkook's rational self would always call them kidnappers first and foremost, Jungkook's rational self would never give the six of them a chance. He was highly intelligent, perceptive, like RM in more ways than he realised. His rational self would play for time if RM released him now, would lay low and then rise up to orchestrate another escape.

Jungkook's emotional self loved them. RM believed it wholeheartedly. Jungkook couldn't have faked it. His emotional self was an open book. Was loving and precious and adorable and sexually attracted to them. It was his emotional self that had nearly warned RM the day of the YouTube convention. It was the emotional self that had contacted them the moment he'd escaped his stepfather. That had tried to warn them of the hitman and protect them from him.

Jungkook had a future with them. He was curious, he was gorgeous, he was equal parts shy and smart-mouthed. He was brave as hell. They loved him. And it wasn't just a crush he had on them, either.

RM would have scoffed at the idea of destiny before the night he'd met Jin. But there was no explaining how he'd had so much chemistry with a one-night stand that he couldn't even have sex with. As each of his boyfriends had been added into the relationship, it had felt right, even though they'd all been odd shapes and edges for eachother. RM hadn't considered a sixth or even a seventh until Jin had wanted a baby. And now, seeing Jungkook, knowing Jungkook, he understood just how much he was their missing seventh piece. They were meant to be Kim's Seven. They were always meant to be seven, and it was always meant to be Jungkook.

He knew it was a dangerous game to play with Jungkook's mind. He'd clocked early doors that Jungkook was becoming rapidly addicted to touch, Jin's touch in particular. To deprive him of something he needed and deserved was wicked, RM knew that. But he had to bring Jungkook's subconscious, his emotional, more complex mind to the fore, where it could overpower his rational mind. And he had to do it like this, to trick the other five into feeling absolved of everything that had gone before.

"Sorry," Jungkook scratched, as he finished the water. "Joon, sorry, please."

He was flaying RM's heart open. But if RM was weak now, Jungkook would only get hurt later, over and over again as they battled to keep him safe. Just one touch now could blow the whole thing. Could be enough to satisfy Jungkook's emotional mind and give the rational one the upperhand.

He carefully retreated, turned the radiator up a notch so it wouldn't be cold through the night. He heard Jungkook keen in the back of his throat, twist abortively against the cuffs as he carefully slid the door over.

Another five or six hours should be enough. He'd get up early.

X-X-X

He knew, distantly, abstractly, that he'd once lived outside of suffering. His body was hot then cold, sweating and shivering from the core of his abdomen to his paper skin. His brain span wild incoherent fantasies. His limbs were stiff and limp, a sharp pain across the back of his shoulders if he jerked his arms. Time was gone, and the floor was the only certainty in the unending darkness. He barely existed.

He heard the click of the bathroom door, alien and miles away, he heard the sound of pads on the tiles. He heard breathing.

Somewhere, layers beneath himself, he understood what he'd done and he didn't want to die.

He opened his mouth to scream, but his throat jammed. They wouldn't come anyway. Petals of panic unfolded across his blind vision, and he instinctively squeezed his eyes shut as it nudged his shoulder. Terrified croaking sounds strained out of his mouth, and he tried to curl himself into the fetal position, tried to make himself as small as possible.

It touched him again and he whimpered like a wounded animal. It's breath huffed hot and loud in his ear. His body heaved frantic inhalations as his mind gave itself over to naked despair.

A body brushed up against his, he heard the thump of limbs flopping down, a weight on his side. His body went limp in response, a rabbit in a trance.

He lay there in a chaos of sensations. The warm weight on him remained.

Gradually, fragments of consciousness crept in. His body was shaking less. He could feel the warmth of her body, pressed against his. His partial breaths, snatches of air, gradually slowed to steadier breaths. She adjusted position, and he gasped in the darkness as something cool and damp prodded against his neck and inhaled, sniffing him. There was a low rhythm of thuds against the tiles. Something warm, scratchy and wet licked a stripe on his cheek.

"Please," he managed in a whisper, weakly reaching out to stop her, his cheek tingling. His hand brushed into fur, sank in, glided against soft and fluffy hair closest to her body. The thud on the tiles became more energetic.

He didn't understand. He felt another scratchy lick on his cheek, just under the blindfold and realised that he was crying. He moved his hand against her again, transfixed.

He twitched when she moved again. He felt her body tuck against his front, shifting as if she was making herself comfortable. There was another gentle swipe at his cheek, and then stillness, her body relaxed, breathing in tandem with his.

He didn't really sleep after that, couldn't, his body equally vigilant and weary, his mind succuming to the brutal undertow of panic every so often, before he waded through the debris and made it back to the surface. He kept one cuffed hand dragged behind his body, so that the other rested in her fur. Every so often he moved it a centimetre or two, feeling the softness trail around his fingers.

He was stirred from a partial slumber by Tae's voice downstairs, breathy and confused, calling Ruby's name. He braced as something warm and hard nuzzled his neck, and then he heard the patter of paws and she was gone.

He didn't know if he felt relieved or dismayed. If anything, he felt shelled out. He'd been lying on one of his arms and adjusted his position with a low groan, feeling the pins and needles spike. He lay, half awake and half asleep, numb with stiffness, testing his arm till feeling came back. He thought he distantly heard the front door. Maybe. He was thirsty, but making the journey up onto the toilet to reach the sink was too much effort. He could hear traffic again and guessed it was morning. It would explain why they hadn't noticed Ruby leaving her basket. There was faint shuffling around the apartment, but he lacked the energy to tune into it.

He almost missed faint creak of the bathroom door as someone was swung it back and forth. With effort, he dragged himself to sit up. Silence. Namjoon again.

He felt a hand close about his wrist and heard an audible click. He heard the chain clang against the toilet and then against the tiles, and he still didn't move, bewildered by the sudden lightness in his wrist.

It didn't connect till he felt Namjoon leaning right over him, drawing the chain round to the other side. He reached out with his free hand, touched Namjoon chest, touched it again, grabbed at his shoulder desperately, tried to clamber onto him.

"Give me a second baby, let me get your other hand," Namjoon wheezed as Jungkook's scrambling knee hit something soft.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry-"

Namjoon gave up on catching his hand as Jungkook threw both arms round his neck, the chain knocking against both them.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry-" He felt Namjoon's arm round his back, felt the safety of Namjoon's front, gabbled and sobbed as he tried to squeeze every bit of his body onto Namjoon's.

"None of that, now" Namjoon's deep voice was gentle, and one hand patted his butt reassuringly. "It's over, it's past. Nothing to be sorry for."

The shockwave of relief that ran through Jungkook's body blew his fuses out, one by one.

X-X-X

When he woke, his nose was filled with orange, saffron and rose.

Jin. The scent was heaven and Jungkook dug his nose into the place where it smelled strongest, inhaling like it was liquid oxygen. His whole body sagged in contentment. There were raised voices around him, angry voices, but he was cocooned in Jin's arms, swaddled up in a blanket, and he knew he was safe.

"Are you awake, darling?" He felt one of Jin's hands leave his back and fingers carded through the back of his hair, stroking over his scalp, triggering his sensory neurons in a delicious wave that went down his spine. It almost knocked him back out.

The voices around them paused.

"He's shivering," Yoongi's voice was behind him, distressed. "I said that blanket wasn't warm enough."

"He's awake?" Jimin's voice was further off. "I'm making breakfast, Kookie!"

"Get him water first," Jungkook felt Jin's chest vibrate against his. "He might be dehydrated."

The anxiety in Jimin's voice, upset in Yoongi's and barely suppressed emotion in Jin's made Jungkook crack his eyes open. He groaned immediately as light burned into his retinas. Jin's hand cupped lightly over his exposed ear. "Shhh. It's okay, baby, it's okay."

Jungkook felt tears trickle from his smarting eyes and he shut them again, focusing on all the places his body was pressed against Jin's, feeling each thick layer of unconsciousness give way to reality.

"Here we go, bun," Yoongi's voice was nearby, and Jungkook felt the weight of a second blanket slip over his and Jin's shoulders.

"Water," Tae puffed, and Jungkook felt something plastic nudge against the side of his mouth. It made him think of the straw and he baulked, turning his face from it, pressing himself further into Jin.

"Don't flock, give him space," Jin ordered, his voice rough. Jungkook felt the Jin adjust the new blanket around the one he was wrapped in. "Pass me the water, sweetheart. Thank you. Jungkook, do you want to have a drink? Are you thirsty? Will you let me see your face?"

The drive to be good overpowered his desire to hide. Jungkook tilted his head out from Jin's neck, made a half-hearted attempt to open his eyes again.

"Good boy," Jin cooed, though there was an undercurrent of unhappiness in his voice which Jungkook couldn't comprehend. "I'm going to tilt the water into your mouth, you ready? Here we go."

Jungkook drank, realising how much he wanted it. He could make out the blurred shape of someone beyond the water bottle. Who was it? Tae?

"You're a monster, you know that?" Yoongi's voice was a fist.

"Don't, you'll upset him!" The blurry shape was Tae indeed, his voice consumed with guilt.

"He's already been upset, Tae!" Yoongi's voice. "And we let it happen. I've a good mind to take him out of here!"

Jungkook choked on the water.

"There, there," Jin retracted the water, gently swatted Jungkook's back. "I've got you. Yoongi, later. I get it, okay? We all feel the same. But not right now."

"I've got waffles!" Jimin said brightly, "s'cuse me, Ruby. I'm coming over, Kookie!"

"Stop smiling, there's nothing to smile about," Yoongi snapped.

"Yoongi," Jin's voice hardened, his hand coming up to cover Jungkook's ear again. "We need to concentrate on Jungkook right now. Go for a walk and gather your thoughts." His voice softened as the front door slammed unceremoniously and he lifted his hand. "You like raspberries, don't you? Here we go. Do you want me to feed you?"

Jungkook's sight was improving and he could clearly distinguish Tae from Jimin, who leaned forward to present a plate. It smelled good. He snaked a hand up out of his bundle to reach out.

"His wrist," Tae whispered.

Jin swore. Namjoon remained quiet.

"You're going for some raspberries? Tae can you grab him a hankie in case his hands get messy?" Jimin chirped.

Jungkook pressed the raspberries to his mouth, crunched through the soft ripe fruit, felt the juice spill into his mouth. He reached out for a waffle next, it was toasted golden and sprinkled with powdered sugar, and he bit a half moon from one corner. Jin stroked the back of his neck and he took another bite. If he just stayed right here, everything would be okay.

He managed another couple of bites, accepted another sip of water, shut his eyes and huddled into Jin, soaking up his cosiness. His body was husky with lassitude. After a while, he felt himself drift off to sleep.

X-X-X

There were two careful hands on his waist, easing him away from Jin.

The panic was raw and instinctive. He whined piercingly, scrabbling to lock his arms round Jin's neck.

"It's okay, it's okay-" Jin's said, alarmed.

"Ruby, no, c'mere," Tae said hastily.

Jungkook clung on harder, arms and legs tangled in the blankets, trying to fuse his body to Jin's.

"Breathe, baby," Jin closed both arms around him, rubbed his back through the blanket, anxious. "Shhh, I've got you. Jimin, would you run it for me?"

"Of course," Jimin's voice quavered, and Jungkook felt another hand tentatively touch the back of his head. He cringed from it in case it tried to take him from Jin again.

"Shhh," Jin murmured. "Sorry we startled you. You've been sleeping for a while, huh? I'm going to give you a bath. Get you all cleaned up."

Jungkook prised his eyes open a fraction to see bronze sunlight spilling in through the windows behind Jin. He heard water running in the downstairs bathroom.

"Does he want another drink?" Yoongi offered, somewhere to the side.

"Thirsty?" Jin mumured into Jungkook's hair. "Yoongi's holding the bottle for you. Do you want it?"

Jungkook blinked at the bottle and it came into focus. Yoongi was sitting along from him on the couch, face pale, brows knitted, gingerly extending it. He reached out to take it, keeping his other arm secure around Jin's neck in case Yoongi tried to remove him from Jin. He gulped it down till he was quenched, watching Yoongi's expression curiously. Yoongi blanched as he looked him over, his mouth in a bitter line, his eyes misty.

"Gonna carry you over?" Jin said, when Jungkook finished. "Yoongi, take the blankets?"

Jungkook clung on for dear life as he felt the blankets unravelling around him, but Jin kept hold of him, heaving a breath as he stood and lifted him. He saw Tae and Ruby out of the corner of his eye as he was carried towards the bathroom. Tae was hugging Ruby, and Ruby's eyes met his. She still looked so scary. He ducked his head onto Jin's for security.

"Stay for a minute, Jimin," Jin asked, and Jungkook felt himself being lowered to stand on his feet. He leaned into Jin, feeling the cool of the room in comparison to the warm nest he'd left.

"Jimin's going to take your clothes off, okay, baby?" Jin said. "I'm right here."

Jungkook felt fingers slip under his joggers and boxers. The pristine gleam of the bathroom hurt his eyes. He could smell lavender.

"It's just me, Kookie," Jimin's voice was fragile. "I'm not taking you away from Jin. Can you step out of this foot for me?"

He felt cold spread down his legs in a rash of goosebumps as his clothes were removed. He responded to the grip on his foot and lifted it.

"And the other one," Jimin said. "Thank you, baby."

"Could you get mine too, Minnie?" Jin said, gently swaying Jungkook in his arms. "Thanks, love. Gonna take your top off, baby. Can you put your arms up for me?"

Jungkook held on tighter.

"I know," Jin's voice was sympathetic. "I know, angel. Just for one second. I'm gonna pull it off, and Jimin will get mine and then we're gonna get in the bath together, okay? Come on, there's my good boy. There we are."

Jungkook latched back onto Jin like a magnet, chill erupting all over his skin.

"I'll get bathrobes for after," Jimin said. "Call if you need me."

The door clicked behind him. Jungkook turned his head on Jin's shoulder to eye the bath.

"Come on then," Jin said. "Big step in."

The hot water was luxurious. Jin eased them down into the warm water, cradling Jungkook on his side against Jin's chest. Jin kissed his forehead, soft as a butterfly landing. The lavender scent of the bath was powerful and Jungkook found it hard to locate the smell of rose, saffron and oranges on Jin's neck again.

"Don't let go," he strained out.

"I won't, baby, I won't let you go," Jin said fervently. "Missed you so much. Let me see these wrists. Oh darling, did he handcuff you?"

Jungkook nodded against Jin's chest, peering at the pink scores on his wrists, not fully recognising them as his own.

"I'll kill him," Jin muttered vehemently. "I'll kill him."

Somewhere in the recesses of his mind, Jungkook knew it wasn't true, but he didn't care, because Jin was touching him all over, carressing his skin, soaping it up, letting their legs tangle. He felt all of his twisted muscles ease as the water lapped against their chests, marvelled abstractly at the way Jin's skin shone like warm gold, while Jin washed his hair. Jin massaged his arms and his legs and over his chest and stomach, kissing his cheeks, his jaw, his collarbones, making his eyelids flutter. It was bliss. And it was over too fast, but Jin said the bath was getting too cold.

He and Jin got out of the bath hand in hand. Jimin slipped two bathrobes into the room, and Jin wrapped Jungkook up in his, tied the cord for him. Jungkook waited impatiently for Jin to put his own on, then Jin dried their feet and they both used the toilet and Jin sprayed his ears while he brushed his teeth.

He leaned against Jin's back as Jin quickly brushed his own teeth.

"You're my baby koala, huh?" Jin said, and Jungkook smiled against his back. He felt floaty and safely grounded all at the same time.

They bundled back up on the sofa in their bathrobes, Jungkook sitting on Jin's lap, Jin combing his hair. Jimin had fetched him fuzzy socks and rolled them onto his feet. He reached up to stroke Jungkook's cheek and Jungkook gazed down at him dreamily, enjoying the feeling of the comb through his hair.

"He went too far," Jimin said in the tiniest whisper to Jin.

Jungkook eyed Namjoon, who was standing in the kitchen area, leaning against the counters, his face impassive, a striking red bruise on his cheek. Ruby was snoozing in her basket. Yoongi and Tae sat side by side across from him and Jin and Jimin. They both looked ill. Now that Jungkook observed Jimin properly, Jimin looked ill too.

"I feel dreadful. We should have stopped him." Jimin added, swallowing reluctantly as he said it.

There was hesitation from Jin, then, "I know, Minnie."

Yoongi's despairing gaze turned furious when it turned towards Namjoon. "Psychopath," he growled under his breath. Even Tae cast a dark look in Namjoon's direction.

Somehow, the dynamic in Kim's Six had changed. Jungkook snuggled against Jin, and Jimin sat on their other side, taking Jungkook's socked feet onto his lap, his eyes full and worried.

"I'm sorry, Jungkook," Yoongi said plainly. "The whole thing is a mess. You didn't deserve this-"

The front door opened. Ruby woke up, barked, and Jungkook tensed against Jin as Namjoon moved to intercept her.

Hobi rushed in without locking the door or taking his shoes off. His eyes were so red from crying that he looked like the Before picture in an allergy medication ad. He rushed towards Jungkook. Jungkook knew he was coming to cuddle and turned on Jin's lap to greet him, Jin's arm still secure about his waist. Hobi stumbled down in front of them, his face pressed into the lapel of Jungkook's bathrobe.

"I'm so sorry," Hobi sobbed into Jungkook's chest. "I'm so sorry, Jungkook. I shouldn't have let it happen, and I did, and I walked away like a coward because I couldn't deal with myself. You're the best thing that's ever happened to us and we've treated you so bad, and I..." he choked on his tears. "You don't have to forgive me. I don't want you to forgive me. I'll never forgive myself. But I'm so sorry. You needed me and I didn't stick up for you, I put myself first when I should have put you first. I let you down, and it kills me that I did it-"

"Hobi," Jimin sobbed, his own composure breaking, piling on to hug Hobi and Jungkook, his other arm gesturing for Tae to join in. Tae scrambled over, head snapping between Hobi and Jin, as if Jin might provide explanation. Yoongi stared at Hobi, incredulous.

"Hobi," Jungkook pleaded. He tentatively stroked the back of Hobi's head and Hobi sobbed more.

He looked at Namjoon over Hobi's head. Namjoon was staring at Hobi too, and his face was cracked with disbelief.

Chapter Text

Sorry this chapter took a while. At this point, I'm running off sheer willpower to see this to the end, that and your amazing reviews. Thank you so much for your support! Review replies are coming soon! Kim's Seven turned 1 year old earlier this week which is just wild. A heads up that there's mention of the shopping centre attack and also discussion of the (separate) past murder of a child in this chapter. Hope you have a good read :D

X-X-X

Jungkook was a living angel. It was the only possible explanation for the way he'd petted the back of Hoseok's head as Hoseok sobbed and babbled about how sorry he was. The way he'd tolerated Hoseok's snot and tears smearing the lapel of his dressing gown. How his big brown eyes had filled up with sympathy and concern when Hoseok had drawn back to mumble more apologies.

Hoseok cast a glance downstairs as he and Yoongi rounded onto the landing. Jungkook was ensconsed on Jin's knee. Jin had wooed him into pyjamas and placed a controller in his hands while Tae and Jimin set up the Playstation. Jungkook's docility made Hoseok choke. As the character selection screen rolled up, Jin was having to prompt him through the process, Jungkook staring between the controller and the screen like a newborn foal.

Hoseok blew his nose into a clump of hastily snatched kitchen roll as he followed Yoongi to the storage room. His selfish self preservation had hurt the most precious person he knew, perhaps irretrievably. It was damning.

He had a lifetime's experience in defence mechanisms. He'd never told his parents or siblings he loved them, or mentioned his grandfather since the day he'd died, prefering to wipe him from existence than to face the grief. Avoiding conflict with his boyfriends was his ethos. At least, up until last night. He'd felt something definitive crack inside him as dawn broke, as he'd shivered and paced in their little square garden.

"Sit down," Yoongi shouldered the door open. "You look like you're ready to keel over."

Hoseok slumped into the computer chair and lobbed his paper-mache into the wastepaper bin, tugging a fresh tissue free from the box.

Yoongi closed the door over with a quiet poignancy.

"Are you okay? " Hoseok murmured, his body crumbling into the comfort of the seat.

"Not really." Yoongi kicked the gym ball out from between Jimin's extra clothing rack and their box of Christmas decorations, and planted his butt on it. "It's been hell. He wouldn't let us go up to Kook-"

Hoseok twisted his new handkerchief between his fingers.

"I tried to push past him," Yoongi said, almost pleading. "I told him to move. He was just this... immovable force."

They'd never gone up against him. Namjoon's will had always dominated Kim's Six, and Hoseok and Yoongi had done little more than muster a few gripes.

"I failed Jungkook. I was weak," Yoongi summarised sourly. "And then Tae came, after you left. He was strung out. Badly strung out. He almost stabbed Namjoon."

Hoseok closed his eyes at the thought. Tae was capable of horrific violence, but never against one of their own.

"Well, Namjoon held him off, and Jin talked him down," Yoongi said. "Tae folded fast, but Namjoon nearly died last night. I was so rattled. I let Namjoon send me home. Stayed up till I saw you pacing back and forth in the back yard about 2am and I must have fallen asleep afterwards. They'd already brought Kook out by the time I rushed over this morning."

"I'm sorry," Hoseok said. "I let you down. We could have worked together."

"It doesn't matter now, Namjoon's done his damage," Yoongi cast a bitter look at the door before lowering his tone. "We need to go, Hobi."

"Go?"

"Yeah, get Jungkook and get out of here. Go up North. You can cover our tracks."

"What, just the two of us?"

"And Jungkook." Yoongi fixed him with a purposeful stare. "Namjoon is an unchecked monster, and we're feeding that monster by staying."

Hoseok's stomach railed, but he couldn't afford to be a coward again. "You want to break up with Namjoon? With the others?"

"No. I mean-" Yoongi grimaced with genuine pain. "I love them. I love Namjoon. But Jungkook's safety is more important. If we can just get him out, we can figure things out from there."

Hoseok had been on a similar rollercoaster of wild thoughts last night.

"Realistically, Jungkook won't want to come with us." He pointed out.

Yoongi's expression slackened.

"We've let him down just the same as everyone else, Yoongi. Namjoon may be the bad guy, but we're not the good guys. And he's never going to leave Jin."

Yoongi bristled. "Then we have to-"

"What, force him? Think, Yoon."

Yoongi deflated, stared at his feet. "...You wouldn't leave Jimin anyway, would you."

"No. But it's more than that," Hoseok said plainly. "Adley set a hitman on us. We need to stick together, Namjoon included. And Jungkook needs to be protected from his step-dad as much as possible."

"But what about Namjoon?" Yoongi flicked his thumb back and forth over the plug on the ball. "Hobi, he brainwashed him. That's why he's all sweet and wanting to cuddle when he should be upset and angry. It was psychological torture."

Hoseok's heart ached just thinking about it. "We helped create that monster," he said, seeking out Yoongi's eyes. "We need to take accountability for it. And we need Namjoon to recognise what he's done. We need to show him that we'll never stand for it again."

Yoongi looked up at Hoseok from beneath dark lashes and knitted brows. "It's good hearing you talk like this," he admitted.

Hoseok would have loved to hug him, if only Yoongi did hugs.

"I finally realised what's most important," he said. "And it's not me."

Yoongi gave him a small heartfelt smile. "I love you."

"I love you too."

There was footfall outside the door, and then a soft knock. "Hobi?"

Yoongi's face shuttered.

Namjoon opened the door. "I'm sorry, I'm interrupting, but I need to speak to Hobi."

"I'm going to check on Jungkook," Yoongi stood up, roughly shouldering past Namjoon as he went. Namjoon didn't retaliate, his face calm. Hoseok wondered who'd given him the bruise. Tae, probably.

"I know you don't want to talk to me, but I need to check in with you on Adley." Namjoon said. "Please, Hobi."

Hoseok turned in his chair. His self-loathing was eclipsed only by the loathing he felt for Namjoon. "There's no news."

"No?" Namjoon said, eyebrows arching. "None of the trails you set up?"

"Not yet."

Namjoon had figured out last week that Adley and his man would find their way to Jimin. After all, they'd pulled Jungkook out of a YouTube event, footage of which was available online. And Adley knew Jungkook had a YouTube channel. His ASMR stuff would be sitting in his drawers at home. Namjoon concluded that they'd discover Minnie's Makeup without too much difficulty, whether via NochuASMR or otherwise.

Which was why Hoseok had called in every favour he was owed to scour the CCTV at train stations, bus stops and parks for Jungkook, while simultaneously battening the hatches back home. Jimin's management company was an easy find, but every other piece of identifiable information was buried under false leads for Adley's hire to follow.

"It worries me that they haven't bitten," Namjoon contemplated. "It makes me question what they're doing, if not investigating the YouTube connection. You're keeping a close eye on?"

Hoseok nodded, patted his phone in his pocket.

"Thanks, Hobi."

The hitman was a problem that wasn't going to go away. They could trap him and kill him, but Adley could hire another. They could take out Adley, but it might obliterate any chance they had left with Jungkook. And it was hard to see how they could tackle this together when he could barely look at Namjoon without disgust welling up his throat.

"Have you apologised to Jungkook?" He demanded.

"I'm not sorry for it." Namjoon didn't even have the shame to avert his gaze. "It had to be done."

Hoseok remembered the first day he'd met Namjoon. He'd come to meet Jimin for what he thought was a double-date, and the flatmate had opened the door, and he'd been struck dumb by the height and the muscles, the golden skin, and the dimples, the protective aura the man gave off.

He was struck dumb now, as he too shouldered past Namjoon, desperate to be out of his presence.

X-X-X

The air felt different.

"Can I have-" Jungkook pointed towards the balsamic vinegar. Tae and Hobi simultaneously made to grab it for him.

"Do you have enough avocado, baby?" Jimin said, offering another heaped spoonful, while Yoongi topped his drink up despite it only being a quarter empty.

Jin sat close and had his arm resting across the back of Jungkook's chair, his fingers stroking the base of Jungkook's skull whenever he leaned back. It was nice. It was hard too, because Jin's knee was right there and Jungkook was tempted to upgrade his seat.

"Could someone pass the pepper please?" Namjoon said. No-one moved, so Jungkook reached out pick it up from between Jimin and Yoongi.

"It's okay, I've got it, baby," Yoongi gave him a gentle smile, snatching the pepper mill up and dumping it in front of Namjoon. "You want anything else?" His voice was like the arctic.

"No, thank you." Namjoon said, grinding pepper over his salad.

"We could play again after lunch," Tae offered Jungkook. "I mean...if you were enjoying it?"

"Let's see if we can get some food down him first, hmm?" Jin's fingertips wove their way down Jungkook's neck. "Then he can decide how he feels."

Jungkook gave Tae a little smile as he forked lettuce, tomato and avocado into his mouth. He chewed. Jimin smiled at him encouragingly. Hobi's eyes were worried, his face still blotchy and sticky from earlier tears. All of them were sitting slightly angled away from Namjoon, facing Jungkook.

On impulse, Jungkook lowered his fork and deliberately knocked it off the table. It clattered on the floor. He made to bend over-

"It's okay sweetheart, I'll get it," Jin said quickly.

"I'll get you a new one," Yoongi practically leapt across the room to be first, smacking the cutlery drawer open, hurrying back with his prize.

"Thank you," Jungkook said, as Yoongi carefully placed the utensil in his hand. He studied his salad, feeling their gazes on him. He set the fork down. "Actually, I think I'm full."

"Do you want me to make you something else?" Jimin offered as Jin reached round to check his temperature.

"No, I'm fine," Jungkook lifted his drink and sipped, observing them over the top. The five of them glanced at eachother worriedly, but smiled at him and assured him he didn't need to eat if he didn't feel like it. He made brief eye contract with Namjoon. Namjoon's brow was creased, but he didn't comment on Jungkook's little experiment.

It was disconcerting, to hold this much power. Jungkook's thoughts moved in sludgy waves: slinking forward, fizzing out and retreating, crashing distantly in the recess of his head. He could tip the table over and they'd fall over themselves to praise him. He had half a mind to try it. Or maybe just climb onto Jin's-

"They've ID'd the shooters," Jimin said suddenly, glancing at his phone.

"It's hit the news?" Hobi reached for his own phone. "Someone turn the TV on."

Abandoning lunch, they hurried up from the dining table and Jungkook followed.

-twenty five, Mason Williams, also twenty five and Brian Brown, twenty-four in what has become the deadliest shooting in the UK. Londoners are reeling-

Jungkook recognised Home hacked instantly. The photograph could have been taken last week. He had the same bad skin and goatee and wore a grubby t-shirt. The picture was cropped, disguising the context. Home hacked stared back at him with cold dead eyes, and Jungkook's body reacted viscerally, like a hard weight had been suddenly plummetted down his throat and into his stomach.

Jack Lekitch and Mason Williams first met online playing the popular multiplayer game World of Warcraft in 2018. Anthony Beresford and Brian Brown were both active contributers to an online forum where-

"You don't need to watch this, Kook." Namjoon said quietly.

The others sent dirty looks Namjoon's way, only to gape when they turned to check Jungkook. Jungkook felt Jin pull him against his chest, covering his exposed ear, gently pushing his head in towards his shoulder, away from the TV screen. Jungkook locked his arms around Jin's waist to anchor himself. He hadn't anticipated the shot of adrenaline charging his bloodstream, nor the feeling of being frozen stiff, unable to stop himself falling..

The four began communicating more frequently in November last year, when Anthony Beresford-

"Let's just switch it off-" Hobi began.

"Kookie," Jimin said nervously. "Do you want to come with me instead? I've thought of something we can do."

Jungkook didn't want to budge from his safe haven, but the note of quiet desperation in Jimin's voice made him turn his head and look over. Jimin was worrying his lower lip, his eyes tremulous and hopeful.

"Do you want to go with Jimin, darling?" Jin murmured in his ear, planting a little kiss on the lobe.

Jungkook felt himself nod. Jin extracted him, thumbed tears he hadn't noticed from his cheeks. Jungkook wanted to lean back in, but Jimin looked so relieved, stepping towards him, reaching his hand out.

Jungkook took it.

"Tae, come with us?" Jimin led Jungkook gently towards his office.

In one such post, Jack Lekitch said 'We're all going to die anyway. Death is as natural as life, as essential as life-

Tae tore his eyes from the TV. "Um, Okay."

"Turn the TV down a bit then," Hobi bid Yoongi, as Jungkook was led away.

"I want to do ASMR for you." Jimin said, as Tae closed the office door behind them.

Jungkook blinked at him.

"Not for filming," Jimin said rapidly, nervous. "Just for you. If you trust me. You don't have to. We can watch Netflix or something-"

His other hand was wringing itself.

Jungkook wiped at his damp cheeks with his free fist, looking around the room, refamiliarising himself with the pale pink walls and white shelves and trickets. "Okay," he said numbly. "We can try it."

Jimin's expression flooded with delight.

"What about me?" Tae says quietly, "what should I do?"

"Can Tae help?" Jimin asked. "He doesn't get ASMR, but he can do a mean head massage."

Jungkook turned to Tae, who looked young and uncertain.

"Okay," he said helplessly.

"Thank you baby, I promise I'll do my best," Jimin squeezed his hand fervently. "I really want to show you that we love you, 'cause I'm scared you don't think- Kookie, I'm-" he swallowed, gathered himself. "Tae, can you get the fold-out chair for him? You can sit in my chair behind him. I'm going to grab a couple of things."

Tae moved silently as Jimin fled the room, setting up as directed. Jungkook crossed his arms over his chest protectively, trying to bury his trembles, wishing he hadn't left Jin. His thoughts were still sloshing back and forth.

"I'm back," Jimin announced. "You like the same kind of ASMR that you do in your videos, right?"

Jungkook sat down in the fold-out chair. "Yes. Mostly dry sounds."

"Okay, and you trust us?" Jimin checked.

Jungkook nodded. He had no idea if it was true.

"Do you think you can close your eyes, baby? I've got a serum I want to put on your face first. Tae, open the mini-fridge, get my jade roller out. Tae's going to use the roller on your face, okay? It's good for circulation and lymphatic drainage. You roll it up and outward, Tae, like this, over his cheeks. It'll rub the serum in. Then you can do your thing."

Jungkook felt Jimin's smooth hands leave his face, and sensed Tae's hesitancy before a rougher hand cupped his chin and he felt the roller across his left cheek. It was cool from the fridge, massaging across his skin, refreshing his face.

Jimin sprayed a couple of times into the air nearby, and the scent of orange, rose and saffron hit Jungkook's nose. It was clean and heady and so good. He held it in his lungs.

"I stole it from the bathroom," Jimin said. Picturing Jimin wafting it near his face made all Jungkook's tiny hairs stand on end, before they were smoothed down by the roller. Jin's scent permeated the air, and he felt his muscles slacken reflexively, the tension easing.

"You tell me if there's something not working and I'll move on, okay?" Jimin said, shy again.

"Okay," Jungkook mumbled. He heard rapid tacking of nails on plastic and guessed Jimin was fake keyboard smashing. Tae's hand left his chin, and he heard the tap of the roller being set down. Jimin varied up his pacing at the keyboard, then Tae stroked down both sides of his head, fingers running over his ears, lightly brushing his neck till they reached his shoulders. Jungkook felt Tae press down gently, all along his shoulders to his upper arms, taking his time, letting Jungkook feel grounded. It felt nice.

Jimin was closer now, Jungkook could sense him. Not knowing how close gave him his first proper tingle. Then he heard the zip of paper, Jimin ruffling through the pages of a book, or perhaps a magazine, stroking the cover near his ear on one side, and then on the other. Then there were creaks and swooshes of glossy pages and he imagined Jimin working slowly, bending the pages open, smoothing his palms over the surfaces.

Tae picked up wisps of hair near the crown of Jungkook's head next, lifting them and then dropping them at random, creating ripples of cold air which shivered across his scalp. It was really nice. Jungkook leaned his head back to indulge in more, as Jimin gave his magazine one last flick.

He felt Tae's hands stroke his ears, trace down his cheeks and dust around his chin, pressing gently but firmly along his shoulders again. Then his left ear heard sounds he knew all too well, injecting the top layer of his scalp with thousands of tiny delicious shudders which flowed down to his spine.

"More," he whispered when the finger flutters stopped.

"I didn't realise how much it hurts to do," Jimin whispered, and Jungkook smiled as the flutters recommenced in his right ear. Tae was rubbing his palms over Jungkook's shoulders and upper arms in fluid motions, then moved to make little plucking motions alone his collarbone. Jungkook felt so good, he was half lolling in the chair.

Tae scooped his hands into Jungkook's hair, just a little rough, stimulating blood flow to his scalp. Jungkook almost moaned in dismay when Jimin's finger flutters stopped, but then he heard the clip of scissors and a real moan passed his lips.

"Is that good, baby?" Jimin whispered. "Let me lean over you and do both sides at once."

So good. The slide of metal, and the sharp click... and Tae was scratching his scalp, massaging circles in, and the feeling that Jimin was close without knowing how close... Jungkook's head felt light as a balloon, a conduit for pure pleasure. Tae was tapping over his head with his forefingers now, putting some strength behind it, and Jimin had synchronised the scissors-

He was too far gone to even utter a protest with the scissors finally stopped.

"I don't know if this is gonna work," Jimin whispered. "But I saw you do it in a video once.."

Tae combed through his hair with his fingers, little smooths and scrunches before crawling his fingers down to the base of Jungkook's skull, kneading down the neck bones to the first bump of his spine, the most gorgeous pain Jungkook had ever felt, travelling back up to plunge into his hair again. His hands were holding Jungkook's head up now.

"Beautiful," Jimin breathed distantly, and then Jungkook heard what felt like a whisper of cloth on his right side. Tae was gently squeezing his brows, then massaging his temples, his moves becoming increasingly languid. The sound moved to his left ear then back to the right. Jimin was rubbing something, tapping on it, was it a boot? His hands smoothing over the material produces bouts of tingles over Jungkook's head. A heaviness was flowering in his brain. Tae's nails wove softly through his hair and...

When he woke, drowzy and safe, he felt his head being supported.

"It was really hard," Jimin was nearby, voice fragile. "I missed you both so badly... and I... well I suppose I thought that neither of you missed me, and I blamed myself...I..."

"I'm sorry, Minnie." Tae's low rumble came from somewhere behind Jungkook's head. "I shouldn't have taken off. I felt heartbroken, but even if Jungkook doesn't love me, I knew you did. I know you do. And I love you so much."

Jungkook heard them kiss somewhere above his head. He shifted.

"Oh, he's waking up," Tae said, his voice akin to wonder.

"Kookie," Jimin's voice was anxious. "How do you feel, baby? You fell asleep."

It was such an effort to lift his head from where it had been resting in Tae's cupped hands. "I think that was the best experience of my life," he coughed weakly.

"You just take your time to sit up," Jimin said quickly. "I've got a teapot here, I'm gonna pour you a drink. And I've got some blackberries to regulate your blood sugar levels."

Jungkook blinked slowly as he popped the first blackberry into his mouth and felt the juice explode. Jimin had lifted one of the window blinds and he could see the maisonettes across the street. The afternoon sky was bright as a newly minted pound coin. He accepted the mug in both hands and inhaled the steam before taking a sip. There was mango and ginger and something else-

"It's one of Jin's," Jimin gently stroked Jungkook's hair. "Do you like it?"

Jungkook smiled at him drowsily. Jimin tentatively smiled back.

He couldn't help but make a clumsy beeline for Jin's knee when they guided him back into the main living area.

"That was so inconsiderate of us," Hobi reached up to touch Jungkook's cheek as Jungkook clambered on, hanging his legs over the arm of the couch as Jin's arms sealed round his waist. "Didn't think about how you'd still be processing the shock. I feel so dumb. How are you feeling?"

"Good," Jungkook smiled. "I'm good."

He saw wary relief in Yoongi's eyes. Namjoon watched passively from the dining table.

Hobi's mouth curved down with emotion. "Did Jimin and Tae look after you? You must have had one of Tae's famous head massages, look at this messy mop!"

"Still, we should have been more thoughtful," Yoongi shook his head. "I'm sorry, Bun."

"It's okay," Jungkook snuggled into Jin. "I want to know too. Why did they do it?"

"For the notority, it seems," Jin said, adjusting his arms for extra security. "They're all London born and bred. No real political affliation, but a lot of shared grievances and a shared obsession with terrorist attacks."

"Oh." It didn't seem like enough, not for so many innocent people to be dead. Not for Soobin and Dove to have so very nearly lost their lives, not to mention Jungkook and Kim's Six.

"The police are still figuring out where the semi-automatic rifles came from," Yoongi added. "Probably the dark web. But it doesn't look like they were incited by any specific network or group. The best guess is that they egged eachother on."

Jungkook closed his eyes. The shooters had treated people's lives as trash. But in so doing, their own lives had become trash. Jungkook was glad they were dead. He only wished Kim's Six could have taken them out before their first shot.

"Your sleep cycle's going to be all over the place," Jin tickled under his chin. "Come on, can you sit up a bit for me? How about we play a game?"

"I've got to make a call, then I'll start on dinner..." Yoongi stood, then turned back to Jungkook. "unless you want me to stay?"

"I'm fine," Jungkook heaved himself upright begrudgingly. Jin's sweater was so comfy. His body was just so relaxed.

"Look at this pout," Jin cooed. "Come on. Tae, grab us a pack of cards, love?"

Jin explained the rules, and Jungkook processed most of it. There were four players, and the aim of the game was to get four cards of the same suite in your hand. If you did, your teammate, sitting across from you, had to shout 'Kerfuffle' and then you'd win. But if the other team intercepted you signalling to your teammate that you had the four cards, they could call Kerfuffle first and win. You couldn't call Kerfuffle for yourself, only for your teammate, or to intercept the other team.

"But if it's a four player game..." he queried.

"Oh, I'll just be your chair," Jin nuzzled his neck, giving him little goosebumps.

So Namjoon wasn't invited. Jungkook saw him cross over towards the bookshelf, begin reading a book at the dining table. Tae dealt the cards out. Jungkook felt like he'd simultaneously won and lost.

"Hobi's your teammate, so the two of you have to agree on your secret sign," Jin prompted him. Tae and Jimin were over by Ruby's basket whispering behind their hands, casting mischevious glances at Hobi and Jungkook.

Hobi cupped his hands over Jungkook's ear and Jungkook inhaled clean linen and eucalyptus. "How about we make shaking our head our signal? Just a little shake like we're disappointed in our hand."

Jungkook nodded, and Hobi pressed a quick peck to his cheek before settling on the carpet across from him and picking up his four cards.

"Here's your hand," Jin whispered in Jungkook's ear, scooping the cards up from where Tae had piled them on the sofa, fanning them out in front of Jungkook's chest. There were two hearts, one club, one diamond and one spade. "You have five because you're starting. What one do you want to pass on?"

Jungkook pointed to the club.

"Okay, give it to Jimin then, face down."

"Thanks, Kookie!" Jimin reached out to accept the card, quickly assimilating it into his hand before looking at it. He deliberated for half a second then passed a card along to Hobi. He wiggled his eyebrows at Tae theatrically.

"As if we'd fall for that," Hobi scoffed.

"Kerfuffle," Tae's eyes blew wide.

"Niccce!" Jimin crowed, tossing his cards down to show four clubs.

Hobi's mouth opened in outrage.

"Again?" Jimin said smoothly, gathering the cards back into the pack.

"You did something else while I was distracted by the eyebrows, didn't you?" Hobi accused.

"That's for us to know and you two to find out," Jimin said airly. "Cards, baby?"

Jungkook handed them over.

Tae started first this time, and passed Jungkook a diamond, bring his total to two diamonds, two clubs, one heart. Jungkook passed the heart. Jimin barely suppressed a grin as he waggled a single eyebrow at Tae. Hobi narrowed his eyes, but didn't take the bait. Jimin shrugged aimiably and passed his card.

Jungkook studied Hobi for a shake of the head, but Hobi didn't give one. He gave a small grimace, then passed a card to Tae.

Jungkook watched Tae's handsome features for any hint of a signal, but Tae was poker faced, passing his card to Jungkook a moment later.

It was a spade. Well that didn't help Jungkook's ambitions of building a diamond or club army. He passed the spade, watched Jimin like a hawk.

Jimin passed a card to Hobi, and Jungkook was about to concentrate on his teammate, when he noticed that Jimin's cards stood straighter in his hand than they had before.

"Kerfuffle!" He cried out instinctively.

"Wha- sweets, that wasn't-" Hobi began.

"Damn," Jimin tossed down his four spades. "Nice play, baby."

"Oh, my bad," Tae gave a slow grin, "I didn't notice."

They choose their new signal and a few more rounds were underway by the time Yoongi returned and began rustling up a stir fry. By the time Jungkook finally held four hearts in his hand, he and Hobi had changed their signal a bunch of times, and now had individual ones. Jungkook's was to yawn, and Hobi's was to rub his nose. Hobi had been yawning plenty through this round, and Jungkook hoped they hadn't miscommunicated their signals.

He passed his fifth card and let out a yawn which quickly became genuine. The others cooed, including Hobi.

Jungkook pouted. "Hobi.."

"Oh, um, Kerfuffle," Hobi said hurriedly, a fraction before Tae and Jimin jumped on it. He laughed as Jungkook displayed the four hearts. "Sorry, sweets."

Jungkook was just happy to see Hobi smiling after how upset he'd been this morning.

The tension cranked up at dinner again.

"Can I have the sauce?" Jungkook asked. It was nearest Namjoon and Yoongi. Namjoon picked it up to pass, and Yoongi snatched it out of his hands.

"Thank you," Jungkook said uncomfortably.

"Are you feeling alright, baby?" Hobi said, concerned.

He was, he was enjoying the stir fry, his body felt sated and comfortable. But he could barely think while seeing Kim's Six at odds.

"I've got a shoot tomorrow, the nice kind, fortunately," Jimin tried to start a conversation, faux-cheer in his voice, eliciting wan smiles from the others. "We've made them change the location twice, and Yoongi's gonna bodyguard me, aren't you, Yoon? They're gonna glue sequins on me, I'm gonna look like one of those reversible cushions you get in Home Bargains." He paused for a rejoinder and the rhythm of the moment collapsed under the weight of its absence. Jimin ducked his head and focused on digging into his chicken, bamboo, peppers and rice.

Jungkook didn't know if it was fair. Namjoon seemed resigned to it. But if they were so angry with him for locking Jungkook in the bathroom, why hadn't they come for Jungkook and let him out? Had they been so under Namjoon's thumb? Even though Jungkook had cried out for each one of them? Was it enough that they were sorry now? Why wasn't Namjoon trying to fight it?

"I want to watch a movie," he announced, as Tae and Ruby headed out for their evening walk and Jin started on the dishes. He made eye contact with Namjoon and Namjoon looked down first.

"Of course!" Jimin said, "what do you want to watch, baby? We can bring blankets down!"

"I'll buy the movie, what do you fancy?" Hobi enthused.

"I can do icecream," Yoongi offered. "Or popcorn."

"Thor 3," Jungkook chose randomly.

"Sounds good."

"It's another superhero night, huh?"

"Let's bring all the pillows down too!"

"I might go to bed early," Namjoon said quietly. No one replied. Jungkook watched Namjoon trudge upstairs past the windows as shadows thickened the day into dusk, and the others bustled around to set up his pefect movie night. He thought about Namjoon a lot as the screen lit up with colour, action and humour, and the others packed themselves around him with puppy-like desperation. At one point he caught Ruby watching him from her basket, her brown eyes studying him in a way that might have unnerved him, if it weren't for the human and pillow blockade between them.

"Bedtime?" Jin nuzzled his ear when the film ended. Jungkook nodded, mind still buzzing, body still lax. Hobi and Yoongi wished him goodnight. Jimin had persuaded Tae to stay. He let Jin guide him through their night time routine, spraying his ears and brushing his teeth and waiting while he used the toilet.

He, Jin, Tae and Jimin piled into Jin's bed, and Jungkook worked some finger flutters near Jimin's ears till he nodded off. Soon Tae's breathing relaxed, curled up against Jimin's back. Jungkook shammed sleep till Jin too nodded off.

It was probably because he'd slept so much during the daytime. He breathed in the night, listened to their steady breathing and the occasional car passing outside, wondered if Namjoon was asleep alone in his large bed. He loved them, that was the problem. But he didn't know love, and neither did they. Love was what Dove and Soobin had. Love was Karisha's face when she spoke about her family back home. Soona's love, Julian's love, Kim's Six's love, all of them were insubstantial, twisted, flawed-

He heard the patter on the stairs, and went stalk still in the bed. He heard her feet pad by Jin's door, and then then he distantly heard a huff. A pause. Another huff. The patter of feet again. And now a huff under the door of Jin's bedroom.

His heart thumped. She was looking for him.

He didn't quite know what possessed him. He watched himself squeeze his knees up and wedge his feet over the quilt without disrupting the others. He clambered awkwardly over the bed, trying to avoid stray legs as another huff sounded under Jin's door.

He stepped barefoot onto the carpet. The thump of heart had somehow crawled inside his head, his insides at various points on the scale from uneasy to afraid. He padded to the door, inched the handle down, darting back in panic as she burst in. He could make her out in the near-dark and he shut his eyes tight as a warm body brushed up against his legs, rapidly circling him, panting.

"Shh, shh," he whispered, summoning his courage to bend down, his hand glancing off her back as she circled him. "Please."

It took a minute before she settled down. Keeping his eyes tight shut, he felt out and slid his fingers over soft hair. He grimaced in fright at a sudden wet, scratchy smear across his cheek, but slowly lowered himself till he sat with his back against the end of the bed, hands blindly feeling out her forelegs and her sides, fingers sinking into her fur. She sat with him for as long as he could stay awake, companiably silent, with only the occasional lick reminding him that he must be insane for doing this.

X-X-X

Tae felt the film of rain on his face as he and Ruby headed back to the apartment in the early morning haze. The day lacked yesterday's heat. Ruby seemed to be enjoying it, zooming towards every baby, toddler or puppy she could find with even more zest that usual.

Tae wished he shared her enthusiasm. Yesterday had been a blur, and last night he'd dreamed about stabbing Namjoon, seeing the shock on Namjoon's face, and feeling the horror at himself as Namjoon fell, trying to explain to the shifting characters around him why he'd done it, finding himself unable to speak.

He'd never have forgiven himself if he'd killed Namjoon two nights ago. And it had been close. Namjoon had held him off with brute strength, holding the arm which had been a mere second from snatching the knife in his waistband. It frightened Tae that he hadn't seen Namjoon as his boyfriend in those moments, the one who'd found him and given him a home life and his first stable, meaningful relationships.

But on the other hand, he couldn't forgive himself for crumbling at the first small morsel Jin gave him, abandoning Jungkook at the promise of being coddled for five minutes. Whichever way he looked at it, he was deeply ashamed.

Ruby looked up at him and waggled her butt cheerfully, before wandering ahead to check out the bottom of the next lamp post.

Tae kept his eyes peeled as he followed her. He had a gun in his jacket for any would-be assassins, even though it seemed unlikely Adley's hitman would have tracked his dog walking route. He wondered what it would be like today with Jungkook, who had looked so traumatised, but adapted back to being with them so quickly. Tae's heart couldn't afford to buy it. He'd held Jungkook's head in his hands yesterday as he dozed, and he'd wished there was a way in, a way to know what Jungkook really thought. And he wondered what it would be like with Namjoon too. Namjoon would never back down and apologise for what he'd done. Their relationship might not last the day, and today was the worst possible day for Namjoon to have made himself an outcast.

Ruby practically danced up the stairs to their front door, putting her paw on it impatiently as Tae inserted the key.

Jungkook was being fussed over at breakfast, his eyes adorably wide. He was in a royal blue oversized sweater and boxers, looking much more alert than he had yesterday. Jin, Yoongi and Hobi were chatting away to him at the dining table. Namjoon was absent, and Tae couldn't help his sense of relief. The tension had been so unbearable.

"Morning best girl! Morning Tae!" Jin smiled as Tae undid his shoes and slid the jacket and gun off.

"Eggs and toast or fruit and pancakes?" Yoongi asked.

"Both, obviously," Tae said, opening the cupboard for Ruby's breakfast.

"I better head," Hobi said reluctantly. He was dressed for work, his ponytail straight and his collar ironed. "I think I can do a half day at home today, but we'll see how it goes. Have a good day, sweets."

He kissed Jungkook's forehead, pecked Yoongi and Jin and came up for Tae. Tae set Ruby's bowl down for her and pressed his mouth to Hobi's. "He's doing good, it's going to be okay," Hobi murmured to him as they parted. Tae nodded. But he'd been fooled by those innocent eyes once before.

Yoongi moved up to let him sit beside Jungkook. Tae piled his plate up eagerly, pausing only to divert Ruby who had taken an extra interest in Jungkook this morning.

"Where's Namjoon?" Jungkook asked softly.

"Oh. He probably won't come down, Bun." Yoongi said. "Fortunately you don't have to worry about him today."

Tae saw the confusion on Jungkook's face as he forked a piece of melon, but he didn't ask any more.

"You okay to hold the fort this morning?" Jin helped Tae manouvere some scrambled egg onto his plate. "Yoong's taking Jimin to the shoot, Areum has a hospital appointment in half an hour and Hye-Hwa is being herself."

"Of course," Tae said, unable to prevent the glow in his chest when Jin smiled approvingly.

It was hard, when Jin and Namjoon had sat him down and explained that their dynamic wasn't working for Jin. It had taken a lot for Tae to trust Jin, to break down his barriers and let him get that close. He'd done it more to fit in than anything else, desperate to be wanted, but then he'd come to enjoy being babied and praised. It didn't really come as a surprise that he wasn't good enough, and he was so grateful that they still wanted him, still loved him. Still, it was frightening how little Jin had to do for Tae to revert back to that feeling of being a small child.

Jimin came downstairs, looking like a celestial being, in a beret, baby blue blouse, white trousers and boots, makeup immaculate.

"I don't know why you dress up so much," Yoongi commented. "They're only gonna make you take it all off, anyway."

"I look hot though, right?" Jimin checked.

Yoongi gave a little groan. "Very."

"Yeah, thought so. Morning Kookie, what're you having?"

Jungkook looked so happy as Jimin fussed over him that Tae didn't know what was real anymore, and what was acting. Namjoon had said that if they left Jungkook for the length of time they had then, then he'd want to be with them. Namjoon was never wrong, so maybe Jungkook was more brainwashed than anything else. That thought made Tae's breakfast less palatable.

Jin, Jimin and Yoongi headed out a short while later, planting kisses on Jungkook's head and on Tae's lips.

"I'll wash the dishes," Jungkook said when they were gone.

"Oh no, it's fine, I can-" Tae started anxiously, but Jungkook shook his head. "I want to wash the dishes," he said firmly.

Tae didn't know how he was supposed to say no to that. Ruby had settled into her basket to nap, and he found himself a little at a loss, wondering who this boy tipping cutlery into the soapy wash basin was.

And this was maybe the only real time they'd be alone, for him to find out.

He crossed over to the kitchen area, hoisted himself up to sit on the counter. Jungkook glanced aside at him, but kept working away, methodically soaping up each utensil and rinsing it off. Tae watched him for a while.

"You lied to me," he said.

Jungkook startled.

The emotion plugged Tae's throat before he could even register it. "You told me you wanted to stay. But you didn't want to stay, did you."

Jungkook slowly set the glass he was rinsing down on the rack. "No," he admitted. "No, I wanted to escape then. Later I was less sure, but I'd already got a message out via my friends by then."

"I haven't caught up with everything. Your friends were at the club that night?"

Jungkook nodded, reaching into the basin for another glass. "Well, they weren't my friends then, but Soobin's cousin Ahnjong knows a guy in my class. He went to Julian. I stayed with them after I ran away from Julian."

Tae nodded. "I...it's sad that you didn't trust me."

Jungkook's expression flickered, and he set the other glass aside before reaching for the dishcloth to dry his hands. "Should I have?" He asked finally, tossing it down, giving Tae his full attention.

He was so beautiful that it mesmerised Tae, but he wanted to see past that. He wanted to understand Jungkook. "Well," he said. "I suppose not. But I wish you had. I don't blame you, it just ripped the floor out from under me."

Jungkook stared at him long and hard. "Did you really mean it?" He said slowly, incredulously. "You were going to help me escape?"

Tae felt offended. "I told you I was in love with you, didn't I?"

Jungkook stared at him again, eyes huge, mouth hanging soft.

"You actually didn't believe me," Tae realised. "You thought I was lying."

"I thought Namjoon was using you to test me," Jungkook whispered, his eyes soaking Tae up.

Tae shook his head vehemently. "I wouldn't do that to you. Never."

Jungkook turned his head away, leaning back against the counter, covering his forehead with his hand. "Is that why you ran away all week?" He turned back to Tae, eyes bright with tears. "Because I hurt you?"

"Because I hurt you," Tae corrected. "The moment Joon and I grabbed you and put you in the van. I realised I couldn't undo that. I realised how stupid I'd been to believe you'd love me back-"

"I do love you," Jungkook corrected in turn. "I love all of you."

"You're saying that because Namjoon's brainwashed you into saying it."

"Maybe Namjoon isn't as all-powerful as we think he is." Jungkook said. "Do I sound like I'm brainwashed to you?"

"Well, no, but-" Namjoon was never wrong. Namjoon was genius smart. If Namjoon said that leaving Jungkook completely alone for the time they did would have worked, then it surely would have worked.

"I do love you," Jungkook repeated, firmly. "That's one of the few things I'm sure of."

"So you do want to stay now?" Tae asked. "...Please. As long as you tell me the truth."

He watched Jungkook suck his lips between his teeth. He waited.

"I know I don't want my step-dad to find me," Jungkook said. "And I know I don't want Indy- the hitman to hurt any of you. I don't know what I want beyond that. That's the truth."

He moved closer, stepped between Tae's legs to look up at him.

"Namjoon's plan didn't even work, did it?" Tae whispered. Jungkook was so close. "He put you through all that and it didn't even work."

"It was going to work," Jungkook whispered back.

"You trust me." Tae felt his heart hammer. "I could tell them." Jin would never let Jungkook walk away. If Jin knew Jungkook had doubts-

"I trust you," Jungkook said. "You were going to warn me that first morning. You loved me enough not to let me get sucked into this unknowingly."

Tae nodded mutely, his mouth slipping open a fraction as Jungkook leaned up on his tiptoes and kissed him.

He'd tried to convey how he felt with the head massage yesterday, but now Jungkook's hands were propped on his thighs, and he had Jungkook's jaw in his hand and another on his back. He held him like he was glass, but he kissed him till the room swelled around him, kissed him till air became a neccessity. Kissed him again.

"I want you to stay," he whispered a few minutes later, when they'd kissed their way over to the couch and were snuggled togther, legs tangled. "But only if we can make you happy."

"That's fair," Jungkook ran his fingers up and down Tae's forearm contemplatively, and Tae watched them. He wanted to stay with Jungkook like this forever.

Unfortunately, Ruby had other ideas. Shortly before lunchtime she approached the sofa to give Tae a nudge. Jungkook gave a sharp little gasp when he realised how close she was, but held it together surprisingly well while Tae sat up and fielded her away.

He stole one more kiss before he went to put his boots on. Jungkook's hair was beautifully mussed, and Tae felt an overwhelming adoration for him, for choosing to trust him, for being so brave.

He hesitated at the door. "Do you want to lock me out?" He proferred his key. He would trust Jungkook too.

A small smile blossomed on Jungkook's face. He shook his head. "It's okay. I think I might go upstairs and have a nap."

"Okay," Tae said, unable to prevent himself smiling in turn.

Ruby put her paw on the door and fixed him with a stern look.

"I'm coming, lady," he turned the key in the door, unable to resist to looking over his shoulder again as Ruby rushed ahead. "Bye."

Jungkook's eyes crinkled. "Bye."

Tae felt his heart soar as he locked the front door behind him.

X-X-X

Jungkook waited till Tae had locked up before rising from the couch, strolling over to the window, watching Tae and Ruby exit the building and head down the road past Jin's tea shop.

The apartment was still, aside from the traffic outside. A faint drizzle veiled the skyline.

Taehyung loved him.

If Jungkook had known that Tae loved him three weeks ago, he'd have been over the moon. Terrified, delighted, overwhelmed, dancing around his bedroom. Now that landmark in his life sat quietly in his chest. Already, so much had passed between them. Tae had been willing to get him out twice over. But he hadn't come for him when Jungkook needed him most. Going with his heart and deciding to confide in Tae had been risk.

Perhaps not as risky as what he was going to do next.

He felt a flicker of apprehension in the pit of his belly as he took to the stairs. It had been confusing observing them all in his addled, vulnerable state yesterday. Watching them grieve their actions, overcompenstating, reeking of guilty hope. Reaping the percieved benefits from his punishment while directing their anger at the man who'd caused it.

And he'd noticed the shift this morning. Their eyes had been downcast and ashamed, their anger dampened and offbeat, even as they stuck to their story that some kind of justice was being exacted and injected cheer into their voices.

He wanted to know why.

He trod quietly along the landing, listened outside the second bedroom as his hand hovered over the handle.

Nothing he could discern. For an instant, he considered going back downstairs, waiting for Tae. He turned and went in.

Namjoon sat up hurriedly when Jungkook entered. "Do you need something, baby?"

Jungkook stared at him. "Did they hurt you?"

"Oh no," Namjoon made a chuffing sound. "This beauty has turned into a bit of a shiner, that's all."

The bruise on his cheek was dark purple, far worse than yesterday. Jungkook had barely noticed it.

"But you're crying," he said. It shocked him. Namjoon's cheeks were streaked with tears, his eyes swollen and sore, his upper lip mottled pink. He didn't look like Namjoon.

"I'm okay, Kook," Namjoon said, his voice lacking conviction. A bunched up sodden tissue sprouted from his fist. "Did you come looking for something? Have you eaten?"

"Why are you crying?" Jungkook persisted, walking towards the bed, cocking his head. "Is it because...?"

Namjoon choked on a chuckle, nose and throat clogging it up. "No, its not because I punished you. I don't regret that. I would do it again, if I had to. It's just a sad day for me, sweetheart, that's all. I'm sorry I won't be good company."

Jungkook sat down at his side. "Why is it a sad day?"

"It's the anniversary of my brother's death. Well, the anniversary of the day I learned he died."

Oh. "Shouldn't the others be with you, then?"

"They're still angry with me. Which is okay, I earned it." Namjoon smiled through fresh tears. "You're sweet to check on me, but I promise I'll be fine by tomorrow. I always am."

Jungkook shuffled closer so their sides were touching. "I used to wish I had a brother. What was his name?"

Namjoon's brow wrinkled, bewildered that Jungkook was still here, was still pushing him. Then he heaved a deep breath and Jungkook felt an arm slide round his waist, tucking him into Namjoon's side. It made him feel safe. Namjoon dug into his other pocket for his phone, and scrolled through his photos.

"Marco," Namjoon said, showing him.

"He has your dimples." The kid had his arms slung over Namjoon's shoulders. Namjoon was young and lanky and had a bad haircut. The kid had a cheeky grin and a skip cap on his head. Jungkook took the phone to look closer. "There's.. what, two, three years between you?"

"Two years, five months," Namjoon said, his voice breaking. "But he'll be fourteen forever." His free hand came to cover his face with the tissue, his back convulsing with sobs. Jungkook leaned into him, wrapped his arms around Namjoon's waist, hoping it might help.

Namjoon gathered himself half a minute later, reached for a new tissue, gave Jungkook's side a little squeeze. "I'm sorry, baby, I don't want you to have to see me like this. Do you want to go find one of the others?"

"I want to stay with you." Jungkook could feel the trembles wracking Namjoon's frame. "Will you tell me about Marco?"

Namjoon was silent and he wondered if he'd gone too far.

"Well," Namjoon ventured finally, hand cupping the back of Jungkook's head briefly before slipping back to his waist, straining to get the words out. "We didn't even get on half the time. He was a scamp. He was always trying to borrow my stuff. One time he 'borrowed' all my pokemon cards then traded them for an icecream. He was obsessed with the Arctic Monkeys. When he was about ten he found an injured pigeon at the end of our road. I think it had been scuffed by a car. He brought it home and tried to care for it himself. It was the first time I'd seen him put such tireless care into something. It died anyway, and he was inconsolable. He was ridiculously good at Crash Bandicoot. He hated having different types of food touching on his plate. And he had the most aggravating laugh you've ever heard."

Jungkook looked at the brothers' innocent faces. "Sometimes its hard to make sense of," he said regretfully. "It was supposed to be their story, and yet somehow we're the ones left."

"It feels like that sometimes," Namjoon mused, giving his side another little squeeze.

"Was it an accident?" The boy looked robust and healthy.

Namjoon's face clouded. "He was murdered."

Jungkook felt like he'd been smacked in the face. "Oh," he said, his voice small. "Did you... did you find out who did it?"

"It was his dad."

Jungkook didn't have words for that.

"My step-dad was an angry man." Namjoon said dully. "Our mum left him, he got dumped with us. He was depressed. He drank. He got violent. But he'd never hit Marco."

"But he hit you?" Jungkook surmised, horrified.

"Oh yeah. All the time. I was just a stick insect back then, too," Namjoon mused. "I always figured he didn't touch Marco because Marco was his biological son. And as I got older I took up running and started lifting home-made weights. I was as tall as him by the time I was sixteen. He had a beer belly and I was in great shape, and to my relief he started to lay off. I was riding that relief when I moved out. I thought it was over."

Jungkook shook his head.

"I did text Marco from time to time, but when he stopped replying, it took me weeks to notice."

"You wouldn't have known," Jungkook said lamely. "You couldn't have known."

"I could have met up with him. I would have seen the signs." Namjoon said, blinking rapidly as more uncontrollable tears fell. "No, the worst part is that he could have told me, and he didn't. I suppose he thought that I wouldn't look back, just like our mum hadn't."

Jungkook felt hot tears filling his own eyes. "Maybe he was trying to protect you."

Namjoon paused as though he hadn't considered this, but gave his head a small shake. "Either way, I knew what my step-dad was capable of, I should been on alert. When I did realise, I tried calling. After twenty or thirty missed calls, I got a text. Somehow, I already knew." He shuddered, sucking in a shaky breath. "It was the 23rd of May, four years ago today."

Jungkook did a quick calculation. Namjoon had been younger than Jungkook was now.

"I remember the fear in my step-dad's eyes when I showed up at the front door," Namjoon added. "I told him I'd break the door down if he didn't let me in. He tried spinning a tale that Marco ran away a few days ago, but Marco's room smelled of bleach and the bed was stripped to the frame. He'd put a rug over part of the carpet where he couldn't get the stains out."

Jungkook laid his head on Namjoon's shoulder, stared at the wall, pictured sixteen year old Namjoon uncovering the unimaginable.

"He'd buried him in the back garden," Namjoon said, his jaw pulsing in two different places, his frame trembling. "There is nothing I can compare it to."

Jungkook's tears trickled down his cheeks. "The others should be with you today. They should."

"No, it's okay," Namjoon said, cupping his head again. "I coerced them into doing something against their will. I'm not surprised they don't want to be with me. You're the one I'm suprised at."

"...Did your step dad run away?"

"No. He put the kettle on. Perhaps he thought he'd talk me round. Perhaps even he was shocked at the monster he'd become."

Jungkook swallowed. "And you killed him?"

Namjoon was silent, but when Jungkook looked up, he saw Namjoon micro-nodding, his eyes closed.

"And you didn't get caught?"

"Should have done. I don't remember much of it after digging Marco up, but I supposed I cleaned up. I know I was burning my bloodied clothes in a bit of wasteland near my flat later that night. The cops contacted me three days later. My flatmate gave me an alibi. After they'd left, my neighbour told me that his home security cameras showed me arriving and leaving the house, but he'd wiped them and lied that they were broken."

"Why?"

"He'd turned a blind eye to all sorts over the years, and he didn't do anything when he heard my brother cry out in the middle of the night," Namjoon said. "Something woke him a couple of hours later and he saw my step-dad digging in the garden. He was too scared to call the cops. Maybe he thought it was fair retribution."

"Was it the first time you'd killed someone?"

"Yeah."

Jungkook snuggled into Namjoon. "That's why your weakness is wanting to protect everyone, isn't it."

Namjoon hesitated, then gently gathered Jungkook up in his arms and drew them back to lay down on the bed. "It is. I couldn't go through something like that again."

"I want to see Dove and Soobin," Jungkook said into Namjoon's chest, inhaling the musk of wood and pepper on his jersey. "My friends. I want to talk to them and make sure they're okay."

There was a pause. "Alright," Namjoon said. "I can arrange it."

"Thank you." Jungkook burrowed into the crook of Namjoon's neck.

"I don't deserve you, do I," Namjoon said, voice cracking.

Jungkook smiled against his collar. "I'm pretty sure you don't."

He felt a slow kiss plant on the crown of his head.

X-X-X

Hye-Hwa strolled into work, twenty minutes late, as though she didn't have a care in the world.

"We're gonna talk about your timekeeping later, hurry up and get your coat and bag off," Jin untied his apron.

"The police are out in force today, everything's moving at snail's pace," Hye-Hwa said airily. "What's eating you?"

"Oh good afternoon Mrs Johnston," Jin gave his best sugary smile as one of his regulars came up to the counter. Hye-Hwa will be with you in just one minute."

"What about this shooting then, Jin?" Mrs Johnston said. "What's the world coming to?"

"So true," Jin said.

"If only all the young men were like you-"

"Oh, I think one Jin is quite enough," Hye-Hwa hurried in, still tying her apron. "I'll just wash my hands. How many lemon pastries today Mrs J?"

"Well, there's my chess club, there's ten of them, oh but Rita isn't coming, and I'm not sure about Margot-"

Jin made a quick getaway. He was eager to get back to Jungkook. His head had been all over the place this morning.

He hated that RM had been right. That prescribing hours of loneliness had given Jin his baby back for good. But Jin wanted Jungkook to want it, not to need it to survive. Jungkook had seemed less fragile this morning, but the distress RM had caused him was cruel and Jin hated that he'd had to go along with it.

And that was what was eating him most, because he knew what day it was today. He remembered how much RM had suffered last year. And the year before. But how could Jin forget what he'd done to Jungkook and go comfort him?

Ruby greeted him with a celebratory dance as he locked the front door behind him.

"Hey, come back here," Tae scolded her, a slicker brush, comb and a pile of fluffy dog hair sitting beside him.

"Hi best girl!" Jin cooed as he unzipped his boots. "Is Tae making you all pretty?" He looked up. "Where is he?"

"He went upstairs for a nap," Tae said, still trying to summon Ruby back.

"Oh okay, I'll maybe just poke my head round the door," Jin said, nudging Tae's cheek with his knuckle as he passed. "Don't forget to bin the hair when you're done."

He could already picture Kookie curled up under his quilt, head tousled. He'd just check in on him, make sure the room was a good temperature. Turns out he hadn't needed to hurry home after all.

He got to the first bedroom, then sudden emotion welled up in his throat, overriding him. He walked past, heading for the second bedroom instead. He went in without knocking. "RM, I'm sorry, I can't be mad at you today, not today, I-"

His voice caught as he stared in utter surprise at the sight on the bed. RM looked up at him, his face blotchy and puffy with tears, but his expression calmed. Jungkook looked up too, his eyes crinkling into a sleepy smile from where he lay snuggled in RM's arms. They were lying together, breathing in tandem.

"Oh my god," Jin whispered, taking them in, consumed with love for them both. "...Space for another one?"

RM wriggled back towards the centre of the bed, bringing Kook with him, so Jin could clamber on. He spooned Jungkook, his arm crossing over Jungkook's body to rest on RM's back. He stared into RM's eyes, knowing he could convey everything he wanted to say without words, gently pressed a kiss to his lips over Jungkook's head. RM gave him a tiny nod, his eyes turning down to look at their baby with quiet awe.

Now that Jin felt peace he realised how much turmoil he'd been in. He let his breath out slowly, feeling the warmth from Jungkook, slowly stroking his thumb on RM's side. I love you, I love you.

Tae wandered in about fifteen minutes later. Jin wouldn't have noticed if it weren't for the little gasp that came from Tae's mouth. Tae's eyes began to fill, and Jin knew he was reliving everything that had happened that night. The pillow shifted a little as RM looked up and Tae's face crumpled. He sprang towards the bed and clambered on behind RM, pressing his face in. RM turned onto his back to scoop Tae towards him, and Jin shifted up to allow RM to keep Jungkook against his other shoulder. Jungkook reached out and stroked the hair over Tae's ear as Tae buried his head in RM's left shoulder.

They heard the door unlock a while later, and Ruby wuffed to greet Hobi. Hobi went looking for them almost immediately, and Jin heard him tap Jimin's office downstairs before his footsteps sounded on the stairs and the landing. Hobi took them all in for a moment, his lower lip pensive till he saw the content look on Jungkook's face. He piled in on at Tae's side without a word, cuddling in fiercely.

It didn't take much longer for Jimin and Yoongi to come home from the shoot. Jin could hear them talking in low tones, the sound travelling up from the door Hobi had left ajar, while Ruby sounded their arrival. They appeared in the doorway together, curious and bewildered. Jin watched visible relief pour over Jimin's face as he climbed on and flopped on top of Jin, heedless of his fancy blouse and Jin's oof of pain. Jin pressed his nose into Jimin's candyfloss hair, and observed Yoongi.

Yoongi seemed the most uncertain, but after studying Jungkook, he finally sighed and sat down at the foot of the bed. A myriad of emotions flitted across his face, from resignation to utter relief.

Jin could hardly contain his joy. The seven of them were going to be okay.

He didn't expect Jungkook to wiggle up from between him and RM, reaching his arms out for Yoongi to join the cuddle pile, his big eyes limpid. Jimin giggled and reached out to curl Jungkook back into their bodies. Jin smiled to himself too, because baby was still getting to know them all and their idiosyncrasies.

He couldn't believe it when Yoongi slowly leaned forward and awkwardly closed his arms around Jungkook, holding him against his chest like a mannequin, confused determination on his face.

Jungkook nuzzled his head into Yoongi's shoulder, and Jin watched Yoongi's whole frame decompress, relaxing around Jungkook's, letting Jungkook roll the pair of them into the group.

What the hell? Jin looked at RM over their heads. What just happened?

But RM's eyes were closed, twin tears tracking down his cheeks, a smile of equal pain and gratitude on his face.

X-X-X

Chapter Text

Seems like I'm not getting any faster with the updates, thank you for hanging in there, maybe momentum will pick up for the last couple chaps! Review replies on their way, you really kept me going. If you aren't already you can keep up with me and writing progress on Twitter Shout out to everyone who's been so supportive there, despite all my delays!

A heads up for this chapter: there's a scene towards the end which I would rate a strong 16+ and likely still comes under dub-con. Think of a very extended version of the previous 16+ scenes. Jungkook has a lot of agency, is doing what he wants and is legal (over 16 in the UK), but he also was locked up three days ago, so y'know. Also borderline explicit, you'll see it coming a mile off if you want to skip ahead. This chapter also has underaged drinking and very brief but specific mention of past cruelty to dogs.

X-X-X

Jin was doubtful of the wisdom in watching the news again, but Jungkook was determined to give it another go. He was tucked between Jin and the armrest, hugging one knee under his chin, his face the epitome of sombre concentration. It would've been cute if not for the images rotating on TV.

With a creeping death toll as the only real update, the news was using eyewitness interviews, sweeping footage of the shopping centre, and clips of previous celebrity sightings as padding. The definition of celebrity was generous: Tony Gwan had been at Morphe last month for the opening of his new beauty line and a Love Islander had been papped with their ex last week outside Krispy Kreme.

Jin had the luxury of being able to distance himself from the attack. He hadn't seen it and his loved ones had emerged unscathed. It was easy to imagine why his baby felt compelled by the aftermath despite being kept safe. Jin wanted to gather him up for a snuggle, but Jungkook was intent on the TV, jaw tensing when photos of the shooters came on screen. He had an adorably possessive hand just above Jin's knee. Jin stayed close, offered the comfort of his proximity, kept his gaze averted from the screen.

He divided his attention between Jungkook's solemn little face and his phone. He was ordering a couple of things on next day delivery. So far he had a colouring book, pens, pencils and a blanket (extra plush, honeycomb, grey-blue) in his basket. Maybe he was overcompensating, but there was no harm in keeping his baby on track. He added some chocolate lollipops to the haul and searched up scented slime.

RM came downstairs, wet hair plastered to his forehead. His puffy eyes betrayed that he'd cried in the shower but he was composed. He flopped down beside Jin and Jin tapped to pay, so he could link their hands. RM squeezed. Jin felt relief and sadness shedding off him in equal waves.

Jungkook looked away from the TV as if broken from a trance. "Joon, I want to go out tonight."

"Out tonight?" RM repeated carefully. "What do you mean?"

Jin felt the unease stir again. "Where do you want to go, angel?"

Jungkook took one last glance at the TV, then curled his other leg up and turned towards them. "Anywhere, I just wanna go out."

Jin was about to shake his head, but RM answered first, voice gentle. "It's not the best time to go out, Kook. We've got your stepdad's hitman looking for us."

Jungkook pouted at him, put his dewy eyes on. Jin was instantly endeared, planted a kiss on his nose. "I really wanna go out," Jungkook maintained. "I've been cooped up in here. You know that, Joon."

"It's only been two days," RM returned, apology threading his tone. Jin frowned.

"But if we decide to stay hidden its going to be longer," Jungkook argued.

"...Alright. But we all have to stick together."

Jin felt his jaw slacken as hooded doubts surged back in.

Even Jungkook seemed taken aback. His brow furrowed. "We don't all have to go out. You might not feel like it."

"I doubt it will make much difference to me, honestly," Namjoon said. "But there is safety in numbers. I'll choose somewhere we don't usually go."

"Okay," Jungkook's smile widened.

RM gave him a small smile back, like Jungkook was the centre of his universe. Jin should have been delighted, but he couldn't help but wonder what the hell was going on.

"I'm gonna throw lunch together, none of us have eaten," Yoongi reported, jogging downstairs. It was a clear advertisment for a junior chef.

Jungkook scrambled up. "Can I help?"

Yoongi's face blossomed.

Jin glanced over the back of the sofa as Jungkook and Yoongi met at the kitchen counters, saw Yoongi's hand tentatively touch Jungkook's back then rest more comfortably as he murmured to him, dragging the cutlery drawer open.

"You're mad at me for saying yes to him." RM said quietly, jawing his mouth.

"Not mad," Jin whispered back. "But you were a pushover."

"How could I say no?" RM raised a hand palm-up between them, before letting it drop back to his lap. "I was preparing myself for a long isolation from you all before he intervened. He should despise me, Jin."

There was residual pain and strained wonder in RM's voice. Jin supposed the anniversary of Marco's death had come at the right time. Otherwise, RM would have soldiered through their animosity without a crack of vulnerability for Jungkook to extend empathy to. He was grateful his baby was so big hearted.

"Still," he said quietly, listening to Jungkook and Yoongi clattering cooking implements on the kitchen counter. "Something's changed since you locked him in the bathroom. He's more self-assured."

RM didn't answer at first, and Jin imagined that he was finally noticing everything Jin had. Hobi's outburst of feelings, the way Yoongi had capitulated on the bed, the way RM himself had just acquiesced so quickly.

"Jin..." RM said quietly. "Was I wrong?"

Jin stared at him. Guilt was stamped across RM's face.

"You did what you had to do," he said, unease congealing in his stomach. "You marked yourself as the villain so that he would bond again with the rest of us. And it worked. And you left him for long enough to cement in his mind that he needs to stay with us. That worked too."

RM nodded, but he might as well have shaken his head.

"You're grieving," Jin ran his thumb over RM's knuckles. RM never second-guessed himself. "Think of the alternative: he keeps running away, we keep fetching him back, everyone's distressed each time? Or his step dad finds him and does god-knows-what to him?"

RM nodded again, pursed his lips. "I don't know what to about the hitman," he confided. "Adley can afford another if we kill him. If we do nothing, we'll be forever watching our backs."

"You're thinking about killing Adley, aren't you," Jin realised with foreboding. "Finding another route to Vrishi Bhakta and Apexi Research."

"I've barely thought about Apexi these past few days. I'm still committed to saving those animals, but its on the back burner. As for killing Adley... I don't know how Jungkook would feel."

He was right. Whether they liked it or not, Julian Adley had raised Jungkook on his own for years. Jungkook could very well still love him.

"Do you want me to-" Jin started, but broke off as Hobi came downstairs two at a time.

"He's picked up one of your trails?" RM asked immediately.

"Two actually, in quick succession," Hobi hurried over and perched on the armrest of the sofa, leaning in to show RM his phone. "I was working upstairs, and I noticed he'd finally taken one. I was going to tell you once I'd clocked off, but he's just moved on to a second."

"You think he's been amassing intel to hit us without warning?" RM said, autopilot taking over, studying Hobi's screen.

"Yeah, seems like. On the plus side, none of them do lead to us, and he's probably working alone or he could have hit them simultaneously." Hobi said. "But at this rate, he'll have eliminated all the false trails by tonight. And then the question is what he'll try next."

"Would you give Jimin a knock," RM gestured to the office. "Tell him to contact his management and warn that his stalker is upping the ante."

Hobi nodded, strode towards the office. Jin heard him knock a second later. "Can I come in, loves?"

"We got trouble?" Yoongi asked from the kitchen, and Jin craned his neck to see Jungkook's anxious brown eyes, Yoongi's hand protectively on his shoulder.

"Not yet," RM said contemplatively, studying Hobi's phone screen again. "Maybe soon."

X-X-X

"We're still going out tonight, right?" Jungkook asked as they polished off lunch. Yoongi had taught him how make Korean Noodle Soup, complete with kimchi, gochujang chilli paste, greens and fried egg.

"Yeah we're okay for tonight," Namjoon said, eliciting surprise from some of the others. "Though we might need to lay low the next few nights."

"What about Twitch tomorrow?" Tae said suddenly. "Jimin always streams on Tuesdays."

Jungkook had to do some mental gymnastics to remember to that today was Monday. "You said we'd all be there," he said. "If we don't, people are gonna put pressure on Jimin."

"It's okay, I can handle the fans," Jimin waved his spoon, inadvertantly scattering a few droplets. He'd been in an exuberant mood since the hugathon upstairs. "Maybe Kookie could post on Twitter though? The conspiracy channels are having a field day."

Jungkook had got a sense of impact from last week's Twitch stream and from logging onto Twitter at the internet cafe. "What do they think happened?"

"Oh there's a whole subreddit analysing my award speech and our last tweets and quotes from the last few Twitch sessions," Jimin giggled. "Some people are saying your latest tweets sound like I wrote them."

"They're not wrong," Hobi pointed out.

"Most people think we're dating and we had a big fall out at the Langchester, and you stormed off during my acceptance. Then someone has a photo at the bar with you in the background talking to Tony Gwan and they also know he followed you when you left. But Tony Gwan has been uncharacteristically tight lipped, almost as if someone had dirt on him." Jimin winked. "Given how notorious he is for spilling tea, a lot of people think there's a love triangle going on."

"Eugh," Jungkook grimaced.

"Yeah, as if, right. And then there was the commotion outside. People think there was a fight, and Tony was seen afterwards, but you weren't. That's where the theories really get going."

"No-one fired a gun, did they?" Jungkook asked curiously.

"No," Namjoon frowned. "A steel clearing trolley went over with all its contents, you could have heard that."

Jungkook noticed Jin was tight-lipped and pale, stirring the bottom of his bowl like he was looking for gold. He felt a wash of guilt for leaving him, but heaved it aside.

"Maybe we post a photo of us laughing at the rumours?" He offered Jimin.

"Would that be alright?" Jimin asked Joon. "Kook would have his mask on. Geolocator is always disabled."

Namjoon swallowed his last mouthful of soup and set his spoon down. "Jungkook should post a solo picture for now. We don't know for certain if Adley and the hitman think Jimin's one of us, or just a contact. We don't want to give out any additional information. Make sure the background gives nothing away."

"The Twitch stream is a good point though," Yoongi said. "We know they know about Jimin. What they can't know for certain is that the rest of us are the Twitch gaming group. If we cancel tomorrow, it's gonna pretty much confirm that it is us, it's gonna give the hitman the group number, it's going to give him some of our first names."

"Showing up to it might not help either, though," Hobi countered. "Not unless we go on without Jungkook, or Jungkook goes on and we all convincingly act like we haven't seen him. Even then, once Mr Hitman's exhausted the trails I've laid down, he's gonna at least consider that the Twitch group is us."

"We may have to be proactive and lure him somewhere to take him out," Namjoon said. "We'll think about it."

"Come on then, Kookie," Jimin said, getting up from the table, "I'll help you take your picture."

"Aren't you going to help clear up the..." Yoongi started, but Jimin had dragged Jungkook half-way up the stairs before a defeated "..dishes" trailed up after them.

"I meant to tell you," Jimin said, tugging him along to the end storage room. "You've had quite a few DMs from big YouTubers. Maybe they're riding the controversy, but more than a few want to collaborate. You should do it. If Joon says it's okay. I've been replying to them to make sure you don't lose any opportunities." He winked over his shoulder. "Squibology was one."

"Squibology?" Jungkook stuttered, instant butterflies flapping their wings against his stomach.

"Yeah baby, you're famous now," Jimin giggled. "You wanna see your follower count."

It was exciting, overwhelming even, but Jungkook couldn't dwell on it. He had bigger things in mind. "After we're done," he said. "Can you put a bit of makeup on me?"

"Sure, for going out tonight?"

"Yeah," Jungkook smiled. "To match what I'm gonna wear."

X-X-X

Hobi saw the black satin beaded crop top first, and his eyes snapped to the strip of tan skin between the hem and Jungkook's high waisted trousers. "God.." he breathed, absently placing his water bottle on the back of the sofa, his eyes running from Jungkook's thighs to his face and back to his waist again, reaching out as if to touch, but hesitating, as if Jungkook might break. "I remember this. You're... are you wearing this out tonight, baby?"

Jungkook could feel the weight of the other gazes in the room. "Yeah, Jimin did my hair, and he helped me with the eyeliner and shadow." Jimin had been buzzing from the engagement Jungkook's photo was getting and at Jungkook's wonderment over Squibology. Jungkook had felt victorious when Jimin's own face turned to quiet wonder when he stood back and looked him over.

"I better finish up work fast, then," Hobi said hastily, feeling blindly to pick his bottle up, head bobbing back to look at Jungkook two more times as he headed for the stairs.

"Oh baby, no," Jin said from across the room, voice sorrowful. "It's too sexy."

Jungkook was expecting that.

"But you let Jimin buy it for me," he pouted, turning towards where Jin and Namjoon were sitting at the dining table. "And I want to wear it. Don't you like it?"

He fixed Namjoon with liquid eyes.

"You're going to attract attention. We were planning to keep a low profile." But Namjoon was addressing his abdomen, pupils dilated.

"Ind- the hitman isn't looking for crop tops, he's looking for vigilantes," Jungkook could feel the heat of his stare. "And you'll protect me, won't you? That's why we're all going together."

"... Well, yeah. Sure." Namjoon exhaled, dragging his eyes up with difficulty.

"RM," Jin admonished under his breath, but his gaze was fixed on Jungkook's waist too. Jungkook cruised for him, and Jin pushed his chair back, and held his arms out. Jungkook stepped between his legs and Jin's hands slid around his bare skin. "Look at this little mannequin waist," Jin cooed as if he physically ached, gently turning Jungkook around to examine him. Jungkook felt his breath hitch as he watched Jin's thumbs graze over the beading. From where he lay sprawled on the couch, Yoongi's mouth was spilled open as feline eyes drank Jungkook in.

"Still," Jin murmured against Jungkook's back, "don't you think you'd rather be in something more comfortable?"

"Nope," Jungkook breathed, his eyes glued to Jin's cool fingers searing circles in his skin.

The front door unlocked and Ruby burst through the doorway, heading straight for her water bowl. Tae hovered in the threshold, stared at Jungkook and audibly gulped. A thrill of power spiked in Jungkook's belly. That made six for six.

He watched something glossy and low effort on TV while the others got ready. Ruby was half-snoozing in her bed, her eyes lidding open every so often to check he was still there. He marvelled that they seemed to have an understanding.

Kim's Six emerged one by one in ribbed sweaters, crisp open necked shirts, jeans and slacks. Jungkook couldn't help but return their stares as they gathered around him in the sitting area. Tension crackled the air. Their golden skin, gelled hair and hunter's eyes built a primal glut in his stomach. Despite beginning first, Jimin was ready last, wearing a rose-coloured satin bomber jacket and designer navy trousers that looked like they'd been painted on. Unlike the matte browns and golds he's shadowed Jungkook's eyes with, he was sporting iridescent pink glitter. Jungkook was spellbound by the way Jimin sasheyed towards them.

The sky had a pale washed out look as they spilled into the minicab Jin had booked. Namjoon gave the driver the name of a pub and Jungkook did up his seatbelt and snuggled into Yoongi's side. Yoongi was helpless to refuse him now, and an arm tucked round him a moment later. He watched the early evening London streets, inhaled Yoongi's aftershave, listened to the conversation among the others, felt their lingering gazes on him. He felt liberated, safe, and out of control all at once.

The pub Namjoon had chosen was a Tudor Revival, with a half-timbered upper facade, black aginst white, and hanging flower baskets. There was security at the door checking bags, and Jungkook wondered how they were planning to get him in, but the sign on the door said no under-18s after nine o'clock, so it must cater to families the rest of the time.

They trooped in. The pub was on two levels, with distressed rustic solid wood floors, mismatched chairs and black woodwork against white painted walls. Downstairs was half full, and a low hum of conversation rode above subdued pop. Bar staff sailboated around straying toddlers, carrying pub dinners on large circular trays. There was a queue of one or two at the oak bar, menus clutched in hand. Jungkook supposed the last few days had taken the atmosphere down a notch or two.

Namjoon led Kim's Six and Jungkook upstairs to the attic, where the vaulted ceiling was sloped with wooden beams and the walls were irregular. Pools of lights glowed in the dimness from lantern wall sconces. There was a faded pool table, a dartboard cabinet, and fruit machines flanking the entrance to the toilets. In the far corner, three skinny young men huddled in a booth with beers, deep in discussion. A man and woman sat against the wall in another corner with a cocktail pitcher between them.

The rest of the space was Kim Six's to command. Tae and Jimin headed downstairs for drinks. Yoongi and Namjoon seemed to have an unspoken agreement and dropped into one of the booths, settling in for what looked like a serious conversation.

"Come here, darling," Jin beckoned, from where he had finished arranging his and Jungkook's jackets over a chair. Jungkook turned, and skirted round the table. Instead of sitting down on the cracked leather bench beside Jin and Hobi he made for Jin's lap. He felt Jin's surprise, but got a little jolt of his own as Jin's fingers immediately latched onto his waist. Jin played with the beading on his crop top again, and Jungkook watched him, half enthralled, half embarrassed that one of the other two groups might look over and see it.

"Do you think I should join them?" Hobi murmured reluctantly, eyeing Yoongi and Namjoon.

"Stay, Hobi," Jungkook said quickly. "I wanted to chat to you." Jin's hands stilled for a moment, and he smiled to himself. Jin turned that smile into a little gasp as wicked fingertips dipped under the edge of the top.

Jimin and Tae came back with four pitchers and seven glasses. They dropped the water pitcher off at Yoongi and Namjoon's table and brought the colourful cocktail pitchers to the others. Jungkook used the distraction to help pour everyone a glass and escape Jin's lap. He was only planning to have one himself. The alcohol hit his belly like an elbow jam on the Underground.

"Come on kiddos," Jin announced after they'd finished a first round. "Baby wants to talk to Hobi in private. Let's commandeer the pool table."

"Can they play with three?" Jungkook watched Tae obediently trail after Jin while Jimin and one of the pitchers took up the rear.

"If you have a full standard set of pool balls you can play Three Man Screw. Otherwise known as Cutthroat." Hobi explained, sipping his drink, giving Jungkook a nervous smile. "I'm not sure which name is more apt."

"Did it take you a long time to grow your hair out?" Jungkook changed subject, tilting his head to admire it.

"Oh. Um. Yeah, a while," Hobi reached up to touch the end of his ponytail. "Started growing it out when I was seventeen."

"It's really cool," Jungkook was aware that Hobi's dark eyes had dipped to his abdomen again. "I might grow mine out."

"It would suit you, sweets."

"Do you have tattoos as well?"

"Mm," Hobi grimaced, chugging back another mouthful. "Needles kind of freak me out."

"That's not a 'no'."

"I might have got a tattoo when I was drunk once."

"Oh, so alcohol really loosens you up?" Jungkook topped up Hobi's glass, both hands on the pitcher to hold the ice steady. Hobi's gaze rocked between him and the glass and his mouth twitched like he wasn't sure whether to giggle or call him out. "Do you want a tattoo, sweets?" He tried instead, bringing the newly-filled glass to his lips.

"Maybe. Do the others have tattoos?"

"Yoongi... might also have been drunk that time I was drunk. Jimin has a couple too."

Jungkook watched Jimin, Tae and Jin as they prowled around the pool table. He could see the quiet yearning in Tae's eyes whenever Jin turned attention to him, even as Jimin merrily taunted them both.

"When did you start dating Tae?" He asked Hobi, running his fingers over the edge of his empty glass contemplatively.

"It's been about ten months, I reckon."

Only six months before they started talking to Jungkook, then. Jungkook poured himself a half glass and nursed it on his lap. "So you guys just keep collecting boyfriends."

Hobi shifted uncomfortably, guessing that they were getting closer to the meat of Jungkook's interrogation. "We agreed to stop at seven. Yoongi wouldn't stand for more."

Past Hobi's head, Namjoon and Yoongi were still talking. Jungkook hoped it was a good talk.

"And you?" He asked.

"Well, I don't know." Hobi shrugged. "I was happy with six. I was happy before six, honestly, but that was before I met you and Tae. I want to be seven now. I mean, if that's what you want.."

"So it was the three of them first: Jin, Joon, Jimin, then you and Yoongi?"

"Yeah, I was a couple months before Yoongi though. Namjoon wanted to expand on his vigilante activities, and he needed a techie, and I just happened to see Jimin in a library one day. He was so gorgeous, I decided to shoot my shot. We were three double dates in when I realised it wasn't a double date."

"And you didn't mind?"

Hobi shifted in his seat. "I don't know. I never would have considered polyamory before I met them. And then Namjoon decided to take a chance on Yoongi. He'd met him earlier, they were working together on and off for a couple of months. I thought I was the luckiest guy in the world dating the three most beautiful men in the country, and then Yoongi walked in." He shook his head and smiled.

"You say that like you're not beautiful too," Jungkook observed.

"Oh, thanks," Hobi's cheeks bloomed pink.

"And what happened with Tae?"

"Why am I getting all the hard questions tonight?"

Because I don't want to lose the ground you gave me yesterday. Jungkook gave a little shrug and smile and sipped his drink again.

"Jin wanted a sixth. The rest of us were all involved to varying degrees with Namjoon's vigilante work, and I think Jin wanted someone who would be more on the sidelines like him... a sort of baby in the family."

Oh. And that was supposed to be Tae? Tae didn't seem the part. But then, Jungkook could see Tae's eyes light up as Jin complimented the shot he'd just potted. "Did something go wrong?" Is that why I'm here?

"Well..." Hobi's eyes skated to the side like he was trying to figure a way out. Jungkook shuffled up to sit closer to him, made his eyes as big as possible.

Hobi sagged, knocked the rest of his drink back. "Namjoon happened upon Tae by chance. He was on his own, tracking a criminal through a rough part of Croydon, down a side street. He heard commotion up ahead and someone rushed past him looking panicked. Anyone else would have turned and got out of there too, but this was Namjoon. He dived in, dragged Tae off the man, who was already half-dead. The first thing we knew, Namjoon had texted the group chat to say he wouldn't be home till morning. And the next morning he showed up with Tae and Ruby, and Tae was devastated and scared and fragile and Jin just scooped him up."

"Tae killed the man?" Jungkook remembered the time Kim's Six had rescued those girls. Tae had been drenched. He couldn't reconcile it with the image Hobi was putting in his head of a terrified eighteen year old.

"Yeah, but he'd never killed anyone before," Hobi said. "It was the first time he'd snapped. Honestly, if Namjoon hadn't intervened, the police would have nabbed him for sure. He was all over the place."

"...but doesn't Namjoon want to kill killers...?"

"Not justified killers, otherwise we'd be in a bit of trouble, wouldn't we?" Hobi gave him a wobbly grin. "Want another drink, sweets? No? Okay, suit yourself." He poured himself another. "Well I don't know how Namjoon assessed the situation or what Tae told him, but Tae was saving Ruby from the man."

"Ruby was the man's dog?" Jungkook felt his eyes pop.

"Ehh, not sure. Possibly stolen? She wasn't chipped, so maybe she was his. Tae saw this big brutal man dragging her, choking her, kicking out at her, taking his temper out on her. Tae had a rough upbringing, was brought up around drugged up mothers who'd scream at their toddlers for dawdling on the street, guys who beat their wives, that sort of thing. I suppose it was building in him for a long time. He tried to buy Ruby then and there to save her. He gave the guy all of his money, and the guy took it and sent him sprawling and tried to go off with both Ruby and the money. And I think Tae feared for her life and he just couldn't take it any- oh sweets."

Jungkook pressed his face into Hobi's jersey and Hobi set his drink down to hold him close. "It's okay, love," Hobi whispered into his hair, barely audible over the background music and Jimin crowing that he was going to win. "Tae and Ruby are safe now, and they're loved." Hobi's fingers carded through his hair.

"He couldn't have had her for long, the man," Jungkook couldn't help but repeat it, wanting Hobi to reassure him.

"Yeah, I don't think she'd have bounced back so healthy and happy if the guy'd had her a long time. Hey," Hobi held him tight. "You know what, he never hurt anyone ever again."

"Is Kookie okay?" It was Jimin's voice, hovering above him, anxious.

"He's okay," Hobi said. "He's just making me tell him about our history, and he got upset hearing about Ruby."

"Switch with me, Hobi?" Jimin begged, then added, "I'm ahead, so you better win."

"Is that alright with you, sweets?" Hobi asked softly.

Jungkook didn't want him to go, but he had an opportunity now with Jimin. He nodded, and peeled himself back. Jimin scooted in the moment Hobi stood, and Jungkook saw a face wracked with concern before he was squished in Jimin's arms. He blinked back the tears in his eyes, tried to centre himself. "I'm fine. I can't believe Ruby and Tae have only been together ten months."

"They have spent about every waking hour of it together though," Jimin said. "Don't cry, baby, you're gonna mess up your makeup."

He'd been drinking quite a bit, judging by the sheen over his eyes when Jungkook finally extracted himself.

"Your hands are shaking," Jimin prompted him, reaching out his own.

Jungkook took them, and held on. "Why would he hurt her? If she was his pet, or if he had stolen her to sell her, why would he want her hurting?"

"The guy Tae killed? I think he was just a bad man," Jimin said softly. "Oh Kookie, I didn't think you would care about Ruby so much. I promise she's okay now, she's forgotten it all."

Jungkook was almost tempted to tell him about Ruby, but bit it back. "Hobi told me about how he joined Kim's Six," he said, instead. "Well, Kim's Three, I guess."

Jimin giggled, "I don't think we ever called ourselves Kim's Three. Hey, you want another drink? I'm having one."

What the heck, one more couldn't hurt. The buzz from the one and a half glasses he'd had was pretty much worn off.

"What was your story?" He said, accepting the drink. "Before Jin and Joon, I mean."

"Oh," Jimin said. "It was very simple actually. I was a child model with a pushy mother, I did alright at school, and I only had one boyfriend before I met Jin and Joon. I was almost exactly your age when I met them. They swept me off my feet and the rest is history, I guess." He looked into his drink, shrugged and knocked it back, fixing Jungkook with flushed skin, a ready smile and sad eyes.

"Do you still talk to your mum?" Jungkook asked cautiously.

"Oh sure, she's not awful. She credits herself with my YouTube success. Her livingroom looks like a shrine to me."

Then why did that question make you so sad?

"You're fishing for something aren't you?" Jimin said, pouring himself another drink.

"Maybe."

"I feel like I owe you," Jimin admitted, eyeing his drink before chugging half. "Because you made us all come together again, when you could have driven us apart. But you'll laugh. And I need more alcohol first." He emptied his glass and reached for the remaining pitcher. "This one is Long Island Iced Tea I think."

Jungkook waited. Jimin did owe him. Jimin had brought him into all of this, had sent that first DM, had made Jungkook practically fall in love with him before they'd even met. Jimin was the glue, the bridge between the partnership of Jin and Joon with the others, the one who'd enticed Hobi in, the person Tae appeared closest to. Even Yoongi, who griped at Jimin the most, seemed to have a soft spot for him. Maybe if Jungkook could just figure out Jimin out.

"I fell in love with him," Jimin said finally, eyelashes casting faint shadows on his pillow cheeks. His voice was thick with alcohol.

"With Jin? Joon?"

"With my ex."

"Oh." Jungkook didn't get it.

"I know, it's laughable. Relationships fail all the time. People divorce. And I love you all endlessly. I mean that."

Jungkook reached out for the pitcher and poured himself half a glass, more to put it out of Jimin's reach than anything else. "I'm just a bit confused about what you're trying to tell me."

"Probably the biggest thing you need to know about me," Jimin fumbled his free hand into one of Jungkook's. "When I fell in love with Alex, I thought we were soulmates. We were going to get married and spend the rest of our lives together. He was my whole world, and sometimes it feels like he still is."

"You still love him?"

Jimin nodded, closing his eyes, clutching Jungkook's hand tighter. "When I love, I don't know how to unlove. I haven't seen or spoken to him in two years, I haven't even tried to look him up. I'd never pick him over Kim's Six." He chuffed out a breath and corrected himself. "Over Kim's Seven. But I love him all the same. I think of him every day and wonder what he's doing and if he's okay, and if he's thinking of me."

Jungkook was only just coming to understand love's complexity.

"You know why he dumped me?" Jimin volunteered, walls breaking like quicksand. "He said I was too boring for him. That's how I lost him. No cheating, no fights, just that I wasn't enough." He swallowed bitterly, tears glossing his eyes. "From the moment I met Jin and Joon, I told myself that all costs, I must never be boring. I could be anything, but never boring."

Suddenly Jimin made a lot more sense. Oh god, he was trying so hard. Impulsively, Jungkook kissed him, kissed him hard, trying to convey how he felt, almost causing Jimin to spill his drink.

"You're one of the most fascinating people I've ever met," he said fervently, as Jimin's cheeks blushed.

"That means a lot, Kookie, thank you," Jimin said, squeezing his hand again.

They sat together and watched Hobi take the win at the pool table. Yoongi and Namjoon returned from their conversation, both looking the better for it. Namjoon seemed to clock that Jimin was fairly drunk, and immediately took him under his wing, forcing him to drink a glass of water and accompanying him to the toilet. Yoongi suggested they play darts.

Jungkook had played darts a few times at home, and felt confident as Jin carved their initials on the blackboard in chalk and scrawled a '301' under each. When he failed to hit his double to start for the third time, he realised he was a bit more wobbly from the drinks than he realised. Hobi and Tae fetched two more pitchers of cocktail, one more of water and a variety of snacks. Jungkook took some water to pace himself and tore into a pack of salted peanuts. When it wasn't his turn, he leaned against Jin. As the night wore on, more pub-goers filled out the attic space, and Jungkook managed to regain enough control to come third and fourth in the two games played. Jin kept playing with his beading, and as his embarrassment diminished, he found himself revelling in the touch, enjoying the togetherness, the warmth of the atmosphere. He had one more drink and a packet of crisps.

They rolled out of the pub about ten pm, after Jin had praised Jungkook into his jacket. They drift-netted the width of the pavement as they walked, Namjoon and Yoongi on the wings of the group, their posture alert.

Jungkook's breath made amber clouds under the streetlights. Jimin and Tae were playfully leapfrogging bollards. The air was heavy with traffic fumes, and the smell of grilled meat and grease from a strip of takeaways. Jin was holding his hand and he was enjoying it.

"How come you guys don't have sex very often?" He asked abruptly.

Yoongi sniggered.

"Ahh, our young ambassador for political correctness," Jin said.

"Well, I think what you mean is why don't we have sex in front of you. We don't want to overwhelm you." Namjoon explained.

Jungkook pouted. "I'm not overwhelmed."

"So it's working."

Jungkook frowned, and Hobi cooed at him.

"So can we have sex?" He tried.

Kim's Six couldn't quite muster a giggle at that.

"There's no hurry, baby." Jin intervened slowly, as Jungkook noticed multiple pairs of eyes drifting back to his waist.

"Let's do it tonight," he said. "We could."

"We could not." Namjoon told him.

Jungkook frowned again. What had happened to the power he'd been cultivating all night? "Please, Joon." He tried instead. He saw Tae open his mouth and close it again.

"Not when you've been drinking," Namjoon said mildly.

"Well maybe I don't wanna sleep with you," Jungkook stuck his tongue out at him, clinging to Jin's arm. "Maybe I want to sleep with Jin."

"That's fine, just not while you're drunk."

Namjoon was not supposed to be this unruffled. Jungkook wondered if he had in fact drank just a little too much.

"Let's talk about it tomorrow, huh?" Jin said, nudging his cheek. Jungkook had to settle for that.

Yoongi and Hobi broke off to head home. Both of them put a hand on his waist when they kissed him goodnight. Tae was coming home with the rest of them because Ruby was back at the apartment. In the cool night air Jungkook gradually felt some of the alcohol wear off. When they got home he snuggled against Jin as his ears were sprayed and he was sorted into pyjamas. He was relieved to see Tae and Jimin go into Namjoon's room to sleep.

"I need to go to work early tomorrow," Jin whispered as they huddled down under the blankets. "Sleep in if you want."

Jungkook had to concentrate to stay awake as he feigned sleep and waited for Jin's breathing to even out beside him.

X-X-X

He slid the bedroom over quietly, edging the door handle back up fraction by fraction. He trod downstairs carefully, hand trailing the bannister. The blinds over the large windows were down, leaving the living area in darkness. He thought he could just about make out the furry outline of the sofas.

"It's me," he whispered into the open, hesitating when a dark bundle scampered towards him, shutting his eyes and feeling his way around the sofas tucking down on the floor. Ruby followed him, and he felt out for her, hugging her to him, keeping his eyes shut, listening to the thump of her butt hitting the sofa.

"I'm sorry about the bad man." He whispered to her, smelling her fur. "I'm sorry he hurt you."

She stopped wriggling so much and cautiously he edged his eyes open. In the near-dark he couldn't make out her face, but it felt like a step forward.

"I'm starting to learn all their weaknesses," he told her. "Maybe I shouldn’t be exploiting them, but they exploited me first, you know?"

He felt like Ruby was listening and when he paused he felt a wet swipe on his cheek. He wiped his cheek on his shoulder. She licked him again and he giggled a little.

One of the doors opened upstairs, and he went stiff. Did Jin wake and notice he was missing? He heard the tread on the balcony and felt Ruby listening too.

Ruby broke away from him to investigate the new footsteps on the stairs, her feet pattering up the first couple steps before he heard Namjoon's voice.

"Good girl, go back to bed," Namjoon's voice was scratchy and soft. Jungkook heard him pad around the sofas and shrank down. He could feel his heartbeat in his throat. He didn't know what Namjoon would say if he caught him.

He listened to Namjoon shuffling over by the coats and shoes, and then the key turned in the front door and he heard him go up rather than down. Gingerly, he got back on his feet. Ruby circled around his feet and he bent to stroke her fur. This was his chance to sneak back up to bed, but..

He was pretty sure Namjoon hadn't locked the door behind him. "I'll be back," he whispered to Ruby, and felt his way past the armchairs to the door.

The stone steps were cold underfoot. He navigated the folded deckchairs and pushed open the door onto the roof.

The moon was muffled in cloud. Strains of someone's party music were wafting over the rooftops. Namjoon stood over the short perimeter wall, looking out across the skyline, cool air rippling his hair. Jungkook walked over to join him, biting back a shiver from the cold.

"I heard you come up," he explained softly.

"I woke you?" Namjoon's brows furrowed, taking Jungkook's pyjamas in and shrugging his own jacket off.

"I was already awake."

Namjoon seemed to accept this. His cheeks were tearstained, and his eyes heavy. Jungkook felt a punch of guilt that he'd manipulated Namjoon into going out tonight.

Namjoon swung his jacket over Jungkook's shoulders, cocooning him in a little warmth. Jungkook clutched it close, taking in the view, the low hum of the music in his ears. "Are Jimin and Tae asleep?" He asked.

"They are." Namjoon gathered him in. "Are you struggling to sleep?"

Jungkook made a non-committal noise. "Are you thinking about Marco?"

"Yeah. Among other things." Namjoon pressed a quick kiss to his head. "I was thinking about what you said about your mum."

"What did I say?"

"You said that it was supposed to be their story but we're the ones left."

"Oh, yeah."

"Do you always feel like that?" Namjoon said.

Jungkook was surprised by the flash of grief that ripped across his chest. "I suppose so. Like I'm a footnote, and what's the point of a footnote if you don't have the pages."

Namjoon considered that, then tilted Jungkook's chin up to look at him. "You are not a footnote, Jungkook. You've never been a footnote. I think you're still searching for your mother's love, but maybe you'll come to realise that you don't need it."

His absolute sincerity made Jungkook feel like crumbling. He put his arms round Namjoon's neck, felt the dense muscularity around him as Namjoon held him close, looked out at the skyline, thinking of Soona, and love and Marco and Namjoon. Namjoon swayed him a little to the distant music. He thought of the pain Namjoon had caused him by locking him, by willfully choosing to use his weakness against him. He couldn't feel the pain now, only the protection of Namjoon's body, but he remembered that it had been there.

"I'm not sorry," Namjoon said, as if reading his mind.

Jungkook didn't believe him. "That's okay," he said. "I haven't decided to forgive you."

Namjoon gave a low chuckle of acknowledgement and Jungkook basked in his warmth. A feathery rain was starting to fall around them, but they stayed on the roof for another few minutes, far off music echoing in their ears.

X-X-X

Jungkook bit into his lemon pastry and his mouth flooded with warmth and sugar. He swung a leg from his high stool behind the counter.

"Are you going to see Jimin today?" Hye-Hwa asked him. "Tell him I've got a pastry with his name on it, if he pops down."

Jungkook nodded animatedly, his cheeks stuffed. He thought he saw Hye-Hwa crack a smile.

"I'll be two minutes, darling," Jin tossed his paper towels in the bin and headed towards the back rooms.

"How old are you anyway?" Hye-Hwa slid her tray of fresh scones under the display. Maybe her question had something to do with the fact that this was the second time she'd seen Hobi bring him to the teashop.

He chewed and swallowed. "Seventeen."

"Well, at least you're legal." She rolled her eyes in the direction her brother had gone in.

"You don't get on so well with him, right?" Jungkook inclined his head.

Hye-Hwa snorted. "You can say that again."

Jungkook wasn't quite sure why they worked together. "He seems like he's all strengths and no weaknesses," he said, hopefully.

"Yeah, unfortunately, he's perfect," Hye-Hwa curled her mouth in distain.

Oh. "He really has no weaknesses?" Jungkook tried again. Surely there had to be something.

"You look almost disappointed," Hye-Hwa remarked, wiping down the countertop. "Oh here's wonder boy."

"Come on, angel," Jin held a hand out, smiling his perfect smile. "A present's just arrived for you upstairs."

Jungkook stuffed the rest of his pastry into his mouth and hopped off the stool. He waved to Hye-Hwa, but she was distracted by an incoming customer.

Jin kept their hands linked as they went back up to the apartment. "That was cute of you coming to visit me," he said. "Were you feeling lonely? Hungover?"

Jungkook shook his head, using his full mouth as a way to avoid answering. Jin didn't press him, distracted by the box on the dining table.

"It's all for me?" Jungkook wondered what was inside, as Jin took scissors to the tape on the top.

"It's only a few little things. I hope you like them."

They broke the blanket out of its wrapping first. It was just about the fluffiest thing Jungkook had ever felt and he couldn't help but run his hands over it, enjoying the texture. There were chocolate lollies, a tub of slime, pens and pencils, and an adult colouring in book. It was called 'Enchanted Forest' and skimming through it reminded Jungkook immediately of his outdoor cinema trip with Kim's Six.

"A lot of people use it to de-stress," Jin said, stroking his hair as Jungkook rifled through the pages, looking for the image he wanted to colour most.

"Thank you!" Jungkook found a scene he liked. There were four fantastical trees, a stag and toadstools. He could use the pencils and shade the heck out of this. This tree could have blue leaves, and this one purple..

"I'm gonna start this one," he said, gathering his haul up to relocate to the couch. Jin's gaze was pure fondness as Jungkook opened the pencil pack and tipped the pencils half out.

He sat cross-legged, wrapped up in his new blanket, concentrating on the shading. Tae and Ruby came home at one point, and Ruby forgot their unspoken pact and made straight for him which made his heart kick, but Tae dropped a treat in her breakfast bowl to distract her.

Namjoon came in from the gym, looking a whole lot more at peace than yesterday. Jungkook watched him kiss Tae and then Jin. Namjoon came over to the couch and ruffled his hair. "Hey, that looks really cool!"

"Why didn't I get a kiss?" Jungkook complained.

"Oh, you want a kiss?"

Jungkook tilted his head up in response. Namjoon's kiss was brief but it made his lips tingle.

He absorbed himself in his work, half aware of a rumpled Jimin waking up late and Yoongi coming home with laundry, and someone giving him a glass of orange juice. He'd created a mystical glow eminating from the tree trunks, and was working on styling one trunk like a candycane. It helped him think. He wondered if Squibology had DM'd him back. He wondered if they were going ahead with the Twitch stream tonight. He wondered if Indy was systematically combing through north and north east London for them. Whether Julian might try to hire a hacker who was better than Hobi to find out more about Jimin. Whether Julian might even give up and leave him be, and whether they might eventually be able to communicate from a distance.

The only thing he didn't have to wonder about was his psychological counter-attack on Kim's Six. He'd seen their faces when they looked at his crop top last night. He'd seen their body language on the way home when he'd brought up sex. And despite being unable to crack Jin's weakness so far, he knew what he could do now to press on for the win. He just had to overcome that feeling of being on the edge of a precipice, afraid of his own inexperience.

Hobi came home with a laptop full of work and burgers from a takeout joint. Yoongi threw a salad together to go on the side, and Jungkook tore himself from his drawing to help cut thin apple slices to go in. Yoongi was initiating so many of their little shoulder nudges, touching Jungkook's back as he leaned past him, sitting close by him at the dining table.

As they wolfed lunch down, Jungkook steeled himself, put on his most innocent face.

"So now Hobi's home, we can have sex."

He smiled to himself at the minor shockwave that swept the table. A few forks thudded down on placemats.

"Well, I'm not drunk," he widened his eyes innocently, even as his pulse began to beat faster. "And we're all home."

Heads turned towards to Namjoon, who even looked temporarily lost for words himself.

"There's no rush, sweetheart," Jin said, stroking Jungkook's hair like he was tucking it behind his ear.

"But he wants to," Jimin protested, mouth still gawking open. "Right, Kookie?"

Jungkook nodded firmly.

"Which of us do you want to have sex with?" Namjoon asked warily.

"All of us."

Namjoon waited a few beats. "No one's going to be offended if you want to spend time with just one or two. There's a lot of communication and consideration when all six of us are together, I think you'd find one of seven too much. Especially if you haven't had much experience."

Before Kim's Six, the sum total of Jungkook's sexual experience had been a few awkward fumbles with Aamna. And some kissing. Neither of which amounted to anything in the face of what he was proposing. "It won't be too much."

"Are you sure, bun?" Yoongi said hoarsely. "Like Jin says, there's no hurry. We're happy to wait."

"I'm ready now. Honest." Could they read his nerves? Or were they hesitating because they knew they'd brought him here by force twice over?

"Then I propose," Namjoon looked round at the others, talking slowly as if he were still making his mind up, "that we need to keep our focus on you entirely. Third base."

The others nodded, and Jungkook felt that crackle of tension again. He wanted to argue for fourth, but in truth, he was nervous. He nodded too.

"Come on, then," Namjoon said, his voice soft and deep. He push his chair back, abandoning the remnants of his lunch and held out his hand. "Let's go upstairs."

Jungkook gulped, trying to channel Jungkook from last night, in make up and a crop top and looking like the young adult he was. He pushed his chair back too. Their stares were penetrating his skin.

Namjoon led him up to Jin's room, gestured for him to sit on the bed. The others filed in almost reverentially. Yoongi leaned against the dresser, Jimin seated himself on the opposite side of the bed, and Hobi sat astride the computer chair. Jin closed the blinds and Tae, last in, shut the bedroom door behind them with an audible click.

"Do you want the fairy lights on or off, Kookie?" Jimin asked, and the almost absurdity of the question made Jungkook giggle, easing some of the pressure building in his chest.

Namjoon commanded the centre of the room, but got down on his haunches as he moved closer so Jungkook was looking down at him.

"We won't go too far," Namjoon reminded him, features serious. "But it's your job to tell us if you want to take a breather, or if you've had enough. Understand?"

Jungkook nodded. Everything was moving in slo-mo, his brain frantically trying to capture every still frame.

"And that goes at any time. If we started five seconds ago. If we're five seconds from finishing. If you're done, we stop."

Jungkook nodded again, like a marionette.

Namjoon reached up and rubbed a thumb over his lower lip. Jungkook's stomach dropped instantly, like he was sitting on a rollercoaster and not Jin's bed.

"You can control the whole thing, if you want. Tell us what to do, do you want that?" Namjoon was smirking before he'd even finished, at the pure alarm and rapid headshake he got in return. "Okay then. How about you shuffle back to the centre of the bed and lay down?"

Jungkook could hear his heart bursting out of his chest as his head hit the pillow and the mattress bent around him. His view was a window of ceiling, framed by incoming faces. Danger rolled from them in waves.

"Shhh," Namjoon said, his thumb coming up to play maddeningly over the plump of Jungkook's lip again. "Why don't you close your eyes, baby? Take a few breaths. Relax."

Jungkook closed his eyes and focused on the heat of his organs and the air filling his lungs, feeling his flyaway thoughts shutter out as a hand dipped into his hair, scratching lightly. A staticky hum began in his scalp and spread pleasantly down his neck. Tae, he thought, letting himself go lax.

"Good boy," Namjoon said, and every nerve ending on Jungkook's lips lit up like Christmas as he was given a slow, coaxing kiss. When Namjoon leaned back, Jungkook felt warm hands curl around his wrists, lifting his arms up towards the pillow. Namjoon pressed his wrists down firmly on either side of his head. "Keep them here," Namjoon murmured.

The sheer vulnerability made adrenaline blossom in his stomach. He could hear whispers of cloth and feel the mattress dent around him. He kept his eyes closed, kept listening to his body.

A cool pair of hands were on his waist, making him gasp, massaging circles into the skin above his jeans.

"Such a good boy," Jimin groaned, and flicked the button. "Let us see you."

He heard the torturously slow draw of the zip. His heart drummed a war chant in his ears.

"Shhh," it was Jin's voice near his head, Jin's long fingers tilting his chin, Jin's mouth that cajoled him into a series of drugging kisses. New hands dipped under his t-shirt, slowly rolling it up, baring him to the cool air.

"Does that feel nice?" Hobi whispered in his exposed ear. "So pretty, sweets, Yoongi's gonna show you how pretty you are."

Knowing it was Yoongi when he felt the kiss over his belly button made him whimper. He felt another burning kiss just above, and then another, lingering, marking a route up his torso, causing his abdomen to contract with pleasure. Hobi, or maybe it was Tae, he was losing track, was toying with the sensitive skin of his ear lobe, their breath fanning over it, teeth nibbling playfully at the cartilage, gently flicking his piercing. A moan curled up his throat and into Jin's mouth as a tongue swiped over his ear.

"Tell me how you're feeling, darling?" Jin murmured, gliding his tongue along Jungkook's inner lip before their mouths parted. Jungkook's mouth was smarting, numb as if it had been injected with lidocaine. "Good," he managed, "feels goo- ah-!"

There were hands lifting his hips, and more hands slipping his jeans down his legs. Simultaneously the hands under his t-shirt rubbed up over his chest and caught on his nipples. Instinctively his hands came down to cover his sensitive parts.

"Uh, uh," Namjoon said, voice silken. Firm but gentle hands took his wrists and put them back where they'd been. That simple act made Jungkook openly whimper, aware that they could all see him tenting his boxers.

"If it's too much, you just have to say so," Namjoon said, amused.

It was too much, and it was also not enough. Yoongi's thumbs were circling around his nipples as they pebbled, someone was nosing at his armpit, fingers were whispering over his navel, trailing down the light hairs towards his boxers, but not lifting the elastic. Jungkook pursed his lips defiantly, moaning against his teeth as his legs were carefully spread. A hand took his chin and turned him away from Jin. He opened his eyes enough to see a fuzzy image of Tae smiling at him, and he gave a wobbly smile in return before Tae's mouth pressed against his, Tae drawing his lower lip in between his teeth.

"Are you having fun, baby?" Jimin said, then, "god, he's gonna go before we even get his boxers off."

Groans that hadn't come from his own throat penetrated Jungkook's hazy mind, made his blood run south.

"Touch," he gasped out, when he and Tae came up for air. "Jimin-"

"Don't be mean, Minnie," Jin mock-scolded. "Baby's asking for help."

"Maybe I wanna be mean," Jimin said, and a kiss was pressed into Jungkook's vulnerable inner thigh, so close, but not close enough. "Look how gorgeous he is."

"Plea- please-" Jungkook managed next.

"You want a break?" Namjoon asked.

"No!"

His vehemence made them chuckle.

"Finish him off," Namjoon said, and finally, finally he felt a hand cupping him over his boxers, massaging him torturously slow, but did didn't matter because he could feel the crest coming-

Yoongi flicked sharply across both nipples and he came undone.

It felt like a minute before his vision returned and Jimin finished working him through the aftershocks. He shivered, hazily looking at them in various states of undress and arousal. He stared past his rumpled t-shirt at his wet boxers and hot blood rose in his face. He'd asked for sex and he couldn't even manage to hold on-

"Best boy," Jin said, sprawled beside him, his handsome face close. "Love you so much, darling. Listened so well. How about you have a snuggle with the boys and I'll run you a bath-"

Jungkook grabbed at him to stop him going. "Again?" He asked, unsure if he was asking too much, looking across at the others, watching Yoongi's hands down Hobi's work trousers, Tae's reddened lips, taking in the sight of Namjoon at the foot of the bed, his shirt off, his skin a glowing golden champagne.

"Well I haven't stopped," Jimin remarked, trailing a single finger languidly over Jungkook's dirty boxers and elicting a tiny kick.

"Teenage refactory periods," Jin grinned, reaching out to rub the back of knuckles against Jungkook's cheek. "RM?"

"You want more?" Namjoon said, his voice challenging, and Jimin daintily skipped to the side to allow Namjoon to climb up onto the bed, his knees on either side of Jungkook's unspooled bare legs, his gaze predatory. Jungkook swallowed, nodded, a pulling sensation behind his navel as Namjoon crawled up the bed, arching over him, rolling his hips in a slow wave, never quite touching him, while Jungkook's breath hitched and he stared at Namjoon's shoulder muscles and six pack in all their glory.

"Do you want to bring your hands down now?" Namjoon smirked, and Jungkook realised his wrists were still immobilised on either side of his head. Stiffly, he brought them down to his chest, then cautiously, mesmerised, reached up to touch Namjoon's. The room swelled.

"Let's see if you can last any longer this time," Namjoon leaned his head in, breathing into Jungkook's ear.

It was a challenge, and Jungkook met it by squeezing Namjoon's pecs.

He felt like he had more control in the second round. He touched them, marvelled at their muscles, felt the heat coming off their skin. He drank in their mesmerised faces, the way they looked at him like he was the whole world, soaking up their praise and their kisses hungrily.

He felt his boxers come off, and jolted when he realised Hobi was cleaning up his mess with his mouth, licking stripes across his pelvis. A ragged whine ripped out of his throat when Tae threw a leg over him and reached down to take him into his mouth. Tae's ass was in Jungkook's face, blocking his view, and Jungkook reached out to touch it, before shuddering and flopping back at the shots of pleasure rippling through him.

If anything, this one was coming quicker.

"Lost your energy?" Jin cooed, as Jungkook panted. "Gonna lie there like a doll and take it?"

Jungkook managed a low mewl in response. More, more, more, more-

And then- his eyes blew wide open. Jin chuckled, kissed his forehead.

"If it's too much, say so," Namjoon instructed from where he was supervising.

Someone was- down there?- He couldn't even see past Tae to see who it was, hands which didn't seem to belong to the same person prising his cheeks apart, allowing that tongue to-

His eyes rolled back and he cried out in euphoria as he felt himself spasm into Tae's mouth.

When he came to, he could hear his own frenetic breathing. Jin plastered their foreheads together, whispering quiet, reassuring praise. He tried to formulate words, but he was spent. Gentle hands were cleaning him up, sliding his t-shirt back down. He shivered and leaned into Jin for warmth, feeling a blanket drape over him. Someone climbed onto the bed beside him and curled up against his back. He heard a hollow moan which sounded like Jimin. Someone stroked his hair, stirring the small hairs at his nape. He snuggled into Jin's arms, feeling like he might sleep. The air was velvet.

They snuggled for at least half an hour, before Jin took him for a bath. Jungkook registered the adoration on each of the faces around him, and victory stirred in his belly. He'd won.

Well almost. He climbed onto Jin's back for a piggyback ride downstairs, wrapping his arms over Jin's bare chest as Jin heaved him up. But for now he was more than satisfied.

He caught Namjoon's eye as he and Jin left the room. Namjoon was wearing a shirt again, which Jungkook counted as a shameful sin. Namjoon smiled at him, dimples deepening his cheeks. "We can have a chat later," he said. "About what you liked."

"Liked all of it," Jungkook said honestly, yawning. He wondered if he could persuade Jin to join him in the bath.

X-X-X

He didn't think the day could get any better. Jin had brought him water and a snack and then had indeed got in the bath with him. All dried up, and in fresh clothes, he'd emerged from the bathroom to more doting gazes, checking he was okay, that he was happy. He was starting to believe in Kim's Seven.

And then, Namjoon.

"I have a surprise for you. Come upstairs to the storage room."

One part dozy, one part energetic, Jungkook followed.

"I got a notification on my burner phone half an hour ago," Namjoon said. "I'd put a note through their door."

"...Dove and Soobin?" Jungkook could hardly believe it.

"I don't know how much you've told them, baby, but you will be careful?"

Jungkook nodded eagerly. "Of course."

Namjoon had set the green screen up behind the computer chair. "I'll be next door, call if you need me."

Jungkook could hardly believe Namjoon was trusting him, but he supposed that was the point of locking him up on Saturday.

Namjoon had the videocall all set up for him. Fingers trembling with eagerness, he clicked.

Dove and Soobin appeared on screen, their cosy livingroom behind him. He even thought he could hear their old radiators clanking.

"Jungkook!" Dove's hand came up to her mouth. "Oh my god, you're okay."

"You guys are okay!" He hadn't known with absolute certainty. He'd hoped of course, assumed, but so many things could have gone wrong. He'd seen Soobin's leg bleeding, but didn't know if they had other injuries.

"We felt awful," Soobin said. "I was in hospital, and Dove's family lives near the hospital, so she stayed there. We were worried you'd find your way back to our place and we wouldn't be there and you wouldn't know where to go. We called Naomi and asked her to look out for you, but she said she hadn't seen you. And then I got discharged and we found your note when we came home!"

Hearing the usually unruffled Soobin speak so rapidly made Jungkook smile fondly.

Dove shook her head, marvelling, "and you didn't get hurt? Did you get out quickly?"

Jungkook remembered how he'd sprinted for the furniture store to distract the gunman, Jack Lekitch from them, knowing implicitly that Namjoon would shoot and save him. "I didn't get hurt," he said. "Did you? Or just Soobin?"

"Just Soobin, shot in the leg twice," Dove grimaced. "He was 'lucky' both were flesh wounds. The whole thing was terrifying, but it all happened so fast too. All in the space of nine minutes, was it something like that?" She shuddered. "Feels like we haven't really processed it yet. He's healing up well so far. He has to do a lot of physio-"

"And I'm popping the painkillers-"

"But they think he should make a strong recovery over the next six months, possibly longer. He's gonna be on crutches for the next while, which will be fun given the size of our apartment."

Jungkook was practically vibrating. They were okay. They really were okay.

"So where are you?" Soobin eyed the green screen curiously.

"Um, I'm safe, I'm in London. I'm so happy you're okay."

Dove narrowed her eyes. "We're happy you're okay too, Jungkook. Whereabouts in London?"

Jungkook squimed a little in his seat. He didn't want to lie to his friends, but-

Dove cursed quietly, reaching out to grip Soobin's arm. "Ow," Soobin commented helpfully.

"You're with them, aren't you?" Dove accused, and Soobin's eyes widened.

"It's okay," Jungkook hurried to reassure her. "I'm fine. They're not holding me against my will." Not now, at least.

"Oh damn, they know where we live, don't they," Soobin ran a hand through his hair, glancing at Dove.

"They know you're my friends," Jungkook said rapidly. "They're vigilantes, they go after criminals."

"They went after you," Dove pointed out.

"You're safe from them, I promise."

They both looked understandably worried.

"Can we meet you in person?" Dove tilted her head.

"I'd love to," Jungkook said rapidly. "Yeah, we can meet up somewhere. I can text from you the phone number that was on that note." When Namjoon didn't enter the room and intervene, he felt more confident. Namjoon wouldn't keep him from Dove and Soobin, not after all they'd been through these past few days. He just needed to meet them somewhere neutral and safe for everyone, probably with Kim's Six on guard.

He saw them both relax a little. "Okay," Dove said. "Tomorrow? Do you want to come over here?"

"Um..maybe somewhere else would be easier, could I text you? I might need a lift."

He saw them exchange glances. "As long as we see you tomorrow, I'll hobble anywhere," Soobin smiled. "We've been worrying about you for days."

Jungkook felt a bright glow in his chest. "I've been thinking about you every day too. It's so good to you see you both."

A mobile rang from somewhere behind them in the living room.

"I'll get it," Dove told Soobin, jumping up from the laptop, crossing towards the old sofa. Jungkook got a fuller view of the living room, just as they'd left it on Saturday, with its cosy candles and African and Korean prints on the walls.

"So you'll blink three times if you want us to call the police, right?" Soobin teased.

Jungkook chuckled. "Sure."

"And just so you know, maths is not my strong point, so tread carefully."

"Oh its your cousin," Dove said. "Hi Ahnjong, can we call you back in a few? We...what?"

"She okay?" Soobin threw over his shoulder. "So did your vigilantes come rescue you from the shopping-"

Jungkook was watching Dove's face morph into horror. "What?" She said again. "When?"

Soobin winced in pain as he turned. "Dove?"

Dove dropped the phone. "We have to get out of here. Ahnjong just got free. He's going to be here any minute-"

"Who is? Is she okay?" Soobin said bewildered.

"Hurry!" Dove rushed towards him, and Jungkook saw the top of crutches as she pushed them into Soobin's hands, panic in her eyes.

"Help!" Jungkook jolted out of his paralysis and found his voice. He heard Namjoon come running, heard pounding on the steps. "Help!"

Dove was helping Soobin stumble towards the living room door, Soobin bewildered, still asking questions, Dove urging him forward.

"Go to their house!" Jungkook shrieked the moment Namjoon opened the storage room door. "Go, go, go-"

Namjoon whipped around immediately and left. Jungkook could hear him yelling to the others, and he turned back to the empty living room on screen, locked in a vice of horror. Let them get out in time, let them get out in time-

He heard the front door smash in, heard Dove and Soobin yell out. He couldn't breathe.

"Baby!" Jin was at his side. "What's-"

Jungkook grabbed Jin desperately, unable to look away, as Soobin and Dove were slowly backed into the living room again, Soobin barely staying up on his crutches, face twisting in pain, Dove between him and Indy as if she might be able to protect him.

Indy strode into the room. He wore a mask, but Jungkook knew it was him. Because Julian had Robbie's trust and Robbie had told Julian all about the couple that had helped Jungkook, the couple whose location would be known by their cousin who went to Robbie and Jungkook's school.

"Play nice, and I won't hurt you," Indy said, as Dove and Soobin backed up against the wall, the gun trained on them, terror on their faces. He turned and looked at the screen and walked closer, leaning in to look at Jungkook, eyes twinkling with malice. Black roses blossomed in the centre of Jungkook's vision.

Indy smiled at him, reached up, and closed the laptop.

X-X-X

Chapter Text

This was a long time coming, thank you for bearing with me and for your comments! I'm aiming to get the final chapter out in double-quick time, but we'll see how that goes! Any motivation you can give me to see this over the finish line would be appreciated :) There will also be an epilogue and Q+A in the form of a final-final chapter afterwards if all goes to plan.

Heads up for Kook distress at the start of this one and a long chap. A huge thank you to Chee who heist-brainstormed with me. As usual, you can keep up with me and my writing on Twitter :D

X-X-X

He was being manoeuvred downstairs, Jin's hands steadying his elbows as the world lurched on its axis. His scattered eyes took in sparse clouds against the grey expanse of sky, the stillness of the window blind cords, the grainy cement gridding the brick wall. Jin tried to guide him towards the sofa, but Jungkook couldn't stand to be comforted. He struggled free.

"I need to call Julian," he panted. His mind was spinning away from itself. "Where's a phone? I need to call him-"

"I don't have his number, darling," Jin said, reaching out, plucking at the hem of his jumper, trying to hook round his waist. "Come on-"

"I can call the Apexi head office," Jungkook spun on his heel, evading Jin, scanning for a phone, "they'll put me through-" an abandoned mobile lay on an armrest, and he surged towards it-

Jin stretched out and swiped it first, extending his other arm to offer a hug. "Baby, let Namjoon handle this. He's heading straight there."

Jungkook clawed the fabric of the armrest in frustration, eyes darting around the room for other options. Jimin held Ruby near the TV, everyone else was gone-

"Jimin," he said, struggling to convey the enormity. "Phone. I need- he's taken my friends."

Jin's phone rang. Jungkook's head jerked.

"...I'll ask him," Jin said grimly. "Sweetheart, do your friends know where we live? Think carefully."

Jungkook shook his head passionately. "Tell him to hurry, tell him to hurry-"

"He says they don't," Jin reported. "What's your ETA?"

It didn't matter, Jungkook realised, wheeling away towards the kitchen, his vision tunnelling again. He remembered how long the drive was from the aparment to the club. He saw Indy's violating stare whenever he blinked, as if it was tattooed inside his lids. Indy would take Soobin and Dove. Had taken them.

"Kookie," Jin coaxed, the phone tucked away out of sight. "Namjoon's going as fast as he can. Come be with me?"

"He's not gonna make it," Jungkook put his hands on the cool kitchen counter, then swung back round, unmoored, running both hands through his hair. "What's Indy going to do to them?"

His lungs were dragging at air. Dove and Soobin must be so scared. Julian had made Robbie trust him entirely. He'd used Robbie to get to Ahnjong and then sent Indy to extract Soobin's address. How could Julian have done this to him? Julian understood the horrors of kidnap, but had made himself as bad as Kim's Six.

A figure in a black balaclava was surging towards him, while the grip from behind propelled him forwards. The back doors of the van were open like a mouth waiting to swallow him whole.

He clutched his arms to his chest at the memory, then unwound them again to tap on the counter. He'd felt so in control earlier, practically giving up his virginity. He'd felt powerful, like he'd finally taken the upper hand. But it was an illusion. He was always helpless. His eyes kept honing in on useless things: the crumbs on top of the toaster, the embossed brand name on the kettle, the nick in the top drawer handle. The low hum of the fridge filled his ears as he valiantly tried to stay above submerging panic.

"It's going to be okay," Jimin's voice was distant, frail. "Namjoon will know what to do."

Jungkook wanted to believe it with all his heart. He could visualise Namjoon tearing up those cold stone steps and busting in past the broken front door and singlehandedly disarming Indy. But no matter how much he wanted to believe it, he knew Indy was long gone. Julian had already won. He them watching him as he shifted from one end of the kitchen to the other, waiting, adrenaline flooding him with no outlet, wringing him out.

Panic screamed up his throat, and he tried to cry out, but a gloved hand came over his mouth, trapping little urgent cries of protest

He was still mindlessly tapping the counter when the others returned, and he jolted in fright as Ruby barked, finally released from Jimin's hold.

They shuffled in as Ruby innocently pranced around them. Jungkook knew they'd come back emptyhanded but the confirmation almost dropped him.

"I'm sorr-" Namjoon began sombrely, toeing his shoes off.

"-That's not good enough!" Jungkook yelled at him across the kitchen. "This is all happening because of you!" His heart contracted as the back of the van came up to meet him and his face was smushed into the rough carpet, bag wrenched from his back and one arm forced up behind him in a half-nelson. "This is what you do, you act like you're all about justice and morality, but it's your vigilantism which leads to innocent people suffering!"

"Jungkook." Warning threaded Namjoon's tone.

His mouth wouldn't stop, even as his body pressed backwards against the unmoving counter, every bit of pent up fear and despair spewing out. "You're acting like you haven't already done to me what he's doing to them, you hypocrite!" And Julian was a hypocrite too, pretending to be a good man but setting Indy on his friends-

Namjoon strode towards him, livid purples and yellows on his cheekbone, muscles contracted, darkness in his eyes. Jungkook knew it would be a matter of moments before he went over Namjoon's knee, and he welcomed it. Wanted it. He wanted pain if Dove and Soobin were in pain.

"Yeah, come and hurt me," he challenged. "You're just like him, aren't you! You're just like him!"

Namjoon blanched, stopped completely in his tracks, the others silent behind him. Belatedly, Jungkook realised that Namjoon had mistaken who he was referring to.

A frown halved Namjoon's forehead, unsaid words sparking in his eyes. For a moment, the two of them were entirely alone. Then Namjoon slowly lowered himself onto his knees at the edge of the linoleum, hands lowered, palms out, like Jungkook was some kind of wild animal.

"I'll do everything in my power to get them back," Namjoon said, voice thick with emotion. "I swear it. I swear on Marco's life."

His brother's name sucked everything out like a vacuum. In the stillness, Jungkook looked into Namjoon's eyes and saw only truth. Body trembling, he pushed himself off the counter, took a step forward, another, staggered and crumpled into Namjoon's arms, raw sobs ripping out of his throat.

"Shhh," Namjoon held his entire weight on his lap, his voice protective, his arms safe. Jungkook felt Namjoon pat his butt, grounding him as he choked and sobbed, chest aching, tears clouding his sight. "I've got you."

Exhaustion set in fast. Jungkook quivered in Namjoon's warmth, his eyelids puffy and heavy, wet lashes glueing together. His thoughts were muffled, his body entirely atuned to the lull of Namjoon's rhythmic tapping. He could barely muster his protest as new arms lifted him from Namjoon, Namjoon helping to hand him over. A moment later he inhaled rose and citrus and clung blindly to Jin, burying his nose in Jin's neck. He puddled against Jin's chest as they sank onto the couch. He felt the softness of a blanket brush his neck before he was out.

X-X-X

RM got to his feet once Jin had hefted Jungkook up, almost afraid to see their expressions, Jungkook's words serrating his ears. He was surprised to see Yoongi's hand at his elbow as he rose. Yoongi gave a little squeeze and a hint of a smile before crossing to help Jin readjust the blanket.

RM's heart was laid bare for Jungkook. He'd taken such heady satisfaction watching their baby going out of his mind with pleasure, writhing on the sheets, uttering precious moans and whines while they played with him. Seeing him emerge from his bath, soft haired and bright cheeked and contented had only made RM want to indulge him more. Instead, he'd unwittingly set him up to watch Adley make his move.

Jungkook's big brown eyes had been like bruises, savaging RM open. The words had brought him to his knees.

He took pride in not being his stepfather. He loved his family. He encouraged, comforted, diciplined, set boundaries. He protected them, even from themselves. He led them in saving innocents from trauma and pain and they avenged wickedness and corruption where they could. He used his strength for his household, not against it.

He looked down at his hands, flexed them, saw them trembling.

"We couldn't have got there any faster," Hobi said. "You did all you could."

RM sent him a grateful nod, instinctively held his arms out for Jimin who'd quietly begun to cry. He'd figured that it was a fool's errand when they ran for the cars. And he was the fool. He shouldn't have underestimated Adley's desperation. And if Jungkook's friends had connected with Adley to get him to the Langchester, then of course Adley could trace them. The smashed lock of the front door and silent pocket-sized flat had confirmed that Adley meant business.

He sealed his arms around Jimin to rock him slightly, pressed his cheek against fluffy pink hair. Jimin's arms wrapped tightly about his waist.

"Ruby," Tae said in a low voice, "down, lady."

RM looked up from Jimin. Ruby had beelined towards Jungkook and had both paws on the sofa, trying to nose at him. Jin was gently batting her away, trying not to disturb his drowzy bundle. Ruby usually kept her distance from Jungkook, sensed his fear. Namjoon bit his lip. If anything, her persistence now underlined just how terrible Jungkook's distress had been.

"Ruby," Tae tried again, confused.

"Come get her, Tae," Jin said softly. "It's a stress sleep, he could wake any moment."

Yoongi was closer and reached toward Ruby, his hand pressing on her chest. He paused as a low grumble came from Ruby's throat. RM frowned over Jimin's shoulder. Ruby was the most good natured dog they knew.

"Did you just growl at me?" Yoongi was incredulous.

"Hey, lady," Tae's voice was gentle and childlike as he approached. "He's okay, he's resting. Everything's okay. There's no need to give Yoongi a hard time. Come on, give him space. You'll make it worse if he wakes up to your big snout. Come on. Good girl."

"What happens now?" Jimin mumbled into RM's sweater, as Ruby begrudgingly acquiesed.

"Adley knows the value of his hostages because they were on videochat with Jungkook," RM said, shelving his bewildering thoughts about himself. "He'll use them as leverage. The only upside is that means they're safe for now."

"What do the friends know about us?" Jin asked, stroking up and down the outside of the plush blanket wrapping Jungkook. Jungkook didn't stir.

"Hopefully he'll tell us," RM said grimly. "In all likelihood he's leaked something. And we have to assume that whatever they do know, Adley's hitman will find out."

"I'm checking the nearest traffic cams," Hobi said, eyes trained on his laptop screen. "It's close to rush hour, I'm not sure I'll be able to locate his vehicle."

"Do you think he'll take them to St John's Wood?" Jimin sniffed and wriggled an arm out to rub at his nose. "How do we save them when his house is a fortress?"

"Adley will have access to lots of locations," Yoongi said. "He'll pick one we don't know about."

RM nodded, drew Jimin along to sit on his lap on one of the armchairs. "If he has the hitman keep them away from him he can attempt to salvage Jungkook's impression of him later."

"So what do we have to go on?" Tae kept an arm around Ruby, rubbing behind her ears. No one answered immediately. In truth, they had precious little to go on.

"We have the biggest advantage," Jin said. "We have Jungkook. He doesn't know where Jungkook is and he's not going to find out."

RM wrapped his hands round Jimin's, his gaze carressing the mop of dark hair poking out from the honeycomb blanket. "Don't suppose that he'll lay low," he warned. "Not if his friends' lives are in danger."

He could tell from the look in Jin's eyes that they were going to have trouble. But it couldn't be helped. If Jungkook wanted to do battle with Julian Adley, then he had RM's sword.

X-X-X

When he came back to the surface, he was cosy, cuddled in, inhaling Jin's scent. Groggily, he cast his mind backwards and immediately tensed, tried to wriggle free.

"Hey, shh- it's okay baby," Jin had him trapped in his new blanket.

Jungkook tried to elbow his way out. He didn't deserve to feel comfortable. But Jin was determined, and he hissed in despair as stronger arms sealed him back in.

"Here's water, Kookie," Jimin said breathlessly, pressing a glass towards him. Jungkook didn't want it, but Jimin's cheeks were streaked pink and his eyes filled with worry. Jin helped him extract a hand, steadied the glass as he drank. It helped clear his head a little.

"Can you bring one of his chocolate lollies, Tae?" Jin said. "In the box, over there."

Jungkook whined through the water. This wasn't about him, it was about Dove and Soobin.

"I'm worried that your blood sugar hasn't regulated from earlier," Jin soothed.

"Joon will figure this out," Hobi added from behind his laptop. "We just need to make sure you're okay first, sweets."

Tae was unwrapping the chocolate for him, cellophane crackling. Jimin took the glass and Jungkook unhappily reached out for the lollystick. "Good boy," Jin cooed, stroking fingers through the hair near his temple. Jungkook saw Ruby wander up from behind Tae, but Yoongi coughed before she came close, and Tae grabbed her. Ruby's brown eyes were filled with concern too. I'm okay, Jungkook tried to tell her. But my friends aren't.

He nibbled the chocolate. It was cloying, but he sensed Jin's immediate approval in the way the arm around him slackened a fraction. This was the problem. He didn't have power over Jin. Kim's Six was in Namjoon's name, but ultimately it was Jin's to control. Jin could prevent them helping Dove and Soobin.

"Is there anything useful you can tell us, baby?" Namjoon said, helping Jimin get comfortable on his lap.

"Indy went to Ahnjong's house, she called to warn them, but it was too late." Jungkook blurted out, his voice scratchy despite the water. "Ahnjong is Soobin's cousin. She's in my school. He must have got her address from Robbie. Robbie's in my class. Robbie visited before I ran away but I couldn't tell him something was wrong because Julian was watching." God, he hoped Robbie and Ahnjong hadn't been hurt...

"Is 'Indy' the hitman's name?" Namjoon's brow raised.

Jungkook nodded then shook his head. "I call him Indy. He said he was an Independent Contractor. I don't know his real name. He isn't affiliated with the bodyguards, but he had a clinical psychologist working alongside him. Her name was Angela.. Angela-something."

"You've never met Indy before?"

Jungkook shook his head again, scrambling for what he did know. "He's in his late thirties, I guess. White. He's big, he has a crewcut. And his nose is a bit hooked."

"And do you know if your stepfather has any safe houses?" Namjoon said gently, "any buildings where Indy might have taken them?"

"I know where the Apexi Research offices are," Jungkook said pathetically. "And he has a holiday home in Portugal. I'm sorry."

"He's Vrishi Bhakta's right hand man," Yoongi's hand brushed over the blanket to rest on Jungkook's knee reassuringly. "You'd never be able to keep track of all his resources."

"And what do Dove and Soobin know about us?" Namjoon asked.

Jungkook felt a surge of guilt. "They know about Twitch," he admitted to Jimin.

"It's okay," Jimin give him a watery smile. "Your stepdad probably knows about me already."

"Can you think of anything-" Namjoon began but Hobi interrupted, his voice hard. "I have a voice message from him."

They leaned forward in unison. Jin's grip tightened a fraction around Jungkook's middle.

"Give me a sec..." Hobi was typing and clicking, glancing at his phone which was hooked up to the laptop, his mouth twisted in a grimace. "Yeah, it's on the secure channel I used before."

"Play it?" Jungkook breathed, his insides dissolving and shrivelling inside him like quicksand.

"I don't think-" one of Jin's hands immediately sealed over his ear.

Namjoon glanced between them. "He has a right to hear if he wants."

Jungkook cuddled back in, partly to assuage Jin, partly because the pounding of his heart was making him feel sick with fear. He felt Jin kiss his head.

"Okay?" Hobi checked between Jin and Namjoon and a second later a nightmare metallic male voice echoed up to their high ceilings, filling the apartment space, altered to the point of being unrecognisable.

"Your friends are at my hospitality. You are invited to attend the 'Celebration of the City' gala dinner at The Londinium tomorrow evening. If all seven of you are not in attendance, then you will lose the opportunity to bring your friends home. You may also enjoy making the acquaintaince of Vrishi Bhakta, owner and CEO of Apexi Research, who will be in attendance."

Jungkook's head swam. He looked from one face to the other.

"Also," the message continued, startling him. The same voice but taking a different tone. "You should go on Twitch tonight. If you don't, I might only remember to bring one of your friends."

"...That's it." Hobi reported into the silence.

"Play it once more, love." Namjoon's expression was pure focus.

Jungkook's stomach contracted with nausea as they listened to the ransom note again. Tomorrow night. He was grateful for Jin's secure grip.

"Do we think the Twitch comment is a bluff?" Yoongi offered after the second playthrough.

"It's got to be," Jungkook squeezed the lolly stick as hard as he could. The thought that Dove and Soobin could have been hurt or terrified enough to reveal that Kim's Six were the Twitch group-

"I agree," Namjoon nodded. "Indy's looking for confirmation. However his suspicions are strong enough that he may make good on his promise if the Twitch stream doesn't happen."

"And there's no way Adley's actually trading his boss in." Tae said. "He obviously intends to kill us first."

"At a public event?" Yoongi wrinkled his nose. "How long's The Londinium been reopen, Hobi?"

"Four months," Hobi studied his screen. "They finished renovations at the start of the year."

Jungkook hadn't been to The Londinium before, but he had heard of it. It was a listed building, had been a sprawling bank previously, and around two years ago had hit the news for its 83 million pound revamp, transforming it into a conference hall, art gallery and museum. The Prince of Wales had attended its opening. The news described its exhibition as 'the British Museum in miniature', and with its Roman Baroque architecture and proximity to Westminster, it had already hosted a few foreign dignitaries.

"What's security like?" Jimin asked.

"Bag checks and new security arches," Hobi said. "Vaults below ground."

"How good are the arches?"

"They're a combination of electronic surveillance AI software. The algorithms interpret shapes as signatures and identify the density of metal. Let's put it this way, we can't get through it with weapons."

Yoongi steepled his fingers, propping them against his chin. "I understand that he would benefit from our being weaponless. But is that really worth doing this in public?"

"Apexi Research is co-funding the gala," Hobi reported, fingers working rapidly over his keyboard and trackpad. "Adley's going to have access to staff-only areas."

"And to security personnel and CCTV," Namjoon said. "Having us in a confined location will suit him too."

Jungkook felt horror curling in his already sick stomach. Julian was giving them no chance at all.

"There's quite a few famous names rumoured to be attending," Hobi commented. "The Mayor for one. A couple of cabinet ministers are going too. Red carpet vibes. Pretty sure it'll give Indy an opportunity to look us over as we get funnelled into the building. Oh, and there's a brand new helipad on the roof. Does Adley own a helicopter?"

Jungkook shook his head.

"Then he'll hire one, I guess. Great way for him to sneak his own weapons in. And Jungkook's friends. And to bring our bodybags and Jungkook out afterwards."

Jungkook knew that Hobi was in work mode, but the thought of them being killed made his heart turn cold.

"It's all set up in his favour," he croaked. "You can't go."

He felt Jin sigh against his neck.

"I think we have to, Koo," Namjoon said calmly. "For your friends' sake."

Jungkook swallowed hard. "What if I go, just me? Do you think he'll let them go if I begged him?"

He felt Jin's arm cinch tighter about his waist. The others shook their heads at him, dismissive incredulity and heartfelt sympathy.

"If he recaptures you," Namjoon said carefully, his fingers running over Jimin's hands, "He'll likely be more unreasonable than before. In all respects."

Jungkook knew what Namjoon meant. It was a world away from the stepfather he knew, but then, so was this. Dread piled up like bricks in his chest. "If it saves them and protects you," he gulped. "It's worth it. I'll do it."

"And you think we could live with ourselves, bun?" Yoongi squeezed his knee. "Plus, his terms were clear. All seven of us for their release."

"Let's all hold up here," Jin interrupted. "There is no reason to believe they'll be brought to the gala. There's no benefit in making a show of releasing them. This isn't a trade. Adley knows that he'll lose Jungkook's goodwill the moment he kills us. That's why he's thrown Vrishi Bhakta in, as an lure to us. He's playing to our egos. There isn't any reason to go."

Jungkook felt his stomach trapdoor. "But what about Dove and Soobin?" He whispered.

"I'm sorry, baby," Jin sounded like he meant it, stroked his cheek soothingly. "But we don't know where they are. You wouldn't ask us to endanger ourselves for nothing, right?"

Jungkook stared down at the blanket, gnawed at the edge of the chocolate. No.

"He will bring them," Namjoon's voice was confident, making him lift his head. "It fits his profile. Killing six vigilantes and rescuing his stepson is noble, but killing two innocent teenagers is a hard sell, even if he pushes blame onto Indy. He wants that veneer of respectability. Even if he doesn't, we need him or Indy so we can locate the kids. What else have you got, Hobi?"

Thank you Jungkook thought as desperately as he could, even as unhappiness radiated from Jin. Thank you for not giving up on them.

"The gala celebrates London's culture, medical research and environmental sustainability. Meal, speeches, orchestral performances. Looks like the capacity would be about 600 guests. I'm trying to drum up the guest list."

"Ticketed?"

"I guess he'll leave our invites at the door. Of note, the Londinium is still open to the public tomorrow morning from from 9:30 till 12:30."

"That's good news for us," Namjoon nodded, looking around them all. "How would you run this if you were Adley?"

"Jungkook would be priority," Yoongi said. "If he kills us, but Jungkook gets away, there's a risk he'll never find him again. Plus, Adley will want to ensure Jungkook isn't collateral when we are targeted."

"It would only strengthen his position against us anyway," Namjoon agreed.

"Can we rule out Indy bringing a team in?" Jimin said. "If it was me, I'd try to extract Kookie and take us out near simultaneously."

"We'll have to prepare a plan B for that. But his pattern so far has been to involve the least amount of people possible. And Adley has his own bodyguards and the Londinium security staff, so Indy can concentrate on his attack."

"The bodyguards definitely aren't in on it?" Hobi looked up from his screen.

Jungkook shook his head. "I don't think so." Hikaru had looked like a man who did his job thoroughly. He couldn't have possibly known he was a glorified prison guard when Jungkook gave him the slip.

"Do you know their company name?" Hobi asked. "How many has your stepdad employed?"

Jungkook reeled off what he could remember about Mohammed's team, the names he remembered, what they wore, how they worked. Despite him not having a ton of information, Hobi found them online in just over a minute. "They seem reputable," Hobi shrugged another minute later.

"If I were Indy," Tae said, rubbing behind Ruby's ears, "I'd do what Hobi said. Use the red carpet to check all seven had showed up, try to distinguish between us. Then I'd wait till we'd gone through security, till I was certain we had no weapons. Then I'd have to choose between causing a distraction while people were arriving and milling about, or wait till dinner."

"I've accessed the seating plan," Hobi announced triumphantly. "Eight seats per table and Apexi Research has two tables in its name," he turned the screen on his lap to show them. "They're not close to eachother, and the one nearest the front has assigned names on, including Adley's and Bhakta's. The second table doesn't have assigned names, its marked Apexi Research Guests and it's towards the back. I could be wrong, but I think that means dinner's on Adley tomorrow night."

"I'm surprised Bhakta's actually attending, this is a first for him," Namjoon scanned the other tables. "Well, extracting Jungkook during dinner would be ideal, the guests will all be in one location."

"And I reckon the orchestra would drown out the noise of us getting shot in the vaults," Yoongi mused. "But that does narrow Indy's timeframe for extracting Jungkook and then capturing us."

"Our table is conveniently at one side of the room," Tae pointed at Hobi's screen. "What's that shape marked out beside us?"

"One of the many arches, the main hall leads on to multiple galleries." Hobi took another look. "You may be onto something with that. If we're seated here, it's not too much of a stretch for Indy to sneak in and slip Jungkook out into a gallery."

"There will be security posted," Namjoon observed. "He'd need a plan."

"What about the speeches?" Jimin said. "If Adley gives a speech he could use it as a distraction?"

"Or to exhonorate himself possibly... Drugging the food is surely out too, it would be hard to pull off without involving the catering staff."

"He could get security to arrest us," Yoongi suggested. "That's what I'd do."

They're like a well-oiled machine, Jungkook thought, sucking on the chocolate. He'd seen them plan the heist on the Langchester Hotel, but these stakes were so much higher, and yet they throwing ideas out so causally.

"I'd pull the lights," Tae said suddenly. "Or if there was a reason for the lights to go out, even better. Then Indy could whip Kook out of there while we're all blind."

"That could be it," Namjoon acknowledged. "We'll plan a workaround for that. What else can we use to stack this back in our favour? You mentioned the helipad, Hobi. Does that mean there are no other buildings nearby?"

"The roof area's huge. Helipad's off centre towards the left where there's no close neighbour. There is a block of old residential flats on the right hand side. About twenty metres give or take from The Londinium. They would have been ideal for access, but unfortunately the DCMS paid for it to have a cladding facelift and slapped a high tech entry system on the front. Probably to make it less of an eyesore."

"I can handle that," Yoongi volunteered.

"Okay, and we can scope out The Londinium tomorrow morning," Namjoon decided. "There may be some weaknesses within the new staff. We need at least a rough draft of a plan by tonight though. Let's reconvene in an hour or so to hammer it out."

They nodded. Jimin got up and headed for his office. Yoongi got up to peer over Hobi's shoulder at his screen. Tae motioned to Ruby and they headed for the front door. Namjoon ran his palms over his knees and Jungkook noticed that they were trembling. Was Namjoon afraid that it wouldn't work? Would he pull the plug if he wasn't confident in their final draft? What would that mean for Dove and Soobin?

"Do you think I should go on my own?" He whispered to Jin. Jin had been unnaturally quiet as Kim's Six sized up the gauntlet Julian had thrown down.

Jin kissed his cheek firmly. "If I have anything to say about it, you won't be going anywhere, angel." He gave Jungkook one last squeeze then slid him carefully off his lap into the corner of the couch and stalked over to Namjoon. Jungkook watched them arguing, an odd series of micro movements and whispers, their eyes occasionally flickering back to him.

He rubbed the pads of his fingers along his blanket, pulled the mangled end of the lolly stick from his mouth. He should tell them about Bhakta, but it seemed like it didn't matter now. They weren't risking their lives to capture Vrishi Bhakta, they were doing it for him. He sank his head against the side of the couch, listened to the thud of his heart. Julian was banking on the very thing that he despised, that Kim's Six loved Jungkook enough to want to do this.

And they hadn't said it out loud, not yet, but surely their plan had to end in killing Indy and Julian. How could Julian have done this? Jungkook could practically still feel the residual glow from Julian showing up at parent's meetings, introducing himself as Jungkook's father, making him feel like he was a son to be proud of.

I don't know how long it takes to apply for an adoption order, but I'll try to push it through as fast as I can.

He waited till Jin and Joon had called a cease fire, displeasure on both their faces. Jin stalked toward the bathroom, and Jungkook beckoned to Namjoon tentatively.

"Can I see the animal cruelty stuff?" He asked.

Namjoon was taken aback. "...Now?"

Jungkook nodded firmly. He needed to steel himself against the man who had stolen his best friends, wanted to kill the men he loved, wanted to snatch his freedom from him.

"I'll get my tablet," Namjoon considered him. "Can I stay with you while you look at it?"

Jungkook nodded again. When Namjoon sat, he left space between them on the sofa, but Jungkook cast the blanket aside and clambered onto his lap. Namjoon recovered smoothly, switching his tablet to the other hand to accomodate an arm around Jungkook's waist. Jungkook reached out to take the tablet and Namjoon let him. "That folder," he pointed, his deep voice vibrating in Jungkook's ear.

Jungkook tapped the screen. There were folders within folders to explore. Video clips. Photos of animals in cages. Screenshots. Covert footage. CCTV. Published reports. Databases of material.

"Apexi Research is responsible for up to 11% of all animal experiments conducted in the world each year, including all of the experiments done by the world's two largest manufacturers of consumer products," Namjoon narrated in his ear.

Jungkook kept moving through the data. Apexi had conducted an experiment on marmoset monkeys leaving them brain damaged through the administration of a derivative of ecstasy. It was for the Cure Parkinsons Trust, but Jungkook wondered if Julian had watched it happen.

Apexi had genetically altered mice on behalf of the The Alzheimer's society to suffer from a version of the disease, then subjected them to stressful behavioural tests. Jungkook watched mice being forced to swim around a pool of water looking for an escape route, and felt bile rise in his throat. He fought to swallow it down as he watched the Cancer Research UK co-funded experiment where mice were injected with human cancer cells.

Hello young man Julian had said. He'd looked so tall and strong to Jungkook, blonde hair gleaming in the sun. Soona had warned Jungkook about being on his best behaviour and he was so anxious to do well that he'd clammed up. Apologies, Soona said when he failed to reply, but Julian dismissed it. He'd crouched down, and Jungkook had looked into eyes that were blue like forget-me-nots. I'm Mr Adley. You can call me Julian if you like. I've been getting to know your mum. I wanted to ask your permission to be her boyfriend. Jungkook had nodded rapidly. They'd already been on lots of dates. He'd seen his mother labour over her hair and make up, go without meals to scrape together the money for nice dresses. He was currently wearing brand new clothes himself. He's got money Soona had told him, plucking at his hair critically, trying to style it. And he's a good man. If we play our cards right, we'll get out of this dump. It'll be a different life.

Well her life had been cut short prematurely. And Jungkook couldn't be certain that Julian had ever been a good man.

He swiped through pregnant sheep being suffocated, rats being deprived of oxygen and pigs being deliberately given heart attacks-

"No..." he said, when he came to the dogs. "He didn't..."

Namjoon took the tablet out of his hands and held him.

There's so many causes we could choose to take up." Namjoon said at length. "I couldn't have imagined this one would lead us here."

Jungkook opened wet eyes to look for Ruby, but she was still out with Tae.

"When this is all over," he said, collecting himself, staring down at the screen again, rolling the words round his mouth like a marble. "Apexi Research is going down."

Namjoon held him close, weighed the certainty in his words before adding "and Kim's Seven will be the ones to do it."

X-X-X

"I know it sounds like I have a vendetta against GlitterGuru39," said Jimin, keeping an eye on the clock. "And I want to make one thing clear right now. I absolutely do. I mean, have I told you the waffle story?!"

They were due on in a few. Before Jimin had jumped onto his stream, Namjoon had coached him about not confirming the Twitch group as Kim's Six or making any snarky remarks at Indy. Jimin had restrained himself thus far. He was worried for Jungkook though. Just thinking of how distressed he'd been earlier made Jimin want to cry again.

rachealmarks49: are we getting the truth tonight?

sienna.bounyauong: What game are they playing?

5amira_01: it's my birthday!

minnie_fan_fever: you look so good today

alvarog_er: sei la mia vita, Jimin

johnn38799: is nochu coming back

spongjhey: i dont no the woffle story

deysi18_rodriguez: why are you so hot?!

"Why am I so hot?" he said, poking his tongue out. "I don't know, ask the fire brigade why have me on speed dial."

He wasn't just worried about Jungkook getting upset on stream, knowing that Indy was listening, marking each word. He wasn't sure how Jungkook would cope the other part of the plan.

"The boys are coming on soon," he said. "We're gonna do a virtual escape room. There's a couple seven-man rooms to choose from, what one do you lot recommend? Yeah, I'm hyped to have the crew back together! Who do I think will do the best? Well its a group effort, so all of us. But Yoongi will be the MVP, he's pretty chill when we stream. Keeps a level head."

p.sawranasuklakroi: I love escape rooms

leona_g_x: But what happened at the hotel

juliojenner538: Yoongi will smash it

garimasingh121: RM will be the best

vasilevarelia9: Tae and Noch are feeling better? Pog

Koron1041: Are Nochu and Jimin a thing or not then?

ya6582742: Jimin are you going to answer the rumours

hiltonprince3: Letsgoooooo boys

Jimin flicked a glance at the time again. If Indy hadn't been on before, he was surely tuning in now, ready to dissect their dynamics. Well, they'd show him they could pull an escape off in double-quick time.

"Am I going to answer the rumours?" He said, feigning innocence. "What rumours are these?" He winked at the camera and watched the chat kick off. "No, the waffle thing with GlitterGuru39 is totally true." He stifled a smile at the exasperation in the chat. "Well, why don't you hang around and decide for yourselves?"

Odud9751: Jiminnnnnnnnnn!!!!!

Gina_Lawriexx: omg its true

Pilal_G_G: Jimin would be better with RM, he has a hot voice

Pazzo_147: Hes just teasing you all

Louisa.Failure: Plz let it be true

That_Moment_Tho: Hes totally dating Nochu

Molly4Minnie: I ship it hard

Stratham_J22: Jiminochu!! <3

Jimin waggled his brow in a way that he knew would infuriate them all the more, then grinned and propped his elbows on his desk, leaning in to the camera. "Did I ever tell you, I love you guys? I feel like I could call on you, and you'd come bail me out. Help me bury a body, all that kind of stuff. Yes? Jin calls you my little army. But I want you to know that I do appreciate you, and if ever I'm ready to make a big announcement, you're going to be first to hear about it. Probably on Twitter, honestly, so make sure you're following me on there!"

He had faith in Kim's Six. He did. But he understood Jin's disapproval too. Their expertise was ambush. Not going up against a mutimillionaire and a hitman who'd chosen the battleground. But, like Namjoon, Jimin didn't see any other way out. And if they abandoned Jungkook's friends to die, he'd would never forgive himself. He was pretty sure their relationship with Kookie would be a bust too.

"Here's a question while we're waiting," he said, "if you could have just one wish granted, any wish - no wishing for more wishes - what would you wish for?"

xXLJSimpsonXx: To have a superpower

Keith_Rowlands57: lottery win

MinnieLover99: To meet you, obvs!

Ruth_Baker_Sings: To see my dad again

FriedToast117: For u to answer if ur dating Noch

PeterPlaidy2: money prob

Artemis_DarkKnight: To have all of the Jimin Palettes