It's you

Tremble

Jin is breathless.

He has been running from the cafe to the park, and has yet gotten the glimpse of Jimin. The younger lad left the cafe earlier than him, and he probably sprinted his way, making it even harder for Jin to catch up.

Jin finally found the view of the park just across the street. He looks left and right, checking on traffic before crossing the road. He halts again, refilling the oxygen in his lungs with loud breaths. He should have taken his bicycle if it was not for his recklessness.

The thought of watching Jimin and Yoongi fight is indeed terrifying. Jin knows that the younger one speaks more with his fists and kicks while the older one can be more violent than you least expected. Their fight with fists is definitely the last thing Jin wanted to happen. He does not even know if his attempt to interfere will stop them.

A loud rumble of laughter is heard from his right. He turns his head towards the sound, eyeing on a group of boys gathering at the playground. The scarce of light in the area makes it hard to see who they are.

“Look who is here, Hyung!”

The shout is clearly intended to intimidate. It does not sound familiar at all. Jin has the idea that Yoongi would probably bring his whole team to scare Jimin away. The sounds of the laughter and hoots somehow give him the unusual and uncomfortable vibe. It is more than just threatening.

It sounds like the kind of howling dogs would do when they see their mate. In better words, this group is trying to harass a certain someone.

Jin hurries to hide behind a nearby tree, just close enough to trace the identities of the group at the playground. His breath hitches when he sees two large tall boys locking arms on a struggling petite boy. The sight of the boy's hair is too hard to ignore. When the laughter boils down, the apprehended boy is dropped on his knees, one guy by his side to headlock him and another guy to lock his legs so that he cannot move.

The lamppost lights shines on the victim and Jin cusses at himself for being right about the identity of the victim.

It is Jimin, being kneeled down in front of the leader of these raucous teenagers. The leader chugs down his last soda can and throws it on the ground only to have it snapped away with a piercing smack. Jimin immediately trembles and fidgets in panic, dying to be released by the clutches of these unknown gangsters.

Jin bites his lower lips, furrowing his brows painfully. He wants to feel sorry for Jimin but somehow deep in his heart, Jin is not sure if Jimin actually belongs to this gang. The way the younger lad has behaved around Jin shows his toughness and the horrible habit of picking fights. If the truth is that Jimin is part of this gang and the leader is just reminding of his power, Jin does not see why he should interfere. He would only get into trouble if he shows himself.

In matter of fact, Jimin could probably ask his leader to join him and fight Yoongi. Jin shuts his eyes with so much regret and fear that he cannot imagine that in any point of his life, he has to watch a gang fight.

“Park Jimin, how nice of you to show up here. Did you miss us?” the leader chuckles in a mocking manner.

Jimin bares his teeth, glaring his watery eyes back at the Leader. The two lads besides him each give him a kick, making Jimin groan and the others surrounding him giggle.

The leader stands up and paces towards Jimin. “Do you come alone? Or with your boyfriend?”

Another rumble of laughter shakes the ground, as Jin palms his mouth, shocked by such a question and treatment from the gang. His hunch of Jimin belonging to this gang is getting weaker.

Does gangsters treat each other like this?

Well, Jimin has his chances to mock about Jin and his managers who are seniors to him. It should not have affected him.

But the way Jimin remained silent and taking the verbal abuse so easily, Jin can only watch and find out why this is happening.

“Yah! I'm talking to you,” the leader lands a quick kick to Jimin's stomach, making him bend in a snap and a series of cough ensues. “Where is that redhead sugar daddy of yours?”

Jin blinks and adjusts his stand behind the tree. “Redhead? Does he mean... No way. It’s not Hoseok. No, it can’t be. They’re like brothers, right? The both of them... They cannot be together in that way, right?”

Amidst his thoughts, a hand lands on his shoulder, making him jump and about to blast his voice when that same hand covers his mouth. The widely stretched out eyes of Jin stares at Yoongi who is wearing his usual white cap under a black hood.



***


“Taetae! Forgive me!”

Jungkook reaches his hand out to the shadow that is stood far away from him. The shadow continues to reduce in size. Jungkook is still cursed by the synthetic drug that numbed his body. His hand manages to move, stretching at his limit.

“Please! D-Don't leave me!”

“Why would I stay?”

Jungkook widens his watery eyes in fear. The husky deep voice fills his ears with sadness. Jungkook squints his eyes searching for Taehyung's face.

He is only welcomed by the indescribable shadow.

“Bye bye, Kookie.”

“No!”

“Jungkook! Jungkook!”

Out of the blue, his vision is engulfed in blackness. There is someone calling his name but it is not the same voice as before. It sounds familiar nevertheless. When Jungkook feels something grabbing his shoulders, he opens his eyes involuntarily.

Appears the face of Namjoon hovering him, looking worried and stressed. A sense of relief washes him down as he grins seeing Jungkook awake.

“Hey kid. You're finally awake,” Namjoon sighs. “How are you feeling?”

Before Jungkook can find his voice, his eyes burst into tears. The desperate need to see Taehyung's face has only worsened as he remembers what he did to Taehyung. He also remembers that if it is not for Namjoon, he will be suffering in the bondage of the drug chaining him down.

Namjoon pats his head and chest, calming the lad down. After the doctor and nurse has done the necessary checks on Jungkook, the young lad is sat upright and still refusing to drink water from the cup. He is traumatized by the incident and Namjoon cannot blame him.

The last time when Jungkook was given a drink from someone he trusted his life with, that drink abandoned him in his own helplessness.

Thinking of a way not to let the boy dehydrated, Namjoon bought a bottle of water and only opens it in front of him. After about a few minutes of persuasion, Jungkook finally drinks from that bottle.

Namjoon sighs in relief and rests the bottle on the bedtable. He looks at Jungkook with warm eyes, thankful that the boy is not showing any ounce of anger at the moment. Knowing Jungkook's temper, he would probably thrash everything. It is the easiest way to vent out after what happened to him.

Instead of that, he is sat on the white bed in white clothes, slouching with pure regret and sadness. His eyes are still red from all the crying. All Namjoon can feel from sitting next to him is churning hot pain. Namjoon is burned by the same pain too.

Taehyung is never easy to be fooled. Even with his best friend, he cannot let himself be swept away against his will. The chaebol prince always gets what he wants. This incident surely has proven how massive Taehyung's pride and power is over his own life. His own father has to accommodate to his son's will by letting him rule over his own company. If his own father cannot control him, who else can?

Namjoon's hunch has always been right. Jungkook's idea of kicking Taehyung off his seat and stopping him from finding his brother has always been impossible from the beginning. If Namjoon had followed his hunch, Jungkook would have to suffer the loss of Taehyung's presence now.

That is right. Taehyung has been uncontactable since the incident.

“Hyung.”

Namjoon blinks cautiously, snapping out of his deep thoughts. “Ye, Jungkook. What is it?”

“Will Taetae forgive me?”

The crack in his voice is too painful to hear as Namjoon rubs his own hands and takes a deep breath. “No matter what has happened, you are still his beloved friend. He will definitely forgive you.”

Jungkook's hands clutch on the blankets, shivering. “What if he won't? What if he does not want to see me again?”

“He is not that heartless. You know that,” Namjoon leans back and grins softly, reminding himself that the tough guy who was a mastermind of a dangerous plan is still a young boy who only wants to be with his only best friend.

Jungkook begins to cry again. Namjoon takes his hand and places a soft toy. Jungkook looks at it and widens his eyes, piercing his drenched eyes at Namjoon.

“How did you-” Jungkook sniffles. “How did you get this?”

“It was on Taehyung's table,” Namjoon grins. “I was curious why a pink rabbit is on his office table. It just stands out as something that does not belong. So I was wondering if it was something Taehyung deliberately put there for you. I brought it over, thinking you may know something about it.”

“It's-It's a toy I wanted,” Jungkook breaks a crooked smile amidst his unstoppable tears. “When I was ten.”

Namjoon chuckles. “Jinja? A rabbit?”

Jungkook frowns at Namjoon's subtle mockery. “I wanted it but I was ashamed of it so I couldn’t buy it from the counter. Taehyung probably knew it and bought it for me. Why did he give it to me now?”

“There are two possible reasons,” Namjoon hums, rubbing his finger on his chin.

“What is it?”

“He probably does not want to keep things that reminds him of you.”

A teardrop rolls down his face, stunned by Namjoon's words.

“Or, another reason is that he is reminding you of who he is,” Namjoon chuckles with a malicious tone. “This toy is telling you that he had alot of embarrassing things about you that he has kept without you knowing. And he would expose all of them if you try to intervene in his pursuit of finding his brother.”

Jungkook has his eyebrows crinkled instead, showing disbelief.

Namjoon smirks confidently. “That little bastard is one kind of devil. Who would have thought he had such a dirty trick under his sleeve? Ah, what a sadist.”

“Hajima!”

The older lad flinches at the sudden shout from the younger one. Namjoon does not expect the broken-hearted lad would have that kind of energy to voice his rebuttal. It is not a surprise to Namjoon, however, as he already knows his statements are intentional.

“Taehyung is nothing of that sort!” Jungkook bares his teeth at Namjoon. “He would not have thought such a dirty trick against me! He has always been sincere with me. This toy, he is probably telling me that he treasures our friendship and he has hidden many things that were good for me and without me knowing. He has never carried a slight of greed or anything disgraceful in his heart. If there is anyone like a bastard who has dirty tricks against his own best friend, it is definitely me!”

Namjoon cannot hold back the smile on his lips and he sighs. “Mianhae. I'm glad you still believe in his good side.”

Jungkook looks away, trying to tame down the unexpected rage boiling in his veins.

“And I'm glad you are yourself again. The feisty personal assistant,” Namjoon smiles.

“Whatever,” Jungkook exhales loudly and ruffles his hair. “I want to meet him. Tell me where he is.”

Namjoon leans back and crosses his arms. “He has been uncontactable for more than 24 hours. His father had already warned us not to make it public so we ordered a private detective to search for him.”

Jungkook returns his gaze on Namjoon. “Private detective? Could it be-“

His words are cut short by the knocks on the ward door. Namjoon looks behind and chuckles to find the visitor arriving at the moment they started to mention him. Jungkook is however silent, as his guess is confirmed by the appearance of the private detective.

“Park Seojun-ssi.”

“Anneyo, Kim Namjoon-ssi.”

The tall muscular man shakes hand with Namjoon before towering above Jungkook. Seojun takes off his sunglasses and glares at Jungkook with not so friendly eyes.

“Aigoo, Jeon Jungkook-ssi,” Seojun tilts his head mockingly. “If you are not hospitalised right now, I would have punched you until your internal organs spill out of your mouth.”

Jungkook swallows painfully and hangs his head low. ”M-Mianhae, Detective Park-nim.”

“I always thought you will betray him one day. But I didn't expect it to be so soon,” Seojun grits his teeth angrily. “His own brother abandoned him and his best friend betrayed him. Aish, poor Taehyungie. I really want to punch you, Jungkook-ssi.”

“Mianhamida! Mianhamida!” Jungkook begs with rubbing his hands together. “I’m really sorry. I want to make it up for him. Please help me find him, jebal!”

Seojun cocks a brow and looks at Namjoon who only smiles awkwardly. Jungkook knows Park Seojun is the closest hyung to Taehyung ever since Taehyung started the company. Popularly known for his ultimate defence skills and numerous awards of service, Seojun became the Kim’s personal detective that works solely to protect the family and the family's business. Even though Seojun is always busy with his job, he always tries to make time for Taehyung. It is his only way to redeem himself from his countless failures of finding his lost brother.

“Well, I've been to almost all the places I can think of. He is nowhere to be found,” Seojun confesses firmly and leans down at Jungkook. “I am going to give you one day of rest.”

“Ani! That will be too late-“

Seojun grabs Jungkook by the shirt and glares down on him. “Don’t piss me off more than you already did. Who said you are going to do nothing within this day of rest? You are going to think of 101 places he could have been at right now and make sure there are not the places I already checked. Once your rest time ends, we will comb every surface of the Earth whether you like it or not, Araso?”

“Ye, Detective Park-nim.”

“Good,” Seojun releases him. “Your rest starts now. Let's go, Namjoon-ssi.”

“Ye, Seojun-ssi.”

The two hyungs leave Jungkook on his own. The nerves after meeting Park Seojun still remain under his skin. Jungkook dries his eyes and searches for a pen and paper, listing down whatever places he can think of.

Taetae. I will find you.


***

“Jamkanman. That guy who called me over is getting ganged up over there?”

Jin nods desperately at Yoongi. The blonde friend scoffs back in amusement, tugging down his jacket forward.

“Well, we're good then,” Yoongi smirks. “I didn't have to trouble myself saving your ass. I would have come with my boys to bash that punk up but someone else is doing that job instead. Now, let's go.”

Yoongi steps away but Jin pulls him back and slams him against the tree. Before Yoongi can scowl back, Jin places a finger on his own mouth, signalling him to keep quiet.

“That kid is a friend of mine from the cafe,” Jin explains. “He called you because of what you did to his brother.”

“His brother? I know no one who has a rude dongsaeng like him.”

“His brother is Hope. It's Jung Hoseok!”

Yoongi bats his eyes in surprise. “Why didn't you tell me earlier?!”

“You, jinjja!” Jin grunts irritated. “You hit Hope's head and left a mark on him. So like any beloved dongsaeng, that little punk is trying to take revenge on you. If you’re going to leave his little bro in the hands of those devils, I swear Hope will never forgive you.”

Yoongi grits his teeth and pushes Jin off him. “That's unfair. I don’t know those gangsters and neither do I order them to bring him down like that. And gangsters won't just surround someone they don't know.”

Jin creases his forehead. “You mean those gangsters know Jimin?”

“Ye,” Yoongi huffs. “Even if we want to intervene, we may not know if that little punk is actually part of the gang. We will just get ourselves in trouble. So listen to me and let's just leave him.”

Jin swallows painfully, looking back at the gangsters and Jimin. He cannot deny what Yoongi said. The doubt of helping Jimin is getting stronger and he is about to follow Yoongi who is five steps away from the tree when a wail rips through he cold night air.

Jimin is punched to the stomach. Jin witnesses it with his own eyes.

Yoongi cannot pretend he did not hear it. The sound of Jimin's wail resonates the pain he is feeling right now. A part of Yoongi starts to rethink whether it is human of him to ignore Jimin's cry for help.

Jin does not hesitate at all. His feet are already carrying him to run towards Jimin. Yoongi hisses at his recklessness. He knows well that Jin runs there without any plan in mind.

Looks like Yoongi has to save his ass after all.

Jin's sudden appearance surprises the gangsters, especially the leader. Jin comes without a sign, pushing the two boys who were holding Jimin. Jin checks Jimin for any sign of injury, while Jimin keeps on coughing, hugging his own torso and suppressing his cries.

“Hajima!” Jin yells back when a gangster tries to approach him. “Hajima! I will report all of you if you lay another finger on him.”

“What- what are you doing?” Jimin manages to breathe out those words.

Jin lifts him up to stand. “Let’s go.”

“Yah yah!” the leader kicks onto the seesaw, triggering a loud bang that cause Jin to jump startled. “Who the hell are you?”

Jin gathers all his courage to glare back at the leader. “I’m his Hyung. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Ani.”

Jin hears his own heartbeat in his ears, racing tremendously. The leader is smirking with a long white grin, his head tilting to the side while his hollow eyes glare right into Jin's soul.

“There is no problem, pretty boy.”

Jin holds on Jimin tightly, as though he is supporting Jimin's stand. The truth however is that he is seeking Jimin for support to stand.

In all his life, he has been stared and scrutinised for his looks. This is the first time he feels fear instead of irritation.

The leader licks his lips and sneers. “You are surely my type to play with. Boys, I call dibs on him.”

His announcement riles the gangsters up as they howl teasingly at Jin. With a quick nudge of his head, the two boys earlier resume their position as they snatch Jimin from Jin. The shocked hyung tries to resist but his pink hair is gripped and dragged down on the ground.

Jin lays motionless, staring up at the towering menacing face of the leader.

“Anneyo, Handsome.”

***
Thank you for reading and voting for this story. I'm glad that this story has received plenty of love and support. Once again, thank you! And sorry for the irregular updates. Will work on it in the future.