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v_95 Givenchy and blond at the annual Variety Gala🤍 it was an honor to attend!

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Jin turned off the phone a few minutes after hitting the post button, the smooth roll of the limousine grounding him as the gentle hum of the radio filled the vast area of the back.

The small bar was untouched, lights dimmed for the comfort of the models' exhaustion, mood solemn as Taehyung sat further than arms reach away. The younger was turned towards the window, face pale from both the moonlight and his stricken state.

Jin tucked Taehyung's phone away after posting and doing what had been asked of him, keeping to himself for nearly half the ride until he attempted to disrupt Taehyung's solitude.

"Tae," he murmured, "You should try speaking to Jungkook. Even Yoongi said so."

He was offered no response in return, not even a flutter of eyelashes blinking away from the streets outside, nor a twitch of recognition that Jin had even spoke.

"He's worried and... and he just wants to hear your voice." Jin frowned, clutching his phone tightly in hopes that his would would prompt some request for the device.

Absolutely nothing.

It was simply as if Jin was speaking to a ghost.

Taehyung had entertained resiliently throughout the event, smile bright but eyes lost when shaking hands and laughing heartlessly along. They'd escorted themselves out almost immediately after the show, however, their vehicle and security waiting for them.

Jin didn't even know if Taehyung's manager knew do what had happened yet. The insufferable dictating man had not responded to any of his concerns.

His gaze shot down to Taehyung's lap upon seeing the hands resting there begin to tremble. The younger was gripping them so tightly his knuckles were a sickly white, fingertips shaking.

It was the only sign of the model prince actually feeling something.

With a quiet sigh, Jin poured a glass of water from the water bottle being chilled in the bar's miniature fridge. He slid along the smooth leather seat until he was within arms reach of Taehyung and held out the glass.

His gaze shifted to the glass once, head shaking so inconspicuously it almost looked like an accident.

Moving away in defeat, the elder drank the water instead and then reached for the partition blocking access to their security driving the lavish limousine.

The chatter of the front seat spilled into his ears once the partition was slid open and the bodyguard sitting in the passenger seat turned to him.

"Five more minutes, Seokjin-shi." The voice responded quickly. "Is there anything of the matter?"

"Could you stop by a convenience store?" Jin murmured, voice purposely soft to avoid Taehyung's eavesdropping. "I wanted to buy something."

"Sir, your outfits will bring attention and Taehyung-shi needs to get back," the man argued. "We need to get you home to rest and safe, going to a..."

Jin softened his disappointed expression when the man stopped talking, smiling sweetly a moment later. "You can come with, and this is for Taehyung."

With a small nod from the protective man, Jin shifted back and closed the partition. The bodyguards had been informed of the occurrence already, thus granting their unplanned desire to leave as soon as possible.

The detour did not take long in the Gangnam district of Seoul. The streets were quiet at the time they were traveling at. The limo pulled into the clean and sophisticated store's lot, the bright lights pouring out of the full glass front.

Glowing red letters read the store's name as the vehicle's engine rumbled to a stop and the door opened moments later.

Jin slid around the seats before he crouched and elegantly fumbled out to the pavement. He noticed Taehyung's curious glance shift and then avert back to the outside space of his window.

"One of you stay with him, the other can come with me to the store," Jin instructed. "I just wanted to buy something."

He was in and out of the store without much delay, knowing exactly what he wanted and denying any chances of getting trapped in conversation with the fangirling cashier. The chilled tub in his hands was held firmly as his security officer gazed at him worriedly.

"Will you be eating that, Sir?"

"No, I bought it to simply ogle at."

"What?"

"Of course I'm going to eat it," Jin sighed and lowered his voice for an incoherent murmur. "Fool, screw my diet, I won't waste food."

His initial words were plenty to shut the bodyguard down as they were exiting the bright store swiftly into the night. Jin climbed into the back of the limousine when the door was opened for him and ignored Taehyung's confused gaze that finally showed some life.

When the door shut and the car began driving again, Jin unraveled the tub of chocolate ice cream from the plastic bag, grabbing two spoons from the bar and popping off the lid.

He snapped his gaze up and forced a spoon into Taehyung's hand, the younger jumping in surprise and looking at him nervously wide eyes.

"Just say fuck it for one day and eat this ice cream with me," Jin said, voice on the verge of irritation. "We got five minutes before I have to throw it out.

The elder knew how much Taehyung loved (and missed) ice cream. It was a luxury to eat the frozen dessert for them, especially a store's heavy cream chocolate kind.

He held the tub of ice cream out for Taehyung to take the first spoonful and watched as the shaky hands slowly dug in, hesitating for a few seconds, and then giving in to the craving. The spoon was shoved into his mouth and the younger collapsed against his seat, hand over his eyes as his shoulder shook with sobs.

It was something normal and Taehyung had been mentally screaming for a getaway from his current lifestyle after the events of the night.

"Tae," Jin whispered with guilt. "Do you want to talk about it?"

The model simply shook his head and took another spoon full of ice cream, stuffing his mouth while tears fell down his cheeks, glittering like liquid silver in the moonlight that washed into the tinted limousine windows.

Jin took a spoonful of the dessert for himself and relaxed with the younger model, moving to sit beside him and gently rubbing his shoulder for comfort.

"You don't have to talk," the senior model mumbled. "It's okay to cry. No matter how many times our world says otherwise, crying isn't a sign of weakness."

Taehyung slumped against him, choking on his sobs and shivering when the contrasting cool of the ice cream hit his overwhelmed chest. Jin held the younger with careful hands.

"Thank you."

The simple wish of gratitude was quieter than Taehyung's silence, but louder than any sob filling the car.

Taehyung's heart had been sewn together with fragile thread over the past few years... only for it to slip out of his careful hands and shatter into chips of glass.

They ate the ice cream in silence, without a care for their model diet, without a care of breaking their routines for one night, without a care of ruining their imagine, without a care of what the damn world would think.

"I don't think you understand how badly I want to kill that motherfucker right now." Yoongi hissed, dark eyes staring at Taehyung's sleeping figure on the couch.

"Bruises on his stomach and jaw." Jin read the message from Taehyung's stylist again, the middle aged woman having messaged Jin privately in concern about it once she'd left with their Givenchy outfits.

"How did he even get in?" Hoseok hands raked through his hair as he buried his face in his arms. "The security was full blown with all those special guests."

"That's it." Yoongi snapped, rising to his feet. "I'm fucking finding Park Bogum and snapping his—"

"Sit down and be quiet, Yoongi." Jin muttered tiredly and the producer scowled, falling back into the velvet couch. "What did Jungkook say?"

"That's what you care about?" Yoongi protested. "This man is out and scouring to ruin our friend, and you're worried about a photographer?"

"Worried about someone Taehyung was the first to call in the situation." Hoseok corrected. "This boy is damn special if Taehyung trusts him that much."

"As if their midnight escapade didn't already confirm that." Yoongi huffed.

"He panicked over the texts and then asked me to just keep him updated." Hoseok finally answered. "There's not much he can do from another city and Taehyung not wanting to speak to him."

"Taehyung doesn't want to speak to anyone, not just him." Jin pointed out, making Yoongi's glare sharpen. Indeed, the youngest of the four had been dead silent through the time, brushing off their worries wordlessly and simply following his stylist's instructions.

Taehyung's state alone, regardless of the silence, was more than enough for Yoongi to validate his wish for Bogum's suffering.

"You both staying here for the night?" Jin was on his feet, a sluggish touch in his movement from utmost exhaustion. "Did his manager say shit?"

"Must've turned in for the night." Yoongi shook his head. "I'm going straight to Bang PD-nim tomorrow morning. I don't care what the hell you two have to say about it, but he's finding out and he's going to do something about it."

"Wasn't thinking of anything else, Yoongs." Hoseok denied the accusation. "I'll come with you."

"Let me go." Jin sighed. "I was there and you'll be better at taking care of him, Hobi."

"If you say so," the usually sunshine man spoke with sadness dangling his voice. "I'll try convincing him to at least say hi to Jungkook."

"Don't push him." Yoongi snapped.

"Yoongi," Jin's voice also raised. "Calm the hell down. Nothing will get better if we all add fuel to the fire and argue. You know Hobi would never force Taehyung into anything."

"Unlike Bogum." Hoseok whispered.

"Unlike Bogum." Yoongi grumbled.

sunshinehobi
hey jungkook

sunshinehobi
he's resting now

sunshinehobi
thank you for messaging us

sunshinehobi
thank you for being there for him

sunshinehobi
im off to sleep now but my phone
will be on if you need anything

sunshinehobi
try to get some rest and tell jimin
and namjoon we said hello

"We say hello, too," Jimin whispered in shock as he read both the recent and previous messages. "I'm so sorry for Taehyung and all of them."

"Yeah," Jungkook hugged his knees to his chest and let his head fall in defeat. "It's scary. I already told you what history Bogum and Taehyung have, but this is so bad, Hyung."

"I know," Jimin shuddered and tapped the younger's arm. "But he's right. You can't do much right now except rest. Taehyung would want that, too."

"How am I supposed to when I'm half of the reason this happened?"

"You don't know that." Jimin's voice hardened with tenseness. "You can't assume that, Kook. Don't assume that and overthink it."

"But—"

"It wasn't up for debate." Jimin scolded like he was a child and the photographer groaned into his hands. "Sleep now, okay?"

"Minie..." the younger was shy as he looked up. "Can I sleep in your room? I'll grab some blankets and pillows and go on the floor— I just don't want to be alone tonight."

"You idiot, sleep on the bed," Jimin chuckled. "Sleepover with Hyung. And you're not alone. Why would I say no to you?"

"I dunno," Jungkook shrugged. "You have a boyfriend, sleeping next to someone else in the same bed doesn't feel weird?"

"We haven't had a sleepover since I started dating, Namjoon?" Jimin blinked in surprise. "Oh, I didn't know that, but of course not. You're my best friend, dummy. Come here."

Jungkook let his feet fall and stood from the chair, walking around the table and bending down to meet Jimin's soft hug. It was a familiar touch that helped Jungkook feel at peace. Jimin's hug was that of a brother's— someone you knew wouldn't leave your side anytime soon.

"I have news to tell you, by the way." Jimin mumbled nervously when he pulled away and Jungkook sat on the edge of the table next to him. The photographer nodded for him to continue. "I got an email from BigHit earlier."

Jungkook clambered off the table in shock and grabbed Jimin's shoulders. "I knew it! I knew you could do it! Jimin Hyung!"

"I didn't even tell you what was in it?" The elder laughed at the other's bright reaction.

"I know they aren't rejecting your talented ass!" Jungkook clapped his hands together excitedly and jumped around. "You did it!"

"Jungkook!" Jimin exclaimed and grabbed the younger's arm. "Wait one second!"

"I'm waiting." Jungkook giggled with a bubbly voice.

"So... I did get called to be a choreographer there," Jimin paused for anticipation, voice quiet. "But I wanted to talk to you about the whole thing first."

"Uh oh," Jungkook frowned, the joyful tone slipped away. "You sound sad about it."

"Well," the dancer scratched his head. "I'd have to move to Seoul, Namjoon is here with his new bookstore, you're here with your freelancing... how can I just leave that behind?"

"Have you talked to Hyung?" Jungkook sat the elder down and took a seat as well, knowing the conversation wasn't one to be rushed.

"No," the elder flinched for a reaction, but didn't receive one. "I just don't know what to say. Obviously, I want to accept because it's such an amazing offer... hell, the salary they are offering, too? So good. But I'd be leaving Busan for the first time. Leaving all of you."

"Jimin Hyung," Jungkook held his hand. "Joon Hyung was the first person to encourage you to apply there. He knew you would have to leave if you got it. He knows. You should tell him."

"You're right," Jimin rubbed his forehead with his free hand. "Sorry I'm dumping this on you right now. There's already a lot going on."

"If I can't help Taehyung because he's far away, of course I'm willing to help you here." Jungkook frowned. "I want you to take this. You deserve that spot and you should take it. I know you're not the biggest fan of change, but I want to see you grow, Hyung. Joonie Hyung does, too."

"Well... I was going to ask you something along with this advice." Jimin pursed his lips and look down at the table shoulders caving in cowardly. "Would you come with me? I haven't lived without you in years and it would be really nice to just... have some part of home with me. I know it's selfish, it's so damn selfish. Your home is here, your work is here, Joonie would be alone because he can't come with—"

"Hyung, shut up!" Jungkook shot up. "Shhhhh!"

"Huh?" The look of bewilderment was drowning Jimin's expression. "Are you okay?"

"Listen. Joonie Hyung wouldn't be alone, he has other close friends here, we can always stay in touch. Seoul would offer me so many more clients and you wouldn't know anyone there except our BigHit friends— of course, I'll go with you!"

Jimin stared at him, mouth ajar at the unexpected answer.

"You're going to catch flies in there."

"Shut the hell up!" The elder jumped out of his chair and tackled Jungkook with a hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Jungkook laughed snd hugged him back. "Okay wait," he pulled away. "You're talking to Joonie Hyung about this first."

"Aye aye, Captain." Jimin chuckled. "First thing in the morning, because now we sleep."

"Now I definitely won't sleep," Jungkook scoffed. "Congrats, Hyung."

"Thank you, Jungkookie," Jimin shook his head. "Thanks for everything these past few years."

"Ew, don't get all sappy on me."

"Me sappy? You're gushing about Taehyung twenty four seven!"

"Says you, Kim Namjoon Lovebot!"

"He's my boyfriend!"

"And Taehyung is my celebrity crush!"

"You know," Jimin paused, their bickering traveling with them to the hall by their rooms. "You actually have a chance with your 'celebrity crush.'"

"Okay wait, then he's not my celebrity crush," Jungkook cringed. "You're not supposed to have a chance with that person. But at the same time... I don't really have a chance— not that I even actually like him that way!"

"Sure, Kook, sure." Jimin frowned. "But why don't you have a chance? You literally have his number, video call him, met him in the gardens at midnight... oh, is this because of the whole situation today?"

"Mhm," Jungkook chewed at his bottom lip, nervously teetering on his heels as Jimin leaned against the bedroom door opposite to him. "Taehyung needs to heal first, and he may decide to never take that step again. I would never protest against his wishes if that's the case."

"Sometimes people need to be proved wrong," Jimin hummed, acknowledging the younger's words throughly before responding. "Maybe what he needs, isn't what he thinks. He's scared and traumatized, Jungkook. Of course he will reject you out of fear."

"But, Hyung, he's lost. He doesn't want to speak to me and he's shut down in the dark."

"When people are lost in the dark," the elder smiled softly at him. "they don't need a long tunnel leading to the light. They need a hand to hold on the way."

—

that last paragraph might be
my favorite in the book so far :')

i'm so sorry there's been so
many wordy chapters in a row :(
i promise i'll try to add more
social media pieces moving forward

these parts are just impossible
for me to do through texts.

thank you so much for 5K🥺💙
ily guys so much :(