CHAPTER 44

The Bangtan Boys needed two days to get used to the new house, drive to the grocery store to get food—luckily it will last for a week—and walk around the neighbourhood to explore in more detail their surroundings.The next day Namjoon reunites them all in the living room to start their plan. They won't leave Busan until they find Mimi, no matter what it takes."Namu, are you sure it's a good idea? We arrived two days ago, we can wait a few more days." Hoseok questions him gently, and turns his head to Taehyung. "Baby, how do you feel about this?"Taehyung squeezes Yoongi's hand. "We have to do this . . . " he nods to himself. "Let's do it. I'm ready.""What if Tiger takes over? I don't like him . . .""If Tiger takes over he'll help us. I trust him." Jungkook defences his best friend, too fast to notice Taehyung's narrowed eyebrows at Jimin's comment. "Seriously, what's your problem with him? He's cooler than Taehyung will ever be."Taehyung glares at Jungkook. His lips turn into a fine line, but nods nonetheless. "I trust Tiger too."Namjoon clears his throat. "Guys, we should get going."Taehyung finds an underground parking lot in the centre of Busan. Hoseok insisted to act like tourists while they track Mimi, the fact they're on a mission doesn't mean they can't take advantage of their situation and enjoy the stay."Jungkookie!!!" Hoseok walks faster to catch him, embracing his shoulder. "Why don't you show us your neighbourhood? Are your parents home? Do they know you joined a mafia? Can I meet them?"Jungkook side eyes him. Yet again, he wouldn't introduce them to his parents even if they didn't belong to a mafia.Yoongi chuckles right behind them. "Babe, don't annoy him.""I'm not. Am I Jungkookie?"Jungkook rolls his eyes, trying to remove Hoseok's grip unsuccessfully. "Stop calling me that, Unicorn. I'm not one of your boyfies.""But I just found the best nickname for you! Jungkook . . . Jungkookie . . . KOOKIE!!!"Jimin stops on his heals and Jungkook almost crushes his body on his back.KOOKIE. . . KOOKIE. . . KOOKIE. . . a child's voice yells in Jimin's head like a broken record, one he doesn't recognise but makes his heart smaller in his chest, an invisible fist squeezing it until it breaks.Taehyung's voice echoes between the screams but Jimin can't process it, too immersed in the foreign voice. Too immersed in the blurred memory of his past.Jungkook pushes Hoseok away harshly, his heartbeat increasing.Holy moly.Holy moly.Holy moly.He heard it, didn't he?Jimin slowly turns around, lips parted and eyebrows narrowed. "Did you say. . . Koo . . . Kookie?"Yoongi makes his way between Jungkook and Hoseok. "Yeah, Cookies. Do you want some?" he almost slams the pack of cookies in Jimin's face. "They're super tasty Hoba couldn't contain his emotions."Jimin blinks, taking a step backwards. "Ah. . ." he stays silent for a moment. "Uh . . . No, thank you bae."Taehyung intertwines their fingers catching Jimin's attention. His boxy smile frees Jimin's heart from the sudden suffocation and completely brings him to reality with a kiss on his cheek."Chimmy, come on.""That was close kiddo," Yoongi pats Jungkook's back when the couple walk away. He winks, "You're welcome."Hoseok, Namjoon, and Seokjin share a suspicious look, but make no comments about it.* * *"Where are we going, Joon?" Jungkook asks, his face glued to the window. "This part doesn't look familiar . . .""To the outskirts of Busan, where Mimi kidnapped Taehyung."Jungkook only nods and looks at Taehyung briefly, will Tiger actually take over?Hoseok parks the car in an empty street, the cement path somewhat covered by the soil coming from the forest.He approaches Taehyung and carefully shoves the keys in his pockets. "All yours.""Thanks." he mutters, rubbing his damp hands on his sweatpants."RM, what's the plan?" Yoongi ties a black fabric on his lower face."Suga, you stay with Jimin. J-hope, Jin, come with me. You two," he points at them, "you already know the drill. If any of you see Mimi, kill her.""Kill her out of nowhere? Won't we kidnap her first to collect information?" Jungkook frowns, saving his gun in his jean's pocket."If you don't kill her, she'll kill you.""But maybe -""It's an order." Namjoon states, sternly.The leader turns to the rest of the boys, who wait for further information. "We'll meet right here in five hours, don't forget to check your watches and keep the walkie-talkie with you all times. If you see her or someone suspicious send your location. Suga, have you taught them how this works?""Yeah.""Alright." Namjoon takes a breath. "Bangtan, don't get shot."* * *"I still don't understand why he had to put me with him . . . " Taehyung complains to himself, his eyes paying more attention to the ground than anything else."Wow, V! I didn't know someone could complain for an hour straight," Jungkook claps with an irritated smile, "congratulations."Taehyung wines, scanning the area. He holds his gun tightly against his chest, ignoring the pressure in his head. "We're reaching the factory, I recognise this place." he says without looking at Jungkook. "Should we go?""We must."As they approach the deteriorated building, Jungkook brings a hand to the back of his black jeans, touching the gun with his fingers."V," he turns around, "let me go first. Will you cover my back? Don't you there to run away."Taehyung nods with a noticeable frown.At his lack of words, Jungkook realises he hasn't complained for a while. He takes a better look to his face, a few drops of sweat run down Taehyung's forehead. "Hey, are you okay?""Yes," Taehyung groans, "j - just give me a minute." he breathes with difficulty, staring at his feet."But you don't look - Taehyung!" the elder falls on his knees, the gun slipping away from his fingers. He brings his hands to his head and lets out a loud whine.Jungkook kneels down in front of him, resting his hands on his shoulders. "Hey, look at me. What's wrong?"Taehyung avoids his eyes. He takes quick, shaky breaths at the same time he pulls his hair slightly to ease the pain in his skull."Are you okay? What's wrong? Should we come back? Is it too much?" Jungkook bombards him with questions, looking around for help as his heartbeat increases, a wave of panic overwhelming him—he has never seen Taehyung this vulnerable. He raises his hand to take a better look to the watch, but a hand stops him."Don't." Taehyung groans, finally looking at him. "I'm . . . I'm okay. Give me another minute."Jungkook notices the slight black shade in his eyes, but stays quiet. He keeps his right hand on Taehyung's shoulder, slightly pressing on it comfortingly, but the elder breaks eye contact. After a long five minutes, Taehyung's breath comes back to its normal rhythm and with Jungkook's help he stands up."What happened?" Jungkook scratches the back of his head when Taehyung doesn't answer. "Look, we can go back, okay? RM will understand."Taehyung shakes his head and resumes his walk. "Forget it.""Tiger tried to take over, didn't he? But you didn't let him." Jungkook blurs out, retrieving Taehyung's gun from the floor."It's none of your business." Taehyung spats without facing him. "If you already knew, why do you ask?""Why are you suppressing him back?" he asks, no trace of judgment in his voice."Because I need to do this myself." he turns around, clenching his jaw. "Do you think I like having this . . . Tiger . . . in my mind, who has to go through all these painful experiences because I'm not capable to face them myself? No, of course you don't." Taehyung spits out, his eyes watering. "You don't know me," he sniffs brusquely, "and stop pretending you care about me. We both dislike each other, so mind your own business."Jungkook swallows. Taehyung spoke the truth, but for some reason he still cares. I must care for Tiger because everything that happens to Taehyung also affects him. He inhales deeply and takes a step forward. "We're a team right now, V. We can only rely on each other if we want to come back alive. Look, I -" he sighs and wets his lips, "I don't like you because you don't like me . . . " he pauses, his words instantly reminding him of Tiger. "But I know. I know I was a brat with all of you when I joined, but I already told you why . . . I didn't want this life. You surely don't either. If you could've accepted me just like Jimin and Hoseok did . . . maybe we . . . whatever, it doesn't matter. Let's go before the sun sets completely."