danger

27: bulgogi

♡

One of the housemaids passed by and told the residing gangs of dinnertime, causing a voracious explosion of loud-mouthed boys' hungry cheering. Jungkook led the way, ambling down the stairwell with a festive spring and almost fell into Minho who seemed to have the same idea, running out of the elevator.

While the two of them chuckled, waiting for their respective gang members, Seokjin tentatively stepped down to the first floor. He held the back of Minjun's thighs, transporting him down while Namjoon brought his crutches.

"There will be two gangs you aren't familiar with," Seokjin simply said, "their names are ITZY and Blackpink. They're nice, so not to worry."

Minjun nodded, grimacing mildly as his ankle drooped haphazardly without support.

At the bottom of the stairs stood the rest of SHINee and, in the time it had taken for Seokjin to saunter down, the impatient members of BTS. At the sight of their beloved eldest, they sped away to secure themselves seats, as if they'd miss out if they were even a minute late.

Minjun was set on the floor with such care, that he barely felt the bite of his broken ankle or the twinge of his knee when his weight was abruptly shifted onto them. Seokjin watched him settle his crutches, humming before the two of them entered the dining room.

"Take that seat beside Namjoon," Seokjin whispered, allowing the teenager the furthermost seat from any strangers. Namjoon sat on the very end, opposite from the Boss.

BTS's head offered Minjun a smile as he sat down, respectfully laying his crutches down by his feet.

Minjun took notice now of the two unfamiliar gangs. A group of four women, and another group of five women. Each of them looked genuinely overawing to the boy, despite the cheesy grins they shared with themselves.

He also took note of how SHINee sat close to BTS on the remarkably spacious dining table, and how the three, exceptional solos were close by too.

"Please begin your meals," PSY proclaimed. Minjun hadn't even noticed the bulgogi stew sitting in front of him, nonchalantly letting off steam and smelling divine. He observed the boys around him, waiting for a few of them to begin their foods before Minjun could bravely lift the spoon from the table and eat.

The stew graced his throat, spiralling down and leaving a happy taste of meat and vegetables in his mouth. He was only so happy to be sitting there and enjoying such a delightful meal.

When everyone had finished, a few maidservants took the dishes and alternately substituted them with smaller plates. On top of each were two floral-shaped yakgwa and a teacup loaded with matcha tea. Minjun enjoyed the honey cookie well, controlling himself from even humming in delight when the syrupy flavour sat on his tongue.

"So good," he muttered.

Hoseok, who had been noiselessly sitting beside him for the entire hour they had all been sitting at the table, turned to face him.

"You like it?"

Minjun nodded contently, his eyes principally concentrated on the crumb of biscuit on Hoseok's chin. Without giving it much thought, he pulled his hand up from where it lay on his lap and brushed it away, face becoming significantly rosy afterwards.

It gave Hoseok a laugh, however, as he poked fun at the blushing mess that was Minjun.

"I'm sure you're all confused at the situation," called PSY, gaining everybody's attention.

He proceeded, "Namjoon, what you and your boys had to do to Stray Kids was unconditionally acceptable. I don't want you to feel blamed for this, okay? Stray Kids was part of an alliance, like us, and they are going to retaliate.

We don't know when, but we did need BTS out of their isolated home and into safety here, and we needed the backup of you others to fight this battle alongside us."

Namjoon nodded his head along to the words, "I understand."

"Onew," PSY spoke, "your boys are strong and experienced, not to mention you have a bond with BTS. I trust you will defend them like you always have."

Onew and Jonghyun made significant eye contact momentarily before Onew beamed at Namjoon, "with our lives."

"Jisoo, you and your girls are skilled and level-headed, you have never let me down before."

Blackpink, apart from the ever-professional Jisoo who vigilantly observed the boss, smiled at the compliments and bowed in their seats.

PSY shifted his attention, "Yeji, you girls are my finest assassins and I hold high expectations from you just like previous times."

"Jessi you are courageous, powerful, and strong-minded."

"Hyuna and Dawn, you're a hardworking duo and I never regret working with you."

Namjoon showed respect to the mix of experts alongside his boys by bowing low, "Boss, what can you tell us about the enemies?"

"Stray Kids was in a mixed alliance much like ours. With them discarded of they have only three gangs left. Their names are ATEEZ, GOT7, and Red Velvet. Twenty members in total."

"So we have higher numbers?" asked Yuna.

"Yes, we overrule in quantity."

Taemin inquired, "And what about quality?"

"To be expected, I have no way of ascertaining. Namjoon and his men defeated them once - with your help of course - but that isn't to say the other gangs aren't much more potent."

"I bet they're weak," tittered one of the ladies from Blackpink of whom Minjun hadn't learned the name of. She was beautiful, but her face showed years of troublesome work and traumatizing sights.

"Let's hope so."

"No," PSY looked back and forth between the unidentified women, "we will train and prepare as if an army is headed our way. I will not stand for loss and I will not lose any of you due to underestimating."

"Have they provided you a cause for concern yet, Boss?"

"No, Taemin, it could be months before such actions will be taken, but I refuse to be caught off guard."

! for current readers, i changed which two groups mamamoo killed in earlier chapters from ateez to seventeen so i could include ateez now !