Just a fan // JK

9 (A) - Unspoken Promises

The living room was quiet, save for the faint ticking of a clock and the soft rustle of someone stirring. Namjoon was the first to wake, his head pounding as he pushed himself up from where he'd fallen asleep against the armchair. He squinted at the early sunlight streaming through the window and groaned.

"What time is it?" he muttered, his voice scratchy. His gaze shifted to the coffee table littered with empty bottles and discarded wrappers. A single sneaker peeked out from under it. He frowned, already piecing together that they hadn't made it back to the dorm last night.

Yoongi stirred next, lying flat on the floor with his arms crossed over his chest like a disgruntled ghost. "It's too early," he grumbled, though he didn't open his eyes. "Why are you talking?"

Namjoon rolled his shoulders, ignoring Yoongi's comment as his leader instincts kicked in. "Is everyone still here?" he asked, his voice low. He glanced around the room, his gaze landing on Taehyung, who was sprawled out on the floor near the stairs, hugging a throw pillow.

Taehyung groaned as he shifted, burying his face deeper into the pillow. "Do I look like I'm anywhere else, hyung?"

J-Hope was next to stir, curled up under a blanket he didn't remember grabbing. He blinked blearily, sitting up with a faint scowl. "Did anyone think to drink water? My throat feels like sandpaper."

"Stop complaining," Yoongi said, his voice muffled as he rolled over. "You're alive, aren't you?"

Jimin let out a loud yawn from the chair he'd taken over, stretching like a content cat. "This is why you stick to beer, Hoseok. Tequila doesn't love you."

Namjoon's attention shifted as his eyes caught on something out of place—a black dress draped neatly over the back of a chair. He frowned, his brows furrowing. "That's Eva's dress," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.

"What?" Jin asked, his voice sharp as he suddenly sat up on the couch. His hair stuck up in every direction, and his shirt was half-untucked, but his focus was razor-sharp as he turned to follow Namjoon's gaze. "Why is her dress down here?"

Before anyone could answer, Taehyung's low whistle cut through the room. He was now crouched near the base of the stairs, holding up a familiar black leather belt. "And here's Jungkook's belt," he said, a playful lilt in his voice.

Yoongi finally opened his eyes, glancing at the belt with mild interest. "Now it's getting interesting."

Jin's face twisted in horror as he pointed at the offending items. "No. No, no, no. Don't even think about it."

Jimin sat upright, rubbing his eyes and smirking. "Hyung, we all saw how cozy they were last night. Balcony flirting? That little hair tuck thing he did? Come on."

Namjoon's frown deepened, though his tone remained neutral. "They were close, yeah, but this..." His gaze landed on a crumpled pair of black pants that Taehyung had just picked up. "This is something else."

J-Hope's head tilted, his face caught between amusement and genuine confusion. "So, what? Did they—" He stopped himself, shaking his head. "No way, right?"

"Right," Jin said quickly, his voice rising as he stood. "This doesn't mean anything. Jungkook is responsible. He wouldn't just—"

"Leave his pants in the living room?" Yoongi offered dryly.

"Hyung," Jimin said, his grin widening, "you're panicking for nothing. Maybe they just... got a little carried away."

"They're adults," Namjoon added cautiously. "Whatever happened is their business."

Taehyung leaned back, his grin playful. "You think Jungkook would tell us if it was something?"

"Not the point!" Jin snapped, pacing now as he waved a hand toward the stairs. "He's still our maknae. He's supposed to be—"