The bond that stick us together: A BTS Brotherly AU

[28]

As soon as they reached the home, Jin went straight upstairs to his bedroom. Before that he warned them to not disturb him for the rest of the night and the brothers silently nodded, knowing the full meaning behind it. And as much they were worried for their eldest brother, they still don't have those guts to test him when he is that serious.

After a long cold shower, Jin changed into his comfortable night wear and stood by the large window of his room. A glass of wine in his hand, staring blankly towards the forest area far from their home...

The envelop folder laid on his desk, untouched. He is still not ready to start with it. He sipped on his wine as the full conversation with his father swirling in his mind over and over again...

Flashback#

The heavy door was still closed even after Mr. Kim gave him the task, sealing Jin inside the dimly lit study with his father. He didn't tell Jin to leave, and so Jin didn't dare to move. It was a silent cue that his father was still not done with him.

The room smelled of old books, aged whiskey, and power—something intangible yet suffocating.

Mr. Kim stood by the window, fingers lightly tracing the rim of his glass. He didn't turn around immediately, letting the silence press down like an invisible weight. A test of patience. A reminder of who held the power here.

Jin didn't bite. He stood still, the documents envelop felt like burning inside his suit coat's inner pocket. But his face remained calm, his hands neatly clasped behind his back, perfectly still, waiting.

"You've grown comfortable in your position, Jin." his father finally mused, voice smooth, calculated. "Too comfortable."

Jin stood with his hands at his back, his posture perfect, not betraying an ounce of the unease curling in his stomach. "I handle everything you ask of me."

His father smirked. "Do you?"

The silence that followed was thick, charged. Mr. Kim took another sip before setting the glass down at desk with a quiet clink.

"You're soft, Seokjin," he said, stepping forward. "You let your emotions control you. I see it in how you protect your brothers."

"I protect what's mine." Jin remained impassive. "Is that a flaw for you?"

"It is when it makes you weak." His father's eyes darkened. "Do you think they'll survive without you? If I take away your control—your influence—do you think they'll still follow you?"

Jin didn't flinch, but something cold ran through him. This wasn't just a conversation. It was a warning.

Mr. Kim took a step closer, his polished shoes clicking softly against the wooden floor. "Tell me, Seokjin... do you truly believe you can protect them from me?"

Jin held his ground. "I don't believe. But I know I will. No matter what."

Mr. Kim laughed, low and quiet. "And yet, they are already in my grasp." He leaned in slightly. "Jungkook, especially."

Jin's blood ran cold, but he didn't let it show.

"I heard the way you all hovered over him tonight. Like frightened little birds trying to shield the weakest of the flock." Mr. Kim's voice was laced with cruel amusement. "Do you think I don't see the fear in his eyes? The uncertainty? The way he feels he don't belong here? With us?"

Jin's fists clenched behind his back, "And whose fault is that?"

Mr. Kim chuckled dryly, "Are you now blaming me for it?"

Jin started straight to his father, "You make him uncomfortable with your choices of words, you make him doubt. You make him feel like we are hiding something from him.... L-like I'm hiding something!"