Imperium | BTS Mafia AU (NamJoon FanFic)

The Wild Card

Dinner ended in a whirl of random conversations and laughs. I smiled to myself thinking about HoSeok choking on a carrot and JiMin talking about how much he loves dogs. It made them seem more human, more relatable in a way. Everyone seemed so lively at dinner, even YoonGi. He was probably one of the loudest at the table, in all honesty. Even though the atmosphere was so energetic, I don't think I heard NamJoon speak once. He seems to just observe the others quietly. He doesn't want to engage unless he's addressed, but I know he has to have something to say. He seems like a very smart man. I heard 2 small knocks on my bedroom door. 

"Come in," the door opened to reveal a pajama clad Tae. He seemed so much more relaxed in his lounge wear. He flashed me a boxy grin and allowed himself to sit on my bed next to me.

"How you liking it so far?" He stretched his arms as high as he could, laid back on my bed, and huffed. 

"It seems nice. I'm just confused, I guess," I answered honestly. Tae propped himself on his arms, still leaning back. 

"Confused about what?" 

"I'm just not sure about all of this. Am I really just doing paperwork? And for how long?" Tae was silent for a second. 

"Look, you're a red dahlia inductee. You'll work with us for as long as NamJoon pleases, but he isn't an irrational man. He'll let you go on your way when he is satisfied," He explained. He patted my head and smiled, "YuNa, don't worry. Soon, you'll look at us like family." I found comfort in his words. Partially because I believed them. I do think I could find a family in these boys. I'm just so conflicted. Why would they join such an organization? 

"Tae, why did you join Imperium Syndicate?" I asked. Tae looked as if he didn't want to answer. It was silent for a while except for the sounds of Tae rubbing the fabric of his shirt together. He was clearly uncomfortable. "You don't have to answer," I reassured. He looked up at me with soft eyes. 

"No, it's okay. You'll have to learn about our stories. Each of us joined for different reasons. I joined because I got tired of seeing my father abuse my family," He began to tell his story, "JiSu is a strong woman, but there were times in which she was weak. Our mother died when we were young, so the only mother-figure I've ever had was JiSu and I respect her immensely for that. She always took care of me, made sure I ate and showered. She took me took school and she seemed so perfect. My family seemed so beautiful." Tae had started to get quieter, as if he was ashamed of his story. I never knew JiSu grew up without a mother. I guess that explains why her maternal instinct is so strong. Tae didn't say anything for a while. I felt bad for making him explain this to me. I'm sure he didn't want to think about it. I put a reassuring hand on his back and he gave me a soft smile. "The thing is," he continued, "even if I felt as though we were perfect, I was very wrong. I remember coming home early from school, thinking I'd be alone at home. I brought two of my friends over and we planned to watch this R rated movie together, we were rule breakers." He smiled at the memory of his friends, "When I'd walked in, the house was silent. I brought my friends to the living room and they all sat there talking, joking around. I had to get the DVD player from my dad's room, but I never expected to see my big sister bent over his bed being raped by that piece of shit." His fists were balled up and angry tears threatened his pride. My heart felt heavy. JiSu, the strongest woman I've even known, was violated. I tasted the salt of my own tears that were spilling over the rims of my eyes. In a way, I felt defeated. Someone I looked up to for so long, is so flawed and damaged. I would have never guessed. "I'll never forget her face, stained with tears and her frightened eyes cried for my help, but I did nothing. I stood there. My friends were silent. I closed the door, and turned around. I told my friends that they should go home, they did. I haven't talked to them since that day. I just sat on the couch, not sure of what to think. Eventually they came out like nothing had happened. You'd think that once he got caught, he'd stop, but he did it more often and even in front of me. I grew sick of it. I grew sick of not being able to help her, so I contacted NamJoon. He gave me an offer. If he were to kill my father, I'd owe him copious amounts of money, but if I joined him and did it myself, I'd owe him nothing. It's obvious which route I took," He ended his explanation with a light-hearted smile. "That was only 4 years ago, after JiSu had met you." I didn't say anything. I honestly didn't know what to say. Saying that I was rendered speechless is an understatement. I had no thoughts running through my mind, I was emptied. I couldn't imagine how Tae felt. Watching your only guardian be torn down like that, in front of your friends nevertheless. I sat there for a little while longer before Tae shifted uncomfortably. Abruptly, he stood up and cleared his throat. "I should go," He stated. I didn't want him to go. I wanted to console him, to make him know that I'm there for him. Just as he described, JiSu is like a mother-figure to both Tae and I. I could never let someone as precious to me as Tae, my brother, feel helpless. He took a step forward, but was quickly stopped by my embrace. He stumbled back as I buried my head in his chest getting tears on his shirt. 

"Tae, I'm so sorry," was all I managed to choke out. It was a while of Tae standing there in the middle of my room wrapped in my arms before he decided to put his arms around me. We stood like that for what seemed like an eternity before our moment was interrupted by JiMin knocking on my door. We let go of each other and took some steps away from each other. 

"Uh, SeokJin wants you to clean the dishes, Tae," JiMin announced. Tae gave a small awkward smile and nodded. JiMin left the doorway and Tae turned back to me. He gave me a small kiss on the head. 

"Thank you, YuNa."