Beneath the City ✔️

Moral Support

In under a minute, Jungkook had rejoined us, and sat hunched over a silvery drink. He traced the edge of the glass with his fingertips, frowning. He looked between the two of us.

'Should I know you?' He asked. I shook my head.

'Then how the hell do you know me?' He interrogated. I looked across at Jimin, who nodded for me to explain.

'I'm looking for V, we met briefly here, but I have to find him, and he was after you so it's the only lead I have.' I told him.

'Do yourself a favour and stop searching.' He suggested.

'Why?' I demanded. He looked conflicted.

'He doesn't like people knowing about him.' He said. I could tell he was evading giving a real answer, so I decided to push him further.

'Then why's he looking for you?'

'Because he has too.'

'Why won't you give straight answers?' Jimin asked

'Should I?' He retorted.

'Yes!' I said exasperated.

'Why?' He demanded, and I faltered. He knew I had no way to force him, and I knew he wasn't obliged to tell me anything. I groaned internally.

'Why not?' I countered. He looked up at the ceiling, then back at me.

'He's part of an underground organization, a little like a gang, but better connected. I think he's pretty low level though, hell he probably doesn't even choose to stay.' He described. 'It's not safe to go looking, most people who do disappear.' He said.

'Is that why he's after you?' Jimin asked. Jungkook nodded.

'Why do you want to find him so badly?' He asked.

'Does it matter?' Jimin snapped.

'It's ok, I'm fine telling him.' I told him quickly. 'He might be my brother.'

'Might?' Jungkook asked.

'He was taken away when he was twelve, I thought he was killed until a few days ago, we were talking to V here, and he had the same brand on his wrist, but he was gone before I could ask.' Suddenly Jungkook looked panicked.

'Here?' He asked, and I nodded quickly.

'He shouldn't even be on this level of the city.' He muttered. 'I don't think it's safe for me here.' He said nervously.

'We can put you up for the night if you need.' Jimin offered.

'Could you?' Jungkook asked gratefully. 'I was planning on staying nearby, but that doesn't seem like such a good idea anymore.' He said

'Sure.' Jimin said, 'We've got plenty of food.'

After a while we began to talk like old mates. Jungkook was great company. He apologised profusely when he realised we were on a date, his eyes grew round with shock. He then explained he'd been in a similar position to me, with his older brother being taken too. There was a pang of empathy in my chest as I heard this. Then he began to do impressions of Jimin, much to his horror.

After we finished up our drinks, we headed for home. Jungkook kept checking over his shoulder for various unknown threats the whole way back. He looked back at each corner, and at the roofs of the houses either side of us. I knelt down to the trapdoor and knocked twice.

'It's open!' I heard someone shout from inside.

'We've got a guest' I shouted back as I opened it.