Danger | Sope ✓

10-29h

Taehyung unlocked the door to Jimin and his older house, getting the in to save himself from the harsh winds.

The police raided their newer home and sealed off for evidence, so the two could never return there.

However, he didn't recognize the unfamiliar quietness that engulfed the original house.

During Taehyung's first few years of college and onward until Jungkook's disappearance, the house was never quiet. Music was always blasted from Jimin's office or screams of tortured men or women resonated from somewhere in the house.

And even when Jungkook was here. He was always- doing something. He didn't do routine things. Every day, they were different and most of the time; it ended up with something broken on the floor.

After Jungkook's sudden disappearance, Taehyung always noticed that the house was quieter than usual. Even if they stayed in the older or newer home, it was the same. Without Jungkook, Jimin wasn't himself.

Taehyung entered the kitchen, noticing Jimin sitting on the counter as he scrolled through his phone.

He just wanted Jimin to go back to his usual self, to be happy again. Taehyung just never satisfied Jimin. He didn't know what to do, how to help Jimin return to giving genuine smiles. He didn't notice that he was staring at the shorter man until he looked up from his phone, arching an eyebrow at Taehyung's presence.

"I didn't notice you went out today," Jimin frowned as Taehyung pulled the camera off from around his neck.

"I needed fresh air," Taehyung shrugged as he settled the camera on the kitchen island. He headed to the fridge, opening it to take out an ice cream sandwich he kept for depressing occasions.

He turned to see Jimin leaning on the counter, going through Taehyung's camera to admire the new photos Taehyung took. Taehyung knew Jimin liked the pictures he took, always looking forward to whatever Taehyung brought home whenever he came back from taking photos.

"You haven't lost your touch," Jimin smiled, pointing the camera at Taehyung. He pushed the button, snapping a picture of a cold Taehyung eating an ice cream sandwich. Jimin glanced up at Taehyung, raising a brow. "You're still wearing that thing?" Jimin gestured to the white scarf that wrapped around Taehyung's neck. "That's like 13 years old. I'm surprised you even kept it after I gave it to you."

As a child and onto his teen years, Taehyung never really asked for anything. Never asked for anything from his parents, which included warm clothing. Even if he had clothing that kept him warm from light breezes and cold temperatures, they never protected him from harsh winds, snow or freezing temperatures. It kept him warm most days, however, when it snowed in Seoul, he could never stay in one place. He always ran home or hugged himself to stay warm. Eventually, Jimin gave him his white scarf and coat. The coat he outgrew, however, he kept the scarf.

Taehyung clutched the scarf, staring down at the floor. "I like this scarf a lot."

The scarf was stomped on, ripped, dirtied, soaked. Taehyung always fixed it, kept it as clean as he could. The scarf was important to him.

"I paid off Stray Kids. You don't have to worry about them anymore," Taehyung's mind went back to work, to escape the depressing, luring thoughts. "And I still have no progress on Jungkook. Don't worry, I'll get on it as fast as I can."

He headed up the stairs and into his office, shutting the door behind him. He turned on all the computers before chucking his coat and scarf on the bed, leaving him in his white hoodie.

Taehyung hated lying to Jimin. However, he's been doing it for many years. It's not that he wanted to. It was for Jungkook. Jungkook was afraid of Jimin, Taehyung didn't blame him. Jimin did many troublesome things when he was angry. However, if only Jungkook trusted Jimin, as Jimin trusted him. Maybe everything would be different?

It was like the butterfly effect.

One action could cause a series of chain reactions, always ending on something shitty.

Taehyung didn't want to blame anyone, however, he couldn't help but wonder if everything would be the same if Jungkook didn't run away.

He didn't hate Jungkook or anything; he was just always jealous. Jealous how much Jimin loved him, jealous of how he could always keep Jimin happy, no matter what he did.

A knock on his door caused Taehyung to glance at Jimin who entered, camera in hand.

"Something on your mind?" Jimin asked as he stepped closer to Taehyung's neat desk, placing the camera on the desk.

"No," Taehyung answered, signing into his main computer.

Taehyung could see Jimin frowning from the computers' screens. Jimin knew Taehyung too well. It wasn't surprising, considering they've known each other since Sophomore high school.

"I don't want to intrude or anything Tae, but... If you want to talk..." Jimin shoved his hands into his pockets.

"No," Taehyung repeated.

"So... There is something....?"

Taehyung let out a sigh, facing Jimin.

"Look Jimin, I get you're bored and shit, but please, I need to get back to work. You can stay if you'd like but please stop bothering me." Taehyung wanted to keep the words in although he couldn't help it. He cared for Jimin. Deeply cared, however, this just wasn't the time.

"I'm not bored!" Jimin crossed his arms, lowering his eyebrows. "I'm just worried Tae."

"About Jungkook? Yeah, I'm on it, I get it," Taehyung brought up the usual surveillance cameras of the police stations and in random spots of the city.

"No!" Jimin placed a hand on Taehyung's arm. "I'm worried about you."

Taehyung could feel himself flinch, halting his actions as he glanced up Jimin. Jimin's eyebrows were knitted together, his plump lips turned downwards into a frown.

"What? Why?" Taehyung asked.

"I don't know if you noticed Tae, but you're my best friend. You've been there even if others weren't. You were always there when I cried, always cheering me up with video games and donuts or calming me down with the Star Wars or Harry Potter movies. My decisions are mostly rash, I know. But I'm not a heartless bitch. I do care," Jimin frowned.

Taehyung stared at Jimin's small hand on his arm. Usually, there would be rings decorating his fingers, however, he took them off today.

"I'm just stressed, Jiminie, that's all," Taehyung smiled at Jimin, hoping to get the older to leave him alone.

"That won't work," Jimin sighed, standing behind Taehyung. He wrapped his arms around Taehyung, resting his chin on Taehyung's head. "If you want me to leave you alone, I will. But- I'm always here, okay?"

Taehyung nodded, shutting his eyes as he leaned into Jimin's touch.

Jimin was one of the few things that calmed him down. Whatever was bothering him, he could always trust Jimin. Even if Jimin didn't know, Taehyung still calmed down just by having Jimin around. It didn't matter if they talked or looked at each other.

As long as Taehyung knew Jimin was there...