Meet Me at the Ice Cream Shop

BangBang Universe

Neon lights reflect from the windows of storefronts and their words are parroted back from the puddles of a recent rain. The city's noises have tapered off as darkness creeps its way over the vicinity. On the tinted glass panes of Moo La La Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Company, adorable chibi-caricature cows frolic, having fulfilled their duty of welcoming customers for the day, the bovine sentinels stare ominously at a man approaching out of the shadows.

Upon reaching the threshold, he works a key into the front door of the ice cream shop, turning the lock with a satisfying thunk. Once he enters, he locks the door behind him, peering out for potentially curious bystanders. In a hurry to get to where he's going, he turns around quickly, his eyes struggling to dilate in time to a new stage of enclosed darkness. A familiar counter corner rudely catches his hip by surprise. He puts his fists up to mock-fight the offending workspace, but finding it unresponsive, continues on his way.

At the end of the hallway a door stands ajar, rimmed by the light within. He's late. He spares a brief pause to collect himself, calming his strides to smaller, cautious steps. With a sigh, he grabs the door handle and presses his way in.

Despite the angry buzz from the fluorescent lights above, an olivedrab hue seems to permeate the room. No one occupies the chairs placed at money counting machines on cheap wood facade tables. He's really late. Nor does anyone stand at the filing cabinets in random places against the wall. He's definitely in trouble. Then, he spots them.

Taehyung hurries to join Jimin in kneeling on the concrete floor, hands resting on their thighs, palms up. Jimin can't be happy to have dirtied the knees of his form-fitting latex pants. His gaze slides up to Jimin's pink silk thigh corset and garter belt with ribbons that tragically drag to the ground. The side glance of appreciation continues up to a leather jacket barely concealing a leather holstered pink Glock resting over his tee, and goddamn if he didn't finish off the ensemble with a delicate black choker that rests beneath his cotton candy pink hair. He wonders at his lack of concern over his own equally expensive Gucci attire that would now be due for a trip to the dry cleaner. Still, they both know better than to question the required submissive posturing.

Jungkook squats, perched in a fold-up chair off to the side. Though clad in a pretty regular outfit of black jeans and hoodie, it's the blood-spattered bunny mask that demonstrates why he doesn't hold the same obligation to join them. Both he and Jimin find an unspoken comfort in Jungkook's sinister demeanor that the other presence in the room, and really the world at large, find frightening. That other presence happens to be Hoseok, who Taehyung knows is expecting his undivided attention.

The man paces like a caged tiger in front of the trio, tapping his barbwire-crowned Louisville Slugger in his palm; underneath his mask, gears are turning. The combination of mask and letterman jacket should make him look ridiculous, but everyone in the room regards Hoseok and his outfit with the utmost respect a man of his menacing reputation deserves. Hoseok stops pacing. The vision screen that is Mang's heart-shaped nose abruptly turns to the two on the ground, and Taehyung gulps under the gaze of the two eyes he imagines are staring them down.

"It seems Taehyung has finally decided to grace us with his presence today," the leader finally speaks, revealing the deceivingly mellifluous voice that all three of them have grown accustomed to. In his peripherals, Taehyung witnesses one corner of Jimin's mouth curl into a coy smirk as he eyes Hoseok coquettishly. "You're late, Kim."

Flippantly, he cocks his head to one side and pulls his lips into a tight-lipped, charming smile. "What can I say, Seokie? Better late than never."

The horsehead remains eerily still.

"I mean, it's not like I don't drop everything I'm doing as soon as you call."

Smack.

The back of Hoseok's hand connects with Taehyung's cheek and r̶͔̋e̷̱̕d̸̽ͅ tinted spittle flies through the air. In an instant Jungkook is next to Hoseok, knife backward in his fist, the blade pressed against Hoseok's exposed neck.

"Call off your pet, Taehyung." Hoseok remains unshaken by the antics, at least from what they can tell.

With a deep-throated laugh, Taehyung motions Jungkook back to the fold-up chair before wiping at his mouth with the back of his hand. He would never admit the satisfaction he got from getting under Hoseok's skin, Jungkook's reaction being a new development that amused him even more. He'd have to look into it when he got the chance.

"Alright, listen up fuckers. We have been working at this for months now. Everyone knows what they're supposed to do. We've memorized every step down to the tiniest detail, pinpointed anything that could catch us off guard. We have back-up plans on top of back-up plans. We know where to meet up after. You are not allowed to fuck this up. If you have questions, speak up now."

Hoseok pauses for a beat, eager to get back to the matter at hand. "And what about you, Jimin? Do you have any second thoughts? Doubts swirling around in that pretty little head of yours?" Jimin shakes his head, but a tongue roll against his inner cheek betrays him. "Sweet Jimin." Hoseok beckons him to stand and draw near. He takes Jimin's chin firmly between his finger and thumb. "Don't I always let you keep something pretty?" His hand drops to Jimin's hip, gripping through his skintight clothing. "Don't I always take care of you?" Hoseok teases.

Taehyung swallows a snicker. Jimin has always been better than him at placating Hoseok. He watches the Jimin Effect in action. Jimin focuses in on the zipper of Hoseok's jacket. He works the teeth open just enough for Hoseok to feel the vibration. Not once does Jimin actually touch Hoseok. But the lack of touch creates the thought of it.

With a pout, Jimin whines up at Hoseok. "We all worked hard on this Hobi, you most of all. Let us get some rest so we are ready for tomorrow."

Of course it works. Taehyung closes his eyes to cover an eye roll, although he knows he should be grateful. Jimin's tactic was likely meant to soothe any of Hoseok's remaining anger at Taehyung. Hoseok switches to a softer tone. "Alright, tomorrow then. Who's staying with me tonight?"

Jungkook has already slipped off into the shadows. Taehyung is sure that if he's left to be the one to stay behind, he's in for a rough night. But being the angel that Jimin is, he slips his fingers into Hoseok's. Taehyung takes this as his cue to leave, but ducks his head when Hoseok calls after him. "You sure you're ready for tomorrow?"

Taehyung looks back at him, eyes connecting to the heart-shaped horse snout. "I've never been more ready in all my life."