Ripple: BTS AU Story ✓

Chapter 34

Hello ARMY! It's been another month. Wow. It's been so long since I've updated. I really do apologize. I was working on a special Halloween themed story, which you can check out, all month. Now that it's over, I'll be turning my attention back to Ripple. I apologize for taking so long. But, thank you so much for being so patient and giving my story some love. Since it's been a while, I think a recap would be nice. Last we left off, the boys got bailed out of jail. Their families and literally everyone else thinks it's best if they stay away from each other. You know what happens if they aren't near one another. Still, they are splitting up for a while, in order to recollect their thoughts and hopefully come back as strong as ever. With that in mind, let's get back into this story.

The boys went their separate ways just as they had said they would. They went back to their lives and pretended like nothing was out of the ordinary. They acted like they would have a couple of months ago. They ignored the fact that they had all met. They didn't acknowledge the fact that they their lives are fake and that they're actually Kpop idols. They pushed all of that to the back of their minds. They just moved on. They didn't even text one another. Each of them had looked at their group chat, but never sent a single message in it. They were all too wary. Knowing they had split up for a reason. To get Theodore to back off and to give them more time to figure things out. It would be better if they didn't contact each other. At least, that was the thought for the first two weeks. Jungkook was the first one to send a message, simply asking how everyone was doing. From there, the chat came to life again. They spoke all the time, to the point where it seemed that they never split up in the first place. Theodore never came after them. Since they had took their break, they didn't need to worry about the man who changed time. Their memories remained stable, to the relief of them all. The journals had helped and the fact that they continuously texted one another. They were making do on their own. It definitely wasn't the ideal situation, but it was doing them all some good. It gave them all a chance to breathe. Something that someone needs to do, no matter who you are. The guys had stayed away from each other for a long time. Weeks passed and they still maintained their distance. They wanted to meet up, but they all knew that they needed more time. They needed more time away from this. They loved each other, but that had nothing to do with this. They were doing what they had to. They said they would stay away for as long as it may take. That's what they were doing. They would meet back up. Eventually. When the time is right.

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Jin sighs as he wipes down the counter, where a baby had spilt her milk all over. This has to be his least favorite part about owning a restaurant. Cleaning it up. It had to be done though. Jin nods his head as he finishes up and goes to run the towel under the sink. As he does, one of his workers comes up to him and asks about the bread. "It's moldy, sir," The worker says, holding up a piece, "We can't make your special sandwich."

Jin shakes his head, "It's fine. We ordered a bunch of meats though. Maybe we can make some antipasto plates, just for today?" The worker nods his head and rushes back to his station, telling his co-workers about their boss's request. Jin squeezes the towel and tosses it to the side to dry. He rubs his hands along his apron and lets out another sigh. His mind has been busy all day. Thoughts of his members and Theodore circling his head. It had been really hard on him to get back into things. He had found it quite difficult to just act as if nothing had happened. It was hard for him to just go back to this life when he knows he has has another one waiting for him. He's grateful for the life he has in this timeline. He really is. It's just different. Something that Jin isn't used to. He had gotten the hang of it after the boys started to text once more. It had helped him stay focused on one thing. Except for today. It didn't seem to help much today. Jin reaches into his back pocket and sees six unread messages. Jin opens it instantly with wide eyes. His excitement and interest dwindles in seconds. The boys were just talking about their plans for today. Not that they were meeting up to settle things with Theodore. He slips his phone back into his pocket and shakes his head, his impatience is getting the better of him. If anyone had told Jin that he would be the antsy one, he wouldn't have believed you. That's the way it is though. Jin wants to do something. Anything. Not just stay here and run a restaurant. Not when his real life is waiting for him. Jin pushes those thoughts from his heads and walks towards the tables, trying to focus on his job. He speaks to some of his customers, asking how their meals are. They answer with smiles and compliments for the chef. Jin returns the grin and gives them a curt bow. He's proud of his work in this timeline. The things that this version of him was able to accomplish is astonishing. If he were any other person, on any other day, he would feel blessed to have this life. Except he isn't that person and it isn't another day. He's Kim Seokjin of BTS and today is the day he wants to go back to that life. He moves to go to speak to another table when his phone starts to buzz. Jin grabs his phone and glances at the caller ID. He frowns when it reads unknown. He looks around for one of his workers and his eyes fall to his hostess. The lady notices Jin's look and she glances at her boss with confusion. Jin gestures to his phone, signaling that he has to take a call. The hostess nods her head and gestures for him to go, she will handle things while he's gone. Jin unties his apron and tosses it behind the counter. He makes his way towards the side exit and leaves the restaurant. He leans against the wall and moves to pick up the call. He frowns when he sees that he missed it. He sighs and turns to go back inside when a notification of a voicemail appears. Jin stops and clicks on it. A male voice starts speaking in a muffled tone, "They've completely stopped their search. They went back to the lives I set up for them."