♡ Part - 26 ♡

Jimin descended the stairs, his fingers grazing the wooden railing as he stepped into the living room. His eyes landed on Taehyung, who was lounging on the couch, casually scrolling through his phone. But at the sound of footsteps, Taehyung looked up, and the moment his gaze met Jimin’s, a bright smile stretched across his face.

“Oh, you’re here!” Taehyung said cheerfully, setting his phone aside. “Where’s Yoongi-hyung?”

Jimin forced a small smile, masking the unease twisting in his chest. “He’s sleeping,” he replied simply.

Taehyung tilted his head slightly, as if studying Jimin’s expression, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he patted the space next to him. “And how are you, Chim?” he asked, his voice softer now, laced with concern.

“I’m good, Tae. What about you?” Jimin responded, settling onto the couch.

“Same as always,” Taehyung shrugged. “Except Jungkook kept me up late last night talking about—”

Before he could finish, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around him from behind, pulling him into a back hug.

“Baby, why did you leave me alone in the room?” Jungkook whined, his voice muffled against Taehyung’s shoulder. “I was looking for you.”

Jimin blinked as he watched Jungkook press a quick kiss to Taehyung’s forehead, his tone completely sulky yet affectionate. Taehyung chuckled, reaching up to pat Jungkook’s cheek.

“You were sleeping, Kook. I didn’t want to wake you up,” he teased.

Jimin shifted uncomfortably, feeling like an intruder amidst the couple’s affectionate moment. He cleared his throat and quickly stood up.

“You guys enjoy. I’ll go make breakfast for all of us,” he said, offering them an easy way to stay lost in their world.

“Jungkook, leave me,” Taehyung laughed, prying himself away from Jungkook’s grip. “Jimin, I’ll help you! Wait for me.”

Jungkook groaned dramatically as Taehyung followed Jimin into the kitchen, but he didn’t protest.

In the Kitchen

The warm aroma of eggs sizzling in the pan filled the air as Jimin carefully flipped them with a spatula. Taehyung leaned against the counter, watching him with a lazy grin.

“You’re really quiet today,” Taehyung noted, breaking the comfortable silence.

Jimin hesitated for a second before forcing a chuckle. “Just tired.”

Taehyung hummed but didn’t push. Instead, he busied himself buttering the toast while Jimin plated the eggs and sausages. The atmosphere was calm, yet Jimin’s thoughts weren’t. His mind kept replaying the events of last night—the fear, the tension, the way his body had trembled uncontrollably. He wanted to tell Taehyung, wanted to share the weight pressing against his chest, but something held him back.

Soon, breakfast was ready, and they carried the plates to the dining table, where Jungkook was already seated, scrolling through his phone.

At the Dining Table

Everyone settled down, except for Yoongi. His absence was noticed immediately.

“Chim, where’s Hyung?” Jungkook asked, looking up from his phone.

Jimin swallowed, his fingers tightening around his fork. “Umm, he actually—”

Before he could finish, the sound of footsteps interrupted him.

“I’m here.”

Jimin’s heart skipped a beat as Yoongi’s deep voice filled the space. He turned his head just in time to see Yoongi walking toward the table. His presence was commanding, as always, even in the morning with slightly tousled hair and a composed expression. Without another word, Yoongi pulled out the chair beside Jimin and sat down.

For a brief moment, his gaze flickered toward Jimin—sharp yet unreadable—before he picked up his chopsticks and started eating.

Jimin’s stomach twisted uncomfortably. He tried to focus on his food, but the weight of Yoongi’s presence beside him made it impossible. He felt tense, on edge, afraid that at any moment, the night’s incident would resurface in conversation. He wanted to tell Taehyung and Jungkook everything, but the words got stuck in his throat.

So, he stayed silent.

The meal continued with casual conversation between Jungkook and Taehyung, but Jimin barely registered any of it. His mind was elsewhere, tangled in uncertainty and fear.

Once breakfast was over, Jungkook and Yoongi both got up from the table, preparing to leave for the office.

“See you later,” Jungkook said, ruffling Taehyung’s hair before grabbing his coat.

Yoongi, meanwhile, simply adjusted his watch and glanced at Jimin once more before heading toward the door.

Jimin exhaled quietly, feeling both relieved and exhausted. He watched as the front door closed behind them, and for the first time that morning, he allowed his shoulders to relax slightly.

But the unease still lingered.

And he knew this wasn’t over.

In the Kitchen – Vmin’s Moment

Jimin stood by the sink, scrubbing the last of the dishes while Taehyung dried them beside him. The comfortable silence between them was occasionally broken by the sound of running water and the clinking of plates. The morning had been exhausting for Jimin—mentally more than physically—but at least with Taehyung, he felt a little lighter.

But that moment of peace didn’t last long.

“So, Chim,” Taehyung suddenly spoke, a teasing smirk creeping onto his lips. “How was your first night with your husband?”

Jimin’s hand froze mid-wash. His grip on the glass he was holding slackened, and before he could react, it slipped from his fingers and crashed into the sink, shattering into pieces.

“Chim!” Taehyung gasped, immediately setting the towel aside and stepping closer. “What happened? Are you all right?” His voice was laced with worry as he reached for Jimin’s wrist, checking for any cuts.

Jimin swallowed thickly, his face pale. “I-I’m fine,” he stuttered before forcing out a weak chuckle. “Just slipped out of my hand.”

Taehyung narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure?”

Jimin quickly nodded, avoiding his gaze. “Yeah, yeah. It was nothing.” He took a deep breath, pushing away the thoughts clawing at his mind. “Anyway, it was good. We… uh, we didn’t do anything, actually. I was too tired, and honestly, I don’t know Yoongi-hyung that well yet. I need some time.”

He tried to sound casual, but the lump in his throat made it difficult. He hated lying to Taehyung, but the truth was something he couldn’t afford to reveal. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Taehyung, oblivious to the turmoil behind Jimin’s words, let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh, sorry! I thought you two… you know…” He wiggled his eyebrows playfully before laughing. “Well, it’s fine. You’ll get to know him with time, and then you’ll do that thing with him.” His voice was filled with excitement.

Jimin forced a smile, but his hands trembled as he picked up another plate. He wished Taehyung would stop talking about it.

After a few moments of silence, Taehyung glanced at him again, his smile fading slightly. “But Chim… I don’t know why, but I feel like you’ve been tense ever since you got married. Is there something wrong?”

Jimin stiffened. He knew this question was coming.

“No, Tae. I’m fine,” he lied smoothly, keeping his tone light. “There’s nothing wrong.”

Taehyung frowned. “Are you sure? You just seem… different.”

Jimin inhaled deeply, steadying himself before turning to his best friend with the most convincing smile he could muster. “I’m super sure. Now stop worrying about me, okay?”

Taehyung studied him for a moment before sighing. “Alright… if you say so.” He then grinned, his usual cheerfulness returning. “But you know what? I’m actually really happy we got married into the same house. Now, I don’t have to worry about you being alone because Yoongi-hyung is there to take care of you! He’s a nice guy, Chim. He’ll treat you well.”

Jimin’s grip on the sponge tightened, his chest aching at those words. He didn’t respond immediately, instead scrubbing the plate a little too aggressively.

“Tae, let’s talk about something else,” he muttered, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice.

“Huh? Why?” Taehyung whined. “What could be a better topic than this? Oh, wait—” He gasped dramatically, eyes twinkling with mischief. “I get it now! You miss Yoongi-hyung already, don’t you? That’s why you don’t want to talk about him!” He teased, nudging Jimin’s side playfully.

Jimin rolled his eyes, but relief washed over him at the shift in conversation. “Aish, it’s not like that,” he huffed before smirking. “Anyway, what about you and Jungkook? How was your first night, huh?”

Taehyung’s eyes widened, and within seconds, his face turned a deep shade of red. “U-uh… it was… good,” he mumbled shyly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Jimin’s smirk grew. “Ohh, just good?”

“I mean…” Taehyung coughed awkwardly, looking anywhere but at Jimin. “It was really good. But I’m not giving you details!”

Jimin chuckled, finally feeling a little lighter. “Fine, fine. Keep your secrets.”

They continued their conversation, shifting to lighter topics as they finished their chores. But despite the easy atmosphere, Jimin knew the weight in his chest wouldn’t disappear so easily. And no matter how much he wanted to confide in Taehyung, he couldn't.

Because if the truth ever came out, it wouldn’t just affect him—it would change everything.

♡♤♡

Evening – In Yoongi’s Office

The steady tapping of fingers against a keyboard filled the quiet office. Yoongi sat in his large leather chair, his sharp eyes focused on the laptop screen as he reviewed the company’s latest reports. The dim lighting in the room cast shadows across his face, making his cold expression even more unreadable.

A knock on the door broke the silence.

“Come in,” Yoongi said, his voice deep and emotionless.

The door opened, and two familiar figures entered—Jungkook and Hoseok. They casually took their seats in front of his desk, their expressions relaxed yet holding an underlying excitement. Yoongi leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting between them.

“Oh, Hobi, you and Jungkook are both here.” He folded his hands on the desk. “Did something happen?”

“Yes, hyung, and it’s good news,” Jungkook said eagerly, his tone carrying a hint of excitement.

Yoongi raised a brow. “Oh? Then let’s hear it.”

Jungkook leaned forward slightly. “Our company is gaining a huge profit after merging with the Kims.” A proud smile stretched across his lips.

Yoongi nodded, his expression unreadable. “That’s good news.” His voice remained calm, but a small glint of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.

“That’s great,” Hoseok chimed in before shifting the conversation. “By the way, I came here for something more important—our deal got finalized.”

Yoongi’s eyes immediately lit up. He straightened in his chair, his entire demeanor shifting. “Huh? Our deal got finalized?” A rare smile tugged at the corner of his lips before he quickly stood up. “That’s great news, Hobi!”

Without hesitation, he moved around the desk and pulled Hoseok into a brief but firm hug. Jungkook, watching from his seat, furrowed his brows in confusion.

“Hyung, what deal?” Jungkook asked, his curiosity piqued.

At that moment, Yoongi froze. He had momentarily forgotten that Jungkook was still in the room. Letting go of Hoseok, he cleared his throat, his expression slipping back into its usual unreadable mask.

“Umm… I’ll tell you later, Jungkook,” Yoongi said smoothly.

Jungkook narrowed his eyes slightly but didn’t press further. “Alright, hyung. I’m going home now.”

Yoongi nodded. “Okay.”

Jungkook got up, grabbing his coat before pausing at the door. “But hyung, when will you come home?”

“I have some work left. I’ll be late,” Yoongi replied without looking up.

Jungkook sighed but nodded. “Alright, see you at home.”

Once the door clicked shut, Yoongi and Hoseok were alone. The room felt heavier, as if the air itself had thickened with something unsaid.

Hoseok leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. “So, what do you think?”

Yoongi exhaled, his fingers drumming against the desk. A dark glint flickered in his eyes before he finally answered.

“We will execute our plan soon.”

The clock on the wall ticked steadily, marking the passing time as Yoongi sat in his chair, deep in thought. The atmosphere in the office was thick with an unspoken intensity. Hoseok, sitting comfortably across from him, watched him with a knowing look.

“So,” Hoseok smirked, resting his elbow on the armrest. “Since the deal is finalized, when do you plan to make your move?”

Yoongi exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk. “Soon,” he murmured. “But not recklessly. We need to plan this properly.”

Hoseok chuckled. “That’s just like you. Always careful, never rushing.” He stretched his arms. “But this time, you have to be extra cautious, Yoongi. You know who we’re dealing with.”

Yoongi’s jaw clenched slightly at the reminder. “I know,” he said, his voice cold and firm. “That’s why we can’t afford any mistakes.”

Hoseok hummed in agreement. “So, what’s the next step?”

Yoongi glanced at his laptop screen, scanning the encrypted files and reports in front of him. “We’ll start monitoring their movements first. I want to know their every step before we strike.”

Hoseok nodded. “Smart. And what about Jungkook?”

Yoongi sighed, rubbing his temples. “I don’t want him involved.”

Hoseok raised an eyebrow. “Do you really think you can keep him out of this forever? He’s not a kid anymore, Yoongi. He’ll figure it out eventually.”

“I know,” Yoongi admitted, his voice quieter this time. “But I want to protect him for as long as I can.”

Hoseok let out a small chuckle. “You’re too soft when it comes to him.”

Yoongi didn’t reply. He knew it was true. No matter how ruthless he was in business—or in his other dealings—Jungkook was different. He was family.

After a brief silence, Yoongi straightened up, his expression once again unreadable. “Enough talk. Let’s go over the details again.”

Hoseok nodded, understanding the shift in tone. “Alright, let’s get to work.”

The night was far from over. And so was their plan.

♡♤♡

Elsewhere –--

The dimly lit office reeked of expensive cigars and rage. A man dressed entirely in black rushed inside, his breathing uneven as he stopped in front of the massive desk where his boss sat. He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

“Sir, we… we lost the deal.” His voice wavered slightly.

The room fell into a deadly silence.

The man behind the desk, a powerful figure draped in a sleek black suit, slowly looked up. His cold, piercing eyes locked onto his subordinate, and for a moment, the air felt suffocating.

Then, in a flash, his hand slammed against the desk with a loud bang! The impact made the glasses on the table tremble, and the man standing in front of him flinched in fear.

“What the hell are you saying?!” he roared, his voice echoing off the walls.

The subordinate swallowed hard, his knees nearly buckling under the pressure. “Y-yes, b-boss… w-we lost the deal…” He stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

The boss’s jaw clenched. His fingers curled into a tight fist, the veins in his hands bulging as he struggled to contain his fury. “Then who the hell got the deal?!” He demanded, his voice laced with venom.

The subordinate hesitated for a moment before answering, his voice trembling. “Sir… that Mafia… Suga.”

Silence.

The boss’s entire body went rigid at the name. His breathing grew heavier, and his eyes darkened with sheer hatred.

Then, without warning, he let out a furious growl. “Fucking Suga! I lost everything because of you!” He roared, his voice thunderous with rage.

His hand clenched into a fist, and in one swift motion, he punched the wall beside him, causing a deep crack to form on the surface. The subordinate flinched again, too terrified to even breathe.

The boss turned back, his expression murderous. “I won’t spare you, Suga. You’ll regret what you did. I will ruin your life!” His voice was a dark promise, dripping with vengeance.

As the furious storm of emotions swirled around him, one thing became clear—this wasn’t over.

It was just the beginning.

The office was quiet except for the faint sound of rain hitting the glass windows. Yoongi sat in his chair, sipping whiskey from a crystal glass while Hoseok leaned back on the couch, watching him with an amused expression.

After a moment, Hoseok smirked and spoke up. "So… you're finally married, huh?"

Yoongi glanced at him and hummed in response, setting his glass down on the table.

Hoseok chuckled. "You don’t look excited. Shouldn’t you be celebrating? You were desperate to get Jimin back, and now he’s finally yours."

Yoongi exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "Marriage isn’t something to celebrate, Hobi. It’s just a deal between families. But I'm very happy that I got what's mine, that's all that matters now he can't run away from me anymore."

Hoseok rolled his eyes. "Cut the bullshit, hyung. I know you. If it was just a deal, you wouldn’t have gone insane when Jimin went missing. You wouldn’t have searched for him like a man possessed."

Yoongi tensed slightly at the mention of that time but remained silent.

Hoseok sighed and sat up. "Listen, I know you’re not the type to show emotions, but I’m going to say this anyway—don’t mess this up, Yoongi."

Yoongi furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"

Hoseok looked at him seriously. "Jimin has already suffered a lot. He’s not like us, Yoongi. He’s innocent in all of this. So don’t do anything that will hurt him."

Yoongi clenched his jaw, gripping the glass in his hand. "I know that."

Hoseok leaned forward. "Do you? Because you’re acting like this is just business. But we both know it’s not. You wanted him back, you married him, now make sure you don’t make his life miserable."

Yoongi remained quiet, swirling the whiskey in his glass.

Hoseok sighed, shaking his head. "Yoongi, Jimin is different from everyone else. He’s not someone you can control like your enemies. He has a heart, and if you keep hurting him or making him feel trapped, you’ll lose him again."

Yoongi’s fingers tightened around the glass, his eyes darkening. The thought of losing Jimin again made something twist uncomfortably in his chest.

Hoseok studied him for a moment before smirking. "Anyway, congratulations on your marriage. Just don’t screw this up, okay?"

Yoongi scoffed. "You talk too much, Hobi."

Hoseok laughed. "And you feel too much, yoongi. You just don’t admit it."

With that, Hoseok got up, patting Yoongi’s shoulder before walking out of the office.

Yoongi sat there in silence, Hoseok’s words lingering in his mind.

♡♤♡

The Min mansion was silent, the only sound being the faint ticking of the clock and the distant rustling of leaves outside the window. The warm glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across the room as Yoongi entered, his shoulders heavy with exhaustion from the long day at work.

His sharp eyes immediately landed on the bed, where Jimin lay curled up, hugging a pillow tightly. His chest rose and fell steadily with each breath, his peaceful expression untouched by the chaos of the world around him.

Yoongi’s footsteps softened as he made his way across the room. He didn’t want to disturb him. Instead, he quietly grabbed his nightwear and disappeared into the washroom. The sound of running water filled the silence for a few minutes before he emerged, dressed in comfortable black pajama pants and a loose white shirt.

As he approached the bed, he hesitated, his gaze fixed on Jimin’s face.

Jimin looked breathtaking under the soft light. His plump pink lips were slightly parted, his long lashes casting delicate shadows on his cheeks. Strands of his fluffy brown hair fell across his forehead, framing his angelic face perfectly.

Yoongi slowly sat down beside him, careful not to shake the bed. He didn’t even realize how long he had been staring—just taking in every small detail.

A rare, soft smile tugged at his lips as his fingers gently traced a stray lock of Jimin’s hair, tucking it behind his ear. His touch was featherlight, as if afraid the younger would disappear if he pressed too hard.

"I don’t know why, but whenever I see your beautiful face, my lips always curve into a smile," Yoongi murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. His fingers hovered over Jimin’s cheek before retreating.

He exhaled softly, shaking his head in disbelief. "You truly are the most beautiful creation of God. How can a man be this beautiful?" He chuckled under his breath. "You have no idea how mesmerizing you are, my doll."

He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to Jimin’s forehead, letting his lips linger there for a moment longer than necessary. His warm breath ghosted over Jimin’s skin as he closed his eyes, taking in the younger’s soft scent.

But then—

Jimin stirred in his sleep, shifting slightly, his brows furrowing just a little.

Yoongi froze.

His heart stuttered as he pulled away instantly, holding his breath. He waited, watching closely, but Jimin simply adjusted his position and settled back into deep sleep.

He exhaled deeply, his gaze softening even more. A sudden urge to be closer took over him, and before he could stop himself, he carefully slid an arm around Jimin’s waist and pulled him into his embrace.

Jimin stirred slightly, his body instinctively seeking warmth as he unconsciously nuzzled closer into Yoongi’s chest. The older man held his breath, waiting to see if Jimin would wake up, but the younger only sighed softly, completely melting into his hold.

A rare, genuine smile graced Yoongi’s lips as he tightened his grip, pressing Jimin flush against him. His chin rested gently atop Jimin’s head, his arms wrapped securely around his small frame, protecting him from the world—even in his sleep.

For a moment, Yoongi just lay there, listening to the steady beat of Jimin’s heart against his own. The warmth of his body, the faint scent of vanilla lingering on his skin—it was intoxicating.

"Sleep well, baby," Yoongi murmured against his hair, pressing a lingering kiss to the top of his head.

Yoongi didn’t realize how much he needed this—how much he needed Jimin in his arms, close enough to feel his warmth, to hear his soft breaths. It was a strange feeling, one that made his usually guarded heart ache with something unfamiliar.

His hold on Jimin tightened slightly, his large hands resting securely on the younger’s back. Jimin was so small, so fragile in his embrace, as if he could break at the slightest force. Yoongi exhaled deeply, his lips brushing against Jimin’s soft hair.

"I don’t know why… but I feel at ease like this," Yoongi murmured so quietly that even he wasn’t sure if he had spoken at all.

Jimin shifted a little in his sleep, his face now buried against Yoongi’s chest, seeking warmth. A small sigh left his lips, making Yoongi’s heart stutter.

It was unfair how beautiful Jimin was, even in sleep.

Yoongi gently rubbed slow circles on the younger’s back, his fingers tracing the fabric of his soft pajama top. His mind wandered to everything that had happened—their sudden marriage, the way Jimin had been avoiding eye contact, the forced smiles he gave everyone…

His grip on Jimin instinctively tightened.

"I know you're hurting," he whispered into the night. "I see it in your eyes, even when you try to hide it."

Jimin let out a soft sigh in his sleep, completely unaware of Yoongi's quiet confessions.

Yoongi swallowed hard. He had been selfish, hadn't he? He had wanted Jimin by his side so badly that he hadn’t even considered how the younger felt. He was so used to taking what he wanted, to making things go his way, that he hadn’t realized the damage it might have caused.

His gaze softened as he looked down at the sleeping boy in his arms.

"I don’t know if you’ll ever forgive me, but I swear I won’t hurt you," Yoongi whispered, pressing the faintest kiss to Jimin’s forehead. "Not anymore."

With that silent promise, he closed his eyes, letting the warmth of Jimin’s body lull him into the most peaceful sleep he had in years.

For the first time in a long while, Min Yoongi felt like he was home.