Archive of Our Own ^beta

Yoongi's head snapped to the side with the force of the punch.

"Where's our money shithead?" Daemin tapped his foot impatiently.

He ignored it. Yoongi's eyes skimmed over the other two men watching but he ignored them too. Some losers Daemin had rounded up. He prodded at his teeth with his tongue, not even loose. What a wimp. He spit the blood collecting in his mouth on the floor at the guys feet and glared.

The next blow landed higher, against his cheek bone. It made lights dance in front of his eyes. He blinked them away.

“Don’t want to talk, huh?” Daemin glanced to one of the goons behind him. The man grinned viciously and tossed a knife into the Daemin's waiting hands. He flicked it open. “I can loosen that tongue.”

Yoongi’s stomach dropped in fear but he tried not to show it. He’d assumed they’d rough him up a bit to discourage him from stealing and leave him on the street somewhere, badly bruised but alive. A few million won wasn’t usually worth the risk of murder charges.

He tugged surreptitiously at the duct tape around his wrists. No luck.

Daemin touched the point of the blade to the underside of Yoongi’s chin, forcing him to look up. Yoongi swallowed and flinched slightly when the knife cut deep enough to draw blood. Daemin grinned menacingly.

"Um excuse me! Did someone call for a delivery?" A voice from the door interrupted.

Daemin turned giving Yoongi a view of a pink haired boy in a bright yellow vest. His eyes went comically wide when he noticed Yoongi tied to the chair.

"Uh...I'm sorry… I-" the boy's stammering was cut off.

"What are you doing here?" Daemin snapped. He gestured to one of his flunkies. The man approached the boy who took half a step back.

"Delivery?" He held up his insulated bag of food.

"We didn't order any delivery idiot. Why are you really here? Who sent you?" The man tried to grab his arm but quicker than Yoongi could follow he was on the ground along with the food. The boy had spun and flipped the man. He stood there looking nearly as shocked as everyone else.

"You little…" The other lackey pulled out his own knife and approached the kid. Daemin left Yoongi to help.

“Wait… I-” The boy stuttered and backed away.

Yoongi tugged at his wrists again looking around frantically for a way to free himself. The kid had probably only gotten lucky the first time, he was going to get killed for stumbling into this.

The sound of grunts made Yoongi whip his head up, ignoring the stab of pain it caused. The other guy was on the ground, his knife skittering across the floor towards Yoongi but the first was getting up.

Yoongi kept half an eye on the boy’s spins and kicks and he hopped his chair toward the knife. Maybe he hadn’t gotten lucky the first time. Who was this kid? He tipped the chair towards the knife, hoping he didn’t break any bones as the chair fell. He grabbed the handle of the knife with his mouth and passed it over his shoulder, shifting till he could get it in his hands. The angle he fell meant he could only hear grunts as he freed himself.

He worked the knife against the duct tape till his wrists were free. He hurried to cut the binding on his ankles and stood up, turning to help the delivery boy. What he saw made him blink.

“Oh god, I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he mumbled as he checked Daemin’s pulse.

“Why are you sorry? They were going to kill you and probably me too eventually.” Yoongi’s voice made the boy jump.

“They wouldn’t listen. I tried to explain. I didn’t mean to.” The boy stood up wringing his hands.

Closer up, Yoongi realized they were about the same height and he was probably older than Yoongi assumed, early twenties instead of teens. He was shaking and pale.

“Hey, kid, you’re fine. These guys got what was coming to them. Just get out of here and forget this happened.” He tried to speak softly and reassuringly but it wasn’t something Yoongi was good at.

“Shouldn’t we call the police or an ambulance or something? What if I hurt one of them really badly?” He looked around at the spawled forms, concern written all over his face.

“No doctors. No cops. Just get out of here." He wanted to groan in frustration but it wouldn't help. "You obviously don’t get it. When these guys wake up, if they have anyway to find out who you are, they’ll come after you. Get your stuff and pray they don’t remember you.”

The kids eyes went wide. He blinked. “But, I didn’t…”

Yoongi’s head twinged and his vision spun. They hadn’t beaten him badly but he couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten. Ramen two, or was it three, days ago? He’d been running on adrenaline and willpower and the former at least was finally running out. It made him irritated.

“Are you a complete idiot?" He snapped. "They won’t care. They only thing worse than stealing from these guys is beating them.”

The boy looked up, his mouth open to argue but noticed the trail of blood dripping down Yoongi’s cheek. He reached out his hand. “You should see a doctor too.”

Yoongi swatted it away, stumbling a little. “I’m fine.” He went to push past but his legs were like lead. He stumbled again. The only thing that kept him from face planting were the boys strong arms closing around him. Yoongi could feel his consciousness slipping away no matter how hard he tried to fight it off.

“Shit. Get out. No doctors. No cops ” Yoongi mumbled before his vision went completely blank.

Yoongi opened his eyes. He was laying on his back, on a futon on the floor with a blanket over him. Sunlight filtered into the room from behind a curtain. He blinked and groaned. His head ached and he felt as weak as a day old kitten. He pulled himself up, looking around. He was alone in a tiny one room apartment, sparsely furnished but neatly organized. He looked down at himself and realized he was in a soft cream colored cotton shirt and pants. He had no idea how he’d gotten here.

He thought back. He’d fenced some stolen stuff for that new gang and they’d gotten pissed about his cut. He’d only just had time to hide the money before they beat him down. Things after that started to get fuzzy but for some reason the color pink kept coming to mind.

He rubbed his eyes and stretched. It didn’t matter.

The door to the apartment opened. A boy with pink hair came in and suddenly the rest of the pieces fell into place in his mind.

“You’re awake!” The boy dropped the paper bags he’d been carrying and rushed to Yoongi’s side. “I kept thinking I’d come home and you’d be dead. I didn’t know what I was going to do. Are you okay? Are you hungry? Do you need something to drink? You should probably drink something.”

Yoongi groaned. “I need you to take it down a notch.” He pushed himself to his feet.

“Where are you going?” The boy hovered by his side, hands outstretched ready to catch him.

“Bathroom?”

“Oh. There.” He pointed towards a closed door and hovered by Yoongi’s side as he made his way the few feet.

“Gonna hold it for me too?” Yoongi asked sardonically.

He looked confused then blushed and stepped away.

“How long was I out?” Yoongi asked over his shoulder. He hadn’t bothered to shut the door.

“Just the night. But when I left this morning I was afraid you'd be dead when I got back." He leaned against the wall outside the bathroom, obviously not willing to leave that much space between them, not that the tiny apartment allowed for much else.

"Not yet," Yoongi grunted, tucking himself away. "Where are my clothes? I'm assuming you want these back before I go?" He plucked at the grey fabric

"Wait, you're leaving? You just woke up! You haven't eaten. And besides, you owe me answers. What the hell did I walk into there?" For the first time the boys soft demeanor hardened and he fixed Yoongi with an intent stare.

Yoongi shrugged.

"I'm Park Jimin by the way." He held out his hand.

Yoongi looked at it for a moment debating. He should just leave.

He dropped his hand. "If you don't tell me your name, I'll just make one up for you."

"Min Yoongi."

Jimin smiled. "And I had a good one lined up too."

Yoongi rolled his eyes. "My clothes?"

Jimin pointed to a neatly folded pile next to the bed. "I washed them by hand because they are so worn I was afraid a machine would shred them." He paused and cleared his throat, color rising on his cheeks again. "I didn't change your underwear but I have some in the closet there if you want a clean pair."

Yoongi almost found his bashfulness endearing and might have changed in front of him just to taunt him but he was too unnerved by the idea of Jimin stripping his unconscious body. He grabbed the pile and changed in the bathroom. He was sore, still weak and bone tired so he took a while to change. It gave him a moment to wonder how Jimin got him here. He imagined Jimin piggybacking him down the street, head lolling on his shoulder. It was a weird image. Even weirder was being stripped and dressed and tucked into bed. Yoongi didn't like showing weakness and this kid had now see him at his worst.

Yoongi turned to leave and caught his reflection in the mirror. He had a bandage over the split in his cheek and the blood had been cleaned off his face and neck. He touched the bandage, imagining Jimin placing it carefully, gently, as he slept. He shuddered.

It was all enough that Yoongi had decided to leave immediately but when he came out, he was hit with the smell of food. Jimin had already started cooking, rice in a cooker and some sort of broth on the burner. The smell made his whole body ache with hunger.

He sat on the floor by the table Jimin had set up.

"I bought some meat too but you should probably start with something lighter," Jimin commented.

Yoongi wanted to protest but didn't want to be rude. Jimin was feeding him after all and let him sleep here. "Why are you doing this?"

"Well, I just got back from milk deliveries and I haven't eaten breakfast yet." He didn't look up as he added some vegetables to the broth.

"I meant why are you helping me."

Jimin paused, cocking his head to the side to consider. "You might have died if I left you, I couldn't have that on my conscience."

"That doesn't make sense. What about the food?"

Jimin shrugged. "I know you haven't eaten in over a day and you already look half starved."

Yoongi scowled, he couldn't exactly deny it but he didn't need this kids pity. Still, his willpower only extended so far and the food smelled really good.

"Is it my turn to ask questions? I was going to wait till the food was ready but since you started it. Why did those guys have you tied to a chair? Are you a criminal?"

Yoongi shrugged. "They think I stole from them. And, no, not technically."

Jimin's eyes narrowed. "Not technically? Are you in a gang or something?"

"No."

Jimin scoffed. "Why don't I believe you?"

Yoongi shrugged again. "Believe what you want."

Jimin sighed. "You're very difficult to talk to. Has anyone ever told you that?"

The corner's of Yoongi's mouth quirked but he suppressed the smile. Being tight lipped was what he was known for. "No," he said straight faced.

Jimin laughed, folding in half and putting his hair dangerously close to the burner. "Well, you're funny at least." Jimin eyes sparkled when he glanced at Yoongi. "Fine, I give up."

They sat in silence for a moment. It wasn't exactly comfortable but not as painfully awkward as it might have been if Jimin weren't so friendly.

"How did you beat those guys?" Yoongi asked. He'd been going over the events in his mind trying to make them clearer.

"Ah." The last traces of mirth vanished from Jimin's face. "Years of Taekwondo training. I've never actually used it for self defense though. It was just muscle memory. I hope I didn't hurt them."

“They deserved it.” Yoongi remembered the prick of the knife at his throat. “They might have killed me or you if given the chance. They’re new, and trying to prove themselves, and dumb enough to be dangerous.”

Jimin frowned. "Do you think they'll come after us?"

Yoongi shrugged. "Maybe. But they don't know who you are, so stay out of the neighborhood and they'll leave you alone."

"What about you?"

He shrugged again. It was easier than trying to answer. They'd find him or they wouldn't. Not much Yoongi could about it.

Jimin seemed to sense Yoongi was done with this topic and changed the subject.

"Aren't you curious what my nickname for you would have been?"

Yoongi raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"I told you I had a good one picked out," Jimin scolded playfully. "It's what I was using while you were asleep."

"You were calling me something?"

Jimin nodded, a smirk curling one half of his mouth. "Would you like to know what it was?"

Yoongi sighed. "Sure, what was it?"

"Suga." Jimin giggled. It was high pitched and made his cheeks stick out and Yoongi couldn't help thinking it was adorable. "Because your hair is white and you were so light. Also you kept grumbling nonsense at me while I patched you up so it matches your personality too."

Yoongi could tell from the widened smirk Jimin was teasing him and smiled back with an eye roll.

Jimin finished cooking and scooped out bowls of soup and rice for each of them. Yoongi dug in, swallowing spoonfuls at an alarming rate. He knew it was rude and probably not healthy but he couldn't help it.

Jimin noticed but didn't comment, just quietly refilled the rice bowl when it was empty.

When Yoongi finally set his spoon down he leaned back with a sigh. His eyes felt weighted with lead again but he felt less hollow and angry. He started to nod off sitting there and sat up quickly. Jimin turned away to hide his smile.

"I should go. Thanks for the food and letting me sleep here." Yoongi started to stand.

"You don't have to. I'm about to leave for my other job. My boss is still pretty unhappy I left the bag in that building.” Jimin ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. “So you can sleep some more if you want." He gestured at the futon that hadn't been put away yet.

Yoongi wanted to leave. He should leave. What was he even still doing here? But… he was tired. And he really had nowhere else to go. And the bed looked so much more comfortable than whatever bench or scrap of dirt he might find.

He was already crawling over to the bed, half asleep.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" Yoongi grumbled.

"Because you needed help."

Yoongi caught a glimpse of Jimin's sad smile before he closed his eyes wondering if Jimin was some kind of angel.

Yoongi woke up briefly when Jimin returned. It was dark but Jimin didn't turn on the light. Yoongi feigned sleep until Jimin settled down. After a moment he realized Jimin was planning to sleep on the floor. Yoongi was in his bed after all.

"Hey, have your bed back. I'll leave." Yoongi sat up and rubbed his eyes.

Jimin startled. "You're awake!"

"Kinda." He started to stand up.

"No no! It's okay. You're injured. Rest," Jimin insisted, shaking his head.

"You have nowhere to sleep. I should leave."

"I'm fine here. Look, I had some extra blankets.” Jimin pointed to his single, thin blanket. “Stay."

Yoongi shook his head. "At least take the futon. I'll sleep there."

"No! I couldn't let you do that. You're a guest."

"I'm not a guest if I just leave." Yoongi tried to stand up again.

Jimin grabbed his arm. "No no. Please stay. I'll give you a ride somewhere in the morning but it's the middle of the night."

Yoongi relaxed and cocked his head to the side. "Why do you want me to stay so badly?"

"I dunno. I just do." In the dark with only the street lights shining through the window to illuminate his features, it felt like Jimin was confessing something personal. Maybe he was lonely and wanted the company. Or maybe Yoongi was projecting.

He sighed at himself. "Fine. But we can at least share the bed. It's big enough." He shifted over and rolled onto his side facing away from Jimin. There was a pause before he felt Jimin crawl into bed.

They didn’t touch but Yoongi could sense his presence there. Yoongi lay awake for a while trying not to move and trying to relax. He wasn’t used to being this close to someone, not like this anyway. It felt more personal, intimate. Eventually though he fell back asleep.

The next morning Yoongi woke up to Jimin’s alarm, quiet bells playing on his phone that were quickly silenced. Jimin inched his way out of bed carefully. As he pulled away Yoongi’s back got cold and he realized they’d been touching. He rolled over.

“You don’t have to get up,” Jimin said quickly, starting to dress. “I have to do my milk delivery.”

Yoongi sat up. He felt more rested than he could remember feeling in a while. He stretched. “I like sleeping but I’ve been in bed for a day and a half. I’m ready to go.”

“Oh, I can drop you off somewhere if you need a ride.”

"Where's your delivery route?"

Yoongi was surprised at Jimin’s answer. It was not too far from where he normally slept and kept a stash of his stuff. Jimin could drop him off at a convenience store he frequented without raising too much suspicion. If the kid found out he was homeless he'd probably never be allowed to leave.

Yoongi nodded. "Okay."

He'd fallen asleep in his own clothes this time so he didn't have to dress. He did go to the bathroom and rinse his mouth out a little. When he came out Jimin was putting his shoes on by the door. Yoongi found his there and did the same.

"I won't make you late, will I?"

Jimin checked his watch. "I'll be fine. Where, um where do you need to go?"

From the slight hesitation Yoongi guessed Jimin was hoping it wasn't anywhere near the place they met.

Yoongi gave him the address and he looked a little relieved. It was on the edge of the same neighborhood but on the opposite side.

"So not far from my new route." He smiled.

Jimin led the way outside and to his scooter. It looked like it had seen better days. It had mill crate bungee corded to the front. One mirror was duct taped on and the padding on the seat was worn to nearly nothing, not to mention it looked barely big enough for one of them.

"Here." Jimin handed Yoongi a helmet. "Safety first." He grinned as he buckled his own in place so that it squished his cheeks cutely.

He sat on the front edge of the seat so that his knees were wide around the steering column. There was just enough room for Yoongi to throw his leg over and squeeze in behind. He held himself back, clinging to the sides of the bike with hands and thighs as best he could.

Jimin started the bike. When he noticed Yoongi's perch, he reached back to pull both his arms around his waist. "Safety first!" he yelled over the engine. Yoongi suspect he was grinning, trying not to laugh at him.

He was a good driver at least. He took corners carefully so Yoongi didn't feel like he was going to go flying off. As they drove, Yoongi wondered again about the other night. Yoongi must have ridden on the scooter unconscious and leaning even more against Jimin than he already was.

He felt nice though. Yoongi could feel solid muscle under his hands, even through his thin t-shirt. He shouldn't be surprised, the kid took down three armed assailants, but he seemed so innocent otherwise. Yoongi was the tough one and he knew he was built like a stiff wind would blow him over.

"Here's good," Yoongi called, pointing at the convenience store ahead.

Jimin pulled up in front of it and shut the engine off. Yoongi clambered off quickly and gave the helmet back.

"I could have taken you all the way home." Jimin frowned.

"I'm gonna grab some food anyway." Yoongi smiled awkwardly. He could just say thanks and walk away now but for some reason the awkward silence was still more preferable than the idea of never seeing Jimin again.

"Hey, um, can I get your number?” Jimin put away the helmet Yoongi used in the milk crate, avoiding eye contact. “Maybe it's weird but I'd like to call you sometime to make sure you're okay and those guys didn't come after you again."

"You gonna ride in on your noble steed and rescue me if they do?" Yoongi nudged the bike with his toe and laughed. "I'll be fine. Also I, uh, don't have a cell phone but… if you insist on checking up on me, I'm usually here around this time in the mornings. If it's on your way or whatever." Yoongi looked away rubbing the back of his neck. It was only half true. He didn't usually bother getting here this early, but if it meant he could see Jimin again, he would.

Jimin smiled wide. "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then."

Yoongi smiled back.

"Take care!" Jimin started the bike and drove off.

Yoongi watched him go for a moment then turned around to head toward his stash. Out of the convenience store stepped two tall youngish men, dressed too nicely for this part of town. Yoongi quickly turned away and walked in the other direction.

"Excuse me!" one of them called.

Yoongi ignored them and kept walking.

"Hey, he said excuse me!" a different voice yelled louder.

Yoongi sped up and then kicked into a full run when he heard the men behind him do the same.

One of them groaned but they kept up the chance for a few blocks. Yoongi knew the area well and expected to be able to evade them easily. He took a turn, expecting to make a straight shot down an alley but a fence blocked his way..

“Fuck.” It hadn’t been there the last time he’d come through. He stopped in front of it and turned around, panting from the exertion.

The two men rounded the corner. Seeing that he was stopped, one of them bent over double to catch his breath.

“Why did you run?” The one with shaggy dark hair whined at him.

Yoongi was surprised a grown adult could pout like that and didn’t bother to respond.

The other one straightened. “Are you Min Yoongi? I’m detective Kim Namjoon, this is detective Kim Taehyung. We just wanted to ask you some questions.”

Yoongi tossed his hair off his sweaty forehead. “I’ll pass.” He paced along the fence.

“Why? We cornered you and you should answer our questions,” Taehyung whined again.

Yoongi paused to stare at him.

Namjoon put a hand on Taehyung’s shoulder. “We are investigating some criminal activity in the area. We heard you’re the man to talk to.”

“Whoever told you that is lying.”

“Look we are just trying to help. There’s been a forty-three percent spike in crime in the last two months and we don’t want things to escalate further.” He paused, as if expecting Yoongi to care about the numbers he rattled off.

“He’s just a street punk, Namjoon. He’s probably half the cause. He doesn't care if people are stabbed on their front steps." Taehyung gave Yoongi a disgusted look.

Yoongi scowled back.

Namjoon sighed. "If you think something you'd like to share, give us a call." He held out a card.

Yoongi took it. It was simple white with black lettering, the detective's name and phone number on it.

The officers walked off while Yoongi examined the card. He should chuck it, but he pocketed it instead.

Once the detectives were out of sight Yoongi waited a few more minutes and then left the alley. He made his way a few blocks to one of his stashes. A loose brick between the ground and the wall of a building created a hole just big enough to fit a small bag with some money in it. Yoongi looked around to be sure no one was watching as he pulled it out. He counted out about half and put the rest back. Before he replaced the brick he paused.

He fished the card out of his pocket and looked it over again. He knew the violence was getting worse. Those guys Jimin had beaten were bad news. Yoongi had been on the streets in this area long enough to know that, this might be a sleazy part of the city but you'd only get the trouble you brought. Yoongi had been roughed up before for stealing from the wrong people but he knew the consequences of getting caught. Killing an innocent bystander was a different matter altogether. These guys were bad news.

His gut churned when he remembered Jimin's milk delivery took him through part of this area. He put the card into the bag with the money. It couldn't hurt.

***

The next day, Yoongi was sure to be outside the convenience store early. His stomach did a little jump when he caught sight of Jimin on his bike and he rolled his eyes at himself.

Jimin stopped his bike in front of where Yoongi was leaning against the wall and cut the engine. He pulled the helmet off and headphones out of his ears.

"Hey! You're here! I have something for you." Jimin bounded up next to Yoongi and held out a container of milk.

Yoongi took it, frowning a little at the childish carton and Jimin's obvious eagerness. When he looked back at Jimin, he'd stepped closer, peering at Yoongi's face.

"That doesn't look very good. Are you sure you won't see a doctor?"

Yoongi turned away. "I'm fine."

"You said that last time and then passed out."

Yoongi turned to scowl at the sharp tone in Jimin's voice. He didn't like being reminded of his moment of weakness. Jimin scowled right back, then suddenly held out his arms.

Yoongi frowned, puzzled.

"Well last time it was about five seconds before I had to catch you. So don't worry. If you don't go to the doctors you can always pass out in my arms again." Jimin's grin had a mischievous glint that made Yoongi's stomach jump again. This time a little lower.

"Yeah yeah, good to know."

Yoongi stared at his shoes not really sure what to say but he didn't want Jimin to leave yet.

"Um."

"Uh."

They both started at the same time.

Jimin laughed nervously and Yoongi repressed a sigh. He hated this crap, why was he bothering?

"You go," Jimin said brightly.

"I was just gonna ask what you were listening to. You had headphones in when you got off the bike," Yoongi mumbled.

"Oh! It was this American singer I like." Jimin showed his phone with the music app paused in the middle of a song. "Ever heard of him?"

Yoongi shook his head. "No. So is that what you normally listen to?"

"I listen to everything. I was a dancer when I was a kid and I always liked the idea of dancing to songs that were less traditional. So I started listening to everything and never stopped."

Yoongi smothered a laugh at the mental images of kid Jimin in a tutu doing ballet spins to trot songs.

Jimin squinted at him. "You got a problem with my music taste?" he taunted playfully. "What do you listen to?"

"Rap. Hip hop." Yoongi shrugged as though it were obvious.

Jimin nodded smuggly. "Ooooh. That explains a lot."

Yoongi frowned. "What does that mean?"

"You think you’re cool." Jimin smirked.

Yoongi scoffed.

"I see this tough guy thing is an act. Deep down you know you want to sing along to girl groups into a hair brush." Jimin tapped on his phone a few times and a sugary sweet voice started singing.

Yoongi knew the song. He would have had to have been living under a rock not to. It was bouncy and had a good hook. He appreciated the catchiness of the beat even if it wasn't to his taste.

Jimin didn't have a hairbrush so he used his phone, singing along to the opening lines in a falsetto. He turned it on Yoongi when the chorus started.

Jimin’s eyes went wide when Yoongi grabbed the phone and started singing along in an even squeakier falsetto. Jimin doubled over with a soft high laugh and Yoongi didn’t feel embarrassed at all even as a woman walking past gave them a dirty look. He kept singing along just to see Jimin smile like that.

Jimin recovered enough to start doing the dance along with the last part of the chorus, popping his shoulders and shaking his hip to the beat. It was obvious even in those few moves he had the grace of a dancer. He got lost during the verse though and gave up.

“Ah, maybe I was wrong,” Jimin said laughter still in his voice. “That was pretty uncool.”

“Hey, you were doing it too!” Yoongi defended.

“I never pretended to be cool.”

“And taking out three armed men isn’t?” Yoongi challenged. He meant it as a joke but Jimin’s smile vanished.

He looked away. “That was different.”

“Are you still feeling guilty? You really shouldn’t. I-” Yoongi contemplated telling Jimin about the stabbing but he didn’t want to scare him. “I wouldn’t.”

“Yeah.” Jimin toed at the ground. “I have to go but hey!” He smiled, trying to bring back some of the cheerfulness from earlier. “Name your favorite rapper or hip hop artist and I’ll listen to them while I do my deliveries.”

“Just one?”

Jimin sighed dramatically. “You are so much work. Fine, two.” He held up two fingers.

Jimin got on his bike as Yoongi thought for a moment. He listed of one well known American rapper he liked and one undergroup Korean artist. Jimin nodded.

“I’ll tell you what I think next time.”

Yoongi’s stomach did a little flip at the idea of next time.

“Bye!” Jimin waved as he drove off.

Yoongi watched him leave till he was just staring at an empty road. He knew he should probably chase down some of his contacts and see if anyone had any work for him. He still hadn’t checked if anyone had heard from the gang that had tied him up. It was the wrong time of day to start asking around though so instead he decided to make his way to the public library.

It was opening just as he got there. The cheerful librarian, Sehyoon, unlocked the door for him, smiling brightly as he let him inside. “Good Morning! Haven’t seen you in a few days.”

Yoongi nodded mutely. Sehyoon knew what he did, occasionally he’d try to encourage Yoongi to follow a better path, even offering to help him find a job. But if it weren’t for Yoongi’s connections Sehyoon’s boyfriend might have gotten into more trouble than he had bargained for one night. Byeongkwan was a dancer at a club. One night he’d been walking home and a group of guys had harassed him. Yoongi stepped in and got him to safety, mostly because he hadn’t wanted someone calling the cops. Sehyoon was so grateful he let Yoongi sleep in the library sometimes. There was a couch in the back corner and that’s where Yoongi headed, ignoring Sehyoon’s question.

He flopped on it and pulled out his phone. It didn’t have a service plan so he couldn’t make calls. But, on wifi he could listen to music. He pulled up some songs by the singer Jimin had been listening too and gave him a try. A few songs in, Yoongi decided he liked the guys voice, it complemented the acoustic guitar in most of his songs well. He didn’t understand all the lyrics but over all the songs seemed sad but hopeful, kind of like Jimin himself. Yoongi feel asleep to the singers sweet tenor in his ears and Jimin’s wide smile in his mind.

Yoongi woke later in the day and stretched. He checked his phone and it was late afternoon. He wound his way back through the shelves toward the front of the library.

“I hear it’s getting pretty rough out there,” Sehyoon said from behind the desk.

“Yeah I guess,” Yoongi acknowledged.

“Any idea who’s behind it?”

Yoongi knew exactly who it was but just shrugged.

Sehyoon sighed. “Try to stay safe.”

“Thanks,” Yoongi mumbled and left.

He started down the street when a voice called behind him. “Avid reader are you?” It was the detectives again. Namjoon was smiling at him in an overly friendly way that suggested he had spoken. Taehyung was just glaring. Whether intentional or not, they were certainly pulling off the good cop, bad cop vibe.

Yoongi cocked his head in irritation. “Are you following me?”

“Not at all. Just stopping by to return a book.” Namjoon held up a thick volume in one hand.

“During business hours? Good to know you are working so hard for our citizens.” Yoongi rolled his eyes. He waited for them to enter the library but they didn’t.

“What was the purpose of your visit today?” Namjoon asked politely, ignoring Yoongi’s comment.

“I don’t have to answer questions,” Yoongi snapped.

Taehyung lost his patience and stepped forward to speak but Namjoon held him back. “This is getting us nowhere. Let’s just arrest him for something and see if he talks when we are ready to press charges.”

“I haven’t done anything you can arrest me for.” Yoongi said it calmly but his stomach clenched. He had done plenty to get him arrested but hopefully they didn’t know that. And hopefully they weren’t the type of cops to arrest him for false charges.

Namjoon shook his head. “I have a good feeling about him. We’ll give it some more time. Come on.” He beckoned Taehyung to follow him into the library. “Have a good day!” he called over his shoulder to Yoongi.

Yoongi waited for them to enter then continued down the road, checking over his shoulder now and then to make sure he wasn’t being followed.

He made his way to a bar where he was friendly with the owner. Epiphany, it was a fancy name for a dive bar in the shittiest part of town but the owner had big dreams for it. Only open a year and Kim Seokjin was already building up his connections and reputation, helped along no doubt by his family’s business. It also didn’t hurt the bars popularity that he seemed to only hire the most attractive and charming bartenders he could find, the most attractive and charming of which was behind the bar when he came in.

It was too early and a weekday so business was pretty dead. Jungkook was sitting on a stool behind the bar doodling in a sketchbook. There were a few patrons at the other end of the bar watching a replay of a soccer game on the TV. Yoongi scanned the place. He didn’t recognize the men and didn’t see anyone else.

“Hel-” Jungkook started the greeting in a bored tone but stopped when he saw Yoongi. “You’re alive!” He vaulted the bar and flung his arms around Yoongi.

Yoongi froze. He wasn’t usually big on hugs to begin with and he didn’t know Jungkook that well.

“We were all so worried.” Jungkook hugged him tighter, squeezing the breath from his lungs. Yoongi patted him on the back a couple times.

Jungkook finally let him go and held him at arm's length. “Daemin and his guys were bragging they caught you and were gonna make you pay. And then you don’t show up for a few days and we know their reputation…” He trailed off, making it obvious what they thought.

“Yeah, well I got lucky.” He brushed off Jungkook’s hands. “Is-”

“Min Yoongi! Are you bringing trouble to my bar?” Seokjin appeared from a door that lead to the backrooms.

“Hey, I’m a perfect angel,” Yoongi shot back.

Seokjin came over and smiled. “An angel with bruises on his face. Glad you’re still around.”

Yoongi shrugged. “About that… have you seen Daemin around? We didn’t exactly part on the best terms.”

Seokjin shook his head. “I haven’t seen him or his guys since one of them was here celebrating. You aren’t going to go looking for him are you?"

Yoongi scowled. "You really think I'm that dumb?"

Seokjin held up his hands and Jungkook turned to hide his laugh.

"I just wanted to know if he was looking for revenge."

It was Seokjin's turn to scowl. "Knowing him, he is. So if we are all lucky he's dead in a ditch somewhere."

"Yeah," Yoongi agreed unenthusiastically. He thought of Jimin checking for pulses and his guilty expression. It might be better for everyone but for Jimin's sake he hoped they weren't. "Well, thanks. I gotta jet, but I might be looking for work soon so if you hear of something let me know."

Seokjin nodded. “Stop by around this time tomorrow? I might have something."

Yoongi headed for the door. "Sure."

"And stay out of trouble!" Seokjin called after him.

Yoongi didn't bother with a response.

Outside, Yoongi sighed. There was nothing else for it. He needed to know if he had to watch out for Daemin and his guys and if they might be looking for Jimin. If they were lying dead in the abandoned building it would answer the question. He'd have to check it out, carefully.

As he got closer to where he'd been held that night, he pulled on a beanie to cover his conspicuous blonde hair. The area was deserted as far as he could tell but better safe than sorry. He opened a back door and listened for any sounds from inside. Nothing. He crept inside. The lights were all out but there was enough daylight left filtering through the windows that he could just barely make out shapes. He found the chair he'd been tired to, duct tape still in pieces on the ground next to the knife. He bent down and picked up the knife. It had been stupid of him to leave it here in the first place.

He got to the spot where he'd passed out and there were no bodies. If the area wasn't marked off as a crime scene it must mean they had lived and wandered off somewhere. Good for Jimin's conscience, bad for Yoongi's long term health.

Daemin was probably holed up somewhere plotting and Yoongi had to figure out what to do about it.

***

The next morning Jimin showed up earlier, a carton of milk in hand.

"That's starting to look infected? Are you sure you shouldn't see a doctor?" Jimin gestured at the scabbed over marks on Yoongi's face, cheeky grin in place again.

"I'm fine."

"Oh your face is just like that." His grin widened

Yoongi scowled.

"I'm teasing. I wish I was half as good looking as you." Jimin turned away and sat at the table.

Yoongi was confused for a moment. Jimin was gorgeous, who was he kidding?

"I listened to those rappers you suggested," Jimin said, interrupting his thoughts.

"Yeah?" Yoongi sat down.

"I didn't understand the American one but the other guy was really good! I had to find his website to download his music since it wasn't on any of the apps. He got some really cool rhythms!"

Yoongi chuckled and Jimin's enthusiasm. "Hoseok's a friend of mine. I could take you one of his shows sometime if you want."

Jimin's eyes lit up. "That would be awesome!"

Yoongi smiled, pleased that he was able to make Jimin so happy. "I listened to the singer you were listening to yesterday. He's not bad either."

"You did?" Jimin's eyes went wide with surprise but he narrowed them in a way that Yoongi had come to realize already meant he was about to get teased. "Mister too cool for school rapper listened to a ballad pop singer? Was it torture?"

Yoongi rolled his eyes. "I prefer rap and hip hop but I like all music too. He was pretty good, has a good voice. The songs were a little flat for my liking. It'd want to spice them up with some heavier beats."

"Oh you might like this other singer I know. She's got some cool rhythms and background stuff!"

Jimin rattled off a few more names and went into detail about their style. He talked about how one artist’s mixing of styles really made him want to choreograph something for it but he had no reason to do it.

Eventually, Jimin had to leave for his deliver run. He paused before putting his helmet on and kicked at the ground.

"Hey, um, maybe I'm reading things wrong. So don't try to hit me if I am, but… would you want to go on a date sometime?" Jimin has his face averted but Yoongi could see red creeping across his cheeks and even to his ears.

Yoongi wanted to gag with the cuteness of it, but he also wanted to wrap Jimin in his arms and ease his nervousness. The latter feeling was unfamiliar and it made Yoongi uneasy.

"Hmmm," Yoongi made a show of considering. "You'd have to do better than milk in front of a convenience store."

Jimin's head snapped up. He grinned. "Like saving your life?"

"You're going to hold that over my head. That was ages ago. You think that means you deserve a date?" Yoongi teased.

Jimin rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah, less than a week. Really so long." He paused. "You aren't saying yes just because of that, are you? Wait, are you even saying yes?"

"No. And yes."

Jimin frowned in though piecing together the answers. "Oh!" He smiled. "Good. So, when are you free?"

Yoongi shrugged. "Whenever."

Jimin looked nervous again. "What about tonight? I have the night off and I don't know when my next one will be."

Yoongi shrugged again though he was suddenly more nervous. "Sure."

"Great! So, I'll pick you up, here? Around 7?"

Yoongi nodded.

Jimin went to put his helmet on backwards, fumbled with it and nearly dropped it before getting it turned around.

"Well, um, see you later." Jimin waved and drove off.

Yoongi was suddenly very conscious of the fact he didn't remember the last time he'd done more than wash his hands and face in the sink. And he wondered how clean his cleanest clothes were.

Yoongi spent most of the day berating himself for being so nervous. He’d been on dates before, sort of. He’d picked up people in a bar more than a few times at least. This was the same just with more talking.

He managed to grab a few hours of sleep while he washed his laundry and tried to nap again in the bath house but his mind kept spinning. He was worried about the date, what would they talk about? And after, would they go back to Jimin’s apartment? He remembered the feel of Jimin’s stomach under his hands and hoped so. He also hadn’t told Jimin about Daemin and his men. They were out there somewhere.

Eventually he gave up and went to meet Seokjin. He wasn’t sure how long he’d be there so he dressed for the date before he went, putting on his best fitting dark jeans, a clean black shirt and a lightweight tan jacket.

Jungkook commented as soon as he walked in. “You all dressed up to see me?” He leaned across the counter and winked.

Yoongi ignored him, intending to ask for Seokjin but a scoff from down the bar made Yoongi turn. Someone pushed away from the bar and headed for the door. Yoongi recognized Taehyung immediately.

“You know he’s a cop right?” Yoongi commented once he had left in a huff.

“Aw, what? Is that why he was being so nice?” Jungkook pouted. “Why are all the good ones cops?”

“What am I, chopped liver?” Seokjin asked from a table in the corner.

“You’re my boss.” Jungkook scooped up the money Taehyung has left. “Tips well though.”

“Why are you all dressed up?” Seokjin asked. “You even smell clean.”

Yoong rolled his eyes. “You said you might have a job for me?”

Jungkook’s eyes popped and he pointed. “He’s avoiding the question. Why’s he avoiding the question? Got a hot date?”

“None of your business.”

“He does! Is it a real date? Are you bringing them here?” Jungkook clapped excitedly.

“Why would I-” Yoongi coughed at Seokjin’s scowl. “Can we not talk about this please?”

Jungkook grinned. “Aww it’s cute you think you have a choice.”

They backed him into a corner and sat him at one of the tables.

“Spill.”

Yoongi looked to Seokjin for help but he was grinning like a school boy.

Yoongi groaned. “Yes. It’s a date.”

“Who’s the lucky person?” Jungkook weedled

“A guy I met a few days ago.”

“Oh, so you stayed with him while you were hiding from Daemin! Why bother with dating then?”

Seokjin smacked Jungkook lightly on the back of the head for the comment. “Some people date even after they have sex.”

“We haven’t had sex yet,” Yoongi mumbled.

“What? You spent a bunch of nights at his house and didn’t sleep with him?”

“Yes. Okay? Can we talk about the job now?” Yoongi didn’t think it was worth correcting for the technicality. They had slept together, just in the literal sense, not the figurative.

Seokjin and Jungkook exchanged smirks.

"Fine." Jungkook sighed and went back to the bar while Seokjin settled in across from Yoongi.

"We mean well you know. It's what friends do." Seokjin smiled, sweet and disarming, and Yoongi couldn't stay grumpy. Friends, he'd said. Were they?

"So this job… is actually for me. I want to have more music and events at the bar. Bring in a younger crowd. And I want you to help me plan."

Yoongi thought it was a great idea. He was already thinking about how he could set up the bar for a rap battle, and songs he could play for a club night. He paused his excitement for a moment.

"Why do you want my help? I'm not that good with people. I've never done this before. You could hire someone who knows what they are doing. Is this just because you think I need a real job?"

Seokjin scowled and Yoongi remembered who his dad was and how he'd come to own this bar.

"I don't make business decisions out of pity. You know the underground music scene around here and I want these events to be legit. I want music companies to come here to scout and know that these events are where the real talent is. It's not some money grab just for business, it's also about the music and talent of the people here."

Yoongi swallowed and said nothing. He was expecting a lot.

"I know this might be a big decision, so take some time, enjoy your date and get back to me later." Seokjin stood up and Yoongi did too.

It was a lot to think about. It would mean he had a steady income, could maybe even get an apartment and live like a normal human being. It was almost scary. He'd gotten so used to the way he lived.

Yoongi went to leave, but Jungkook called to him. "Hey, I have something for you." He jogged over and held out a black leather jacket. "Here, wear this tonight."

Yoongi frowned. He didn't need handouts.

"Come on. You can borrow it. Try it on, it’ll look good."

Yoongi sighed and snatched it out of Jungkook’s hands. He took off the tan jacket he had been wearing and pulled on the leather one, it was a little loose since Jungkook was bigger in the shoulders than he was. With the black shirt and dark jeans, the leather jacket gave him more of a rocker look. He checked his appearance in the mirror behind the bar. It did look good.

Jungkook wolf whistled. “Hot! I’d fuck you.”

“Too bad for you I’m not interested,” Yoongi snarked.

“Go on and make someone happy then. I’ll just go cry into my drink.” Jungkook made a shooing gesture.

“Yeah, yeah. But hey, um, thanks.”

Jungkook nodded. “Now go!”

Yoongi left.

He got more and more nervous as he got closer to the convenience store where he was meeting Jimin. He tried to ignore it, think of something else, but he couldn’t help pacing a bit.

Every few turns he checked his phone, time seemed to be playing tricks on him, 7 o’clock came too fast. But every minute after seemed to take forever. By 7:10 he felt like he’d been waiting a lifetime, his nerves shot. He wondered if he should just ditch. Clearly Jimin was busy and Yoongi was getting so anxious he was starting to feel sick to his stomach. He sat down with his back against the wall and put the few songs he had downloaded on his phone on repeat.

The first time through he checked his phone and it was nearly 8.

Two more times, it was after nine.

One more, it was nearly 10 and his battery was almost dead.

He had to admit to himself he’d been stood up. He was mad at Jimin for being so nice, and cute and asking him out. Even madder for being ditched. A small voice in his head suggested something might have come up for Jimn but he ignored it. He was mad most of all at himself for caring.

He got back on his feet and started to walk away.

“Hey, are you Min Yoongi?”

Yoongi turned. The store clerk had stuck her head out the door.

“Who’s asking?”

The clerk rolled her eyes. “Someone called the stored and asked if there was a blonde guy hanging around called Min Yoongi. You gonna take the call or not?”

Yoongi’s heart clenched. It must be Jimin trying to get a hold of him. He wanted to say no but something made him walk back and into the store.

“Hello?” He said into the stores phone.

“Hey friend, recognize me?”

Yoongi’s blood ran cold. The voice took him completely off guard. He’d been expecting Jimin’s sweet voice with some sort of excuse. Instead…

“Daemin.”

He chuckled. “The one and only. Now, you owe me some money Yoongi. Some that you stole, and then I think we can add a few zeros to the end and maybe I’ll give you... most of your little boy toy here back.”

“What?” Yoongi breathed, not wanting to process what he meant.

"The little pink haired freak. What’s your name again princess? Park something? Park Jimin! Say hello for me.”

There was some scuffling on the other side of the phone then Jimin’s panicked voice. “Don’t listen to him, Yoongi. Don’t come! I’ll be fine! They have-”

Yoongi heard some muffled thunks and groans.

“What’d you do to him? He has nothing to do with this!” Yoongi hissed.

“Nothing to do with this?” Daemin shot back, his voice darkening. “One of my boys can barely walk and the other has three broken fingers. Now I’ve been keeping them from getting too rough but they are pretty mad. If you don’t get that money soon, I can’t be responsible for what happens to him.”

“If you hurt him, you’ll regret it Daemin. I promise you.”

Daemin laughed. “I doubt that. But you might have some regrets if you don’t get here with my money before I get impatient. Got it?”

He didn’t wait for an answer and the line went dead.

Yoongi could feel his blood pounding in his ears and a red haze clouded his vision. He’d never been this furious. He took a few deep breaths trying to calm down.

“Everything okay?” the store clerk asked.

Yoongi nodded and ran his hand through his hair, storming out the door.

His mind raced with possibilities. What could he do to appease Daemin without getting Jimin hurt? In his current state of fury, violence seemed like a good option but reasonably he knew it was a long shot. He could ask Seokjin for a loan to pay Daemin, but it sounded like even with the money Daemin wanted revenge. That left one clear option. He could convince Daemin to let Jimin go and take his anger out on Yoongi instead.

Yoongi found his way to the abandoned building Daemin had held him in. As he stood outside he could see lights on inside. He checked his jeans pocket for the knife he’d grabbed, the warm metal was little reassurance. He took a deep breath and headed in.

“Yoongi! My friend! Glad you could make it!” Daemin greeted as soon as Yoongi walked in. He was standing behind Jimin who was tied to the same chair Yoongi had been. Jimin face was bloodied, a split on his forehead dripping blood down his face. He looked up and tried to speak through the duct tape over his mouth.

“Let him go, Daemin. It’s me you want.”

“I want my money.” Deaun stepped around Jimin to approach Yoongi and one of his guys limped over to take his place.

“Not taking any chances with this one,” he mumbled and pulled a gun out of the back of his pants.

Yoongi’s blood went cold. “Look, I have the money, and I’ll tell you were it is once you let Jimin go.”

“How about we break a few of his fingers and then see if you tell us?” the third guy snapped.

“Seokwon isn’t very happy with his cast,” Daemin commented casually. He stopped a few feet in front of Yoongi, flicking a knife open and tapping it against his palm. “Getting a nice fat stack of cash might put him in a better mood.”

“I told you, I don’t have it with me.”

“You think we’re fucking playing here? You think this is a toy?” The guy with the gun held it in the air and pulled the trigger. “I will blow his brains cross the room!”

Yoongi paled.

Daemin grinned. “He’s pretty cranky too. You might want to tell us where the money is quick.”

“I-I don’t… I can tell you where some of it is.” Yoongi hated that he stuttered but the sound of the gun had rattled him.

“So start talking!” The guy with the gun yelled. He aimed the gun down at Jimin’s leg and shot. Jimin screamed.

Time seemed to slow and things happened all at once. Yoogni ran toward Jimin without thinking. Daemin tried to block his way but Yoongi pushed passed, spinning out of his grip. Something stung on his side but he didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was getting to Jimin.

“Police! Drop your weapons.”

Behind Jimin, one of the detectives appeared. Taehyung, the one who was always pouting. He looked deadly serious now, aiming at Daemin’s man. The man raised his gun, his face in a grimace. Taehyung shot and the man went down.

Yoongi stopped caring by then because he reached Jimin’s side. He pulled the tape of Jimin’s mouth and cut his hands free. “I’m so sorry Jimin. This is all my fault.”

“Fuck!” Jimin hissed. He grabbed at his bleeding thigh. “Fuck, fuck.”

“Hey, it’s okay. You’re going to be okay.” Yoongi knelt and pressed his hand against the wound. He looked around frantically for something to stop the bleeding.

Jimin cried out in pain again. “Fuck that hurts.”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You’re going to be okay.” Yoongi babbled more to himself.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Jimin chanted under his breath, holding his hands over Yoongi’s.

Even with all four of their hands over the wound, blood was slowly leaking between their fingers. “Shit this is a lot of blood. You need a doctor.”

Jimin scoffed weakly. “I’m fine.”

Yoongi looked up into Jimin’s pale bruised face to see him grinning.

“You’re an idiot. Who makes jokes at a time like this.” Despite himself, Yoongi smiled.

“It’s what you’d say, right?” Jimin’s smile slipped a little, fear showing in his eyes.

Yoongi lifted one bloodied hand to cup his face and meet his eyes. “You’re gonna be okay. I promise.”

Jimin bit his lip and nodded, his face paler than ever.

A shadow fell across them. Yoongi looked up into Namjoon’s face, his expression grim. “There’s an ambulance on the way. It should be here any minute.”

“Hear that baby, you’re going to be fine.” Yoongi slipped in the pet name without thinking. He glanced around the room and saw one Daemin’s men face down in handcuffs. He wasn’t sure what happened but at the moment he didn’t care.

“We should get him-” Namjoon started to step forward.

“I feel…” Jimin whispered and slumped forward.

“Jimin!” Yoongi caught him.

Namjoon pulled his coat off and laid it on the ground. “Here, lay him down.” He started to take his belt off.

Yoongi laid Jimin down on the coat as gently as he could. He tapped Jimin on the cheek. “Jimin, Jimin, you’re going to be okay.”

Namjoon wrapped his belt around Jimin’s thigh and pulled it tight. He pulled off his overshirt and held it to the wound. “He’ll be fine. The ambulance will be here soon.”

Yoongi wasn’t sure how much time passed as he knelt by Jimin’s side waiting for the ambulance but eventually the paramedics arrived. They rushed in and crowded around Jimin, pushing Yoongi back. He watched helplessly as they loaded Jimin onto the stretcher and into the ambulance.

Yoongi grabbed the paramedics sleeve before he climbed into the back with Jimin. “Can I come? He’s my friend.”

The paramedic looked at Namjoon, who nodded.

“Get in.”

Yoongi climbed in along side Jimin.

The ride was quick and they rushed Jimin off to surgery as soon as they got there. It left Yoongi standing uselessly in the waiting room.

A nurse approached. “I’ll let you know when he’s out of surgery or if there are any updates. There’s a bathroom down the hall if you want to clean up. Is there anyone I should call?” she asked kindly.

Yoongi shook his head. He didn’t know if Jimin had family in the area, or at all for that matter. They barely knew each other really.

“He’s in good hands.” She placed a hand on his arm. “Oh!” She pulled her hand back quickly. “Is that your blood?” She pointed to his side.

He vaguely remembered Daemin’s knife as he tried to get to Jimin. He looked down and saw the wet stain spreading across his shirt. He lifted it to see an angry cut.

“Oh!” The nurse covered her mouth in surprise. “Oh, I’ll get you a doctor.”

“I’m fine.” Yoongi answered automatically, laughing humorlessly at his own response. Jimin would disagree but he was laying on some operating table because of Yoongi.

“That needs stitches,” the nurse insisted, giving him a look that suggested she was nervous for his mental health.

Yoongi shrugged but followed the nurse.

He sat through the stitches silently. He turned down drugs, he wanted the pain. It was his punishment for getting Jimin involved. He would gladly have taken on Jimin’s wounds. It should have been him in the first place. How had Jimin even shown up there that night? He’d never bothered to ask. Why had he never bothered to ask? Jimin had taken care of him that first night and he’d been such a dick.

The nurse found him some clean scrubs to wear after he was done with his stitches so he could wait for Jimin. It wasn’t long after a doctor came out, pulling her mask down to speak with him.

“He was lucky. He lost a lot of blood but the bullet missed any major arteries and muscles. He should make a full recovery.”

Yoongi sagged with relief. “Can I see him?”

The doctor shook her head. “He’s still coming out of anesthesia. Someone will come get you when he wakes up.”

Yoongi nodded. “Thank you.”

The doctor gave a reassuring smile and left. Yoongi waited another half hour.

Instead of a nurse a different pair of visitors showed up, the detectives, Namjoon and Taehyung.

“Has the doctor given you a prognosis?” Namjoon asked as they sat in the uncomfortable chairs across from Yoongi.

“He’s going to be fine. Just waiting for the anesthesia to wear off.” Yoongi felt awkward discussing this with them. His normal response to cops was to tell them to fuck off. But these two had saved him, and more importantly, saved Jimin. He owed them some answers, and some civility.

“That’s a relief,” Taehyung sighed.

They sat there in silence for a moment.

“It was lucky I had a hunch about you,” Namjoon commented.

Yoongi frowned, he didn’t like the sound of that.

“We got an anonymous tip you might know something about the murders in the area. After talking to you, I didn’t think you did it but I suspected you were involved somehow. So we tailed you,” Namjoon explained.

“You tailed me?” Yoongi echoed. “I knew it!” Yoongi looked at Taehyung. “That’s why you were at Seokjin’s bar.”

“It’s a good thing we did!” Taehyung snapped, his cheeks slightly pink. “Or you and your other boyfriend might be dead.”

Yoongi glared. “Jungkook’s not my boyfriend.”

Taehyung scowled, opening his mouth to reply.

“We’re glad everything turned out okay,” Namjoon interrupted. “When you left that convenience store pale as a ghost and looking twice as scary, we knew something was up. We called for backup but when we heard the gunshot we knew we needed to go in,” Namjoon explained. “Daemin had been on our list of suspects but we didn’t have anything concrete. Now we think we’ll be able to tie the guns we found to the homicides and put them away for a long time.”

“That’s the least they deserve,” Yoongi growled.

Namjoon shrugged, not disagreeing.

“Min Yoongi?” The nurse called his name.

Yoongi’s head snapped up.

“He’s asking to see you now.”

Yoongi swallowed, suddenly nervous. What if, now that he wasn’t about to die, Jimin hated him? He thought about bolting, but didn’t. He owed it to Jimin to go in there and let him tell him off if that’s what he wanted.

Jimin was sitting up in his bed when Yoongi entered, smiling at the nurse taking his blood pressure.

His grin faded when he saw Yoongi, but only for a moment. “Damn, you look worse than I do. You sure you shouldn’t see a doctor?” he teased.

Yoongi smiled weakly. “I’m fine.”

Jimin scoffed, his eyes still twinkling. “You always say that.”

“Well this time it’s true.” Yoongi looked down at his blue top. “I saw a doctor. Said I’m fit as a fiddle.”

Jimin frowned. “Why’d you see a doctor?”

Yoongi rubbed the back of his neck, squeezing against the wall as the nurses left them alone. “Daemin got me with his knife. It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

“What?” Jimin exclaimed. “Are you okay? Let me see.”

Yoongi stayed by the door. “I told you. I’m fine.”

Jimin patted the bed next to his good leg. “Come here. Let me see.”

Yoongi went reluctantly and sat on the edge of the bed. He lifted the side of his shirt to show the neat white bandage curled around his ribs. Jimin reached out and gently brushed his fingers over it and then down Yoongi’s side. Yoongi shivered.

“Does it hurt?” Jimin whispered.

Yoongi shook his head. “Jimin, I’m so sorry,” he said in the same hushed tone.

“No. It’s not your fault,” Jimin said quickly. “I shouldn’t have let them grab me. But they had a gun and I-”

“No, shh. It’s not your fault either. I shouldn’t have gotten you involved in this. If you hadn’t tried to help me, Daemin wouldn’t have come after you,” Yoongi insisted.

Jimin shook his head. “So it was Daemin. Besides, it doesn’t matter. They tell me I’m going to be fine.”

Yoongi sighed, not wanting to argue.

“I will say though... worst first date ever.”

Yoongi caught Jimin’s expression daring him to deny it and laughed. He laughed hard enough his side ached and tears came to his eyes. “You’ll have to do better next time,” Yoongi said once he caught his breath.

“I guess I will,” Jimin said. Something in his tone made, Yoongi look over at him. “We can still salvage a bit of the night though.” Jimin put his hand over Yoongi’s and leaned forward slowly.

Yoongi’s heart hammered in his chest. His pure instinct wanted him to bolt. He wasn’t used to being this nervous, and he still didn’t understand why Jimin wasn’t running screaming the other way. But, he was glad.

Yoongi closed the last bit of distance between them. Jimin lips were soft and plush against his own. Jimin reached up to pull Yoongi closer by the back of the neck and deepen the kiss. If Yoongi had expected Jimin to be soft and tentative he was quickly proved wrong. Their tongues tangled in rhythm that felt already familiar and the kiss quickly heated up.

Yoongi’s hand found its way to Jimin’s side and under the thin cotton of the hospital shirt. He explored the warm skin and hard muscle he’d been fantasizing about since the bike ride. Jimin’s own hand scratched at Yoongi’s scalp and twisted in his hair.

Yoongi was panting slightly when they finally parted, and his eyes met Jimin’s slightly dazed ones. Yoongi reached up to brush a strand of pink hair and gave a half smile. They both wanted more but with injuries and in a hospital bed it wasn’t really the right time.

“Next time,” Jimin whispered.

Yoongi nodded. He kissed Jimin again, just because he could.

Jimin smiled and yawned.

Yoongi stood up. “You should rest.”

He nodded. Jimin held Yoongi’s hand when he gently tried to pull away. “Will you stay with me? You need rest too.” He let go so he could shift himself to the side. “Please?”

Yoongi’s heart ached at the vulnerability in Jimin’s voice.

“We’ve already shared a bed once,” Jimin teased, trying to cover.

Yoongi climbed into the bed. “But tell me if anything hurts.”

Jimin nodded happily. He snuggled up close to Yoongi, careful of his stitches. It was an odd feeling, intimacy without the expectation or even ability for sex. But it was a good feeling. Jimin quickly drifted to sleep, his breathing evening out. Yoongi watched the rise and fall of his chest, the cute pout to his parted lips. It had only been a few days but somehow he already cared more for Jimin than most people in his life. He was selfless and funny and didn’t take Yoongi’s shit. And by some miracle he didn’t hold a grudge for the night’s events. Yoongi drifted to sleep the memory of Jimin’s kiss still on his lips and with a hope that their next date might have a happier ending.