Jimin sat in the cold, sterile briefing room of the police station, his fingers unconsciously fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve. Across from him, Officer Kim Seokjin flipped through a thick file, the dim light casting sharp shadows on his face. The air was thick with tension, a silent weight pressing against Jimin's chest.

Seokjin exhaled sharply before placing the file on the table. "We've found something," he said, looking Jimin straight in the eyes. "Something big."

Jimin swallowed, his throat dry. "Tell me."

Seokjin leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Jihoon was connected to a gang. Not just any gang but Vortex."

The name sent a chill down Jimin's spine. He heard of it enough from Yoongi. Drugs, weapons, human trafficking, every illegal business one could think of, they had their hands in it. And the worst part? They were untouchable.

"The police know about them," Seokjin continued. "Have known for years. But nothing ever happens to them. The higher-ups are either too afraid or" he hesitated, his jaw tightening, "too involved."

Jimin's nails dug into his palm. Corruption. He should have known.

"But Jihoon," Seokjin pressed on, "he wasn't just caught up in their world he was close to someone in it. Someone named Yeosang. We traced their call logs, and they conversed quite frequent."

Jimin's heart pounded. "And where is this Yeosang now?"

Seokjin's expression darkened. "Gone. Disappeared two days before Jihoon's murder. No activity on his phone, no record of him leaving the city nothing. It's like he vanished into thin air."

Jimin blinked trying to absorb the new found information, "We need to reach them to find out something"

"Right but it isn't that easy, Jimin. We have to reach their pawns first" Seokjin remarked.

"Pawns?" Jimin questioned back.

"We have one lead," Seokjin continued. "There's a man named
Zack. He works as a broker, takes contracts, moves deals around. He's not a high-ranking member, but he's been known to work with Vortex. We found him while tracing the number that Tzuyu received all threats from."

Jimin mumbled "Zack". He felt like he heard this name somewhere.

Seokjin nodded. "If we can get to him, we might be able to find out what really happened to Jihoon."

Jimin exhaled slowly, his mind racing. This was bigger than he ever imagined. His brother was tangled up in something deadly, and now the police were looking for answers in places where people disappeared without a trace.

Jimin leaned forward, his voice urgent. "How long will it take to reach Zack?"

Seokjin exhaled, rubbing his temples. "We already found his address," he admitted, "but by the time we got there, it was empty. Looks like he's already fled."

Jimin's heart sank. "So he's gone?"

"For now," Seokjin corrected. "But my team is on it. The moment we track him down, I'll inform you."

Jimin let out a slow breath, nodding. He turned to leave, his mind buzzing with questions. But just as he reached the door, Seokjin's voice stopped him.

"Jimin."

He turned back, catching the serious look in Seokjin's eyes.

"There's something else," Seokjin said carefully. "I can't confirm it yet, but from what I've gathered... the person who murdered Jihoon is probably someone close to you."

Jimin's breath caught.

"Every time we got close to uncovering more evidence, it was already gone, like someone knew in advance and erased their tracks before we could get to them." Seokjin's jaw clenched. "Like someone who knew it long back that a situation like this will appear and very cleverly removed evidence's one by one, which isn't possible in mere a week or two"

His mind raced through the possibilities, faces of friends, classmates, people he had trusted.

His throat felt tight. "You're saying..." he trailed off, barely able to voice it.

Seokjin met his gaze. "It could be one of your own."

"Now I can't clearly say if this close person is the murderer or another pawn. That's yet to discover. But my reason to tell you this is, Jimin it will be better if you don't discuss anything regarding this case or our progress to anyone. That's just a preventive measure." Seokjin turned his attention back to the files, a hint for Jimin to leave which he understood and left the police station with head full of questions and doubts.

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Jimin stepped out of the police station, the cool night air hitting his face, but it did little to ease the storm inside him. His mind raced, replaying every conversation, every interaction he'd had at college. Who could it be? Who is close enough to him to anticipate his moves and erase evidence before the police could reach it?

Before his mind could spiral any further, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

Jimin glanced at the screen, and despite everything, a small smile broke through his tense expression.

Yoongi.

Just the sight of his name felt like an anchor, pulling him out of his storm of thoughts. He pressed the answer button and lifted the phone to his ear.

"Where are you?" Yoongi's voice came through, laced with concern. "Why aren't you home yet?"

Jimin exhaled softly. Even through the phone, he could hear the worry in Yoongi's voice.

"I just had to stop somewhere," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm on my way back."

There was a pause before Yoongi sighed. "You should've told me. I was getting worried."

Jimin closed his eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of Yoongi's words wash over him. This, this feeling of being cared for, this feeling of someone waiting for you at home is what his soul craved for all his life and he wants to appreciates every second of it.

"I'll be home soon," Jimin assured him, his voice softer now.

"Good," Yoongi muttered. "Be safe. And hurry."

Jimin chuckled lightly, despite himself. "Yes, boss."

He heard Yoongi huff on the other end, and he could imagine the little pout forming on his lips.

"Just get home," Yoongi grumbled before hanging up.

Jimin stared at his phone for a moment, his smile lingering.

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Jimin stepped into the apartment, his body exhausted from the day's events, but the moment he looked up, his breath hitched.

The living room is dimly lit, the glow of soft fairy lights casting a warm ambiance. The small dining table is set with care, candles flickering, two plates arranged neatly, and a homemade meal waiting. A faint melody played from a speaker, something slow and comforting.

Jimin blinked, his heart swelling as his gaze landed on Yoongi, who stood a few steps away, watching him with an almost shy expression.

"You... did all this?" Jimin asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yoongi scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah... I mean, it's nothing fancy. Just wanted to do something for you."

Jimin stepped closer, his eyes glistening. "Why?"

Yoongi exhaled, meeting his gaze. "Because you did so much for me, for Yura... for everything. And I just-" He hesitated, before shaking his head with a soft chuckle. "I just wanted to show you how much I appreciate you."

Jimin smiled slowly gratitude glistening his eyes.

Yoongi pulled out a chair for him. "Come on, let's eat before it gets cold."

Jimin let out a breathy laugh and sat down. "You're unbelievable, Min Yoongi."

As they ate, the conversation flowed easily, lighthearted teasing mixed with quiet moments of just looking at each other, small smiles shared over candlelight.

Jimin sat across from Yoongi, their dinner plates half-empty, the candlelight flickering between them. The warmth of the meal lingered, but the weight of the past few weeks pressed down on Jimin's chest like an anchor.

He hadn't told Yoongi about his father's condition. About the deal he had made. About how, sooner or later, he would have to bury himself in a life that will not be his own. He wanted to hold onto this moment, before everything changed.

Yoongi, unaware of Jimin's inner turmoil, stood up and reached into his pocket. His fingers trembled slightly as he pulled out a small silver ring.

Jimin's breath hitched.

"I... I wasn't sure when the right time would be," Yoongi started, his voice softer than usual. "But then I realized there won't ever be a perfect time. Because every moment with you already feels like the right one."

Jimin stared, his throat tightening.

Yoongi stepped closer, kneeling slightly, not in a grand, dramatic way, but just enough to make Jimin's heart ache. He took Jimin's hand in his own, holding it with such care it almost broke him.

"I don't know if it's right or wrong" Yoongi admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what the future holds, and I don't know if life will let us be happy the way we want. But what I do know is that you're the only person I want beside me. Always."

Jimin let out a shaky breath, his eyes welling up.

"I love you," Yoongi continued, his thumb brushing gently over Jimin's fingers. "And I don't care what happens tomorrow, or next week, or years from now. I just want to know that, right now, will you be mine?"

Jimin clenched his jaw. He wanted this. He wanted Yoongi's love more than anything. But at the same time, his father's words echoed in his head 'You come back here. You take over the company. You pretend to be normal'

A life where he had to erase himself.

But here Yoongi is, offering him something real. Something that felt like breathing after drowning for too long.

"Jimin," Yoongi whispered, squeezing his hand. "Will you be my boyfriend?"

Jimin exhaled shakily, nodding before he could even find his voice. "Yes," he choked out. "Yes, I will."

Yoongi let out a breathless laugh, slipping the thin silver ring onto Jimin's finger. It isn't expensive, it isn't extravagant, but it is perfect. It felt like a promise Yoongi isn't going to break, no matter what.

Jimin launched himself into Yoongi's arms, burying his face into his shoulder, gripping him like he is afraid to let go.

And maybe, deep down, he is.

Because Jimin knew, one day, he have to go back and he can only wish Yoongi to understand him then and stay by his side.