I was consumed by restlessness. The moment Mingyu uttered those words to me, I felt an unsettling sensation, as if my very lifeblood had been drained from my body.
"No. He doesn't have where to go. Please, let him stay here with me. I promise I'll be alright. He'll be alright with me. I will take care of him."
Those words poured from my lips in a desperate plea. I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that enveloped me, especially after witnessing the genuine concern etched across Mingyu's face. It became clear to me that he cared deeply for Jungkook; I could see it in the way he watched over the boy, whose sleeping form lay vulnerable against the backdrop of quiet chaos.
"He had a panic attack?" Mingyu's voice was filled with concern, his brows knitted together.
"Yes. Everything seemed fine. He was even laughing just moments before. But then, all of a sudden, he clutched his head in anguish, as if he was battling some inner turmoil."
"I guess that's the aftermath of hearing his other self's voice. It can be terrifying," Mingyu mused sadly. "I don't know what to do. You have to understand, Y/N, he is dangerous. I dread what will happen when he becomes fully aware of everything that has befallen him. I thought guiding him to accept his reality and his other self was the right approach, but now, with the knowledge that he was abused and drugged during his time in prison, it feels utterly futile. It's worse than I ever anticipated. My greatest fear is that he'll fall into the grips of addiction-yet, he's blissfully unaware of it."
As his words sank in, a chilling shiver cascaded down my spine, prompting me to wrap my arms around myself for solace. "Taehyung came here today. He was the one who brought Jungkook chocolate."
"I know. I spoke to him about it," Mingyu replied, his gaze softening. "Taehyung was aware of how much Jungkook loved chocolate. At least, that was true for his other self. The atmosphere was tense between us; I could sense Taehyung's feelings for Jungkook. But he wasn't the one behind Jungkook's suffering."
Mingyu let out a deep sigh as he met my gaze, his expression heavy with unspoken worries. "It was the director. Just as I suspected. He harbors an obsession with Jungkook. You know, I've seen him at my brother's house when Jungkook was just a child. The strange way he acted around the boy caused me unease, and now the very thought of Jungkook being trapped in the director's clutches is horrifying."
I felt the weight of Mingyu's revelation as my brows furrowed in confusion. It didn't make sense. Why would Jungkook willingly surrender himself to that prison? Was it merely a twist of fate or something more sinister?
***
After much deliberation, both you and Mingyu agreed that it would be best for Jungkook to stay in your care for the time being, awaiting Mingyu's direction. A nagging curiosity lingered in your mind-why did Mingyu care so deeply for Jungkook? Finally, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place when Mingyu revealed that he was connected to Jungkook through family.
Mingyu had told you that Jungkook was adopted by his brother, a fact he held tightly within him. Yet, the director was aware of this connection. That knowledge loomed over me like a dark cloud, trapping me in fear, knowing that if I tried to take Jungkook away, I would be the first suspect. I hadn't been in touch with my brother for years, lost in the whirlwind of studies and travel. But when I finally returned to Seoul, it had been too late. The police surrounded my brother's house when I arrived, and there was Jungkook, frozen like a statue, clutching a knife in trembling hands, witnessing the horrifying sight of his family's corpses engulfed in flames.
At a loss for how to navigate the chaos, I had brought Jungkook to my clinic, hoping to provide him with safety and care. But in that sterile, detached environment, some people couldn't bear to see him as anything other than a monster who deserved punishment. In fear, he fled. When I subsequently learned he was incarcerated, I had implored the director to allow me to take part in Jungkook's care.
This was what Mingyu had shared with you.
You couldn't deny the wave of relief that washed over you. In that moment, the burden you had been carrying felt a little lighter. The thought that you weren't alone in this overwhelming situation brought a sense of comfort that seemed almost foreign. It was a small solace, knowing for certain that you had someone by your side, ready to help you navigate the turmoil ahead. Yet, despite this flicker of hope, your mind couldn't help but spiral into worry, especially when it came to Jin. His well-being weighed heavily on your heart.
***
A few moments later, Jungkook found himself bewildered as he surveyed his surroundings. He was in a house he had never seen before, standing in a room that felt both foreign and strangely intimate. The walls around him were adorned with an array of photographs, capturing moments from years gone by. Each image told a story, revealing a glimpse into the life that surrounded him, but Jungkook's attention was drawn to the man standing just a few steps away, an unsettling presence in this unfamiliar sanctuary.
"Well, this is what I call 'obsession,'" Jungkook remarked, a smirk playing on his lips as he took a few confident steps closer. "Or maybe sickness? It's hard to choose the right word for all of this," he added, his tone teasing yet laced with an underlying tension.
"You really like me this much?" Jungkook challenged, his voice dripping with curiosity as he halted in front of the man. His eyes scanned the numerous photographs capturing him as a child-innocent and carefree-before settling back on the figure before him. "But it's clear that I'm not that kid anymore."
As he leaned in closer, Jungkook's breath tickled Jin's ear, sending an electric shock through the air. "But I'm sure you're fully aware of that by now, aren't you, baby?" His voice dropped to a sultry whisper, drawing Jin's focus entirely to him.
Caught off guard, Jin swallowed hard, his pulse quickening as Jungkook's proximity ignited a flood of emotions within him. Without a second thought, he wrapped his arms around Jungkook's form, pulling him close. "I missed you so much. Why did you run away?" His voice trembled slightly, a mix of yearning and desperation threading through his words.
Yet, as Jin held Jungkook tightly against him, a flicker of doubt flared in Jungkook's mind. He recalled Mingyu's words, the hushed conversation he had overheard between the two of you. The talk of Jin's abusive behavior, laced with insinuations that sent chills down Jungkook's spine.
With a deep breath, Jungkook slipped his hand into the back pocket of his jeans, his fingers wrapping around the cold metal of the penknife he had stashed there-a hidden weapon against the turmoil that lay ahead.
"I like you so much," he confessed, his voice earnest, a mix of vulnerability and resolve. "From the very first moment I saw you, I was crazy about you. I've done everything in my power to pull you away from that sick family you belong to, just so I could have you all to myself." The weight of his confession hung in the air, an acknowledgment of the chaotic bond they shared.
Isn't that lovely? Jungkook rolled his eyes. Should I feel something? Cuz I don't feel shit.
Jungkook's fingers tightened around the knife.
"So... You liked playing with my body without my consent, huh?"
"Who told you that I like being a submissive? I hate that."
"I am a dominant, you motherfucker." Jungkook whispered in Jin's ear.
Before Jin could react at Jungkook's words, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach.