It wasn't that difficult for Yoongi to find lawyer Kim Namjoon's luxurious castle away from the uproar of the city, a beautiful white bungalow near the riverside of Han. The huge mansion was covered with forest, only the chirping of the birds, the rustling of the trees, and the slow and steady waves of the Han river. Yoongi wasn't surprised when he reached the address, eyes meeting at the vast estate of Kim Namjoon, quieter than midnight.
Unlike his penthouse, Namjoon has succeeded in establishing green in every corner of his home, indoor plants, tall trees, and a beautiful garden that feels like a landscape out of a movie. There was a swimming pool in the middle, a tennis court, a basketball court, a big backyard garden. The main house connected another house next to it, not as big as the main house, lights off and covered with the trees on the sides. Yoongi assumed it was the guest house while scanning the premises and walked inside with a security guard on his right, accompanying him to the stunning mansion.
It was breathtaking, a touch of the rich and classy style reflected every sharp corner, hallways replenished with art pieces and paintings. Some of them looked like masterpieces that cost millions while others looked like a frustrated stroke of crayons. Either way, Yoongi didn't judge the other lawyer's taste in making those big walls to a house. And he almost wondered even after being this much cozy and jeopardized architecture, the place gave him an unexpected vibe. A vibe most people lost in that meantime. Home.
Yoongi was said to be waiting in the office of Kim Namjoon, and he took a seat on the chair while scanning the room thoroughly. The room was neat, big enough to have two cupboards replenished with books of various genres, a small kitchen area with a coffee table, and the glass window opened to the view of thick forest. The scent lingering on the room was lively and Yoongi couldn't help but praise Namjoon for the efforts of the interior. The beige-themed walls, the motivational quotes glued on them, the fresh bonsai plant, everything finished up the aesthetics of the office. It didn't take a lot of time for Namjoon to walk in when Yoongi was dipped in thoughts, trailing his eyes from one book to another.
"Sorry to make you wait. You called out of the blue, I had to make some changes to my schedule."
Namjoon apologized fast as soon as he found Yoongi sitting blank on the chair, hands on the table very careful to not touch anything there. Namjoon couldn't bite back a smile so he let it out. His dimples were peeking out when he smiled honestly. Yoongi stood up to share a handshake with Namjoon then both took their places. Before the room falls into the suffocated silence which they both were condoning these days whenever they are around, Yoongi said in a low and stern voice.
"It's okay. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. And... Thanks for making time for me."
The elder lawyer found Namjoon passing a heartfelt smile but he didn't miss the other fidgeting with the band on his ring finger. Yoongi did not want to count and end up on a conclusion that fast, so he pushed the thoughts away. That's never him. Suga never loses track of his mind when he's on something. He's stubborn and hardworking and no other things matter to him except the victory.
Namjoon on the other hand scanned the lawyer in front of him, in his grey suit, the strands of his neatly parted hair falling into the deep brown eyes, expression as stoic as always. The intimidating aura never left Suga and Namjoon had to hold his breath in sleeves to finally make a conversation with the man.
As expected, Yoongi voiced out words laced in professionalism, keeping the tone strict through the entire sentence.
"So... You know why I'm here. My client wan---"
"Taehyung "
Namjoon cut off Yoongi in the middle to correct him. He didn't know why he did that. They're not even that close. Still, something in his heart made him do that when Yoongi talked to him in the most formal way he can ever be. Namjoon had the urge to shift the talk to a less suffocating one. When he came back from his trance, he found Yoongi's raised eyebrows questioning him hard. He felt relieved when the elder lawyer pushed it away and continued his words.
"So, Taehyung is somehow involved in this case... And Jeongguk was..."
"Hyung, I could understand the emotion Taehyung is going through. I'm happy to help but... "
The small pause of Namjoon made Yoongi skip the beats of his life. He didn't want any ellipsis today. He was here for answers. Answers that matter. Answers that Namjoon knows. Answers that can bring Taehyung back to a normal life. The silence as they expected became hard to tolerate, but only Namjoon can help them both to get out of this deadlock. Yoongi found the man sucking onto a deep breath, eyes goring sharp and shoulder stretched making his crisp black coat accentuate his brilliant features. Yoongi's thoughts took a walk back to the imaginations in his head vaguely. Namjoon is tall and handsome, intelligent and understanding, a perfect man straight out of fantasies.
"I don't think there's a lot I can share about Jeongguk. Because Jeongguk himself never let us know more about him."
Oh, no. Not this again. Not the mysteries. Not the same dots to connect. Yoongi's head mumbled silently. He was torn between the innocence of the imaginary portrait of Jeongguk and the stories he heard about the soul.
Unknowingly, Yoongi balled his fist, jaw clenched in resentment, lips tightly pressed as if preventing himself from saying incoherent things. He was about to say something else when the guard knocked on the door, making Namjoon utter a low come in, and told him he has a visitor. Yoongi stiffened. His body tensed and it felt difficult to maintain his calm posture anymore. Namjoon had a startled expression on his face, shading his features in distress.
They both stood up, Namjoon leading in front and Yoongi walking behind in silence, eyes tracing the other lawyer's tall frame. The quiet hallways embellished with beautiful art pieces steered them to the living. The hush was broken as soon as they entered the living room, met with a boy standing at the doorway, gaze lowered, trailing on the floor. With his hair falling on his forehead messily, wearing a white and pastel blue striped shirt paired with blue jeans, he looked like elegant chaos, broken yet surreal.
The noise was from the man standing in front of the boy, arms crossed around his chest, face burning in anger. The words leaving from his mouth were nothing but outrageous ramblings. Yoongi couldn't help but feel the urge to run towards the fragile person in the room, hold him close and tell the world that he doesn't deserve it. He doesn't deserve any of the blame the world putting on him.
"How dare you to step into my house, huh? The audacity of you filth--- "
"Jin. Stop it."
Namjoon walked towards them, his triggered deep voice jabbing everyone's ears as he squeezed his husband's arms. Jin was puzzled but either way, he chose to not yell at the boy anymore. He didn't want to make Namjoon furious because of his words anymore. However, the elder continued glaring at the boy when Namjoon very professionally welcomed the other. He did not extend his hand for a handshake but didn't forget to greet the younger either, in a decent way, passing a small smile.
"Come inside, Taehyung... We've been waiting for you."
Namjoon said, side glancing at Yoongi who was behind him, eyes already settled on Taehyung. As he heard the words, the caramel-haired boy looked up, not getting his hopes high of being treated well in that home but he feels at least Namjoon will consider hearing his truth. It was a relief that he has Yoongi.
The moment he called and said his wish to Yoongi through the phone, the elder managed to set up a meeting with the family of Jeon Jeongguk, especially with Kim Namjoon. He too wanted to know more about the man. Yoongi was standing on the thin piece of ice when everyone was humiliating Taehyung like that. However, when Namjoon led the boy despite his husband's disgust on Taehyung, Yoongi felt a little relaxed.
"Where? Where are you taking him? Inside our house to treat him like a prince? Wow, Joon. This is what we were left to witness."
The harsh words coming from a rather high-pitched voice made the three males stop on their track, their postures toughening as they turned to face a new male, blond hair neatly combed and cheeks red because of the anger flowing through his body. Namjoon shut his eyes tight, unable to keep up his calm posture anymore because of the insulting phrases his family sent towards Taehyung.
Namjoon doesn't want this. He knows the truth. And he wanted his family to accept them too. Even after placing all the evidence in front of them, he didn't understand why they were not believing him. Maybe they're blind in their love for Jeongguk. Anyone who is in love with Jeon Jeongguk is blind. Blind to be loved back.
"Are you in your right mind, Joon? You're inviting him to our home? This... This murderer? He kill--"
"Jimin. He did nothing."
Namjoon tried, breathing out slowly, silently pleading to the person in his white shirt and blond hair, eyes boring holes in Taehyung's soul.
Jimin.
A name Taehyung hasn't ever been heard from anyone. Even though it's the first time meeting, the caramel-haired boy felt a string of his heart pulled away as he looked at Jimin's eyes. Hate. Anger. Everything was brimmed in that black orbs and Taehyung quivered, chest tightened at the unknown feeling overtaking him.
"Oh please, Joon. Stop your delusions. He killed our Jeongguk. And now he's here to take everything away from us. How could you believe this murder? He deserves to di---"
Jimin's stretched hand flew in the air towards Taehyung's cheeks, but the slap never came. There was a pin drop silence, a tormenting aura of pain and disgust, a haunting pause between truth and myths, and then everything fall back to its place.
Taehyung opened his mint green eyes, bewildered at the thought of why Jimin's hand never landed on his cheek. He met with a rather frantic sight.
It was Yoongi who stopped Jimin from slapping Taehyung.
The lawyer's hand tightly wrapped around Jimin's extended ones, squirming to release the hold of Yoongi, Jimin kept groaning and cursing at the lawyer. But Yoongi didn't budge. Not anymore.
"Listen. I don't care who you're. But enough of you are blaming Taehyung. He is not the culprit here. He's not the one who murdered your brother.
So, keep your words to yourself, and don't put your head in everything when you don't know the truth."
Yoongi couldn't help but scoff at the man's attitude towards Taehyung, and he promised himself to not put the younger in any kind of situation like this. He gripped on the hand, confronting Jimin with the dark eyes wanting the other to do nothing but obey his words. On the other hand, Jimin ignored the way Yoongi intimidated him, nevertheless, he can't tolerate the fact that Taehyung is there, under their roof. Same Taehyung who killed his favorite cousin slash best friend. Jimin could never forget the night nor forgive Taehyung.
"Who are you to tell me that?"
"I'm his brother.
And, if your dumpling head couldn't understand what Namjoon said, then let me spell it out for you.
Taehyung. Is. Innocent. And you!"
Pointing a finger at Jimin's hard chest, Yoongi paused to reply harshly.
"You. Will. Stay. The. F*ck. Out. Of. This."
The lawyer released the grip on Jimin's hand, and the younger stumbled because of the sudden action. He couldn't say a word when Namjoon and Yoongi already left, Taehyung taking one last glance at a furious Jimin, burning from head to toe, and walked behind the other two in silence.
~ 🍁 ~
"I'm sorry for that. They're still a bit... "
Namjoon began when they reached the backyard, away from the other family members. Taehyung was really cautious about the surroundings, trusting Yoongi to the core, he stood a few meters away from the two lawyers, gaze averting from Namjoon to scan the greenish backyard.
"We understand... Anyways...
Could you tell us how Jeongguk was, what his character, job, connection and all...? "
Yoongi asked, breaking the silence while his eyes wandered to scan the premises. Namjoon heard him but chose to answer with a low tone, as soft as a whisper. It gave shivers to Taehyung. The terrific pronunciation and the deep voice coated in satoori of Ilsan even though Namjoon looked like a Seoul person from head to toe.
"Mm... Jeongguk was a shy introverted person, who kept his business to himself and talked when he had to. He had a very small friend circle and... Worked as a street dancer. He had a band named Ddaeng with four of his friends. To my knowledge... Jeongguk was... "
Namjoon had to pause because of a yell he heard away from them, calling out his name. Yoongi bites back a curse, oh so badly wanted the lawyer to complete his sentence before giving his attention to the intruder.
"Hey Joon..."
The new male walked towards them, keeping a smile on his face. The only thought that came to both Yoongi and Taehyung's minds when their eyes met the man was 'too bright to the world'. The said blond-haired male shook his hand with Namjoon before turning his attention to Yoongi and Taehyung. The other lawyer scratched the back of his neck, trying to calm himself. He introduced the new male to the two men, looking confused at him.
"This is Jung Hoseok... And this is..."
"Taehyung... "
Hoseok completed Namjoon's words, leaving them in a shock. They all looked equally stunned by Hoseok's reply, so the man continued.
"I'm Jeongguk's best friend..."
The smile he had on his lips vanished. Suddenly it all felt grey and intolerable to Taehyung, cramming the gloom into his luminous world when Hoseok didn't smile. They stood there, seizing the awkward silence. Then Namjoon cleared his throat to explain.
"Hoseok is the leader of their band, Ddaeng. He's Jeongguk's childhood friend."
The new blond nodded, stealing glances from Taehyung and Yoongi.
"I came to unload some stuff of Jeongguk and... I need to talk to you..."
He said to Namjoon, while they walked behind the lawyer. Yoongi was scanning the new male. He wanted to ask Hoseok a lot of questions since best friends know a person better than anyone. He kept the plan for later, following Namjoon and holding Taehyung's hand. The anxiety was eating him alive when he realized the day wasn't even worth spending there. And the lawyer blurted out, making Namjoon turn back and freeze on his way.
"Can you tell me where Jeongguk lived?"
He didn't care if he was being rude and breaking the professionalism. It was too much. And he knows. Even though Taehyung is silent, the caramel-haired boy has tolerated a lot and the semicolons between each tale about Jeongguk don't make him happy either. Someone has to cut it out and Yoongi was always brave.
"There. "
Namjoon pointed to the mansion next to the main house. It looked lifeless. Monochromatic and mute since forever. Taehyung felt difficult to breathe. His heart clenched and his lungs fell apart while imagining the beautiful man in his head living in that house in front of him. He wanted to go there. He wanted to leave every lively thing behind and embrace the darkness of that grey building which is now nowhere near to a home. He still wanted to go in there.
Taehyung squeezed Yoongi's hands in uncertainty bubbling up inside him while following Joon and Hoseok calmly, scrutinizing the mansion and picturing the walls to the rooftop. When their walk halted in front of the main door Taehyung felt his knees weak and crumbling down to the earth. It was overwhelming yet healing. A feeling of coming back to a safe place. The thing is, nothing there belongs to him.
~ 🍁 ~
The wind chime hanging on the doorway made rhythmic music as Namjoon opened the door slowly, and stepped inside. That's when they heard a voice. Crisp and clear, close to a small scream. The voice reverberated in the whole house, chiming in their ears so hard and Taehyung couldn't help but wanted to hear more.
The scream repeated once again, this time more clear and close to their ears, as they stepped inside and Namjoon closed the door behind them.
When he registered what the words were, all Taehyung wanted was to burn himself in a fire, 'cause fate wasn't playing fair.
"Bamie... Don't go... It's not Appa... "
If they ever knew the destiny of Jeongguk was this intricate (don't know about Taehyung), Yoongi would never decide to solve the riddles in the first place. Especially when the most important mystery of Jeon Jeongguk's life was standing in front of them, dressed in a black hoodie and skirt, messy hair tied with a purple bow baguette, chocolate brown doe eyes hiding an ocean behind them as the tiny footsteps chased the paws of a Doberman Pinscher assumed to be named as Bamie.
The steps halted, eyes stared at the people in front of them, perplexed and backing away as soon as they figured out what was happening.
"Oh, Bamie, told you... It's not... Appa..."
The little voice whispered again, small hands wrapping around the dog while the pet snuggled closer to the warmth. They stepped back, passing one last glance at the people who entered their house before walking back to the room.
Taehyung felt the earth under his feet was stolen by someone. He thought it was just for his eyes but when he glanced around he found Yoongi standing as puzzled as him, Namjoon, and Hoseok were controlling their tears. No, it was not any mirage. The truth always feels like this. Close to a fantasy, making him wish oh so badly, not to be a part of this story.
As they stood frozen, registering the little gesture they just witnessed, all of them felt unbearable agony taking over their sore heart and fragile bodies. For Taehyung, he never thought the next words from a kid can make so much of an effect on him that he's almost ripped apart by the hungry vultures, savoring his heart to soul. He was broken. Wanting to disappear, far from everyone's eyes. He wanted to reach the depth of the clouds and was pampered by the stars till he forgot his painful existence. The words of that little girl had that effect on him.
"Bam... Don't go near that guy... Okay?"
And the door to the room was shut with tears falling from Taehyung's eyes.
~ 🍁 ~
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Park Jimin
Jeongguk's cousin.
Sweet and understanding.
Protective when it comes to his family, especially Jeongguk.
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Jung Hoseok
Best friend of Jeon Jeongguk.
A happy pill.
Leader of the street dancers group Ddaeng.
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No. No. No. No. Yes. No. Vmin.
Thoughts? Feelings? Heartbreaks?
Comments open...
See you soon...
~Rin