Ch.26
Jimin's P.O.V.
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The shock still hasn't left me. Jungkook and I glared at the back of Yoongi's head. He told us he could feel it but he didn't care. How could he tell us to leave Taehyung like that? The feeling of coming back to the warehouse without him was indescribable. It was something I never wanted to experience with the other members. This actually happened though. Taehyung was arrested because of us. No...it wasn't my fault nor was it Taehyung's. Hoseok's and Seokjin also wanted to help the second youngest. It was Yoongi and what hurt me most, Namjoon. The guy Taehyung boasted about knowing when he wanted us to join the gang.
(F/n) was excited to see us back but immediately noticed the mood. I didn't want to be the one to tell her what happened. She looked at us with those eyes, silently counting us. Yoongi walked off to the back room while Seokjin went to the table. He put his face into his hands. Jungkook and I wanted to let out the same groan of disbelief. The one of disgust for our actions. We left Taehyung. He's not just our friend, but our brother! My eyes followed Namjoon who didn't say a word to (F/n) as she stuttered out her question. Where's Taehyung? He didn't answer her and was lost in his own mind. We needed answers for why he let that happen.
Hoseok seemed to be the most affected by what had happened. He didn't dare look at Namjoon during the ride back. Even now he kept his mouth shut, ignoring the pink hair. Hoseok did lift his head to see if Namjoon would respond to (F/n) but he didn't. That was the last straw for the sunshine of the gang. He would usually cheer us up. Bring us together, make us laugh, and get us thinking on the positive side. There was none of that right now. Namjoon managed to destroy something he can't physically touch. Friendship and trust.
"Yah!" Hoseok shouted at Namjoon for his attention. The leader turned around with an expression that only pissed me off.
"What?"
"You're not even going to tell (F/n) what you let happen to Taehyung? What you did back there?" Hoseok scoffed. Namjoon cocked up a brow at his friend's anger.
"Hoseokâ" Namjoon tried to speak, but the red head wasn't done yet.
"Because of your problems, you let them consume you. You were too worried about the amount of money you neededâ" Hoseok was shouting. As soon as he mentioned Namjoon's money problems, the pink hair nervously glanced at (F/n). She was listening to this information and I felt bad. She was hearing about the Namjoon she knew nothing about.
"Hey! That's not something for you to talk about!" Namjoon yelled. (F/n) flinched at the shouts between the two aggressive men.
"âto pay for all those medical bills! We get it. We were poor too that we can't afford hospital bills and we know that medicine is expensive!" Hoseok continued on, "But as the leader you can't let your mom's sickness affect you! Once you started to get needier for money, you got sloppy with the criminal skill you've grown over the years! You only thought about your needs that you forgot our f*cking safety!"
Namjoon shook his head. He didn't want to hear this from Hoseok, but he needed to. Jungkook and I made him feel like he was under a microscope. (F/n) hearing this all for the first time made him insecure. We knew about his issues with money. He briefly went over it with us and specifically told us not to tell (F/n). He knew she would worry and try to help. He also requested us not to give him hand outs. He wanted to get the money in the best way he could. Of course it wasn't legal but what choice did he have? He needed the money fast, but Hoseok was right. Namjoon let his mind get clouded and failed all of us. Not just Taehyung.
"Taehyung was arrested because of you! He called out your name twice and begged for you. He only called my name once...and it haunts me. I can't live with myself like this. I feel ashamed." Hoseok grew teary eyed. "Then while Taehyung is crying for us, you tell Seokjin to go. To just drive. Yeah, Yoongi told you guys to drive, but in the end it was your call. You let Taehyung get arrested. You let this happen to Taehyung!"
"Hoseok, pleaseâ" Namjoon wanted to cover his ears. He tried turning around only to get forced to look at the one listing off his mistakes. Namjoon was starting to understand how he let all of us down. Yoongi was leaning against the door frame of the back room. He seemed to also be repenting.
"How are you going to make things right? You can't even listen to me telling the truth. You're my best friend and this is how you're acting. I never thought you'd become like this." Hoseok's bottom lip quivered. "Taehyung deserved better."
"Stop...I know," Namjoon's whisper was barely audible.
"Do you!?" Hoseok wiped the tears leaving his eyes. "Because I'm going to get Taehyung back. What are you going to do? Just feel guilty now?" Hoseok's gaze made Namjoon become silent again. The tension grew in the air. (F/n) was sitting on the couch with big eyes. No one spoke, so Yoongi decided to do so.
"I made a few calls with a couple of guys I know. The cops won't be onto us anymore." Yoongi waved his phone. "But Taehyung is still in jail. They're probably holding him at the station near the river. Since he's a minor, they probably called his parents."
"What parents? His grandparents are probably asleep right now." Hoseok rolled his eyes. He crossed his arms as (F/n) got more lost in the situation. She didn't know any of our home lives. She barely knew the full story with Namjoon.
"Get there fast before they try to transfer him to a Juvenile Hall." Yoongi shoved his hands in his pockets. "I can't go with you since they'll probably recognize my face. Not from tonight's deal but from past stuff. You don't have to worry about getting caught though. I handled that."
"Thanks...at least someone's trying." Hoseok gave one last glare to Namjoon before storming out of the warehouse.
Seokjin lifted his head, ready to offer him a ride but Hoseok was gone. The eldest silently held up his keys before shrinking back into his seat. He felt ashamed too for being the one who pressed the gas. He saw Taehyung's tear stained face in the rear-view mirror. No one moved. Namjoon had fallen into the rusty chair, reality ripping him to shreds. Jungkook pressed his hand on my back, taking me towards (F/n). We both knew she had heard a lot and needs some clear explaining. Namjoon looked almost ready to become clean with (F/n). It's going to be a long night.
Hoseok's P.O.V.
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My emotions were going crazy. It wasn't my intention to blow up at Namjoon like that. Usually I bottle up my feelings to help everybody else. When they need cheering up or a little hope, that's what I'm here for. Tonight, I couldn't help letting them get the best of me. Namjoon just disappointed me so much at the deal. No matter how close of a call we've had before, he's never left someone behind. I've known him since we were first years and I've watched him grow to the leader he's become. Well, the one before the bills began piling. Last time he had awful debt issues, he turned himself into a good leader. The weighing debt has gotten better but these extra costs weren't helping him.
A part of me understood what he was going through. It's not like I had the worst home life, but I was sympathetic. Namjoon was stressed out to see his Mom like that. She's a strong woman so it came as a shock to me that she was so ill. Ms. Kim had collapsed at work and was sent to the hospital. Namjoon was notified and by that time, he knew the costs would be a large sum. He took her out of the hospital and tried helping her on his own. Soon he only augmented to the original amount.
Though I could feel sympathetic, I still angrily grumbled to myself in the cold. The fight got me so heated that I didn't think of asking Seokjin to give me a ride. I knew he didn't want to drive away from Taehyung. Hyung could never do something so cold. He took a bullet for the guy he slapped and yelled at for Pete's sake. Seokjin really was the kindest guy I knew. You could trust him with anything. Shivering from the cold, it only made me run faster towards the station. I need to get there as fast as I can. Nothing is going to stop me from getting Taehyung out.
Taehyung must be terrified. He also must be furious with me and not just Namjoon. Probably the whole gang. He doesn't know our disgust that we felt towards ourselves. He only saw us in the truck, leaving him behind to get arrested. At that point, what good of friends are we? In the beginning, we all agreed to protect each other. Taehyung sees us second years in a different light from the other members. Namjoon should know that better than anyone and he knows we both carry a little favoritism towards Taehyung when it comes to the first years.
Zipping up my jacket, I could barely tell where I was. The roads were so dark. It wasn't until I made it near a convenience store that lighting throughout the streets got better. A woman exited the store with her son and stiffened up to see me. I gave her the friendliest smile I could muster, but that did me no good. It didn't help that my hair was dyed, the streets were empty, and I was visibly annoyed. To her and others in this town who were innocent, I was just another thug. She grabbed her son's hand tightly as I continued my job towards the police station.
Eventually, I could see the place a few blocks away. My heart was making it painful as I came closer. Then my brain kept feeding me the worst scenarios. Things like being too late, Taehyung hating us, or Taehyung for some reason giving the cops a reason to use physical force on him. I doubt they would lay a hand on him though. He was a minor, but he also was a gang member who had a lot of personality. One where he could even get cops to love him. Letting out a chuckle, I can't wait to see him. I'm going to be a good hyung. A better one for him.
Walking up the steps of the station, I tried not to wonder too much on how Yoongi fixed our problem. He knew people and that's the best answer I'll get. His connections were never questioned. He knew more about the criminal worldthan the rest of us did since her grew up in it. I still felt paranoid entering the building. My whole body grew tense to see a couple cops behind desks. 'They don't know' I assured myself. These cops have to think I'm a friend and not an enemy. It was so hard forcing myself to trust them. Even if it was just acting. A cop lifted their head as I came up to the counter.
"I'm here to see Kim Taehyung. Is he here?" I tapped my fingers impatiently on the counter. They smiled at me before typing away at their computer.
"Let's see...yes, Kim Taehyung is down the right call in the farthest cell. He's in for gang involvement and suspected drug dealing." They gave me a dramatic wink. "But you didn't hear that from me..."
"Okay? How much is the bail?" I shook my head.
"Oof. A visit is a lot better than the current bail." The cop chuckled, slowly aggravating me. They weren't taking this seriously enough for me. It made me feel like they took Taehyung being in jail as a joke. "Are you sure you don't want to visit him first? I bet he'd like to see you before you run off from the amount."
"Fine! Whatever, I'll be back." I raised my voice to see them jump in their seat. The cop next to them glanced up to me as I marched over towards Taehyung's cell. Great, now I have a cop whose got their eye on me.
Passing all the cells made me forget how cold I was. Drunk adults laid on the floor, mumbling nonsense. Other teens past their bed time, rebelling against their parents. Only a few looked like actual thugs that Yoongi would be acquainted with. As I came closer to the end of the hall, my chest thumped. Taehyung would be sitting in there. Whatever thoughts he had on me or emotions he felt, they wouldn't be my imagination anymore. But I had to face him and beg for his forgiveness.
Taking a step in front of Taehyung's cell, a silver haired boy was looking down at his feet with his finger grazing the floor. He was boredly playing around. Turning his feet to the tune he was blubbering out. Placing my hand on the cell, it wasn't as painful to see him with my own eyes. He didn't look like they gave him any injuries. That made my worries wash away as I let out a relieved sigh. Taehyung then looked up with his lips puffed out. We made eye contact right away and he was shocked to see me standing here.
"H-Hyung!?" Taehyung stood up.
"You're safe... I'm so sorry for not saving you. For not being a good brother." My eyes wandered down to my feet. Soon I saw his shoes in front of my own. Lifting my head, Taehyung was only a few inches away from me with a smile on his face. "... I'm going to get you out of here and I know that doesn't excuse the fact that we left you. I hope you can forgive me and the others, but I'll understand if you're still angry at us. I'll leave you alone after bailing you out if that is what you wish."
"Hoseok Hyung... I'm not mad." Taehyung chuckled, his eyes watering. "I'm just glad you came."
"...r-really?" I felt something lift off my chest. I was finally able to breathe.
"Are the others here?" Taehyung laughed, nodding his head and tried poking his head out between the bars. His excitement for the others put a crack on my heart. He jumped up and down, waiting to see who else could be waiting to see him.
"Oh. No, I'm sorry, Taehyung. It's only me." The smile on my face fell back to a frown. Even though I felt awful for disappointing him, Taehyung still kept that boxy grin on his face. After all that happened? Sometimes I felt like this boy did a better job at being the light of the group than I did. "How come you're still smiling?"
"Me?" Taehyung chuckled. "Because you're here. I knew one of you guys would come back for me."
"But you saw Namjoon tell us to drive away. Aren't you mad at him?" I furrowed my brows. "He's been causing you all this stress and now you're in jail!" Nothing this boy was doing made sense to me. After how I reacted to Namjoon earlier in the warehouse, Taehyung was making me feel like I overreacted.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Hyung." He bowed before giving me that grin of his. "But I'm not mad at Namjoon. Or the others if you're wondering. I've actually been thinking!" Taehyung went to sit down on his bench again. "Yoongi hyung and I have a lot more in common than I thought!"
"How so?" I laughed at the thought. They seemed to be polar opposites in my opinion. That didn't mean they couldn't get along. They just had two strong personalities that made me wonder how Taehyung could ever find a connection between them.
"We both have criminal records now~!" He intoned.
While Taehyung laughed, I didn't join in at the thought of sweet little Tae having a criminal record as a minor. It still haunted me. I wanted to yell at myself repeatedly, but Taehyung insisted that it was no big deal. He was definitely stronger than I was. Before I knew it, a matching grin was on my face. Taehyung has grown a lot from the day Namjoon and I first found him. To think he's become the man I see him today. He's still obviously a child, but he's matured a lot faster than I'd ever thought he would. He wasn't mad at us members and could now actually be considered a criminal. We've never been caught before so Namjoon was right in a way. There's a first for everything. That idiot is still going to get an ear full when we get back.
"Well, I'm gonna go pay for your bail. We'll be out and back home before you know it." I sighed to see him jump around his cell again. The sight was a bit strange, but also warming.
Heading over to the desk area again, I felt the eyes of the cop again. They still didn't trust me after I got upset with their gossip cop. It wasn't my fault. For once I wanted a cop to take their job seriously and professionally. I've grown a soft hatred for cops since joining a gang and I'm trying to not let it out in the worst place. That cop just really frustrated me. There's no time to think about that now. All I have to do is pay for Taehyung's bail, even if it's a lot. I know I have the money because of all these deals we've been doing recently. Plus, I save my money. I hardly waste a cent. Saving money is important to me and should only be used for important things. This was my time to use it. Getting up to the counter, the gossip cop immediately started to talk.
"Whoa, you're back." Gossip laughed. "I thought you'd just say hi and leave your friend."
"May I please know the bail now?" I asked.
"Oh wow, you're serious." Gossip pulled themselves closer to their computer. "What's their name again?"
"Kim Taehyung," I said, clearly seeing the cop next to them giving me a dirty look.
"D*mn. The bond amount for this kid isn't really worth it if you ask me." Gossip before smacking the counter. "I'm just kidding."
"Can you just tell me the amount?" I huffed as the other cop narrowed their eyes on me. "I'll pay right now."
"You can always set a court date andâ" Gossip tried speaking again, but I slammed the counter in annoyance.
"The amount!" I shouted to get all kinds of stares from other people. The other cop stood up from their chair with a scowl.
"Sir, calm down." They stared down at me.
"Yeah, I was justâ" Gossip placed their hand on me in attempts to calm me down, but it wasn't working. It only frustrated me more. All I wanted was to get Taehyung out! Why were they making this so hard for me?
"Get your hands off me!" I shoved them off. Suddenly, all cops in the room stared in my direction. Sh*t.
Your P.O.V.
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Today has gone in a lot of different directions. A fight with Jungkook, a deal, forgiveness, then another deal, Taehyung's in jail, Hoseok fought with Namjoon, and now he's gone. Hoseok left to go get Taehyung out of jail while he left Namjoon nervously shifting around in his seat. He was left to rethink all his actions that led up to this moment. Jungkook and Jimin came by your side, giving you more information on the situation and trying their best to not make things awkward. They were good friends to you. Now you just hoped that things with Namjoon and Hoseok could clear up. You were still in the dark with a few things, but you'd need more than a day to learn all about that.
Things in the warehouse had gotten dark ever since the sunshine left. Yoongi hadn't said a word after helping Hoseok find Taehyung. Namjoon also didn't say a word since his best friend left. There's been a lot of silence tonight. It wasn't until Seokjin got a call on his phone that everyone was no longer stuck in a tunnel. We all were brought out to hear that sunshine was on the other side. Everyone was facing Seokjin who looked shocked. Something happened. He got up from his seat with his keys and hurried towards the exit of the warehouse. The call ended as soon as it started, but Seokjin quickly walked towards Namjoon to say one more thing.
"Hoseok has been detained." Seokjin sighed to have everyone's jaws drop.
"What? Why!?" Namjoon knitted his brows, growing more anxious.
"He apparently showed aggression towards an officer." Seokjin rubbed the back of his head. "I'm going to get the both of them out. When we're back, be ready to talk, okay? You've had enough time to think."
"...fine, Hyung." Namjoon nodded as the eldest walked out.
After that, people were speechless once again. Hoseok managed to get himself in jail trying to get Taehyung out of jail. That just sounded crazy. Namjoon let out one last stressed groan before turning to you with a guilty expression. He started to spill all his built-up feelings. How he felt when he got the message that his mother was in the hospital to Hoseok getting arrested. He mentioned some things that you didn't even realize he would feel bad about. He still felt bad for leaving you at the porridge restaurant, but you told him not to worry about it. His Mom was in the hospital so it's not like you were going to be pissed.
Namjoon knew everything went bad because of his actions. He continued spitting out information about the bills. How his Mom is too weak to get out of bed and see them piling on the table. It's been eating at Namjoon and now two people he cared about dearly were in jail. Jungkook and Jimin gave their leader a pat on the back. Slowly, Namjoon made things right with the other members. He didn't know what to do once the other two arrived. How would they react? Hoseok was shouting the last time he was here and Taehyung was abandoned on the job. They'd both be pretty angry. Hoseok might still be furious since he got himself arrested for aggression towards an officer. You'd think he'd be more careful or harmless.
Soon the familiar sound of the truck engine came roaring by. They were back. Everyone was on their feet, waiting for the rest to arrive. Even Yoongi was waiting for the three members to start coming in. Seokjin came in first with pursed lips, swinging his keys with one finger. He stood to the side and Hoseok came in with an embarrassed expression. Then Taehyung came in behind him with a giant smile. He waved happily at everyone which brought confusion to all members. Including you. When Jungkook and Jimin told you about how it felt to leave Taehyung, it sounded like losing a friend at war. Now they had his ghost happily waving at them. What's going on?
"Erm, I just wanted to stay I'm sorry for yelling at you, Namjoon." Hoseok bowed to his friend. He didn't make eye contact, not because he was still mad but because was blushing bright red. He probably didn't expect to get arrested tonight and saved by the eldest member.
"No, I'm sorry for being the worst leader. I'm supposed to watch over you guys and make sure everyone's safe. This gang is a family, not a business." Namjoon came closer towards the three members near the entrance.
"It's okay, Namjoon hyung. I'm not mad at anyone." Taehyung stepped forward. Namjoon was stunned at the second youngest's words. Seokjin let out a sigh with his arms crossed. Yoongi let out a scoff of disbelief, but you could see a hint of relief. Jimin tilted his head with a puzzled expression while Jungkook didn't agree with the silver hair. If Jungkook were the one in jail, this would be a whole different story.
"I'm still going to make things right." Namjoon engulfed the two boys into a tight hug.
"Group hug!" Hoseok shouted for everyone to join in. Seokjin came running in and so did Jimin. Jungkook slowly walked over while Yoongi took a while to drag his body over. You remained on the couch, watching with a small smile. You didn't know if this moment was just for them or not. Taehyung opened his eyes to see you still on the couch.
"(F/n), Hoseok said 'group hug'!" Taehyung pouted.
"Yeah, come on (F/n)." Namjoon chuckled.
"Nice and tight!" Hoseok squeezed those around him.
He wanted so badly to hug all seven people in the hug. Giggling with them, you had your arms around Namjoon and Jungkook while your body rested against Jimin's back. The hug lasted for some time until Yoongi lost interest. Then Jungkook got out and soon the group hug officially ended. Namjoon went back to his rusty chair with his dimple grin. Hoseok has his arm around the leader after ruffling Taehyung's hair. The silver haired boy ran over to the rest of the first years, extremely happy to be back with everyone. The gang felt more complete this way. They wouldn't be the 'bullet boys' without the guy who gave it that name.
"We're going to help Namjoon pay his bills." Hoseok announced to get an approving nod from each member.
"What? That's not necessary." Namjoon shook his head, but Hoseok placed his hands on the sides of the pink hair's face to stop him from disagreeing.
"We're pitching in!" Taehyung threw his fist in the air. "So more members don't get arrested!"
"Yeah. I had to call my only connection to help get these guys out without problems." Seokjin came over. "We're ending your problem now. Where are those bills?"
"Guys..." Namjoon's face got pink.
"We got money, Hyung. Don't worry." Jungkook rolled his eyes with a sigh.
"Yeah, you don't even have to pay us back. As long as you go back to the great leader you really are." Jimin gave an angel like smile.
"Well, I'd like to be paid back," Yoongi grumbled.
Namjoon shook his head at all his member's words. He strongly believed that the gang was a team, but often refused getting help from anyone. There were times when you just had to push away your pride. This wasn't just to help Namjoon. You wished you could help pitch in too, but you didn't have gang money like these boys. They could afford to spend enough won to buy the crappy apartment you lived at. At least that's what you pictured. The boys were still humble, never mentioning all the money they had, or flashing it in anyone's face at school or in public. Namjoon thanked everyone with a happy grin. Eventually his eyes connected with yours as you gave him a soft smile.
"Hey Namjoon...don't be afraid to ask for help, okay?" You requested. He hesitated before nodding silently. Soon all the members were smacking him playfully, ruffling his hair, and shouting happily.