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It was beautiful.
The city lights were so vibrant at this hour of the night, when the last rays of sunshine had finished their shift for the day a long time ago, and now all that's left was darkness. An endless dark sky with only the stars to gaze up at, though they rarely showed their beauty in front of him.
That, for once, was not a Seokjin problem. It had to do more with the air pollution getting worse in Seoul.
But who knows, maybe even the stars were against him.
He was dangling his feet off of the edge of a rather large and even taller skyscraper, the cold wind blowing his hair in front of his eyes and obscuring his view.
Okay, so even the wind is determined to ruin his day further, or at least his city-gazing. Maybe not five-stars, since there are no stars here, but he'd still rate this view a 10/10 regardless of any disturbances, like the multiple sirens roaring in all directions and the occasional screams of the unfortunate.
Maybe he's too generous.
Funny how the whole world believes he's evil, isn't it?
Maybe he is. Seokjin doesn't know anymore.
Maybe he should just accept his fate and play his part. Make a habit of killing innocent civilians like he's believed to fancy doing instead of helping old ladies cross the road like he's done today and yesterday and the day before and at any given time he can.
Maybe he should spend his time destroying random buildings for fun, instead of supporting all the small businesses of the local college art students and the hardworking elderly.
Just today he was listening to a story about 'him' attacking a local mall and causing hundreds of deaths and casualties, the story being told by a positively overenthusiastic rookie reporter almost stumbling over his words in his excitement to recall the atrocities of the day. Seokjin was just standing in line to buy some cotton-candy from one of the lovely ahjummas he knows and maybe leave a large tip while he's at it. He knows she doesn't make much.
He gave the cotton-candy away to a little boy who lost his parents at the crowded, bustling market before taking the child back to said parents, waving away their thanks and bowing them goodbye before wandering away.
They wouldn't be happy to know he was near their child if they knew he's the monster they hear about all the time.
To be fair, he's not the actual perpetuator of these crimes (most of the time), but the fact that he is a monster still stands.
He used to believe having superpowers meant that he was born to be a superhero.
Yet somehow, in a twisted turn of fate, Seokjin ended up walking a very different route in life.
One he never willingly chose, but it was all that was left for him.
Seokjin sighed, a soft puff of air leaving his lips as his thoughts danced around in his head, a deep sorrow mingling with the twinkling city lights sparkling in his eyes.
It's okay, Seokjin can endure. It's okay, he tells himself over and over again until he believes it.
He closes his eyes, willing his breathing to stay steady and desperately trying to clear his mind. He does a few breathing exercises Namjoon had taught him a while ago, one that he's used on countless much like this before, one that reminds him of the gentle giant that would hold his hands if he were here and whisper sweet soothing little words until all Seokjin can feel is warmth all around him.
Namjoon's not here, and if anything he's cold in the evening breeze, but it helps.
When Seokjin feels relatively calm again, as calm as he can manage, he lets his shoulders relax and his mind drift to calmer places as he stares at the starless sky.
He's broken out of his reverie when another presence makes himself known behind him.
"Hyung."
Seokjin doesn't startle, doesn't flinch or move at all. Although he did not sense that he wasn't alone previously, he's not the least bit alarmed. He just smiles softly at the sound of the youngers voice, but doesn't move away from the edge. Doesn't speak either.
"Hyung."
If I don't answer, is he just gonna keep repeating the word like a fool?
"That's right, I will. I am a fool for you, hyung." Seokjin thinks he heard a kissy sound accompanying the other's attempts at flirting, making him roll his eyes in a very fond, if not mildly disgusted manner.
"That was corny, even for you. Did you take one of Namjoon's mind-fuck potions, that you can read my mind?"
"No. You said that out loud." The other male replied matter of factly.
Seokjin shrugged his shoulders, feeling rather amused at himself than any kind of embarrassment. He's known to have very little shame after all, second only to Jimin's shamelessness, but still.
"Oh, well." Seokjin inched a little closer to the edge, still inspecting the night city as he spoke, "Why are you here, Taehyung-ah?"
"Well, I came for you, of course. To take you home." Taehyung said, voice silky and tone pleasant, a deep timbre.Seokjin knew without looking his way that he was standing a few feet behind him, posture probably rigid and ridiculously perfect, clothes likely elegant and making him look like a sexy rich Victorian vampire that spends his time being a successful businessman as of lately in this new economy. Seokjin can envision it perfectly, the somehow organized mess of black curls on his head falling into his eyes and hiding those deep, dark brown orbs of his.
He's certain Taehyung looks as striking at the current moment as ever, no doubt.
"Have you been here the whole time?" Now that Seokjin thinks back to it, he had seen a crow or two fly around here, after all.
"No, hyung. Not the whole time. Long enough to know you must be cold, though."
Seokjin's lips twitched, a smile threatening to bloom on his them because Taehyung was adorable like that, worrying about Seokjin getting a cold, even though he knows Seokjin could easily heat himself up just fine.
Well, Seokjin is not famous for being the king of self-care at all. That's probably precisely why Taehyung worries.
"Do you think I need a babysitter, Taehyung-ah?"
Taehyung's voice was a little frantic as he hurried to answer. "No, no, of course not. But hyung, Jungkookie and Yoongi hyung made dinner together. I didn't want you to miss that, so I came here. We can either go now, or miss it together and wait for the sunrise."
There was no malice in the younger's voice, not a trace of irritation or sarcasm. He was dead serious in his offer, always so so genuine it hurt.
Not for the first time Seokjin thought that Taehyung was too pure for this world.
"You know I hate it when you miss out on meals. Whether I'm there or not Tae, you should've stayed with the others."
Light footsteps pattered on the ground before the younger sat down next to him, also dangling his feet around, the action looking rather comical combined with his white silk shirt, black slacks and black trench coat making him truly look like a silly but mysterious Victorian vampire. Seokjin was right, as he usually tends to be. That previous description of his is not that far off at all.
"Well, I missed you. Haven't seen you all day, hyung. Plus guess what, I also strongly dislike it when you don't show up for family meals. Your presence is missed, not just by me."
"Are you scolding me right now, Kim Taehyung?" Seokjin raised an incredulous brow. Well, that's not a first, but certainly isn't an everyday occasion either.
Taehyung is usually the epitome of respect in all his posh, put together and endlessly elegant glory. Not that this even scratched the surface of disrespect, but Seokjin was thrilled nonetheless.
"Never." Okay, now that was definitely some sass and sarcasm mixture.
Seokjin chuckled, a real and genuine smile tugging at his lips for probably the first time that day.
He sighed as he stared at the perfect side-profile of the younger male, all sharp lines enhanced by the delicate curve of his pouty lips, the gentleness of those deep, beautiful eyes, the sight somehow even more enchanting than the previous city lights.
Seokjin found himself once again enthralled by the sheer beauty of Taehyung's entire being.
He stared at him openly as he spoke again, having no intention's of averting his gaze.
"We can go, Taehyung-ah, but tell me something first."
Taehyung turned to him, warm brown eyes meeting his own as he smiled his pretty boxy smile and nodded, promising he wouldn't lie.
Seokjin had no doubts about this, but it warmed his heart nonetheless.
He looked into Taehyung's eyes deeply, leaving a dramatic pause for anticipation.
"Is my kitchen still intact after Kookie and Yoongi?"
Taehyung blinked in surprise before laughing and grimacing a little, smile turning sheepish as he nodded uncertainly.
"It is.." he trailed off, giving off the impression that there was definitely more to be said about the matter.
"How big is the mess?" Seokjin smirked as he saw the exact moment Taehyung realized he swore to tell the truth. After all, Taehyung never breaks a promise. The younger seemed to be regretting that habit of his right about now. "Tell me, Tae."
"Like, on a scale-" Taehyung was definitely stalling.
"Tae."
"Okay, okay, it's pretty big.. Actually, scratch that, it's like, massive. They also allowed Namjoon hyung to help a little- Hyung, I think they broke your fridge."
"THEY WHAT??!"
———————————————————————-
"Listen here, pretty boy, do I need to remind you of the rules of my household?" Seokjin put his hands on his hips, staring down at the unsuspecting male sitting on the couch.
At once, understanding seemed to dawn on Namjoon as he nodded to himself.
"Ah, okay, no wonder why everyone scurried away so quickly within the past ten minutes. You're angry. At me, I guess." Namjoon looked up at him, the fear in his eyes impressively well hidden.
Everyone else who had been present at the apartment did indeed flee the scene the second they sensed something off about Jin, not wishing to be there and get accidently involved in the scolding that's surely about to ensue when the eldest explodes.
Seokjin did not look murderous just yet, so that's a good sign, Namjoon tried to tell himself to cheer himself up.
"Namjoon, my fridge is missing a door." Seokjin stated simply, then watched as the younger squirmed on the couch uncomfortably, all his previous bravado gone within a second, as if blown away by a gust of wind.
"Uhh, yeah, so about that hyung-"
"What are the rules in my house, Namjoon?" Seokjin asked, voice hard and gaze intense, appearance not even softened by the pink apron he was sporting or the spatula hanging from his hand. Actually, that spatula looked vaguely threatening right now in Namjoon's eyes.
Namjoon quivered a bit in his place as he averted the elder's gaze, staring down at the fluffy rug of the living room guiltily, tracing patterns over it with his feet absentmindedly.
"I shall not enter the kitchen for any other reason than to eat what's already been made, had I happen to have any intentions to do otherwise, I shall ask for your supervision." He dutifully mumbled in shame, looking like a kicked puppy, his giant frame somehow appearing suddely tiny in front of Seokjin's smaller one.
"Good boy. Now, shoo away and get my fridge fixed somehow." Seokjin's eyes softened as he patted the younger's face affectionately, before adding, "Also, don't think I won't kick Yoongi's and Kook's asses as well. They can run, but they can't hide." he said gleefully with a slightly crazed look to his eyes, and Namjoon quickly fled the scene to go on his quest, all the while muttering "you're so fucking scary sometimes, oh my god' under his breath.
———————————————————————-
An angry Jungkook stormed through the front door and stopped right in front of Seokjin.
"Hyung, where is the baker from last week?"
The older was just peacefully preparing dinner and humming a song he's heard from Yoongi earlier, having a jolly time until Jungkook came barging into the apartment and wreaking havoc, as one usually does.
These youngsters and their endless bounds of energy.
Not that the younger's sudden appearance is a problem, of course. In fact, Jin is more than happy to see him. Jungkook is always welcome, at any given time.
Even if he comes in like a madman, fuming and yelling at him.
Seokjin half expected his hair to burst into flames any second now like the angry little man character from Inside Out, or maybe he would start breathing fire with the way he was staring Seokjin down, even though they were about the same height.
He might even start foaming at the mouth like a feral dog. Jungkook definitely did look a little feral at the moment.
"He went missing, or so I've heard." Jin replied casually, staring back at Jungkook innocently.
Jungkook narrowed his eyes at him and pointed a finger at him accusingly.
"Where is he?" Jungkook asked, voice strained as he struggled to keep his cool. Seokjin had always praised him on his good manners after all.
"How would I know, Jungkookie?" Seokjin pouted at him, eyes still the very picture of virtue and innocence, like a wolf in a sheep’s clothes.
Jungkook knew him too well to buy his act though.
"Where. Is. He." Jungkook enunciated each word sharply as he took a step closer, making the elder reflexively take one back in turn.
"Why are you so quick to accuse me? You wound me, Jungkookie." Seokjin said, panting a little as his back hit the wall where Jungkook cornered him. Seokjin had a seriously hard time keeping back a happy smile from spreading on his face.
Jungkook scoffed at both his words and demeanor.
Seokjin could overpower him with the lift of a finger, probably even less.
One measly movement, and Jungkook would be all but dust under his shoes. Yet here he was, acting innocent and enjoying Jungkook backing him up and towering over him way too much.
"Drop the act, hyung. I thought we agreed the last time was gonna be the last." Jungkook's disappointed tone finally managed to get a flicker of guilt rush through Seokjin's chest.
Seokjin rolled his eyes, all his previous air of innocence gone in a second as it made way to exasperation. "Okay, fine! So maybe I heard this and that.. but what does that matter? He was a bastard." he shrugged his shoulders, but the look of disapproval on Jungkook's face told him they were standing on very different viewpoints.
"It matters because he's a human being with a life and a family who are looking for him!" Jungkook snapped at him, eyes aflame.
Seokjin raised a brow at the outburst, unfazed. "And am I supposed to care?"
Jungkook shook his head in a mix of frustration and disbelief, mouth agape for a second as if he needed to make sure he was hearing right.
Seokjin wondered if this is the moment he’s gonna start breathing fire with how much fury was barely concealed in those pretty doe eyes of his.
"Of course you are supposed to care!" The younger exclaimed, still angry and breathing hard before he dropped his gaze from Seokjin's unsettlingly indifferent eyes to the ground. "Hyung. Tell me you at least kept him alive. Please." His voice shook and it immediately made Seokjin feel a thousand times shittier than any sob story of that bastard's loved ones or life.
Seokjin stayed silent for a few seconds before carefully lifting Jungkook's chin so that he could see the single nod of his head.
Jungkook's shoulder's slumped in relief and he dropped his head onto the elder's shoulder, sighing. "Oh thank god."
Seokjin gently put his arms around the younger's shoulder, giving him space to push him off incase he's still mad at him and doesn't want him to touch him. But Jungkook just relaxed into his hold further, leaning his body weight more on Seokjin and enjoying the affection with a content little sound that had Seokjin smiling to himself.
Seokjin sighed after a few seconds of comfortable silence, his tone grim when he spoke up. "He made you cry, Jungkookie. He dared to hurt you, and for that only he deserved so much worse. I shouldn't have kept him alive this long. He deserved to die."
A fine shiver wracked through Jungkook's body, his arms tightening around Seokjin, but he still shook his head where it was pressed into Seokjin's collarbone.
"No, he didn't. He doesn't. It's fine. Don't go around avenging people in my name."
Seokjin frowned, "It's the farthest from fine, actually. It's unacceptable. And I'm not doing in in your name, no offense, but the credit is mine."
"Hyung." Jungkook said sternly. Always so stubborn.
"Jungkookie, someone has to stand up for you since you never do it yourself." Seokjin whispered gently after a few seconds of silence as he cradled Jungkook's head lovingly and ran his finger's through his locks.
"Not like this, and I'm fine. Anyways, I expect the police to find him by the end of the day well and alive." The younger's voice was strict and Jin didn't wish to argue with him, but he couldn't resist a bit of teasing.
"So demanding, so bossy.." He whined playfully, before wincing a little with a sheepish smile as he tried to carefully select these next words. "Alive? Sure. Well? I don't know about that, Jungkookie."
Jungkook started grumbling angrily again so Seokjin was quick to reassure him. Or at least try to. "But I will not cause any more harm. I promise."
"I'll take what I can, I guess.." Jungkook agreed, though sounding reluctant.
They were still hugging and enjoying the quiet alone time together by the time Seokjin suddenly flinched violently and tried to pry Jungkook's limbs off of his body quickly where the younger was clinging to him almost like a koala.
"OH SHIT!"
Jungkook jumped aside at lightspeed, alarmed and a little scared when he asked. "What??"
"THE DINNER! FUCKING HELL- Phew, okay it was on low heat, haha.."