Namjoon's parents are exactly the typical rich parents.

Well, Namjoon's dad is the typical parent. His mom is less of a pain in the neck.

Today, just like other 25th day of every month, Namjoon has to sit down and listen to his dad's plan. Being the oldest son, he has to live accordingly to the given instructions from his parents. His dad is a potential partner to one of the biggest trading company in the region. Every step taken has to be full of carefulness.

The talk has been going about quite a while now, mostly of Namjoon's final exam and his graduation, and his grades, and the possible outstanding certificate(s) and rewards he's going to get. Namjoon hasn't been fully paying attention because he is just really bored out of his wit. But then the talk shifts to the topic he's been avoiding for the past 2 years.

He grits his teeth and begs the stars for his dad to stop. And after a while, that talk, too, comes to an end.

"Can I go now?"

"One more thing." His mom gestures him to sit back down. Since she hasn't talked at all throughout this whole talk, he obeys and sits down. "Namjoon, I don't want you hanging out with that friend of yours anymore."

He seems quite taken aback by his mom's request. "Where does this come from all of a sudden?"

"It's been an issue for me for some times now, darling. I hope you understand."

He does not expect this from his mom at all. His dad, totally, but his mom. She knows Jin since fetus!

"Why, is it because he's not the richest kid on the block?"

"I don't want bad reputation of that kid to rub off on you." His mom speaks in a different tone now. It's kind of intimidating because she has never spoken to him in such a way before. "But looks like some it it has already clung onto you."

"Mom-"

"Your mother is right. I should have prevented this since the first day. You are not to associate yourself with that kid anymore."

"He's the only friend I have. You can't do this to me. Not this one."

"Find a better friend. Surely you can do with someone less messed up."

"He is not messed up. He is abused. He's fragile and lives a sadder life than you see from the outside. What do you know about friendship? Is it one that only brings you benefit? You can't make me live like you."

"Are you challenging me?"

"Dear," his mother jumps in again. "I'm sure Namjoon doesn't mean it that way."

"What if I do? What are you going to do? Cut off my financial supply? Severe the tie?"

"Namjoon darling, don't provoke your father."

"No, mom, tell father not to provoke me."

Namjoon stands up and leaves the room. This one ends well. Better than most of the other times.

-

Namjoon takes a nightly stroll along the construction site by the river. He wants to have the time to himself and relax his mind, but a shadow of someone on the ledge irks him to climb up the stairs and see. He does. Once he's up there, the person's identity becomes clear to him.

"Taehyung?"

Taehyung cranes his head in a strange manner. "Hey,"

"What are you doing up here?"

"I need air." Taehyung says very quietly. It's so not like him. "My mom brought her new boyfriend and he's a douche."

"Oh." Namjoon sits down besides Taehyung, his legs dangling off the ledge too. "Mind if I join you? I'm having a tough time myself."

"Is it serious?"

Namjoon doesn't normally share his story with anyone other than Jin. But tonight, he just wants to spill everything to Taehyung. And so, he tells the young friend everything. It's a long story, and by the time he finishes Taehyung doesn't look too depressed anymore. Maybe it helps—in both way. Namjoon now feels less suffocated and Taehyung less stressed out about his own life.

"Wow, sunbae, your life is a net drama." Taehyung comments, which makes Namjoon snicker. Jin has said the same thing to him—that his life is net drama and he's the pathetic lead character. He didn't agree then, but now it kinda makes sense.

"Yours would make a good one too," Namjoon reaches out and squeezes Taehyung on the back of his neck. Taehyung stiffens at the touch. "Dude, you're so cold."

"I am freezing."

"Here, take my jacket."

"No, thanks. You wear it." Taehyung glances at his sunbae friend. "You need it more."

"Are you really okay?"

Taehyung nods and lies down on the ledge. Namjoon follows a second later. Together they gaze at the stars and dark ocean above them. Everything flickers one after another, the moon is big and bright in the middle with all these sparkles around it. Taehyung reaches out his hand and vaguely gestures at the night sky. 

"I wish I had a camera with me. Everything is so beautiful right now."

"I have a phone,"

"Nah. Camera camera. You know?"

"Fine." Namjoon shoves his phone back into his pocket. "Let's come back tomorrow night. I'll bring a camera camera."

Taehyung lets out a soft laughter. "I'm not going to be here tomorrow."

And they stay quiet. For a long while before Taehyung speaks again, "Everything is so ugly up close."

"Tae,"

"The stars. The moon. My life."

"Tae-"

"I wonder if the river down there is also very ugly up close."

"Wait, dude," something doesn't feel right. Namjoon always has a hunch, and most of the time it always turns out correct. "You're not here to jump, are you??"

Taehyung doesn't answer. He just smiles.

-

Jimin sits down in exhaustion because he's been practicing vocal lesson with the coach since the afternoon sun set in. He's been accepted as a trainee at the agency Namjoon is in. At first it's fun and exciting, but after the immense amount of works he's required to do, the physical toll it has on him has made the fun and excitement less likely enjoyable. But Jimin still tries his best, because when all the work day ends, he gets to come back to the dorm to his favorite person.

Slowly, a familiar pair of hands snake around his shoulder.

"Need a massage, Jiminie?"

"Yes please." Jimin almost begs.

Jungkook's hands are a little rough this evening. His massage is also a little sloppy. He's a little stiff, overall. And slowly, he stops. Jimin opens his eyes and is about to ask what's wrong when the front door of their dorm room bursts open. Coming inside is Jungkook who looks just as tired.

"Jungkook??"

"Hey," the younger boy greets quietly. "I fell asleep in the library. Sorry if you were worried."

When Jimin doesn't reply, Jungkook looks up and sees his boyfriend pale and has his mouth hung low in terror. "What's wrong, Jimin?"

"You…"

"Sorry. I was reading this biology book and then out of nowhere this book reads me and-"

"If you just came back, then who were giving me a massage earlier?"

Both Jungkook and Jimin stays up that night.

And many nights later.

A/N: I'm sorry to keep you all waiting so long. I had final exam, but it's all done now so i'm freeeeeeee!

Enjoy reading the vague prologue~