Jungkook’s POV 

Right now we’re currently doing our investigation. Both Jimin Hyung and I had been drinking for the past few hours and still has not yet feel a tad bit of tipsiness. We both have strong alcohol tolerance. Mean while this Taehyung hyung didn’t even had a full glass and is already stumbling. By this time the spies who were following us already left. Tae hyung might be a good actor but he can never deceive me. By the looks of it, he’s been trying so hard to act like normal. 

“Jimin hyung! Can I excuse myself for a second? I think I- I ... saw someone I know!” Tae hyung said. I was just standing at the side with both arms crossed in my chest. Watch Jimin Hyung insist to take us with him. Ever since we were little, those guys were practically soulmates. As if Jimin Hyung was already the extension of Tae hyung’s mind, body and soul. 

“We’ll go with you Tae! Just to make sure you’ll be safe. You’ll never know when those leeches decided to jump out at you.” Jimin hyung said trying to grab my wrist. SEE SEE?! I’M RIGHT! That made me smirk by myself a little bit. I’m tired so I might as well head out first. I might love adventures and all but I really hate walking. I was about to leave but to my surprise Tae hyung pulled his hand away with such force from Jimin’s even before his hand could reach his. I know he’s drunk but he never acted out like this before. Just for a second I caught that look on his eye. Something is off about him. It’s not the alcohol. Something else is bugging him. I just can’t point it out. 

“IT’S A GIRL ALRIGHT?!” Tae hyung finally shouted. I looked at him again, surprised. I think this is the first time that I saw Tae hyung shouting at Jimin Hyung. He seemed mad? That’s not it. I don’t think he’s telling the truth. 

“Aish you’re only going to embarrass me if we went together” Tae hyung said in a much calmer tone now. Now I’m sure he is definitely hiding something. The Tae hyung that I know will never be embarrass of us. The Tae hyung that I know will proudly scream to the whole world that we are not only his friends but his family as well. And that’s when it hits me. 

“YAAAA! JIMIN HYUNG! TAE HYUNG’S AFRAID WE MIGHT STEAL THE GIRL! With these killer looks everyone is going to be shaking. You might steal his possible love. Let him go! He’s a grown man already.” I said patting Jimin hyung’s shoulders. Words just started to come out. I don’t even know what I’m doing or even saying. Damn! I don’t think I made a good alibi. I just hope Jimin Hyung would somehow let this go. 

Tae hyung might be in pain again. That’s why he’s suddenly like this. I have to follow him to make sure he’s okay. I made a promise that I will never let anyone know about this, until the day tae hyung decided to tell us the truth. But until then, his secret is safe with me and will hide all the traces left for them to know. He never wants us to see this side of him. The dark and the weak side of him. He’s always bright and can lighten everyone’s mood in a heartbeat, that’s what he wants us to remember.

But lately, his headaches had worsen day by day. I watched him in the shadows. I cried with him secretly, tormented, bearing with all the pain. I might be mean on him on the outside but my fondness for him is still the same as we were little. He’s my precious hyung and I won’t ever let his shine go dim. 

“Eeeyyy! You could’ve just told me earlier! Go! Go now or I’ll beat your out if I change my mind! Go!” Jimin hyung said slightly chuckling. He smiled brightly at Tae hyung. From what it seems Tae hyung take it as a go. But for what I can see Jimin Hyung is worrying and is already suspecting that something is wrong. Jimin Hyung is almost as good as Tae hyung in pretending to be okay. Both of them were good in acting but only Jimin Hyung is quick to know whether Tae is acting or not. Now is the time I should step up. Not until Tae hyung tells Jimin Hyung about his horrible pain that he’s been going through. Not until then hyung. 

“Hehe! I’m sorry I’m cutting our trip short but love shouldn’t wait you know! Got to go! See you at home guys! I love youuuuu” Tae hyung said happily skipping away from us. Jimin Hyung’s smile quickly fade away once Tae hyung left. 

“Jungkook-ah I might not have Namjoon’s hyung IQ but I’m not stupid.” Jimin Hyung said not even facing me. His eyes were sharper than ever. 

“What do you mean hyung?” I asked him monotonously. 

“You know what I mean Jungkook.”  Jimin Hyung said but this time he looked at him. His eyes were dark and sharp. A look that sends thousands of shiver in my body. Could it be possible that he already took a hint? Or worse, does he know? I didn’t know what to respond or say. I cannot even move a muscle. DAMN IT JUNGKOOK! How can you protect Tae hyung’s secret when you’re like that! Pull yourself together! 

“HYUNG I SWEAR I DON’T KNOW HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN DATING! I- I JUST ... SAW THEM ONCE IN THE WATERMILL BUT THAT’S IT! I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ELSE!” I quickly told Jimin Hyung. Of course all of it were lies. Again, I’m hoping Jimin would believe me. Since I really got some tendencies in telling the truth whenever caught off guard. 

“What are you-“ I cut Jimin Hyung before he could ask anything. His eyebrows were burrowed in confusion. I began to pretend again that I’m panicking. 

“Oh god what did I just said? YOU DON’T KNOW DON’T YOU?!” I said covering my mouth with eyes wide open. I felt my temperature rising from this damned acting. I quickly held Jimin’s hand.  

“HYUNG! PLEASE DON’T TELL TAE HYUNG ABOUT THIS! I TOLD YOU NOTHING! I SWEAR I DON’T WANT TO DO HIS LAUNDRY AGAIN!” I started blabbing random things again. Jimin is confused but I saw his face softens. He lightly chuckled. 

“Okay! Okay! I won’t tell him!” Jimin Hyung said still chuckling while  patting my shoulder. “What a cutie” he added. I huffed a bit, pouting ever so lightly as a response in calling me cutie. 

I wish my acting is passable. I had to get out of here and follow Taehyung hyung. But what am I suppose to do. I need Jimin Hyung to get away. 

That’s when Taemin hyung came running towards us. Taemin hyung is Jimin hyung’s best informant. I hope Taemin would talk to Jimin in a far place and without me. 

“Oh Taemin hyung!” I said as I bowed quickly. Come on hurry and ask Jimin Hyung to talk to you privately. 

“Jungkook. Jimin.” He bowed to both of us. 

“What is it hyung?!” Jimin said. 

“I need to talk to you privately Jimin. I got you some new information.” He said to Jimin Hyung whispering the last sentence into Jimin Hyung’s ear. I was celebrating inside when he said those words I want to hear. 

“What is it hyung?” I said while changing my face into a much serious one. 

“I’m sorry Jungkook but I can only disclose it with Jimin. I hope you would understand” Taemin said. Another firework was lighten up in my stomach. I was screaming ‘yes yes yes! This is good! This is good’ inside my head. I backed away a bit and Jimin Hyung noticed. 

“Jungkook-ah I’m sorry but you can find your way home right? I’ll be home a little later.” Jimin said apologetically. 

“Oh. Okay hyung. I understand. I’ll head out first. Good night Taemin hyung. Jimin Hyung.” I said sadly bowing to both of them. Disappointment is painted on my face, Jimin Hyung noticed. 

“I’m sorry Jungkook, I’ll take you with me next time” Jimin Hyung said smiling apologetically. 

“It’s okay hyung just take care okay?” I said turning my back away. As soon as I turned my back I grinned and silently said ‘yes’ to myself again. 

I heard their footsteps fading and when I looked back they’re already very far away. 

I begin to hurriedly and stealthily followed Tae hyung. I hope he’s not far from here. I searched for traces of him and luckily there were some footprints left behind. I quickly followed it. 

As i’m getting closer to him I heard some faint cries. Oh no Tae! I hurriedly ran towards the sound. I don’t care anymore if he sees me. The sound of his cries has been louder and louder while my heart aches more as the sound grew louder. I have to get to him before anything bad happens to him. I don’t know what is happening to him, maybe I could ask my mother to help him? Maybe if I could talk him into getting treatments maybe he would agree? But does he want it? Or is he getting any treatment? I don’t know. It hurts how I can’t answer any of those questions. It only means how Taehyung had already bear a lot just to not make us worried. Look at how much of a mess I am now knowing his terrible condition. Imagine if he succeeded in fooling me and none of us know what he’s dealing with. I would just be a snobbish devil child to him again. Living the time of my life, only worrying about no one else but myself. I didn’t even notice that I began to cry while thinking about how Tae hyung always had his boxy smile ready to brighten anyone’s day. How innocently cute he can be most of the time. How annoying he could be when he’s nagging me. How cool he would look whenever he changed his expression into a serious one just like that. How handsome he can be without even trying. How kind hearted he is and friendly towards everyone. These just makes my heartaches even more. He doesn’t deserve this. He’s still young. I don’t want him hurting anymore. I don’t want to lose him anymore. I keep on running and running until I’m just few feet away from him. 

I was about to walk up to him when he screamed again. He was clutching his head probably wanting the pain to stop. Tears were already flowing from his eyes. I want to go to him but something is stopping me. I don’t think he wants me to see this. So I hide there, behind a tree, listening to all his cries. I cried with him this time too. I was clutching my heart the whole time. 

“Why can’t you just tell us hyung? Why?!” I asked quietly to no one. 

A twig snapped and I froze. I immediately stopped crying. I checked on Taehyung, he’s confuse as well. Someone else is here. I got to protect hyung no matter what. I drew the knife that I was hiding this whole time. Tae hyung slowly turned. He’s on the verge of passing out, I could tell how weak he is right now. If he’s alone he can never protect himself in this condition. Hyung are you planning to get killed? Look at how we weak you are. Please, rely on us just this once. 

Even before my body could react. 

“Oh god are you okay?! What is happening?!” The person hurriedly caught Tae hyung when He’s about to fall down. Their faces we’re just inches away from each other. I looked up to them and saw Taehyung already in the ground while a pale lady held him close. I decided to take a better look when I heard her say “Wake up! Wake up Tae! Please wake up”. I immediately hide again. Does this mean he’s telling the truth?! Is he really meeting a girl? I’m confused. My head started spinning. Wait? The girl! She’s familiar. I looked up again trying to see who’s the pale lady is but she’s gone. Only Taehyung was left to the ground. I scanned the area and she was not there anymore. Could it be a ghost? I suddenly had goosebumps. But she called her by his name. ‘Tae?’. Am I imagining things? I looked turned my back again and ... 

“Who are you?!” The pale lady said placing a sword in my neck ready to slice it anytime. She was wearing an exquisite hanbok, her hair is down up to his waist, she had a pale complexion, sharp eyes, thin lips and button nose. I know her. OH SHUT UP! 

“YOONGI HYUNG?!” I said half screaming half gasping. I suddenly forgot about tae hyung at the moment. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! I’m jungshook. Why is he ... ?! Addfghsjskskkdfjfodjwow?! I need explanation. 

“Jungkook?!” He said as he withdraw the sword. His voice was deep. 

“Ye- yes h- hyung! It’s me.” I said slightly shaken. 

“What are you doing here?” Yoongi hyung asked in very boring tone. 

“I was uhmm following Tae hyung he said he’s going to ask a girl that she saw out and I got curious so I followed him.” I said. Yoongi hyung seemed to be convinced. He never was a man of questions. He just nodded again went up to Tae. 

“What happened to him?” Yoongi asked why kneeling down. 

“I honestly don’t know hyung and what about you hyung? Why are you-” I said kneeling down as well. It’s the truth though. I don’t know what is really wrong with him. 

“I’m doing an undercover investigation that’s why. I thought someone was following me but it turns out that it was just Taehyung” Yoongi said monotonously. 

“Ah I see” I said not daring to ask him any more questions. 

“We have to take him home now.” Yoongi said but stopped when he looked at his outfit. I already sensed what is happening.

“It’s okay hyung I can take him home but can you please help me carry him in my back?” I asked Yoongi hyung. He just nodded and smiled. 

“I have to head out now Jungkook.” He said. 

“Thank you so much hyung!” I said while fixing Tae hyung on my back. I can feel his heartbeat  but it’s not weaker that I expected. 

“And oh Jungkook? Please don’t tell anyone about this okay? Not even Seokjin hyung.” Yoongi hyung said while walking away not turning his head back. 

“I promise hyung I won’t tell anyone” I said again as I began to walk as well. 

“Tell anyone this and you’re dead. As simple as that okay?” He added. 

“I promise hyung!” I shouted and chuckled lightly. With that he was gone. 

I was carrying Tae hyung quietly behind my back. I used the route that no one uses, so that less chance of bumping into Jimin Hyung or anyone else in our group. 

My back should be hurting right now but I was too numb to feel anything. I felt Tae hyung’s warm breathe on my neck. His weak pulse is getting stronger as minute passes by. I hope he’s resting well. I know he’s getting fewer hours of sleeps. I just hope he would just open this up to us. He can’t just pretend to be strong all the time. 

“I got you hyung. Can’t you see? I’ll protect you no matter what.” I said silently. 

Few more streets and we’re there. I was silently reflecting on the things that I should do from now on when...

“YOONGI HYUNG!!!!” Tae hyung woke up with a deep gasp and shouting the prince’s name. My heart almost drop. I, almost drop him. 

“Sorry to disappoint you but not Yoongi hyung. I’m carrying you” I calmly said pretending as if my ears were not ringing and as if I did not almost had a heart attack. 

“What ha-“ Tae hyung was about to ask something but I cut him. I already know what he is going to ask.

“Yoongi hyung saw you, passed out because you got really drunk. End of story” I said uninterestingly. I’m still carrying him on my back. I decided to keep my facade. I realize that it’s his decision from now on and I would just help him secretly as long as I can. 

“But how did you-” Taehyung said. 

“I wanted to see that young lady of yours but I saw you with Yoongi hyung instead.” I said. I felt Tae hyung’s body tensed up so I quickly added.

“He said you were too drunk that you passed out.” I said shrugging off every question. 

“How about Ji-“ again i cut him for the third time.

“Jimin hyung ran across his informant, Taemin hyung, and decided to disclose the information somewhere else, leaving me to wonder off alone. I got curious about your young lady and decided to bug you instead.”  I said monotonously. I just hope I sound convincing. 

“Also, hyung...” I began to spoke. He just hummed to let me know that he was listening. 

“I ... uhmm ... I... I’m sorry that the beautiful lady that caught your eye was actually Yoongi hyung.” I chuckled a bit “Honestly, Yoongi hyung looked ... b-beautiful in those hanboks” I said struggling to find the right words. I know I promised Yoongi hyung not to tell anyone else about this but this is my only chance, he might have seen him on hanbok or not, but it’s my chance that he might open up. At least to me. 

“OH GOD KOOKIE YOU SAW THAT TOO?! I THOUGHT YOU WOULDNT BELIEVE ME SINCE  I KEEP ON SAYING RANDOM THINGS BECAUSE I WAS DRUNK AND AL-”  Tae hyung was too excited? I don’t know. Does this mean he really saw him? But what? I don’t understand.

“Hyung what are you talking about?” I asked. “Don’t you remember who’s the last person you’re with?” I asked again. 

“I ... uhm ... can’t rememb- oh wait!” Taehyung said trying to remember.

I just hope he won’t over work his brain cells again.

“What?! That’s why he felt so familiar! It was Yoongi hyung! Wait WHAT?!” He almost screamed. I smiled to myself. There he is again being his innocent weird self again. 

“Yeah yeah! Please don’t tell anyone hyung or else we’re dead meat! Yoongi hyung would never forgive us.” I said. 

“Why is he-” he asked me again. 

“Crossdressing? Something to do with the investigation. Just please don’t tell anyone. NOT EVEN SEOKJIN HYUNG.” I said. 

The whole walk was quiet after that. I carried hyung up until the hwarang House. Luckily, we made it on time and none of the members were back from their day off. I smiled as I placed hyung in his bed. He fell asleep again on our walk home. He must’ve been really tired. I just hope he gets a good long sleep tonight. I sat beside him and start caressing his face. “Hyung don’t worry about anything now. I will always be with you know. In anything that you do I will be there. I’ll quietly protect you. You’re secret will be forever safe with me. You’ll be better in no time hyung. I’ll find a way. I promise” I whispered as I part his bangs to show his forehead and give him a good night kiss on it before blowing the candle off.