Chapter Text
Jungkook was out the door and halfway to the bank before it occurred to him that running-or rather, flying- in headfirst was a surefire way to get killed. Skidding to a halt, he surveyed the street: luckily nobody was around to notice the young man floating above the ground.
Unfortunately, it seemed something about Taehyung in danger turned off the little part of his brain that held ration, reasoning, and sounded a lot like Seokjin when it spoke disapprovingly. That part informed him that he should at least put on your mask thing, idiot , which he complied with quickly.
Taking a moment to think, he realized there would be no way to get in the building from the ground, not with the police barricade and news reporters. Luckily, the building next door had no problem letting people in, with a crowd of gawkers already hovering in the lobby. Slipping through the crowd, Jungkook managed to make his way towards the stairwell, luckily not triggering any alarms as he shut the door behind him.
Glancing up and down either end of the stairs, he launched himself up the space between the staircases, climbing steadily until he’d reached roof access. Stepping outside, he turned his attention to the other rooftop, where a man appeared to be looking right at him.
Stifling a yelp, he dropped down to the ground, inching his way towards the edge of the rooftop. Nothing seemed to have happened, and he chanced a peek over the edge. The man was still staring, but didn’t seem to have noticed him, focused on a point in the distance. After a moment, he turned to the other direction, and Jungkook slumped back down, resting against the edge.
He could definitely fly over the rooftop, and had apprehended armed men before, but never quite in tandem. But somewhere in that building was Taehyung, along with six other hostages, and it didn’t sit right with him to come this far and not do anything. So, steeling himself, Jungkook pushed to his feet, vaulting over the ledge and zipping as quickly as possible to the other side, rolling his landing.
Up close, the man was clearly one of the robbers, and he turned his weapon on Jungkook, startled. Taking advantage of his opponent’s surprise, Jungkook disarmed him quickly, knocking him down with one punch. On closer inspection, he was actually knocked out , and Jungkook made sure to move him out of the way before entering the building, going carefully down the staircase.
The signs indicated where the lobby was, and, most likely where the hostages were. Jungkook gave a cursory sweep of the stairwell before plunging down, managing to catch himself mid-air before he ended up going all the way down. A complete freefall was more fun than he’d expected.
Peeking through the doors, Jungkook was pleasantly surprised to find his hunch was correct, as he could see a number of armed men wearing ski masks, circling a group of about five people tied together. He couldn’t tell from his vantage point if Taehyung was one of them, but the thought made his stomach clench.
Taking a deep breath, Jungkook was just about to burst through the doors when he felt a tickle at the back of his head. Blinking, he turned in confusion only to be met with the same blow, this time to his forehead. It, of course, did nothing, and Jungkook was easily able to grab his attacker’s weapon-which turned out to be a hand, attached to an arm, attached to Taehyung, who was cursing quietly and struggling in his grip.
Letting go of Taehyung’s wrist immediately, Jungkook couldn’t quite restrain himself from hugging Taehyung, ending up with his face buried in the other man’s shoulder.
“Jungkook?” Taehyung whispered, a little too loudly but muffled in Jungkook’s hair.
“Yeah, I came to rescue you-you guys.” Jungkook pulled back, gesturing past the door to where the other hostages were. Taehyung’s raised eyebrow indicated he doubted that, but luckily didn’t pursue it.
“Good, good. I was just about to try and call, actually, but I don’t have your number. And they have my phone.” Taehyung gestured, frowning in irritation.
“I’ll give it to you after this.” Jungkook blurted, eyes a little too focused on the slight pout in Taehyung’s lower lip. He realized his mistake when Taehyung snorted, and hurried to correct it.
“S-so how did you escape?” That seemed to work, as Taehyung’s eyes lit up and his grin turned mischievous.
“I convinced one of them I needed to take a piss. I’m actually a pretty good actor, if I do say so myself.” Taehyung puffed up, proud considering the circumstances. Jungkook nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, knocked him over the head when he wasn’t looking, tossed his gun...somewhere, then came back here to try and help. I thought you were one of them, sorry about hitting you.” He added sheepishly. Jungkook blinked; in all honesty, he had forgotten about Taehyung’s attack, and barely felt it to begin with.
“Don’t worry about it. Superman, remember?” Jungkook joked, blushing and turning in embarrassment when Taehyung flashed him that grin.
“So what’s the game plan? What do we do?” Taehyung asked, rubbing his hands together.
“ We don’t do anything. Those are real guns, and only one of us is invulnerable. I’m gonna take them out and get the hostages outside, including you.” Jungkook insisted, placing an arm in front of Taehyung in case the photographer decided to make a dash for it.
“Counterpoint, what about the last guy?” Taehyung challenged.
“Last guy?”
“Bank manager, the leader of those guys took him down to the basement vaults. What’re you gonna do about him?” Jungkook pondered it for a second before shaking his head.
“That doesn’t change the plan….much. I’ll go after him once I get you guys out.” Jungkook decided, staring Taehyung down. Eventually, the photographer sighed, backing away from the door to slump against the wall in protest.
“Alrighty. You come out once I’ve taken care of those guys. Stay safe, hyung.” Jungkook felt a little guilty, as Taehyung didn’t seem pleased at all, but it was for his own good. Squaring his shoulders, Jungkook took one deep breath and burst through the doors, drawing the attention of the robbers, as well as their gunfire.
Jungkook could hear a small yelp from Taehyung, but he was well out of firing range, and it was hopefully out of surprise. Plus, he himself was taking most of the bullets, the projectiles crumpling on his chest before falling to the ground, taking his hoodie with it. By the time the volley stopped, the front of the cloth was completely shredded, and Jungkook tore off the rest with a scowl (thankfully hidden under his mask).
Advancing as quickly as he could, Jungkook disarmed the man closest to him, shoving him into two other companions before turning to the remaining few, who had reloaded and begun to fire. Unphased, he walked forward, bending the barrel of two guns and kicking their owners backwards.
Just as he turned to the hostages, the final man held the gun up to the terrified group.
“Stop or I’ll shoot!” Jungkook paused, gauging the distance. It would be close, but-
Just as the man pulled the trigger, Jungkook launched himself mid-air, flying to intercept the bullet. It collided against his thigh, and he twisted back as he heard it clink on the floor. Remaining airborne, Jungkook advanced on the final gunman, who was attempting to run. Resisting a laugh, Jungkook grabbed him and tossed him over on top of his companions, not particularly caring to check for the damage.
“Hey, I’m here to help.” Jungkook held out his hands to the hostages, waiting a moment before working to undo their bonds. Once the five were free, he helped them to their feet, guiding them towards the doors and helping them out.
Camera crews and reporters focused in on him the minute he stepped out, clamoring loudly as a police officer approached. Waving off the questioning, Jungkook helped the hostages down the steps one by one before ascending again. He was undoubtedly on air right then; Seokjin would not be happy.
Hovering in the doorway, keeping an eye on the commotion as the freed hostages recieved aid, he remembered Taehyung was supposed to come out.
Entering the lobby again, he was nearly to the staircase when a person ran through, skidding to a halt in front of him. Taking in his crumpled suit and minor injuries, Jungkook was fairly sure he was the last hostage.
“He-he’s taken him! That bastard’s taken him!” The man babbled, grabbing onto Jungkook’s shoulder in a frenzy. Jungkook was unclear as to what he meant until two figures came into view, one with a gun to Taehyung’s head.
“Go on, get out of here.” Jungkook murmured to the man, jerking his head towards the entrance. He kept his eyes on Taehyung as the man ran out.
“So, who the hell are you?” The robber asked, voice cold. Jungkook didn’t answer, trying to gauge Taehyung’s state. The photographer was a pretty good actor indeed; if he was scared, it didn’t show.
“No, it doesn’t matter. I’m gonna escape, and you’re gonna let me, or I’ll blow his head off. Don’t think your powers can fix that.” The robber seemed to be smiling under his ski mask, and Jungkook clenched his fists.
He was about to speak up, say something when something unexpected occurred. The robber’s eyes widened, and he looked around wildly, seemingly not seeing Jungkook, who stayed still. Then, the robber released his grip on Taehyung, who dropped to his knees. This turned out to be the correct move, as the robber grasped blindly in the air, stumbling around where the photographer had fallen. Finally, the robber began making choking noises, lifting slightly in the air before grabbing at his throat, unable to breath.
Jungkook took the chance to grab Taehyung, tugging him away from the asphyxiating robber. After a moment, the man went silent, slumping to the ground. Cautiously, Jungkook approached, waiting in case he was faking it before checking for the man’s pulse.
“He’s not dead. I just gave him a scare.” Jungkook jumped back, ending up past Taehyung and off the ground in his surprise as Seokjin appeared next to the robber, staring him down disapprovingly. Suddenly, the strange actions made sense; Seokjin had probably created the illusion that he and Taehyung had disappeared before using his telekinesis to choke the robber.
“Yes, I am scary. And what I did to him is nothing compared to what I’ll do to you.” His brother hissed, marching forward. Jungkook wasn’t sure whether his paralysis was Seokjin’s doing or not, but dreaded his fate either way.
“We are going to have a proper talk, and soon. But not now. Take your little crush and go; Yoongi’s waiting at the back exit.” Before Jungkook could even ask why Yoongi of all people was outside, Taehyung was dropped unceremoniously in his lap, and his entire body was pushed back into the stairwell, Jungkook catching them both once Seokjin’s powers cut off.
Sighing, he decided to listen to his brother and made his way to the stairway, mindful of Taehyung, who was walking quietly next to him, a look of contemplation on his face. Pushing out the exit door, Jungkook was surprised to find the world’s most suspicious white van parked in the alley, Yoongi smirking at him from the driver’s seat.
“Get in, kiddo.” His work senior smiled that feral grin, and Jungkook sighed for a moment before complying, squeezing into the front passenger seat along with Taehyung, letting the photographer take the window side.
“Seokjin-hyung and I go way back.” Yoongi said, smirking at Jungkook’s gape.
“I’m no mind reader like hyung, but your thoughts are all over your face, kid. Long story short, we used to...work together. Kinda illegally. Yes, you knew me, no you don’t anymore. Hyung thought it was better to get rid of all memories from that time, me included. Meeting at work was a...happy coincidence,” Yoongi tipped his head to the side, looking him over, “You grew up well, kid.” Jungkook frowned, unsure of how enraged he was supposed to be.
Seokjin, his brother, had been some kind of criminal? Had used his powers on him, erased his memories of an entire period of his life, apparently, and then had the gall to tell him not to use his powers?
“So what’s your power?” Taehyung’s question jolted Jungkook out of his fury as Yoongi exhaled loudly.
The van was approaching one part of a police blockade, a stream of pedestrians on the other end of the street. The traffic behind the cars was just about to pick up, and they were going to lose their light. They were quickly barreling towards an accident.
Then, somehow, both of the police cars moved off to the side, and all pedestrians pressed to one side, allowing them just enough room to squeeze through before the oncoming traffic.
“Luck.” Yoongi grinned at them, flooring the gas and pressing ahead at a breakneck pace. The way he drove, Jungkook believed Yoongi’s power was luck, or they would’ve died a long time ago.
Slowing to a halt in front of Jungkook and Seokjin’s apartment, Yoongi unlocked the car, gesturing for him to get out.
“Seokjin-hyung will be along in a bit, if he isn’t already there. Just...hear him out, alright?” Yoongi advised, locking eyes with Jungkook until he nodded slowly. Taehyung leaned over towards the driver’s window.
“Thanks, Jungkook.” The photographer smiled at him, and Jungkook couldn’t help but relax, just a little.
He waited until Yoongi had driven off before turning to his building. The trip up to their floor was a blur, and he found himself in front of their apartment before he realized it. Taking a deep breath, he reached out for the door knob.
With a creak, the door opened before he could touch it. Seokjin stood on the other side.