Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jungkook casually kicks aside the man laying at his feet, and earns a pained groan. He smirks and bends down to whisper to the useless bastard who shivers at his cold tone. “Let this be a lesson to everyone, no one gets away with threatening Min Yoongi.”

“Gukkie!”
“Ahh hi hyung!”
Jungkook looks up from where he’s perched on the sofa, pushing hs glasses further up the bridge of his nose and closes the text book on his lap. It looks like he’s been studying for hours, when in reality he’d rushed home exactly an hour before Yoongi is due back to change out of his leather jacket and jeans into a comfortable large tee and shorts. There is a weight of guilt in his chest, that grows heavier everytime he has to lie to Yoongi. Now though, now there is no deception in his adoring gaze as he snuggles into his boyfriend’s side.
“Taetae sent me a video of your performance today.”
“Mhm did you like it?”
“I love it. Just like I love every single one of your performances.”
“You’re so fucking cheesy.”
A chaste kiss on lips forming into contented smiles.
“I love you, hyung.”
“I love you too, you dork.”
I swear hyung, no one will ever hurt you. Not on my watch.
Jungkook would rather die before he allowed the world to steal his hyung’s smile. Once was fucking enough for him.

The first time Jungkook ever fought for his boyfriend was back when they were still in highschool. Yoongi had been a senior popular for his position as pianist in the school’s band, and Jungkook a freshman with an attitude problem and a complete softie for Min Yoongi. But he was definitely not soft the day he found out why his beloved hadn’t been as happy as he was since the beginning of the semester.

“A rapper? What a fucking joke. Why don’t you just stick with your piano like the good boy your parents want you to be!”
Jungkook swore he saw red as he watched Yoongi tremble under the judging gaze of one of the popular gangs of the school, the so called rappers, although he quickly hid his fear and stared back defiantly at the leader. And Jungkook definitely didn’t hold back when he landed punches at the leader of the group, the others frozen in shock for a second before immediately coming to their leader’s aid. He didn’t expect Yoongi to jump in to help, nor did he expect Taehyung and Hoseok to join in either, but they were still horribly outnumbered.
In the end Jungkook came out the worse, with bruised limbs and a split lip, along with a one week suspension from school for all of them involved. Yoongi was pissed off at him.
“Are you out of your fucking mind?!”
“Hyung, they were straight up insulting you! I couldn’t just stand there and let them do shit!”
“Still, it was my fight not yours you brat!”
“anything involving you is my business, hyung.”
Yoongi’s eyes soften at that, although his lips were still pinched in a straight line, still upset. He moved closer to Jungkook, reaching out a hand to tangle his fingers in the younger boy’s hair. Jungkook closed his eyes, head tipping forward to rest against his boyfriend’s.
“Gukk-ah, promise hyung..promise me you won’t do this again. Let me fight my own battles okay?”
“Okay.”
It was a promise that was already broken the minute it was made.

Chapter Text

Yoongi’s strength wasn’t physical. No, that’s more Jungkook’s fort. Yoongi’s strength laid in his ability to charm people with a few cleverly constructed words. His strength laid in his voice. Jungkook knows that fact, of course he does. After all, it was what made him fall for his boyfriend.

All Yoongi had to do was ask, and he’d give him the world.

And Jungkook was determined, to tear down the people who dared try to steal his boyfriend’s voice, tried to silence him for good.

Which was why the second he graduated, he, alongside his friends Taehyung, Hoseok and Jimin, hunted down Kim Namjoon, leader of the notorious Bangtan gang, and asked to join them. Namjoon was a friend of Yoongi’s, although they drifted apart after he’d taken over Bangtan despite still being in the same group of friends, and they both still cared about each other. Jungkook knew Namjoon was a good person, a good leader, and he hoped the older man wouldn’t beat him up too bad when he found out the exact reason for him wanting to join them.

Jungkook walked out that day with a gang leader sworn to stick by his cause.

He always knew he couldn’t keep this from Yoongi forever. He just hoped he’d at least be able to tell the older male on his own terms.

What a joke.

It had been at one of the underground rap showdown Yoongi always joined. The whole gang had been there for once, everyone taking time off of their busy lives to have a night out and to support Yoongi. Jungkook had arrived together with his boyfriend, 10 minutes past their promised time. Really, Jungkook was just grateful they managed to arrive at all. Yoongi had been in a foul mood all day, probably thanks to anxiety, and Jungkook had to practically manhandle him into the shower for him to even start getting ready for the night. He should have considered that Yoongi found being manhandled an absolute turn on, and shouldn't have been surprised when the older man dragged him into the shower with him for a very heated kiss, which escalated into something more. Jungkook remembers the heat of his boyfriend’s skin under his hands, how weak he’d been to the older man’s begging, and blushed. Unfortunately, nearly half of the group had their attention on him and they all shrieked in delight, asking Yoongi what he’d done to cause such a reaction.

Jungkook really needed better friends.

After a couple rounds of drinks, Yoongi left with a parting kiss to Jungkook’s lips to head out backstage to prepare for his rap battle. They all only had enough to be pleasantly buzzed. None of them wanting to be too smashed to be able to pay attention to the showdown.

The moment Yoongi stepped on stage, he was no longer Min Yoongi. He was Agust D. Gone was Jungkook's gentle boyfriend, gone was his gummy smile. In his place was a man with a gruff voice, throwing back all the insults he ever got to the faces of his tormentors, taunting them.

Fuck, Jungkook is so in love with this man its pathetic. And he made sure to let him know by sweeping him into his arms the moment the older man came back to their table, kissing him with enough force that Yoongi would have fallen off his chair if not for Jungkook's grip on his waist.

Yoongi is amazing. And anyone who tries to deny that statement can go to hell. Which is why Jungkook isn't even shocked when Agust D was announced as the winner. But no matter how many times Yoongi wins, he'd never stop feeling proud. Never stop his heart fluttering everytime he sees his boyfriend on stage, tearing up as he clutches onto the trophy like a lifeline.

But of course, as mentioned earlier this was the night it all went to hell. And it went to hell the moment the man who went against Yoongi earlier started shouting how clearly everyone was letting Yoongi win out of pity. Clearly the punk was a sore loser.

The MC pushed the guy back, calling for one of the guards to drag the pest out, and of course the guy decides then that he no longer has anything left to lose, and fucking punches Yoongi right on his face. Well, at least he would have if Yoongi hadn't ducked down in time, fueled purely by adrenaline. Jungkook jumps up and heads straight for the stage, furious at the sight of someone trying to hurt his boyfriend, his Yoongi.
Jungkook arrives just as Yoongi is swinging his fist at the man in retaliation. The almost violent way his head twisted on impact was satisfying, as Jungkook raised his own fist to punch right at the dumbass' nose. Yoongi turns around in shock to stare at Jungkook as his rival falls to the ground with a pained yell before getting dragged gracelessly out by the guards. His boyfriend's eyes were narrowed, furious.
Shit. Right. He wasn't supposed to meddle in the older's fights. At least not outrightly. He hung his head, following Yoongi out, ignoring curious stares. It was almost freezing outside, and he started to shrug out of his jacket to wrap around the older when he turned onto him.
"Jeon Jungkook you fucking idiot!"
Jungkook raised his hands, attempting to placate his boyfriend.
"Babe, i know you can fight your own battles, just like you know i can't just stand aside and watch you get hurt."

Yoongi frowned, but Jungkook could see he wasn't as angry anymore.
He stretched out his arms hopefully, and Yoongi came to him easily, albeit with a soft huff.
"I can handle myself just fine, you know. And i haven't gotten much trouble for the past couple of years."

Jungkook winced. He knew that, well, he had something to do with that. People hadn't dared mess with Yoongi once they heard about Jungkook.

"Jungkook!"
He blinked, craning his head to see Namjoon by the entrance.
"Namjoon hyung--"
"You absolute idiot! Do you have any idea what you just did?! Thats going to bring a lot of issues to us, you know!"
"J-joon hyung," Jungkook started to panic when he realised that, from the way they're standing, Namjoon couldn't see Yoongi. He thought he was alone.

"I know i said you're part of us now, but fucking hell Gguk! You're my friend, but right now i am also your leader--"

Yoongi pulled away then, stepping out to face Namjoon, who gaped at Yoongi.

"Joon-ah, i think i hear Jin hyung calling for you,"
Jungkook knows his boyfriend is bluffing, he heard no such thing, and so does Namjoon. But he gratefully takes the chance to escape the rather embarassing scene. Jungkook closes his eyes as he hears the door close behind the gang leader and Yoongi lets out a sharp exhale.

"What the fuck was that all about?"

"Hyung, its not what you think."

"Oh, really? Because it seems like you've gone and joined Kim fucking Namjoon's gang!"

Jungkook flinched, unable to defend himself.

"Gguk, you know how i feel about them, all those violence. Why would you go and join them?"

"Hyung," Jungkook whispers, heart breaking as Yoongi looks at him with such sad eyes. God, all he wanted was to keep Yoongi smiling, safe. Not this. Never this.

"Hyung, i did it to protect you,"

Yoongi took a step back, his eyes widening as he immediately made the connection. He was always so smart, so quick to reach conclusions while everyone else was still fumbling around in the dark.

"Ggukkie, baby..please, tell me this is a joke,"
"No, hyung. Its not."
"Fuck..Jeon Jungkook, you asshole! You promised me you wouldn't do this!"
"H-hyung..i won't, i won't say i'm sorry. I did it for you."
"No! Don't..don't say that, when you're the one who needs protecting,"
Yoongi ducked his head then, sniffling as he wrapped his arms around himself, shivering slightly.
"I'm a magnet for trouble, Jungkook. All my life, all i've ever known was violence and pain. And then, you came along with those dorks, and suddenly it all doesn't seem so hopeless. You were, still are, so gentle with me, and i was happy,"

Yoongi sighed, looking out towards the road. "I'm a magnet for trouble, and you're addicted to it. I don't think thats a good combination."

Jungkook wondered how Yoongi could be so calm, when his words broke Jungkook, tearing him into pieces.
"Hyung, are you breaking up with me?"

The older man rubbed a hand over his face, wearily. "Gguk-ah, i just..i think its best if we don't see each other for a while, okay?"
Jungkook bit his lip, eyes tearing up. This was what he was afraid of, but he understood his boyfriend, knew that this was all too much to take in all at once.
"Okay..but, can i have a hug, hyung? Before you go?"
"Fuck, baby, of course,"
And he felt unadulterated relief as they hugged, Yoongi squeezing him tightly. They'll be okay.

In the middle of the night, the piercing sound of IU's latest hit rang through the silence, pulling Jungkook out of his slumber. He groaned, muttering curses aimed at Jimin for convincing him to hang out earlier despite the fact that they both had classes the next day, as he groped around blindly for his phone, pressing the green button flashing on the screen and placing it to his ears without checking who the caller was.

"'Ello?"
"Jungkook-ah."
"Jin hyung? Whats wrong?"

Jungkook sat up, instantly alert at the worry in his oldest friend's voice. What could have gotten Seokjin worried at a time like this?

"Gukkie, its Yoongi. He called me just a few minutes ago, mumbling about how he doesn't want to bring us all trouble anymore. He said something about ending this tonight."

"Hyung--hyung, its fine. I live closest to him anyway, i'll go check on him." He was already out of bed, clambering into his jeans and pulling on a ratty hoodie discarded on the floor. He hung up after Seokjin wished him a goodluck, threatening to beat up Yoongi if it turns out he was just sleeping at his apartment, eventhough they both know that was highly unlikely.

Jungkook could only stare up in horror, clambering off his bike to see a section of the apartment with thick smoke wafting upwards out of it. The section where Jungkook knows Yoongi lives. He yelled to the people gathered around the sidewalk, begging for someone to call the firefighters before running straight in.

Heart in his throat, he practically flew up the staircase, ignoring the ache in his legs as he prayed that it wasn't too late.

When he crashed through the door, the smoke was so thick it almost choked him. But all his attention was on Yoongi, laying still on the bed situated at the corner of the small apartment. He hurried to his boyfriend, checking for a pulse and almost collapsing in relief when he felt a steady thrumming underneath his fingertips. With all the strength he could muster, he dragged Yoongi out to safety, his knees buckling under him the moment they reached safety. The firefighters, along with an ambulance had arrived, and a paramedic immediately rushed to them. Everything was a blur after that, but Jungkook remembers refusing to be separated from Yoongi. The paramedics took pity on him, and even allowed him to stay in Yoongi's room. 

According to the doctor treating Yoongi, Jungkook had amazing timing. He'd pulled Yoongi out before all that smoke could cause irreversible brain damage, possibly death. As it is, thankfully Yoongi would only be suffering from a horrible sore throat once he awoke, easily cured with a strange solution the doctor placed by Yoongi's bed with stern instructions to Jungkook to make sure he took it as prescribed.

And then they were left in silence.

Jungkook didn't even feel guilty when he clambered into Yoongi's bed the moment they were left alone.He needed it, needed to feel his boyfriend breathing against him to calm him after the terror he went through. 

He nuzzled against Yoongi's hair, and slowly fell asleep.

Yoongi woke up the next evening to Jungkook hovering worriedly over him. All their friends had stopped by to visit in the morning, Jimin and Seokjin in tears while the others just stared at the unconcious patient on the bed, as if unable to believe it was really Yoongi. Namjoon patted him on the back, and Taehyung hugged him fiercely, insisting that Yoongi would be alright, and then they were slowly trickling out until it was just him and Yoongi again.

The first thing Yoongi does is start coughing, wincing at how sore it is thanks to the smoke he inhaled, and Jungkook was right there, holding up a water bottle to his lips.

Yoongi gulped down several mouthfulls before pulling away with a muttered thanks. He slumped back against the pillow as Jungkook placed the bottle on the bedside drawers, and settled back on the plastic chair by Yoongi's bed, taking the older's hand hesitantly.

"Why'd you do it, hyung?"

Yoongi gazed down at their hands, refusing to meet his eyes and keeping silent.

"You know, the doctor said you're a really lucky man, to have survived to see another day. But i think i'm the lucky one, to still get to spend another day with an angel."

Yoongi huffed, finally looking up to frown at him.

"I'm far from being an angel, Jungkook-ah. All i do is attract trouble, and hurt everyone around me. I can't..i can't let you get hurt either."

Jungkook squeezed his hand. "Hyung, thats why you..you did what you did last night, didn't you?"

Yoongi's silence was answer enough. Something in Jungkook snapped.

"Hyung! You--why'd you do it?! You know i can't.." Jungkook broke down, sobbing. "You know i can't live without you."

Yoongi hooked a finger under Jungkook's chin, coaxing the younger to look up at him. His boyfriend's eyes were so fond, so sad as he moved his hand to Jungkook's cheek, slowly caressing the soft skin.

"Baby, i've said it before. I'm a magnet for trouble. And you..just, fucking hell, i tried to keep you away, tried to protect you. But you just kept running straight for me without hesitating like a fucking idiot! It scares the shit out of me!"

The older man was panting by the time he was done with his rant, face red. Jungkook kept his eyes on his as he held the hand still on his cheek.

"Hyung, i love you. And there is nothing you can do to push me away. I know you're scared, but please, you're not alone anymore! You've got me! And you've got the hyungs."

"Gguk-ah..i love you too, so much. But i can't, i can't let you go on like this, tainting your hands for my sake."

Jungkook's face fell, the implication heavy on him. Does Yoongi want him to completely drop out of Bangtan?

Yoongi sighed.

"But, i also understand your need, to show your worth. So, i guess, what i'm saying is," he locks eyes with his boyfriend, "no more secrets. Can you promise me that, Gguk-ah?"

Jungkook practically fell onto the bed, scrambling into Yoongi's arms and buried his head against the other's neck, sobbing with relief.

"Fuck, hyung. Yes, yes i promise."

It wasn't the end of their problems, he knows. There is still Yoongi's anxiety, his need to protect everyone from him constantly at odds with Jungkook's need to protect him. But this, this was a start in the right direction. And Jungkook honest to god hopes that he'd reach the end of the road with Yoongi.