Chapter Text
°⋆ 🎀 🍥🍰🍥 🎀 ⋆°
Jungkook peeked inside the carry bag in his hand, only one box left. His eyes followed the path to the last door in the hallway the pitch black one , the one standing tall right beside his newly painted baby pink one. The contrast is almost cute he thought. Ever since he moved into this new building this black door was the very first thing that caught his attention . There's something very dark very intimidating and very intriguing about the air around it. On top of that it doesn't have any nameplate like all the other apartments , making the occupant even more mysterious .
Most people would usually avoid it at first sight but Jungkook is not most people, what seems to scare many is what piques his curiosity. Everytime he would pass by his eyes would immediately go towards the door trying to get a better look , a closer peek at the inside but failing miserably each time. Now he is not a creep he swears, it's just this is his only neighbor he hasn't met and it's been nearly a week now .
A whole week of chaos - moving boxes, decorating the walls , moving the appliances at the right places , making the rooms look more like home , trying to fill it's corners with his paintings and ultimately filling it with warmth before his work starts from next week. And today finally he got some free time amongst the chaos so he rushed downstairs to the corner store got himself everything he needed for the night. The plan is to bake some cookies and charm his neighbours with his baking skills and maybe with this excuse he will get to have a chance to meet his immediate neighbor who caught his attention so much .
Back to the present as Jungkook stands awkwardly infront the said door he hoped that his neighbour would be home cause he really doesn't wanna leave the cookies out here, it would beat the whole purpose of his plan anyways . So far he has met his only other neighbor in the floor which is surprising considering all the empty rooms he noticed. The old ajumma living in the end of the hallway invited him in for some tea and praised his cookies profusely which ofcourse made him feel giddy and reminded him of his own halmoni from whom he took the interest of baking in the first place .
The ajumma lives alone by herself and was excited at the prospect of having someone to talk to . Thus after two hours he left her apartment with one of her secret recipe of chamomile tea and a promise of coming again soon . And Jungkook has nothing to complain about she is the closest he has felt of home in the whole week .
As he stands there, infront of the black door nibbling on his lips one particular conversation he had in her house after he told her which exact apartment he moved into , rang in his head. Her face fell before she said the next few words with a deep frown,
"The room beside yours , don't ever go there okay ?"
"Why ?" his curiosity has already peaked at those words.
"Well no ones exactly wants to talk about that guy who lives there. But there are so many rumors ."
"Rumors ? About what ?" he cocked his head shifting a little closer towards the old woman in the sofa .
"Ah my sweet child . Everyone says that he works for some mafia or something . Mrs. Shin from 5th floor has seen him with gun in his hand coming home at 5 in the morning." She whispered as if sharing a secret between the two of them.
"Woah really " he gasped eyes widening "a mafia" he whispered the words back more to himself . I mean he has ofcourse heard about them in movies and news channels but encountering one in real life that too living beside his apartment ? Never in his dreams.
"Yes yes dont go there" warning rang in her voice while she patted his hands .
"Have you see him ?" he implored.
"Who Kim Taehyung ?"
"Yes . Is that what his name is ?" His eyes went round .
"Everyone knows his name here . And.." her voiced dipped even lower as she added "although I don't remember exactly but I think I once accidentally saw him ..."
"And .." Jungkook urged.
"And he is quite a handsome young man I must admit " she shrugged sitting upright.
Jungkook couldn't believe his ears he is living next door to a mafia and a handsome one at that. He can't just possibly live without meeting or atleast seeing the man once .
Now staring at the black door Jungkook rocked on his heels. Should he knock or should he just listen to the ajumma and leave . But the cookies ... his lips formed a pout as his eyes dropped to the last box in his bag . Wouldn't that be a waste.
Whatever! He'll just knock and give him the box What could he do anyways . 'Kill you' the rational part of his brain whispered but the other one replied that was probably a lie . Who even works for mafia and lives normally like this anyways. Do they not have like huge mansions or something. Jungkook read about them once in a book as well .
He decided to ignore the voice inside his head telling him to run away and knocked . Once then twice and before he could knock for the third time his phone started ringing .
"Eomma" jungkook picked up the call, placing the box on the doorstep and leaving . If he waited for a couple more seconds he could've seen the door opening and the mafia himself stepping out with a loaded gun in his hand .
°⋆ 🎀 🍥🍰🍥 🎀 ⋆°
Taehyung was taking a shower when he first heard the meek knock coming from outside. He thought he might have imagined it but his instincts always on alert made him step out. Wrapping a robe around himself he picked up the gun from his kitchen counter. One more knock followed as he slowly made his way towards the door . There is indeed someone outside his door.
Who ? The gears of his head started turning , none of the three people who knows this address would bother knocking . They know the pass code they could come in anytime. Could it be one of his men or one of the rivals ? But they would not be just knocking casually at his door without the fear of losing their head. The frown sitting high on his forehead as he slowly opened the door ready to take down anyone in seconds but wait there no one out there . He stepped outside to check the hallway and it is as expected also empty .
Is anyone playing prank on him . His eyes scrutinized the outside as he started to step back inside his own apartment that is until his eyes fell on something on the floor that shouldn't be there .
"Is that..."he bend down to inspect the item closer .
A box of what looks like cookies placed on his door step . He frowned at the sight of a colorful note sitting on top of it . Written in a neat handwriting 'From koo' . What the hell . Someone named Koo just dropped a box of cookies at his doorstep ?? Who the fuck calls themselves koo ? What kind of sick joke is this!
Even though he doesn't come here very often or stay for long people here has long known not to cross his path or disturb him. He knows about the rumors swirling about him while some of the stories are a little exaggerated but it does the job, he is left alone and so he doesn't mind them at all .
Then who after so many years has dared to step foot infront of his door and that also with a box of cookies .While his mind remained busy with hundreds of different questions his eyes has traveled to the door beside his own. And he felt them twitching at the sight of the pink door. Wasn't it white last time he came ? Did someone new moved in ? He thought he made it clear to Joon he doesn't want anyone else anywhere near his room.
The tenant who lived in this floor has been mostly harmless he has of course done his researches on them. And then there's one currently living at the end of this hallway the old woman whose husband died five years ago and now lives alone. She is the main culprit for spreading the rumors but Taehyung doesn't mind. He quite enjoys the fear that brings within people at the mention of his name . She is otherwise harmless . But a new tenant might be a headache or a threat who knows . He made a mental note to talk to Joon tomorrow about this after the meeting .
For now he decided to pick up the box and after scrutinizing it for a good few minutes concluded it safe to be taken inside . He will deal with it tomorrow . Right now all he wants to do is lay in his bed and let sleep take over his tired mind and body . They have a meeting tomorrow morning and he needs to be fresh and rested well to leave before dawn to meet his hyungs .
The next morning he woke up to sounds of laughter coming from his drawing room . The familiar giggles and whispers of his hyungs greeted him as he sat up . It must be late and he must have overslept for them to come here for the meeting . Getting up from bed Taehyung made his way to where the chaos is unfolding and the first thing he sees is Namjoon and Seokjin so close to eating each other's face
"Keep it in the pants" he grumbled passing them on his way to the kitchen where Hoseok is shuffling through whatever is remaining in his freezer .
"Have you been surviving only on ramens and water ?"
"Get out of my kitchen" he grunted moving Hoseok to grab a bottle of water for himself .
"Someone's grumpy early in the morning" Seokjin whistled coming to sit on the kitchen counter.
"Is that .." Hoseok started , disbelief lacing his voice, making everyone in the room turn and look at what he is pointing at.
"A cookie box "
"HEARTSHAPED COOKIE BOX"
"Move lemme see" Namjoon came rushing behind the other two who is looking at the box like a miracle popped out of nowhere.
"I thought you hated sweets Kim Taehyung you sneaky bustard" a slap landed on his arms followed by a shove .
"When did you buy them anyways I dropped you off yesterday." Namjoon asked equally surprised at the discovery.
"I didn't buy them." Taehyung muttered rolling his eyes at the swarms of questions .
"A gift "
"From a secret lover"
"They're married"
"Can you guys stop" Taehyung sighed settling in the sofa away from the chaos of the kitchen . "I don't know where they came from . Someone dropped them at my doorstep last night"
As if on cue Seokjin screeched discovering the small note laying on the floor
"Koo ? Kim Taehyung who the fork is koo and why didn't you tell us about this koo . All while we thought my little brother-in-law is an emotionally constipated puppy for him to secretly dating a koo" the dramatic voice of Jin boomed and Taehyung can already feel a headache growing.
"Shut up . I don't know who or when It just appeared right outside my door with that note." He shrugged hoping they would drop the topic which knowing them they would drag this out for his entire life .
"Also who the hell did you sell the flat next door hyung" he enquired looking at Namjoon who has this weird teasing smile in his face.
"Ah I forget to tell you . It's this kid called Jungkook . Yoongi knows him apparently. He is a good kid . From Busan . Just moved here got a job in Seoul Elementary school as an arts teacher. Not a trouble don't worry ." He assured .
"That would explain koo". The muscle in his jaw twitching "Not a threat surely a headache then" Taehyung rubbed his head. "If he comes back again I'll shoot him"
"Chill he is a nice kid I'm telling you . Very sweet just a little curious".
"Interesting. Should we go meet him ? atleast thank him for these cause this is delicious" Taehyung looked up to find Hoseok and Seokjin devouring the cookies from the box.
"Get out of my house" he grumbled from his seat but neither Hoseok nor Jin paid him any attention as they busied themselves with the sweet
"Anyways Taehyung about that mission yesterday we seized the whole area . No other member found . Two fled but I'm sure yoongi will get them by today" Namjoon reported taking a seat beside him.
"What about the ones we caught we kill them or .." Hoseok trailed off brushing off the crumbles from his face , his eyes glinting with something akin to cruelty , mouth morphed into a matching smirk .
"I'll pay each of them a visit personally." mirth danced in his eyes as a smirk took over his features . This is the favorite part of his job where he gets to have his share of fun at the end of each mission.
After a couple more discussion on their upcoming activities Namjoon seokjin and Hoseok decided to leave Taehyung for the day to rest before they jump back on work from tomorrow again.
°⋆ 🎀 🍥🍰🍥 🎀 ⋆°
Coming out of his last class for the day Jungkook suddenly felt a surge of happiness coursing through him. It's been a week since he joined the school as their arts teacher and so far his experience is good , more than good actually . Painting is his passion and sharing it with these little ones makes him happy . He feels fortunate enough to have gotten this job , to introduce art that would essentially become some of theirs future profession or hobby or simply an escape from reality.
Teaching the little munchkins for one week he has already became some of their favourite teacher thanks to his always happy and radiating smile or maybe it's because of his drawings that he has shown them .
But secretly he doubts it's the little sweet homemade baked goods that he often shares with them as a reward whenever someone does a good job .
"Are you leaving now ?" Jungkook looked up from his desk as Min-jun approached him. Park Min-jun is one of his co-worker and has became his good friend in this few days . His first friend here in the city of seoul.
"Oh hyung yes . How about you ?"
"Ah not just yet I have to grade the papers then I'll be done. But forget about that tell me do you have any plans for this weekends ? Since you're new I was thinking about showing you around . There's so many beautiful places to visit" he wondered looking at Jungkook expectantly .
"Ah really . That's so nice of you maybe Sunday . I still have some packing and some shopping to do tomorrow" he sighed no matter how much he has unpacked and moved there's always some boxes in some corner waiting for him to discover.
"Sunday then. I'll let you know the time and oh I'll also pick you up . Now bye bye Jungkookie don't forget to take some rest "
"I will . Thanks hyung". He replied flashing a sweet smile , quickly packing his bag and waving one last time at his friend , he made his way out. His apartment building isn't too far from here approx 15 min walking . He can take a bus but he enjoys the walk back home so much specially as dusk falls upon the city quietly the scenery became beautiful.
On his way he spotted the small shop he notices everyday in his path . The same ahjussi sitting by the counter with a newspaper and the ajumma on the rocking chair right outside knitting something with her full attention . Something today made him halt in the familiar path . A thought popped up and he couldn't shake it away.
"Good afternoon" the old woman looked up surprised to see someone approaching her. She nodded her head in greetings an equally surprised smile taking over her face .
"Umm I just need a couple of things I'll grab them real quick" . He addressed the old man before disappearing behind one of the aisle. The store looks really old from inside and outside but he did managed to find all the ingredients he needed for his tonight's adventure .
"Anything else you need son ?" the old man asked and all of a sudden he could heard his own appa's voice . The chattering of the old man telling him he is the first one to shop here in nearly a month tuned in background as another familiar voice surged up in his head .
"Kook-ah don't make friends with everyone be careful . It's a big city and lots of bad people there". His appa warned at the dinner table the night before he left .
"Appa I'm not a kid anymore. I have a job now" he had complained .
"You know your appa kookie" his mother had added while piling up his plate with more food than he could eat, all his favorite ones .
"And stay away from the evil people"
Well too bad appa your son is going on an adventure to impress the devil himself .
"Taehyung ? Taehyung ! "the repeated call of his name brought him back to his senses.
"What are you doing here all by yourself it's getting dark". Yoongi's concerned voice filled his senses . Min Yoongi another very important name in their business . Important and loyal, the Mins and the Kims has been doing business together for decades now. And this is their third generation working together. Just like the other hyungs Yoongi has became lot closer to him throughout the years . Being five years elder than him Yoongi always assumes the roll of hyung whenever he becomes careless in his business.
"Needed to clear my head". His eyes remained closed as he felt the gentle wind touching his face .
"Taehyung-ah don't take too much stress . You're already doing more than anyone could ever do for the business." Yoongi sighed patting his back "Take the rest of the day off . Go home take a bath. We have the deal to sign tomorrow. I'll tell choi to send you the last minutes details and I'll personally check everything."
"Thanks hyung." He replied lifting his hand up to pat the firm hand placed on his shoulder as the man left .
He honestly doesn't know what brings him here today after so many years . This side of the city looks just the same as it did twenty years ago when little him used to come here holding his eomma's hand. He started to walk along the familiar path despite the lack of rhythmic jumps in his steps or the warm hand holding him securely. And just like it did back then his steps came to a halt in front of the small ice-cream shop from where his eomma used to buy him, his favorite ice-cream.
He remembers very well going to school holding the warm secure hand of eomma and on their way back they would always ends up inside the shop. The memories of a little him chirping about his day while holding his favorite popsicle in one hand and his eomma's hand on the other . Talking about his dreams of when he would become a big boy one day, he will take her away from here, away from appa . He never liked the tears on her face whenever his eomma and appa fought which was pretty regular in that big house . His eomma never liked what his dad used to do . He promised her he would never be like his appa , he will never do big bad business like him .
But look at him now sitting on the throne of the very big bad business he once promised to never do, wiping the blood of unknown people while planning the next mission in his father's mafia world .
His dad was always one step ahead of them. That's why he sent Namjoon away to study in the states before he had the chance to retaliate. Losing her one child his mother did everything she could do to protect her youngest one from the evil that was eventually to catch up . And after his mother's death nothing could stop the man from molding Taehyung into a cold untouchable ruthless monster . Years of training and mental and physical torture ensured he became exactly what his father has envisioned him to be and someone he had hated the idea of once.
Looking at his own reflection on the glass door Taehyung wondered what would his mother think if she was alive and could see him like this, whatever he has became . A name that everyone in seoul knows how to stay away from . All he is left with is bloodied hand that hasn't felt the warmth of another human being in nearly two decades .
As he stood outside the glass door the shop stared back at him taunting him at his transformation, at his failure to save his mother and ultimately failure to save himself from the evil. He has became quite the epitome of evil now . He stared back at it for another minute until he couldn't bear the mocking anymore and left .
°⋆ 🎀 🍥🍰🍥 🎀 ⋆°
By the time Jungkook entered his apartment building the sky has turned into a pretty shade of orange . The elevator dinged on his floor and as he passed the black door he casted a very curious gaze at it . He couldn't spot the cookie box outside and that means ....
"I'll see you soon Mr. Mafia."
After hearing from the ajumma about the infamous man living next door to him Jungkook did his own research in between free period in school ofcourse when no one was around . Anyways what he had found didn't quench his curiosity rather it seemed to grow even more . The man is a name that is pronounced in the secrecy of one's room , a name no one dares to utter a word against. He has found multiple stories on the tabloids on this man.
Kim Taehyung, the son of Kim Dehyun , is the current owner their family's huge business of underground illegal dealing and stuff. Apart from that they own multiple buildings, housing complexes and stores throughout the country. They have done business with many high profile names from the government and many industries of the country and even outside the country .
One thing he noticed the tabloids or news paper he found is written very carefully as if someone was holding a gun against their head . Maybe there was , who knows what they can do.
He still wondered though why does the man even lives here cause the company's estimated net worth is billions of dollars there's no reason why such a crazy rich person will live anywhere near this place . Not that it's crappy or anything but definitely not high touch or for rich people. Looks like another mystery for him to unravel .
Opening his door with the passcode he made his way to the kitchen to put down the items he has bought for tonight . And since it's not that late yet he decided to take his time taking a long refreshing shower and afterwards putting on his favorite flowery pajama. Once he made his way to the kitchen he took his sweet time preparing everything. Soon the apartment filled with his hums , the clattering of dishes and ultimately with the sweet smell of strawberries .
Half an hour later he has put the batter inside the oven and was preparing the buttercream when he heard a sound from outside . Is that he paused his movement waiting for something else but no more sound came . Did he just heard a door clicking shut more specifically the door of his neighbor's and the only neighbor he could think of is the man he has been doing research about all week . He just hoped he heard it right.
As if on cue the microwave dinged and after letting the fresh baked cupcakes cool down for a while , Jungkook with quick but skillful hands started decorating them with the buttercream he has just prepared , finishing it off by adding sliced strawberry on top of each one to make them look even more tempting and delicious.
He put some aside for the ajumma and some for Min-Jun whom he will meet on Sunday before putting the finest of them in a box .
"Mr. Mafia here I come "