Chapter 15: Unearthing the Truth

The night air wrapped around them, carrying with it a sense of vulnerability neither Suga nor Jimin could escape. Holding Jimin’s hand, Suga realized just how deep he had fallen for him. This wasn’t just physical desire—it was something more profound, more terrifying. And for Suga, that was the real danger. Not the blood, not the violence of his world, but the fact that someone had found a way into his guarded heart.

Suga let out a long, deep breath. His thumb unconsciously brushed against the back of Jimin’s hand as they stood in the dimly lit alleyway outside the mansion.

"You’re not an easy person to be with, you know?" Jimin said with a teasing smile, though his eyes reflected all the seriousness that still lingered between them.

Suga gave a slight chuckle, though it was laced with weariness. "Yeah. I’m starting to get that."

Jimin bit his lip, his confidence faltering for a second before he gathered himself. "Suga, you can’t keep pulling me close and then pushing me away like I don’t mean anything. It’s confusing, and it hurts."

Suga tightened his grip on Jimin’s hand, his gaze hardening. "I’ve never wanted to hurt you, Jimin. That’s the last thing I’d ever want."

"Then stop doing it," Jimin’s voice softened, vulnerability seeping through. "You’re always trying to carry everything alone. But… I want to be there for you. You don’t have to face everything by yourself."

Suga looked away, his heart hammering inside his chest. "I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. My world, this life I lead... it’s dangerous."

Jimin stepped closer, closing the distance between them, his breath warm against Suga’s skin. "I’m already in your world. You can’t protect me from it, and I don’t want you to. I want to protect you too."

For the first time, Suga felt like the walls around his heart were crumbling. His chest tightened at the thought of letting Jimin in completely, but he knew he couldn’t keep pushing him away. If he continued to distance himself, he’d lose Jimin for good, and that was something he couldn’t bear.

He let out a soft sigh, his free hand coming up to brush against Jimin’s cheek. "You’re so stubborn," Suga whispered, but there was a flicker of affection in his tone.

"You’ve known that from the beginning," Jimin shot back with a playful smirk, but his expression quickly grew serious again. "So, what now?"

Suga hesitated, searching for the right words. "I don’t know. But I know I can’t keep running from this—from you."

Jimin’s heart raced as he felt the sincerity in Suga’s words. It was a step, even if a small one. He wasn’t expecting Suga to transform overnight, but hearing him admit his fear, his uncertainty—it was enough for now.

"I’m not going anywhere, Suga," Jimin said softly, leaning in closer, his lips brushing against Suga’s in a gentle kiss. "No matter how hard you try to push me away, I’ll always come back."

Suga’s breath hitched as Jimin’s lips moved against his. His resolve, already fragile, shattered completely. With a low growl, he pulled Jimin closer, deepening the kiss with an urgency that spoke of all the emotions he had been bottling up for too long. His hands gripped Jimin’s waist, fingers digging into the fabric of his shirt as if he were afraid Jimin would slip away.

But Jimin wasn’t going anywhere. He melted into the kiss, his arms wrapping around Suga’s neck, his body pressing against Suga’s with a sense of rightness, as if this was where they were meant to be all along.

When they finally pulled apart, breathless and flushed, Suga rested his forehead against Jimin’s. His heart pounded wildly in his chest, but for the first time in a long while, it wasn’t from fear or anxiety—it was from something much warmer, much softer.

"I’m sorry," Suga whispered, his voice hoarse. "For all of it. For being an ass. For pushing you away. I just—"

"Shh," Jimin interrupted, placing a finger over Suga’s lips. "You don’t have to say anything else. Just… let’s not make this complicated, okay? One step at a time."

Suga nodded, relief washing over him. He had been afraid of losing Jimin, but Jimin had stayed—stubborn, loyal, and so full of love.

Just then, the door to the mansion creaked open, and the rest of the gang stepped out, noticing the intimate moment between the two. Jungkook raised an eyebrow and grinned mischievously.

"Well, well," Jungkook teased. "Looks like you two finally kissed and made up."

Jimin rolled his eyes, but a blush crept up his cheeks. "Mind your own business."

"Oh, but it’s too late for that," Taehyung added with a smirk. "We’ve all been watching this little soap opera unfold from day one."

Suga shot them all a warning look, though his heart wasn’t in it. The teasing was lighthearted, and if anything, it made him feel more comfortable about where things stood between him and Jimin. He knew the others were rooting for them, even if they wouldn’t admit it outright.

Jimin crossed his arms, feigning annoyance. "You guys are so annoying."

"Hey, we’re just happy that the tension’s finally gone," Namjoon said with a chuckle, clapping Suga on the back. "Now maybe you can focus on work without biting everyone’s head off."

Suga grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

But despite the teasing, the gang’s approval meant more to him than he would ever admit. They had always been his family, and now Jimin was becoming a part of that family too. The thought warmed him, even as he tried to hide his smile.

The group continued to joke and banter as they headed back inside for dinner, but Suga stayed back for a moment, his hand lingering in Jimin’s.

"Are we okay?" Jimin asked, his eyes searching Suga’s for reassurance.

Suga nodded, pulling Jimin closer. "We’re better than okay."

And as they walked back inside, hand in hand, Suga knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. For the first time in a long time, Suga felt like he could breathe, knowing that Jimin was by his side, and that this—what they had—was real.

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