After coming to his senses, two years after the breakup, Jeon Jungkook was never the same.

He had the world at his feet—a blossoming career, almost unlimited travel, a bank balance that was greater than anything that the teenage him could even imagine, and best of all, he was able to do it with the six closest people in his life, his best friends.

But then, he saw the way those around him fell in love and slowly, he missed it too.

Jeon Jungkook found himself missing the way she'd always greet him with a text each morning and send a bento to his home. Nowadays, he was only greeted by his manager's long list of his schedule, or warnings from his agency about being spotted or doing anything dangerous. Not only that, but Seoul began to feel more empty— like it wasn't home anymore, no matter how much furniture and expensive art pieces and instruments he'd put on display.

He felt alone.

Jeon Jungkook knew the missing puzzle piece, and it was nothing that could be bought or earned—it was a certain woman, whose pitch black and straight hair quickly turned to a honey beige in waves, and the way in which he finally acknowledges that being truly cared for and loved was something that was greater than any dollar amount.

He wanted to make things right.

For countless times, he'd try to get to her—whether it were at award shows or parties, he's sneak in and always get so close to talking to her only to be stopped by her manager, or worse, the three protective women who were always by her side. It was as though those closest to her hated him, and wouldn't let his tainted and dumb self anywhere near her.

He knows, it's for good reason.

He'd hurt her hard, and left her for the fame. But he was still young and dumb at that time, and now—he wanted to make things right.

The opportunity to rectify wrongs never came, and Jeon Jungkook found himself spiralling into a pit of depression, running to alcohol, light drugs and even sex to make him feel something, even if it were only temporary. He'd get high and happy, but only to hit rock bottom, time and time again.

It pained him to see her everywhere, only to not be allowed to even speak to her, even to congratulate her on reaching her own dreams without him.

Surely, she'll come around right?

And so slowly but surely, his tattoo collection began to look like a stamp book for travellers—full of useless pictures and images, while also a few hidden messages inside. R + J,

But she never cared.

And now, years later, he knows it's because she herself had no choice but to move on, because she didn't have the luxury of forgetting him—she had a walking, breathing and talking reminder, and one she had to love with every cell of her body.

Dongsun.

In the time whereby he was at his low, the other boys had enough—they told him that he needed to stop mopping around and be social, and try to find love again, and that was where Park Sooyoung fit in.

She was far from the perfect piece of the puzzle, but she was breathtakingly beautiful and had a voice as sweet as honey and she was seemingly generous and sweet. Even though she didn't, and couldn't, she tried to love him right.

On paper, she fitted the role of the girlfriend perfectly well—always calling him and wishing him luck, sending gifts to his dorm, a great kisser, changing her contact name to a heart beside it and most importantly—she was patient and kind and understood that he was a broken man.

But when the phone ring and he sees her name, a part of him knows that his true love is the one sitting on the other side of the table, not her.

Park Chaeyoung was his true love.

"You should leave, and go to your girlfriend. It's late, she must be worried," she clears her throat, her expression clearly uncomfortable as she gets up.

He wants to protest, but he's seen that face before, the way she used to be angry when he'd come home late without sending her a text, making her stay up worried at night.

Jeon Jungkook doesn't make a scene, he turns his phone on silent and pushes it deep into his pocket, thinking that he'll handle his concerned girlfriend another time as he walks to the door.

"Can I come over again, to see Dongsun?"

She looks at him, almost appalled by his words. He knows already what she's thinking—how dare he have his cake and eat it too?

But slowly, she smiles, a fake one albeit, "... lets discuss it at another time. Good night, Jungkook."

-

Jisoo Kim despises him with every cell in her entire body because she saw the way he continued to live his life, while Park Chaeyoung suffered and endured pregnancy and motherhood alone.

Was he ever there when she was throwing up at 2am in the morning and needed her hair held back?

No.

But Jisoo Kim, Lalisa Manoban and Jennie Kim were.

Was he there when she rushed to hospital at 3am right after recording because her son had a fever?

No, in fact, he was partying with his girlfriend while the girls stood by her side.

She'd seen it all, and she hates him.

Jisoo Kim hates him more, hearing from Park Chaeyoung that he had to audacity to demand more time with her son, while his own girlfriend was calling for him.

She believes that he needs to suffer, even if it's not as much as her.

And so, that was why she shows up at his dorm at 8pm, with no makeup on and a death glare in her eyes. She's welcomed in by Kim Seokjin who asks her why she's here.

"Tell Jungkook to come out of his room now, I need to talk to him. Tell him it's me," she doesn't make small talk, nor collects $200 or speaks formally, "... I don't have time so tell him to hurry."

The older man rushes down the hallway and eventually, Jeon Jungkook emerges with his phone in his hand (which she assumes is because he'd just called his girlfriend) confused to see her.

"Noona? Is everything okay?" He asks innocently, but deep down he knows that if she was even half as angry as she was in the hospital, that she'll probably kill him there and then.

"Don't give me that bullshit," she curses at him, "... I'm telling you right now, if you really love your girlfriend, then stay the fuck away from my best friend and her son."

He opens his mouth, completely shocked at the profanity.

"She went through hell and back for Dongsun, while you enjoyed all your fame and singlehood. Don't think that you deserve to get off so easily, Jungkook," he practically spits out, "... and make sure you lie when your members ask why I'm here. The least you can do, is protect Chaeyoung and Dongsun's privacy."

She doesn't wait for his reaction, she rushes out.

No one messes with her girl.

-

When morning comes, Park Chaeoyung is greeted by him jumping on the bed.

"Good morning mommy!" He cheers before digging himself into the blankets and giving her kisses all over her cheeks and forehead, "... mommy where is uncle Jungkook?"

Park Chaeyoung, still partly delirious finds it strange to hear his name after so long, but carefully sits herself against the headboard, holding Dongsun in her arms.

"He had to go home, but we can invite him over soon okay? I will talk with him, but you need to make sure you behave in school or else he won't come, okay?"

She wonders whether it'll really be okay, to bring him back into her life.

Their life.

As the morning rush begins, she sees a text from him.

From: Jungkook

Can we meet up and talk?