Rose Gold- The Catalyst
Shades of Obsession Universe
Rose Gold Masterlist
Warning- Mentions of Stalking, Physical Reaction to Panic and Fear
The atmosphere in your apartment was thick with tension- any sane person could guess that. You sat on the bed, covered with the softest blanket Jin could find in your home while the said man walked back and forth- on a call with someone related to Hybe.
You did not pay much attention, you could not- not in your absolutely terrified state of mind. Taehyung was the first person Jin called after you felt slightly better and could talk without spluttering. He and Aerin were on their way, Jin informed you. But you were too out of it to give a proper response, you only nodded and licked your lips.
Your stomach was in knots when Jin helped you inside the apartment. You thought that you would puke - you had rushed into the bathroom as the door of your apartment opened- but nothing came out. There was still an unease settled in your belly but your breathing was even, Jin made sure to take care of you when you needed it the most.
“I want to meet the cyber experts looking at it tomorrow-do you understand how grave the matter is? My g-I mean-friend has been physically attacked. She was being stalked, physically stalked! Yes- I will speak directly.” he muttered into the phone
You looked up to Jin, he was red- quite literally- ears, neck, cheeks. You had never seen him so angry- he was outraged.
You sniffled, you were not in tears anymore, not a quivering, boneless, stuttering mess. You had never been so terrified in your life before. You had been heaving for each breath, still sitting on the stairs with only a bottle of water the security guard brought you when Jin had rushed his way to you
Jin was concerned and panicked at your condition, but he did manage to calm you down once you were inside the safety of your apartment. You could see it even when you were trying to explain to him what was wrong.
He helped you change and take a warm bath before he prepared a bowl of instant ramen with eggs and chicken. It was soupy, light and filled with healthy ingredients that Jin had added while preparing the quick meal- he wanted to be by your side as soon as he could.
He did not deem it safe to allow you in the kitchen in your state, instead, wrapped you in the blanket you still sat clutching like your life depended on it and instructed you to lay down.
You could feel the fatigue catching up to you- you were exhausted- mentally, physically, both. But you could not sleep.
It was after he had placed your dinner before you that he dialled Taehyung and let him and Aerin know what had transpired a few hours before. Jin kept watchful eyes over you as he fed you.
He dialled Hybe as soon as he put the plates and bowls in the sink. While you sat on the bed, waiting for Aerin to arrive.
He was busy explaining the situation on call when the doorbell rang.
“I will get back to you tomorrow, hm, okay.” with that, Jin put his phone back in his pocket and turned to you “I will open it, stay here okay?”
You nodded at his words and Jin smiled with reassurance, checking your forehead and neck for temperature There was not anything of prime concern other than your emotional and mental state.
As soon as Jin answered the door, Taehyung and Aerin rushed inside, you heard the commotion outside your room before Aerin opened your bedroom door.
“I’m so sorry, I…” she trailed off, choosing to instead have you in a tight but warm embrace.
Finally, in Aerin’s presence, you felt the safest, at peace.
Aerin had always been protective of you, though she was two yours younger than you. But she had been the ‘that one cousin who has your back’ to you.
You shook your head “No, why are you sorry? It was not your fault,”
Aerin blinked back her tears, they did not escape her eyes but filled them, yet the anguish was visible.
“You saw their face?” she asked as he sat beside you on the bed
You shook your head- it was dark, you were too panicked to even turn back, but you knew one thing for sure-
“I-it was a woman,”
“Huh?” Aerin’s eyebrows furrowed at the revelation.
“I heard the scream, it was a high-pitched yell, it was a woman Aeri.”
Aerin’s eyes narrowed at that. She nodded and sighed “Tae has already spoken to Namjoon- the leader might be having a talk with Bang PD right now.”
You gulped and nodded- the news did not ease your nerves even half as much as Aerin, Jin and Taehyung’s presence in the apartment did.
“You should take some days off. Lay low.”
You nodded, Aerin was right. The less you stepped out of the house for a few days, the safer you were. The security guard was about to call the police but Jin prevented him from doing so. He needed a statement from Hybe first.
You understood his point, but you also wanted the person to be tracked down and put behind the bars.
The bedroom door opened, revealing Taehyung and Jin- both of them had been in a heated discussion, you could hear them even from your room.
“Are you feeling better now?” Taehyung asked as he rushed to your side and cupped your cheeks. You nodded, giving him a small smile, and he visibly sighed in relief. “I probably have earned at least two tickets for breaking traffic rules repeatedly, but we were so scared.”
This time, you let out a genuine smile- Taehyung never failed to bring one on your face.
“Aerin, help me pack her bags, Taehyung and I would pack the rest of the luggage later,” Jin spoke up, he stood by the door, yet his watchful eyes never left your form.
“Pack my things? For what?”
“We think it is safer and better if you move in with Jin.” Aerin spoke and Taehyung nodded.
“But I can’t- I can’t just move in.”
You were in love with Kim Seokjin, there was no lie in that, but moving in was one big step that could either bring two worlds together, or let them collapse. You were simply not ready.
“Why not? We can just pack the essentials, you have been to my personal apartment before, haven’t you?” Jin spoke up this time.
He stood straight and calm, arms folded in front of him and eyes devoid of mirth. You knew that while Jin did not let it show, the incident had affected him as well, you had seen the fear in his eyes- they had been glassy- but you were too terrified to be able to console him, assure him that you were going to be alright. Jin was a protective man- he looked out for his team members, his family, for Aerin even, but he was far more protective as a lover.
“Visiting is different from moving in, Jin. I-we need more time to think about it.” you tried to explain.
“I was not asking.” he stated.
You sighed at that “Jin, I know whatever has happened—”
“Do you realise how long you were being stalked (y/n)? The reporters, the stalkers and even paid hackers, It has been long enough, this is the first time it got physical and I know it’s not the last time- I can’t take any risk, I would not!”
Jin’s voice rose with each word before he paused for a sigh.
“So, you are moving in with me. And there is no scope for ‘buts’ and ‘what ifs’.”
Aerin held your hands and squeezed it gently “(y/n), please, it is the best option for now- whoever was stalking you knows where you live. It is absolutely unsafe for you- for us to be here. Me and Taehyung were considering moving in together as well…I cannot leave you alone. Please, (y/n).”
You gulped and pressed against the headboard even harder. Moving in did seem to be the safest option. But would it not expose Jin further to scrutiny? Would those who stalked you not sniff their way to the truth too?
Hybe had a strict Non-Disclosure Agreement. And if that was, by any means, breached, both you and Jin would be paying a heavy price.
“It would only lead them to Jin.” you shook your head and stated, meeting your gaze with Jin’s heated, narrowed eyes “You understand that, don’t you?”
“So you would rather stay here? Expose yourself to danger again?”
Jin was fuming, you could see, but there was no way that you were going to risk his public image and career.
“I could…I could move in with one of my friends.”
“And the friend would not be affected?”
Taehyung spoke up this time, he was much calmer than Jin, but that did not mean that he did not agree with Jin’s decision.
“Aerin, help (y/n) pack the necessities, would you?” Taehyung turned to his girlfriend, and she nodded.
“I and Taehyung have some calls to make, let me know when you are done packing.” with that, Jin left with Taehyung.
“Let’s get your things, okay?”
You nodded at Aerin’s words as she headed towards your closet to pack. You sat still, watching her being quick on her feet and packing for you. You did not mind a few days in at Jin’s apartment, but Jin had explicitly mentioned moving in. Moving in was a big step for you- it had not even been a month into the relationship. Even with the dire circumstances, it was all too fast.
Soon, Aerin had everything packed in a small suitcase.
“I don’t want to move in, it’s too soon, Aeri.” you pleaded as she put on the last few items before zipping it shut. “I can stay with Jin for a few days, but moving in is a big decision.”
“I and Tae—-”
“You and Taehyung have been together for almost two years, look at me and Jin- it has barely been even a month.”
Realisation flashed in your cousin’s eyes and she dropped them to the nearby wall in contemplation.
“Okay, I will speak to Tae and Jin, hmm?”
You sighed in relief “Thank you Aeri. Thank you so much. Jin and Taehyung, they…”
“They are stubborn I know- trust me, you have no idea about Tae. But now, (y/n), this is the best option. Right now, nothing can stop Jin from taking you home with him, not me, not even you. No one. He’s scared.”
You nodded at her words, you had seen the fear swimming in Jin’s eyes.
----
Jin and Taehyung had been on call when you both walked out of the bedroom, in sharp contrast to their loud and assertive voices, this time, they were whispering into the phone, but they remained firm.
“We are done.” Aerin announced, startling them.
Jin assesed you and your luggage before speaking up-
“That’s all?”
“Yes, Jin, because I will be there for only a few days.” you asserted- soft but firm. You could not just move on.
Jin heaved a sigh, eyes narrowed challenginly at you, but the change was too negligible to notice right away, good thing that you always took a good look at him.
“Me and Taehyung will be here when we can, and get rest of the things packed.”
“There is—”
“Let’s go.” he cut you off, studying towards you and picking up the suitcase in one hand and grasping your wrist on the other.
The drive to his apartment was spent in a tense silence- you were used to the comfortable silence you shared with Jin, but this was uneasy.
“You must be tired, go to bed, I have some calls to make.” Jin finally spoke when you both were inside his bedroom.
“I…I am not really sleepy.” you admitted. You were exhausted, but too tensed to sleep.
Jin nodded in understanding, “How about I make you some chamomile tea?” his voice was soft and his touch delicate as he led you to the bed “You can change, I will make tea for you meanwhile, okay?”
You nodded and gave him a faint smile, to which, he smiled back before disappearing into the kitchen.
While you changed, all you could think of the words yelled out at you with such venom, it shook you to the core. You felt the odd chill once more, shivering at the awful memory.
The knock at the bathroom door made you almost jump.
“(y/n), are you done? I’ve brought the tea.”
“Y-yes, yes, I’m done, one minute.” you sighed and tried to calm her racing heart.
You were safe, in Jin’s apartment, but the incident had been scarring. Spalshing some cold water over your face and neck, you patted yourself dry before opening the batroom door. Your tea sat still warm on the nightstand.
“Come, here, are you comfortable?” Jin asked softly, and you could nor help but smile.
He was tense, stressed too, his job was demanding and the additional controversy did not make things any easier, yet he would always smile for you and the ones he loved. You would be doomed if you brought up the issue of ‘Moving in’ and spoiled the mood.
“Thank you, Jin. You are the best.”
He let out a dramatic sigh and flipped his hair “I know, I am worldwide handsome and worldwide best boyfriend, after all.”
You let out a giggle and nodded “Yes, my worldwide handsome.”
One of the best things about Jin was how easily he would thaw the tension in the air and make people comfortable around him, even strangers, besides, he knew how to charm and cheer people up.
The tea made you relax, you could feel the tension leaving your body bit by bit as you relaxed into the bed, the mattress was comfortable, Jin had a soft and fuzzy blanket covering you. He sat by your side, holding you as you began feeling the wounded knots of stress leaving your system, leaving an overwhelming fatigue behind.
—-----
The following days were peaceful, you had taken some days off from work and though Jin had been extremely busy, the other members would often pay you a visit. They were warm and welcoming, you never felt like an outsider among them.
Jin had let you know that Hybe has been investigating on the case and trying to trace the people involved. But other than that, he did not prefer to disclose much details to you, or Aerin.
Out of all the members, beside Taehyung, you had developed a close friendship with Yoongi. His quiet yet confident presence was not only assuring, but also oddly comforting. He was a man of few words. That was wahat you had assumed. But the fact was, like a rare flower, he bloomed in the right environment.
You sat by the dining table as Yoongi prepared some snacks. Jin had insformed you that he would be late, but he told you that Yoongi would be visiting you. Aerin might as well visit for a sleepover.
“What are you preparing?”
“The classic, sandwiches. Mashed potatoes and some ham. How about it?”
“Wow, so creative.”
“Here I am making the snacks all by myself, you should be thanking me, young lady.”
“With this attitude, you might never get to impress your future girlfriend with your culinary skills, young man.”
Bickering with Yoongi was fun, the light push and pull kept you engaged and your mind off of a lot of troubling thoughts. Besides, you had grown comfortable with him.
“Huhh! Any girl would be impressed by this genius Suga.” he sassed.
“Really? Then why not get a girlfriend?”
Yoongi stilled and turned his head slightly towards you.
“Love does not happen overnight (y/n), you know that.” his tone dipped, bu tthere was no malice in it, rather, it was almost…melancholic.
“I know this. So, did you…Did you ever love anybody?”
You had grown close with Yoongi, but he was a reserved man, he kept to himself, but mostly, he kept his pain to himself. Yet, as a friend, you wanted to know him more, wanted him to open up his heart to you so that in times of need, you would comfort him as he comforted you all these days when you were even afraid to answer door by yourself.
Yoongi fell silent, busying himself with the plating. The clinking of the utensils was almost obnoxious to your ears. Perhaps you had touched a string you should not have.
“Yes I did.” he sighed out, finally, turning around with plates full of sandwiches. He placed the places on the table and continued “And I perished.”
“For loving that person?”
He shook his head as he sat beside you. Even with the glowing smile, you could see the pain in his eyes.
“For letting her go.”
There was a silence again. You had no idea about Yoongi’s past, or even his current personal problems. You had no words to say, so you chose to become a silent support instead. Placing your hand on his shoulder, you affirmed him of your presence.
“I believe that when two people are meant to be together, they find their way back to each other, no matter how long it takes. They just do, somehow.”
Yoongi shook his head and parted his lips, but before he could say something, the doorbell rang.
“I will get it.”
“No wait.” preventing him from getting up, you pushed back your chair and stood up instead.
“I will do it.” you needed to overcome this fear. And you were determined to work on it.
“I’m right here, okay?” Yoongi assured as you made your way towards the door.
With a sigh, you squared your shoulders before unlocking it. Your eyes though, moved towards the security camera that clearly showed an unknown man standing outside.
It’s safe, it’s safe. He does not look harmful.
With a quick moment of self-assurance and the ring of doorbell once more, you answered the door.
“Good evening Ma’am, I am here with Miss Aerin, she has brought your luggage. He pulled a few large bags, to your surprise.
“Who is it?” Yoongi was right by your side,
“Ma’am’s luggage is here.”
The elevator doors opened and Aerin walked out, balancing two large boxes.”Hi (y/n), hi Yoongi! I have brought her luggage, Tae helped me pack but then he had to get to Hybe for work.”
“My luggage? But I was not even informed.”
“Uh, Mr Kang, would you please bring the rest of the boxes up here?”
“Sure, Ma’am.”
As soon as he was gone, Aerin pulled you back inside the apartment.
“What is going on? Aerin we spoke about this right?”
“(y/n) it is…it’s much deeper than we first thought. There are some famous news agencies involved. Do you understand the gravity of the situation now?”
No, you did not, you could not understand why there was an undertone of panic in Aerin’s words and why the tension in the room thickened.
“I knew it!” Yoongi sneered, voiced low, raspy and menacing.
You almost flinched at the sudden change in demeanour, you had never seen him like that before, it was like a whole different person was standing beside you.
Yoongi’s dark eyes flickered between the luggage and Aerin.
“Why don’t you stay here, Aerin? I need to get to Hybe.”
“Uh- okay, take care,” Aerin called out as he was already marching out of the apartment.
“I…I don’t understand…”
“(y/n), Hybe is all set to sue some giant news agencies. They had you stalked, they had leaked information in exchange for money, that was how some fucking sick people got hold of you. It was not just that girl, there were more people involved.”
Your stomach fluttered and your mouth dried at the revelation.
“So…Now?”
“I can’t allow you to stay alone, not after what Tae told me. You are permanently moving here. That’s it.”
“But…But what about our apartment?”
The apartment held some sweetest memories of you and Aerin, both of you had been living together since she was still in university and you were new in the rat race.
“We can rent it.” Aerin paused and bit her lips, her eyes glided across the apartment, as if contemplating “There have been several other pictures leaked.”
“Several other pictures, like?”
You had not signed up to any social media account, it was too risky, Mr Bang had advised you against it, and you chose to heed.
“Those people have been stalking you even before you and Jin began to date. There are pictures of both of you sitting in a corner cafe near your work place, and pictures of both of you in a car. And they are breaking the internet. But Hybe is working on tracking those agencies and proving those pictures are photoshopped.”
You not only felt exposed, but also violated. Did these people have no shame, no consideration?
“We cannot risk anything anymore, they know where you live, they know your workplace and unless and until the culprits are behind the bars, we cannot risk anything. I’m afraid that you might have to work from home (y/n).”
You nodded, unmindful of the rest of the conversation. The sandwiches sat cold on the dining table- looking at them, you relaised that you had lost your appetite.
“Are you hungry?” you asked Aerin, who shook her head, clearly tired and perhaps disturbed too.
“Let me help you arrange your things. Jin and Tae are working with Namjoon tonight, they will spend the night there.”
You nodded- though you wanted to speak with Jin, you did not wish to interrupt his work-process. There were so many questions in your head.
But, for now, you helped Aerin unpack and settle your things. Because deep down, you knew that Jin would not allow you to leave. The attack had rattled both of you.
****
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