Agent of Destruction

Namjoon's eyes flew open and he barely made it to the bathroom before expelling the contents of his stomach into the toilet. I hate alcohol, he thought miserably.

“Good morning!” he heard Jin sing out.

“Looks like he's already up,” Jimin said.

The bathroom door opened and he flushed the toilet as they came in. “Hoseok said you were drunk, but I think wasted is more accurate,” Jin commented.

“Do you want some water?” Jimin asked.

“Maybe later,” he mumbled. “What's up?”

“We were just… wondering how your meeting with Sejin went,” Jin replied nonchalantly.

Namjoon raised an eyebrow. “Right now?”

“We can come back later,” Jimin attempted.

“No, I'm ready to hear it now,” Jin insisted. “Come on, Joon, was it about Vegas?”

Namjoon rinsed his mouth in the sink as his cloudy mind scrambled for an answer. “Maybe I should talk to everyone at once,” he attempted, but Jin shook his head. “Just an overview is fine,” he insisted again.

“Jin, he's not well,” Jimin murmured. “We should give him a chance to recover before asking questions.”

Namjoon glanced at them in the mirror and was troubled by the intensity in their expressions. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

Jimin tried to pull Jin out of the bathroom, but Jin shook him off. “Where were you last night?” he asked quietly.

“What do you mean, where? I was meeting with Sejin.”

“Where?”

“In a cafe.”

“Which one?”

“I don't remember.”

“What did you drink?”

“Coffee.”

“So why are you hungover?” he challenged. “Hoseok had to put you to bed, and he heard you mention vodka and rum. Did you and Sejin go on some kind of bender?”

“No!”

“Then what, Namjoon?!”

“Namjoon? Is everything okay in here?” Hoseok called. There were footsteps and he poked his head around the corner, followed by Jungkook. “We were wondering what happened to you two,” he said, stepping into the bathroom.

Jimin whispered urgently in his ear and his easy expression faded a little. “We shouldn't do this now, Jin,” he said in a low voice.

“Do what?” Namjoon demanded. “What is going on here? What aren't you telling me?”

“I think we should be asking you that question,” Jin retorted. “We know you're hiding something from us!”

“Jin!” Jungkook pleaded.

“Who did you meet with in our dressing room?”

“I don't know what you're talking about,” Namjoon said flatly. “I didn't meet with anyone, in our dressing room or anywhere else.”

“Jungkook saw you!” Hoseok blurted out.

Namjoon looked at Jungkook. His face was completely white and his hands were trembling, and Namjoon felt a rush of panic. They know! They know something's going on, and that I just lied about it!

“Don't play the hangover card now, Namjoon,” Jin said. “You're entitled to have your own life and even your own secrets, but I never thought you'd blatantly lie to us like that.”

“Jin, please,” Namjoon whispered, “you don't understand.”

“Understand what?” Hoseok asked. “Are you in trouble? Whatever it is, let us help you. We're your friends.”

Namjoon realized what he had to say next, and his heart was already breaking as he looked Jin in the eye. “You're right, it is my life, so stop shoving your nose where it doesn't belong,” he growled. “I'll do whatever the hell I want, and I don't owe any of you a damn thing.”

All four of them visibly recoiled at such venom, then Jimin ran out of the room like a frightened deer. A single tear ran down Jin’s face before he stalked out past a trembling Jungkook. Hoseok seemed torn and tried to say something else, then turned and ran after them.

Jungkook still stood outside the bathroom, his chest heaving as he looked at Namjoon with a mixture of hurt and confusion. “Namjoon, I - I wasn't trying to… I didn't mean… ”

Namjoon lurched over painfully and shut the door in his face. I'm going to lose them, he realized.


******


The next few days were more strained than any Namjoon had ever experienced. Jin and Hoseok were uncharacteristically silent, while Jungkook and Jimin were openly crushed and avoided him as much as possible. I didn't know it was possible to hate myself this much, he thought dejectedly.

After a few days in Houston they flew non-stop to Las Vegas, and not even the glittering signs of the Strip could lift their spirits. Getting through the airport was more challenging than ever as they signed autographs and took selfies with their waiting fans, all while avoiding eye contact with each other. We'll never be able to fake it long enough, Namjoon thought as he took another picture. Everyone will start talking, and soon every social media platform will be circulating BTS breakup rumors.

The thought was too wrenching to bear and he hurried through the line to his waiting car outside. Sejin followed him into the backseat and closed the door. “I think you should tell me exactly what happened,” he said.

“We just had an argument,” Namjoon replied, “and you know I can't fix it without telling them the truth.”

“It will all be over in a week.”

“I'm not so sure,” Namjoon mumbled.

Sejin dropped him off at the meeting point and Namjoon looked up at the building. It was the seediest spot yet, with dirty windows and a rusty sign that simply said Motel in mottled letters. Namjoon went inside, cringing as the smell of bleach and mold hit him, then hurried up the stairs and pounded on the door, not bothering to look up at the hidden camera. It's not like anyone else would willingly come here, he reasoned.

The door opened and he stepped inside gingerly. “You sure know how to pick hotels,” he commented.

“Try sleeping here,” O’Hare replied.

“Have you heard from Song?” Porter asked immediately. He was standing by their window with his arms folded, like a father who's been waiting for a child to come home, and a half-smoked cigarette dangled from his fingers as he turned toward Namjoon. “Well?”

“Don't you think I would've called?” Namjoon returned. “I made a really good impression on his lieutenant, I think, but I wasn't sure what to do when I didn't hear from you in Houston.”

“Houston didn't matter,” Porter said dismissively. “That was a concession we made to your company.”

“You should expect Song to contact you within the next twenty-four hours,” O’Hare said, “if not sooner. He'll want to close a deal with you before you leave the States, so be prepared.”

Namjoon nodded, but he could tell they had something else on their minds. “What is it?” he asked. “Has something else happened?”

Porter sighed and flicked his cigarette. “We spoke with your manager yesterday,” he said.

“We know your friends are getting suspicious,” O’Hare added.

“I handled it,” Namjoon said abruptly. “Don't worry, they won't be an issue.”

“What happened?” Porter prodded.

“When Doyoung came to my dressing room, one of the members was already in there and he overheard our conversation.”

“Which consisted of?”

“Nothing,” Namjoon replied, “at least, nothing that hurts the investigation.”

Both agents seemed relieved by this and Porter took a long drag of his cigarette. “Good. Call us after Song makes contact. We'll monitor incoming flights for his arrival in the city.”

Namjoon bowed and left the room hurriedly, not wanting to spend another second in such a disgusting place. I hope Song contacts me soon, he thought. I hope we can take him out and I can make things right again.


******


Jungkook caught sight of Jin heading down the hallway and he couldn't stay silent anymore. “Jin!” he called, running after him.

Jin glanced behind him as Jungkook caught up to him. “I thought you'd already be onstage,” he commented. “We only have an hour for sound check.”

“I just… I need to ask you something,” he said. “Why did you tell Namjoon I overheard his conversation in Miami? I thought we were keeping that to ourselves!”

“You're bringing this up now?” Jin asked incredulously. “It's been over a week!”

“You weren't the only one with hurt feelings,” Jungkook said quietly.

Guilt washed over Jin’s face and he put a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder. “I didn't mean to make things worse,” he whispered, “I just let my anger get the best of me. I'm sorry.”

“Jungkook and Jin to the stage,” a voice called over the intercom.

“Does this mean you'll make up with Namjoon?” Jungkook asked.

“I'm not sure Namjoon wants to make up with anyone right now,” Jin sighed. “He's obviously going through something personal, and with this crazy schedule…”

“There you are!” Taehyung exclaimed, coming down the hallway. “Are you coming or what?”

“Just a second!” Jungkook called. “Jin, don't you think we should do something? Things are so tense, I'm not even sure who's mad at who anymore. We're fighting like-”

“What is this, a secret club meeting?” Taehyung asked, coming over to them.

“No, I…” Jungkook sighed. “I was just saying I wish everyone wasn't so angry all the time.”

Taehyung folded his arms. “If we were getting proper sleep and a little free time, we'd probably be a lot calmer,” he said flatly.

“Jungkook's right, we can't keep on like this,” Jin said, “though I'm not sure how much good it'll do for us to be calm while Namjoon is so out of sorts. Maybe we should talk to Sejin.”

“Jungkook, Jin and Taehyung to the stage,” the voice repeated more insistently, and Jungkook sighed. “Come on, we should go,” he said, leading the way.


******


Namjoon tried not to stare as Taehyung returned with Jin and Jungkook and they took their places behind him. Jin looks slightly less upset, but-

His phone rang and everyone groaned frustratedly. “Let me guess, you have to take it,” Taehyung mumbled.

Namjoon ignored him and put it to his ear. “Hello?”

“Mr. Kim,” a male voice said pleasantly.

Namjoon's neck prickled. “Yes?”

“This is Song Jihoon. I trust you've been expecting my call?”

Namjoon stepped away from his friends and softly cleared his throat. “I have.”

“Excellent. Doyoung has informed me of your particular interest in our venture, and I must say I would value an investor of your caliber.”

“I was very impressed by your establishments in New York and Miami,” Namjoon replied. “You certainly have a unique opportunity here, and I'll admit to being somewhat fascinated by the whole idea.”

“Then allow me to personally invite you to my place in Vegas,” Song said. “I'll be flying in tonight and would be honored to meet you during your stay.”

This is it! Namjoon thought with a strange sense of excitement. “The honor would be mine, sir,” he murmured.

“Wonderful. Why don't you come by the Crescent Moon tomorrow evening? Shall we say ten-thirty?”

“I look forward to it,” Namjoon replied, then he hung up and let out a long sigh.

“May we practice now?” Yoongi called.

Namjoon turned around mechanically. “Yeah, sorry about that,” he said, resuming his place at the front of the group. Hoseok gave him a look, but didn't ask any questions. Guess my outburst worked better than I thought, Namjoon mused. He'd give anything to take it back, except nothing but the complete truth could possibly make a difference, and even then they might not believe him. The track started and Namjoon began his rap, but his mind wasn't on the words anymore. Even if they believe me, would they forgive the lies?

After sound check ended Namjoon hurried offstage to call Porter. No one seemed interested in following him and he tried to pretend he wasn't hurt as the line rang.

“Well?” Porter barked.

“He's flying in tonight,” Namjoon whispered. “I've got a meeting tomorrow night at the Crescent Moon, ten-thirty.”

“We'll be ready. Come by the motel beforehand and we'll wire you up. Remember, not a word to anyone else.”

Namjoon nodded. “Understood.”

The line went dead and he looked back at the stage. The others were still standing on their marks while the lighting crew fiddled with the spotlights, but even from his vantage point they all looked exhausted. This all ends after tomorrow night, Namjoon told himself. One way or another, it's almost over.

Notes