Chapter 14: Everything's good...
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
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5 D A Y S L A T E R
Jimin
Everything was back to normal. But only after Jimin had gotten fed up of hearing every second the phrase "Are you okay" and ordered everyone to not bring up the topic again. Of course, that wasn't easy at all.
First it was Taehyung: He was the easiest by the way. The latter just cried and cried like a child for days saying how much he loves Jimin and he was doing that melodramatic play again on how he almost lost his best friend and... yeah, yeah. But that only lasted for two days and then Taehyung was back to his usual happy, smiling self. He knew Jimin wanted him to forget about it and act like it didn't even happen so he did just that.
Jimin really appreciated that. But there was Yoongi: His over protecting hyung was worse that Taehyung of course. That was... critical. He kept following him around like a faithful dog.
"Hyung!" Jimin stopped on his way to the studios.
"Hm?" Yoongi showed him a bright smile. Yeah... that was weird on its own.
"I told you, you don't have follow me around like a bodyguard. I'm sure you have lessons so... GO!"
"I'm free for today."
Jimin facepalmed. "YOONGI!"
"Okay, okay. I'll go." The elder pouted. "But could you just tell me where are you going after this lesson?"
"HYUNG!"
"Okay! I'll figure it out myself."
"HYUNG!"
"OKAY! I won't. I'll go!"
Jimin shook his head. "Please. You know very well that it won't happen again. I didn't take my pills that's why it happened so calm down."
Yoongi smiled at Jimin, not taking him serious at all. "Okay Jimin! See you later."
Jimin could finally breathe again but the other kept appearing out of nowhere, creeping the shit out of him.
Of course Hoseok and Namjoon asked him questions too but thank god they got bored of it soon. Seeing how Jimin's face darkened every time they brought up the topic they decided to keep quiet.
So everything was back to normal… mostly, but there's was another someone of course.
Jungkook.
He was... weird, that's for sure. But there was something else that Jimin didn't like. They were back to their normal selves, still playing that stupid game of theirs, but Jungkook was a bit different. He couldn't tell what changed exactly, but perhaps there is something there that wasn't there before. (A TOTALLY INTENTIONAL DISNEY REFERENCE! I'M SORRY!)
They both kept their promise and didn't talk about what happened.
F L A S H B A C K
The first thing Jimin saw when he woke up was Yoongi sleeping peacefully on his armchair.
'Why am I in hyung's room?' was his first thought but then he remembered. 'Ah... Aish!' He pulled his hair and shook his head angrily. 'Stupid. Sh*t. Why the heck did you have to do that?' He stood up and went closer to the sleeping boy.
"I'm sorry hyung!" he whispered then kissed the elder's forehead. "Thank you." He looked really tired so Jimin didn't' want to wake him up.
He knew what's waiting for him out of these walls and he already hated it. It was eight in the morning so he hoped that everyone was already getting ready for classes, especially Taehyung and Jungkook. But unfortunately, the latter was still in his room when Jimin walked in and gosh, it was awkward.
Jungkook immediately raised his head and turned his way but then got nervous and looked away. Jimin inflated his cheeks like a squirrel and went to his bed. He wanted to say something but nothing came to his mind.
"Are you alright?" Jungkook asked, hoarsely.
Jimin sighed. "Yes, I am. Thanks." He hoped that that was all but of course the conversation was far from being over.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Jungkook asked in a low voice while folding his clothes.
Jimin turned around. "Look at me." Jungkook did as he was told an Jimin pressed his lips together. "That's exactly the reason."
"What?"
"Your face,'' said Jimin. "Pity is written all over it." The younger looked away. "I don't need that face. I hate it so please can we just forget about this and act like it didn't even happen?"
Jungkook pursed his lips. "I can't do that. But I can act like it didn't happen if that is what you want."
Jimin's eyes flashed. "Yes. Please. I'm okay. It won't happen again. I'm sorry you had to see it and... thank you for calling Tae."
Jungkook hissed. "The least I could do after causing it."
Jimin glared at him in disbelief. He yanked Jungkook's arm to turn him around and slapped him. He really did it. Not too hard but enough to make the younger's cheek red. Surprised, Jungkook held his jaw as his eyes moved to Jimin's which were stiff; filled with anger and regret.
"Don't ever say that!" He said in a tone that made Jungkook gulp. "It was my and only my fault." Jungkook didn't answer, just stared at him with an unreadable expression. "Understood?" Jimin snapped and the boy jolted. With his round doe eyes, for the first time he really looked younger than Jimin. Like a child
Jimin hated when people blamed themselves because of his weakness. He hated it with all of his heart. He hated that Taehyung was always crying when he couldn't help and he hated that Yoongi's gonna blame himself forever because of that one stupid night. He didn't need another person to stand into the line.
"I'm sorry." Jimin knew he was a bit too harsh. He never saw Jungkook so puzzled before. He didn't like it. He wanted the Jungkook that always smirks and mocks him whenever they talk. "So can we just... forget about this? We still have a game to win?" He smiled, hoping for a smirk in return, and it came.
"You just slapped me," stated Jungkook.
Jimin blinked innocently. "You were speaking nonsense."
"Well, if we can forget this then I'll try to forget about yesterday." Jimin knew it was a lie. No one would forget what happened yesterday but if the younger just acted like he did it was enough for him.
"Deal." Jimin raised his pinky and Jungkook twisted his own around the tiny finger.
E N D O F F L A S H B A C K
After his first dance lesson, Jimin decided to take a quick shower. He still had classes so he didn't want to attend them all sweaty and smelly. He had a towel wrapped around his waist and was drying his hair with a smaller one when the door opened.
"Showing off in the showers?" he heard the voice but didn't look up since he knew it belonged to Jungkook. "Poor fashion designers. They don't have time for this." Jungkook passed with a sigh and hit Jimin's stomach with his towel.
"Tae is a fashion designer and he's in a pretty good shape so... you're wrong." Jimin went to his locker and pulled on a shirt.
"Yah! I was still watching," scolded Jungkook. Jimin turned to see him sitting leisurely on a bench, with an apple in his hand.
"Then watch someone else," he hissed. "Or pay. " He showed a flirty smile.
Jungkook bit from the apple. "Do you accept.. " he looked at the fruit in his hand, "an already half eaten apple?"
"Do you think I'm that cheap?"
"A man can hope," said Jungkook, then took another bite.
Jimin let out a small chuckle. "I thought you hated me."
"I do. But I'm not blind," stated the younger. He stood up and pulled off his own baggy shirt, revealing his own abs.
Well, Jimin wasn't blind either. "And why do you have those then? I thought you're some kind of artist or what."
Jungkook stopped unbuttoning his jeans and took a step closer to Jimin. "I am an artist," he started, his eyes filled with fake lust. "So I adore things like... you know... curves.. shapes.. muscles." With every word he stepped a little closer. Jimin looked at him lazily. "I draw these pretty often but," he let out a heavy, disappointed sigh, then pulled out those puppy eyes. "those models do never really satisfy my taste." He was really close and Jimin was trapped between him and the lockers.
"I thought you went there to learn. Not to satisfy your," Jimin looked down at Jungkook's pants then up to his eyes with a playful smirk, "anything.''
"Having the work and pleasure together... wouldn't be a bad idea." Jungkook was only an inch away from Jimin and he purposely breathed into the boy's face. Jimin stood calmly, eyes still showing boredom. Normally he would've freaked out already but he got used to it with Jungkook. After they ran out of good ideas and teasing lines they started to bring their little game to another level. First it was awkward and that was their purpose, but just as they got used to the pranks they got used this too.
"Then you better find someone who's into your little kink," breathed Jimin.
Jungkook leaned to his ears and whispered like he would whisper to his lover's ears. "What if I already did?"
Jimin closed his eyes for a moment as he felt a shiver running down his spine. Shit. He just lost another round.
Jungkook exhaled as he whispered, ''You shivered.''
Jimin could feel the smirk on his face so he pulled away with a grumpy frown. "So you can have a nice day. I know you don't get much action here," he mocked.
Jungkook crossed his arms. "And HOW do you know that?"
"You always go to bed before ten and you never go out for the weekends."
"Same goes for you shortie."
"Then we're both lame."
"Just you. I can have anyone if I want to."
Jimin raised a brow. "But?"
Jungkook was unsure for a moment but then continued with a sassy tone. "I can't let just anyone have this," and he pointed to himself.
Jimin rolled his eyes. "Sure."
"By the way, you could really come in sometimes. The girls would be really happy to see someone not 99 years old for once."
"Do I look like Rose?"
"She only undressed for Jack."
"What's the point?"
"I asked you to do it for thirty," Jungkook said with smirk.
"You're hopeless," said Jimin. He raised his towel to hit Jungkook's shoulder but the other moved away and it hit his face instead. He hissed painfully. "Oh my. I'm sorry," apologized Jimin, this time really feeling a bit bad for hitting the boy.
"It okay."
What? It's okay? When does Jungkook says something like this?
"Let me see it?" Jimin's hand moved to his cheek but Jungkook turned away. Jimin squinted his eyes. The younger seemed to be in pain but not because of the towel. It was something else. Jimin of course didn't let it be and grabbed the boys face and wiped down the make up (that he didn't even notice before) from his face. "What the heck Jungkook? Who did this to you?" He cried out seeing the blue bruises on the boy's face.
Jungkook turned away, annoyed. "Nobody."
"When did this happen?"
"Why do you care? You're not my mom nor my friend," he snapped.
Well, they really weren't friends but somehow that sounded bad in Jimin's ears. He didn't know why he cared but he did. They may not be friends but they're still roommates and weird gaming partners.
"Fine! You're right!" Jimin took his towel and turned around. "Then I can be the one who tells everyone how the high and mighty Jungkook got beaten up." He didn't plan to do that, of course not. It was all part of his plan, and it worked.
"Wait!" Jimin stopped. "It was... that friend of yours… Yoongi or who."
Jimin's eyes grew wide. ''WHAT?''
Yoongi
He was sitting at the cafe as usual. Every day in his free time he went there first.
Something was off these days and it bothered him a lot. Actually a lot of things bothered him and Jimin of course was one of these things. He kept checking on the boy like a good bodyguard even though he knew Jimin hated it. Who cares? Jimin has already played his cards when he decided not to take his pills. It was Yoongi's task to keep an eye on him so he didn't care if Jimin was against it.
On the other hand, there was Hoseok. How to say it... that boy was really a bernicle. He kept appearing from time to time, driving him insane with his weird riddles and overflowing happiness. Seriously. No one's life can be that good. Haven't his parents taught him how to feel something else? He already had Taehyung with that weird optimistic character, he didn't need another idiot in his life.
Sipping from his coffee, he enjoyed the silence, until someone pulled the chair and took a seat in front of him. Again. Really? Why? Why can't he drink that coffee in peace for once.
"I really don't want to seem rude but... what do you want?"
"Repaying what I own you," said Hoseok.
"What?"
"An iced coffee and a muffin."
Yoongi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I don't drink iced coffee and I don't like muffins."
Hoseok exclaimed like it would've been a crime. "What are you?"
"I'm a human being who wants to be alone."
"Then choose something else."
"I choose my coffee and you to go away."
Hoseok puckered his lips. "That's not on the menu."
Yoongi stared at him with wide eyes. What the… This boy was off. He decided to ignore him and turned back to his book. The boy ordered and did that silly thing again with the toothpicks.
Yoongi realized he was quiet. He didn't talk at all. He just sat there, picking small bites from his muffin and Yoongi kept stealing short glances. He tried to focus on the novel but he couldn't. The boy's presence made him uptight.
It was like watching a still unknown species. Observing it in his natural habitat. And Yoongi didn't understand anything from what he saw. He was more strange than Taehyung and that's... something. The boy probably had tons of friends so why did he keep coming to him when it was obvious that Yoongi didn't like him. He didn't get it.
Suddenly the other looked at him and it made him realize how hard he was staring — he averted his gaze like he wasn't.
"YOONGI!" It was really rare to hear Jimin speaking in such manner. He looked at him with round eyes.
"Jimin?"
"Why did you do it?" He just stared blankly. "Jungkook! Why did you hit him?" Jimin was really... angry? Why? He didn't even like that boy.
Yoongi glanced at Hoseok who was drinking his coffee, acting like he wasn't there. Typical.
"Jimin I'm—"
"I know you were angry, hyung but you can't just hit everyone, moreover someone younger that you!" Geez. Why did he had to say it like that? It really sounded bad. Yoongi felt bad… a little... okay not that much. He wasn't himself when he hit Jungkook but deep inside he still thought it was that baby's fault and he didn't like him at all.
"But he—"
"I really don't know what got into you but it wasn't his fault! He's still in pain because of you!" Jimin was really angry at him. Yoongi just sat there like a scolded child. The younger never acted like this before — not with him. Why was he so worked up when he hated that guy.
Yoongi began to feel weird. He felt that strange thing again. The one that he couldn't understand and it made him confused. He wanted to escape but Jimin was staring at him with eyes showing anger and disappointment. Was he disappointed in him? "You really went far this time,'' said Jimin.
Yoongi didn't say a word. Jimin turned around and stormed out from the cafe.
Hoseok was so quiet Yoongi didn't even noticed he was still there. "Be careful," he began. "Someone may notice you actually have feelings."
What was he saying again? Why was everything so freaking confusing these days?
"Shut up," grunted Yoongi.
"So you still don't believe me?"
"About what?"
"About your problem."
"My only problem is you!" Yoongi rose from his chair and stormed out of the cafe.
Jungkook
Jungkook was... Jungkook. He still stayed true to his deadpan self and kept teasing Jimin whenever he could, but... he wasn't the same. He had these strange feelings. Feelings about Jimin. It's not like he liked the boy or something but to be honest, he never hated him. How could he? He didn't even know him. He just hated the fact that he had to share a room with him, and of course he found the other hella annoying. But that's not hate.
He had a really good time teasing the other and he loved Jimin's reactions. He looked like a soft little puppy but still pulled on that angry mask whenever Jungkook pranked him. He wasn't scary at all. And it was funny.
However, that day Jungkook got to see another side of him and Jimin looked nothing like a cute puppy when he slapped him. He looked hurt, sad, and something else that Jungkook couldn't put a finger on.
Their little game took a different direction somewhere along the road. They started teasing each other in a new way and Jungkook would've lied if he say he didn't like it. Jimin was so easy to tease. Since he loved the elder's reactions he kept bugging him more. He was bored anyway and Jimin was the perfect distraction.
Namjoon
Namjoon and Jin... well.. were they back to normal? Was there even a normal in their relationship? It wasn't even a relationship.
They were just... awkward.
Namjoon literally forced the other to stay in his room and Jin didn't even had a choice. He either stays or goes homeless on the streets. Or he goes back to his grandparents but then no university.
It wasn't that bad after all. They didn't speak much and they didn't see each other often. In the morning, Namjoon always left the room before Jin and they only shared some words at night.
It was the same today. Namjoon was laying on his bed, staring at the boy who was sleeping peacefully beside him. His lips were slightly parted and he looked like he was having a really nice dream.
Namjoon usually had a lot of things in his mind but right now it was empty. He observed every little feature on the boy's face but he couldn't find a flaw. Only when his eyes wandered down to the elder's neck. There they were. Those red and blue marks were screaming for attention.
It made him so angry. How dare someone ruin something so perfect and beautiful.
He didn't understand himself. He convinced himself that it's not because he liked him, but because no one deserves to be threatened like that. If it was Hoseok, Jungkook or Yoongi, he would be the same. But that was different, they were his friends. Jin was just a stranger who was forced to share a room with him for a week, nothing more. So why did it hurt so much to see him like this?
He didn't deserve that.
Seokjin
Jin was doing fine, which is far from good.
His skin was still covered with bruises so he had to wear that turtleneck sweater Namjoon had given him.
F L A S H B A C K
Staring into the mirror, he raised a hand to his face and slowly rolled down his fingertips on his bruised neck. When he reached his collarbones he stopped and sighed. How is he gonna hide these ugly marks? He took another glance at his reflection then went out of the bathroom.
As soon as he stepped out, something soft landed on his head. He took off the material and saw Namjoon packing something into his bag in a hurry. He just stared at him dumbly while holding the sweater in his hands.
Namjoon noticed the weird silence and looked up. Seeing Jin's numb face his eyebrows rose. "It's a sweater," he said. The elder looked he was holding something extraordinary in his hands. "You can wear it like this," he pointed to the one he was wearing. Jin looked at the sweater and then back to him. It was a sweater with a turtleneck so it was perfect for covering his marks.
"Thank—"
"Ayayayaayy!" cried Namjoon, "It seems like your mother did a pretty good job with teaching you how to say 'Thank you' but I won't tell you again. Don't!"
Jin really didn't understand him. How can someone hate when people are grateful to him. It was stupid, but Jin hated saying thank you so he actually really appreciated this weird... habit.
"You can stay in this room until you... " an awkward silence came. Till when? Namjoon didn't know why was Jin sleeping outside nor that he was broken. "Until you want,'' he said. '' But there's a rule you have to keep." Jin looked at him curiously. "Don't say thank you."
He wanted to roll his eyes but he just nodded. It was too easy yet so hard to do it.
"Thank you." Namjoon looked up to the ceiling then back to Jin. "Only I can say thank you. Roger?"
E N D O F F L A S H B A C K
So they were sharing that room again for five days. It was still a bit awkward for Jin. Namjoon didn't seem to care but he wasn't the one in such a hopeless, degrading position. No matter how grateful Jin was, he felt vulnerable.
He didn't deserve it. He was staying at the dorms illegally, in a luxurious room that he didn't paid for. Namjoon never asked or talked about this but of course he wasn't dumb he knew that Jin had financial problems. Jin didn't even want to know what the other thought of him.
It felt strange and abnormal but still... it felt nice.
However, he was really down and his only source of happiness was the boy he met five days ago.
He was sitting on a bench, just enjoying his sandwich when the stranger approached him.
"Woah! Is that an Armani?" The boy was pointing towards the sweater that Namjoon had gave him. Jin had no idea. Even though he was wearing expensive clothes like this before, he never really cared about brands. The boy came closer to observe the garment. "Can I?" He looked harmless so Jin let him touch the material. "Woah it's really that soft." He even closed his eyes, like he was tasting some delicious food. "It's from the 2016 Fall Collection isn't it?" Jin just nodded like he understood what he was talking about.
The boy looked at him and held out his hand."I'm Taehyung," he smiled widely, "but everyone calls me Tae."
"I'm Seokjin."
"Can I call you Jin?"
"Sure."
"Sorry for interrupting your lunch but you look really good in this sweater." Jin didn't want to hear that. Last time someone complimented his look it turned out really bad. "Can I use you as my model?" His eyes grew wide. What was this boy saying?
The younger noticed he must seem weird. "I mean. For my project."
Jin then realized that the boy was one of the Fashion Designer students so he released a sigh. He seemed really nice but still he didn't wanted to say yes. "I'm... not sure if I want that."
"It's okay. You don't have to answer right away." The boy's smile was so cute and full of innocence it almost melted Jin's heart.
They kept meeting after. Jin really liked the other. He was full of love and positivity which he needed the most right now. Taehyung didn't know anything about his past and his situation so he could talk to him freely like he was just another student with silly dreams about being the greatest in his profession. It wasn't awkward around him and he felt like all his problems were just a bad dream when he was with him. It was perfect.
He really liked Taehyung, and it seemed the other liked him to.