SECRETS & LIES | VKOOK ✓ [EDITING]

three.

The tension between Jeongguk and Jimin had reached its breaking point. The night before had been a blur of anger, alcohol, and desperate attempts to escape the pain that gnawed at Jeongguk's soul. He rarely let himself get drunk, knowing full well the risks that came with losing control, but last night had been different. The alcohol had been a temporary balm, numbing the edges of his grief and guilt, but now, in the harsh light of morning, he was left to face the consequences.

Jimin sat on the edge of the bed, wincing as he shifted his weight. The soreness in his body was a painful reminder of the intensity of the night before. "What the heck was that yesterday?!" Jimin exclaimed, frustration clear in his voice as he looked at Jeongguk.

Jeongguk barely glanced at him, his tone dismissive. "Well, you said you wanted sex, so I gave it to you, Park. Stop being a drama queen, you are a retired stripper."

Jimin's eyes widened at Jeongguk's harsh words, a mix of shock and hurt flashing across his face. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "A retired stripper? That's what you think of me?" Jimin's voice trembled with a mix of anger and pain.

Jeongguk's dismissive attitude only fueled Jimin's frustration. He turned away from Jeongguk, trying to gather his thoughts. The intimacy they had shared the night before now felt tainted, reduced to something cheap and meaningless by Jeongguk's careless words.

"You know, I never thought you'd throw my past in my face like that," Jimin said, his voice low but steady. "I thought we were more than that."

Jeongguk finally looked at him, a flicker of guilt crossing his features, but it was quickly buried under his usual stoic expression. "I didn't mean it like that, Jimin. You know I—"

Jimin's eyes narrowed, disbelief and hurt flashing across his face. "We've never had it like that. Why were you so angry at me, huh? Is this about your best friend again? Because of Seokjin, isn't it?"

Jeongguk scoffed, refusing to meet Jimin's gaze. "Seokjin can go fuck himself. This has nothing to do with you."

Jimin's patience snapped. "Since when is what you do not my business?" he demanded, pulling on a shirt and a pair of tight leather jeans, each movement sharp with barely restrained anger.

Jeongguk's avoidance only fueled Jimin's frustration. "It's nothing, Jimin. Just leave it alone."

But Jimin wasn't about to back down. He leaned in close, their faces just inches apart, his voice a venomous whisper. "Let me guess... This was about Kim Taehyung, wasn't it?"

Jeongguk's eyes darkened, a flash of anger crossing his features. "Watch your mouth, Park," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Jimin stepped back, the finality in Jeongguk's words cutting deep. He moved to the closet, grabbing his coat, his expression cold and unreadable. "Very well then. I'll leave you and your past alone," he said flatly, slipping the coat on with deliberate care.

Jeongguk watched him, his jaw clenched, anger and regret warring within him. "Where do you think you're going?" he demanded, trying to regain some control over the situation.

Jimin glared at him, his eyes hard as steel. "That's not your business. There are some things I need to deal with on my own." His words were final, leaving no room for argument as he turned and walked out of the apartment, his footsteps echoing in the silence that followed.

As Jimin entered the elevator, he whispered to himself, "What has gotten into you?" His heart ached with a mixture of anger and sadness, the image of Jeongguk's haunted expression burned into his mind. The elevator doors closed, and Jimin felt the weight of the situation settle heavily on his shoulders. He didn't know where he was going, but he knew he needed to get away, to clear his head and figure out what to do next.