Mine (Jikook/Kookmin)- Complete

34

"I thought you'd already gone back to your parents," Jimin said, his tone edged with a hint of mockery. His frustration at Jungkook's tendency to run away instead of staying to work things out was clear. Thanks to Tae and Hobi, though, they finally had this chance to talk.

"You asked me to leave," Jungkook shot back, his own emotions raw.

"And you happily left," Jimin countered, arms crossed in defense.

Jungkook's expression softened, his voice dropping. "No. You know I won’t leave you, not really."

Jimin took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check. He didn’t want this conversation to spiral into yet another argument. They needed to talk, really talk, without letting their feelings take over.

"How are you?" Jimin asked, noting how terrible Jungkook looked, especially as he lifted the bucket hat from his head, revealing tired eyes and a face that had seen better days.

"Not good," Jungkook admitted, the vulnerability in his voice striking Jimin more than anything else. This wasn’t the strong, confident Jungkook he was used to seeing. He was shaken, broken in a way Jimin had never seen before.

"Do you want to tell me?" Jimin asked gently, knowing that this was the right way forward. They had to talk, to communicate honestly, without letting their pride get in the way.

Jungkook hesitated before speaking, his words coming out rushed, as if he needed to get them out before they overwhelmed him. "I want to, but first, I'm sorry. I shouldn’t have acted like that towards you. I should’ve listened, I should’ve taken the time to think before reacting. I don’t even know why I responded the way I did. I just—"

"Shhh..." Jimin put a finger to Jungkook’s lips, silencing him before he could spiral into his usual ramble. "One thing at a time, okay?"

"Okay," Jungkook whispered, his hands reaching out to grab Jimin’s, squeezing it softly, grounding himself in the touch.

"I lost my way, Jimin. That gallery...it was my life. I worked so hard for it, and in an instant, everything disappeared." Jungkook’s voice cracked, the pain of losing something so important to him raw in his words.

The art gallery Jungkook had opened was more than just a business to him; it was a symbol of his independence, proof that he could make it on his own without relying on his family’s wealth. But now, it was gone. The dream he had built had crumbled, and with it, his sense of accomplishment.

"I'm sorry for blaming you, even though none of this was your fault," Jungkook continued, guilt heavy in his voice. He had been furious when he found out that Hana, the person who had sabotaged his gallery, was responsible for his downfall. The betrayal stung, but in his anger, he had lashed out at Jimin unfairly.

Jimin sighed softly, his thumb gently stroking the back of Jungkook’s hand. "I forgive you, and I’m sorry too."

Jungkook shook his head quickly. "No, no... You don’t have to apologize."

"But I do," Jimin insisted. "I should’ve been there for you. You needed support, and I know how much that gallery meant to you. I’m sorry I wasn’t by your side when you needed me most."

"I really need you," Jungkook whispered, his voice barely above a breath. And then, to Jimin’s shock, tears welled up in Jungkook’s eyes. This was the first time Jimin had ever seen him cry. Jungkook, who always tried to be strong, who never showed weakness, was breaking in front of him, and it broke Jimin’s heart.

Jimin immediately pulled him closer, wrapping his arms around him. "I’m here, Jungkook. We’ll get through this together."

"But how?" Jungkook’s voice was muffled against Jimin’s shoulder. "I’ve lost everything."

"Not everything," Jimin murmured, pulling back slightly to look him in the eye. "You have me. You have Jae. We’ll figure this out, together."

Jungkook’s face was full of uncertainty, as if he couldn’t see a way out of the darkness. "How? Where do we even start?"

Jimin smiled, a gentle warmth spreading through his chest. "Let’s start over," he said simply.

Jungkook blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Jimin chuckled softly, the sound lightening the mood. "Hi there!" he said, his voice playful, offering a hand as if they were meeting for the first time. "I’m Jimin. Jeon Jimin. Oh wait, sorry, I mean Park Jimin."

For the first time in what felt like ages, a genuine laugh burst out of Jungkook’s chest. "Hi, Jeon Jimin!" he replied, playing along, the weight on his shoulders lifting just a little.

Jimin laughed along with him, the sound of their shared laughter filling the air. It wasn’t a solution to everything, but it was a start. Jimin knew that as long as they had each other, they could rebuild. Jungkook was his biggest supporter, and Jimin was his happiness. Together, with their son Jae, they could make it through anything.

Jae, their little sunshine, was the bond that held them together. He was the light that reminded them both that no matter how hard things got, they had a future worth fighting for.