HELLO, DARLING | JIKOOK ✔

21 || FULL HOUSE

Jimin's backside still throbs, but sitting between Jeongguk's legs, enveloped by hot water, bubbles and the soothing aroma of cherry blossom hinders some of the pain. His back is flush against Jeongguk's honey, hot skin and lips brush his nape. Fingers caress his wide hips.

"How are you feeling, Darling?" Jeongguk's voice is like a calming lullaby.

"It still hurts. But I liked it." Jimin rests his head back on Jeongguk's shoulder. He reaches for one of the blond's hands and begins to play with his pretty fingers. "You always take care of me when we're done."

Jeongguk smiles. "Of course I do. It's my job. And even if it wasn't, I still would." He admires the size difference between their hands. He watches the bubbles that cling to Jimin's wrists journey to his arms to meet the water once more.

After everything that's happened, Jimin's been stuck with these thoughts that won't seem to go away. He doesn't necessarily want to bring them up, because he wishes they'd just go away on their own. But it's wishful thinking and unrealistic. His head had nearly been blown off of his body. He's definitely going to need to do more than just push them to the side and hope for the best. Ignorance can be bliss, but this specific case is an exception.

"What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?" Jeongguk questions.

Jimin's full lips adjust into a small pout. He blinks while looking at Jeongguk from the corner of his eye, in thought. "A lot," he admits softly, attention steering toward their intertwined hands once again. "Is it okay if I ask you something? You don't have to answer."

Jeongguk shifts behind Jimin faintly, interest piqued by such timid inquisition. "You can ask me. Go ahead, Darling."

Jimin nods, nibbling on his bottom lip. "I want to know more about Chin-Hwa... about your past with him. I know that your parents died in a car accident. But there's more to it than that, right?" There's nothing to his question but a careful wisp of air. "Why did he call himself your old man?"

The water sloshes as Jeongguk moves an arm around Jimin's middle, flattening his palm over his tummy. "It's a very long story, Darling. Personally one I don't like to recall. But if it's been on your mind like this, I can tell you. Let's get out of the bath first."

Jeongguk is the first to climb out of the water and Jimin second. The latter wears nothing but a pair of brief and his favourite robe. The blond remains shirtless but dons himself in some loose grey sweatpants. They leave the bathroom and settle on the bed.

Crossing his legs while sitting on top of the duvets, Jimin faces Jeongguk who leans against the headboard with his legs stretched out. The blond looks at his thighs, in thought. Like he's trying to figure out just exactly where to start. His jaw goes taut and he rolls the rings adorning his fingers.

"When I was younger, I had a bad temper. I never listened to my parents or any of the adults who tried to help me. Rebellion has been in my blood, even before I was born. I could never do any good, I was a disappointment to all of those around me. Nothing was ever in my control." Jeongguk's eyebrows furrow daintily while he relives his past.

Jimin's lips part by such a small distance, it's hardly noticeable. A brief pause makes the submissive shift against the blankets, anxious.

"My parents had gotten into a pretty scary car accident. Off of a bridge. Sometimes I think that it's my fault, because that day, I had gotten in trouble. They were coming to pick me up, but they never made it." Jeongguk's limbs are slack, but all of the emotions he is feeling are present on his face. It continues to contort as they pass by, one by one.

"I had gotten placed into a foster program. Nobody wanted to take me in because of my past and because of how I troubled I was. My track record wasn't very clean. Chin-Hwa took me in, because he saw something in me that nobody else did." Jeongguk looks at Jimin, who is visibly trying to hold his sadness in. The latter shifts and cuddles into Jeongguk's side, resting his head on his shoulder.