Lullaby of War

Chapter Four: Guilt.

A loud crash. The sound of breaking glass. Sobs of pain.

It all happened so fast that Jimin barely recognized that it was happening until he saw the droplets

of red that hit the tile of the bathroom floor. Jimin found himself standing in the doorway of the bathroom, panting lightly as his heart raced. Staring forward at the image of a broken man, his broken mate – Jungkook. Jimin's brain seemed to catch up as he moved forward, ignoring the crunch of glass under his bare feet as he dropped to his knees beside Jungkook. Feeling a few shards embed themselves in his knees, but the pain he felt was nothing compared to the sight before him. Jungkook's hands covered his face, his body hunched forward in his awkward sitting position on the floor, as if he'd just dropped where he stood and didn't care how it left him. His right-hand sporting bloody knuckles stuck full of glass as his body shook violently with the harsh sobs he was letting out. Jimin quickly wrapped his arms tightly around Jungkook, burying his face into Jungkook's hair as he let out soothing comforts, releasing his scent in waves alongside his words in hopes that the combination would break through the panic and fear Jimin felt pouring in through his mated mark. This wasn't the first time he'd found Jungkook in such a state. Since the Alpha started seeing his therapist, being forced to recall his trauma and attempt to deal with it, these outburst and episodes became frequent. Jimin knew this was part of the process, but he was starting to get scared that Jungkook wouldn't be able to handle this. Jimin rocked the two of them a little, like he often did when Hwan was feeling fussy and seeking comfort.

"Shh. It is okay baby, I'm right here." Jimin said.

"I – I should have saved them!" Jungkook choked out, digging his fingertips into the skin of his

face a little.

Jimin's chest tightened as his heart started to beat faster. He still had no idea what happened

over there. What event caused Jungkook to end up like this. Bits and pieces were all he got without trying to force it from his mate. Jimin would never push Jungkook but he would admit, at this point he was desperate to know, just for the chance to help Jungkook heal. Jimin closed his eyes as he kept his hold tight, continued to comfort with his scent and soft whispers and eventually, slowly, Jungkook's sobs grew quieter, his trembling became subtle shakes here and there and then he was still and quiet. The two of them sat there and Jimin prayed that Hwan wouldn't wake up and wander into their room, wanting to know what was happening. Hwan was too young to understand what his father was going through and might take it the wrong way if Jungkook lashed out at him. Jimin felt Jungkook's head turn, his face burying into his chest and he relaxed a little himself. Jimin pulled back just a little as he looked down at his mate's face. Seeing the swollen, puffy red eyes and tear streak stains on his face. His poor, beautiful Jungkook looked so broken.

"Feeling a little better?" Jimin asked.

Jungkook gave a small nod, a soft whine as he slipped his arms around Jimin and pulled the other

tightly, still desperate for comfort.

"...I'm sorry." Jungkook's said, his voice hoarse from crying.

Jimin shook his head, using one of his hands to gently stroke his fingers through Jungkook's

long, messy unkept hair. The Alpha usually wore the longer part down when he slept.

"Don't be love, you did nothing wrong." Jimin said.

"I...couldn't save them Jimin, I tried so hard to keep my promise." Jungkook said, curling his