Masked Love

CHAPTER 7

JIMIN AND JUNGKOOK'S CONDO

At home Jungkook was sitting on the sofa staring into nothingness. The TV was on and some show playing, but he wasn't paying attention to it. Files were open on the seat next to him, work cast aside for the time being.

Joon was on his case about their mother and had basically left her in Jungkook's hands. She was such a difficult person to deal with and neither his father nor Joon wanted to handle her. She was adamant about 'maintaining a strong image' at the company so he was doing more work to make up for the naps she was taking in the afternoons now.

The doctor had told her that they could attempt removal, but the chances of complete successful removal was very limited. The best would be in the twenties...how could they even say that to a patient? He felt a lump in his throat.

Why was the sky so blue? Didn't it know it should be raining?

A tear ran down his cheek and he swallowed hard and he wiped it away. He sniffed and blinked back the tear's friends that wanted to join it. Jungkook was not in the mood for a tearful party. Not today.

Jimin was standing at the corner of the hallway into the living room watching Jungkook quietly. He didn't dare move. He had walked in; his usual light steps had made it so Jungkook didn't know he was there so he didn't want to go farther. He was afraid he would draw attention and knew that Jungkook would not want Jimin to see him in that state.

Jimin squatted, making himself smaller and rolled back so that he was back around the corner. He could hear Jungkook silently crying. It tore him up. He knew there must be something going on with Jungkook's mom and no matter how much he complained about her, Jungkook still loved her.

He went to the door, opened, and shut it again hard. He made lots of noise like he was taking off his boots to give Jungkook time to compose himself, then walked into the living room. Jungkook stared at him, his eyes empty.

Jungkook: 'Welcome home.'

Jimin: 'I am home.'

Jimin smiled and saw a small response in Jungkook. He wished he could go and hug him, pat his head, anything... Jungkook looked lost and alone.

Jimin was going to play it off, but the way that Jungkook was looking at him, he just couldn't. He approached and sat on the coffee table in front of Jungkook, a move that would usually garner a scolding, but JK said nothing. He stared at Jimin, making no movement, and just staring at him, scanning his face.

Jimin: 'You okay?'

Jungkook sighed. 'He is trying to decide whether to tell me or not,' Jimin thought.

Jungkook: 'Is it possible to schedule dance lessons for my Mother?'

Jimin paused. What? He frowned, not sure where this was going but would go along with anything Jungkook asked.

Jimin: 'Of course. Just let me know when and I will clear my schedule and teach her myself.'

Jungkook visibly relaxed and nodded. 'Thanks, Jimin.'

Jimin smiled. It was sweet and bright. It made Jungkook's chest catch and his body respond. Why did that bloody smile have such and effect on him? Those beautiful nurses today made him feel nothing, but here he was getting turned on just by this smile!

Had he spent too much time with this guy? That honeymoon, holiday, whatever you wanted to call it, had been amazing... he had caught himself on many occasions just watching Jimin, the sun on his face and the wind in his hair. He would glance over at Jungkook and grin, the memory even affecting him now...