Blue

Realisation

It seemed like an eternity since Jungkook was in his apartment, the men had helped them in and left them in the lounge, switching on the lights and making sure the door was locked behind them. He had given them his car key that he had stuck in his jeans, asking them to give it to Jimin to move his car. He didn't know what had happened to his phone but was at least thankful that he had put his door and car keys in his jeans before Azure or Aqua had knocked him unconscious after arriving at Magpies.

In the car, Tae hugged Jungkook, he buried his face into his neck and gripped him like he was hanging off the face of a cliff. Jungkook felt dazed, his mind clouded with the events at the club, thankful that whatever lay ahead, they would be facing it together. Tae hadn't spoken or moved, he was still clutching Jungkook silently as they stood in Jungkook's lounge, alone and safe.

"Tae, we need to get you showered and get this paint washed off of you. But I'm having some difficulty walking, will you help me?" his tone was soft and encouraging, trying to be as gentle as possible with him, he was used to trying to find a way to get through to him, to ask the right question or say the correct thing that would penetrate that tough exterior but this was different. Spending time with Vante was always like playing a game of chess, he always had to think ahead and make the right move... he needed to treat Tae the same way now but for reasons unlike any other they'd had to deal with.

Tae lifted his head, his face similar to that of a coal miner, streaked with black in places "I don't want to shower."

"I'm going to shower too, if you would rather I was there?" he knew why he didn't want to shower, it wasn't rocket science that at the moment, he didn't want to be parted from him.

Tae nodded "I can do that."

"Will you help me?" he hoped that asking for Tae's help would take the focus off of himself and enable him to separate just a little.

Once in the bathroom, he helped Jungkook undress and removed his own clothes, he hated seeing the bruises on the man who had tried to protect him despite his own pain. He felt useful, he wanted to show Jungkook he cared for him because he couldn't tell him, he wanted to look after him but he was terrified of someone taking him away again. He'd placed so much trust in Jungkook, he became his anchor but many times last night he'd been ripped out of his arms and had to accept he might never see him again.

The policeman stood under the water and released a breath that he felt he'd been holding since Tae had been thrown at his feet in the room at Magpies. The warmth of the water felt so good but as he lathered up some shampoo in his hands, he knew it would take more than a shower to wash away recent events.

He washed Tae thoroughly, even though he protested, Jungkook wanted so badly to look after him, his own wounds were physical but he worried about Tae who was so quiet. He didn't think he would ever miss Vante's sharp tongue, but he did and he began to wonder if Vante would ever return.

After Tae helped dry him and they both changed into boxers and a t-shirt, Jungkook dragged himself into bed, a sigh of relief when he felt the softness of the pillows propping him up.

"Tae? Are you getting in?" he looked at the stripper who was standing beside the bed, fiddling with the hem of his t-shirt.

"I... I... was going to go in the other room." his body ached, tears escaped his eyes and he was so scared.

"If you want to, that's okay." Jungkook lifted his head so he could see Tae with his good eye.

"I don't want to." his voice was small.

Jungkook frowned "You can sleep wherever you want."

"Can I sleep here?"

"Come here... whatever you want... everything is your choice."