stay. [bts/taekook vampire fanfic]

x.chapter

Throughout the last three days, dark clouds have stretched out over the city and consumed the sun rays while shedding rain drops down onto the emptied pavements. Cars and busses became loaded, resembling hard-working ants which bring supplies to their anthill. The wind has been furiously impinging on the tall buildings, emphasising the power it possesses. Many people who had to set foot outside because of work or school immediately regretted it, wishing they could run back to the safety of their homes.

Seeing it, Jungkook comes to think he is lucky that the guys found him at the time they did. He can't imagine the cold he would have to stand against if he had stayed living on the streets. The soft cotton blanket wrapped around his shoulders and the hot tea in his hands serve as a reminder of it.

He is seated on one of the stools in the kitchen, while Jin is standing on the opposite side of the counter, cutting carrots and parsley which are to be put in the soup he is preparing for when the rest come home. The radio is silently playing in the background, supplementing the drumming of the rain against the windows. Jungkook watches him, admiring how the older clearly enjoys the process of cooking, based on the concentration and the slight smile that's playing on his lips. He has black apron on his pink tracksuit and his fringe is falling to his eyes, making him shake his head from time to time.

He took a free day at work so Jungkook wouldn't stay alone, since Namjoon and Hoseok had to leave. Jin knows solitude could fill Jungkook's head with a great deal of hurtful thoughts, and the most important thing right now is to make him as grounded as possible. And in case of an anxiety or a panic attack, he can always call Yoongi, who is still in his bed — he hasn't slept for days, and he is supposed to work in the afternoon. That's why Jin agreed he would be the one with Jungkook, so he could have some rest before his shift in the restaurant.

Luckily, he doesn't seem uneasy. Every time Jin looks up from his work, he catches the boy watching him with big, curious eyes. Taehyung has told him on one of the rides to school about how the younger's eyes remind him of some kind of a star constellation, and he could see the blond wasn't wrong. In addition, the initial fear has slowly vanished from Jungkook's face, and it became more — even though not entirely — relaxed.

Jin hums to the songs that are being played on the radio while he takes the vegetables and puts them into the chicken broth. Then, he puts in the remaining ingredients: bovril, onion, brussels sprout. With a content smile, he lets the soup be.

"Do you want more tea?" he asks, taking the kettle and pouring water inside of it.

"I'm good, thanks," Jungkook says in a small voice and perhaps to underline the statement, he sips from his cup. Jin nods and once his coffee is done, he sits down three stools away from the younger. The boy is fiddling with his fingers awkwardly, and Jin thinks of possible ways to start some kind of a conversation with the younger.

Because contrary to popular belief, Seokjin is not as confident as he likes to pretend. And when it comes to Jungkook, Jin knows that one wrongly chosen step can lead to him running away. To them losing him. It's not that they are planning to keep him here against his own will — they couldn't. However, Jin wouldn't be able to live with himself if he knew they didn't try their best to help. And so to ease the silence that's slowly becoming uncomfortable, he decides to do the only thing that comes to his mind.

Which is tell a joke.

"Jungkookie, do you know how you call a fish wearing a bowtie?"

The boy looks up at him with a confused expression, head tilted to a side. "I... I don't know, hyung."

"Sofishticated."

Jungkook blinks.

They look at one another, Jungkook's lips a bit parted and Jin wishing he would have stayed quiet. He hopes he doesn't come off as absolutely ridiculous and out of place. But then — just like that — Jungkook chuckles and lets out a laugh while hiding his mouth behind his hand.