Want (I'll give you all the love I want in return)

Chapter 4 - Stay (I want you the right way)

Jimin wakes with a start. He shoots up, looking around with wild eyes and even wilder hair, sticking out to all sides. His heart races, because he had a nightmare and it's sharp claws don't let him go that quickly. The omega doesn't recognize his surroundings and panic starts to well up in his chest. His mind is fuzzy and unfocussed from the fever.

It's an unfamiliar room with the blinds closed against the sunlight outside. And suddenly something next to his mattress unfolds: it's a young man, lifting his head from where it had been resting on the edge of the mattress, straightening his crouched back while rubbing his eyes and wiping a bit of moisture from the corner of his lips. Jimin's brain tries, but he doesn't recognize the man. The alpha, he corrects himself. His fear deepens, clinging to him like his sweat-soaked shirt.

"Uhm? You're awake." the alpha mumbles, sleep heavy on his tongue, but an unmistakable tone of joy in his voice: "I was starting to get worried."

Jimin flinches away when the other places a hand on his forehead gently.

"Shhhh, don't be afraid, I just need to check... your fever seems to have gone down, but I don't like that you're still so hot. The doctor will come in the evening again. In the meantime, here, drink this and try to sleep some more, OK?"

Jimin's throat is too dry from coughing and too tight from uneasiness for words. His brain still fails to cooperate and tell him where he is, who the alpha by his side is or why he is here. All he knows is that every fibre of his body feels weary, exhausted and dehydrated, so he drinks the bitter concoction down thirstily.

"Slowly, slowly." the alpha mutters.

He doesn't seem like an immediate threat. Jimin looks at him. His expression is filled with genuine concern: strong eyebrows furrowed, jaw tense and gaze alert on the omega.

"Don't worry..." he seems to read the anxiety in Jimin's eyes: "You're in my house and can stay here until you're better. Nobody will dare to bother you..."

His voice is a shy whisper when the alpha adds: "... and you don't have anything to fear from me either, you know?"

Jimin regards him seriously, trying to determine whether or not his words are true. But his eyelids start to shut on their own. He sinks back into bed and surrenders to sleep once more.

The next time he wakes, it's light out - still or again he has no idea. But he feels lucid for the first time in ages. The thick fog of the fever inside his head finally lifted and his body feels stiff from disuse, but on the road of recovery.

Turning his head, he notices he's not alone in the room: the alpha is sitting by the window, reading a book. Now Jimin remembers. It's the same large round eyes he saw next to the king and queen when entering the palace. The same eyes that were glued to him in the gisaeng banquet hall. The same eyes filled with concern as he watched over Jimin toss and turn as he was sick.

Min Jungkook. Jimin knows his name. He knows his status: the younger brother of crown prince Min Yoongi. King Jinheung's son. He doesn't know much more than that, because although there were many stories about Yoongi, not much was known about Jungkook. He looks young. He must be around Jimin's age or younger.

Jimin is not stupid: he knows Jungkook saved him from being forced to pleasure the generals and officers at the banquet. Jungkook's position is powerful enough to keep Jimin safe from pretty much any lusting hands in Silla. He is extremely lucky to have caught the prince's eye, to be here recovering safely.

But he's not dumb: he knows his safety has a price and it's easy to guess what it will be. He remembers the alpha's heavy gaze on him. The omega closes his eyes and sighs. He knows: it could be worse. Much worse. Still, a thin layer of uneasiness spreads under his skin like a second skin.