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

Chapter 5 - Life Goes On

The next morning, Jimin feels much better. He feels well enough to even go for a little walk with Jungkook in the garden separating his house from the compound where the crown prince lives. Jimin shudders when he remembers the menacing, lunatic look on Yoongi's face the night they first met. He can't help but ask:

"How is the cut on your brother's face healing?"

"Hm?" Jungkook looks like he ripped him from deep thoughts: "Much better, thank you. It will leave a nasty scar, but luckily his eye is unharmed."

There is a small, ugly and petty place in Jimin's mind that wishes Yoongi had lost his eye. He balls his hands into fists, but keeps his facial expression neutral when Jungkook continues:

"Speaking of him: I'll be gone in the afternoon for a while, because hyung will brief the king's council about t-the..." he suddenly stutters: "...the outcome."

The outcome from Jimin's perspective is the fall of his kingdom, the death of his people and him becoming a captive. He clenches his molars and stares off into the distance when Jungkook continues in a careful tone as if speaking to a small, frightened animal:

"I'm sorry, Jimin. I understand if you hate hyung..."

You're right Jimin thinks.

"...or if you hate Silla... but I honestly would have prefered to meet you under different circumstances. I can just hope you won't hate me as well."

But I hate all of you the dark, ugly, petty spot in Jimin's heart says. But when he looks at Jungkook and is met with a wave of timid hopefulness and innocent adoration in his large, round eyes, the voice in his heart quiets until it's barely audible.

It's that look of pureness that makes Jimin decide to try and make the best out of his current situation: anything is better than going back to the gisaeng house, so he will try to make Jungkook keep him here, with him. At least until he figured out a plan how to get back to Gaya. To get back to Hoseok with Taeyoung.

Jimin paints a smile on his face and sweetly answers:

"How could I hate you? I'll be forever grateful that you rescued me that night. Really, thank you."

Jungkook's whole face lights up and Jimin has to admit it's a little bit endearing how he shyly waves the praise away:

"Awww, no need to thank me. I only did what was right, because I saw how sick you were."

And because you wanted me. the omega thinks. He's not blind: he catches how Jungkook stares at him when he thinks he's not looking. But that's OK. It makes things easier for Jimin: he knows what he needs to trade for being kept safe.

Jimin looks at the lotus flower in the pond and makes a firm resolution: just like the flower rising pure and beautiful from the murky water, he will make it out of Silla stronger and unbroken. He will not let any of what happened to him or what will happen to him soil or scar him. He's stronger than that.

"You wanna rest a bit here? You look a little pale." Jungkook distracts him from his musings.

Jimin nods and they settle on the comfortable cushions in the pretty little garden pavilion. The omega is tense, but he realizes how tired the little walk and the fresh air made him. He tries to suppress a yawn.

"You need a lot of rest until you're all better."

The concern is sincere in the alpha's voice. It feels warm even though Jimin doesn't need it to feel warm. He doesn't want it to feel warm, because warmness can thaw the icy hate he reserved for anything in this kingdom.