COMFORT OF STRANGERS|| VKOOK ✓

7. Exhibition

Golden sunlight filters through the curtains when Jeongguk awakes, casting a warm glow over his body and the dust that floats through the air of the room.

He actually slept in his bed for once. He can't honestly remember the last time that happened, seeing as he normally paints until he's exhausted and then crashes on his couch.

Memories from the night before hit him then and he extends an arm out beside him to pat the bed, finding the mattress cold disappointingly cold under his touch like no one had even been there. He wonders for a moment if it was all a dream.

But even he doesn't think he could dream up the way that felt.

Taehyung must have left a long time ago, he figures. It's the weekend, and he knows Taehyung has the day off today, so he's probably off doing normal Taehyung things with his day, because he, unlike Jeongguk, has an actual life. So Jeongguk stretches, looking at the clock and jerking up because holy shit it's 11 and he hasn't fed the cat. Some responsible parent he is.

His bedroom door is closed when he tugs his jeans on, not bothering to throw on a shirt because it's just him and Pepper anyways, and he doesn't think Pepper cares if he doesn't put one on. It's odd that Pepper isn't scratching at the closed door, he thinks, especially since she's taken to climbing on him and meowing loudly until he wakes up to feed her. He cracks the door open and peers down, making sure he's not going to accidentally step on any cat when he goes out.

He's not. The threshold is clear of any furry obstructions. What he is suddenly aware of, however, is the sound of chatter filtering in from his living room. He recognizes Jimin's voice and rolls his eyes as he opens the door all the way and pads out toward the kitchen.

"Sleeping Beauty's up before noon? That's new." Jeongguk doesn't even need to look up to know the teasing smirk on Jimin's face right now.

"Stuff it, Jimin."

"Also, fuck you for not telling me you got a damn cat."

Oh yeah. He'd been meaning to mention it, he'd just never gotten around to it. He shrugs passively.

"Told you she was a good fit for you, honestly."

Jeongguk grunts, pulling a can of cat food out of the fridge and going to pop it open.

"I already fed her, cause you were still asleep and I didn't know when you were going to wake up. You bought the good brand, by the way. Good job."

That's not Jimin. Jeongguk spins around, effectively dropping the can on his feet in surprise. He curses loudly, jumping on one foot and clenching his jaw as quiet snickering emanates from his living room. Face still tight with pain because that was metal holy fuck and it wasn't exactly dropped from a short height either, he turns to the couch to find Jimin who is now laughing openly, sitting next to Taehyung who is at least a bit more discreet about his amusement. Well, he's trying, anyway. His face is red and his cheeks are tight behind the hand he's using to cover his mouth with.

Jeongguk glares at them both, face red with embarrassment that is quickly turning into anger. It's still early to his brain, and his foot is throbbing, his head still confused because why the fuck is Taehyung still here? Jeongguk doesn't do mornings, and he doesn't do company. Every muscle in his body is tense as he grips his counter so hard his knuckles turn white. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Taehyung stops laughing immediately. Jimin does too, leaning around to glare at Jeongguk. "Dude, what the fuck?"

"It's my fucking apartment," he growls.

Jeongguk doesn't miss the hand that falls protectively over Taehyung's thigh as Jimin shoots him a look. "Well sorry for wanting to check up on you because I'm your friend and I haven't heard from you in a while, then. God forbid I care about you," Jimin says, albeit with a sarcasm that makes Jeongguk's skin prickle.