CLOUDED ➣ JINKOOK ✓

FIFTY-SIX

"Here," Seokjin says, shoving bottled water in the older man's face.

Jeongguk grimaces, taking the bottle with an eye roll.

Out of all the people he had to run into, why did it have to be Seokjin? The universe is just fucking with him at this point.

"I need a smoke. I'm going on the balcony," Jeongguk announces as he stands from his seat, pulling out the pack of cigarettes and lighter from his back pocket.

This is his home, and he could smoke inside if he wanted, but he's been on the little tyrant's bad side enough for one week.

Seokjin sighs, rolling up the sleeves of his sweater as he watches the man, licking his lips hesitantly and unsure what to do with himself.

"Do you-Do you want to be alone?" He stammers out, looking up at the older sheepishly.

Jeongguk purses his lips together and shakes his head.

The younger looks almost shocked. "Oh... Okay. I'll come with," he says, but it sounds more like a question.

The older male lets up a fond smile and nods before stepping onto the balcony and staring down at the city below them.

Seokjin follows, standing behind the older staring up at the vast night sky in awe. Jeongguk truly has the best view.

Jeongguk lights up his cigarette and pulls it to his lips before pointing over at the bench behind him, motioning for the younger to sit.

Seokjin complies, his hands between his hands as he looks around.

He should talk.

They should talk... Right?

"I'm not gonna ask about tonight." Is what he settles for. The only thing his mind could conjure up.

It was between that or, "What the fuck happened tonight?" And that's a little too harsh considering the older's state.

Jeongguk pulls the cigarette away, and a puff of air appears from his lips as he breathes out. "Good because I'm not going to tell you either way," he says, expression unreadable as he keeps his eyes fixed on the sky.

"Jeongguk," Seokjin mutters, eyebrows furrowed, and his lips pouted slightly.

The older spares him the slightest glance, and God, he's breathtaking. Jeongguk wants nothing more than to kiss that pout away.

"You still hate me?" he sighs. "I'm sorry, Seokjin. I really am."

Something aches in the younger.

He sits up straight, frown pointed towards the older. "I'm not stupid. You're not sorry. You're just going to do it again."

"I am, dove. I promise I am," Jeongguk mutters. "I'm trying to be a better person. Yoongi hyung even took me to therapy, and I might continue going. I want to do right by you because I truly have feelings for and I'm not lying or trying to mess with you, I promise, Seokjin-ah."

The younger stays firm, or in Jeongguk's mind, stubborn.

Seokjin shakes his head, his cute nose scrunched up in anger, but his quivering bottom lip gives his true feelings away.

Jeongguk looks at the younger with sullen, remorseful eyes before sitting beside him. "Can't you see I've been trying? And I'm sorry for those stupid arguments we've gotten into and the shit I've said in some fucked attempt to win you back."

It's not an excuse... It's a shitty reason.

"You were really being a dick. I mean––who fucking tells the person they like their brother will hate them? You have no fucking idea how times I've been gaslighted with the same words, and you turned around and did the same Jeongguk. So, no! I'm sorry if I can't see that you've changed or you're trying to," the younger rants.