FALLING FOR YOU | KM [✓]°

20. Ignoring & Departure

the last few days of their honeymoon, the couple spent it alone. they were supposed to spend it together, creating beautiful memories as newlyweds, but instead they spent it crying in their own separate rooms, hearts heavy with pain and unspoken words. the beach house that was meant to be filled with laughter and love felt cold and empty, echoing only with the sound of muffled sobs behind closed doors.

today was the day they were going back to their homeland. both men sat in the backseat of the car on their way to the airport, the silence between them thick and suffocating. jimin didn't utter a single word to his husband, but that didn't mean he hadn't noticed how weak jungkook looked. when jungkook briefly took off his sunglasses to rub his tired eyes, jimin caught a glimpse of the red, swollen rims and the deep, dark circles underneath. his husband's face was gloomy, almost lifeless, like all the light had been drained out of him. the usually confident and strong man now appeared fragile, broken.

jimin's heart ached fiercely at the sight. every instinct inside him screamed to reach out, to take care of his husband, to wipe away that sadness and hold him close. but the constant reminder of that awful day—the day jungkook admitted he had once wanted to use him as nothing more than a body—kept him rooted in place. he stayed away, arms crossed tightly over his chest, staring out the window at the passing scenery.

he wasn't ready to confront his husband yet. what if jungkook revealed more shocking news, something even more painful that he wasn't prepared to face right now? he didn't want to get hurt anymore, not when his heart was already in pieces. but he knew, deep down, that he would confront him soon. just not today. not yet.

jungkook, who had been trying desperately to catch even a sliver of his husband's attention throughout the ride, now found himself staring quietly at jimin's side profile. his husband looked so sad, so heartbroken. usually, jimin would be cheerful, his plump lips curved into that beautiful, radiant smile that could light up any room. he would chatter nonstop about everything and nothing, filling the air with warmth and joy. but now all of that was gone, replaced by silence and sorrow, and it was all because of him. jungkook felt awful, disgusted with himself for turning the love of his life into this shadow of who he truly was.

the car finally stopped outside the airport entrance. the couple stepped out, the driver already unloading their luggage from the trunk. jimin struggled with his two large bags—heavy from all the souvenirs and gifts they had bought in the early, happier days of their honeymoon when everything still felt possible.

jungkook couldn't bear to watch him struggle any longer. he stepped forward quickly.

"l-let me carry it for you," he said, voice soft and hesitant.

"no thanks," jimin replied curtly, not looking at him.

"please, jimin." jungkook's voice came out almost like a plea, raw with emotion.

jimin sighed heavily. he noticed a few people glancing their way, curious about the tense exchange. not wanting to draw more attention, he reluctantly handed over one of the extra bags.

"fine," he muttered, then moved forward with his remaining bag while jungkook carried the other two without complaint.

they passed through check-in, security, and all the boarding formalities in near silence. once everything was done, they boarded the plane and took their seats side by side. the moment the plane took off, jimin leaned his head against the window and closed his eyes. he hadn't slept properly in days, his body and mind exhausted from endless crying and restless nights. sitting beside his husband, strangely enough, brought a small sense of calm. the familiar scent of jungkook's cologne, the steady rhythm of his breathing—it all wrapped around him like a quiet comfort. soon, despite everything, he drifted into a deep sleep.

jungkook watched his husband's sleeping face for a long time. jimin looked so peaceful now, the tension smoothed away from his features, his long lashes resting gently against his cheeks. carefully, jungkook moved closer. he gently guided jimin's head to rest on his shoulder so it wouldn't strain against the hard window. his right hand found jimin's small one resting in his lap, and he intertwined their fingers slowly, holding on as if afraid to let go. for the first time in days, jungkook felt a flicker of peace in his chest. he felt alive again, even if just for this moment.

he smiled sadly, pressing his cheek against the top of jimin's soft hair. he didn't know if he would ever get to sleep like this again—close, connected, safe—so he took the opportunity. closing his eyes, he whispered into the quiet cabin,

"i'll make things right with you."

as he drifted toward sleep, he felt jimin stir slightly in his arms. jimin's free hand lifted to his own cheek, wiping away a single tear that had escaped. then, as if seeking warmth, he snuggled closer to jungkook's side and settled back into peaceful slumber.

seoul welcomed them with its familiar skyline and bustling energy, but the ride back home was just as silent as the journey to the airport had been. neither of them uttered a word the entire way. jimin's mind was a storm of thoughts. did his husband want to make things right between them simply because they were husbands, bound by marriage? or was it genuine guilt driving him? did jungkook truly regret what he had said, or was this just another attempt to keep appearances?

jungkook, meanwhile, stared out at the passing streets, his mind racing with plans. how could he make jimin talk to him again? they needed to communicate if they wanted to save this relationship. he didn't want to lose jimin—not now, not ever. he needed a way to prove his love, to show that his feelings had changed long before that confession. he needed a plan to keep the love of his life with him forever.

the car finally stopped in front of their home. jimin got out immediately, not waiting for anyone. he looked exhausted, shoulders slumped from the long journey.

"you can go and rest," jungkook said gently, looking at his tired husband's face. "mr. han and i will bring the luggage inside."

even though they had slept for most of the flight, the emotional toll and the hours of travel still left jimin drained. his muscles ached, his body heavy.

jimin nodded quietly, too tired to argue. he walked inside the house, heading toward their bedroom out of habit. but halfway there, he stopped.

should i take an extra room? he thought to himself. the idea of sharing the same bed, being near jungkook right now, made his chest tighten. he didn't want that closeness—not yet.

he turned toward the guest room instead, but when he opened the door, he saw dust covering every surface, the air stale from disuse. huffing out a frustrated breath, cheeks puffed in annoyance, he closed the door again. with no other choice, he walked back to their main bedroom and waited there.

he sat on the edge of the bed, hands clasped tightly in his lap, heart pounding. he needed to talk with his husband.

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