Hate With Benefits | Jikook

Chapter Ten • Silent Confessions

The dreadful day was here, much to Jimin's dismay.

Saturday.

The memories of a few nights ago still too fresh on his mind wake him earlier than usual with a headache, conscience filled with shame as he drags himself out of bed and heads for the bathroom to glance at the marks now rid of any traces of makeup.

He hisses at the reflection that stares him back from the mirror. Terrified that it'll be written on his face somewhere that he's gotten off to thoughts of his arch nemesis, Jimin takes a quick shower and rushes to put some more makeup on certain spots to cover it all up nicely before heading downstairs.

The smell of delicious breakfast is enough to temporarily fill his mind with something else that isn't Jeon Jungkook's pretty face.

"Up early?" His mother comments, stealing a glance in her son's direction, hands falling into routinely movements as she handles the food. "That's unusual."

Jimin's shoulder rise to a small shrug as he takes a seat at the table. "We have a guest later tonight so I thought it'd be good to take advantage of the time I still have until then."

His mother makes a humming sound of acknowledgement. "Good, good."

Jimin reaches for a plate and for the remote to turn on the small TV in their kitchen, flicking through channels with the volume to a minimum as to not wake the other two still sleeping.

"Just..." His mother clears her throat, "I want you to promise me something, Jimin."

The brunet's eyes glance back at her, curious. She leans against the counter, arms folded and a familiar expression of concern settling on her features.

"The boy you're tutoring today, Jeon Jungkook, was it?" Jimin nods quietly. "Please try to stay clear of him as much as possible, okay? I don't want you getting involved with people like that."

Jimin stops chewing. He stares at his mom for a moment, contemplating. He swallows, his eyebrows knitting together. "Hm, may I ask why, exactly?"

The woman makes a dismissive gesture, "I just don't like the kind of vibe he gives off, is all. People like him tend to cause trouble, you know?"

A sharp chuckle ripples through Jimin's chest. He puts down his chopsticks and stares at her. "What kind of vibe, mom?"

She sighs, fingers pressing to her temples. "Toublemakers, punks, whatever you want to call them- I don't want you to get into hot water because of him."

Jimin is starting to feel a little bit annoyed.

"He's literally just a guy like any other, mom. He's not gonna murder me."

He catches a flash of panic in her eyes as she rushes to respond, "Yes, yes, I know, dear. I just want you to be careful, okay?"

Jimin fights the sigh that clings to his lungs and forces a smile instead. "Yes, mom. I'll be careful."

Tension looms in the air for a moment, but it quickly fades as Lena enters the kitchen with a loud yawn. Jimin's eyes find her but rush to look away awkwardly when she leans in to peck his mother's lips. It's not that he isn't okay with Lean dating his mom - she's one of the sweetest people he knows. But he's always been a bit resentful of seeing his mother being intimate with someone other than his father and though he's a man who's been out of the picture for quite a while, his heart still aches when he passes by his portrait on their living room.

A few minutes later, when Jimin's lounging on his couch with not much to do, scrolling mindlessly through his Instagram feed, the doorbell makes the hairs on his arm stand up straight. Fuck, he curses inwardly, that can't be him already, right?!