The Light of Dead Stars | KSJ

41

You do see Jin in the morning, after you wake up at 11 and pass by his room, but as it turns out, he does sleep for 18 hours.

It's 6PM by the time he reacts to your leg-pulling and constant calling of his name, propping himself with his elbows and complaining that you're so loud.

"I've been loud since 12NN, and that was 6 hours ago. The hangover soup and dak galbi are now cold," you pout.

"It's 6PM?!" He gasps, checking his phone and scowling at the dozens of messages and calls from Yoongi and his brother. "What ha— I, uh, you're... you're here," he stammers, as he finally takes in your presence.

It feels like it's been so long since he's last seen you. It's officially been the worst week of his life.

"Where else would I be? The guys dragged you here at 2AM since you've been passed out at the bar for hours. Did you rent the VIP room so you could drink and sleep?" You frown, arms crossed now. "And I've been trying to wake you up because you haven't eaten yet nor taken your vitamins. And yesterday, Mrs. Kang cleaned up after your mess, with all the empty cans and bottles on th— what?!"

You're scowling at his calm, smiling face, which is totally misplaced.

"I just missed your voice," he says.

"I'm being serious here, Seokjin."

Your stern voice and use of that specific name cause his smile to fall.

"I'm sorry," he sighs. "Not to the guys though, since I've done my share of caring for their drunk asses but I'm sorry if I woke you, or kept you up, or got you worried."

Your turn away at the last word, not wanting to give much away. Of course you're worried, but you're also still quite upset and well, very much confused.

"I'll heat your food and bring it up here. You should take a shower. I'll be back up in half an hour."

He nods and stands up too quickly, losing his balance, and you're quick enough to catch him before he falls on the floor.

With your arm around his waist and his arm around your shoulder, you're the closest you've been in a while. His heart is beating fast and so is yours, and you look at each other briefly like a terrible dramatic scene from a TV show before you look away.

"Aish, be careful. You're hungover and you slept for more than half a day, you're not that well," you scold him.

"I'm sorry," he mumbles again, gaining his balance now as he makes it to the bathroom with your help.

You leave him alone and heat his food. You knock before he tells you to enter and then place the tray on his bed.

"Eat with me," he says. "Here, take my spoon."

He deflates at your lack of movement but you accept the offer and sit on his side, taking the other bowl and halving the food with him. You did prepare a meal for 3, after all.

It's tense and a little awkward, something you're not at all used to with Jin. There's always a joke or a teasing remark or a meal idea, not silence and side glances and the clanking of utensils against the ceramic bowls.

"You should stay home tomorrow." You give in first. "Give your body time to rest and recover."

"Okay," he responds, surprising you that he doesn't relent. "And I'm sorry again, and thank you. You didn't have to take care of me last night and right now."

"I'm still your wife, Seokjin. I still have a duty."

You say it so coldly, so certainly, as if for the first time, you're playing a role.