Hate With Benefits | Jikook

Chapter Thirteen • Math With A Little Chemistry

Ughhhhh I'm sorry :')

This is barely edited, it's one in the morning and I've been writing for hours and I'm really fucking exhausted so forgive me for any typos you may find.

Turns out having a full-time job when you've never worked before in your life in a field you dislike is actually super exhausting! Damn, who would've thought?!

Also WATTPAD WASN'T LETTING ME SAVE THIS AND I'VE BEEN TRYING FOR HALF AN HOUR TO UPDATE OMG SOMEONE KILL ME

Anyways, this is my longest chapter yet (6k+ words damn). Hope you enjoy it because it cost me my blood, sweat and tears.

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Warning: Sexual Content

Jimin's shitty day started, like most shitty days, with a nightmare.

He didn't wake up in a cold sweat, though. The horrifying imagery still fresh in his mind didn't leave him breathless nor did it make his skin crawl. He was used to this. There was only a small, uncomfortable burn in the palm of his right hand, like his skin was set on fire. That he wasn't familiar with.

There's not much hesitation to starting his morning routine as usual; he drags himself out of bed and stretches with a soft yawn, ruffles his hair a bit as he steps into the hall and slips into the bathroom.

His brother is already sitting at the table by the time Jimin comes down to the kitchen, dressed in his uniform and ready for another school day. He glances at his mother when he sits down to eat. Her gaze is soft and her smile warm when she greets him 'good morning' and slides a plate towards him, and Jimin fights the sour mood weighting his energy down to greet her with a matching smile.

Jimin's eyes gaze hesitantly between the two. Jihoon has his mouth open, chewing his food as he talks, and Jimin feels the urge to scold him for his bad habit but his mother is quicker with the reprimand.

He wants to say something, tell them about his nightmare, but a part of him forces him to sit quietly through his meal. When addressed directly, he opts for simple hums rather than words. Jihoon doesn't seem to notice his lack of response, but his mother's eyes land on him with a pondering look after a while. She stays silent, nonetheless.

It isn't long until Taehyung's pressing on the horn of his car to let Jimin know he's already outside waiting for him.

"Are you pissy about early practice as much as I am?" Taehyung asks as soon as Jimin clicks his seatbelt into place.

"Yup." His response is quickly followed by a soft yawn which he tries to suppress. "Among other things..."

The younger looks at him with a small frown. "Rough night?"

Jimin shrugs. "Had trouble sleeping, is all," he explains vaguely, gesturing for Taehyung to drive as he leans against the window.

He feels Taehyung's gaze flicker between him and the road a few times until he lets out a soft sigh and focuses solely on the latter. His hands idly tap against the steering wheel and Jimin glances at him, sees him worrying his lower lip like he's deep in thought.

Jimin's heart pounds heavily against his chest. Keeping his gaze down, he rushes to say, "You don't have to worry about me, Tae. I'm fine, I promise."

Taehyung's eyes don't meet his even when Jimin looks up at him again.