Hate With Benefits | Jikook

Chapter Fourteen • Dongsaeng

Pls forgive me for the long wait, finding motivation to write has been rough :(

Head falling back, eyes slipping shut, Jimin lazes under the faint droplets that fall from the sky, dark clouds looming over him.

The wet grass under him is starting to feel uncomfortable, his knuckles brushing against nothing but dirt. But his body doesn't want to move, doesn't want to get up and seek shelter from the rain.

Not yet, it's too soon.

"I need to go, Jimin," the voice beside him says, deep yet gentle. "It's time."

No, please.

Jimin turns to look at him; broken, saddened eyes reflect the ones staring back at him. They share the same color, the same shape, the same everything. Jimin has always liked that about him.

"Please," he pleads through a pained sigh, "not yet."

I'm not ready.

The man smiles at him warmly, a light surrounding his frame that fights off the grey tones all around them. He shines like he's unaffected by the cold, harsh rain pouring down on them, like he's made of sunshine itself.

His hand reaches for Jimin's. And, oh, he doesn't feel the cold anymore.

"I have to go," he says again through another smile. His thumb brushes over his wrist lovingly and Jimin grips his hand tighter.

He insists, "Please, dad, you can't... I miss you."

"I miss you too, kiddo," the man mutters back. His smile slowly fades. "But I can't stay."

Before he knows it, a hot tear is rolling down his face. Jimin tries to hold back, but his emotions get the better of him. "Why?" He sobs. "Why did you leave me?"

It's not really what he means to ask, and nothing breaks his heart more than seeing his dad stare back at him with guilty eyes; even way back then, he used to look at Jimin like this, too. Like it's his own fault the world took him away from his family too soon.

"I'm sorry," he apologizes.

Jimin doesn't think he should.

He shakes his head, clinging onto his welcoming arms. Facing one another like this, there's a distant familiarity in the way he tucks his head under his dad's chin as he hugs him close, tracing invisible circles over his back. He'd always kiss his hair while muttering words of comfort to help soothe whatever pain overtook Jimin's emotions.

He misses him so much.

"Jimin," He hears him say, his voice sounding more distant.

Then, his eyes fly open.

He's in his bed, facing his right side. There's no rain falling over his body and no one is lying beside him.

His eyes fall shut again, his hands gripping the cold sheets. His face feels hot and there's a small wet spot on his pillow.

A nightmare. Just another nightmare.

··✧༺·•✾•·༻✧··

He pokes absently at his peas with his fork. They're likely cold by now, considering how Jimin's been neglecting his food since he first sat down in the cafeteria with his friends.

"Jimin?" He hears Taehyung call faintly.

Jimin takes a moment to realize he's saying his name, fingers snapping in front of his eyes before he finally looks up at his best friend.