Sempiternal: •D.E.A(live).D• || BOOK 4#

34. Denied request

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sure you don't mind getting out of here, do you?"

"Yeah. I like it better outside. I spent... too much time stuck in one room."

"Good!" exclaims Jungkook. "I think there are smaller, warmer clothes. I'll go get them and when you get fixed up, we'll go downstairs." Jimin nods in agreement.

It's already quite late and Jungkook has been keeping an eye on Jimin to make sure he doesn't feel uncomfortable. Asking how he feels is the easiest thing to do, his expressions don't help much. He doesn't blame him for being blank either. Jimin stays lying down and tucked under the blanket, dozing some more. Bam climbed into bed and Songie and Paengie aren't quite sure what to do. After snuggling a bit, the pair of dogs lay down with him and end up asleep in no time.

Jimin hides a bit under the covers, having heard knocking at the door. He sees Taehyung peeking out and so he pulls down the cloth. Taehyung closes behind himself and sits on the edge of the bed, holding a cloth bag in his hands, full and fluffy in sight. Taehyung licks his lips and shifts his foot, restless.

"Did you sleep well?" Jimin nods. "I guess at least you slept" Taehyung arranges a couple of strands of hair and Jimin chuckles lightly, accidentally tickled. "I... I took all these to be washed. I figured they were important because you had it on you. I mean, not food or weapons, but this, so I brought it."

Taehyung drops off the plush dolls one by one and Jimin takes a deep breath, relieved to have them. All of them clean and like new, smelling like fabric softener. The last thing he takes out of there is the plush, blue sweater. Taehyung puts it on and pats it a little, smiling weakly and nervously.

"I'm in charge of training the animals. Everyone here recognizes Yagtalja-"

"You guys call them that too?"

"Ujum. Jungkook came up with it," Taehyung replies swiftly. "And well, you can help me there if you want. There are dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, everything we've come across and could bring."

"Sounds like something you would do."

"They gave me the animal department. Awesome."

"I want to be everywhere, I don't know anything yet." He sticks his face in the pillow and Taehyung smiles square.

Jimin is... strangely calm. Just like Taehyung, the others are afraid that eventually a claim will come. That dreaded, "I was left to my own devices." The longer it takes to come, the better for everyone. It may not even come at all. Jungkook enters the room and Jimin half-lifts off the bed.

"What about those plates?" asks Taehyung helplessly. Jungkook shakes his head. Eyes wide, gesture tense and somewhat frightened. Jimin ignores the question by grabbing the clothes and sitting down. As usual, he doesn't take out his badges once he has his shirt on, much less after wearing another sweater and jacket. It is very cold. Taehyung beckons Jungkook over.

What are they?

No idea. Better not to ask.

Taehyung nods and gets up from the bed. Jimin stands up and being dressed, he stretches his whole body, long white hair falling down his shoulder.

"Have breakfast first, then join me for training."

Jimin nods. He has no plans or anything of the sort anyway.

Breakfast is kind of awkward. There are a lot of people watching him. He really doesn't look anything like the dirty, murderous figure they saw the day before. Jungkook is the one in charge of the food and Jimin keeps watch around. The atmosphere reminds him too much of Gimpo before Ming and his people arrived. It doesn't stop him from being tense. Even so, he was used by you people and the stares get on his nerves. Nevertheless, wanting to conduct the party in peace and not be guided by paranoia, he makes a pronounced bow.