Forever 3 || Namkook

16. Don't You Try to Save Me

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Grooming, Manipulation, Insecurities, Body Issues.

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Ever since the day Jimin agreed to meet Hwayoung, the older man hasn't stopped trying to involve himself in Jimin's life. The first few days were uncomfortable, having Hwayoung following his every move, showing up outside his school and insisting to walk him home instead of letting him drive away with Kihyun.

Though as a couple of months passed, Jimin finds himself being more and more enamored with everything that makes up Lee Hwayoung. He finds himself chatting all night with the older man, giggling and blushing as Hwayoung tells him how sweet, innocent, beautiful he is.

Jimin should find it creepy but he doesn't. Instead, he develops a crush bigger than jupiter. Hence, when Hwayoung asks him to be his "boyfriend", Jimin is over the moon. Hesitant at first but so, so happy after Hwayoung explains that Jimin is about to be eighteen anyway. Their age gap barely even matters.

Jimin is usually smarter than this but he can't look away from the one person who makes him so beautiful, so worthy, so deserving. With the bullies at school and his parents constantly worrying about him, Hwayoung is the only person who's treated him like a normal person rather than someone helpless and pitiful.

Jungkook notices the changes in Jimin's behaviour pretty quickly. He's been talking less, eating less, his grades are dropping fast enough to raise concern and he's constantly locked in his own room, annoyed by the mere presence of anyone else. He's tried asking Taehyung if there's something going on with Jimin at school but the younger boy refuses to share anything, not meeting his eyes.

When he tells Namjoon about this, who's admittedly been more than a little busy with work, his husband takes matter into his own hands, knocking on Jimin's door. "Appa, I'm studying", comes the reply. He sounds annoyed and that surprises Namjoon. Unlike Jungkook, who's been working from home and has had time to get used to Jimin's change in behaviour, this is the first time Namjoon's experiencing it firsthand.

"I don't think you are, considering how your grades have been dropping", Namjoon says sternly as he enters the room. He doesn't like invading his kids' privacy but this seems like the only option. Hurt flashes in Jimin's eyes before he looks away, petulant.

Namjoon sighs, sitting on Jimin's bed, right beside where Jimin is sat on his study chair. "Jimin-ah, I'm worried about you. You don't talk to us anymore, you don't eat, you don't like to hang out with your brothers. And you aren't focusing on your studies. I wasn't lying when I said your grades have been dropping. You know that, right?", he's trying to be gentle. He needs to coax Jimin into telling him about whatever is going on with him.

"I thought you don't care about grades?", Jimin bites back, not looking at Namjoon. His words are sharp enough to make Namjoon flinch, not expecting that tone. Jimin feels just a tad bit guilty but it wavers quickly when he remembers Hwayoung's words.

"Your parents will only like you as long as you're perfect, darling. I'm not like them".

Jimin had reluctantly agreed with him but now he's realising that there's truth to his words. He'd just never noticed.

"That's not it, baby. Of course, we don't care if you're not the top of the class. But we want you to still do your best. It's not the grades Dad and I are worried about, it's the fact that you seem to have no interest in studying anymore. You used to work so hard. What changed? If you don't feel motivated enough to study, we understand. But you need to tell us what's wrong so we can help", Namjoon almost pleads.

Jimin doesn't say anything. His hands itch to grab the phone Hwayoung had given to him on their first official "date" as boyfriends.

"Your dads will not let you talk to me, darling. You need to have this phone so we can talk whenever we want".

Jimin wants to call Hwayoung and cry to him about his parents. They're suffocating him. He wants Hwayoung to comfort him and tell him he doesn't need to try so hard.

Hyung will always take care of you, Jimin-ah. You don't even need to study or work, I can take care of you for the rest of our lives.

"Okay, okay, let's not talk about studies. Dad said you've been eating less and less each day. What's that about?", Namjoon asks, giving Jimin what he hopes to be a comforting smile, warm and welcoming. Jimin just shrugs. "I don't know. I don't feel that hungry anymore", is his simple reply.

Namjoon is panicking at this point. Jimin seems so detached from him. It doesn't feel like he's even trying to focus on what Namjoon's saying. It's more than a little worrying. "Mimi, please. Look at appa and tell me what's bothering you. I know something is wrong. I just want to help, honey", he tries cajoling. It, expectedly, doesn't work.

"Nothing's bothering me. In fact, I've been happier than ever". What he doesn't say is, I feel good about my body, I feel nice about how I look. I want to eat less because it makes me feel good when I look in the mirror. I like being skinny. I like not having chubby cheeks.

Hwayoung hyung likes me like this.

"Okay, okay", is the only thing Namjoon can manage to say. He doesn't know how else to tackle this issue. Is it just Jimin being almost eighteen that's making him act out? No, that can't be. Even when Jimin was in his early teen years, he was calmer and gentler than most kids his age. Even Taehyung was a menace at that age but not Jimin. He's always been sweet and kind.

Seeing Jimin like this, it worries Namjoon to no end. But he realises there's no use of talking to him now when he's so out of touch with the rest of the family. He has to try again tomorrow. Maybe he should ask Jungkook to contact his therapist and ask for suggestions.

Determined to make things right, Namjoon enters their shared bedroom. He removes his glasses and sets them atop the nightstand. He gets into bed and hugs Jungkook from behind, spooning him. The younger absently rests his hand on top of Namjoon's forearm which is wrapped around his waist.

"Hi, baby", Jungkook murmurs sleepily. Namjoon hums, smiling despite the storm in his chest. "Hi, go to sleep", he whispers, nuzzling Jungkook's neck. His baby curls tickle Namjoon's cheek. Long hair suits Jungkook.

"How'd it go?", Jungkook asks sleepily, rubbing his thumb over Namjoon's hand to make him ease into a dreamless sleep. "Not good", Namjoon sighs. He feels Jungkook stiffen for a second, relaxing when Namjoon presses a lingering kiss behind his ear.

"I'm sure we'll figure something out. Mimi is our kid. He'll be fine", Namjoon assures. Jungkook hums, disbelieving. Namjoon gets him. It's hard to not worry about their oldest behaving this way. It's not the tantrums that worry them, it's everything in between.

Jungkook turns in Namjoon's hold, pressing his ear to his chest, listening to his heartbeat. It brings little comfort but it has to be enough for now.

"I hope we're not too late".

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No excuses, I forgot this book exists💀 Buuuut now I'm back with a bang! I cannot wait to hurt Jimin and his fam☺️

Love, KK 💜