𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍 || 𝐉𝐉𝐊✗𝐏𝐉𝐌

- 25 -

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A/N: Please don't ask me to update and be patient. I know when I can write and when not. I have a lot of ongoing stories and this story is very difficult to write. I'm not a machine nor have I already finished updates. If you do like the updates and the story, consider supporting it by voting and commenting as a silent reader which gives me motivation. That's all I have to say.

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A gentle breeze ruffles the leaves by the hidden clearing, mimicking the flurry of emotions Jimin feels as he replays Jeongguk's confession and Seoyeon's treachery in his mind. The remains of the old treehouse, a childhood haven long since reclaimed by nature, looms over the clearing and on the other side of the lake, away huts and curious eyes. It’s a silent testament to the passage of time and the shifting dynamics within the pack

Jimin traces jagged edges of wooden boards that lay on the floor with a sigh, memories of laughter and stolen moments with Jeongguk swirling in his mind. The calm movements of the water provide a soothing counterpoint to the storm brewing inside Jimin. He wandered around the pack grounds, lost in his thoughts about the past days. It’s been more than two days since his encounter with Jeongguk and he wonders if Jeongguk resented him for not forgiving him immediately. From his point of view, it was fair what he asked Jeongguk to do. A lot has gone down the drain between them. Both seem to have been manipulated by Seoyeon. Both have carried the burden of pain from old wounds on their shoulders. 

But it was just as bad for Jimin to stay strong and not go after Jeongguk on the meadow. As much as it hurts, they are not the same people they used to be. Jimin doesn't have his best friend from before back. Still, he can't deny how the determination that Jeongguk exuded took him back and made him think he was initially joking.

Over the past few days, he has been thinking about this and their recent encounters. Relief has settled in his chest and he came to realise the negative tension, filled with hatred and other emotions, has lifted over the last few weeks, in a subtle motion, barely visible.

Jimin barely registers the creak of a branch underfoot, so consumed is he in his internal battle. Another twig snaps, drawing Jimin’s gaze from the tangled undergrowth to the approaching figure of his friend, Jinho.

“Jimin, you have to stop disappearing on me. You said you’d be back by lunchtime. It’s far past that.” Jinho throws him a sharp glance, pulling his eyebrows down and propping his hands onto his hips. Jimin takes a look at the sky and realises that Jinho is right. The sun is no longer vertical in the sky. He hasn't realised how much time has passed as he wandered through the forest. Guilt grips him as he looks at his best friend and his features soften. “What’s wrong? You look like something is troubling you.”

“I talked to Jeongguk.”

Jinho licks his lip and raises an eyebrow, expectedly. “Really? How did that go?”

Jimin hesitates, and he crosses his arms over his chest, his head dropping. “It was complicated. Parts of it make sense but it was a mess. There’s a lot I didn’t know. Turns out, Seoyeon…” Jimin trails off, his voice tight. He takes a deep breath, uncertainty etching on his face. “Seoyeon has been manipulating me since we were pups. She made me believe I wasn’t good for Jeongguk and the same thing happened to Jeongguk. He was fed with lies. It explains why he seemed so distant but it also hurt to learn that he believed Seoyeon’s lies about me. I don’t know. Jeongguk wants to make things right…”

“I see,” Jinho hums, taking a step towards him and putting a hand onto his shoulder. Jimin immediately goes pliant and lets his head drop on his shoulder. “Jeongguk hurt you, no doubt. And that pain is real, valid, and deserves to be acknowledged. Do you already know what you're going to do?”