The partner had finally left, their laughter and whispers fading into the silence of the night. Jimin finished his chores mechanically, his mind still reeling from the events of the evening. The mansion felt empty, yet the echoes of earlier intimacy haunted every corner.
With the dishes washed and the kitchen tidied, Jimin found himself hesitating at the doorway of the living room. Jungkook sat on the couch, his posture relaxed but his eyes cold as he stared at the flickering flames in the fireplace. Summoning his courage, Jimin walked over and knelt before Jungkook, his knees sinking into the plush carpet.
Jimin hesitated for a moment before lowering his head onto Jungkook's lap, his heart pounding painfully in his chest. He could feel the tension in Jungkook's body, the unspoken words hanging heavily between them.
Jungkook's hand came to rest on Jimin's head, his fingers threading through the soft strands of hair. The touch was gentle but held an underlying firmness, a silent command for Jimin to stay where he was. "Did you enjoy seeing me with someone else?" Jungkook's voice was cold, cutting through the silence like a knife.
Jimin squeezed his eyes shut, fighting back tears. "No, Jungkook," he whispered, his voice trembling. "It was the hardest thing I've ever had to endure."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Jungkook's fingers tightened slightly in Jimin's hair. "Look at me," he commanded softly.
Jimin lifted his head, meeting Jungkook's gaze. The coldness in Jungkook's eyes had softened slightly, replaced by a flicker of something more tender. "Do you know why I did that?" Jungkook asked, his voice gentler now.
Jimin shook his head, confusion and pain mingling in his eyes. "No, I don't understand," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Jungkook sighed, his thumb brushing against Jimin's cheek. "That man was just an actor," he said quietly. "We were just acting. There was nothing real between us."
Jimin's eyes widened in shock, disbelief flooding his features. "What?" he breathed, his heart racing. "But...why?"
"Because you needed to understand the consequences of your actions," Jungkook explained, his voice steady. "You needed to see what it feels like to doubt, to suffer. But I would never truly be with someone else, Jimin. I love you too much for that."
Tears welled up in Jimin's eyes, relief mingling with the lingering pain. "I’m so sorry, Jungkook," he choked out, his voice thick with emotion. "I never wanted to hurt you."
Jungkook's expression softened further, and he cupped Jimin's face in his hands. "I know," he murmured. "And I needed you to know that no matter what happens, my love for you doesn't change. But actions have consequences, and you needed to learn that."
Jimin nodded, tears spilling down his cheeks as he leaned into Jungkook's touch. "I understand," he whispered. "And I'll do everything I can to make things right."
Jungkook pulled Jimin closer, wrapping his arms around him in a rare display of vulnerability. "We'll get through this together," he promised, his voice a soothing balm to Jimin's wounded heart. "Just remember, you're mine, and nothing will ever change that."
As they sat there, the flickering flames casting a warm glow around them, Jimin felt a renewed sense of hope. The road ahead would be difficult, but with Jungkook by his side, he knew they could overcome anything.
