A HEART FOR AN EYE.

CHAPTER 9: A STORM OVER HELL.

It felt good to be home after a long three months away in battle. Jimin was tired and well due for a very long sleep, but he didn't want to retire to his bed chambers without seeing Jungkook. This was why he was now sitting across the dinner table from a Jungkook who was more interested in the steak than in him, and an excited-to-see-him Taehyung.

Jimin's body ached with exhaustion, but the warmth of the familiar faces brought a small smile to his lips. Taehyung's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he recounted the latest news and happenings, trying to fill Jimin in on everything he'd missed. Jimin nodded along, appreciating the effort, but his eyes kept drifting to Jungkook, who seemed absorbed in his meal.

"Jungkook," Jimin finally said, his voice soft but insistent. "It's good to see you."

Jungkook looked up, his expression hardening as he met Jimin's gaze. "Yeah, sure, hyung," he replied, quietly before turning back to his food.

Jimin's mind was a chaotic storm. Every stolen glance at Jungkook sent his heart into a frenzied race, but the coldness in Jungkook's eyes when their gazes met was a brutal reminder of the chasm between them. Jimin wasn't sure when he started caring more than he should. He didn't know when he began to notice the different shades of Jungkook's eyes-the stormy gray when he was angry, the gray tinged with brown when he was happy, a look he seemed to reserve only for Taehyung. God knows he didn't want to care, but his heart had betrayed him.

Taehyung's chatter filled the room, his voice a soothing background noise that Jimin barely registered. His entire focus was on Jungkook, who seemed oblivious to the intense emotions simmering across the table. Jungkook's indifference was like a dagger twisting in Jimin's heart. He wanted to reach out, to bridge the widening gap between them, but fear kept him paralyzed.

Taehyung looked between the two and smiled, attempting to lighten the heavy atmosphere. "It's nice to have a meal together, isn't it? It feels like old times," he said, his tone cheerful yet aware of the underlying tension.

Jimin forced a smile, his heart aching. "Yes, it is," he replied, his eyes flicking to Jungkook, who was still engrossed in his meal, showing no sign of interest.

Jungkook barely glanced up, muttering, "I suppose."

Jimin took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he steadied himself. "Jungkook, I wanted to talk to you about something important," he began, his voice wavering with vulnerability.

Jungkook finally looked up, his expression unreadable, his eyes cold. "What is it?" he asked, his tone neutral but edged with an underlying tension.

Jimin hesitated, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure everyone could hear it. "I... I've noticed you've been avoiding me. I just wanted to know if there's a reason why, apart from the usual, I mean," he said, trying to keep his voice steady despite the fear constricting his throat.

Jungkook's eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw tightening. "What do you mean by apart from the usual? When did I ever tell you we could be friends?" he asked bluntly, his words cutting through Jimin like shards of ice.

Jimin felt a pang of hurt but struggled to hide it, his eyes lowering to his lap. "Jungkook, I..." he began, his voice softening, laden with sorrow.

"No, you don't get to say my name like we are on the same side. Don't get me wrong, agreeing to this goddamned dinner doesn't mean that your parents did not kill my parents. I hate you, Park Jimin," Jungkook spat, his voice rising with anger as he banged his fist on the table, causing the dishes to rattle. His eyes blazed with a mixture of fury and pain before he abruptly stood up and stormed out of the room.

"Jungkook, wait...!" Taehyung called out, his face etched with concern as he started to get up, but Jimin gently stopped him.

"No, Tae, I will go. I need to talk to him," Jimin said, his tone determined but shaky, his hand on Taehyung's arm as he met his friend's worried gaze.