✔ We Accept The Love We Think We Deserve #namgi

~eighteen~

Yoongi had barely realized the moment Namjoon moved from his spot. One moment, he was standing in stunned silence, and the next, Namjoon was at his side, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the chaos. With a firm yet gentle touch, Namjoon took hold of his arm, guiding him away from the tense scene and into the apartment.

Every action, from the way Namjoon carefully navigated the path to how he glanced back to check on Yoongi, was imbued with a tenderness that made Yoongi's heart ache with a mix of gratitude and confusion.

"Hyung, where did he hurt you?" Namjoon questioned, his voice laced with concern and urgency.

He hovered over Yoongi, his eyes scanning for any visible signs of injury. Without waiting for an answer, Namjoon gently pried the shopping bags from Yoongi's grasp, the weight of them shifting to his own hands with ease. He then reached for Yoongi's shoulder bag, his fingers brushing against Yoongi's arm in the process.

Yoongi's hands fell limply to his sides, his fingers still tingling from the lingering grip on the bags. His entire body was trembling, and he found himself unable to muster the strength to form a coherent reply. The shock and fear from the confrontation with Jaesung had yet to fully dissipate, leaving him paralyzed in the wake of Namjoon's question.

Namjoon's brow furrowed in worry as he took in Yoongi's silent distress. He placed the bags down carefully, freeing his hands to gently touch Yoongi's shoulders, attempting to steady him. 

"Hyung, please, tell me where it hurts," Namjoon urged, his tone softer now, infused with a deep-seated protectiveness. His eyes searched Yoongi's, trying to understand the extent of the harm done.

"I— I'm fine... it's fine," Yoongi mumbled, his voice shaky and uncertain.

He moved slowly towards the sofa, his legs unable to hold the weight of his belly any longer now that the adrenaline was running out. He could still feel the ghost of Jaesung's grip on his arm; the ache a cruel reminder of the encounter.

Namjoon followed closely, his presence a reassuring shadow behind Yoongi. However, instead of walking directly beside him, Namjoon paced back and forth, his restlessness palpable. Uneasiness buzzed inside him, making it impossible for him to stay still. Every so often, he would glance over at Yoongi, his concern etched deeply into his features, but he said nothing, allowing Yoongi the space to process his thoughts.

"Hyung, it's not fine." Namjoon exclaimed, his voice laced with frustration and concern. 

"This can't happen again. We have to get out of here as soon as possible. I won't tolerate him being so close to you any longer." His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument, his determination clear in the set of his jaw and the fierce protectiveness in his eyes.

Namjoon stopped walking to sit beside Yoongi, his grip on Yoongi's hands tightening momentarily, as if to reassure himself that Yoongi was truly there, and well. The worry etched on Namjoon's face made Yoongi's heart ache. It was overwhelming, this feeling of being cared for, of someone being willing to go to such lengths to protect him.

But suddenly, Namjoon's words clicked in Yoongi's brain, making the world seem to shift around him. Cold tears clung to his eyelashes, splashing onto his cheeks with each blink.

"Get out of here?" he echoed, his voice shaky.

The damning conversation he had been dreading having with Namjoon suddenly found its place into the occasion without Yoongi's nudge. This was the moment, whether he was ready for it or not.