You Never Know [JIKOOK]

42. Holding

“Hyung, you love me, right?”

“I thought you wouldn’t leave me?”

“I love you, hyung!”

“I-I’m scared, hyung!”

“HYUNG!”

“HELP!!”

"MINJU!!"

Suddenly, Jimin’s eyes snapped open. His body jerked forward, drenched in cold sweat, his heart thundering in his chest as if trying to break free from the nightmare that held him captive.

He shouted the name instinctively, his voice raw and hoarse, before the reality around him slowly took shape. The room was sterile, cold. White walls stared back at him, mocking his helplessness. His breath was erratic as he reached up to his face, feeling the tears streaming down, hot and endless. His entire body trembled as he sat up on the bed, his hands clawing at the sheets.

But it was just a dream... wasn’t it?

No. It wasn’t just a dream—it was a memory, twisted and dark, and it felt too real to dismiss. Minju’s voice, the cries for help, the pleading eyes—those haunted him. His mind raced back to that moment when he watched, frozen, as Minju was torn away from him, his feet seemingly glued to the ground, powerless to act.

“Minju…” The name escaped his lips in a whisper, breaking the silence of the room.

Jimin’s eyes darted around in confusion, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. It was only when he noticed the IV needle in the back of his hand, the clear liquid flowing into his veins, that he realized he was in a hospital.

“Jimin?”

The voice that spoke his name was familiar, soft yet edged with concern. Jimin slowly turned his head, his teary eyes meeting Jungkook’s gaze. Jungkook was sitting by his bedside, his face a portrait of worry, and his eyes were red and glistening with unshed tears.

“Are you okay, baby?” Jungkook’s voice was barely a whisper, a tremor betraying his attempt to stay calm. He reached out, cupping Jimin’s pale, tear-streaked cheeks with his large, warm hands. “Tell me, baby. Don’t make me worry, please.” His voice cracked, the weight of his fear breaking through.

Jimin’s lips quivered as he stared at Jungkook, unable to find his voice. Tears streamed down his face, mingling with the ones that Jungkook gently wiped away with his thumb. But the words—whatever he wanted to say—remained trapped in his throat. All he could feel was an overwhelming sense of despair, a suffocating dread that made it impossible to breathe, to speak, to do anything but cry.

Jungkook’s heart shattered as he watched Jimin fall apart in front of him. “Baby…” His voice was thick with emotion, each word laced with a desperation he couldn’t hide. “Please, tell me what’s wrong. I’m here for you. Just tell me.” He was pleading now, his voice soft but broken, his own tears finally spilling over.

Jimin let out a sob, his body shaking as he bit down on his lip, trying to contain the torrent of emotions that threatened to consume him. He looked down, his shoulders trembling with each breath, but it was no use—he couldn’t hold it in any longer.

Jungkook didn’t hesitate. He pulled Jimin into his arms, holding him tight, his hand gently rubbing circles on Jimin’s back. “I got you,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the crown of Jimin’s head, his lips brushing through the strands of his hair. “I’m here. Don’t cry, please. I’m here.”

“M-Minju…” Jimin’s voice cracked as he clutched onto Jungkook’s shirt, his fingers curling into the fabric as if it was the only thing anchoring him to the world. His grip was desperate, like he was afraid Jungkook might vanish too, just like Minju had.