Please... Love Me

41

Jin stepped out of the car, glancing at Jungkook before walking around to open the other door for him.

"Come on," Jin said softly, helping his husband out of the car.

Once they were both out, Seokjin quietly shut the car door, his movements deliberate and calm.

"I'll be waiting for you in our room," he said, his voice low but steady, before making his way inside the house.

Jungkook followed closely behind, his footsteps quieter than usual as his mind wandered. He was tired, far more exhausted than he cared to admit. His thoughts felt like a haze, and all he really wanted was rest.

When they entered the house, Jungkook trailed behind Jin through the hallway. The familiar scent of their home felt almost comforting, but it couldn't ease the heaviness in his chest.

As he made his way to their room, he slowly closed the door behind him, his mind still distant. The soft sound of running water from the bathroom reached his ears, and he knew Jin had already stepped into the shower.

Jungkook sighed, his body aching more than he wanted to admit. His stomach churned slightly, the stress of the day weighing him down, but the soft warmth of their bed called to him. Without thinking, he shuffled over and laid down, letting his body sink into the softness of the mattress.

He closed his eyes, his headache pressing against his temples as the room seemed to spin. He tried to focus on his breathing, but it was hard. His stomach felt off, and every inch of him longed for the peaceful comfort of sleep.

Jungkook's fingers gripped the edge of the blanket, trying to ground himself, but the quiet hum of the shower and the distant sounds of the house only made him feel more alone. Despite the physical presence of his husband in the other room, Jungkook couldn’t shake the feeling of isolation, as if the weight of everything that had happened that day had settled deep inside him.

***

"Sleeping beauty, wake up," Seokjin whispered, his voice low and breathy, as he leaned in close to Jungkook's ear, his warm breath brushing against his skin.

Jungkook groaned softly, his eyes fluttering open to the familiar warmth of Seokjin's presence. He felt a soft touch on his thigh, Seokjin's hand gently massaging the muscle. Still half-asleep, Jungkook blinked up at the ceiling, trying to shake off the haze of slumber.

"J-Jin, I'm exhausted..." Jungkook mumbled, his voice thick with tiredness. He wanted to fall back into sleep, but Seokjin's insistence kept him from it.

Seokjin didn’t respond immediately, his hand continuing to soothe Jungkook's tired body. He leaned in closer, his lips grazing along the curve of Jungkook's nape, the sensation making Jungkook shiver despite the warmth of the room.

"Let me soothe you then," Seokjin whispered, his voice smooth, almost coaxing. He moved his hand up to Jungkook’s side, gently rubbing his skin.

Jungkook winced slightly, his body already aching from the exhaustion of the day. "I'm not in the mood... please," he replied, his voice strained and soft, begging for some space, his hand weakly pushing against Seokjin’s chest.

For a moment, Seokjin froze. There was a shift in the air, and Jungkook could feel the change. His husband's hands fell away, and the warmth he had been so used to faded.

Seokjin slowly sat up, his movements stiff. He stood, turning away to grab his robe from the chair beside the bed. Jungkook's heart tightened at the distance between them.

"Where are you going?" Jungkook asked, his voice laced with confusion, though it sounded more like a plea. He pushed himself up on his elbows to get a better look at Seokjin, a feeling of unease settling in his chest.

Seokjin paused for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was colder, tinged with frustration. "To the guest room," he said, his words sharp as he adjusted the robe around his shoulders.

Jungkook’s confusion deepened. "I didn’t tell you to go away. I just want to rest... Please, we can talk about everything tomorrow. You don’t have to leave." He felt a sense of panic rising in his chest, wanting to stop Seokjin from retreating but unsure of how to reach him.

Seokjin turned back toward him, his eyes darkened with irritation. "I’m trying to make it up to you now, but I guess I’m wasting my time." The bitterness in his voice stung, and Jungkook felt his heart sink, an ache blossoming in his chest.

"Hyungie..." Jungkook's voice cracked as he said his husband’s name, his throat tight with unshed tears. He could feel the distance growing, and it was almost suffocating.

Seokjin didn't soften. His gaze hardened, his jaw clenched as he took a slow step toward the door. "Just go to sleep, Jungkook."

Jungkook reached out, but his hand fell helplessly at his side. He wanted to say more, to explain, but the words wouldn't come. His body felt heavy, his heart heavier. He watched as Seokjin turned, walking out of the room without another word.

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Jungkook alone in the dimly lit room. He remained motionless for a long moment, the silence pressing down on him like a weight. He stared at the door, thoughts spinning in a tangled mess.

It was only then that he realized just how deeply the rift between them had grown. And as the coldness of the room seeped into his bones, so too did the coldness in his chest.