cold feet [1]

nineteen

third point of view

After finishing a long day down at the station, Jungkook enjoyed his time alone in his house. It's a place he didn't have to put on a mask, where he could just sit in his pyjamas and animal shaped slippers and watch whatever. Usually he'd sit down and watch a movie he liked, but today he just didn't feel like it. Cartoons weren't his thing, he preferred real actors.

So after flicking through several channels of boring reality shows and cartoons he stops on the news. Everything is seldom happy, a death, a robbery, a raped. He's tempted to turn it off.

But the more he watched, the more his heart hurt; captivated by a certain story. It was one that was rushed over, but Jungkook didn't miss it. No of course he didn't, for the contents made him break.

---

Jimin returned home after a night out with friends. He had wanted to avoid Jungkook as much as possible. The younger's presence giving him mental breakdowns. Why did Jungkook have to play with his emotions? It was like Taehyung all over again. Act as if they cared, then throw it all away. After the kiss things were weird, he could no longer see him as a cousin that he wasn't. It's all Jimin thought they were, but he knows a part of Jungkook thought of them as not family. Now, well now it hurts to know that.

Jimin wanted to come home to find Jungkook watching television; maybe a little drunk and cranky. So he snuck into the house, letting the door click shut behind him. Though as he approached the couch where his roommate was curled up, Jimin found him asleep, tears still streaming down his face. It tugged at the instincts inside of him. After contemplating his options, he went with what was considered 'right'.

"Jungkook," whispered Jimin softly, tugging on the pillow that was pulled tightly into his embrace; damp from his constant crying. "Wake up." The younger let out a soft whimper, doing something that made Jimin extremely uncomfortable. The policeman pulled on his friend, bringing him into a tight hug. Jimin sat in the awkward position, unsure of what to do as he stared at the tears still forming in the boy's tear ducts.

"Stay with me." said Jungkook, still keeping his eyes tightly shut, crystal flow falling one by one in a rhythmic stream.

"Jungkook, why are you crying?" The younger shook his head, not giving a reply.

"Just, stay." Then he grew still, gripping onto his companions bicep tightly as he tried to find comfort in the touch of someone. Displeased and concerned, Jimin pulled away, causing Jungkooks eyes to open. They were filled with absolute despair. An expression of suffering and grief as he tried to contain the emotions, an expression that made you hurt just by seeing it.

"Come. The couch is far too small for two people." Jimin informed him stiffly as he lifted the younger to his feet, wishing he could just carry him. But being small and not necessarily strong made it difficult. Instead he kept their hands clasped tightly together, pulling the younger along. He brought them both onto Jungkooks bed, deciding it would be better to have the clearly hurting boy's preferences.

Jungkook curled up in one quarter of the bed, pressing his face into his pillow. Jimin pulled the blanket over the both of them, shuffling closer to his friend. Smiling worriedly, he tilted the boy's cheeks and brushed his fringe behind his ear before whispering softly to keep the quiet atmosphere,

"Tell me, what's making you cry?" Jungkook didn't reply, Jimin didn't pressure him. Instead of asking straight away, he watched the younger breathe softly as he pressed his face back into his pillow, his grip becoming so tight on the soft object that his knuckles had turned white. Then he screamed. Not in a physically pained way, but in a way that blared absolute regret and hatred for himself and his life. He lifted his head, finally turning towards Jimin now sitting inches from him. "Jungkook? What happened?" He whispered, placing his hand on the younger's cheek. It was wet and cold as ice. Jimin dragged his thumb under boy's puffy eyes, wiping the tears away. They ran down his hand, disappearing under the jumper he was wearing.

Jungkook leaned forward, wrapping his arms around Jimins waist and resting his head on his friend's chest. He swallowed nervously, and shifted so he was on his back, Jungkook also switching positions to make things more comfortable. They stare at the ceiling for a few minutes, sniffles filling the air as the words accumulate in Jungkook's throat until he can finally say the,

"It's my nephew..." He croaked, stifling a cry as he tried to muster up the strength to continue. "He was on the news." Jimin's heart sank at these words. If Jungkook was crying, and his nephew was on the news ... the news was not going to be positive. "He-" But Jungkook couldn't explain anymore. He simply broke into a million pieces, crying his heart out.

taehyung's point of view

"Please! Tell me you have something! Anything!" I sat with my eyes wide, back pressed firmly to the bus stop wall as Jimin was literally on his knees, begging for something I wasn't quite sure of. The red head had appeared late and I had just finished whatever I had found for dinner. He had basically collapsed, begging for help. But what with?

"Jimin. It's 10pm. Why the hell are you begging to me at this time? And quite frankly, about what?"

"It's Jungkook," he began, which caught my full attention.

Leave it.
Oh, you're back.
Yes, thank you for the warm greeting. Let the imbecile take care of himself. You don't need to be digging your own grave at this moment.

"What about him?" I asked, ignoring the 'advice' I had just been given.

"He's a complete mess. Can't speak a word without bursting into tears. Something about his nephew. But no matter what I try, he just gets worse. Please. Just comfort him, speak with him, kiss him. Do anything!" I didn't comment on the last option, biting my lip as I thought about the situation.

I know what you're thinking.
Of course you do.

I stared down at the gloves that were still fitted around my hands, questioning whether it was worth it. From the sounds of things, Jungkook was a total wreck. His nephew was badly injured maybe, raped maybe. Could be worse. But how am I supposed to make things better? I cannot hug him or even hold his shoulders. But I know that Jungkook loves me, and that just me being there will be enough.

He'll cheer up eventually, just leave him.
But he needs someone. And it's seems that someone is me.
Oh stop being such an idiot. He's going to kill you!
Maybe I'll enjoy it.