cold feet [1]

twenty two

jimin's point of view

A week passed and that tension never left. Every time I would move in the peripheral of my housemate, I would catch the way he'd freeze up, jump at the slightest hint of a movement that was unpredicted. It hurt to see the behaviour I used to display so strongly reflected in the younger now cursed to relive it all. At least I hoped not all... After Taehyungs fiasco from earlier in the week, I refused to let Jungkook go see him, though it seemed he didn't need much convincing. At any mention of the blonde asshole Jungkook's face would curl up in spite and he'd snap at me or anyone who had brought him up. Jungkook wouldn't even say his name, simply referring to him as 'it', or 'he' if he was in a good mood.

In a way I was relieved that Taehyung had created this barrier between them because it meant Jungkook couldn't get hurt like I had. It was selfish to think that way, to take pleasure in Jungkook's suffering. It was hard to tell if the boy's infatuation for Taehyung was real, or if it was all the curses doing. I knew I shouldn't get my hopes up that this would be the end. There were still five months and the pull I remembered that curse having me was unbearable. If I had tried to fight it, deny my feelings and ignore the blonde mystery, it began to sink into my very bones, burning at my skin until all I could think about was him. The longer I spent away, the more painful and vivid the thoughts became. To make that boy the very reason my existence. It was torture.

---

"Jungkook, you're going to be late for work if you don't hurry up." Jungkook was still in his pyjamas at 4 in the afternoon, eyes barely open as he wandered the kitchen in search of food. At the sound of my voice I heard him groan, then he appeared by my side trying to snatch up the piece of toast that I had in my hand. Being much more awake I managed to pull it away from him before he could get a grip on it.

"Jimin..." He whined, resting his chin on my shoulder as he stared at me with large pleading eyes.

"Manners Jungkook." He groaned again, poking my side with his finger which caused me to jolt and drop the toast right into his palm.

"Thanks legend." He remarked playfully, giving me a quick back hug before dashing to his room to get dressed for his shift.

That's the last I'll see of him for the day.

Jungkook was working on night patrol tonight, even though he had been working the day shift until midday. Barely having had three hours sleep. But Namjoon had called in sick and the boy would do anything to prove his worth to his boss. Poor kid, he never got a break. Even if he wasn't working at the station he'd always have some form of paperwork he'd have to complete. It was one of the reasons he didn't really have any hobbies. He believed work was a hobby. Which I guess it could be if it's something you enjoy doing in spare time. But I just wished he would find something a little more exciting. For such a young and creative person he was unbelievably dull.

Ignoring the thoughts flooding my brain about my housemate, I began wandering the kitchen, cataloguing what food we already had and what we needed to get food for dinner tonight. The others would be coming over and they were a picky bunch. Sadly, Jungkook wouldn't be able to join us, though he said he didn't mind and just requested we left him something to eat when we got home.

---

What to buy? What to buy?

After wandering around the shops for nearly an hour. I decided on pork belly with some grilled sausages and soup. It wasn't exactly a grand meal, but it would still taste nice. So I paid for everything including some extra ingredients for side dishes and any other supplies we needed for the house. Jungkook was not the most reliable with keeping things like toilet paper and cleaning products stocked up. The house was something he had invested in with support from his parents, plus the police salary was incredibly generous for his age. The extra hours were his way of keeping on top of the place. But his focus on the financial aspect left my to pick up the pieces on the actual living inside the house. I didn't mind, it gave me a purpose, plus it was the least I could do since Jungkook let me stay with him.

I should really get my license.

I had never really bothered to get it because Jungkook had gotten his before me and would drive me wherever I needed. Until he got a job then he couldn't do so as often and I was too lazy to study for the test. So instead I walked everywhere. It wasn't bad, it got my fitness levels up since I myself didn't have a job yet. It was meant to be temporary, me living with Jungkook. Whilst my mother went to America for a job request. She was meant to return after five months.

That was two years ago, and she never returned. It was hard to process the feeling of watching her leave with the expectation that I would see her again, only to never hear from her again. So many things I had never gotten to say. Not that she deserved anything I had to say, who the hell leaves their own child to live a new life in America without even leaving a note? Jungkook was my life guard, the only family I had left. He saved me from drowning in that grief, and gave me a place to stay until I could swim again. It became an exchange, I helped him cook and clean and he helped me smile. We both helped each other in a way.

---

third person point of view

Seokjin and his three housemates arrived within twenty minutes of their agreed time. They bickered amongst themselves about the traffic, absentmindedly ringing the doorbell that echoed loudly through the large house. It took a few minutes of their chattering to realise no one had responded. So Seokjin rang it again, and the again. Repeating until he frustratingly turned to the three with a frown.

"What on earth is he doing, he replied to my text immediately, why isn't he answering the door?"

"I'll call him." Namjoon spoke, his voice hoarse with sickness. They were all thankful he was not contagious. A frown stayed plastered to Namjoon's face as he listened to the call ring out, taking him to voicemail. "Not answering. Did he mention anything in his texts?" Seokjin shook his head, beginning to reread through the conversation as he tapped his foot nervously. Jimin was not one for tardiness, unlike the owner of the house he was always punctual and prepared for anything.

"I have a spare key." Hoseok perked up after several minutes of them all brainstorming solutions, which ended in Seokjin glaring at him.

"Why didn't you tell us earlier! and also, why?" Hoseok shrugged bringing out the pale blue coloured key that was supposedly for the house.

"When Jungkook was sick awhile ago he gave me the key in case he couldn't get up to answer the door." Seokjin gave a nod of understanding before stepping aside to let Hoseok open the house up. Upon entering, most of the lights were off except for the kitchens. Yoongi walked over to the open space to inspect the strong smell that was filling the open plan. An audible gasp was heard from him as he ran over to the stove. None of the others could see what he was doing so Namjoon followed behind to find that Yoongi was desperately trying to put out a fire that was coming from one of the dishes boiling on the stovetop.

"Holy Hell, he left the stove on. Where the hell is he?" Namjoon walked over to peer into the pan. The edges were charred and smelt horrendous, a mix of once nice smelling spices and ingredients, ruined by the punctual boys sudden disappearance.

"He's too cautious to leave the stove to simply go to the bathroom. Something's wrong."

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