cold feet [1]

forty

namjoon's point of view

Jimin was the first to actually do something about the injured boy laying on the bed, leaving the room to find a first aid kit of some sort. Each sound in the room sent a shudder through Jungkook, his eyes flinching tighter when I sat down at the end of the bed.

"It's just Namjoon," I whispered gently, letting my trembling hand hover over his before resting it on them. He opened his eyes, staring up at me with a plead in the glistening hazel. He looked destroyed by the harrowing of his emotions and the physical torture. "Jungkook, who did this to you?" He shut his eyes again about as quickly as he had opened them. I pulled on his fingers that were pressed firmly to his collarbone, attempting to pry them away from what he was hiding. But he seemed set on keeping them there. "Please, let me see." The younger shook his head forcefully, crying out loudly when I tried again to move his fingers. His whole body was soaked in sweat, blood pooling around his palms. The desperation of hiding this area told me that was exactly where he needed the most treatment.

I didn't want to force him and didn't want to scare him further but I needed to know what he was hiding. With a gentle touch over his arms, I pulled at his elbow and used my other hand to curl under his fingers. He must've felt the gentle contrast, his hands slipping away so that I could see what he had been so intent on hiding. My stomach plummeted the moment his bloody hands were moved to reveal an even bloodier mess. "I know who did it now..." Seokjin approached from behind, looking over my shoulder to stare down at the mark that had been left on his neck. The letter V had been engraved into his skin with a love heart carved out beside it. Blood poured from the deepest parts of the wound that looked to be made by the same teeth responsible for the several bite marks across his body.

"What the hell is wrong with that kid?" Seokjin gritted out as he looked over my shoulder. I brushed my hand along the raven's forehead to push his hair back and let some cool air reach his skin, shattered by the way my touch brought a terrified flinch as he cried loudly.

"Jungkook. Which one hurts the most?" He had begun to regain some strength, slowly lifting his arm and placing his hand on his chest. I removed his hand quickly, trying to see what wound was causing him the most pain but when I looked down at the spot, there was nothing. His skin was clear, apart from a minor scratch.

Surely that can't hurt the most.

"Jungkook... There's nothing there." But he kept his hand firmly on his chest, affirming that it was in fact there. I looked up at Seokjin in doubt, who seemed just as dumbfounded as I was.

"You idiots. He's talking about his heart." Yoongi chimed in, his gaze not leaving the raven once.

Oh.

I looked down at Jungkook for clarification to see him shut his eyes and nod slightly. Then he moved his hand back up to his collarbone, covering the marking. With each inhale his entire body would tremble, jaw clenched under the shock of pain that was spreading through his chest. I had seen the love that he had for Taehyung, the kindness he showed him and the loyalty. Seeing him now torn apart by that very person, I wished more than anything to rid that evil boy from his life. Meant to give him love, now left with an internalised shame as he wore the permanent mark.

"I'm so sorry Kook, this isn't fair, you dserve so much better." It was so hard to think of ways to comfort him, knowing my words would fall flat. But what else could I do? There was nothing that could make this feel okay. My words probably caused more distress than peace. Tears spilled and his chest heaved with each draining cry.

third person point of view

Seokjin sat down on the other side of their youngest friend, bringing a careful hand up to wipe at his lips that were still coated in drying blood, they all feared whose it was, whether Taehyung's or his own.

"Kook," Seokjin murmured softly, wiping at the tears that were pooling in Jungkook's eyes as he stared up at the ceiling to avoid acknowledging anyone's presence. "We are going to need to give you first-aid, you are bleeding a lot. Is that okay?" He didn't respond, just cried harder. "Can you blink twice for me if you are okay with one of us treating you?" He squeezed his eyes shut but didn't blink, shaking his head in refusal.

With a sigh Seokjin looked towards the door whilst he used his fingers to rub soothing circles over Jungkook's temple until Jimin and Hoseok returned with a first-aid kit that was kept down in the kitchen.

"We found the culprit." Yoongi muttered upon their arrival, Jimin's eyes shooting towards him in curiosity. He mouthed the letter V that was imprinted on Jungkook forever. Jimin's face twisted up into an infuriated scowl the moment he recognised the situation for what it was, his grip clenched tightly onto the kit still held in his hands to defuse his reponse. But he didn't react any further than that, no outburst of screams or aggression. Maybe it's because he was scared to hurt Jungkook more, but it was odd that he didn't seem surprised by the culprit's actions. "Let me do it," Yoongi spoke up, holding out a hand for Jimin to pass him the kit. Then he stepped over so that he could swap out with Seokjin.

"Kook, you have about five areas we need to patch up, the rest should be okay after a clean." Namjoon explained to Jungkook, watching his reactions with each word he spoke. Whilst he tried to steadily prompt Jungkook and get a response, Yoongi began setting out some alcohol wipes, gauze and bandages.

"I'm going to help you," Yoongi began with a tranquil voice that mellowed the rooms fears. "But you have to let me." He reached out a gloved hand to rest against his shoulder, rubbing lightly until he opened his eyes to stare up at the person making contact with him.

"I... don't... want... help." He croaked through deep and forced breaths, as if the words were draining every ounce of energy from him. "Please," he cried, shaking his head in desperation whilst Yoongi continued to hold a hand to his shoulder without moving.

"I understand that, but you need help. Jungkook, you are losing a lot of blood, if we don't treat you now you're going to have to go to the hospital." Yoongi grimaced at the slight ultimatum of the situation, knowing how much the boy hated hospitals. It was one of the places he feared most for he believed going there meant he was going to die. No matter how many times someone would try and sway his thoughts it would just set them into stone. But it was the truth, if they couldn't get these injuries cleaned and wrapped up, they'd be in the emergency room within the hour. The word brought the expected fear to Jungkook, and with a deep reluctance he lowered his hands to reveal the still bleeding mark. "I will be as quick as I can," Yoongi reassured him, grabbing a wipe and tearing it open to begin cleaning over where Taehyung had bitten him. The sudden sting sent a jolt through his body, eyes rolling back at the extra layer of pain. Yoongi continued to soothe him with that consistent and patient caress against his shoulder, muttering praises of reassurance and clear explanations of each step he was taking.

Jimin watched from a distance with a hand over his chest, feeling the sharpness of something dug deep within his skin as he stared at the marking now much more defined with the blood cleaned away. It made him sick, teeth gritting in silent seething rage.

"I'd kill him if he weren't dying already." Jimin uttered miserably, receiving a glare from Yoongi who mouthed an irritated 'not helping!'

"Okay, I'm going to cover this one now, we'll have to check it again soon to see if you'll need stitches, but for now we'll just focus on getting you clean." They all watched in silent admiration of the diligence Yoongi showed in his care, each step clear and predictable so that Jungkook's mind didn't have to overthink each slight shift and touch.

The engraving was sharp, still clear that it had been made with teeth, but unnaturally clean for what seemed like a last resort decision. The heart next to the letter was cruel, a violent display of the love that had destroyed him. "Can someone get some water for him?" Hoseok nodded to the request, ducking out of the room to fetch something to soothe the harshness of the raven's throat.

"Yoongi," Jungkook spoke up hoarsely, fingers dancing up the older's arm to hold onto his bicep.

"Yeah Kook? I'm right here with you, we all are." He nodded slightly, though it seemed to aggravate the bites just under his jaw, Yoongi's next area to address. "You're safe. We're going to keep you safe."

______________________________