The Project // Jikook

Chapter Eight

[Opening Up]

Jungkook

I stared at Jimin as he held his head low. Tae? His wounds came from Tae? 

I was shocked. This isn't Taehyung. I don't know who he's become at this point.

"Jimin hyung, I'm glad you told me," Jimin's head flew up, eyes wide and brows pressed together. 

Ah, he was expecting questions first, wasn't he? 

His face unwound, a timid smile gracing his features. I looked back at him, a similar expression on my face. Until I realized that this situation could turn very bad very quickly. 

"How long has he been doing it?" I ask. 

"It's only happened twice. But, he- he got worse the second time," He looks away from, shrinking back into the chair. 

"Why was he... Why did he- um- hit you?" I stumble over my words, trying not to seem invasive. 

His shoulders tensed up, face paling as he avoided eye contact. 

Oh. It's me.

"He just- he got jealous really easily. He thought I was going to abandon him for- for you."

"I'm sorry, Jimin hyung. If I had just-just stayed away," I stutter, trying to find the right words to apologize.

Fuck, he probably hates me because of this.

"It's not your fault, okay?" He placed a hand on my leg, comforting me while also making my face redden.

I nodded, and he gently removed his hand. I felt an odd sense of coldness when his warmth dissipated. 

"We have to stop him. He can't keep treating you this way," I spoke becoming serious. 

"I think- I think that he's trying to stop. Before you were- well, awake, he pulled me into the hallway and apologized. He said that we're gonna talk things out," Jimin says. 

"Then stand up to him. Jimin hyung, you're strong, I know that. You can stand up to him. He needs to know that, that this is seriously hurting you, in more ways than one," I grab his hand, trying to make eye contact to further my point. "Do your friends know?"

"No, I-I didn't want to make Tae mad. But, I also didn't want them to hate him, he-he's really been through a lot! He can get better!"

"I get that, I do, but he's hurting you Jimin. It doesn't matter if they hate him, what matters is your safety."

"I don't want to date him anymore," Jimin completely relaxes at the confession. My eyes widen as I'm shocked by the suddenness of it. "But, I-I want to be there for him, as a friend. I know that he's been struggling and I know he's still Taehyung... Just-Just covered up a little, you know?"

I nod at him and sigh, "Jimin, I'm here for you, no matter what you decide, okay? But, please, do the right thing. We can't help him if he doesn't understand what he's doing." 

Jimin looks away from me, fiddling with his hands as he struggled to decide what to do, "What if they don't believe me?"

"If they don't believe you, then show them all the bruises. I think your black eye says enough. Besides, friends are there for other friends, they'll believe you."

"I'm gonna call them and tell them to come here. Is that okay?" I nodded in response to Jimin's question.

Jimin