Better Than Tears (sweeter than sleep)

Don't leave me alone

They ended up going to a hole-in-the-wall noodle shop near Apple Café.

Jimin greeted the owner with a smile that could bewitch a statue, earning him a pinch on the cheeks for his trouble. Jungkook hovered just behind Jimin, one hand grasping the back of his coat. Jimin had offered his hand, but Jungkook felt like that was a little too weird. There were only a couple other people at the shop, but it was still a public place, and Jungkook wanted to be more normal in public, even though it was a lot harder. But the owner was smiling like a mom who hadn't seen her son in a while and Jungkook felt a lot safer instantly.

"You haven't been here, Jiminnie, how am I supposed to know that you still care about me?" She set down two bowls of steaming noodles in front of them that smelled divine and also homey.

"Ah, I've just been busy, and your food tastes too good!" Jimin laughed as he said it. "I always eat too much!"

"Don't you dare talk about too much food in front of me," she warned. "Your body could use it. This one could use it too. Aren't you going to introduce me?"

"Hyerin-noona, this is Jungkook. I've adopted him."

"Another one? What was wrong with Taehyung? Or that quiet one, Yoongi?"

Jimin pouted. "Taehyung can't be here all the time and Yoongi-hyung is always busy these days. But Jungkook is younger, so it actually makes sense!"

Hyerin raised an eyebrow. "It'd make more sense for me to adopt the both of you."

"Okay!" Jimin smilied winningly and Jungkook felt himself smiling a bit despite his discomfort. "That's fine with me."

"Just eat your food before it gets cold," Hyerin scolded, before leaving.

"You heard noona, eat up, Jungkook-ah."

Jungkook obeyed, blowing on the noodles a little before putting them into his mouth. "Oh," he said around his mouthful, "it's good."

"Isn't it? This place is the best." Jimin dug into his own bowl, and for a few minutes there wasn't any talking, just slurping and sounds of appreciation.

Jungkook couldn't help thinking about this situation was radically different from eating on campus. It was too cold to leave the cafeteria, and even if he sat in a back corner, it was still noisy. Being with Jimin made him feel strong and secure, but Jimin wouldn't be there all week long while he battled anxiety and students at every turn. Jimin wouldn't be there to sing him to sleep or to hold him and Jungkook was not looking forward to going back.

He finished the last of his noodles and looked at the bottom of the bowl glumly, wondering how long it was going to take to reverse the past week and revert back to his original setting. Probably only a day. Instincts and growing up one way couldn't be suddenly erased by one wonderful week. And then Jimin would be sad and worried, and that was maybe the worst part. But Jimin said it was okay if he worried him a little. It really was okay, wasn't it?

"Jungkook-ah, open your mouth."

Jungkook looked up and received a piece of chocolate on his tongue. He bit down on it, feeling self-conscious. "Thanks," he mumbled.

"Here's a plan. Any time you feel like biting your lip, eat chocolate instead." Jimin smiled at him from across the table, head tilted to the side slightly.

"I'd be eating a lot of chocolate, then," Jungkook frowned, swallowing the chocolate in his mouth. "I bit my lip all the time without realizing it."

"Okay," Jimin leaned forward to rest his chin on his hands, elbows propped up on the table. "Something else, then. Play with the ends of your sleeves, or, or chew gum! That gives your teeth something to do."