Discipline || Yoonmin

A Friend

Soft and cool, water slid down Jackson's forehead. Slowly pulling him from his deep slumber. His eyes slightly blinked open, slowly readjusting to the room as he focused on the figure next to him. Indeed, Mark was sitting right next to him, gently passing a towel over his forehead as he watched him. Soon, a whisper of a smile spread on Jackson's lips. He slightly closed his eyes once more as Mark continued caring for him.

"You talk too much, Lieutenant." Mark whispered as he dipped the towel in some more cold water.

"I talk enough." Jackson whispered back as he welcomed the coolness of the towel.

"Enough to render you unconscious?"

"Why run away from being unconscious if I know my trustee roommate will care for me?"

Mark lightly chuckled as he left the towel on Jackson's forehead for a bit. Gently, Mark let his fingers move away the curls falling into his eyes and curling on his forehead. His gaze was warm as he passed over the details of Jackson's face.

Only to stop just as his fingers softly passed over his lips.

"You like Lieutenant Park a bit too much for your own good."

"I do not!"

Jackson's answer shot out of him as fast as he sat up. Only to regret doing so at the throbbing headache that ensued. Still, he stayed put, holding the towel to his forehead as he looked back Mark.

"You didn't see me earnestly stopping him from being in danger these past years." Mark noted.

Indeed, though they relentlessly argued, Jackson always cared about Jimin's whereabouts. Jackson was always alert. He was alert about everyone he deeply cared for. Thus making Mark feel bad for teasing him but enjoying it all the more as Jackson waved him off.

"You're weird, that's why." He stuck his tongue out at him and Mark smiled.

"You're weirder." He whispered before bumping his forehead against his. "I'll get some more water."

Before Mark could even stand up, Jackson's hand wrapped around his wrist.

Mark couldn't help but blink down towards it, only to freeze as he heard his Lieutenant's gruff voice.

"Don't leave me alone."

Mark didn't know when it had started.

Probably since the first death.

Still, Jackson had slowly started becoming weaker than before.

"I saw Dongwoo again."

Jackson had become scared.

"I saw Hoya as well."

Jackson had become scared of dying.

Mark had always been envious of his fearlessness but his roommate now looked to him for comfort.

It was disconcerting.

Just as was the feel of him curling into Mark as though seeking warmth.

"Did Lieutenant Park hit you too hard?"

He whispered as he fought against answering these confusing emotions.

They were roommates.

Best friends.

Nothing more.

"They said to only trust you." Jackson whispered as he looked straight into Mark's eyes.

"Is this another ploy to get me to get me to be your roommate a.k.a slave again?"

Nothing more.