butterflies.

BROMINE.

臭素 / PART FOURTEEN

yoongi is released from the hospital with the promise that he is kept on a twenty-four hour careful watch. everyone readily agrees, because in their minds they've already begun their watch.

there is to be someone with yoongi at all times, whether it is another band member or staff. the managers and a few of the stylists have been told, but on the whole they're trying to keep it under the wraps.

yoongi hasn't been allowed near a blade for a week now.

it's torture and relief at the same time. it means he can't injure himself anymore, but it also means he has no way of releasing the snakes under his skin.

"what do you mean snakes?" seokjin asks when it's his turn to watch over yoongi. they're in kitchen and seokjin is cooking dinner. yoongi sits on the floor, legs drawn up to his chest and eyes to the knife. he visibly swallows when seokjin cuts the chicken breast into pieces and tries not to think of how the metal would feel on his skin instead, slicing it to ribbons.

they're talking about why yoongj wants to cut.

the doctor assigned a therapist to yoongi, and one of the things he's been instructed to do is talk about his problems. seokjin is the easiest to speak with. he doesn't judge yoongi, now that he realizes yoongi isn't intending to kill himself. it's also easier talking to someone older, because then it doesn't feel like he's burdening the younger kids.

"it's like there's something crawling under my skin," yoongi says, his voice muffled against the thick material of his jeans. "and the only way to get them out is to cut."

seokjin pauses, a finger on the tip of the knife. "and how often do you feel these, snakes?"

yoongi thumbs the hole in his jeans, playing with the fray of the strings. "frequently," he admits. "more so lately."

"is cutting the only way to make them go away?" seokjin asks, putting the knife down and turning to look at yoongj seriously. "what about talking? what about music? what about going out for a run or something?"

yoongi makes a face at the thought of exercise.

"yoongi!" seokjin scolds. "i'm trying to help you here."

the younger sighs. "i know, seokjin. i'm sorry. it's just, i don't know. i don't know how to stop them."

seokjin purses his lips and looks at yoongi's bare arms. the bandages are still there, wrapped firm and white. seokjin knows because he's the one who gently pats the wounds dry and then re-bandages them fresh after yoongi has a shower.

"did drawing those butterflies ever help?" seokjin asks carefully, knowing he is treading on unsteady ground.

yoongi stiffens for a second, but then shakes his head. "not really," he admits.

seokjin is confused. "then what made you stop cutting? jimin told us that after he introduced the idea, you managed to stop for a few weeks."

yoongi nods and bites at his lower lip. "it well, it wasn't because of the butterflies," he says softly. seokjin walks over and crouches so that he can be on the same eye level as yoongi, same wavelength end of story. "it was because it made jimin sad."

seokjin blinks, surprised. "you stopped cutting because jimin found out right?"

"yeah," yoongi says. "he found out, and it made him cry. and i-" jimin's shocked face when he first opened that door and saw yoongi, blade in hand, is one he'll never forget. it's carved into his heart, a place where no blade can touch.

"i see," seokjin says, rocking back on his heels thoughtfully. he pats yoongi on the shoulder comfortingly and says, "want to help me with dinner?"

yoongi looks up, confused. he's not allowed to touch kitchen equipment, particularly knives.

"you can help cook the rice," seokjin offers, a completely safe option, and the smaller boy likes it. there's a feeling of purposefulness, and it grows in his chest, small tiny buds.

"okay," he says and gets to his feet, a little unsteadily.

seokjin smiles, helps him up, and then offers him an apron.

oh look nothing dramatic :') this was a filler chap bc i'm not sure what i wanna do next alSO IM GOING TO TRY AND DO DAILY UPDATES IDK HOW THIS IS GONNA WORK OUT BUT