Varnish

•°• one •°•

The house sat in silence except for the occasional clack or thump of Jimin messing with his pencils and erasers. He waited till he heard the car in the driveway come to life and pull away from the now serene house. A smile ghosted Jimin's lips as he waited till he couldn't hear the roar of the vehicle's engine.

Finally when he thought the car to be far enough out he quickly turned his music on letting the melodious voice of Troye Sivan's Heaven play out loudly on his speakers. He made his way to his sister's room next to his and rummaged through a medium sized, glittery bag till he found the perfect shade of his favorite color. He felt giddy at the idea of doing what he was about to.

He knew it was risky but he thought that tonight was a perfect opportunity to do it since his father was going on a business trip and his mother never minded that he liked what most boys didn't anyway. So as he sat at his desk and pushed back his trigonometry workbook and his collection of writing utensils he thought about what Taehyung might say when he saw the pretty color on his fingernails. Maybe Taehyung would finally let Jimin do his nails for once.

He grabbed the baby pink nail polish and got to work. He smiled as he felt the cold varnish brush over his nail beds. He was almost done, only two fingers left when he heard his bedroom door open with a whoosh. Jimin's mind was plagued with fear and confusion as he spun around so fast that he was surprised he didn't have whiplash.

His father stood in the doorway, face scrunched in distaste at the sound of an English speaking artist playing loudly over his son's speakers. Jimin made quick to turn the music off, momentarily forgetting about the baby pink nail polish sitting on his desk. He tried hiding his fingernails from his father's peering eyes as best as he could before speaking up.

"F-father," his voice broke. Clearing his throat, Jimin started again. "Father, what are you doing home? Aren't you going to miss your flight?"

"I forgot some paperwork but I can't seem to find it. I was hoping you would know where it is." Jimin's dad walked closer peering around the room briefly before his gaze hardened on something just beyond Jimin's body. Jimin felt dread wash over his body. He could feel himself choking on his fear, his stomach dropping to his feet. Before Jimin could even process a sentence in his head his dad spoke.

"Jimin," his father's voice said coldly, "what is that?"

"W-what's what, father?"

"Don't play dumb with me, boy! Do you take me as a fool?!" Jimin's father's voice rose with anger and disappointment.

"N-no! Fa-" Jimin was cut off by a slap from the back of his father's hand on his right cheek. A rough hand yanked at the soft hair that sat fluffily on Jimin's head, tugging his head back at such an uncomfortable and painful angle. Dark brown eyes blown with bitter hate stared down into equally as dark brown eyes blown with anxiety and petrification. Jimin's mind flashed previous memories of similar situations and he wondered how this scene would play out.

"Listen, faggot!" Jimin's father demanded. "I swear, if I see that shit on you ever again, you better be prepared to pack up all your shit and go." His fist clenching Jimin's hair tightened harshly before he threw Jimin to the floor. "No son of mine will be a fag, you got that?" With a swift kick to Jimin's stomach he was walking towards the bedroom door. Just before making his exit he looked back at Jimin. "Do you know where my red folder is?"

Jimin's mind was a fluctuating mess. Did his dad really have the decency to ask him such a question after beating him? Apparently so. "No, father. I do not." With a slam of the bedroom door Jimin's father left the room, the sound of his stomping footsteps echoing throughout the house.

Silent tears soaked every surface they managed to splash onto, leaving a salty residue in it's wake. The music continued to play in almost a taunting way; a happy, and sweet melody with lyrics that melted a romantic's heart.

That night Jimin painted more than just his nails with a blood red.