Confidence || Jikook

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"Where the fuck is Jimin." A worried brunette asks the silent duo. Hoseok and Taehyung share glances before Hobi swallows his lunch to answer.

"Don't worry about him. Every once in a while he disappears for a couple days but comes back better than ever. I'm sure he's fine." The dancer takes another big bite from his sandwich. "Just don't bother him."

But that didn't make the younger feel good at all. He felt so bad about the other day that he brought extra food, enough for three Jimins just so he could forgive him. "A-Actually I had something to give him... Do you know where he lives?" As hopeful as he sounded, it dissipated when he met Hoseok's gaze.

"Listen, I get you're trying to help him out but he really doesn't enjoy when people go to his place. I've never been myself, have you Tae?" The red-head shakes no. "See? Even we haven't seen his wonderful house. What do you think it would be like Tae? Maybe a mansion with 10 rooms..." Jungkook dozes off when Hoseok elaborates on the structure of Jimin's imaginary house. He needs to see him, to make sure they're okay. He couldn't give up on him. "Hey Jungkook."

The dancer whispered in his ear which he found confusing. "What?"

When Hoseok looked around, he made sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. "Here." He handed him a small slip of folded paper, discreetly placed in one of his pockets. "Look at it later." Jungkook wanted to laugh at how foolish he was being but he was concerned that would draw unnecessary attention from the red head. Apparently one of the people who couldn't know what was going on was right in front of them, enjoying some pasta while classical music played. Huh. Why did Hoseok care whether or not Tae knew? "And don't tell anyone."

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Jungkook thought it was weird that Hoseok gave him an address to Jimin's place but has never been there. What was even weirder is that the GPS system was taking him to a neighborhood he's never seen before. The deeper he drove, the worse the houses got. He saw groups of guys huddled together every now and then, drinking bottles of unknown mixtures. This is where Jimin lives? There's no way that the smiling blond he's come to know, lives in such a horri- "You've arrived at your destination."

Pieces of trash littered his front lawn, along with broken bottles and the smell of cigarette smoke infiltrating his nostrils. He parked his car out front, keeping an eye on it since he noticed a group of men twice as old as him, look at it with thieving glares. As soon as he approached the door, he knocked. He didn't want to spend anymore time here unless he had to. Just in and out. Jimin probably doesn't live here anyways so I shouldn't stay longer than ten minutes. He heard someone on the other side of the rickety old door unlocking various bolts. "Hello?"

Jungkook was shocked at the sight before him. He could recognize that mop of hair anywhere, even if it was almost sunset and he had to squint his eyes to peer through the dirty screen door. He felt his heart skip a beat, unknown longing made his heart clench when he saw the reason why. His favorite person in the world stayed behind the door, only the side of his face visible through the crack in the door frame.

When Jimin realized who was at the door, he was mortified. There's no way he could see him in this state! He felt so vulnerable and ashamed at where they met each other. He's never brought anyone to his place, for good reason. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

And just like that, the younger's heart dropped. "I-I..." He became unsure of himself. He didn't know that Jimin would dislike it this much. "I came to visit since I didn't see you today..." Jimin still stayed hidden, waiting for him to finish. "I didn't like how we left things off the other day and I wanted to say I'm sorry." Silence. "Please don't be mad I came here unannounced. I brought you food." He heard him chuckle on the other side. At least that's a good sign.

"Jimin! Who in the fucking hell is at the door?" The blond gasped, closing the wooden divider. Jungkook heard some shuffling, a conversation inside. It was hard to hear but from what he could tell, Jimin was talking with an older man. He waited a couple of minutes before he sighed and stepped off the porch. Who knew seeing Jimin would be so hard?

"Jungkook!" His small friend ran down the porch steps to meet him in front of his car. "Hey, sorry but I had to convince him a little to let me see you." In the new light, Jungkook could see his friend standing awkwardly, new blotches of purple and blue across his face and arms.

"Jimin..." No words escaped his open mouth. When the other caught on, he hung his head in shame, looking anywhere but Jungkook. "What- Who, I don't-" He couldn't even process the information while Jimin was desperately trying to pull his sleeves down.

"Um... I know what you're thinking but I just fell in my house... down the stairs. I'll be back at school soon, once I heal and go to the doctor." Jimin knew that once he looked up, he would see pity in his eyes. He hated that. He hated feeling vulnerable and useless in front of people. He hated having to cover up his bruises and explain to people time again how 'clumsy' he is.

"You can't honestly expect me to believe that can you?" Don't look up. Don't look up. Don't look up. Turns out, he had no choice in the matter when Jungkook's index finger raised his chin up to meet his gaze. But he didn't expect the next three words that came out of his mouth. "Trust me Jimin."

Before he could say anything, the screen door burst open, a middle-aged man walks out, glare in his eye. "Park Jimin! What the fuck are you doing out here?" Instantly the smaller looks back down, limping to the agrivated man.

"I-I was just talking to my friend sir. Like I told you before."

Jungkook wanted to storm up to them, grab the man by the collar and demand an apology from him. He hated the fact that he reduced Jimin to this state.  The Jimin he knew wouldn't think twice about standing up for himself, using his fists and legs if he needed to. "Well I'm sure he has a name... Don't you?" It was an awkward conversation at best but he had to stand up for Jimin until he felt ready to do it himself.

"Jeon Jungkook sir, I'm a friend of Jimin's. You are his dad?" He had to work his way in, get close so he could be trusted to come more often.

But the man didn't answer to that, turning around to the door again. "Have dinner with us, I'm making my famous gas station ramen. I won't accept no as an answer." Jungkook wasn't blind. He wasn't stupid either so when he saw Jimin motioning for him to go, he knew he should expect trouble.

Which is exactly why he had to stay. "I'd love to."

I hope you guys are liking this so far...