Monster

9

It's a long time before dinner and Jinyoung is nearly finished with his chores. He has decided on ramen so he doesn't need to start anything early. Without really thinking about it, he heads for the basement, stopping just short of the stairs, a puzzled look on his face. What is he doing? Why was he coming over here? He really doesn't know.

Instead, he goes to Jaebum's study, choosing a book off the shelves. It's dusty in here, only the books that fell when Youngjae knocked them down are clear of it—if he had cleaned them at the same time he had to clean up Youngjae's vomit they wouldn't be, but Jaebum had insisted on putting the books back himself. Changing course yet again, he grabs his duster, raking it over the books and the shelves, sleeve over his mouth to avoid breathing any of it in. Once he's done he surveys the room for anything more to clean.

When he comes up dry, he grabs his book and plops down on the living room couch, he still has a couple hours to kill; it won't hurt anyone if he reads for one or two of them.

Jaebum comes home first, for once, but other than glancing into the living room to see where Jinyoung is, Jaebum doesn't try to greet him retreating to his office like normal. Mark comes back soon after. Strange, since he and Jaebum work in the same company but Jaebum always stays later than he has to and Mark doesn't. Mark too, glances into the living room, and then runs off to his room.

Jackson greets him when he comes home and then goes to change but he comes back out, hanging out on the couch next to Jinyoung, playing on his phone. He doesn't bother Jinyoung for a while wishing Jinyoung had chosen the TV room so he could at least turn something on. But he also knows Jinyoung would never choose the TV room, because he hates how dirty it always is.

"What's for dinner?" Jackson asks, putting his hand on Jinyoungs book so he looks up at him.

"Ramen"

"Sounds good, I'm going to go "lay down" Get me when it's ready, yah?" Jackson winks, smiling when Jinyoung shakes his head, since he knows he will and skips off, leaving Jinyoung alone. He finishes the chapter he is on, and then the next one and the next before he successfully stops himself and stands up to make dinner, a little late. It doesn't take long though so that's good. He makes the ramen mild and the meat really soft so both BamBam and Youngjae can eat it easily and scoops them out into two bowls, taking it down to them first.

BamBam is thrilled about ramen but not about it being mild, although in the long run it will hurt less. Apparently he likes really spicy food, good to know. Youngjae is happy about the meat, he likes how soft it is and that it isn't just broth. Youngjae's smile really does light up the room, Jinyoung can understand why Jiwon wants him so much, enough to take him from his friends.

They are kind of cute, he thinks, smiling a little as he closes the door. Behind the door, he stops, frowning slightly. He doesn't like Jiwon, even if he's only met the guy once. In fact that's why he's only met him once. While Jiwon might be nice to Youngjae, he doesn't even want BamBam. So what will it be like there for him?

He really considers BamBams situation. No solution for him is a good one. He can't go home, he shouldn't go to someone who doesn't want him. He could stay here, then at least Jinyoung could take care of him. The thought feels warm and inviting so Jinyoung squashes it down in his brain. That is not a good thought to have not to mention completely crazy. Jaebum would kill him for even thinking it.

But still, they took you in...He shakes the thought away.

On his way back to the kitchen he gathers the other three Mark especially seems excited for homemade ramen.