Lost and Found (Jirose)

Return Flight

Jimin awoke with a start, breaking out in cold sweat.

He fell back on the pillows in relief once he remembered where he was: the villa in Jeju with the other boys.

he was running, running, running

Jimin slid out of bed, the other sole occupant being Hobi, and sneaked into the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face.

his hands were splattered with red

Jimin scrubbed at his hands, reassuring himself that the water running between his fingers flowed crystal clear.

that man in the bar

Jimin rested his hands on the edge of the porcelain basin, droplets of water dripping off his nose and chin.

he was watching him together with a familiar blurred face

Jimin closed his eyes tight, grasping unto the rapidly dissipating image, desperately trying to decipher its identity.

that face...

Jimin focused harder but it was no use--like a flutter of a butterfly's wings, the face was gone.

brother, is that you?

Jimin shuffled to the fridge, startled to find Jin with his head on the kitchen island, apparently sound asleep.

But just as Jimin passed him, Jin raised his head. "Jiminie?"

"Sorry hyung. Did I wake you?"

"Just dozed off. Can't sleep?"

"Gonna get some water," Jimin mumbled, pouring himself a glass. He watched Jin sit up and check his phone then sigh when the screen flashed the time.

"What's up?"

Jin shook his head. "Nothing. It's just still too early."

"Too early for...?"

"Jisoo," Jin said plaintively.

Jimin suppressed a smile. "You really can't go a few hours without her?"

"I just..." Jin sighed. "Don't you feel like that about Chaeyoung? I know Yoongi misses Jennie too."

"I..." Jimin paused. He couldn't say he missed her to the point of not being able to sleep. However, now that he was fully awake, he couldn't wait to see her again.

"I...we haven't reached that stage yet," Jimin scratched his neck then smiled at his hyung. "But I think it's sweet, you being so devoted you miss her this bad."

"Not ideal for my body though, it needs its beauty rest." Jin chuckled, leaning on his arms. "Speaking of Chaeyoung, how did your little alone time go?"

"Oh it's great...great..."

Although it was dark, Jin didn't need to see Jimin's face to notice his despondent mood.

"You okay, Chim? You can always talk to your hyung about anything, you know."

Jimin fidgeted. "It's just...I tell her I love her...but she still doesn't seem ready to say it back. I really don't want to push her: I know she cares a great deal about me. But..."

"But...?" Jin encouraged.

"I...what if...what if she's still doubting me? You saw what happened this afternoon. What if she starts having second thoughts? What if more bad things surface about my past?" He remembered his dream, shivering. "Then there's that affair with her mother too--"

"The arranged marriage?"

"Yeah...I don't know if I'm strong enough to oppose her mother..." Jimin's shoulders slumped. "I just don't want to lose Chaeyoung, she's important to me..."