Strawberries and Cigarettes | jikook ✓

love

when your tears roll down your pillow like a river, i'll be there for you.

"Jungkook you idiot pick up," Hoseok frantically spoke to himself with each ring going. "Fuck." He was almost about to end the call when Jungkook picked up.

"What?" Jungkook questioned with zero interest. He sounded like he was almost done with everything. Hoseok let out a shaky breath before responding.

"Jimin's in trouble. I think Daehoon's behind him. He called me a while back saying someone's following-"

"Where is he?" Jungkook asked, leaving everything and running out the door and down the stairs two at a time. "Where is he hyung?"

"2nd Hwayong street, opposite Severence. I'm driving there as fast as I can but I live far please make it there soon."

"Fuck I'll kill him. I'll kill him if he touched Jimin I swear." Jungkook muttered as he ran towards Severence hospital. "Thanks for telling me hyung. I- I-"

"Go. Get to him. I'll be there soon." Hoseok smiled as he cut the call, speeding through the streets.

Jungkook's heart was beating rapidly as he bounded towards the location, not even bothering to wait for the signal to cross the road. He whispered prayers under his breath, prayers for Jimin to be safe until he arrived, prayers that he shouldn't be too late. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself if anything happened to the innocent boy.

"Look at me," Daehoon commanded, holding Jimin's chin and snapping his neck up to meet his eyes. Daehoon was expecting to see tears, maybe even fear. But all he found in those pools of chocolate was absolute fierceness. "Are you afraid my sweet?" Daehoon asked smiling.

Jimin didn't know what had gotten into him but there was this newfound confidence in him that he had never felt before. He shook off Daehoon's hand from his mouth, gasping for breath. "Afraid for you, yes. And who said I'm your sweet?"

Daehoon's smile cracked and he pressed Jimin against the wall, hand returning to his mouth only this time harder. Jimin struggled to breath. "Don't act oversmart little one, I will crush you right here."

Jimin shivered in disgust when he felt Daehoon's breath against his neck and bit the boy's hand. Daehoon jumped back, cradling his hand and Jimin started running. "Help m-" He started yelling but found himself back in Daehoon's death grip, voice being silenced. "Let go," he muttered as he shook trying to escape.

"That was a bad thing to do," Daehoon smirked leaning closer. "Especially when you have no power against me." Jimin felt a hand come in contact with his face with a force that sent him falling on the ground. His right cheek stung with the impact and tears welled up his eyes but he held them back, breathing heavily. "Poor baby," Daehoon spoke, inching closer. "Want me to kiss the pain away?"

"Fuck off," Jimin muttered, staying on the ground, not bothering to look at the man standing above him. Daehoon cracked his neck as he lifted a foot off the ground and pressed it against Jimin's waist, almost threatening him.

"Care to repeat that?" He looked crazy, he was mad. Jimin knew he would get it yet he repeated.

"I said fuck off," Jimin spoke with the energy he had left. "What are you deaf?" The wind got knocked out of his lungs when he felt a boot come in contact with his stomach in a violent kick. Jimin heaved, yelping and curling into himself as pain spread through every bit of his body.

Jimin heard footsteps before he saw Daehoon being slammed against the wall, punch after punch hitting the boy to the point his nose bled. Jimin squinted his eyes as he took in the familiar frame towering over him.

"Jungkook," he whispered so soft no one heard him. Jimin squeezed his eyes shut when he heard Daehoon drop to the ground with another hit. The boy was laughing even in such a state. Jungkook kicked him once, just like he had done to Jimin. Daehoon coughed up blood and Jimin shivered. "Jungkook stop," Jimin called out as he watched the boy lean his foot back for another kick. "Jungkookie stop!"

Jungkook stopped but bent down to Daehoon's level and leaned towards his ear. "I know your hideout. Once the police find your heaps of drugs you'll be rotting in jail forever." Daehoon's eyes widened the slightest bit. No one knew about his hideout. How had Jungkook managed to find out. He would be in deep shit once the police reached him. "I told you not to take his name out of your mouth and this is what you did?" Jungkook chuckled, forcing Daehoon to look at him. "Be grateful I didn't kill you. That boy you hit just saved your life."

Jungkook knelt in front of Jimin, brushing his knuckles along the purple bruise on Jimin's cheek before carrying the latter bridal style. Jimin whimpered due to the pain in his stomach as he wrapped his arms around Jungkook's neck. He felt something warm drop onto his cheek and looked up to find Jungkook smiling at him, tears in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry," Jungkook whispered. "I should have stayed by your side. I could have prevented this from happening. I'll forever carry the burden for these bruises on you."

Jimin smiled, resting his head against Jungkook's chest as the latter walked them towards Hoseok's car. "Taehyung told me everything a few days back," Jimin spoke against his chest. "I don't blame either of you. You were both just looking out for me. How could I hate two people I love? I'm just glad you came back."

Hoseok's eyes widened when he saw the state Jimin was in but he didn't say anything. The three boys stared as police cars stopped in front of the alleyway, officers running into the alley with guns in their hands. Jungkook stepped into the back seat, holding Jimin close to his chest throughout.

"Jimin," the youngest spoke, causing Jimin to look up at him with sparkling orbs. "I love you." He leaned forward to place gentle kisses on Jimin's forehead, eyes and cheek. "I'll never leave again, I promise." Jimin closed his eyes, smile gracing his face as he listened to Jungkook's heartbeat. He had his anchor back. And Jungkook had his purpose back.

Hoseok smiled as he watched the two through the rear view mirror. He fished out his phone from the dashboard, leaving a message for Yoongi.

Jungkook got him. I'm heading to Jin hyung's house. See you there.

a/n : bringing back cheese since yall have suffered enough uwu