Tables Turned | JH

Chapter 33: Take Care

"Do I have any appointments today, Cho?" Jimin speaks up softly as we all sit at the dining table in her room the next morning. I'd gotten up a little early today just so that I could make breakfast for the three of us. We hardly ended up doing much yesterday except for moving our bundle of us three into Cho's room and going to bed.

"No, Jiminie. We're gonna stop producing for a few days. I don't care what my father says, we aren't producing today or for the next few. Besides, Hope and I still need those bullet wounds to heal and I don't want to leave you home alone right now. I can't imagine you'd like that very much right now." Choyeon answers, her voice a mere whisper.

"Baby, you need to eat the food. Not just play around with it using your chopsticks. Same goes for you, Jiminie." I tell them both with a gentle tone. Jimin sighs, stabbing his food once more before finally taking a bite of it. However, Cho just looks up at me with wide eyes, whimpering quietly with a sweet pout. Giving her the tiniest of smiles, I get up out of my seat and go over beside her. Kneeling down next to her, I pull her into a tight hug as she begins crying again. I glance over at the younger boy on the other side of the table, a saddened look on his face when he chances a look at the two of us.

"You know, Cho. Jinnie always thought you were the strongest person he'd ever known. With everything you've gone through and fought through and seen. He always said that you were a person who could get through anything. He looked up to you even though you're younger." Jimin speaks up softly. Cho's hold around my waist tightens at his words, crying even harder at his words as she clings to me. I finally just end up picking her up, causing her to quickly adjust her hold on me as she reaches up around my neck with her arms and wrapping her legs around my waist tightly. I then sit down in her seat with her now resting in my lap as she continues crying.

"He was wrong though. He was so wrong. I'm not strong. Not at all. I'm not a person to look up to. I'm someone to look down on, someone who's fucking weak and pathetic." Cho mumbles when her crying finally begins to die down. I hush her softly, still rubbing her back and running fingers through her hair, kissing the top of her head occasionally.

"Shhh. No you're not, baby. You're not weak and you're the last person anyone should be looking down on. That'd be a mistake. You're the strongest person I know, Choyeon. You and Jiminie both are the strongest people I've ever met. I've known people who think they're all big and bad and tougher than shit. You two are the real deal. You two are the strongest people I've ever known, baby. Please don't doubt yourself like that." I respond gently, glancing over at Jimin to find tears in his own eyes. Though, my attention is quickly brought back to the beautiful crying figure in my arms as she lifts her head up to look at me with wide watery eyes and tear stained cheeks, lips forming a soft pout.

"You really think so?" She whimpers softly, eyes flickering between my own for any signs that I might be lying. I give her a small smile though, pressing my lips to her soft ones instead of answering immediately.

"I promise." I whisper as I pull away, brushing her hair out of her face. She hums softly but doesn't respond, resting her head against my chest instead.

"Now, come on. I'll feed you, baby, but you gotta eat." I remind her as I pick up the chopsticks. She merely nods her head, clearly tired from crying once again. Jimin eats with her, occasionally glancing up at us from his own food while I feed Cho. The rest of breakfast is silent, a little heavy but comfortable enough as the two finish up their food.

"Why don't you go lay down for a bit, yeah? Rest up." I tell Choyeon when she finally finishes eating, kissing her forehead gently. She merely nods once more as she seemingly reluctantly gets up off my lap to go over to the bed.

"If you go upstairs, Hope, there's a balcony so that you smoke if you need." Choyeon informs me before finishing her small trek to the bed. I don't respond, simply getting up and grabbing both empty bowls as Jimin finishes eating as well.

"Thank you for making us breakfast and kind of taking care of us." Jimin whispers softly before I step away from the table. I just give him a smile.

"Of course, Jiminie. I'm always more than happy to help and take care of the two of you." I say gently before heading over to the kitchen to clean the dishes. I let my food end up cold as I clean everything up, not wanting to leave a mess behind me before going up to the balcony. I figure I'll end up smoking eventually while up there, but for the time being I just need some space and fresh air to ease my mind and clear my head.

Walking back over to the table as I finish up cleaning, I grab my bowl and chopsticks before heading for the stairs. Neither of them say a word as I disappear up them, though I feel Jimin's eyes on me from the sofas as I go up. It doesn't take long for me to find the balcony, running a hand through my hair as I look down at the now cold food in the bowl before looking out at the scenery before me.

I have to make a decision. I can't keep staying here and going through all of this with them if I plan to turn them in. I either have to come up with a plan so that I can bring this to a close or I'll be stuck with Jimin and Cho for as long as I can possibly hope for. I can't do both.