Bridge to Paradise // pjm + myg

;; 02

02 ;; PJM

If every star is someone else staring up at the sky,
does that mean they're looking for me,
waiting to guide me home?

The cold nips at Jimin's heels like a stray puppy as he briskly walks home, the wind desperately trying to interlace its fingers in his as he dodges cracks in the sidewalk. He softly smiles, not sure if it's at how he seems to naturally step over them or at how he can't help feeling happier ever since he met Yoongi.

Ah, Yoongi. Min Yoongi.

Such a pretty name for an even prettier soul, he muses, although the more timid side of him triggered by his medication jumps forward, instantly quelling any hope to meet again. You can't see him again. You can't do anything you want so long as Koosung has your medicine.

The reality he lives in sinks heavier upon his shoulders, weighing on him more than the daytime falling in the sky, the sun vanishing seemingly with only a few steps across three concrete panels on the sidewalk. Jimin's thoughts are muddled like the concrete was before it settled, although unlike the ash gray material beneath his feet, the words swirling around in his mind are much less constructive and nowhere near strong enough to support the constant stream of people daily.

He just hopes Koosung won't be too angry with him when he returns. Losing track of time was something he did easily after he was given his medication, quite the contrast to when he didn't take it, and even though Koosung remains very aware of that fact, he still tends to jump to conclusions and reach unnecessary levels of anger, setting Jimin on edge constantly. Koosung and Jongin really just mean well, he knows, but by not listening to what he has to say, they unintentionally do more damage than fix the person they almost lost seven months ago.

Sighing softly to himself in trepidation, he braces himself for the piercing loud voice of Koosung to slap him across the cheek as he quietly coerces the door open and shuts it behind him with an almost inaudible click. Jimin calls this place home, but he realizes that he never truly feels comfortable, or at home, here. All of the sharp edges belonging to tables and their kitchen counter are padded with rubber child protective squares; the knives all kept together in a locked drawer with a key Jimin thinks is probably imaginary (because he's never seen it); there's nothing in the bathroom but his pink toothbrush and bubblegum toothpaste. He can't even come close to remembering the last time he wasn't closely monitored, either — someone continuously watches over him, as if they are scared of what he could do, and Jimin doesn't think the two 'gatekeepers' are aware of the power that gives him. By removing anything potentially dangerous, they're running themselves in a trap to give up everything, too.

But he's not going to deny that he isn't afraid of Koosung and Jongin.

"Jimin-ah?"

Jimin freezes in his steps to his room, the plush carpet tickling his feet through his thin gray socks, his favorite ones with tiny foxes on them. Jongin comes into view from the kitchen, licking peanut butter from a spoon with an attentive eye on the younger. "Where were you?"

As Jongin slowly migrates closer to the younger boy, his features morphing to show a cautious expression, Jimin begins to tremble, gradually at first, until his whole body shakes with unwarranted anxiety. The medication calms him slightly, relaxing his muscles so he won't collapse at the other's feet in a pile of unfinished thoughts and nerves, but it's not enough to fully mollify him, as stated in the medicine's side effects. Nothing ever is. "I—I just got some food, hyung. At—at the r-ramen shop near the sci-science building," he manages to squeak out.

Jongin sets his spoon down on the counter, worry flashing in his irises as he takes in Jimin's panicked state. "Hey, Chim, it's alright," he says softly, slowly reaching out to touch his shoulder in comfort, not missing the way Jimin recoils as if he's being held at gunpoint instead of reassured, irises glistening with fear. "Relax, okay? Koosung isn't here, you have nothing to be afraid of."