Flaw in the System

16

"Can I talk to you?" Jin softly asked as Jae was making dinner. Jin had been avoiding everyone that he just kept to himself in his bedroom. His locked door was always shut unless he needed to go bathroom.

"Depends." She says as she cuts the carrots, not even bothering to look back at him.

"About the other day..." His house slippers shuffle across the tile, trying to find a better position.

"Go on." She hummed and it reminded him of when he was younger and would confess to his mother about something he did wrong and she already knew.

"I didn't mean what I said. I didn't know what came over me, I was already a bit cranky and I'm really sorry. Your time here doesn't have to do with how well you love our boyfriend.. And.. Thank you for cheering up Jimin." He spoke clearly, not wanting to stumble over any words and make it an sincere as possible.

She left him in silence as she lifted the cutting board and emptied the contents into the wok. She worked the stir fry around in the pan and took her time seasoning it. The nervousness was building in Jin's chest as his stomach filled with guilt. She wanted it to, she kept silence to send him into a panic.

"Ja-"

"You're forgiven." She cuts him off, lips twitching that he didn't last long. She turned and walked towards him with a slight smile. She ruffled his hair and booped his nose.

"I understand what you said, and part of it is true. But, if you ever leave one of our loves to suffer like that, you better count on me to hurt you." She threatened looking at him in the eyes, "You love all us, take care of us all. Don't send any of us away when we're sad. You know much damage that does to them." She scolded and Jin felt ashamed.

"Make sure you say sorry to Jimin." She gave him a pointed look before going back to her cooking.

"I will." He nods and she smiled.

Jin knew he was in trouble but that didn't stop the small twinge of pride in his chest as he got scolded. He loved that she cared. He loved that she made sure he was happy. He loves her.

-

"Dude, you look fucked up." Tae comments as Namjoon had finally made an appearance. They rarely saw him this last week, Hobi spotted him once as he went to the kitchen at 6 am to hoard food into his room so he can eat and work.

"I did it." He rasped and Jae handed him water.

"Drink before you start talking. How much water did you drink? You're so skinny, oh my poor baby." She pouted and the back of her hand patted his stubbled cheeks. He leaned into her warmth and she smiled, pecking his cheek and urged him to drink.

"What did you make this time?" Yoongi asked, stuffing some rice into his mouth, followed by the stir fry.

"Paint." Namjoon answered between sips.

"Paint." Jimin deadpans, "A whole week... for paint?"

"Not any paint. Clear paint to the eye."

"Oh my god." Jimin groans and Jin pats Namjoon's leg.

"Babe, we'd appreciate some explanations and not vague answers." He says softly and Namjoon nods and rubs his eyes.

"It clear plaint but has thousands and millions of little microchips. We can paint it over our license plate, anything digital that captures images won't see it. It'll just be static!" He excitedly explains and Jae's eyes widen.

"Y-you can make that? That's so smart! That'd be really helpful too." She praises him and he nods, followed by a yawn and a few bites of food.

"And... I'm really sorry I snapped at you guys." Namjoon looks at Jae and Jimin with an apologetic face.

"It was our fault, Hyungie." Jimin spoke up for the both of them and Namjoon gave them another sad smile and continued to eat.

"Why don't the three of you spend the night together, hm?" Jin suggests and Namjoon looks doubtful that they will.

"Oh, Okay. I can do that." Jae nods and looks at Jimin who nods back.

Namjoon smiled happily and for once in a while, everyone seemed content.

-

"Jimin! Your not- stop it. I swear to God." Jae had her foot out trying to space him away from her and Namjoon. Namjoon was sat on the toilet as Jae tried to carefully shave his face, but Jimin decided that this would be a good time to try and play with the couple.

"Okay, okay. Fine. But, you have to play later." Jimin says and Jae rolls her eyes but nods.

"Alright." She agrees and angles Namjoon's chin up as she carefully shaved along the curve.

"Are you okay?" He softly asks as she rinsed off the razor.

"Yeah...?" She guessed, not knowing what he was referring to.

".. I pushed you against the wall pretty hard, Jae." His voice small and ashamed, his knee shook and his index finger repeated felt every woven thread in his pants.

"I'm okay, Namjoon." She softly said as she wiped his face with a face towel, cleaning left off shaving foam off. The back of her knuck smoothed over his cheek as she inspected for any missed out facial hair.

He took this time to look up and carefully inspect her face. His eyes traced her features and he found his arms reaching behind her and enclosing her in his arms. He buried his face in her shoulder not caring for the hair that poked his face uncomfortably. She sighed, hugging him back, one hand running her finger through his hair from his nape upwards.

"I'm okay, Namjoon. You didn't hurt me, love." She comforted him and he just held her close as the guilt took its course and he sniffled.

"I always hurt someone."He says, muffled by her sweater but she understood.

"You didn't hurt us." She repeats and leans to gently kiss on top of his head, ignoring that his hair was still wet from his shower.

"I swear, I don't mean to! It just happens and I can't handle it, I can't control it!" He babbled into her shoulder and she closed her eyes, letting him speak his mind. She patted his back as he went on about how he gets violent and in his head, he knows it's wrong. But, he can't stop himself. It's like someone's controlling him. He feels paranoid and annoyed if he's away from what he's trying to do and he just- he can't do anything about it.

"Namjoon-ah it's okay, you don't have to explain." She whispered and he shook his head.

"No, I have to explain- I have to."

"Why?"

"Because... Because, if I don't explain, why would the mistake be okay?" He asked and she holds his hand.

"No matter what mistake you make, I'm going to love you." She softly said and cupped Namjoon's face so he could look at her.

"I'm not going to stop loving you." She said again, her words a little more stern so he got it in his head.

"Why?" He whispered, searching her eyes and only finding affection he rarely got.

"That's what happens when you love someone. And I love you."