Smoke Song

Trapped

"I've already let go of you."

Jungkook stared at Taehyung, tears blurring his view. He'd tried screaming and crying. He'd tried whispering. He'd tried speaking normally. The words wouldn't come out. Why couldn't Taehyung understand him?

"You don't have to come back," Taehyung said coldly. "We've already let you go. We don't need you."

Jungkook tried to step closer, but Taehyung stepped away, already turning to leave.

"Go on," he said, "You have Soomin, don't you?"

At that exact moment, hands wrapped around Jungkook's neck, and he choked, struggling to tear them away, but he couldn't escape.

There was no escape.

Jungkook sat up in bed, gasping, and felt Soomin slide his arms around his waist, humming sleepily.

"You're safe, baby," he said, and Jungkook felt a rush of anger and disgust fill him. He wanted to throw up. Why was Soomin treating him this way? He didn't want it. He'd never returned it.

"You're safe," Soomin repeated. "Come on, go back to sleep. You'll be alright.

Jungkook shook his head, chest heaving, and pulled away, throwing the blankets off.

"Where are you going?"

Jungkook grabbed the marker and scribbled gym as fast as he could, then dropped the board beside Soomin and ran. Through the courtyard, through the hallways, through the door into the gym. He stumbled to a stop, frowning when he saw someone already inside, then disregarded them, walking to the treadmill. He needed to run it off. To escape the thoughts in his head. He started it up, turning up the speed until running was all he could think about. Closing his eyes, he ran, not even sure how long he did it.

Eventually, the treadmill began to slow down, and Jungkook opened his eyes, flinching as he came face to face with Jimin.

Jimin stopped the treadmill, then stepped onto it with Jungkook, frowning at him. "You'll hurt yourself, pushing the limits like that," he said.

Jungkook looked him over, matching his frown. Jimin was drenched in sweat, hair sticking to his forehead and flipped over where he'd messed with it. When Jungkook didn't even try to respond, Jimin flicked his forehead.

"I'm trying to learn to read lips, but it doesn't work if you don't speak."

Jungkook chuckled, shaking his head. "You wouldn't understand," he mouthed.

"So what?" Jimin said. "Let me at least try."

Jungkook paused, tipping his head at Jimin. Since when had the older man been this kind? He'd always hung around Taehyung, ignoring Jungkook or sighing in annoyance when he saw him. But after the rescue, he'd slowly started warming up, started worrying about him. What was going on?

"Tae loves you a lot," Jimin said softly.

Jungkook snorted, turning away, and Jimin grabbed his arm, turning him back.

"I mean it. He keeps talking about letting you go so you can live your life. He's selfless, really." Jimin laughed sadly. "He just wants you to be happy."

Jungkook took a deep breath, sighing heavily. "Then why doesn't he come here?" he mouthed.

"...wait, you aren't-- but you-- Soomin--"

"I don't know what Soomin's doing," Jungkook mouthed, biting his lip. "It makes me sick. I just want to go home."

Jimin reached out, cupping Jungkook's face in one hand. "And where is home?" he asked softly.

Jungkook didn't even hesitate.

"With Taehyung."