reset ; ym

Exactly eight weeks and a few hours later

What hurt the most was the never-ending loneliness. Jimin wasn't sure if he would ever get used to it; he had to, it was inevitable, but he hated the itchy feeling on his skin and the restlessness of his legs. Some days, it felt like he was falling into a never-ending hole, pitch-black darkness, and he was scared to reach the bottom, and some days, it made him cry without a pause, until his throat was sore and his eyes were too tired.

Being so dependent on other people's company was truly scary. It made Jimin think; had he always been like that? Was it annoying? Was it one of the reasons why Yoongi fell out of love with him?

Taehyung's call came like a salvation.

Especially now after the incident at Yoongi's apartment, after seeing the girl, Jimin needed his friends more than ever.

"Oh my God, you look like you haven't slept in ages," Taehyung greeted him, "Not that you look any different than usual."

"Thanks." Jimin kicked his shoes off, then marched right over to the couch where he lay down. Taehyung worriedly looked at him, tilting his head to one side. "I'm making you tea, alright?"

Jimin couldn't do more than hum in agreement. Maybe he was being dramatic with the way he flipped his arm over his eyes and groaned, but at the moment, that was the best way to express his feelings. Only when Taehyung sat down on the floor in front of him and set a cup of steaming hot tea on the table did he look up.

"What's going on?"

Jimin stared at the ceiling. Everything, his mind sighed.

"What would you do if you saw your ex with someone else?"

He wasn't sure if he could tell Taehyung the whole story just yet; the younger would definitely freak out and then go on a rampage to kill Yoongi.

Taehyung hummed and shrugged. "I wouldn't mind a lot, I think. Not anymore."

"Not one bit?" It seemed so unrealistic to Jimin; why was he hurting so much when it was so easy to others?

Taehyung shook his head. "Shortly after the breakup, yeah, sure, probably. I wouldn't act on it, though. It's none of my business anymore, you know?" He tilted his head again so his and Jimin's were aligned. "Why're you asking, Chim?"

Jimin rolled his head back to the center to stare at the ceiling again. He felt Taehyung's eyes on him, and the next moment, his friend got up, sat down next to his head and lifted it on his lap. He  carded his fingers through Jimin's hair, massaging his scalp. Jimin's eyes fluttered shut.

"You can tell me, okay?" Taehyung said quietly, "I hope you know that."

And he did. But it was so hard when all he wanted was for Taehyung to hold him and comfort him and not go off and yell at Yoongi, because in the end, Jimin knew that it was his own fault for kissing Yoongi back.

"Please," he started, slowly, "Promise me you won't be mad." He swallowed, saw Taehyung's eyes narrow in suspicion, and then added, "Neither at me nor at Yoongi."

He could see the way Taehyung's jaw worked, how it clenched, and heard him inhale a sharp breath. "Alright. Now, what's going on with you?"

Jimin sighed, closed his eyes. "A few days back, Yoongi and I... we kissed."

When Taehyung's hand stilled in Jimin's hair, it felt like a cold breeze washed over him. He didn't even have to catch a look at his friend's face to know what expression he had.

"Jimin," he said, "What—"

"I told you not to be mad," Jimin interrupted quickly, "Let me explain."