REMNANTS | JIKOOK ✔

Chapter 7. Fresh Air

Jungkook was acutely aware of Jimin watching him as he tied a protective cloth around his neck. The danachi was sitting on his knees in the center of Jungkook's bed, the sheets twisted around his nearly naked form. Only a dangerously baggy tshirt covered his torso. It slipped far down one shoulder to reveal half his chest. Jimin's hair was messy as usual, fluffing up around his forehead and cheeks to resemble liquid silver. He was resting his hands on his thighs and every so often, would open his mouth and exhale a little gasp before abruptly shutting it again.

It had been a hazy two or three days since Jungkook had unlocked the cuff around Jimin's wrist-the cuff he wasn't even sure could really restrain the danachi. He had been terrified of it- the prospect of actually touching Jimin, sliding into him. But when it happened it was less like surrender than he had expected. The danachi had needed something and Jungkook couldn't, in the end, deny him.

It had been great too. Jungkook couldn't deny that. He had found himself returning to his room earlier and earlier in the nights since, no longer dreading seeing Jimin. He hadn't had much sleep in the past three days, instead he lay in a contented, drowsy sprawl, watching as Jimin painted pictures in the air above them with light. Somehow, he still felt more energized than he had in a long time.

His cabin was comfortable and warm with Jimin in it and the small space was filled with Jimin's laughter or his moans. Jungkook wondered how he had ever lived there without those sounds.

On the bed, Jimin let out a little sigh.

Eventually Jungkook turned to him with a slight grin on his face. "Is there something you want to say, Jimin?"

Again Jimin opened his mouth to talk, only to hesitate. He wrinkled his nose, twisting his mouth to one side.

Jungkook waited. "Well?"

"It's just..." Jimin twisted his hands in his lap, playing with the hem of Jungkook's tshirt he wore. His fidgeting dragged it dangerously high, allowing Jungkook to confirm that the top was the only piece of clothing the danachi had put on that morning.

"Just what?"

There was a pause, then Jimin blurted, "Can I come out on the base?"

Jungkook jerked, surprised. "What?"

"I want to go outside!" Jimin declared. "I want some fresh air. I want to see the sky!" He paused before adding, "And well... it's boring in here all the time. I mean, no offense, but you know, I'm going a little nuts in here."

Jungkook flushed. In making Jimin stay inside, he'd been trying to make sure Jimin was isolated from the other men on the base. It hadn't occurred to him that Jimin might be getting cabin fever. He scratched his ear.

"Ah- sorry, I guess," he said lamely. "I didn't really think about that. I guess- I mean, I guess it might be okay. I just-"

"You're worried about me," Jimin supplied, smiling.

Jungkook felt himself flush again. "No- Sort of."

Jimin tilted his head to one side, smiling widely. When Jungkook had seen him make a similar expression, when Jimin had first been presented to him in the desert, it had been disarming. Now it made his stomach flood with a soft warmth.

"You don't get it," he said, hurrying to elaborate. "I mean, sure, I'm not saying the guys here are animals or anything but they haven't exactly had any company for a long time. Male or female. And you know, you're kind of irresistible."

Jimin raised one eyebrow but didn't say anything.

Jungkook hurried on. "I just don't think it's safe," he finished, lamely, suddenly ashamed of having kept Jimin cooped up. "I mean, it's not like you're my prisoner or something it's just..."