The Story of Us | Jikook/Kookmin

34 | The Aftermath

Jimin POV.

Foreseeably, the morning looms the consequences of the incident. 

We expected it to grow big and stir up the nation, which is why we detached ourselves from any form of communication, spending the night together and avoiding the aftermath of the kiss. Sooner or later though, we had to wake up and face the dooming reality.

No matter how much I readied myself to own my actions, I can't help the retching feeling blooming in my stomach in anxiety when my eyes catch the news channel running news on Jungkook and myself in the corner of the hotel lobby where we're having breakfast. 

It becomes hard to swallow when a clip runs of me uniting my lips with Jungkook's, soon after which the curtain closes, leaving the silent image of the reporter speaking. The same news rolls in the TV in our hotel room, the same clip published in countless YouTube channels, and I'm not even touching on the social media exploding with news about us.

We're trending on Twitter. It's been hours since the incident and we still own five hashtags on the top ten Worldwide Trends. 

As I bite my lips anxiously and listen to the commentary of the ladies in the morning celebrity program on our hotel room couch, Jungkook walks inside mumbling goodbye to someone on the phone, soon after throwing his phone on the bed and sighing loudly while flopping his weight next to me on the couch.

I lower the volume of the TV, worriedly staring at him. 

- Everything okay?

He turns his head around lazily, a meaningful smile on his lips. He doesn't reply immediately, rather nods and continues staring at me. 

- Are you sure? -I ask with a little voice, caught up in a cycle of endless thoughts and concerns. 

Upon that he approximates himself to me and wraps his arms around my waist, resting his head on my shoulder after pecking it softly. My already fast heartbeats pick up on their pace even more, and to seek comfort I tangle my arms with his, snuggling in his direction while going back to eyeing the TV. We have to talk, he obviously received some news...

- Do you think we'll be safe in Seoul, hyung? -Jungkook asks suddenly. 

I gulp. 

- I don't know... We're kind of the main focus of the news right now. We might get... mobbed or something. -I try to be as realistic as I can. -But if they want a show, I can kiss you again, right?

That makes him laugh, his head coming up to look into my eyes. 

- You'd do that again?

I smile, feeling a little shy. Since last night I'm a little wary around him. Every time he looks closely at me like this I remember our intimate moments and... um, I just... It's impossible not to blush. It was sweet and beautiful and he was... he was so loving towards me...

- Yeah. -I breathe out, switching between his orbs. 

He laughs quietly, his gaze a little more meaningful, like he is really trying to figure me out. I give him the opportunity to read me up close, because I am telling him the truth - I would own us, no matter what. I know better than letting my worries destroy our lives again. 

- I don't regret anything. -I say with a spark of spontaneous bravery. -I'd do it again if I had to.

- Feels good to hear that. -He smiles, hands caressing my waist. We take a moment to exist in each other's silence, until he decides to break it and finally tell me the news. Maybe he wanted to make sure I was mentally strong before revealing it to me. -Jung-Hyun hyung called.