In Front Of You - Jikook

-thirty-four-

Jungkook's eyes were empty, almost soulless. After nights of crying, he finally looked at himself in the mirror, his reflection gazing upon him so closely, yet faded. Maybe it was the sleep, or the lack of, as he endlessly replayed the night when everything exploded. Since then, he avoided all human contact, not bothering to look at his phone or his laptop, not even outside his window. But alas, he knew he had to so he dragged his weight back to bed and looked up.

Laying with half-open eyes, his mind wanders once again. The sound of the clock ticking kept him awake, grounding him to reality. This was his pattern for the past few days, think, and think, and think. But one thing he noticed during those nights, he could hear something the same time every night. It sounded like faint thuds on the concrete floor, a trace of footsteps but Jungkook is either too scared or exhausted to see what or who it is.

Tonight seems different for the lonely brunette boy. The moon shone brighter tonight than before, seeping through the feathery curtains flowing from the nightly wind. His window was slightly open, due to a small habit picked up at Jimin's. His mind didn't wander this time, instead following the lights' glimmer from the moon's reflection through the window. On the ceilings were shadowed shapes that appeared from the light. He watched as the curtain moved, the shadow above danced softly, bringing him a tinge of comfort for the first time since he isolated himself.

This wasn't a part of his pattern, he realized this when he sat up from his bed and turned to the window. Slowly moving closer, he pushed the window a bit further open and leaned his head on the panel so he could look at the starry sky. Everything was so bright and natural, Jungkook forgot how beautiful stars are. Such a shame, you can't take a photo of stars so easily with just a phone camera, he noted and smiled, thinking that this was the first he thought of photos since. He remained there, sitting silently as his eyes glimmer with the stars above, not looking so empty anymore.

Although, this peace was soon interrupted by the same noise coming back again. He tensed up in his spot, not knowing whether to stay and look around for curiosity or hide and not let whatever it is to see him. But he chose to remain there, peering closely to the source of the mysterious sound.

It was a shadow, growing as the person jogs towards the house. It looked like a regular jogger, hoodie with some shorts and running shoes, his hood was over his head of course, hiding his identity from the photographer. As he jogs on the sidewalk, Jungkook noticed how he stopped jogging and resorted to a walk. He then stopped in front of the house, making Jungkook even more scared.

'What does he want?' He thought, watching carefully to know what to do next.

The man faced the entrance and walked quietly to the front porch. The photographer's bedroom was on the second floor, not a lot of people can see through the window which Jungkook was incredibly thankful for at this moment. His eyes were glued onto the man and the jogger below raised his hand to knock, but didn't. This made the owner of the house wonder by the hesitation. 'Why isn't he knocking?'

The man started backing up slowly and looked around, checking the front porch and looked up directly to the bedroom window. This surprised Jungkook, making him jump and duck down to hide from the stranger. He waited a few seconds to peer back out and to his horror, the man didn't leave at all. He continued staring at the window from below, not even moving the slightest like he knew he was there. Nervous chills ran down his spine and he prayed so hard that it wasn't Taehyung or some dangerous creep.

However, when the man pulled his hood down, the grey locks shone from the moonlight and there he was, making Jungkook's heart beat faster by the gorgeous sight. The one that caused utmost happiness and pain to him.

Jimin waved sheepishly to him and beckoned him to come down.

---------------------------------------------------------

"I'm sorry, it was too cold outside and I'm tired so I hope you don't mind coming in." Jungkook's voice was soft and shaky, reason unknown whether he was nervous or upset. Jimin carefully observed every movement of the other, taking note of any physical changes or emotions affecting him health-wise but all he could just see through the baggy clothes was his weight loss. "It's okay, I just wanted to see you." He replied, trying to sound reassuring and strong as possible even though deep down, being with the younger affect him so much. The brunette nodded in response and walked to the kitchen "Coffee? Tea?" but Jimin stopped him and asked "When was the last time you ate?"

The question threw off Jungkook and his eyes started tearing up again, he made his voice firmer but failed "Y-Your birthd-day...". There was a pause in the air, then the older male's sigh filled it in, "You need to eat." "No it's okay-" "Jungkook." Jimin's been awfully serious lately, Jungkook missed the old him when all they did was laugh and joke around. But he knew that it was his fault too why things are changing so he just quietly followed whatever Jimin wanted him to do for his sake.

The barista soon rummaged through his fridge and cabinets, taking out eggs and some leftover rice. Without a word, he prepared a meal, his face stone cold and his body tense. The younger didn't like how things are now, it felt like he was losing Jimin and this got his eyes to get even more teary, the tears just about to fall. Because of being overwhelmed, he couldn't take it and closed his eyes to stop himself from crying and hugged Jimin from behind.

The other gasped, the action caught him off guard but he didn't resist. He hated how things are too and he's let his guard down, even if it's just for now. His body relaxed by the touch he's always been familiar with but always excited him. He turned off the heat and turned around, hugging the younger back so tightly, both didn't want to let go. Taking a hold of Jungkook's head, he kissed it multiple times playfully, hearing the photographer giggle in his chest.

God, I miss his giggle. Jimin's thoughts filled with the delightful sound.

They both finally looked at each other, eye to eye, seeing both have tears welling up their eyes by how much they missed each other. "Hey, hey, don't cry now. You're supposed to be cute, not ugly with all your snot and redness." Jimin jokes, making Jungkook burst out in laughter and hitting the other playfully. Jungkook whined "Hyung, you're always so mean!" showing the most adorable pout Jimin has seen. Rolling his eyes, he grabbed a hold of both the adorable one's cheeks and squished them lightly "Now that's my baby."

Smiling in his hands, Jungkook gleefully laughed and took both the hands away "I think you've touched those enough." but Jimin shook his head mischievously "I say when enough's enough and this..." his hands dove instantly to the photographer's tickle spots "...isn't enough!".

Jungkook yelped in surprise and started uncontrollably laughing by the tickle attack. He was helpless under these tickles as Jimin knows every single spot that was weak for him. He tried running away and pushing him but there was no luck until he backed into the couch and completely flipped back along with Jimin. This ended up having them sliding down on the floor and laughing hysterically, the tears in their eyes weren't from painful emotions anymore, only happiness.

"Stop! Please stop! I beg you Jiminie-hyung!" Jungkook yelled between chuckles and the barista eventually stopped, the biggest grin on his face. "I missed you Kookie~" He cooed and ruffled the hair on the younger's head. Jumping up, he pulled the other with him and to the kitchen counter. He took the food from earlier and served him, playfully demanding "Now eat or I'll tickle you again." Jungkook just shook his head and giggled to himself before devouring the delicious plate of omurice.