Winter In My Heart (Jikook/Kookmin)

18

"Jungkook, how do you feel about going home?"

Mingyu’s question hung in the air as they stood at the entrance of Jeon's family mansion, the weight of old memories pressing down on them.

"It hurts," Jungkook admitted softly, his eyes distant. "Too many memories with him."

A sudden knock shattered the quiet moment.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound was sharp, echoing through the room.

"Who could that be?" Mingyu frowned, walking over to the door.

"I don't know," Jungkook muttered, following his friend’s tense movements.

Mingyu opened the door, and his breath caught in his throat. Standing before him was Jimin, but not as he had ever seen him before. His hair was disheveled, clothes torn, and there was a smear of blood on his trembling lips. The most startling sight was the bruising on Jimin's neck. Mingyu’s mind raced—was it a hickey?

"C-Cutie? W-what...?" Mingyu’s voice wavered as he spoke.

Jimin’s eyes filled with tears, and before he could respond, his legs gave out beneath him. He collapsed onto the floor, his whole body shaking uncontrollably.

"Cutie..." Mingyu dropped to his knees beside him, quickly pulling him into his arms, the concern in his voice breaking through his shock.

Jungkook, watching in disbelief, felt his heart drop.

Without hesitation, Mingyu glanced up at him. "Jungkook, get the first aid kit."

Jungkook didn’t wait for another word, rushing to the kitchen in search of the kit. When he returned, he placed it beside Mingyu, who was already trying to comfort the trembling man in his arms.

"Cutie..." Mingyu gently cupped Jimin’s cheeks, brushing his fingers against his tear-streaked face. "What happened to you?"

Jimin only shook his head, the words trapped in his throat, tears still streaming down his cheeks. He had come here, to Mingyu's hotel room, not knowing where else to go, lost and broken.

"Thanks, Jungkook," Mingyu whispered, taking the first aid kit and tending to the cuts on Jimin’s lips with tender care. As he worked, his hands brushed softly over Jimin’s reddened cheeks, soothing him as much as he could.

Jungkook watched in silence, eyes locked on Jimin's fragile form. His heart ached at the sight of the man Mingyu had called "Cutie." There was something about Jimin, something that made Jungkook’s chest tighten in a way he couldn’t explain.

"What happened? Please, tell me," Mingyu urged, his voice gentle but filled with concern.

Jimin’s sobs grew louder, but still, he said nothing.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Mingyu tried again, his tone patient.

Jimin shook his head, avoiding Jungkook’s gaze. If it had just been Mingyu in the room, maybe he would have opened up. But with a stranger here, he couldn't. He wasn’t ready to share the pain he carried with someone he didn’t know.

Mingyu nodded, understanding Jimin's hesitation. He wouldn’t push, not now. Jimin was in too fragile a state.

"It's okay," Mingyu whispered, wrapping his arms around Jimin’s small frame. "You're safe now. I’m here. Nothing’s going to happen to you. I won’t let anything hurt you."

Those words... they triggered something in Jimin, a deep wound from his past. They echoed words his brother had once spoken to him long ago. The flood of memories overwhelmed him, and Jimin broke down once more, burying his face in Mingyu’s chest.

"Cutie..." Mingyu whispered, pulling him closer, trying to shield him from whatever torment haunted him.

"Please," Jimin whimpered through his tears, his voice broken. "Don’t promise me anything... it hurts too much."

Mingyu froze, not fully understanding what Jimin meant. But he could feel it—Jimin had been hurt, deeply. By what or whom, he didn’t know. All he could do was hold him, his hands gently rubbing circles on Jimin’s back, hoping his presence would bring some comfort.

Jungkook, watching from the sidelines, felt his own chest tighten. Tears slipped down his face without him even realizing. Something about Jimin’s pain resonated with him in a way he couldn’t explain.