Run into Sin | Jikook

Part 21

It hits Jeongguk later, when he's sitting in his lecture.

The morning had been pleasant. He had gotten up to Jimin cooking breakfast, an enticing aroma wafting through the apartment as they sat at the kitchen island and ate together. Neither of them contributed to a conversation but there was lingering stares and softened smiles directed towards each other.

When Jeongguk had left to go classes, he had found his heart fluttering against his rib cage and his mind racing with flashing images of Jimin's crinkled eye smile. A sensation he had never experienced before, not towards anyone else.

It's only when he's sitting in a mind numbing lectures, the words going right over his head when he realises: he hasn't fucked anyone else. Not really.

In the past four weeks he's been seeing Jimin as his fellow porn star, he's only slept with one other person on one occasion. It's a shocking revelation, for someone who readily immerses himself amongst other human beings and he jolts in his seat at the realisation.

Taehyung, who had snuck into the lesson to give him company, notices the sudden movement. He twists his torso over to observe him better, raising a questioning brow.

"You alright? Got shivers, or something?"

"When's the last time I slept with someone?" He blurts out.

Taehyung furrows his brows, thrown off guard with the blunt question. He lowers the phone in his hand, taking a moment to scan across the lecture hall to ensure no one's eavesdropping.

"I don't know. Last night?"

"Besides Jimin."

"Uh... I don't remember," he says honest, oblivious to Jeongguk's current turmoil. "Probably at the party we went to, awhile ago. Why? What's wrong?"

"Isn't that weird?"

Taehyung pauses. "I don't know. Is it?"

The question is directed back at him with a frown, seriousness settling into Taehyung's features like he's beginning to come to terms with the weight of the situation. It's not Jeongguk just finding a reason to distract them from lecture, it's not just a chance for him to boast about his fucks—he's seriously contemplating deeply.

"Should we go out tonight? I wanna get laid."

He guffaws. "No, man. I have a date night with Yoongi hyung," he rejects sorrowfully. Taehyung seems to have a thoughtful expression fixed over him before he reaches over, clasping a hand on Jeongguk's shoulder. "You've been busy, yeah? Don't think too hard about it. Believe it or not, you won't drop because you're not sleeping with people. Trust me."

Jeongguk snorts, shaking his head a little. Taehyung doesn't have a clue of what's really spinning in his mind, what he's really dwelling on. But he's still trying his hardest, enforcing what he thinks the problem is and trying to help in any way he can.

Jeongguk admires his best friend. He shoots Taehyung a grateful smile, nodding.

"But we gotta go out, get laid soon."

"Did you forget I have a boyfriend?" He retorts. "I mean, I'll come and act as your wingman but leave me be."

"Must be boring. Having a boyfriend."

All his life, thoughts of having a commitment felt like the plague. Being tied down to one person after feeling suffocated and trapped by his family was a frightening thought. When Jeongguk had finally gained independence over his own actions, the freedom to do as he pleased—he had ran a mile with it. He had grown desensitised to drugs, accustomed to the party scene and indulging in people. He had adapted the numbing feeling of the emptiness of his heart ripped open.