Stay With Me - A JiKook Love Story

3 - i want to protect you

The ride to Jungkook's place was rather quiet.  He would have wanted to ask Jimin more about himself but Jimin was spacing out, looking tired, sad even.  Thankfully, in less than ten minutes, they were in the driveway of a midrise apartment building.

"We're here, Jimin-ssi." announced Jungkook bringing Jimin back to his senses.  They got out on either side of the taxi and Jimin saw Jungkook going to the back of the car to get his suitcase.

"I'll get this." Jungkook said, taking the carry on bag from Jimin.  "It's okay, you're tired, you can even barely open your eyes." Jungkook added with a kind smile as Jimin started to protest.

They were greeted "Good morning" by the staff at the lobby and Jimin wondered what time and day it was already.  He hasn't adjusted to the time difference yet.  Jungkook nodded his greeting at the people there and went to the elevators, Jimin following him.

Jimin noted that the building has an understated elegance.  It was modest and modern.  The decor and finishes are simple but tasteful.

A 'ding' signaled the opening of the elevator and they got in.  Jungkook pressed 11 and scanned his thumbprint on the reader.  "I'll give you my card for the elevator access.  I always have my thumb anyway." Jungkook said smiling.  Jimin rewarded him with an amused smile even if it was a lame joke

On arrival at the 11th floor, Jimin followed Jungkook to the left wing and in front of unit 8.  Jungkook touched his thumb on the reader below the keypad and opened the door.  "Welcome." he said and proceeded to make Jimin feel like it.  He gave Jimin one of the guest slippers to change into.  And gave a short and fast explanation of the basic things in the unit.

The apartment was moderate in size with two bedrooms.  Upon entering, the shoe cabinet and coat closet was to the right and the kitchen was on the other side.  A four-seater dining table was in the middle of the unit and beyond that, with floor-to-ceiling windows, was the living area.  The master bedroom was on the right side with its own bathroom.  On the left was the other room and common bathroom where the washer and dryer are.  Both rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows facing the front of the property.

Jungkook noticed Jimin holding on to the kitchen counter looking pale.  "Are you okay?" Jungkook's voice was full of concern.

"I just have a headache." answered Jimin weakly.

Jungkook asked, "Where did you come from?" looking at Jimin's suitcase noticing the Korean Air tag.  He led Jimin to the sofa and sat him there.

"LA." Jimin simply said.  But he thought he owes Jungkook more details as he was kind enough to offer his place.  He will be staying with him for an unknown number of days until he can get himself settled in this city that is now quite foreign to him.  "Uhm, I was supposed to catch another flight once I got to Seoul but I... ah..." he faltered.  Jimin was normally reserved with his private life so he cannot bring himself to tell Jungkook everything... yet.

"It's okay." Jungkook assured him.

"Anyway, I did not board the flight and instead went here to Itaewon by train.  I was walking around and Beyond the Sound caught my attention since the facade was similar to clubs in LA and there were quite a lot of people going in." Jimin explained.

Jungkook nodded, making a mental note to thank his hyungs for their aesthetic sense.  He also thanked himself as he thinks he is part of the reason why customers keep coming back.  He noticed that Jimin seemed already exhausted by that short explanation so he said, "I'll get stuff, so you can get changed without rummaging through your luggage.  Be back in a bit."

He took Jimin's bags to the other room.  He came back with a hotel kit, a pack of three boxers, a clean white shirt and gray shorts.  He gave them to Jimin and ushered him to the bathroom saying, "I'll heat some soup so you can eat something before taking some meds."

Jimin hesitated at the bathroom door looking at Jungkook starting to prepare.  "I'm okay.  I'll just sleep this off after changing." he said.  But Jungkook dismissed him with, "I also need to warm my tummy.  And you'll feel a lot better with something more substantial than beer, Jimin-ssi."

Jimin took a quick hot shower and changed to the clothes Jungkook gave him.  Not surprised when he saw the boxers were Armani as Jungkook seemed wealthy enough to be able to afford this place.  When he got out, Jungkook was already pouring orange juice in two glasses on the table.  He went to 'his' room to put away his clothes and joined Jungkook at the table.

True to Jungkook's words, the soup did make him feel better just after a few spoonfuls.  Or maybe it's because of the hot shower or the comfortable surroundings or Jungkook's attentiveness.

"I'm curious why there are two beds in the room." Jimin remarked.  A way to start a conversation as Jungkook seemed to respect his need for privacy and calmness.

"Oh, I didn't bother to change them when Seokjin-hyung and Yoongi-hyung moved out.  Taehyung transfered to that room when they left.  He used to room with me when there were four of us here.  I changed my bed to king size and got rid of the two singles that used to be here." pointing to the master bedroom.

"You all lived together here?" Jimin asked.

"Yes, I suggested it to them since I was alone here after my older brother went back home.  We were just starting the band then and we figured it would be better if we are together." Jungkook answered.  "It was last year when Yoongi-hyung and Seokjin-hyung got their own apartment.  Yoongi-hyung wanted to have a studio to make music so he needed more space.  Taehyung moved out a couple of months ago to be with his girlfriend." he continued.

After they were done eating, Jungkook gave Jimin some aspirin for his headache and told him to rest already.  Jimin made to help cleaning up but Jungkook insisted he sleep immediately.  Reasoning that he is actually home earlier than usual and his bedtime is still in two hours.

As embarrased as Jimin was, he cannot deny that he needed to sleep.  The events of the past days coming back to him making him feel more exhausted than he should be.  He is hurting physically, mentally and emotionally.

"Thanks, Jungkook." he said, hoping the simple word carried all the gratefulness he feels.  He went to the other room and fell asleep faster than he thought he would.

Jungkook continued cleaning up in the kitchen and was amazed at all the thoughts and emotions running through him.  He has known Jimin for less than two hours but one thing is for certain: he wants to protect Jimin.