RIPPLE | P.JM

20

SEVEN

"You...."

"Shh, it's fine." I say, still patting the cold compress against his bruised cheek. "Jimin, not going to lie. This might take a bit of time to go away."

But instead of answering, he breathes out shakily and hurriedly reaches for his collar. And then he tugs it upwards, to cover the circle brand made around his neck.

His slave mark.

My lips tighten.

"W-What happened to him?" He says quietly, and I sniff in distaste. His eyes have opened now, focusing on my expression.

"I left him half-dead back in there." I say, licking my bottom lip. "Jimin, you scared the hell out of me. I thought you were dead."

He blinks slowly, before looking down to avoid my worried gaze. His silver eyes are full of shame, and I sigh.

"Jimin." I say, my voice firmer. He looks more exposed and vulnerable than I'd ever seen him, and even more when I motion at his wounds. "You're healing. It's unreasonable to be ashamed of yourself."

"I can't."

"Huh?"

"I'm going blind." He whispers, and I'm surprised when I feel his hand cover mine. He squeezes his eyes shut almost painfully. "I'm becoming a mess."

"Then we can be a mess together." I say, an encouraging smile on my lips. "Remember? It doesn't matter if I can take someone down. I can't handle a damn ant—"

I realize I'm starting to ramble.

My voice quickly fades away when I notice him looking at me with this look.

And it confuses me, because I can tell apart all the emotions someone had ever given me and I can't tell apart the one that he's giving me right now.

"Seven?"

"Oh, yeah?" I squeak out, still trying to understand. I've never seen anyone look at me the way Jimin's looking at me now, and it's very confusing.

"Will you come here?"

"Huh? Y-Yeah, you need something?" I say, stuttering for the first few times in my life as I draw closer. "Does it—"

And then his hand is wrapping around the back of my neck, pulling me into a kiss.

He tastes sweet.

His hand grips my upper arm, and I shift onto the bed. My fingers dig deep into his dark locks, and I feel his hand find my hair the same time I find his.

We break.

A smile splits my lips when I see his silver eyes roam my face wildly, the fire from before replaced with shock and hesitation.

He's the same after all.

"What?" I whisper lowly into his ear, smile deepening when I see a hot blush warm his cheeks. "Is that it, Jimin?"

His eyes widen when I tug down the collar he'd pulled back up earlier.

"Don't hide this." I say, looking down at the thick band engraved into his skin. His hand instinctively twitches by his side when I expose the mark— his habit to keep it hidden.