Flowers and Broken Hearts

Ruins

Park Jimin, 25, Present day

Park Jimin, was in ruins.

No, scratch that. They were the ruins. Him and Jinhee, both in pieces, both shattered, both broken. Ruined, like falling debris, trying to stay strong even in the midst of devastation, still trying to hold on even when they both knew there was none to hold on to. Like tearing rope, letting go one by one, breaking thread by thread.

They knew, and yet they held on.

He felt free. Felt peaceful, unfeeling. Floating happily, like a balloon. He was home; he was safe. Jimin, was safe.

He was with Jinhee.

Jimin closed his eyes, giving in to his madness.

___

When he lifted his lashes, Jimin's irises met her closed eyes. He was still on her lap, but they had moved away from the door, into a dark corner that enveloped them warmly.

Jinhee looked peaceful and beautiful when sleeping; it was one of those things he liked to watch. He reached up to touch her face, but before he does, her eyes opened.

"Baby," she croaked. She leaned in, touching her forehead with his, nose tracing his, inhaling his scent. Her lips touched his when she talked. "I'm here, don't worry. I'm here. Right here."

___

Soft patters of footstep thudded the wooden floor, clicking with the soft sound of steel gliding against ceramic as Jinhee entered the living room with a tray. She sat down beside him on the couch, placing the burden she carried on the coffee table. It held a pitcher, a glass of water, a bowl, and something that looked like grey meat sided with soy sauce.

When Jimin glanced up, she was handing him the glass.

"Here. Drink water."

He took the glass carefully; his hands were still weak and shaking, so gripping it tightly was necessary. They fumbled while he brought the glass to his lips, but Jinhee guided him till the cold liquid greeted his dry throat, refreshing him in relief. He gulped more, and before he knew it, Jimin had finished the whole drink within seconds, Jinhee's hands on his back, the other reaching to fill the glass again.

"Eat," ordered Jinhee, handing the bowl with a soup spoon next before arranging the empty cup on the tray, refilling it. The contents of the bowl was chicken noodle soup, much to Jimin's delight.

"Thank you," he said gratefully, immediately ravishing the tasty morsel. She smiled, but it was strained; lips forced into a straight thin line that resembled a grimace.

Loud meaningless sounds weaved through the reticent atmosphere, and Jimin peeked at Jinhee while she stared fixedly at the flashing television. A blue glow reflected on her face, bestowing an exhausted expression. She looked tired.

Maybe she was tired, he thought sadly. Tired of his acts, tired of being tortured, of him, of everything.

He chose to break the silence.

"What are those?" He blinked at the other plate with mere curiosity. It looked good and disgusting at the same time, making Jimin wonder what it was.

Jinhee smiled, a sure sign that he asked a good question.

"It's pork liver." Then seeming to enjoy his horrified look, she smirked. "What? It's good; don't worry. I've been eating this since I was-" Her lips clamped together, abruptly cutting off the words that escaped. It was as if she almost slipped a secret. Jimin's brows furrowed.

She breathed in, continuing like nothing happened. "Anyway, yeah. It's okay. A bit bitter at first, but the soy sauce would wash that away. It's for . . . replacing blood."

"Oh," was the only thing that left his lips. He wanted to know what she was about to say a minute ago, but that would be too intrusive, so he fell silent once more.

It felt strange, knowing he was right there with Jinhee, but feeling as if they were miles away from each instead. She felt far away, like she was distancing herself from him. Distancing away from trouble, from disaster.

Jimin's hand clenched the soul spoon involuntarily. "Jinhee, I'm- I'm sorry."

"Don't." She looked at him, a force burn in her eyes. "Don't say that. It's fine. You don't need to apologize for anything to anybody. It's not your fault."

But it was his fault, he wanted to tell her. It was. But Jimin couldn't find the strength or the courage to argue, couldn't find it in himself to continue. He was weak; he could feel the weariness that developed him in its arms.

Jimin finished the soup off, thinking that at last, he could finally fall asleep - Jinhee was his comfort, his home. His past wouldn't dare reappear, not when she was with him.

Peering at Jinhee, Jimin found her staring at the sinking sun just outside the window. It casted an orangery and red glow, like the way it did back when Jimin saw it in the beach. It felt so long ago, even though it was just a few weeks past.

Jinhee's life parted, sighing out forbidden words. "You'll have to stay; my car won't start. And besides, it's late."

He could hear the reluctance, the hesitation. She had a right, after all , didn't he break her heart? "Do . . . do you want me to?"

The silence that followed rang the unspoken answer: no.

"You . . . you have to." Jinhee nodded, saying it in a firm voice, as if she was convincing herself more than Jimin. "It's late. You can sleep in my parents' room. Mine's currently a mess."

A mess. It wasn't just her room.

It was them. Both of them.

Finally! The long awaited chapter! And it ain't even done yet!

This chapter is dedicated to ClosetKPopFan. You'll find out why soon.

I have a surprise for all of you coming up! So you guys better at least vote, comment or mention anything about this book. That way, I'll know you been reading through all this time!

Comment anything, like an emoji, a hi, just anything at all if you've been reading this book the whole time! I really need it! →

Oh, and don't be scared to correct my corrections. I proofread the latest chaps, and it's absolutely chaotic! Typos here and there . . . I don't get how you guys managed to understand them. Corrections would really help me!

(O - O') Me realizing how my A/Ns increased in volume this past few days***

I'm also so proud of the banners for no effing reason. They suck, but that's my limit. I suck at editing!!!

Try and read "Polarity" by hunneymilks!! I originally wrote it, but by the way she revised it, you won't know where I started and ended.

Okay, that's it. Bai bai 👋