Little Peach *Completed*

Chapter 5

Grace's POV

I push myself out of little space at the suggestion that Taehyung helps me get changed. Gracie wouldn't want him to see us like that, and I certainly don't either. The looks they gave me last night after the shower were bad enough, I don't need to make it worse by letting them see the state of me under this t-shirt.

"I'll be fine Taehyung, I can manage." I say with a small smile, shaking my head and going into the en suite.

I spend sometime washing my face free of the evidence of sleep before using a fresh toothbrush to brush my teeth, all the time keeping my eyes looking anywhere but my pitiful reflection.

I pull the t-shirt off and drop it to the floor, avoiding looking in the mirror in front of me. I unfold the clean one and beginning to pull it over my head. Once I can see again I notice someone standing behind me in the doorway, our gaze meets in the mirror, their eyes sad, a tear rolling down their cheek. I should have locked the door...I guess I forgot that was a thing seeing as I wasn't allowed to lock the door with him...

"Sorry Hobi..." I mumble looking down.

"No, no don't apologise Sunshine, I should have knocked, I just wanted to say good morning and let you know food was ready..." he tries to force a smile, but it's not as genuine as the last one he gave me.

"Ok thanks, I'll be down in a minute." I say avoiding his gaze, the sadness making me feel guilty.

Hobi's POV

As I walk into the kitchen, I'm hit with the smell of pancakes and the chattering of my housemates. I silently make myself a mug of tea and take a seat at the dining table alone.

"Hobi are you ok?"

"Hmm?" I mumble.

"Hyung?" Jungkook's hand waving in front of my face snaps me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? Sorry Jungkook, what were you saying?"  I ask shaking my head.

"I was asking if you were ok, you look like you've seen a ghost." He jokes.

"Worse..." I whisper, the images of her flashing through my mind, tears threatening to spill again.

"Guys something's wrong with Hoseok..." Jungkook says loudly over the chatter, his hand squeezing mine.

Everyone turning to look at me, concern and confusion on their faces. Before I can even attempt to explain, their attention is drawn to the small figure standing in the doorway.

Grace's POV

Please stop staring at me...

I keep my eyes down, avoiding everyone's gaze, especially Hobi's after he saw me in the bathroom.

"Morning Grace, would you like some orange juice?" Jimin offers with a kind smile.

I manage to nod shyly, shuffling over to cling to Taehyung, burying my face into his shoulder.

I feel a sense of relief as his arms wrap around me, holding me tight.

"Thanks for asking for pancakes, Hyung hardly ever makes these for us." Jungkook says happily, his smile makes him look like a bunny.

"Right they're just about done, so everyone sit down and I'll bring them over." Jin says finishing off chopping some fruit at the counter.

I sit myself between Tae and Jimin, my head still down out of habit, Tae's hand holding mine on the table.

"Aaaand here we go!" Jin says proudly as he puts the platter of pancakes in the middle of the table. Everyone starts making themselves plates of food, chatting between themselves, but I just sit and wait for my instruction to get my food.

Eventually the noise of cutlery stops and I can feel them all looking at me.

"Grace, don't you want anything? I can make something else if you'd like..." Jin asks confused.

"You didn't say I could get my food, so I'm waiting like I'm supposed to..." I say to my lap.

"Waiting? For what sweetheart?" Tae's voice comes from next to me.

"For permission? You didn't give me permission to get food, so I'm waiting like a good girl." I explain, confused about their questions.

I hear a chair scrape along the floor as someone gets up and leaves the room.

"I'll go..." Jimin says getting up and following after whoever it was.

"Grace, you don't need our permission to get food, you help yourself, and if you want more you let me know and I'll make you more." Jin says warmly but with a firm edge.

I finally look up, and see sad smiles looking back at me. I shakily reach out for the spoon in the bowl of chopped fruit and carefully put a few pieces on my plate, the conversation picking back up as they return to eating, not wanting to focus on me as I eat.

Hobi's POV

"For permission? You didn't give me permission to get food, so I'm waiting like a good girl." Grace explains.

Permission to eat?

Hearing this pushes me over the very edge I was already clinging to. I had to get some air, I didn't want her to see the absolute horror on my face, I didn't want her thinking that it was her fault that I was holding back tears. I hurriedly leave the kitchen and head to the garden.

I step out onto the decking, leaning against the fence as I take deep breaths and try to pull myself together.

"Hyung? Are you ok?" Jimin asks softly from behind me, his hand squeezing my shoulder.

"Jimin I don't understand, how could anyone do that to someone? What sort of sick fuck..." I stop myself, I can feel myself getting worked up again.

"I know Hyung, but we can make sure it doesn't happen again and we can show her how life should be." Jimin reasons, his voice firm.

"You're right, I know you're right, but you didn't see..." my voice cracks.

"See what Hyung?" He presses.

"You thought the bruises were bad, you haven't seen anything Jimin..." I turn facing him, tears rolling down my cheeks. He pulls me into a hug, his own face full of sadness, we both needed it, we needed the comfort.