UNCUT THORNS✔️

Go away.

"Children! Eden the children are here!" Jimin embraced an elderly man who had a kind, warm face that looked ecstatic at the moment.

"Where is Miyeon?!" An old woman shoved both her husband and Jimin out of the way and hugged Miyeon tightly.

"Rude." Jimin and the man said simultaneously.

"It's lovely that you're here!" She looked at them up and down then smacked them both behind the ears.

"Why~" Miyeon whined, stroking her tender head. "You are supposed to be taking care of yourselves you matching twigs! Come inside! I'll fatten up the both of you right now." The two went inside the house with massive smiles.

"Oh. Where did you appear from young man? You lost or with this lot?" The old man then turned to Jeongguk in confusion.

"Oh." Jeongguk wiped his hands nervously and lifted it to shake. "Ashton Jeongguk. Pleasure to meet you." He shook the man's hand firmly then bowed to Eden.

"Lovely to meet such a kind woman as yourself." He took her hand gently and kissed it with as much mannerisms as he could.

"Oh what a gentleman! Oh you flatter this old woman boy! Come inside!" The lady laughed and they all entered the small house.

The first thing Jeongguk noticed were all the photographs. There were so many that it clouded his mind and he couldn't bother counting. He saw, to his delight, a younger Miyeon with pigtails with a squishy looking Jimin.

"My wife and I love them you know." The old man he now knew was named Darren smiled at the picture next to Jeongguk.

"I can tell." Jeongguk grinned as he scanned each memory. This what a photo wall should look like, warmth and youthful memories shining from each photo, seeing true smiles blinding his eyes and genuine emotion being displayed.

"Come for dinner. It's late and we made too much. Coat over there boy." Jeongguk put his tweed coat away and that left his trousers and black turtleneck on display.

"Big lad like yourself can help with the table. Jimin and Miyeon are dropping off all your things upstairs. Chop chop boy!" Jeongguk grinned widely and followed the couple into the kitchen.

~

"So why did you decide to come out?" Darren asked their guests at the table as they went through a delicious apple crumble for dessert.

"We got the money!" Jimin smiled widely. "My dears that's wonderful!" Eden clapped happily. "And Jeongguk has never left the city so we took him with us." Miyeon looked at him next to her, his lips covered in crumbs and apple sauce.

"You got something there." She took a napkin and wiped at the remnants of food on his lips. He swallowed happily leant forward to kiss her cheek out of habit. "Thanks baby." He then continued to eat, oblivious to the sudden silence until it became too thick to miss.

"Oh no." He widened his eyes and looked to his left at an equally shocked Miyeon. She facepalmed.

"Oh isn't this romantic?" Eden sighed dreamily at the two. Jimin was silent, his face bare of emotion as he slowly turned to finish his food.

"Miyeon you didn't tell us this handsome young man was with you!" Darren smiled happily at Jeongguk.

"Guess she forget that fucking important detail." Jimin mumbled. Miyeon gulped.

"I'm going to bed." Jimin stood up and took his plate back into the kitchen.

"We didn't tell him yet." Miyeon mumbled. "Because this would happen." Jeongguk groaned quietly and held his face in his palms.

"Keeping it from him is worse." Eden said teasingly. "How are you so calm?" Jeongguk looked at her incredulously.

"It's Jimin. Just be honest with him. That's all he really wants. Now I'll wash up and you can go talk to him." Eden smiled.

~

Jeongguk knocked on Jimin's door and bit his lip. He honestly didn't know what to say in this situation.

What do you say to your girlfriend's brother in this situation.

"Go away." He heard Jimin's voice mumble near the door. "Jimin let me explain." Jeongguk said in despair.

"What is there to explain. You both lied to me." Jimin's small huffs were prominent at that statement.

Jeongguk now finally understood the issue. It wasn't the dating, it was the fact that they kept it a secret.

"We can talk about it please. I have beer?" Jeongguk shook the bag that he left on the floor to show his proof.

There was silence, until there was a turn of the knob and it cracked open, showcasing a fluffy but pouting Jimin in a large t-shirt.

"Gimme." Jimin pointed at the bag.

Jeongguk handed it over and walked inside. It was a plain room, just a single bed and a mirror as well as a closet.

"So fess up. Why did you lie." Jimin cracked open a can of Heineken and took a large gulp. They sat on the floor, legs crossed and facing each other.

"Well your reaction was the reason. I didn't know how you would feel... about me." Jeongguk said quietly.

Jimin stared at him with his narrow slits as he sipped his beer.

"I would've been happy for you two. Reluctant because she has never been with anyone before but still. I would've been happy for you both. You're not a bad person you know." Jimin shrugged.

"I'm sorry Jimin." Jeongguk said sincerely. It was quiet, Jimin sipping and Jeongguk leaning back on his palms.

"You fucked yet?" Jeongguk choked on his spit at the shocking question.

"N-no!" Jeongguk spluttered. Jimin giggled. "I'm not going to kill you. I know you're a safe guy." Jeongguk wheezed slightly.

"Thanks?" He looked at Jimin in disbelief and confusion.

"Mm. Just don't lie again. It's shitty and brings more lies." Jimin glared at him. Jeongguk gulped at that wicked stare.

"Understood." He nodded.

~E