Chapter 9

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A couple of days later he got a call. It was his mother, sounding fucking angry and worried at the same time, yelling about how Alex had told her that Jimin hadn't been home for more than two months. Jimin tried calming her down, but she was so angry and at some point the line disconnected and Jimin was left behind as a distressed emotional mess.

He loved his mum. She was the main reason he put up with that excuse of a man she called her husband, but even he had run out of energy at some point. He couldn't bear staying in the same apartment as that man for one more day.

No matter how worried his mother was.

He just sat there in silence on his makeshift bed at eight am, feeling sobs and tears building up in his throat but forcing them down whenever they threatened to surface. He wasn't sure for how long, but then he heard the door to the room open and a tired looking Jungkook in just a wide t-shirt and black boxers entered it, probably with the intention of getting a glass of water, but stopping when he saw Jimin sitting on the bed, a deep frown on his face and staring at the ceiling.

Jungkook knew that strategy to suppress tears. He also knew that face Jimin was making. Even so he went into the kitchen and grabbed two bottles of water, one for himself and one he brought to Jimin, who was not looking at him.

Sighing he ruffled the dark brown locks of his hair, hoping they didn't stand into all directions too badly, before holding the water bottle in front of Jimin's face. Jimin looked at it for a couple of seconds as if it was going to bite him, finally taking it although a bit hesitantly and then gulping all of its content down.

Jungkook watched silently before offering Jimin his own bottle. Jimin silently shook his head and Jungkook nodded in acceptance, before slipping into a more comfortable position on the sofa, leaning against the backrest and then closing his eyes.

He had the strong feeling that Jimin wasn't ready to talk right now. So he would just wait here next to him. It was Sunday anyways, so aside from most of his friends visiting the usual hang out spots there wasn't anything he had planned. He had all day.

Luckily it didn't take all day before Jimin slipped closer to him, leaning against his shoulder and closing his eyes tiredly. Jungkook didn't mind.

"My mum called." Jimin's voice was hoarse from swallowing all those sobs.

"Why?"

"Because she's angry that I left my step father alone at home."

"Why would it be your job to take care of her pet?"

Jimin giggled at Jungkook's words. He had to imagine his step father with a leash around his neck. That certainly would have been satisfying.

"It's just... she doesn't really know him and he is nice to her at least so I don't want to ruin it."

"What does he do usually?" Jungkook shifted a bit before throwing an arm over Jimin's shoulder and hugging the boy close. Sighing exhaustedly, Jimin leant into the touch, closing his eyes again. He really needed that right now.

"Just... he yells a lot and insults me. Tries to force me to do stuff. Always thinks he knows everything better. It's not even that bad... he was worse when I was a child, because I couldn't defend myself properly back then." Jimin stated, feeling a knot in his throat that made it hard to talk.

"What did he do back then?" Jungkook asked, his grip tightening around Jimin, but there was something soothing to that too.

"He... pretty much the same... the only thing he doesn't do anymore is... he kind of used to touch me really weirdly." He could feel Jungkook tensing underneath him. His hand instantly went to Jungkook's chest to force him to stay in place. "Not like rape. He just... I don't know, touched me all over. Between my legs and shit like that. I didn't really know what he was doing back then, but it scared me. He always did it when he was drunk so I ended up connecting alcohol to that kind of stuff. I get a bit paranoid when people around me are drunk if I'm honest... just like with your tattoos."

"What about my tattoos?"

Jimin realized he had never told Jungkook about this. Just Taehyung.

"My step father has two full sleeves. When I see people who have those too I just end up connecting it to that touching back then, because that's when I really saw those tattoos and eh. I felt a bit anxious around you in the beginning because of that, but it's better now..." Jimin stated, reaching his hand out and tracing it over Jungkook's arm. Jungkook's tattoos were beautiful, unlike his step father's.

"Jimin, you shouldn't just keep that to yourself. You should tell someone." Jungkook rasped, sounding actually worried, his hand rubbing Jimin's shoulder soothingly.

"I just told you."

"Not me. I mean like a psychiatrist, because stuff like that is bound to leave some scars. And you should tell your mother. I bet she wouldn't feel good about staying with him when her child had to suffer in exchange. You shouldn't just keep all of this to yourself."

Jimin let out a tired sigh. "You're the first person I ever told... I need some time before I can even consider it."

Jungkook nodded before grabbing Jimin softly and lifting him into his lap and hugging him tight to his body. Jimin sighed at the contact, closing his eyes and leaning his head against Jungkook's chest. There was something about being held close like this. Being held close by someone who most people viewed as scary and dangerous that made him feel protected and save in Jungkook's arms.

Especially when Jungkook leant down and started placing pecks all over his neck, ears and cheeks. Jimin giggled at how ticklish that and there was a silent voice in the back of his head that made him wonder how Taehyung would feel about this, but he was sure that Jungkook knew the boundaries of his and Taehyung's relationship the best.

Jimin didn't have the energy to even think about what Jungkook's gestures might mean. Instead he just melted into the touch and let himself be cradled by Jungkook's strong arms that could be all that soft too.

A/N

I'm so soft for jk here what even is this

Btw if you're bored come hit me up on twitter under @jambooty2 <3 chat with me~