Hate me like you used to (Patreon)

It’s weird to have Jimin at his place. He usually doesn’t even let Hoseok stay over, but it’s been a week of having Jimin around. And they’ve been strangely civil.

Jimin is still recovering from his injuries, and he’s avoiding his piece of shit boyfriend for the meantime. Jeongguk already gave Jimin an old phone of his so he doesn’t get called and messaged every other second.

But, yeah, it’s kind of awkward.

They’ve never really talked to each other in a kind way. It’s all been snarky remarks and heated arguments about racing, among other things.

So when he’s tending to Jimin’s wounds on the couch it’s dead silent. He’s checking the swelling under his eye, changing the gauze on his cheekbone, disinfecting his split lip. All the while, Jimin’s eyes are on his face. They’re mellow, they droop a little, and his monolids give them a siren-like allure. Jeongguk tries not to look into them, but sometimes it just happens in between.

Up close, he can also see the dark roots of his electric pink hair, the birthmarks on his forehead, the little scar on the bridge his nose from last time he got beaten. Jeongguk brushes his finger over it, remembering the day Jimin got it.

Then he traces over his cheekbone, down to his jawline, trying to feel if there are other cuts or wounds. Jimin grabs his wrist, gently pushes his hand back.

“I’m just trying to help.”

Jeongguk says softly.

“I know.. I hate it.”

Oh.

Jeongguk frowns, but there’s no real bite in Jimin’s tone, he just sounds exhausted.

“I don’t like how you look at me like I’m fragile.”

Jimin explains, still holding his wrist.

“I don’t think you’re fragile.”

Anything but. Jimin has never been fragile, but he’s undeniably trying to come off way stronger than he is. Jeongguk recognises himself in it, when he was younger.

“I just.. I just want you to hate me like you used to.”

Jimin says, letting go of his wrist, trying to put up a front.

Jeongguk blinks slowly, doesn’t break eye contact.

“I never hated you in the first place.”