collateral damage 🔞 - COMPLETE

•four• later

"Jeongguk!"

Jimin is bursting to tell his best friend about seeing Haerin, but it seems noone is home. He walks through the dorm, thinking about how she looked so different that he almost didn't recognize her. He flashes on how she looked at him with such hurt painted on her face, and he plops down on the couch with a sigh. He's no longer excited to tell Jeongguk...

Unconsciously he rubs his fingers over the bracelet on his wrist, and wonders what she's doing in Seoul. Does she live here now? That would be amazing if she did... If she'd give him a chance to talk to her... Tears trickle out of his eyes as he leans back on the couch picturing the result of how they left her. It was never their choice to do so, but the guilt that he didn't fight harder to at least make a call to her back then, gnaws at him.

He doesn't realize how long he's been sitting there, crying, until a deep voice interrupts him and a body falls onto the couch.

"Jimin-ah? Are you crying? What happened?"

His friend, and bandmate, wraps his long arms around his waist as he buries his head in Jimin's stomach.

"I'm alright Tae... Just had a run in with an old friend... and it didn't go well."

Jimin wipes his face on his sleeve, and pats Taehyung's head to signal he wants to get up. Taehyung sits up and looks deeply into his friend's eyes, trying to see a sign that he'll be okay. It's well known that Taehyung worries about his band members more than himself, and he will be affected if Jimin is not alright.

"Do you want to talk about it Jimin? I see you're upset."

"Nah... I just need to spend some time alone I think. Thanks though... Don't worry... I'll be alright."

"Okay. But if you change your mind, I'm here to listen."

"I know... Is Jeongguk home yet?"

A streak of pain crosses Taehyung's face thinking that Jimin would rather talk to the younger about his problem. He doesn't show it to Jimin for long though, and just shakes his head.

"He and Hobi hyung are practicing for the dance lesson tomorrow. You didn't forget they are going to the school, did you?"

"Shit... I forgot... They asked me to go with them... Damn it!"

"You can still get to the company and I'm sure they'll be fine that you're late."

Jimin thinks about it and decides he needs to find a distraction, so he thanks Taehyung and heads to Big Hit. There's no point in crying over his choices since he can't change the past. He's nervous about how Jeongguk will react if he tells him that he saw her though. It was painful for him to move on when they signed their contracts. He almost didn't agree because he couldn't imagine his life without Haerin.

The first year of training was brutal for Jeongguk. He was so depressed and almost quit every other week. Jimin reminded him repeatedly that Haerin would want him to follow his passion. She told them to audition, and encouraged them to chase their dream. The guilt for Jimin now is profound as he realizes that she didn't understand she would never see them, or at least hear from them.

He hears the music of 'Idol' blaring from the dance studio as he enters. Hobi hyung and Jeongguk are sweating, and dancing an easier version of their typical choreo. He watches them for a few minutes until they finish, and then he carries over a water bottle for each of them. He avoids meeting Jeongguk's eyes, because he's scared to tell him he saw Haerin.

"Jimin... You're late!"

"Sorry Hyung... I... Well, I forgot... Just show me the changes, and I'll stay and practice them. I promise to be ready."