jangmi (장미) ● taejoon

t w e n t y f i v e .

After Jungkook finished training with Jjang, Minnie brought him a fresh pair of clothes to change in before they go home. Jjang let the boy use his shower, and Minnie stayed outside in the living room.

When Jjang made eye contact with Minnie, he pushed him against the sofa and wrapped his arms around his waist. His knees against the wooden floor, and his body in between Minnie's knees. He stays quiet, nuzzling his sweaty head into his chest.

"... Jjang-"

"Say my name," Jjang says with a muffled voice, "... You don't have to call me that anymore, Yoongi."

he laughs quietly. "Your name brings too much pain, doesn't it? That's why I call you Jjang."

"You only call me Jjang because I ate too much Jjangmyeon when we first stayed together!" Jjang cried, "Then everybody caught on with that nickname!"

"But it's cute," Yoongi hums, "... Why do you want me to call you by that name all of a sudden though?"

"Only you can say it, only you," Jjang's arms hold the man gently, "... Because I know you don't use it with harm. you wouldn't..."

"Hoseok," The name was soft on the man's tongue. It only took a breath say, and it soothed Jjang. "You're not about to age regress right now, are you? Jungkook's still in the shower. You haven't done it in a while either..."

"Quit saying that," Hoseok says, nuzzling his head closer as Yoongi pats his head. "... It's embarrassing."

Hoseok was usually a man who always kept to himself despite seeming so open. That was deceiving about him. He was a daydreamer who never really talked about his problems. It was mandatory, he was raised to always be quiet. If he had a childhood, he would've grown up being the Hoseok he wants to be without faking it.

"It's not embarrassing," Yoongi says, running his fingers through the man's hair. "You're always in fighter mode. I know if you keep it up any longer you'll get tired and have a breaking period. The last time you broke, you had nightmares and got scared to even eat. If the trauma is hurting you so much, you need to visit a therapist."

"You take care of me," Hoseok murmurs, "... Plus, it's a bad time. With Namjoon, and everything. We have another drug deal soon that Seokjin almost forgot.."

"It'll be worse if you continue to hold it in," Yoongi says, "... Hobi, I can stay here tonight if you need-"

"No," He shakes his head. "I'm okay, Yoongi."

Yoongi lifted his chin and frowned. "You're a person not a mercenary, you're not a mercenary anymore," he says, "You're a person, and people express their feelings. Remember?"

"... I still hurt people," Hoseok mumbles.

"For safety," Yoongi continues," Not for violence, not for money, for safety."

"You're not in Spain anymore, Hoseok," he sighs, "You're here in Korea, with Namjoon, with the gang, with me..."

"We don't do things like they do over there," Yoongi cups his cheeks, "Everything we do isn't for pleasure..."

Hoseok took a deep breath before exhaling, slouching his shoulders. As soon as he heard one of the hallway doors unlock, he moved away. Clearing his throat, standing up, and crossing his arms.

Jungkook walks out with just a towel around his waist. His body still burned, and he was fully aware he was going to be sore tomorrow. His chest had a healing bruise, but he didn't mind. The boy's hair was blown dry. "Jjang, do you mind if I change in the guest room?"

Hoseok nods.

"Hurry so you can go home, you need all the sleep you can get. I'll see you again after school."

[unedited]