SOULMATE

20. It's just a word

If you don't like this chapter, it's ok. Just don't come at me for using the word because this chapter is inspired in two of my gay friends who literally had that conversation in front of me. They said a word is insulting only if you give it the power to offend you and since that day I think the same way. Enjoyyyy~

"Hyung. I'm home." Jungkook yelled when he opened the door and Jimin ran downstairs as soon as he heard him.

"Where's Taehyung?" Jimin almost squealed when he spotted his best friend at the door, looking for him with the same excitement.

"I exist too, you know?" Jungkook rolled his eyes, bothered by being ignored.

"Taehyung-ah!" Jimin yelled and ran towards the brown-haired boy.

"Jimin-ah!" Taehyung ran too and they met in a crushing hug.

Finally, they could see each other.

"Why did you come until today? I was waiting for you to come!" Jimin pulled back from the hug.

"Your dad's been following me."

"What?" Jimin couldn't believe it was actually true.

"I bet he believed you were staying with me since it's what everyone would expect. I noticed him watching me go to school and also when I returned home."

"That's creepy."

"Yeah, it was. But today he didn't even try." Taehyung smiled, but then it dropped. "How have you been, darling?" Taehyung asked in his softest voice. His caring voice, which was reserved for Jimin only.

Jungkook coughed awkwardly when he heard the pet name. Of course he knew there was something between them, but it was still uncomfortable for him. He felt kind of... jealous.

"I'll be in my room, so you two can talk." He announced as he walked with his backpack still on his back.

"Thank you so much, Jungkookie." Taehyung said as he crushed the younger in a hug.

"Yeah, it's nothing." Jungkook grinned, pushing his friend away.

Taehyung and Jimin sat down on the couch and Taehyung left his backpack on the floor.

"You look all sweaty." Jimin said as he smiled.

"It's so hot outside and these goddamn uniforms don't help." Taehyung sighed and, instinctively, Jimin reached his best friend's shirt buttons with his small hands to unbutton the first ones. Taehyung raised one eyebrow and Jimin felt his ears getting hot.

"So you can feel more comfortable." He explained and retracted his hands. "So how's school going?"

Taehyung smiled widely. "Apparently, the principal caught who were the ones to do... that to the painting. Eventually, I'll know too and they'll be-"

"Don't." Jimin interrupted him quickly. "Please, don't."

"Please what?"

"Don't go after them. I don't care anymore." Jimin sighed. "Look, it hurt me and I was so scared of my parents finding out, but it already happened. It was inevitable and I can't change that. I was already hurt and I want it to stop, so let's leave this situation like this and don't try to take revenge. You'll just suffer the consequences and I don't want you to." Jimin finally let it out. These thoughts had been on his mind since he left his home.

"Jiminie, no." Taehyung frowned. "What they did to you was unforgivable and they'll pay for it."

"I don't want this to keep going, Taetae. Leave it like this. I know what they did was wrong, but, honestly, I know I'm not a slut as they said and I'm a peaceful and sensitive boy, much to my father's disliking, so nothing is my fault. It's theirs. They're so snoopy about me and my life and I don't even know why. Let them be."