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peculiarscriptures51 · 2 years

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~The one where their son is quiet (JJK)

"Baby," Jungkook sang, shutting the door behind him and holding something behind his back. Joy, who had returned home from work no more than half an hour ago, turns to look at her husband. He was sporting a cheeky smile, his crow's feet crinkling around his eyes as he pulled a bouquet from behind his back.

"Aww, Kookie!" His wife swooned, taking the flowers. She hugs them, staring at her calendar on the wall. "I didn't forget an important date, did I?"

Jungkook chuckles, pulling his wife into his chest. He kisses her head reassuringly. "No baby, I just wanted to surprise you, is all. San's not home yet?"

"Practice doesn't end for another hour." She shakes her head. Jungkook nods, a smirk creeping onto his face.

Joy stares up at him confused, his strong arms wrapping around her delicately. He squeezes her ass in his hands. After all these years, Joy was entirely used to it, even though it used to make her cringe. It made their teenage son squirm, though.

Jungkook lifts Joy's chin, pressing sultry kisses to her lips. She noticed his husky cologne as he pulled her closer. Joy moans, gripping her bouquet in one hand and wrapping her arms around Jungkook's neck. "I missed you..." He admitted against her plump, lush lips.

He's been working himself to the bone with tv promotions and musical projects at the company. He was very busy still, after all these years. She smiles softly, "Stay home, then."

"Joy..." Jungkook started, pulling back to look down at her face. She waved him off before he could go on about how much work he has to do.

"I know, I know. We've been married a long time Kookie, I'm used to you being busy. But it'd be nice to have you home a bit more. Jeonsan always asks me how you are, since you only see him once he's home, but he's so tired by then."

Jungkook sighs at that, "How is he? My boy?"

Joy pulls away, "You ought to ask him yourself... Stay home tomorrow, Kookie." She grabs a vase and fills it with water, unwrapping the bouquet and gently placing the flowers in it. She caresses the soft pink petals.

He sighs, leaning on the counter, tapping it with his fingers as he studies her figure. His wife never asked for much of him, and in fact she has been very patient and understanding towards him. "...I'll talk to my manager about it." He offered, she beamed at the sound of it. She did one of her cute little dances and came around to capture him in a tight hug.

"I miss my husband. It's good having you home, not just on tv." She murmured, he coos at her sweet words. She was still just as adorable as the day they'd met.

"Isn't one of your specials on today? The one where you're mentoring those rookies?" Joy wondered, pulling Jungkook to the couch, sitting promptly on his lap. He holds her securely, waiting for his special to come on. He didn't care too much about it though, certain that he'd be able to watch it again some other time. He knew that another private moment like this with his wife wasn't guaranteed any time soon. Neither of them were working, and they were completely alone with no interruptions.... He pulls one of their blankets over them, Joy deciding to snuggle into him for comfort.

He trails his hand into her pants. She jumps at the sudden sensation, tensing for a moment before feeling his warm fingers massage her sensitive nerves. Joy shudders as he summons moisture from her core. He smirks, keeping his gaze focused on the tv, pretending not to pay much attention to how much he was pleasing her. "I forgot how easy it was to turn you on-" he started to tease, earning a shove to his shoulder.

"Sh-Shut up," His wife quivered, squeezing her thighs around his hand. To give himself more space, he pulled her garments down some to give himself more access. Her breath shuddered, she tucks her head in his neck, hearing him hum with pride. He loved having her quiver on his lap.

"S-Stop... Sannie could come home s-soon..." She protested weakly, though her eyes were starting to cross and Jungkook had a hard time taking her seriously.

"Come on, you said practice won't end for at least another hour." She gasps hardly registering what he was saying as she gripped his wrist, but he kept his fingers busy.

She whimpers at his mercy. "Can't hear you, baby. A little louder." He whispered in her ear.

She gasps again, quivering in his lap, he pulls her knees apart, "Jungkook... Oh God...!" She was struggling to stay quiet.

He stopped abruptly, she tugs off her pants, straddling him promptly. Jungkook pulls the blanket up over them more, gripping her waist as her hips gyrate earnestly into his.

They hadn't heard the purr of the engine in the driveway, nor the lock as it unclicked. Jeonsan stepped in, sighing softly to himself as he tosses his keys in the nearby bowl. He shuts the door behind him, about to drop his gym bag on the floor with it's usual rough thud when he heard shuddered breaths. The teenager internally cringes, it was unmistakably his parents indulging in their efforts to 'rekindle their sexual energy', as his friend Min Younggyu had put it. Younggyu had caught his shameless parents in the act several times, and often teased Jeonsan about it just to make the boy squirm.

The teenager was just about to walk past them and leave them to their own devices (before he would be mentally scarred). However, his mother lifted her head from his father's shoulder. She gasped, yelping in surprise. Her ears began to flush red.

"Jeonsan! What are you doing here?" She demanded, Jungkook whipped his head around to see his teenage son stood behind the couch, awkwardly avoiding their gazes. The boy may have been quiet, but he certainly wasn't naïve. He prayed the blanket would remain as it was on top of them, never to reveal whatever sinful things they had been caught doing.

"Practice ended early... I'm going to go shower." He muttered, gripping his gym bag and jogging up the stairs. Joy and Jungkook's heads follow as he went. Jungkook felt his wife deflate, slumping onto him.

"I told you he'd catch us." She groaned.

"Well, we got this far..." the celebrity hinted.

"Kookie! We're not doing it out in the open when my baby's home!" She scolded in a hushed tone.

"Well I'm not getting up with my pants at my knees! And you know damn well that you'll never get up those stairs without limping." He defended.

Joy sighs in defeat, hearing the shower start to run. For once, she was glad their son took long showers.

🌺🌺🌺

Jeonsan was writing another entry in his journal at his desk. He heard a knock at his bedroom door, turning toward it expectantly. "Hey, son," Jungkook greeted.

"Hey, Dad," the teenager returned, turning back to his entry. Jungkook approaches Jeonsan's desk. His room was tidier than he remembered, the boy having always been one to like being organized. He gets it from his mother, surely.

He sits on his son's bed, neatly made and smelling like lavender. "Your mother ordered from your favorite pizza place. She felt bad about..."

Jeonsan bites his lips, they were plump, like his mother's. He doesn't lift his gaze from his journal entry, tapping his pen against the lined paper. "Don't worry about it." The boy responded.

Jungkook purses his lips. Jeonsan notoriously didn't say much. He's always been that way, their family - which included the whole of the Bangtan family - often had to pull his leg to get a response out of him. He kept things internal. Not to mention he was quite shy and reserved. Jin hyung said Jeonsan reminded him of Jungkook before they debuted, only he's never really grown out of the shy phase.

"It's okay to say you were uncomfortable by it, you know. Your mother and I should have known better..." He watched his son cringe, frowning at his neat handwriting. Jungkook trailed off, deciding to avoid the subject after all. This wasn't the first time Jeonsan had caught them, though each occasion was years apart. The very first time, the boy was just a toddler. When he'd heard his mother's moans it scared him, he honestly thought that his father was hurting her. If Jeonsan remembered any part of that, he surely hadn't let on. The other time, before today, the boy was just an adolescent. Again, he didn't really understand what was going on, but he was at the right age to have the birds and bees explained to him. Jungkook insisted that he would explain it, having always mentally rehearsed the conversation since Joy first discovered she was pregnant. He didn't give the 'when two people love each other very much' spiel, choosing to be realistic with it. It would have spared Jungkook a lot of confusion when he was Jeonsan's age had his parents explained sex to him realistically.

Jeonsan was practically grown, now. He handled things very responsibly. He drove himself to school and practice, his grades were exceptional - his mother was serious about them. Jungkook, not so much. He was the best kid you could ask for. They just wished he opened up more. It was hard trying to figure out what got the boy's gears turning.

"How was school today? Your mom said you had a physics test?"

Jeonsan lifts his gaze to look at his father. He was almost a spitting image of Jungkook. The boy obtained most of his father's physical features, aside from his lips, complexion, and hair texture - which was entirely his own trait.

The boy nodded, and Jungkook knew he wasn't going to elaborate like he wanted. The boy's therapist told the parents to avoid asking him yes or no questions, to try asking him more open-ended questions that required a response. "How do you think you did on it?"

"It was alright." The boy shrugged. Jungkook sighs, Jeonsan was taking advanced math classes and his test was just alright? He was studying on a collegiate level, he's not even in his last year of high school yet.

Again, Jungkook purses his lips. He would definitely have to spend more time with his son tomorrow. Maybe he was being vague because Jungkook has been working so much? He'd ask his wife about it later.

"How about practice?" Jungkook inquired.

Jeonsan shrugged, starting to doodle in the corner of his page. Jungkook wanted to see what he was writing, naturally, he longed to understand what thoughts were in his child's head. Sometimes, the parents felt the journal knew more about him than they did.

Jeonsan played basketball with Yoongi's son Younggyu. In fact, the two were the same age. They were good friends, and thanks to basketball they spent a lot of their time together. In regards to their personalities, the two couldn't be anymore different. Younggyu was a social butterfly, much like his mother. He was also a total goofball, like his father, and he had no problems speaking his mind. He was a confident kid. Joy and Jungkook were glad Jeonsan had someone like Gyu to hang out with. But that didn't keep Sannie out of his shell.

"Sannie..." Jungkook knew he had to choose his words carefully. He didn't want to make his son clam up on him more by being too suggestive, however he needed the boy to at least try to maintain their conversation. His son looks up at him, "You do know you can tell me and your mother anything, right? Is something bothering you?"

His mutism hasn't been this bad in a while. Jeonsan has been selectively mute since he could talk, they got that diagnosis when he was about three. Two years later he was confirmed to have a very, very, very mild case of low functioning autism. Most people would never in a million years guess that he was on the spectrum. It never really gave the family problems. He had his obsessive tendencies, though many of them he's grown out of. He wasn't as particular about routines or textures as he was when he was a child, nor was he as clingy to his parents as he used to be. His selective mutism, however, was what landed the boy in therapy from a young age. When he was younger, in times that the boy felt especially bothered, he would avoid talking all together. He used sign language - Joy and Jungkook had to learn both Korean and English sign language, as the boy was fluent in both languages. It was mind-bending at the time. He doesn't sign anymore, except to tutor one of his deaf classmates in math, but he was still quiet.

Jeonsan bit his cheek, avoiding his father's gaze. Jungkook didn't like making his son squirm under his gaze, but his therapist recommended the occasional use of an abrasive approach. He encouraged the discomfort of silence to pressure the boy into saying something. No matter how long it took, the boy would break from the awkward tension eventually. Joy struggled with this method the most when it was first introduced to the distraught parents, though it was strongly encouraged when he avoided answering questions.

Before the boy could break, though, Joy poked her head in. Jungkook looked up at his wife, "What'd I miss?"

"Sannie was just about to tell me what's been bothering him lately." Jungkook explained, Joy humming at that. Their son shakes his head.

"N-No," he stammered. "Nothing's wrong."

"Are you sure, baby?" She asked gently, stroking his curls, still moist from the leave-in conditioner he tended to use. She made sure not to mention how quiet he was, the therapist said mentioning the loss of progress could lead to further regression, so she chose her words carefully, deciding to be reassuring. "You can tell us if something's been bothering you. Or even if you just have something on your mind."

He looked visibly uncomfortable, distraught, if you will. Joy and Jungkook share a look, and to prevent him relapsing, they change the subject. Though it wouldn't be the end of the conversation. "Come eat, baby. You're not going to bed without dinner."

Jeonsan used to dread dinner, and sometimes he still does. It was the perfect opportunity for conversation, and obviously he wasn't too keen on having any. She has him get up from his desk, "Ah-ah, leave the journal. It won't take long." She urged, Jeonsan sighed heavily. He was very attached to his journal, it was his fifth one since he's started documenting his thoughts a few years back, right at the cusp of puberty. The only person allowed to read it was his therapist. The parents were advised not to look in them without Jeonsan's permission - it was too invasive.

He picked at his food, something was eating away at him. The parents could tell. God, what they would give to know what he was thinking. It was frustrating. It always had been. All the boy had to do was speak, but they knew it wasn't that easy for him. Jeonsan fumbles with the corner of his place mat on the table, his fingers moving rhythmically in their usual cyclical fashion. He hasn't fumbled with things like this in a while. Joy began to worry something was genuinely bothering him. She didn't want her baby to regress again. It was so hard to come back to a good place.

Jungkook saw the worry haunting her expression, he extends his foot toward hers, subtly reminding her that he was there. They'd go through it together, just like they always have. Jungkook takes a bite of his pizza, "You ought to shave, San. You've got some stubble coming in."

The teenager looks up from his plate, directing his gaze at his father in response to his random statement. "I do?" He asked, confused. He reaches for his chin to feel.

"Yup. Your hair grows back fast, like your mother."

Joy playfully narrows her eyes at her husband, suggesting he choose his next words carefully or else his shin would be at the mercy of her foot. But Jungkook was feeling playful, and decided to chance a minor bruise if it meant teasing his wife. "She's had to shave every other day, she's so hairy- ow! Baby, I'm kidding!" He knew damn well she got laser hair removal years ago. It was a permanent treatment and it cost her a fortune. Not to mention how much he took advantage of the fact that she was completely hairless from the neck down.

"Mhmm." Joy kept her watchful gaze on her husband, peeking to see they'd successfully put a bit of a smile on their son's face. Though it started to fade.

"Sannie, is this about...?" She trailed off, Jungkook shaking his head before she could mention what their son walked in on. The boy shifts uncomfortably. "...anything we can help you with?" She continued, changing the subject.

The boy lifts his gaze from his pizza at her. Joy felt her heart swell. For a moment she was looking at her baby boy, who used to cling to her leg for dear life. His large eyes, which looked exactly like his father's, met hers for just a moment. "No, Mama. I'm fine."

She sighs, he was pushing them away now. It stung, more than they thought it would. He used to rely so much on them to make him feel better. Now he won't even admit that something's bothering him when it clearly was. She looks at Jungkook helplessly, and it poked at the singer's heart.

🌺🌺🌺

"He's hurting, Kookie! I know it. I feel it." Joy blubbers, wiping at her cheeks as she fumbles with the comforter, trying to pull the heavy sheet on her lap. Before she could get too exasperated with it, Jungkook climbed in beside her, pulling most of it's weight over his wife.

"We don't know that, Joy-" He shakes his head, trying to calm her down. She'd worked herself up again, and since Jungkook has hardly been home all month, she's had to internalize these concerns by herself.

"Yes we do!" She hiccupped, covering her eyes helplessly. Jungkook sighs, pulling her into his chest. He rubs her back.

"Don't cry, baby. Please." It was breaking his heart. He hated seeing his wife feel so distraught and helpless. They've shared a lot of tearful experiences over this.

"I just... I feel useless. What kind of mother doesn't know how to console her son? He's not little anymore, I can't just hold him and tell him everything's going to be alright. Did you see how he tensed when we touched him?"

Jungkook reluctantly bobs his head, his chest was aching. "Maybe we need to call Dr. Baek, before it gets worse." He suggested.

"I thought about it, but he's out for the next two weeks for a personal leave. What do we do...? My baby won't talk to me anymore...." It was so good to hear his voice. Once, in Jeonsan's adolescence, they thought they'd never hear his voice again.

"He's been reserved like this all month, Kookie. I thought that maybe if you spent some more time at home..." She hiccups into his chest. Jungkook blinks back his own tears.

"Breathe, baby. Please, just take a deep breath. He'll get through this." He soothes, rocking her side to side.

"But what if he doesn't? What if we have to wait another three years before he talks to us again? If he regresses back to that... Jungkook, I don't know what I'll do."

Joy was a bit traumatized by that rough stage in their son's life. She felt that she failed him as a mother. And it was no help that his classmates picked on him. They ridiculed the poor boy for how quiet and reserved he was, how anxious he got around crowds. Never mind his outstanding appearance.

"Please, can you talk to him? I don't know if it'll help anything but he won't talk to me. Maybe I'm too emotional for him to handle."

"Can't we wait until Dr. Baek is back in?" Jungkook suggested, he was the professional, after all.

"You and I both know he could regress by then." She croaks, sniffling into her husband's chest. Jungkook knew she was right. He could at least try, if not to alleviate this, than to at least give his wife some peace of mind. She had always been worried for their son, even before he was a twinkle in her eye. She feared for his future, having always wanted to prepare him properly for it. Jungkook wanted her to remember that she's done just that and more for their boy.

On weekdays, Jeonsan goes to bed routinely at the same time. Though it was Friday night, and aside from a tutoring session in the morning, he had no obligations. His lamp light glowed from behind the door, soft and warm. Jungkook knocks on the door, "Sannie? Are you up?"

He slowly pokes his head in, Jeonsan turning from his desk. He was scribbling something in his journal again.

Jungkook fully expected to be greeted verbally, but his son simply smiled at him before turning back to his work. Jungkook sighs, shutting the door behind him. He made sure Joy was asleep before approaching Jeonsan's room. She was making herself more distressed. She's had her fair share of fainting spells in the past, induced by the stress that Jeonsan's social ailment brought to them as a family. He didn't want to see her faint like that again, luckily their son had never witnessed it, surely he'd blame himself.

Jungkook moves further into the room, "What're you up to?" He asked, knowing full well what he was doing.

'Journaling.' He signed, Jungkook deflated. He was hoping he wouldn't resort to sign language as a primary form of communication. He wished sometimes that he never learned it since it was becoming more of a crutch than a substitution. But for a good portion of his life, it was the only way Jeonsan could manage to communicate.

"Can I ask what you're writing about?" Jungkook wondered, signing at the same time. Of course Jeonsan didn't need to have anyone sign back to him when he was perfectly capable of hearing, but Jungkook didn't like the idea of him doing it by himself if he could help it. It made things less awkward.

Jeonsan looks at his writing, then back at his father. 'Work-outs.'

"From practice?" Jungkook wondered. His son nodded. Jungkook sits on his son's bed just as he had before.

"What about work-outs?" He inquired.

Jeonsan shifted, looking a bit uncomfortable by the constant questions. But Jungkook wanted to get the truth, he could at least try.

'They were tough.' He explained with his hands, avoiding Jungkook's unmoving gaze on him, giving his son his full undivided attention. Jeonsan struggled with having attention on him, but he was getting used to it.

"Sannie, be honest with me," the boy nods, continuing to write in his journal. "You still like basketball, right? Your Mama and I want you to enjoy playing." His coaches mentioned Jeonsan's quietness and more recently how dejected he was at practice. He always seemed to have something on his mind.

Jeonsan hesitates, but nods. He didn't want to play at first. Back when he was in middle school, he was hyper-focused on his studies. He struggled to socialize with his peers. His therapist recommended enrolling him in extracurricular activities, it would encourage him to come out of his shell some more. Jeonsan didn't have any interest in anything, but Yoongi hyung recommended basketball, since Younggyu was playing it. Granted, Younggyu was already thriving socially before he made the team, but at least Jeonsan could go into it knowing there was at least one person he liked. In the few years he's been playing, he claims to enjoy it. It was the start of a new season, and up until this point he's been acting as his usual self. His verbal self. Jungkook had a hunch that whatever it was that bothered him, it had to do with basketball.

The boy changed the subject, 'I heard Mama crying.' He signed, his expression looked similar to Joy's when he was worried.

Jungkook sighs, bobbing his head. "She's worried about you. Her heart is breaking for you."

'Why?'

Jungkook hesitated, but he couldn't hide it forever. These concerns had to be addressed. It was risky to express his and his wife's concerns to Jeonsan directly, because it could make him feel worse and they'd lose more progress. But it could just as easily help the teenager understand their perspective more.

"She doesn't want you to regress again," Jungkook admitted slowly, watching Jeonsan's face fall.

"You know how much we love you, San. How much your Mama loves you. Seeing you hurting, and regressing because of it... it hurts her. Breaks her heart. We want to help you but we don't know how. I understand you don't want to tell us what it is, but hiding the fact that it's happening at all makes it worse."

'I don't mean to make her feel bad...' He signed, the guilt surfacing on his expression, but that wasn't why Jungkook told him all this. He didn't want his son to feel guilty over this.

"We know, Sannie. It's... It's not your fault. Last time you regressed... it was because someone was picking on you at school, right?" the boy looks away at that. Jungkook feels a twinge in his chest. That was it. He felt a small pang of relief to know what it was so they could handle it, but it was overwhelmed with hurt for his child, who was ailing because he'd once again fallen victim to someone's sense of superiority. "You can tell me if it's happening again."

The boy heaves a heavy breath, shaking his head. Jungkook waited, watching how Jeonsan's eyes got glassy. He sighs shakily, 'I don't want to talk about it.'

Jungkook nods, feeling a little better. At the very least, he got to the root of the problem. But he had to be patient with his son. He'll share with them when he chooses. "Alright, doesn't have to be now, or even with me. We're going to help you Jeonsan. It's our job as your parents, please let me know if it gets worse, okay?"

The boy nods, avoiding looking at his father. He was blinking back the tears trying to surface, though his face was getting flushed. "I'll let you tell your Mama. It should be you." The boy fumbles with his pen, nodding his head quickly. Jungkook figured Jeonsan wanted him out of his room.

"Good night, kid. Sleep well." He granted, shutting the door behind himself, hearing Jeonsan flip to another page before he aggressively scrawled in another entry. Jungkook saunters back to bed with his wife, pulling her onto him.

He sighed deeply, hearing her murmur sleepily. "Did he tell you anything?"

Jungkook kept his eyes shut, feeling her tuck her head beneath his chin, her arm wrapped around his middle. "He'll tell you himself." He replied, kissing her forehead and facing the ceiling.

🌺🌺🌺

"M...Mama?" His voice was a croak, Joy whips her head toward it. She saw her son in all his meek nature. He was as big and robust as his father was when Jungkook was in his prime, not to mention just as tall - if not taller. He was fumbling with his stubby fingers, looking down at his bare feet.

"Yes, baby? Is something wrong?" Joy asked, having heard the thickness of his tone. Jeonsan hadn't said a word all week, and usually his voice was pretty strained and croaky when he starts again. Sometimes the refrain made his throat sore, which made it harder for him to start talking again. However, she recognized distress in her son's voice. She easily distinguished it, having only heard him speak so few times.

She pats the seat beside her on the couch, shutting her work laptop to give him her full attention. She knew it made him anxious to have full focus on him with expectations for him to speak, but it was a common courtesy that he was owed just as much as everyone else.

His large eyes were glassy, and his ebony curls hung in his face. She moves his hair out of his eyes, wishing he'd tied it up or twisted it. He'd gotten a haircut recently, a nice undercut that made him look handsome like his father.

"Dad said... He wanted me to tell you," the boy swallowed thickly. Joy made a mental note to make him some tea to soothe his throat. She always had honey and tea ready in case this happens. "Some of my teammates... they don't like me. They give me a hard time at school."

Joy had a million and one inquiries dancing at the tip of her tongue, but she bit it tightly, waiting for him to elaborate. He needed to fully express the issue from his perspective, no interruptions.

"It's a couple of the newer kids, they transferred to our school before the season started... they humiliate me. Younggyu, too," she watched him hold his throat, wincing a bit. Already he was getting a bit hoarse. Joy grips his hands, they were warm and large, like his father's. They used to be so small...

Jeonsan goes quiet, Joy watching the heat flush his cheeks, "They say things about how we look, Younggyu doesn't really care about it, but... they don't bother him the way they bother me."

Joy studies his face, his somber, teary eyes. She kept seeing the scared baby that didn't know how to express himself, that traumatized young boy that was petrified to complete silence. Most of the kids in his school have been kind and patient with him, but there was always those few, no matter what he did. If it wasn't about his appearance, it was his social disorder, or vice versa, or even a combination. They always had something to antagonize him with. Jeonsan used to try to ignore it and handle it himself, whatever he could to get them to leave him alone, but his parents have had to use authoritative intervention from time to time. Often it had been the only solution.

He recalls his hand to cover his face, he hated getting emotional in front of people. However, much like both of his parents, he was very in touch with his emotions. He just tended to hide them to avoid stirring up conversation. These avoidances had always been a major cause of concern for Joy and Jungkook, but Sannie was working on it.

"Oh baby," Joy cooed softly, feeling herself tear up. She heard him fight a sob, and pulled him into her bosom. She didn't care that he was bigger than her now, he was never too old or too big to be held by his Mama. "I don't know what to do, Mama. They won't leave me alone... I tried everything Dr. Baek told me to...!" He muttered helplessly into her chest.

Joy leans back, rubbing his shoulders and running her fingers through his curls. It always calmed him down as a baby, holding him. Often she didn't even have to say anything, just rub soothing circles into his back.

She didn't care if other people thought she was coddling him, that such a big guy like Jeonsan shouldn't ever cry to his mother and be rocked in her arms. He was still her baby, and only a teenager, at that. She missed this, holding him. He was warmer than she remembered.

"It'll be alright, baby," she soothed gently.

"I can't figure out what to do, Mama..." he croaks, she looks down at his face, wiping his cheeks. Jeonsan tended to get frustrated when he couldn't figure things out. He tackled complex algorithms, complicated language barriers, challenging dilemmas that could make or break the outcome of his games - but overcoming personal obstacles always had him stumped. It was bothering him, more than Joy thought it would.

"Well, you did something right," she started, he looks up at her, his large wet eyes never breaking from hers.

"I did?" he croaked.

Joy nods, "I'm glad you told me, Sannie. You don't have to handle this on your own, especially if it's bothering you this much. I can't take back what those kids said or did to you but I can make sure they never do it again. That's a promise." No kid should be terrorized on his own school campus, be damned if she was letting those boys say another hurtful word to her baby. And something better be done about it, pronto. If not, the school faculty would have to see a side of her that she didn't like. She was calling his coaches to get a better idea of what was going on.

"Mama..." Jeonsan started, knowing how his mother got when she was defending her family, especially him. He remembered his father having to carry her out of one of his old elementary schools because they refused to take disciplinary action against the little boy that dumped his lunch on Jeonsan's head. He hasn't been on that block since.

"I'll be reasonable, Sannie," she reasoned, though it would take Joy some serious self-control. "Mostly."

She heard him chuckle, sounding like his father. "Thanks, Mom."

"Anything for you, baby, you know that." she whispered, kissing his silky curls.

🌺Y'all seem to enjoy the more serious and lengthy excerpts. This may have answered some questions about Jeonsan as a character. Feel free to comment or dm me if you have any questions, suggestions, or recommendations. I'm open to having conversations about these characters. Is there anyway you guys think I could have tackled the subject matter differently? Have any questions? Requests? Let me know! Peace.

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peculiarscriptures51 · 2 years

Text

The one where she gives him a chance (JJK)

🌺 Jungkook suffers from an anxiety disorder. He was never an idol in this excerpt

She was standing right there. The girl who captured his eyes. Took hostage of his heart every time his large doe eyes would catch a glimpse of her pretty face. And make it stutter when she smiled at him. Those over-the-shoulder looks always seemed to put him in a dumb-founded stupor. It would usually take a challenge from her boyfriend to shake him out of it.

She was by the punch bowl, the violet fluorescent lights dancing over her floor length gown. For once, that boyfriend of hers wasn't with her, and she seemed rather upset about it. He watched her stare into her plastic cup, the translucent red punch didn't seem to satisfy her taste at all.

Jungkook wipes his damp palms on his pants, surely his mother wouldn't take too kindly to him wrinkling up his tux. But she had captured his mind, occupied it so that he could hardly focus on anyone else.

He resists the urge to tug at his roots at the back of his head, having styled his hair quite nicely for this dance. He figured if he was going to attend it after all, he may as well look the full part. His parents simply wouldn't allow for him to not commit to taking part in Prom. They swore by their word that he would regret not attending in the future.

He takes a shaky breath, feeling his hands start to tremor a bit. He clenched his fists for a moment, flexing his fingers. Her dress shimmers as she moves, looking around the venue rather impatiently. She didn't seem to like being alone.

"Okay..." He muttered to himself, swallowing his nerves and mustering the courage to start approaching her. He towered over her now, after all these years in high school. He was still getting used to how big he was.

She started to notice him as he approached, gently pushing past his classmates who danced and gyrated on each other, reeking of vodka. Much to the blatant disapproval of the chaperones.

"Joy! Hey, sorry about that, baby-"

"You just abandoned me, Trev...!" She was upset with her boyfriend, he cooed and managed to block her from Jungkook's sight. He stopped in his tracks, chest deflating in defeat.

"I'll make it up to you, baby, I promise. How about that dance?" He draped his arm over her slender shoulders, steering her into the midst of the crowd. Joy bites back a smile, seeming to have easily forgiven Trevor for leaving her on her own.

🌺🌺🌺

Jungkook's vision was a little blurry on the way back home. He felt something brewing in his chest, but he couldn't make sense of what it was exactly. He just knew that it stung quite the bit. The blurriness would go away for a bit when he wiped at his eyes, collecting on his fingers as moisture, but it was a matter of moments before it would cloud his vision again.

"Oh! Jeongguk-ah! You're home early, I thought the dance ended at ten?" His mother greeted, she and his father were both sitting in their favorite love seats, looking up from their books. His father peers at him over his glasses.

It was hard to speak without something trying to block his throat. It was hot and thick, and the growing lump of pain in his chest wasn't making it any easier to breathe. His mother sets her book aside, seeing his expression. "How was the dance? Did you enjoy yourself?"

"It was alright." He managed, trying to swallow the thickness claiming his voice. It wasn't going down, though. Before she could ask him much else, he began to tug at his tie and ascend the stairs in long strides.

He barely heard his mother's flustered bidding, "Well- okay. Good night. Love you."

🌺🌺🌺

"Thanks so much for understanding, sir! I promise it won't happen again." Jungkook nods and waves, bidding his employee goodbye for the night. People couldn't help their family emergencies. His wife was expecting, after all.

He watched him walk out to fetch his brief case and rush toward the elevator, rushing to get to the birth center his wife was being taken to. Jungkook gets back to the work on his desk, letting the time get past him. Through the walls of his private office he could hear the muffled conversations among all of his employees. Most of it was petty gossip. How the cake slid off a table at someone's wedding. How the kids are doing on their tests. How great marriage therapy is going.

None of it was anything he could really relate to. He... didn't really have anyone. Aside from his parents, of course. But they were across the country now, currently enjoying their anniversary gift from him. He'd paid for their cruise and they were thoroughly enjoying it. Oh, and his niece was doing well, his older brother loved to spoil her. Especially with her birthday coming up.

He was the last to leave his office as usual, figuring he may as well work over time again. There wasn't much back home at the condo for him to take care of. Well, none other than a little cactus plant he'd gotten as a Christmas gift from one of the office parties. He couldn't remember how long he'd had it by now, the years have kind of meshed together.

He shut the lights off on the way out, eyeing all the picture frames of his employees' families in their cubicles. Babies and parents and wives and siblings and friends.... He felt that usual dull ache in his chest when he saw it, a sort of yearning. But he ignored it, as usual. Pushed it down with such a force that he would pretend it never happened. Forget he ever felt anything from it.

He made himself dinner at home, watched a soccer game with limited interest. It was officially the weekend, and he figured it probably wouldn't hurt to get back to his company office to start on a new project in the morning. Though nothing really needed any immediate attention, he'd done far more work than he anticipated that evening.

Jungkook stares blankly at the television screen. He was sat up on his couch. The game had gone to commercial break, and of course the medication commercials were on again. He watched the protagonist smiling and laughing, surrounded by family. People they love.

His phone buzzed on the couch beside him, though when he peeked at the screen it was simply a reminder he had set for himself. Something trivial so that he wouldn't forget to leave the kitchen lights on again. No need to make the bill run high when it was just him there.

He tucks his knees to his chest, leaning back and staring at his ceiling. Maybe he needed to see more people. Different people. Maybe he's become too familiar with the faces he sees at work and TV. But how was he going to do that?

The forecast would be nice tomorrow, if the weather update still held any validity. He's lived in the city for years, run his successful business for the whole of his twenties and he's yet to visit the park in the center of it. His anxiety was too bad for the first few years. He'd give himself attacks if he had to meet up with anyone outside of work. If it had nothing to do with his company then he wasn't capable of handling it.

He had gotten a bit better about it, though. He had only been able to afford reliable therapy about two years ago, and he hesitated to even book that, knowing he'd have to meet with a new person. But he learned to trust his therapist.

"You have to be my loneliest patient I've ever encountered, Jungkook!" He said with a chuckle, like it was something to laugh at. Jungkook would awkwardly reciprocate it rather than challenge it, preferring not to discuss how badly it made him feel as of late. He had always been... on his own. Aside from his parents he hardly made much contact with anyone outside work. Even his older brother, who had started to ignore him when he first hit puberty. And then he left for the military, and by the time he came back he was married and expecting. He never devoted any time to Jungkook... then again, Jungkook never pried.

He could people-watch.... Not in a creepy way. Plenty of his classmates from high school found it weird. He'd say nothing and watch people interact. Share laughs and frustrations with each other. Flirt and mingle. He's watched fights commence. He wasn't even particularly entertained by it so much as he was fascinated. How could it be so easy for these people to build relationships, when he could barely muster the vigor to utter two words? Even if that put him at his own expense.

And Joy... she was always so kind to him - kind to everyone. But when people would laugh and point, make a point out of humiliating him, being the butt of everyone's jokes - she would offer her kindness. She'd never laugh, even when her friends wanted her to.

By the end of freshman year he'd develop a deep appreciation for her, he'd even told her once, though it was very brief. Some upperclassmen had snatched his backpack to toss around like a football over his head, knowing full well he was too anxious to defend himself. She had told them to "Fuck off", and was briefly ridiculed before the bullies had decided to leave him alone.

He couldn't manage more than a sincere "Thank you." he wanted to say more. He always did. But his throat would close up. And his heart would stutter. Especially when she smiled at him, telling him not to worry about it.

He'd been picked on up until he himself became an upperclassmen, and people eventually learned to just leave him alone, somewhat accepting his unwillingness to interact. Not to mention his avoidance of contact at almost every opportunity. She wasn't always there to tell people that their jokes weren't funny, nor did he expect her to be. She'd gotten a boyfriend by the time the harassment stopped. A popular jock that she was head over heels for. Trevor was one of the main culprits to Jungkook's misery, but when he started dating Joy he left Jungkook alone. To this day he wondered if she had anything to do with it. Though he wouldn't be surprised if that weren't even remotely true. Why would Trevor waste time on him when he could focus on Joy - a smart, caring, and devoted girl? She was always ahead of her time. Carried this amazing stride wherever she went. Her smile lit up an entire room.

She often made him flustered. His cheeks would flush and heat up when she smiled at him. There were a few times, particularly in freshman and sophomore year that his hormones would get the best of him. It happened once in class, but he had luckily been able to hide the tent before anyone would catch on to it. Every other time was in his sleep, his mother would wonder why he'd throw out so many pairs of boxers at the time.

She hadn't ever left his mind. He remembered their very last day of class, no one bothered to sign his yearbook, except for Joy. Her friends watched her approach him like she had lost her sanity. She asked if she could sign and he dumbfoundedly gawked at her before sliding his book over to her. I hope your life is fulfilling! - Joy ☺ His shoulders felt a little lighter that day.

Her sweet smile took hold of his mind, and he shut his eyes as he pictures it. It made warmth blossom in his chest. He could only hope she was doing well after all these years. He sincerely hoped she was.

🌺🌺🌺

Jungkook decided to follow through with his idea to visit the park. He had to close his workout with a good run every other morning, though he usually used his treadmill. It wouldn't hurt to take the scenic route, though. At least he hoped it wouldn't.

It was mid-morning by the time he was done. He was winded, especially so. He saw so many people on the path, they'd glance his way, some gazes would linger. It made his heart palpitate and his lungs sting harder. But he pushed through, deciding instead to focus on the trees and birds that waddled and hopped along the ground.

He stopped by an empty bench, slumping back to catch his breath, watching the day drift by in it's slow trot. Much to his relief, no one paid him any mind at first. That is until he heard the wheels of a stroller approaching on the path.

He looked up briefly and lost his breath again at the woman. She had her hair tied up, and her features had matured a bit more, as you'd expect. She looked like she was on a morning stroll.... With her baby.

She sighed and slumped on the other end of the bench, not seeming to notice him. Maybe it was a good thing. Jungkook wasn't sure if he should pull up his hoodie and hide or not. He felt his stomach twist in knots. He didn't usually throw up after exercising but now would be a first.

He clenches his perspiring palms, wiping them on his shorts. The baby seemed to sense his discomfort, starting to fuss from within the stroller. He couldn't help but to stare as she cooed, humming softly as she lifted the infant out.

She hugs the infant to her torso, rubbing his back. He soothed for a few moments before squirming again, his little face pinched in frustration. Joy coos, laying him back into the crook of her arm, swaying side to side. He seemed to take a liking to that. Jungkook wished it were that simple to calm down. His heart wasn't getting the memo.

She seemed to sense his gaze, and before he could look away she caught it. "Cute kid." He muttered, swallowing bile. He put on a friendly smile.

Joy returns it, and Jungkook felt a wave wash over him. It was still just as pretty as he'd remembered it being. "Isn't he? I love his chubby cheeks." She gently squished the infant's cheeks between her fingers. The baby suckled on a blue pacifier, Jungkook watched it bob, anxiously rubbing his knee. He was ready to get up and just go home. Not come out of his condo until he had to go back to the office, but she looked at him fully.

"Oh my God... Jungkook?" There was a flicker of recognition in her eyes, and her smile seemed to grow more, past the shock.

He nods nervously, watching her blink in surprise. "Wow, you look... You look great!" His hair had grown a bit longer, just enough to be tied back - well, most of it. He had already been muscular in high school though it wasn't really showing until his senior year. He got buffer as his twenties came, and were starting to come to a close.

"Th-Thanks.... You do, too." He said sincerely, swallowing again. The baby in her arms gently kicked his chubby legs. He looks fondly at his cute face, studying it. He looked a little bit like Joy, though his complexion wasn't as dark. The baby also had epicanthic eyes, like himself. Trevor wasn't Asian, though...

"...Is he yours?" Jungkook wondered softly, hardly realizing he'd muttered it aloud.

She chuckles softly, her smile was just radiant. God, it was making his gut twist up and tingly and warm. He hadn't felt something so warm in a long, long time. Not since he's last seen her.

"Oh, no. He's my sister's kid. She's got two more, twins, but I can only handle so many kids at once," Joy explained fondly, gently tapping the baby's butt. "Babies are way easier than toddlers."

Was it right to feel the flood of relief in his chest? He knows he shouldn't, wasn't his place. Surely she was in a relationship. And even if she wasn't, who's to say she'd give him a shot? Would he even be able to handle asking her out?

"That's nice, I've got a niece. She's about to turn 6." He rambled.

"No kids for you either?" She wondered.

He actually laughed at that. That would require not being alone. He shakes his head.

"Really?" She seemed genuinely surprised by that. "I figured since you're doing so well for yourself with your company and all that you would. Have you settled down with anyone?" She wondered, and Jungkook could only manage to shake his head.

Before he could ask, she seemed to sense his curiosity. "I've had a couple close calls, but, nothing yet.... You know I see Alex and her family and I just..." She shakes her head as she finds the words, Jungkook hanging on to every one.

"She seems to have everything, you know? You know she married Namjoon? Class president?"

"Wasn't she his Vice President?" Jungkook was genuinely amused to hear that.

Joy giggles, "They made me keep their secret until I graduated. They didn't want anyone to find out about them. People were on to them being so close, since they were both technically supposed to be competitors. Well, here we are, three kids later."

"It's funny how things turn out," He noted and she nods at that. "Life takes a bunch of turns, it seems."

They went quiet for a moment, that is until Joy's nephew whines sleepily, looking restless. "Aw, Domi. What's the matter, hm?" She said in a gentle tone. It was very soothing. She sits the baby up in her lap, bouncing him comfortingly. He couldn't help but to stare at Jungkook, though.

Joy's smile grows, "You wanna hold him?" She offered, Jungkook felt himself pale. His blood ran cold.

"Re-Really? Y-You'd let me...?"

"Yeah, he likes meeting people, don't you Dom?" She smooches his puffy cheek, the baby squealing gleefully. Jungkook blinks, trying to fix himself.

"I'm not too sweaty...?" she was already scooching closer to him to hand the baby over, forcing Jungkook to grab hold of him.

"No, Jungkook, I promise you're fine. See, he likes you." She insisted, the infant landing in his lap. Jungkook felt out of place. He looks up at Jungkook with an expression that could only be read as confusion.

"I haven't held a baby since Luna was born," He muttered. "She wasn't my biggest fan." As if on cue, the baby boy whines, his face pinching with upset. Joy coos and pushes his pacifier back in. Jungkook bounces his knee gently, and he seems to like it enough to stop fussing, settling pretty easily. He spat his pacifier out and replaced it with his fingers.

"See, not so bad, right?" Joy said, giggling as baby Dominic leaned forward into Jungkook's chest.

Jungkook couldn't help but to smile, he was soft and warm. He had forgotten how much he liked babies. His niece Luna gave him the impression that he wasn't very well liked by them, though. But he supposed that wasn't exactly the case.

It was refreshing, he had to admit. Something about holding another warm body just settled him, soothed his nerves. "No wife?" Joy wondered gently, sounding hesitant to ask. "I mean, do you plan on getting married...?"

He simply shakes his head, "That would require having been in a relationship." He admitted. She hums, nodding slowly. Dominic gurgles gently, looking sleepy. Jungkook felt his dry fist curling into his shirt.

"Oh? I guess I figured you'd be in one..." She murmured.

He chuckles dryly at that, shaking his head. "...Can I ask why? I mean, I was never the most... sociable person in the world."

Joy shakes her head, "Still, though. I mean, you thrive in this city, at least your company does. I see your logo everywhere and all the time... I guess I'm saying I expected someone to come running after you."

Jungkook chuckles nervously at that, not having expected that compliment. He felt his cheeks heating in embarrassment. "What makes you say that?" He asked sincerely.

She looked at him with knitted brows, like he had three heads. "Well... I mean... You're a good looking guy and... Very sweet. You always have been." The last part caught him off guard, Dominic coos behind his hand, his lids starting to droop. Gently, Jungkook pats his back, unable to help how much he was enjoying it.

"Re-Really?"

She nods to confirm, a sincere smile on her face. "I lost my glasses one day in freshman year, and this was before I had contacts so I couldn't see for three whole class periods. You returned them to me, and I found out later that you got them back from someone who was trying to pull a prank on me." Jungkook hardly remembered that. It was just the right thing to do. He saw an opportunity to steal her glasses back from the perpetrators and took it. Luckily, they hadn't suspected him.

He shrugs at that, looking at the baby to avoid her insistent gaze, really it wasn't a big deal. But she grips his arm, "I never did tell you just how much that meant to me, back then. And you were always that way, soft-spoken, but... kind. Kind for the sake of it, not for approval or leverage. I appreciated your sincerity." She admitted, Jungkook stares at her face, catching her gaze for a moment. But he lost his breath and tore it away just as quickly.

"...You were the only person that was nice to me," He admitted softly, his voice low. He felt ashamed to admit it aloud. "I was very... lonely growing up and my anxiety made things that much harder for me. You didn't care about it, though. It never fazed you." Jungkook recalls, refusing to meet her gaze, despite feeling her eyes on his face.

He sighs deeply, her silence was unbearable. Hesitant, he peeked up to see her expression, it wasn't saddened, but.... She looked as though hearing him admit such a thing was touching. "Of course it didn't... You're human, after all." She waved it off.

But it wasn't just a gesture to him. It wasn't anything to dismiss. There were days that her kindness, her smile had been his highlight. After long, lonesome days, facing the abrasive world on his own, Joy was the thing that reminded him it was worth it. He hadn't thought of anything too dire, thankfully, but he would genuinely question himself. Why must he be so incapable of communicating with others? Why let it consume him so that it haunts his very core? His anxiety settled in so deep. He wondered if his lonely aura deserved to be encountered by the grace of other people. She reminded him that he did deserve companionship. Even to the simplest degree.

"I... I really, really liked you, Joy. And to be honest, I think I still do." He blurted.

She blinks, her breath hitching. "Really?"

"Of course," he assures. "I've been so lonely for so long. It's unbearable, most days. But your smile, it just... It had a way of lifting that weight. The burden of my anxiety would feel a little bit lighter. You lit up the room every time... I didn't- I don't expect you to like me back-"

"Jungkook..." She shakes her head, chuckling softly. Her smile grows and he was more than a bit startled to see her dab at her eye. "That's the sweetest thing anyone had ever told me."

His eyes widen, "It is?"

"Yeah," she nods. "It really is..." Her phone buzzes and she sighs. "I need to go, but... She pulls something from her purse, scrawling something onto it with a pen. "Feel free to call me if you ever feel like having company. Okay?"

He nods, letting her take the baby, "Oof, Dominic. You're so heavy, bud." She coos at the sleeping baby, settling him in the stroller. Jungkook stands up, dusting his hands on his legs. Joy turns and smiles up at him.

"Make sure you call me, Jeon Jungkook." She says sweetly, taking the stroller's handles and walking past him. Jungkook watches her go, until she's disappeared in the cluster of people brushing by.

🌺 Hope y'all enjoyed. It's just something I thought up of on a whim. Tell me what y'all think.

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peculiarscriptures51 · 2 years

Text

~The one where something’s missing (JJK)~

🌺 This chapter features sexual/erotic content (~) please give me feedback on what you think if you intend to read that particular part of the excerpt. Would you like to see more? Requests? Suggestions? Feedback?

🌺 JK was never an idol in this excerpt

A year had followed the couple's honeymoon. Most of which was quite busy with work as they each had projects to work on.

Jungkook would return home, typically at a late hour, to find food in the fridge and Joy passed out in bed. Since his return from the military, she used to wait long hours for him to return home. But Jungkook didn't like having to keep bringing her to bed when he came home. Not to mention, he didn't want her up losing sleep over him. So, as of recently, she's always found sleeping in their bed.

The house was content, very much so. Usually whenever the two had time together it was well spent, if they weren't out and about, the home was filled with laughter and cheeriness.

And yet, somehow on this particular late night, Jungkook couldn't help but feel as though it was vacant. He had an urge to fill it, though. No doubt Joy felt this same absence, especially when he was not with her, as she was always home a couple of hours sooner than he was.

He migrated upstairs and washed up for the night, Joy stirring in bed when he climbed in. He leans over her body to turn off her bedside lamp, she had a habit of falling asleep as she was reading. She still had her tablet in her hand. He sits up, grabbing the smart device to plug in for her, though as the cord was inserted the screen lit up.

Jungkook curiously examines the checklist Joy had written on the device, most of which being typical chores and responsibilities for her to take care of, though one thing caught his eye. It was highlighted in purple, reading Ask Kookie about a dog? in English.

He hums, turning the device off and placing it beside her lamp safely, switching the glowing light off before leaning down and kissing her temple.

Needless to say, he got home early one day, around noon. Joy would be arriving two hours later, and so that would give Jungkook ample time to set up the surprise he had for her.

The little hound was quite lethargic, however, having slept that whole morning. At least he wasn't too hyper for Jungkook to tie a bow to his collar. Jungkook scratches his floppy ears, one of them would erect itself every now and then as the puppy sluggishly fought sleep.

He chuckled, "Yah, you've gotta stay up so you can greet your new Mommy." Of course he wasn't listened to, and the boxer pup rested his face back on his paws, his jowls drooping adorably.

Jungkook sighs, humming as he thinks of something that'll get him a bit more energized. He nudged the pup with a plush toy - one that didn't make noise, as the Jeon's both agreed that if they were to ever get a pet that it would never have noisy toys. Despite his efforts, the pup let out a soft snore. It was cute, he'll give him that.

Jungkook checks his watch and sighs, he couldn't feed the pup, as he's very susceptible to having whatever he consumes go right through him, and Jungkook had taken him out and bathed him already.

He'd let Joy name their puppy, since she had wanted it in the first place. Jungkook settles to just carry him in his arms, lifting the pup up and bouncing him as though he were a little fussy baby. The pup's big eyes crack open as he does so, whimpering because he was disturbed.

Jungkook laughs as the puppy's wet eyes land on his face. "Did that wake you?" He cooed, rubbing his furry chest affectionately. He hears Joy's car in the drive way, and he heads over to their kitchen to hide for a minute. The door is unlocked, "Kookie? Are you home?" She called, having spotted his car.

All of a sudden the puppy wakes up a bit more, starting to squirm. Jungkook covers his mouth before he can bark. "Yeah, Joy. Hold on," He called back, hearing her migrate to the living room after putting her keys away, right where he wanted her.

"How come you're home so early?" She asked from the living room.

"I was told I could get off sooner," he stated nonchalantly, though really he'd asked his boss for the rest of the day which was gladly given to him. Jungkook is one of their best workers, after all.

"Oh? How come you didn't text me? Have you been home long?" She wondered, Jungkook hummed, having to bounce the little pup again, who he was trying to keep awake again. When he whines, he figures that it was now or never.

He walks out into the living room, "I have something to show you, jagiya." He sang softly, Joy looks up from her phone and gasps, her eyes becoming saucers. "Jungkook, whose puppy is this?"

"Ours, baby," he laughed, Joy standing up from the couch and reaching for the little boxer, who was suddenly more alert considering the pretty lady's attention.

"He's really sleepy, so..." Jungkook paused as Joy hugged the excited pup to her chest. His little nub of a tail wagging. He coos as the pup licks her neck, "Joy, don't cry." He laughed, hugging her close.

She couldn't keep it together at that point. "He's so cute..." she whimpered, sniffling and stroking the pup's ears. "Is he really ours, Kookie? I swear if this is some kind of prank..." He laughed, his eyes shrinking as he did.

"Of course, and you get to name him, I'll have it tagged in English and Korean so we can put it on his collar."

"I'll have to think about it," she admitted. "For now, I'll call him Bubbie. Since he's so cute."

🌺🌺🌺

Though after the new addition, things had inevitably fallen back into that dull, monotonous tone of life. Somehow, the house felt empty again. And Jungkook was certain this time about just how to fill it.

They had dedicated their evening to relaxing, and were also looking forward to an uneventful weekend. Time often caught up with the both of them and their work was starting to take more time away from each other as well as their dog.

Joy walks in with a massive bowl of popcorn, hugging two pints of ice cream in the crook of her elbow. She hands him one and places the bowl between them, already chewing on a few pieces of their crunchy snack.

She wasn't sporting a lot of clothes, any chance she was given to not put on much and she took it. Joy had put on an old hoodie of his that she stole from him years ago, back when they first started dating. She always made him put it on again anytime he'd visit home from military service, to 'give it his scent back'. Jungkook used to tease her that it was being creepy, until she admitted that it was how she used to cope with missing him.

She had sweater paws, the sleeves covered the heels of her hands and knuckles. Her chocolate, nimble fingers poking out the sleeve, though that was the extent of it. But most of all, her legs were completely bare, and Jungkook can tell that the hair removal treatment she'd endured had kept well (As it should, since he paid for her to get the laser procedure and they charged extra for her dark skin). Her skin was always baby soft, smooth, and had a sort of gleam to it. When the light would hit her a certain way, the slightly muted hues would reflect and catch his eyes. With the television on in front of them, her legs had a blue shade dancing on them.

Joy tries to pry open her pint, though she had small hands, so she'd have to start pulling the top off from the rim. Though she's been losing energy as of lately, due to sleepless nights and work-related stress. Jungkook had caught her hands shaking all throughout that week, even in her sleep.

He takes her pint for her before she could get frustrated, easily wrapping his finger tips along the rim of the top and popping it off with ease. She barely loosened it. He hands it back to her, giving her a worried glance.

"What?" She noticed his watchful gaze. She drives her spoon into her tub of ice cream and shovels a heap into her mouth.

"Are you alright?" He finally asked, having been trying to find a good time to voice his concerns that whole week.

She just raised her brow and waited for him to elaborate.

"You don't have as much energy, baby, it's worrying me." He replied. Only for his wife to promptly shake her head. She swallows her treat.

"I'm fine Kookie,"

"But you're losing weight," he noticed, not so much in her body, but he could see it a bit in her face, as well as her collar bone, which looked especially sharp this particular evening.

"That's what this is for," She said, holding up her ice cream before eating another scoop. He sighs at her, shaking his head a bit. "Really, Kookie, I'm okay."

"Prove it, then." He wanted her to see it for herself. There was something off about her. They usually tell each other about their work-weeks and how much it takes a toll on them. Though Joy didn't share as much with him, and what she did mention was nothing she wasn't used to. He was positive there was something else factoring into this stress. Like there was something lacking with her.

He hummed as he hands her his unopened pint of ice cream. It was still frozen shut, though it would open with the right amount of strength. Joy takes it from him and makes another attempt, she pouts when her cute fingers keep slipping. Jungkook was too worried to be amused by her adorable efforts. Usually Joy didn't struggle with opening things - ever. She didn't have the energy.

She sighs, flipping her spoon so that the end of it pointed up, she wedges it under the lid and pops it off easily. Jungkook chuckles as she hands it back to him, smiling cheekily. "Joy, you get my point, though, right?" He wondered.

She sighed as she took another bite. "I guess I do, Kookie. I dunno what it is, it just feels like... we're lacking something..." Just as he thought. He hums in understanding.

Joy looks down at their dog Marble, also nicknamed Bubble for his adamant obsession with 'eating' them. He follows her gaze, hearing her sigh. "It got better when he came around, it's just that it kinda feels... empty again." She muttered.

"Like we need something else." He stated knowingly, Joy looking a bit surprised that he was understanding. She bobs her head, both of them staring mindlessly at the movie for a moment, each taking a scoop of their ice cream. Jungkook grabs a handful of popcorn. It consisted of various mixes, from buttery, to sweet, to cheesy. They figured there couldn't be too much harm to cheat days. And if they got headaches later, they can at least both agree that it was a collective stupid decision.

"We haven't had sex in a while." He pointed out. A while being about two weeks, depending on the person that could be a long time for a married couple - at least one as close as they were.

Joy scoffs in amusement, placing her lid back on her pint and licking her spoon. "I guess we haven't. We've been so busy." JK nods at his wife, waiting for her to turn back to look at him for his response. When she does, he makes it known that he's checking her out, making sure to bite his lip and wink at her.

She giggles, "Oh my god, Kookie. You and your stupid charm." She pushes his chest with the heel of her hand. He chuckles at her flustered behavior, noticing how she was hiding behind her hand like she always does when she feels shy.

"It worked didn't it?" He defended, only getting a giggle in return. Now she was playing games, she knew he wanted her to admit it.

He moves the popcorn bowl to the middle of the coffee table so Marble can't reach it, as well as their melting ice cream pints. She squeals when he tackles her in a bear hug, giggling as he playfully bites her shoulder. She squirms, "Kookie, get off of me!" She laughed, trying to push his chest, though he wasn't budging.

His hoodie rode up her waist, exposing her dark panties, he was knelt between her legs, trapping her beneath him.

"Admit that it worked." He said, his firm tone playful yet suggestive. Joy used her tone just as much to refuse his silly demand, sticking her tongue out at him.

He leans down to her neck, tickling her. Her giggles were definitely uncontrollable now, and she was in hysterics when he blew a raspberry on her neck. Usually the spot he would kiss that would have her melting away at his touch.

"Okay! Okay!" She chortled, catching her breath once he stopped, he leans back up wearing a smug grin, raising his brows suggestively. "Your charm worked." She gave in, eyes teary from laughing so hard. He chortles, wiping her eyes of the moisture a bit, moving so she can sit up. "Now I have to pee." She whined.

He laughed again, watching her get up, the hoodie falling back over her thighs. She wasn't necessarily small, it's just the hoodie was so big. Even for him. She walked around the couch. He reaches over and taps her butt, though Joy was unfazed, he laughs at her attitude.

"I'll meet you in bed." He called after her, hearing her shout an agreement back. Jungkook puts their snacks away and cleans up any remnants they may have spilled in the midst of his tickle attack. He pats Marble's head to bid goodnight before shutting off the tv and jogging upstairs after his wife.

Joy pants heavily, her breathing getting erratic. Whimpers leave her mouth as she's pumped into. Jungkook feels a tug on his neck, Joy almost forcefully pulling him down, despite how sweaty he was getting.

He laughs at her enthusiasm, not stopping because he knew she'd be displeased if she didn't get her moment. He feels her hips grinding up into him. "Kook..." she pants. "Kookie..."

He grunts, forcing himself to stop, which was almost painful. She pouts, gripping his hair, trying to swivel her hips for more friction. "H-Hold on, Jagi," his voice was husky. "Aigoo..." He winced, knowing full well that he wasn't going to last very long if they kept going the way they were. Joy seemed to notice.

She rolls over onto her stomach, her legs hanging off the bed. Jungkook stands up, pulling her by her waist quickly, probably a bit too rough. Joy gasped when she was suddenly dragged to the end of the bed. She mewled, panting as he pushed himself back in.

She sinks her head into the mattress, whimpering with every pump. Jungkook had a good grip on her hips, which drove her crazy already. Jungkook had no idea why she liked him holding her waist so much, but he kept doing it. He felt her clenching around him.

She props herself up on her elbows, murmuring incoherently to herself. There was a noticeable tapping in the room, accompanied by their soft breaths. She gasps, almost startling him, but he kept his steady pace, "Oh god, right there..." she whimpered under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear it. Her arms stretch in front of her, elongating her back and pronouncing the curve of her butt. She grips the sheets beneath her.

She looked so alluring, her silhouette trembles in the darkness. He pulls away, Joy flipping right back onto her back and pulling him with her. He didn't know where she got this strength from all of a sudden. "Baby, we just-"

She shuts him up with a kiss, spreading her legs wide. He felt a tight grip on his arms, Joy throwing her head back onto her pillow, eyes shut as she enjoyed the bliss, trying to catch her breath as he pumped her from above. She reaches up and tugs his hair, prompting him to look down into her eyes for a moment. They were striking, and before he knew it, he was starting to get sloppy.

Joy could already sense his climax, and pulled him down close to her, hugging his body tightly as he pumped quickly, tucking his head into her neck. He groaned at last, trying to regain himself, though it's been a while since he felt such an intense climax. He pushes himself up, considerably out of breath. She really tuckered him out this time. Joy's body relaxes, though he could still feel her thighs quivering on his waist from the intensity.

He sighs, giving her a satisfied kiss before rolling off of her, flopping on the bed. "Aigoo..." he muttered again. They'd need a shower, for sure. "That was good."

She giggles quietly, neither of them touching each other, as both of them felt far too heated for any kind of contact at the moment. When the pair cools off, and return from an eventful shower, they lie in each other's embrace.

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peculiarscriptures51 · 2 years

Text

The one where there’s turmoil (JJK)

🌺I totally forgot I wrote this oml

"What's up with you?" Yoongi asked their maknae, who walked into the dressing room, pacing and ignoring everyone. Clearly something was up.

As expected, the younger didn't answer, keeping his gaze down as he made slight movements to rehearse his dance routine. Jungkook had a big role to play for this particular performance, and he knew he couldn't afford to lose his focus on this.

"Yah, Jeonggukie, hyung asked you something." Jimin addressed, stuffing his fist in his pocket as he waited expectantly for the younger to respond. At the moment it was hard to take Jungkook seriously, especially considering how he was acting so silly just the night before.

Kook only shakes his head, his stylist fixing his blazer for a moment before adjusting his eye make-up. Jimin and Yoongi share a knowing look, Jungkook looked pissed about something. And, as usual, didn't open up about it.

Jimin chuckled dryly at their maknae's antics, thinking it was something incredibly minor. "Yah, is it about Joy?" He started to tease, knowing their maknae would get flustered.

Before Jungkook could react, Jin eagerly joined the conversation, always willing to tease the younger. "Jiminie you shouldn't joke about such things... Of course it's about Joy! He's probably irritated that she-"

He stopped when he noticed the fiery look in their maknae's eyes. Jungkook remained quiet but he had anger in him. He tucks his shirt in securely, ignoring his hyungs, who suddenly stopped their joking once they realized the gravity of it. Jungkook was truly bothered.

But it didn't matter at the moment, they were called onto stage. Jungkook heads to his position, getting ready for his cue. He fixes his ear piece, and in doing so, hears his hyungs whispering amongst the bustle of producers and staff preparing everything around him.

"Something's going on."

"I think it's serious."

"Do you think Joy has anything to do with it?"

"Are they okay?"

Jungkook sighs internally, fixating his eyes at his feet as he tries to focus....

Who the fuck was she talking to on the phone?

It's all he's been thinking about since he left the hotel. His music cue starts, and as usual, he nails every move for the performance. Naturally, his eyes start to wander in the audience, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to find Joy amongst the crowd.

Why was there a baritone voice on the other line? And more importantly, why did she say 'I love you' in English to it? Kook was pretty damn sure he was the only man involved in her life, at least he thought he was. It wasn't just what she said, but how she said it. Her voice was hushed, as if she was nervous or being discreet. She had her back turned and looked as if she was weary of someone - or maybe Jungkook - noticing.

She wouldn't cheat on him, would she? No. It couldn't be.

He hears cheering, eyes immediately landing on the gorgeous woman in the crowd. Joy stood out, but always located herself in different parts of the venue. Often times he couldn't even see her from the stage.

How could she cheer like everything was okay? As if she wasn't betraying him? Jungkook admitted, he felt angry - more than angry. He saw the smile on her face fade a bit, and he didn't miss a single step watching it. He threw himself into the performance, earning very subtle glances from his members.

It hurt him to think she'd do this. Maybe there was a way to get back. Honestly, if she were to talk to other guys and then turn her back and cheer as if nothing happened, then what was to stop him from doing the same? There was this pretty dancer for another group's act. She was kind of clingy to him and until now, she wasn't very appealing to him. But the more he glances at Joy the more attractive the other girl becomes.

What was there not to like about a cute, short, fair-skinned girl? She had long brown hair that was curled and a cutesy outfit that suited her bubbly personality. He first spotted her singing along to her unnies' song during group rehearsals, and her voice wasn't too bad either.

The crowd erupts into cheers as the performance ends. With his plot in his mind, Jungkook keeps a neutral face, going to find the girl. He hoped she hadn't left yet, as her performance was already over for the night.

Joy wasn't sure why Jungkook kept glancing at her the way he was. There was a hardness to his eyes that she couldn't make much sense of. Occasionally all the members on stage gave her a worried look at some point during the performance.

She sneaks backstage, showing her VIP card to a security guard, who already knew her by her face. Joy was very friendly after all. The crowd cheers as the next idol act comes on.

Joy walks through the busy corridor, dancers and staff shoving past her. In all the commotion, she noticed the arm of a familiar glittery black blazer disappear into a room, dragging with it a young girl in a sexy outfit.

Joy furrows her brows, realizing she'd stopped in her tracks to process it. It couldn't have been her boyfriend bringing that girl into that closet.... It wasn't his milky white hand and toned arm that the girl was holding. It couldn't be. He wouldn't... he wouldn't hurt her like that, would he?

Joy takes small steps, realizing the door had never been closed completely. She heard his voice, not what he said, but he was speaking.

No...

Her conscience was screaming at her, but she couldn't stop herself from looking further. She approached the door, peeking just enough to not show her face. And her eyes widen at the sight of the girl pressed up to her boyfriend. Her face cupped in his hands as he spoke to her. Her small, pale hands gripping his muscular arms....

"I've had my eyes on you all day..." Were the words that left his lips in a gentle whisper. A tone that Joy was sure was reserved for herself. Joy didn't need to hear anymore; her heart had imploded. Her chest hurt to no end, without a peep, she turned and walked away.

She had to get away from here. She needed to be as far as possible from that closet, the building, hell she'll be far from the city.

All this time, she put so much trust in him. Jungkook wasn't like this. Why would he do this so suddenly? There was no inclination, no statement, no hunch - nothing. Yet he glares at her from stage and sweet talks a back-up dancer.

She felt choked by the pain, she couldn't breathe, and if she did it would come out as a pitiful sob. But she refused to sit in a stall and cry. Joy didn't want to risk seeing him.

She heads to the break room, reserved for BTS, grabbing her bag and jacket. Hoseok and Taehyung spot her from a distance, "Joy!" They call in unison. But she doesn't spare them a glance, doesn't look at them, she can't even muster the strength to lift her head, focusing all her energy on leaving the building. Because she knows that if she responds, she will unravel right before them. She needed to be strong, at least until she felt she was safe enough to be in an environment that she trusted herself enough to be vulnerable.

She shrugs her jacket on, starting to turn toward the door. Namjoon grabs her arm, having been informed about Jungkook's mood prior to the performance. And now here was his sister-in-law, who was very upset. "Joy, what happened?" He demanded in English.

She bites her lips, feeling her chest lurch abruptly. Painfully, she takes a breath, pulling away and storming out the nearest exit.

She wipes her flowing stream of tears, pulling out a cap and mask from her bag before placing them on. She put on a massive pair of sunglasses as well, the only parts of her face that were exposed being her forehead and nose.

It hurt so much. Each beat of her heart made her chest throb, her core was struck with an overwhelming sense of hurt.

She left the venue, and checked into the hotel, packing her bags as she sobbed quietly. Namjoon kept calling her phone. Every member was texting her number, even HYBE staff were blowing up her phone.

Joy didn't care. She just knew she wanted to avoid one number for certain. She snatched her phone from where it was charging and immediately blocked his number. With that she shut her phone completely off.

"I don't need you." She told herself, clutching her heart with a tightly closed fist. She had to move on, because if she didn't she knew she would lose herself. She didn't want an excuse. And as much as she deserved one, she didn't want an explanation. Especially not from him.

She's been hurt like this before, and was foolish enough to give a second chance, only to be shot down in the worst way possible. Joy knew she needed to protect herself first and foremost, and refused to allow for that hurt to haunt her again. She pulls her things out of the hotel, ensuring she left absolutely nothing.

But it was still hard to breathe.

🌺🌺🌺

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Namjoon demands, throwing Jungkook on a love seat in the breakroom. Surrounding the maknae were Bangtan and their managers, all of which looked very unhappy.

The young dancer Jungkook was with was scared off with a legal threat and Joon dragged Jungkook to the breakroom himself. It was time to get to the bottom of this.

"It's not what you think."

"Then what was it, Jungkook?" Taehyung demanded.

Jungkook grips the arms of the chair he was slumped in, poking his cheek with his tongue. He looked away, though the room was dead silent until he spoke. He cracked under pressure, "We didn't do anything. I couldn't do it."

"Well why the hell are you coercing that girl in the first place? Do you have any idea what could happen with your girlfriend?" Yoongi asked him seriously.

Jungkook scoffed, "Honestly, hyung, I doubt she cares."

"That's where you're wrong. Because you jumped to conclusions. Why would you do something like this, Jungkook?" Jin responded, all of them nodding for him to go on.

Jungkook sighs, he couldn't believe this. How could they take her side? Why was everything against him? She was the one cheating.

So he explained himself, what he saw as he was leaving the hotel room. "She was on the phone when I got out of the shower. It was another guy on the phone. She was quiet when she was talking to him, and then she told him "I love you." Tell me you wouldn't be pissed at that!"

Namjoon sighs, shaking his head, Jungkook scoffing at the reaction. "So I'm in the wrong because she was unfaithful? You wouldn't be angry if Alex did the same thing?! Hyung-"

"No, Jungkook, I wouldn't be," The rapper meets his eyes, folding his arms. "Because that man was her father."

Jungkook sits back, pondering it. That couldn't be, Joy stopped talking to her father. She and Alex both did, years ago, long before they'd even met. How could she be talking to her father? Why so suddenly?

"I know it's a bit hard to believe, but..." Namjoon sighed. "He called Alex this morning to apologize for all the turmoil he's caused her. And they were on the phone for a while. Alex told me he had intentions of calling Joy, too. And he did. The one time this man keeps his promise to his daughter and you go and wreck her world. And for what? Jealousy? Assumptions? Don't you trust Joy?"

"Of course I do," Jungkook's voice cracked, he massages the palm of his hand with his thumb, a habit he has when anxious. What the fuck had he done? He practically ruined their relationship. "She means so much to me. Where is she? I have to-" he started to stand up, only for Jimin to gently push him back down. Because this was going to be another hard pill to swallow.

"We don't know where she is right now. She could be anywhere in the city at this point." He sighed.

Fuck. Jungkook leans over, putting his head in his hands. What the fuck had he done? He lost the love of his life over something stupid like this. He sighs shakily, raking his fingers through his hair. At the moment he didn't care how pissed his stylist would be.

He reaches for his phone. "Jungkook, we've all tried calling and texting her. She's not responding. Her phone is off." Tae sighed.

"No, no...." He felt a great sense of panic. It was his job to protect Joy, no young woman should be out in a foreign city this late. "Something could happen to her. Seriously, she could get hurt! We all know how foreigners can be treated...!" His world was falling apart. The very foundation he and Joy had established was starting to crumble bit by bit and it was agonizing.

"Please... I messed up, I know I did, but-"

"There's nothing we can do. She's gone. They've searched the building, the venue, Joy is no where to be found."

"No, but she can't be far. Can't we file for someone being MIA?"

"Jungkook, don't be ridiculous," Yoongi scolded. "She's a grown woman who can take care of herself. And she's been hurt like this before. You know this. No one blames her for leaving."

Jungkook exhales a shaky breath, his face heating up. He hides his face in his hands. "Ah, Joy..." He croaked.

🌺🌺🌺

She feels the vibration of her phone beneath her pillow. Joy was lying on the couch, legs stretched across the cushions. She thought she'd take a short break from all the packing. She felt physically ailed from all the hurt she'd endured these past two days.

Joy had flown back to Seoul and immediately began to pack her clothes. It was taking longer than she thought, however. She'd been moving around so much, trying to block out any thoughts of him. But it seems that the relentless emotions she felt were just too invasive. Sometimes in the middle of sifting through her belongings, her cheeks would heat up and the dams would break, tears would spill down her face. Joy would have no choice but to sit there and be with herself, unable to combat the hurt consuming her.

It sits on her chest, and once she swallows it down again the sting stays there until she literally cannot breathe. It wasn't just what happened two days prior. It wasn't just the fact that Jungkook was unfaithful. She had trusted him. All this time and effort and battling with herself to trust him. Joy tore down her boundaries, stepped out of her safe space for him. Only for Jungkook to turn around and appeal to some young girl.

Was she not good enough? Of all the ways to break her heart, did it have to be done in such a cruel and undermining way? Especially knowing that Joy had a boyfriend that did this to her once, but to a worse extent. Couldn't Jungkook have admitted he lost feelings for her? Told her she wasn't good enough? That she wasn't a Korean girl and could never equate to being one?

The vibration against her ear was hardly acknowledged, as the pain she swallowed before began to resurface. She felt it proliferating in her chest and slowly start to seep into her limbs. It made her weak. Joy didn't have the want nor energy to eat anything because betrayal like this made everything hurt.

She didn't want a role in his life any longer. She would disappear off the face of the earth as if she were never present in his life to begin with. Clearly, that was how he wanted it to be.

She knows she has to move on, but how could she start? Joy could barely sit up without drawing in a sharp breath. There's a loud knock at the door.

She hoped it wasn't him. The banging continued. Joy closed her eyes, a shaky breath leaving. She'd heal from this wound on her heart soon. She had to. Truly, she must be quite pathetic to be hurt this much over something so generic. Now that she thought of it, her mother's criticism was right. Who couldn't have pointed this out from a mile away? Why would he make things work with her? Perhaps he was leading her on.

The lock clicked, and Joy heard a sigh. She braced herself, opening her eyes to see Alex standing before her. "Do you have any idea how much everyone's been worried about you?" She demanded, her tone was supposed to be furious, but Alex was quite calm.

Joy doesn't reply, she doesn't think she can. She knows she's weak for staying stuck with this hurt. How come she couldn't make like her ancestors and pursue it? Move on.

"Joy, honey," Alex huffs a sigh, she sits on the cushion with her sister, moving a long loose strand of coiled hair from her face. "How long have you been like this?"

She didn't reply.

"Joy, I'm not here to tell you off. I understand you're really, really upset. You know I'm here if you need anything. But you have to answer me. What kind of sister would I be if I can't help my kin?"

Joy winces as she sits up, not having moved in a while. She feels Alex's hand on her back, "Are you alright?"

Joy starts to nod. But that was a question she didn't expect to hear in the past two days. After not speaking to or with anyone at all for two days straight, she realized just how miserable she actually was. Alex wipes the tear that rolls down her cheek, pulling her sister in close.

Joy bites back her sobs, pulling her fractures together to avoid falling apart completely. "Breathe, Joy. It's alright. It's just me here. You know I'm no stranger to tears."

Joy hides her face, letting her emotions out in a rough breath. Her pain spills down her face, soaking Alex's shirt. Alex holds her close, comforting her quietly for a good few minutes until Joy was finally breathing steadily again.

"Nothing wrong with letting some things out, remember?" Alex whispered, to which Joy bobbed her head. She wipes her face, pulling away and sitting up. "Sorry," she croaked. "I just... I cant understand why he'd do that..."

Alex nods sympathetically, thinking of how to phrase her next sentence without startling the younger. "You should answer someone, Joy. Let them know yourself that you're alive, for one. Don't feel obligated to share what you don't want to, okay? I need to go, but I'm a phone call away, okay?"

Joy bobs her head, hugging herself. She watches Alex get up and offer a smile before stepping out the door and shutting it tightly. Joy decides the devastation she felt was much more bearable than before now that some of it was unleashed.

She was just zipping a compartment of her suitcase when the front door opened. She saw his boots first, behind him was a suitcase that he stood vertically. Joy sees hurt in his eyes as he looks down at her from where he stood in the door way.

"Joy, I..." he couldn't spit out his an explanation.

Dammit, why couldn't he just speak his mind? Seeing her with tear-stained cheeks and red, sunken eyes, his heart plummeted into the depths of his core. Especially knowing he was the person that caused for such an image.

She stands up, starting to walk away and toward the staircase. She didn't need an excuse. He knew what he was doing. Apologies don't fix things. Not things like this.

Jungkook shuts the door behind him, running and grabbing her wrist as gently as he can, but he kept his grip firm. "Leave me alone." She demanded.

"Let me explain-"

"Let me go!" She exploded, her voice had a rasp to it that he was sure wasn't there before. She ripped her wrist from his hand, studying him like he was some sort of monster. She almost looked scared more than anything, but Jungkook knows that the veil over her eyes was genuine hurt.

"I- I'm sorry," He whispered. "I know everything I did was wrong. And my motifs for my actions weren't any better."

Joy's jaw was tight, she didn't spare him a glance. "Joy, I was wrong. But I did it out of spite. I was foolish and thought you were on the phone with some other guy."

She shakes her head at his words, sighing deeply before finally locking her eyes onto his. "Why didn't you trust me?"

The slight crack in her voice made Jungkook's chest sting with intense guilt and remorse. He had no choice but to admit it. He could lose her, and to Jungkook that wasn't an option. Having Joy with him or without him was like life and death. He needs her just as much as he wants her. Never had he been so close with someone before, and frankly, he firmly believed he wouldn't get that with anyone else no matter how hard he could try.

"Honestly?" She nods her head once, wet eyes hardened with steely determination. "I was jealous,"

She scoffed at that answer, but he continues. "I was jealous because I thought I was the only man in the world that got the privilege to be a part of your life. When I heard a man's voice on the other line, and you tell that person that you loved them, I... I got angry. I didn't know how to handle it."

Her eyes soften, but her face doesn't melt, she keeps her gaze stern on him, squinting her eyes slightly. "I was speaking to my father," She whispered matter-of-factly.

Jungkook looks at his feet, swallowing thickly. But his eyes snap back to her when he hears her swallow thickly. She shifts her weight, breath trembling slightly. "He apologized to me, for not being apart of my life, and..." when she blinks, a tear spills. Jungkook starts to reach to swipe it off her cheek, but dithers when she flinched. She looks away from him. "He's dying. Terminal illness, his doctor told him he has a few days to live and..." she sniffs, trying not to hiccup, but her chest lurched.

Jungkook doesn't wait for permission to comfort her. He couldn't believe he'd put her in such a horrible state for his own selfish reasons. And in a time she was very vulnerable. Perhaps that was why Alex had told him Joy was in a worse state than she thought she'd be.

The woman in his arms grips his jacket in fists, choking on awful sobs that shake her body. Granted, her father wasn't part of her life very much. But Joy clearly craved some kind of closure with him. That phone call could have very well been the last time she'd speak to him.

"I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry, for everything."

She hiccups, pulling her face from his shoulder, turning her head as her body trembles. "I was going to tell you once you've performed, Kookie. I wouldn't ever do that to you. You know my past..."

"I do, Jagi. I'm a total asshole for not confronting you about it. But I'm here now, and I understand if you don't want-" he stopped when she shook her head.

"I just... stay with me, okay?"

He nods, rubbing her back soothingly. He presses a kiss to her hair. "I'll never be spiteful again. I promise."

They stand quietly for a few moments, he feels her arms wrap around his torso. "Jungkook..." she sounded much more at ease now, and her demeanor suggested that she felt far less tense. Her shoulders were still sunken, but at least she was relaxed.

He swallowed anxious about what she'd say, "Yes?"

"If we're going to continue this relationship you need to promise me something." Her words startled him, knowing she was seriously going through with terminating their relationship planted a weary, paranoid, and fearful seed in him. He had to keep her, no matter what.

"What's that promise?"

She pulls away, sniffling and wiping her cheeks. She meets his eyes again. Jungkook felt captivated all over again by the gorgeous chocolate orbs that caught his. He blinks, realizing he was staring.

A hint of a smile is on her lips. "We need to trust each other, and be honest. I need to trust that you'll be honest with me always, even if I don't like the truth. And you need to trust that I won't ever intentionally do anything to hurt you. Okay? Promise?"

He nods, smiling slightly. "Okay. I promise."

The curve of her plump lips spread into a smile that stole his breath, Jungkook was mesmerized to see her smile so genuinely after what felt like two lifetimes. She rests her head back onto his chest, enjoying his warmth and comfort.

Something in him said Joy deserved more than an exchange of words to serve for a proper apology. He'd make it up to her soon. Jungkook feels a smirk growing simply thinking of it, resting his chin on her shoulder.

God, he hadn't realized how much he loved this girl until he almost lost her.

17 notes · View notes

peculiarscriptures51 · 3 years

Text

The one where she has a sweet tooth (JJK)

🌺This was written a long time ago, long before JB’s hit song “Peaches”. Just a coincidence lol

Jungkook shuffles in his bed, feeling something nudging him from his sleep gently. He holds back a groan in case it's Joy, and when he cracked his eyes open and turned to look at her, he realized he was right.

He stares at her worriedly, as she looked like she couldn't sleep much. At least it wasn't morning sickness keeping her up this time. "Kookie," she pouted. "I'm hungry."

He raised his brows when he heard that. Joy hadn't been hungry in weeks, he was quite concerned. He sits up immediately, perhaps a bit too quickly. But he was so eager to get her eating something. Typically, any time he got her food she would throw it up. He was glad she was finally craving something now, because it meant she would at least want to eat most of her food.

He leans over to turn his lamp on, it emitted a warm glow over the bed and delicately tracing her features more. She definitely didn't sleep much. She has her hand on her bump, rubbing it gently. "What food do you want, jagi?"

She hums and bites her plump lips as she thinks. "Something spicy- wait, no. Something sweet. Definitely something sweet. I want peaches."

He chuckled at how cute she was, already throwing the blanket off his legs. "Peaches?" He asked to be sure. She nodded, looking absolutely certain as he pulled his long sleeve shirt on. Jungkook ruffles his hair before placing a beanie on his mop of hair, stepping into his slippers and grabbing his wallet. He walks around the bed and presses a kiss to her head.

"Alright baby, I'll find you peaches. Try to sleep okay?" He pats her head, which was sort of an excuse to feel her puffy hair. Since getting pregnant, she claimed she felt too hot with her bonnet and settled for her scarf instead, revealing some of her soft, neat twists. He'd never admit how much he enjoyed touching it.

She nods tiredly, rubbing her bump and watching him leave with a face mask on. She shuts her eyes as she waits, a little impatient.

Thirty minutes later she opened her eyes to see her husband walking back in with a bag. She sits up, smiling widely and even clapping her hands in excitement. Jungkook chortles at her cuteness, "I could only find canned peaches, if that's okay-" he had taken it out to show her, and Joy immediately reached for it.

He didn't think she was that hungry, she almost snatched it from his hand, and he was pretty sure she would eat her peaches with her bare hands if he wasn't quick enough. Joy pouts when she can't pull the tab to open it. "Hold on, jagi. Let me get you a fork." He honestly didn't think she was willing to eat straight from the can. He was glad to have gotten a few of them.

He made sure to be quick about it, she'd never looked so impatient to eat as she was now. He jogs downstairs and pulls out a fork for her to eat with. He heads back upstairs with it, Joy curled up against her pillow as she was waiting.

He easily opens the can and hands her the fork, Joy eagerly grabbing it and the can with both hands. She grins gratefully, her expression similar to that of a child. She skews a wet, juicy peach slice with the tines of her fork, pulling it out and taking a bite.

"Thank you, Kookie." She beamed.

Since that night Joy has been hooked on peaches. She had at least a whole can a day, and if not, then she was eating peach candy. Jungkook bought her peach ice cream, since she was craving ice and peaches at once.

Even now, she was lying back on the couch, catching up on the latest drama as she shoveled heaps of her frozen treat into her mouth. She barely noticed his presence, the bowl balanced on the peak of her belly.

"Kookie!" She cheered. "You're home early!" Whenever Joy had her peaches she was chipper and happy as can be. Jungkook forgot to buy more once and Joy literally bawled her eyes out until she had another slice in her mouth.

She moves the bowl aside and starts to push herself up. "Ani, ani, you don't need to get up, baby." He waved his hand dismissively, but Joy was already on her feet. She's gotten a lot of energy since the start of her second trimester. She pulls him in for a tight hug, her arms wrapped around his neck. He felt her belly poking him.

He supposed she's been cuddly, too. Not necessarily clingy, but she was showing more physical affection. He wraps his free hand around her to squeeze her back. She sure had a grip on him, pregnancy strength was a real thing. He could barely breathe.

He lets her pull away, not wanting to potentially upset his wife by pulling from a hug before she was ready. Her emotions were on constant overdrive, after all. Joy gasps, smiling wide when she sees the convenience store grocery bag. "You got me more peaches!" She squeals.

He chuckles, Joy taking the bag from him and waddling over to the kitchen, forgetting about her ice cream as she puts the cans away, amongst a few others.

"I'm starting to think you're addicted to peaches." He called, leaning down to grab her bowl, placing it in the freezer so that it wouldn't melt completely.

"They're really good, Kookie. You sure you don't want any?" Of course he was tempted to eat some too, the smell was constant around him now. But they were reserved to satisfy her cravings, he didn't want to take that from her.

"I'm good, jagi, they're yours." She smiles at him, her glow seemed so prominent. She fondly rubbed her bump, it was poking out noticeably, but certainly it wasn't big just yet.

"Are you feeling something?" He wondered, excitement igniting in his gut when she nodded. "Just flutters."

JK placed his open palm on her tummy, which was soft and smooth. "Aww, still not ready to kick yet, hm?" He cooed at her bump.

"You'll feel it soon," she assured, "let's make dak juk, Kookie. I really want some."

"Anything for you, jagi." He starts to wash his hands thoroughly, Joy following suit.

Once the food was done, and the couple was eating at their dining table, Joy was satisfied. She stares at an empty spot at the dining table, her husband follows her gaze. "What?"

"When is it a good time to buy a high chair?" She pondered aloud. Jungkook hummed as he thought about it.

"Well, we don't need one until the baby is at least a few months old... maybe we can get one later?" He worded his statement carefully, just in case he irritated her by saying it was too soon.

"Okay," was all she said. Jungkook felt relieved. "Do you want more, Kookie? I can get you more." She insisted, already standing up and grabbing his bowl to refill it. She didn't have to ask to know that his day has been tiring and she knows her man's appetite very well.

"Thanks, jagiya. You're so sweet." Much like a peach. As a matter of fact, Jungkook decided that would be her new nickname.

She returned and handed his bowl back, taking her seat across from him again. "Is it good, peach?" He asked, smirking to himself.

He noticed red tint on her ears, Joy shyly nodded. She always acted bashful when he called her nicknames. JK holds back a laugh at how cute she was being.

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peculiarscriptures51 · 3 years

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Prosecution [Police Officer JK X OC (AMBW)]

45 - ~Predicament~

A/N: This one's been a long time coming. I worked hard on this one, it's pretty long, so there may be a couple errors here and there but otherwise please comment and give your feedback! This story is coming to a close very soon, so please let me know if you guys would like anything else written or addressed and I'll try my best to incorporate it into the next chapter(s). Thanks and enjoy!

"Kookie!" Joy greets enthusiastically, as though she hadn't been expecting his arrival. He can't help his smile at her adorable excitement. She hops into his car and shuts the door, leaning over the divider and wrapping her arms around his shoulders, giving his cheek a big smooch. "I missed you today."

"You saw me this morning." He chuckled, pulling off onto the road. Joy's smile was beaming, it was lovely. It warmed his chest and acted like a temporary cure to that sickly, gross feeling he felt harbored inside it.

"What? I can't miss my man?" She asked, feigning offense. He shakes his head in amusement, unable to help but to watch her take her hair out of it's high bun. She shakes her long hair with her hand, sighing deeply. "Did you have a good day?" She asked, her smile never fading. If anything, it seemed to grow. He tries not to get too distracted at how sexy she looked, with her straight hair messily cascading down her body. She could make the cover of a magazine, he was sure of it.

He bites his cheek at her question, but she was waiting for a response. And she was in a splendid mood today, so who was he to ruin it? "I finished my reports today." He offered, it was weak, and not really an answer to her question.

She hums, her smile seeming to glow despite the dim, grey gloominess that haunted the city today. "That's good, baby. Now you won't have to be holed up in that office all the time, right?"

He nods, pulling into his usual parking space, "Yeah," something like that. "Right." She climbs out of the car with her big purse in hand, holding her hand out to him once he had locked his car. He takes it, letting her lead the way upstairs to their apartment. Her tall boots click against the lobby floor.

He unlocked their door, Joy sighing in relief. "Can you believe how much it's been snowing all week?" She unzips each boot, tucking them into their shoe closet. He doesn't slip off his shoes just yet, since Marble still had to be walked. Jungkook doesn't leave the entrance hall, watching Joy as she went. "I'm washing my hair tonight, snow keeps getting in it and I just can't be bothered to straighten my hair anymore." She rambled, fluffing her hair out on the way down the hall to their bedroom. She had been meaning to wash it sooner, but considering her boss kept giving her surprises with unexpected guests who were dying to survey her work and conclusions, it was difficult to find the right time. But for Joy it was the end of the week, as she had an extra day off.

Marble saunters over to Jungkook with his leash in his mouth. The officer kneels down, stroking his head. "Hey, bud," he greeted softly. Their presence alone seemed to excite him.

Marble's tail wags, swaying his whole body left and right. Jungkook holds the pooch's soft face. "I think Mommy's had too much coffee this morning. What do you think?" He whispered, hearing his girlfriend humming to herself from the bathroom. She was so energetic today, Jungkook heard the shower running.

He wrestles Marble's puffy coat onto him, trying not to laugh at how stiffly he seemed to walk with it on. Marble was thoroughly annoyed, especially because Joy wasn't around to witness it, so surely Jungkook didn't have to make him put the ridiculous coat on. But Jungkook wasn't taking any chances. He swears he hears the dog grumbling to himself as he leads the way out the door.

"Chin up, Mar. Mommy just wants what's best for you." Jungkook assured, only to be ignored. He felt tickled by that, Joy claimed that at Marble's age he should be going through a 'teenager phase'. Whatever it was, it was amusing.

Marble tried pulling the coat off himself as soon as they were back home. "Kookie? Are you guys back?" Joy called from across the apartment, Jungkook takes Marble's coat and tucks it away before he could think to fight with it.

"Yeah," he replied, tugging his boots off and following her voice, finding her still in the bathroom. She had her robe on, and the bathroom smelled rather fruity. He stared at her from the doorway, her hair was dripping wet, and it looked significantly shorter. Jungkook was a little confused, she also seemed to have some sort of white creamy product in her hair.

She spotted him in the mirror, "Could you help me? I just need you to hold this section while I part my hair." She asked gently, Jungkook nods, not too sure what to do. He was a bit intimidated, he'd seen Joy's natural hair plenty of times before, and he knows she washes it on a regular basis, however he hadn't actually witnessed it. She never really expected him to know anything about her hair.

She had her hair parted and clipped in four huge sections, "I can't find my other clips," she explained, he takes the sopping wet section of hair she was holding. It smelled really fruity, it was no wonder her hair always smells so nice. He was more than surprised by how soft and moist it felt. She wipes her hand on her towel before rummaging around her drawer to find what she's looking for. She seemed to notice his confusion.

"This is what I meant when I said 'It's called shrinkage'." She explained, looking thoroughly amused by his lost expression. Her hair was just so long before, and now it barely stopped past her shoulders. He hums, hearing her giggle at him.

She found what she was looking for, pulling her bag of hair clips out and setting them on the counter. He hadn't realized how many she had. "Thank you, Kookie." She said, he watched her clip the rest of her hair, pulling out a smaller section and pulling her comb through it from the ends. Joy never really hid her tactics for her hair so much as she never revealed them around him very often. Every time he sees her doing her hair it's usually already dry and detangled, and just needs styling. That or it's neatly twisted, he assumed that's what she was doing now. He watched her fingers work at the small section diligently, twisting it all the way down her back. He stared in awe as it slowly shrunk back into its usual length she wore it at.

"So this is why you take so long in here." He muttered and she chuckled, rolling her eyes. He always figured that when she secluded herself in the bathroom, music playing, that she was enjoying her alone time. He wanted to respect it, thinking nothing of it. Jungkook hadn't made the connection at all, especially considering how much he works. Typically, he would come home so late that he misses it entirely, her hair is usually already finished.

He feels the soft, plush twist she just finished. It was no wonder why they always felt so soft and cool. "You ought to learn, one day, Kookie." She teased, biting back a laugh when she saw his brows knit at her words. He was thoroughly confused by them.

"Why do you say that?" he wondered, her warm smile still present. It lifted some of the weight he beared, just a little bit.

"Who knows, maybe if we have a daughter one day her hair could be like mine. You'll have to learn how to do it." Jungkook was a bit surprised to hear her suggest something like that, especially considering how Joy felt before her heartfelt confessions. He feels his cheeks trying to flush, and the warmth that spread in his chest at the thought. A smile graces his lips, and Joy's eyes twinkle at the sight. She was happy to see it.

He watches her busy hands as she finishes up twisting her first section. "You'd want a daughter?" He wondered, unable to help how much it made him beam. He continues to play with the thick twists cascading down her back.

"Actually, if I had to choose, I'd want a boy. I've always wanted a son." He hums at that, glad to hear her insight. He kisses her forehead, starting to strip his clothes to shower. Joy watches him go, hoping her anecdote was enough to brighten his mood some. She wanted to do everything in her power to make him feel better.

He still hadn't let on to what's been bothering him, no matter how she asks. She knows there isn't any use getting frustrated though, as she can't force him to share something that he clearly felt was very personal. At least, personal enough to internalize it entirely. He was especially drained early that morning, dragging his feet as he moved. He hadn't slept again, and she knew it was really taking its toll on him. Possibly worsening his mood as a whole. So whatever she could do to make him feel some sort of relief, even for a moment, she figured would be worth seeing his smile.

She missed it. Joy felt so out of place, mourning his happiness - his normal self. His entire demeanor is so somber, and he's trapped in it. It's captured the livelihood in his eyes. Whatever slump had taken hold of him just couldn't shake him loose. Joy can't help but to stare at his foggy silhouette from where he stood in the shower, the glass doors both closed. He kept raking his fingers through his hair, gripping his roots. Or his hands would cover his face, as if to scrub at his eyes. Something was upsetting him.

When he stepped out, his eyes were pink and even a bit teary, Joy wanted to believe it was from him scrubbing his eyes too much, or perhaps how much he's been yawning. But she knows him better than that, it drove a knife in her heart, seeing that whatever was taking hold of him just ate away at his conscience. He messily dries his hair with his towel, breathing deeply. She heard him sniff softly, though he went on like he hadn't. She just wants to hold him. To kiss all his anguish away and tell him it's all going to be okay.

"I'm heading to bed." He declares, Joy watched him tug on his bottoms, moving toward their bedroom. Joy turns to follow as he went.

"You're not going to eat before bed?" He simply shakes his head in response, leaving Joy a bit flustered and at a loss for words.

He had his eyes closed, lying down facing the bathroom door by the time she was done. Joy's arms and fingers were sore, but she still needed to check on some things for work. She just had to make sure she sent the last of her research to some company partners and she should be free for the weekend. She was excited to get back to the part of her job she loved to do: problem-solving through experimentation, she was ready to start the blueprints.

She took her laptop off her desk and turned off the lamp on Jungkook's side of the bed, shutting their bedroom door once she had let Marble in. The hound dragged his bed in with his teeth, despite already having one in their room. Joy shakes her head as he settles, sitting up in bed with her back pressed to the headboard. She tries not to type too loud for Jungkook's sake, though she knew he wasn't asleep.

He didn't budge one bit, and his breathing was rather normal, not deep enough to sleep. He lay beside of her, curled up and unmoving. Joy can't help but to look at him from her screen every now and then. She saw the empty box of melatonin tablets she'd bought for him, which meant he had just finished it. She wasn't entirely sure if it was working. If anything, he just gets up feeling drowsier and less motivated to move.

She must have been working for a couple of hours, occasionally seeing her boyfriend fall in and out of sleep. He seemed exhausted, and Joy figured her working wasn't of much help. Perhaps the typing and bedside glow from her lamp were distracting. At the very least, they weren't helping.

Joy was just finished with her work when she felt the weight of something fall into her lap. She was startled at first by whatever the warm and heavy thing was, looking over to see Jungkook's body leaned toward her. She shuts the laptop and sets it aside, staring at his head in her lap, his face buried between her thighs. His arms snake their way around her middle, gripping the lower part of her back.

Joy blinks, running her hand through his hair, the ends of which were still damp and cold. "Baby," he moves his head higher onto her lap, stuffing it into her stomach. "What's wrong?" She asked, that pang of concern eating away at her heart. The weight of it descended further into her chest. He shakes his head at first, burying his face deeper into her, his strong hold on her body keeping her locked in her upright stature. Joy sighs in frustration, which seemed to motivate him enough to elaborate.

She heard is thick voice float into the air, hardly managing the strength to land on her ears. "Had a nightmare..." He swallowed thickly, voice heavy and muffled as he spoke. The words fell from his lips like they weighed too much, they had a slight drawl. Joy heard his accent especially, which didn't really make much of an appearance as much as it used to. It almost sounded like a speech impediment, though that wouldn't surprise her considering the state of delirium he tends to get in when he's this exhausted. His hooded eyes had a dull gleam, appearing dark under the warm glow of her lamp. His lids were too heavy for him to open his eyes completely, though she was certain he wouldn't be able to look at her directly for long, anyway. When they were open, they remained hooded, trailing drearily all over, like he was incapable of focusing his gaze. It almost looked like he was fighting sleep.

Joy coos, hearing him talk with such a saddened drawl made her heart swell with affection. She rubs his back, between his shoulders in small circles, continuing to run her fingers through his hair. His eyes stayed shut as her fingers gently brushed his scalp. Surely, he would be coaxed out of his half-asleep state back into a real sleep. She had her hopes, at least. Jungkook really needed some proper rest.

He pulls himself between her legs, embracing her fully. His breath shuddered. "It's okay, baby. I'm here." She reminded gently. Whatever state he was in, she was certain he was vulnerable. Probably the most vulnerable he had ever been around her. In some ways it reminded her of how parents comfort children, always providing the right nurturing methods to give their loved ones the relief they need. She didn't mind it one bit. Especially considering how secluded he's been as of late, keeping his mental barriers in tact. If this was the only way he was going to let her comfort him, she would take it.

She was sure he had fallen asleep, but he started heaving deeply. Like he was hard of breath, his body tensed. He woke with a rather hard jolt, like he had been startled. His eyes snapped open, and he continued to pant like he was in a panic. Frantically, he looks in his surroundings, seeming a bit more aware of them. Her heart falls as moisture dampens his red eyes, glistening in the light. She tries to look at his face more but he turned it from her sight, hiding his expression. But he couldn't hide how tense his body was, or the soft sobs that started to shake it.

Joy felt helpless, "Jungkook..." She pleads, praying he would give her some sort of insight, an avenue to help him in whatever way she can. "Jungkook, what's the matter?" Her voice was hushed and soft for his sake. He simply shook his head in response, he was awake enough to understand her, at least. Something warm and wet was seeping into her shirt, a product of the moisture dripping from his eyes.

She sighs, unsure what she could do. He wasn't letting her go, but he refused to look at her, and he wasn't offering to speak about it either. Whatever it was he had dreamt about in those mere few minutes, it had bothered him greatly. He seemed ashamed, and the more it dawned on him, the more his shoulders trembled. The more his hard breaths quivered. The more Joy's heart broke.

The frigid air was bitter the following morning, and the snow had caked every surface outside. Jungkook could still feel the warm ghost of Joy's lips on his from when she'd kissed him goodbye before he left. Her sincerity was a sweet contrast to the numbing, miserable cold outside.

Most of his co-workers weren't at their desks by the time he got there, as a majority of them would be out taking calls that day. Unfortunately, the cold weather doesn't hinder the crime rates in the city. The holidays were fast approaching, and that typically led to a rise in domestic violence cases.

He heard lots of bustling movement in the locker room, accompanied by the usual bouts of laughter and mundane conversation. Jungkook saw one of his co-workers spot him walking in, and the other officer was quick to tell a small crowd of them something Jungkook couldn't hear.

They were all crowded near his locker, and he internally groaned to himself, wondering just what they were plotting this time. The snickers and giggling got more hushed as he approached, pushing through with his bag shouldered. The crowd hadn't dispersed, clearly anticipating his reaction to whatever they were waiting on. Jungkook was sure it had something to do with his locker. He couldn't muster the energy to do much anymore, let alone care. He rolls his eyes as he unlocked it.

Whatever was in it had some sort of pressure built up behind the door. Jungkook sighed, stepping to the side and watching as hundreds of photos poured out of it. Typically, he would ignore it and pretend he hadn't even seen their little stunt. Their pranks weren't very impressive, after all. But his eyes flickered over all the photos, seeing different instances of Joy's face. He gawks for a moment with his brows furrowed, unsure how they would possibly manage to get a hold of any pictures with her in them. He went out of his way to make sure no personal photos were visible at work. Everyone else had their loved ones on their desks, however his was notoriously bare. They would taunt him for years, assuming he was lonely and claiming nobody would want him...

His expression hardens, the room filled with obnoxious guffaws and laughter as he was studied for a reaction. However, he didn't give them one. His internalized rage survived as a throbbing, suffocating sensation in his chest. It boiled his blood and narrowed his stern gaze. His thick brows were pinched with pent up frustration. A deep frown embeds itself onto his face as he studies the photos. There were hundreds of copies of the same three pictures, none of which he had seen before which only meant that someone else had taken them. In the photos, he and Joy are seen together hand in hand, she's gripping Marble's leash. The pictures were clearly taken discreetly from a distance.

Caden and Oliver's faces flash into his memory, just when he was getting over their annoying presence at the park the other day. They were the only two who could have taken such photos. Jungkook had a feeling their sudden appearance wasn't simply a coincidence. All the times he and Joy had walked Marble in that park, not once had they encountered either of them. Surely, neither of them lived near that park to visit it like that. Mostly apartment residents frequent it anyway.

"Chin up, Jeon! That bitch is sexy!"

"A fine piece of chocolate, too," He hears them rubbing their rough palms together, like Joy was a piece of fucking food. "Why didn't you say something? We would have loved to share!"

"Yeah, we wouldn't have gave you so much shit about it if you showed us that mighty fine babe you pulled sooner!"

A chorus of whistles filled the air, the photos were grabbed and shoved in his face. They were making tremendous efforts to provoke him, however the thunderous, rambunctious noise in the room began to die out once they noticed Jungkook's lacking reaction. They had fully expected him to engage in his usual defeated performance, however he was far too furious to give them the liberty.

His fist was white, trembling with a burning fury as he gripped the strap to his bag. He was stiff as a mannequin, barely moving at all. His jaw was locked tight, and his breaths fell heavy with a disastrously hot rage. "You've been hiding such a hot lil' bitch from us, JK. I bet that hoe makes you bust in seconds, huh?" Joven nudges him, though Jungkook doesn't budge.

He stared seethingly at the photos, some of them had marker scrawled on them, lustful illustrations and words surrounding Joy's face and body. "Isn't that cute? They're on a little walk with their dog. She's hot for a black chick, isn't she? He wouldn't know what to do with all of that. I'll bet she dominates his bitch ass." Joven continued in his taunting tone, though the crowd didn't erupt into its usual giggling fits.

"Hey, man, I think we should leave him alone..." Someone uttered, Jungkook inhales deeply, trying to extinguish the burning embers of irritation trying to overwhelm him. He was one more nudge away from his breaking point, and the nearest person would need to be in urgent care. Though pulling the reins was proving increasingly more difficult and his grasp on his sanity was increasingly less obtainable.

Jungkook uses his hand to clear out most of the photos, trying not to allow the crude remarks on them to add fuel to his fire. He clenched his jaw so hard it felt sore, if he allowed himself to speak, he would unleash a violent and cruel part of himself that has yet to surface. Subjecting his co-workers to his temper would put him out of a job for sure.

"Fuck, man. All kinds of men to choose from and she chooses a fucking gook. There's no fucking way he can get past all that ass. Not with that little shrimp dick," Jared chimed in, "A fine bitch like that needs a real man. Would you let me have her, JK? I promise I'll take real good care of her. Just give me one night with her, I'll show her what a real man is capable of."

"Guys, for real, I think he gets it." Franklin intervened, starting to pull the two away by the collars.

"Nah, I don't think he does, Frank," Joven insisted, leaning close to Jungkook's face. By now, the room had gone quiet, save for Joven's taunting. He sneered, smirking as though he'd won something. "Look at him, taking it like the bitch he always was. He's still the little twink from when he first started."

"Joven, knock it off, man." Darryl barges in, having pushed through the crowd to see all the commotion. Jungkook finally finishes clearing out his locker, stuffing his bag in. Thankfully, he had already gotten dressed at home, which meant he didn't have to stay stuck in the suffocating room any longer. The lingering gazes of his colleagues burned his skin, made him itch. Not to mention the hot blood pumping through his veins, provoking the urge to slam Joven's face into the lockers with as much force as he could muster. He restrains himself though, he didn't favor letting his emotions drive his actions. His rage has too much potential to ensure great deals of harm...

He slams his locker shut, perhaps a bit too forcefully. The entire room of men startle at the loud metallic bang, watching Jungkook saunter out of the room. His body felt tense, and he has to constantly restrain himself from letting it pester. Dwelling on their remarks was only going to make him lash out, and he couldn't afford any assault charges.

He starts to make his way back to his desk, actively pushing away the memory of a limp, lifeless body on his conscience, forever staining it. He couldn't risk repeating that, regardless of whether or not it's justified.

"Jeon," a baritone voice called, and Jungkook turned toward it. Chief Foreman waved him over from where he stood in his office, opening the door wider. "Come with me."

Jungkook sighs, marching his way into chief's office, not missing how some of his co-workers were staring from where they emerged from the locker room. He remained quiet, watching as the door was shut behind him, the blinds are pulled closed.

Foreman strolls further into the room, folding his arms expectantly. He was waiting for Jungkook to ask what he was in for. Jungkook was curious, as he hadn't a clue what could provoke being called in for. He turned all his reports in on time, and he and Darryl were supposed to be out on call today.

"I'll bet you're happy you get to get out of this office, huh?" Chief asked, a hint of a fond smile tugging the corner of his lips from beneath his bushy mustache.

Jungkook shrugs, "I guess I am."

Foreman nods at that. The room quickly fell silent, and it made Jungkook want to squirm from the awkwardness. Surely, he wasn't in for doing anything wrong. "Is there anything you think needs to be addressed here?" he asked, and Jungkook promptly shakes his head. He was good. As a matter of fact, he'd rather not delve into it because all it was going to do was reverse his progress and then he was back to counting to ten.

His boss sighed, sounding defeated. His brown eyes study Jungkook's tense demeanor, his deep scowl etched onto his face. "...You alright, kid? Those idiots aren't dogging on ya again, are they?" Foreman inquired, hinting that he already knew there was something bothering the young officer.

Jungkook bites his cheek at that, staring at his boots for a moment before shaking his head firmly. He was sure. No need to get into it. Surely, he'll unravel if he tries, no matter how little he allows himself to disclose. If anything, it would only make him feel more angry, and then the hurt would soon follow, and he simply couldn't allow himself to be hurt by such stupidity. Not like he used to. "Nothing I'm not used to, chief." The older man sighs at that. He was expecting something deeper, and Jungkook knew it. However, he's still trying to obtain a steady hold on his grievances. Telling anyone would cause him to retrace steps he's already taken.

"You just seem so... detached, lately. It's concerning. I mean... Is it the job? Is it stressing you out, or...?" Jungkook shakes his head. He wasn't completely sure to be honest, unable to pinpoint his current state as a consequence of solely one thing. He knows everyone was walking on eggshells around him lately, especially Joy. He's aware that his depressive mood has bled into his outer persona, it poisoned his demeanor as a whole. Even his co-workers, who cared very little about him, were aware of how sour his expression was as of late. Some of them are leaving him alone now, not as many were in on the stunt from earlier as there would have been in the past.

Whatever depressive thoughts decided to claim his mind managed to take hold of him with no intention of releasing him. He's landed firmly in a deep, cavernous slump - of which he could hardly find much energy to climb out of. Especially not with his lack of sleep and frequent waking nightmares. Just last night he was in a paralysis, staring at a moving shadow in the corner of their bedroom. His mind had adopted this vegetative state, lacking any sort of reasoning or sense. He was entirely stripped of his rationality, convinced he was staring at the murderous face of a man he'd arrested yesterday. Somehow, his brain had adopted the idea that he was followed home, though this had only come to mind as soon as the lights were shut off.

"It's nothing, chief. I'm fine, really."

Chief Foreman stares at him fully, analyzing his face. He stays put on the other side of his office. "Have a seat, kid," He urged, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of his dark wood desk. "Just lemme talk to ya." Jungkook does so, sitting in the chair promptly. It groans beneath his weight, like it was fed up with every move he made. He sits upright, stiffly.

Jungkook watches as his boss sits on the edge of his desk, his focused gaze never moving from his own face. It was a bit unsettling, how observant the chief was being, especially considering his typical passive nature. Not ever had he paid this much attention to Jungkook directly, especially since this confrontation was only concerning him. Jungkook looks away, wiping his palms on his thighs.

There was a knowing look on his boss's face, and Jungkook couldn't help but to read into it. Did he somehow manage to know what occurred just now? How would the chief have managed to find out? He surely didn't say anything, nor was he ever planning to. It would make the treatment worse.

"I caught a couple of idiots planning something around your desk. They had Caden and Oliver come in early to give them something. Your name kept coming up and they mentioned some pictures. I found it strange, especially because we all know Caden and Oliver don't come early for shit." Jungkook's eyes trail to his boots again, but his boss continued with his speculations. "Karl Dubois? Jared Frazier? Joven Bouldor? Do they do that often?"

Jungkook thins his lips, unsure how he could answer. No matter what he says, it had potential to make things worse. They'll always find a way to find out he opened his mouth, especially since he was seen walking into the chief's office. They weren't the only three, of course, but they've been giving him hell the most as of late. They hardly seemed fazed by his change of attitude either, which some were sympathetic to, more than others. He hears the chief humming at his lack of response. "I didn't realize they were photographers, some artists, too. Granted their work was a bit too demeaning for my taste, but..."

"You never told me what they did to you about who you got at home. I had to find out the hard way." The chief clarifies. "I think they were defiling photos of you two together, JK." Jungkook goes quiet, and again, it answered Foreman's suspicions.

"...It wasn't that serious." he said at last, provoked under to pressure of silence. Foreman wasn't giving up on this, and Jungkook wanted nothing more than to let it go. If he dwelled on it and didn't move on, it would permeate and continue to sour his already poor mood. He was far too exhausted to waste his energy on such meaningless bullshit.

"No but it was, JK. It's very serious when more than half the damn department start harassing one guy. And for what? Because of your spouse? Shit's ridiculous. I don't take that shit lightly and neither should you."

Jungkook remains quiet at that, the chief notices him jogging his knee. Jungkook feels the pressure of drowsiness in his ears, blinking tiredly and fighting a yawn. He was so tired. "Look, JK," he started. "You are one of the best people I got. I mean that. I don't know how you do it either when so many of your own co-workers treat you so badly," Jungkook chews his lip, looking up at his boss. "You've got vigor, Jeon. It's admirable. It is. I need you to know that."

Jungkook nods, wondering where his boss was going with this. He was sensing a contradiction. "I want to know you trust me. Trust me with the force, with my calls, and your general well-being. Alright? If they fuck with you again, don't hesitate to tell me about it. And don't think of it as snitching, either. Fuck what those other cops think. You came here and you're serving this country. You deserve to be respected for it. I don't want you to think this is something acceptable. Not here and not anywhere. You don't have to take shit from anyone, especially not your own co-workers."

"You know, you shouldn't let them do that to you." Darryl muttered, Jungkook sighs in defeat, shutting the car door behind him, Darryl hot on his trail as he moves toward the house in question, trudging through the thick, soft snow.

"We agreed not to talk about it," Jungkook murmured, hearing Darryl's heavy boots sloshing behind him. The residents of the house clearly hadn't bothered to shovel their driveway, the snow had built up quite high, up to their calves.

"I know, it's just-"

"Darryl, please. I'm asking nicely. I don't want to get into it." Jungkook groaned, not sparing his partner a glance. The two split up as they look into the windows, a neighbor had made a few disturbing reports regarding this house, and they had just finished talking to her. Though the house looked vacant, especially with a driveway that was completely snowed in. Jungkook huffs as he looks through the windows, all the lights were off inside. His breath mists in the air, he looks at Darryl for any signs of life, though he simply shook his head.

Jungkook sighs, looking inside again. There was furniture in the house, so it was certainly lived in. Maybe they were vacationing or away for the week. He didn't want to dismiss it too easily, though, knowing full well that plenty of domestic violence cases - which they were suspecting this was - are often overlooked by law enforcement. He wanted to comb over every detail before making any call to dismiss it. The neighbor across the street sounded especially frantic, claiming she was worried for the little girl that lived there.

"I don't see anything, man..." Darryl started, making his way over to Jungkook's window to see what he was looking at. Jungkook had his eyes narrowed on the shadows he could make out in the room, looking for any visible signs of distress. So far, the only thing he could really rule was that one of the couches looked misplaced. Like it had been shoved by an unexpected force, it left a dark mark on the wall.

He was ready to turn away when he saw something move in the corner of the room. He blinks, praying it wasn't his bleary vision playing tricks on him. Whatever was moving inside could be grounds for the two of them to make a forced entry. They had already knocked on the doors and windows before talking to the neighbor, who painted a decent picture of what they ought to be looking for.

"What?" Darryl noticed Jungkook's expression. "You see something?"

"You see that shadow over there?" Jungkook pointed at the figure, swearing that he noticed it move. Darryl huffs, his hot breath steaming against the glass.

"The Christmas tree?" He uttered, and Jungkook blinked at it again. There was a Christmas tree up prematurely, yes, but whatever he saw was smaller. His eyes narrow as it moved again, he sinks onto his haunches, pulling his partner with him.

"Get down," he urged. "Whoever is in there, I don't think they can move."

Darryl raises a brow at him, "JK, you can see, right? How many fingers am I holding up?" Darryl inquired, holding up his hands, clad with thick leather gloves. Jungkook rolls his eyes, pulling Darryl's hand back down.

"I'm serious. I think I saw the seven-year-old. She looked like she was hiding." Jungkook explains, Darryl nods.

"Alright, you saw her, we go on your call. But if it's a surprise party, you're taking the fall for that." He muttered, clearly not taking Jungkook very seriously. The younger rolls his eyes again, such a possibility should already be ruled out considering the driveway looked relatively untouched. If they were expecting company, they surely would have shoveled it. It looks like no one had left the house in days, let alone anyone coming to it.

They approach the door, pounding on it and making themselves known again. Darryl looked skeptically at Jungkook, the both of them gripping the handles of their guns in their holsters. Darryl shakes his head, looking back at the window. However, just as Jungkook had anticipated, the small shadow had moved. Tiny hands pressed against the glass, and a small cloud collected onto it, slowly fading as the small handwriting shakily formed four letters.

Darryl shoves Jungkook out of the way, pulling out his gun and kicking the door down. There was a shrill shriek. Immediately, bullets were hurling their direction, the loud gunshots echoing in the quiet neighborhood. Jungkook and Darryl duck and take cover behind the furniture, neither of them were hit. There was the panicked wailing of a baby, likely upstairs, and Jungkook could hear a child whimpering in the room. He looks at Darryl, who gestures to Jungkook to find the little girl in the room. The perpetrator was shuffling around upstairs, which gave them little time to get the older child out of the house.

"Don't you fucking take her from me!" Was shouted from upstairs, Jungkook stealthily makes his way around the first floor, checking cabinets and closets, finally stopping in front of a coat closet. He opened the door quietly, the little girl inside it starts to scream, clamping her small hand over her mouth. Jungkook places his finger over his lips, gesturing for her to come closer to him. He speaks into his receiver. "This is Jeon to dispatch, responding to 10-67. Shots fired, requesting back-up." The situation had quickly escalated into a potential hostage situation, and there was no possible way just the two of them were capable of resolving it when the suspect was armed.

The little girl didn't have much clothes on, she was wearing thin pajamas, and her face was puffy and flushed. She looked unwell, but scared most of all. Tears streaked her cheeks, she looked incredibly weak. Jungkook lifts her up into his arms, moving her out of harm's way. Unfortunately, that meant bringing her out into the cold. Her small body shivers in his arms, he opens their car door, tucking her inside safely. "Don't let him hurt my mommy!" she sobbed, her chin quivering.

Jungkook nods, he needed to get back in there to cover for Darryl, he was still under cover. He could hear sirens in the distance, quickly approaching. "My friends are coming to help you, okay, sweetie? Stay here," Jungkook urged, she understood it enough, watching him shed his thick jacket and pull it over her shoulders. "This should keep you warm until someone gets here."

"Thank you." she whimpered tearfully, sniffling as she watched him duck back inside. He noticed Darryl ducked beside of the staircase. He holds up an okay sign, referring to the little girl. Jungkook bobs his head, his partner pointing up the stairs.

"He has her and the baby in a bathroom. He's forcing her to take something." Darryl whispered, covering Jungkook as they stealthily climb the stairs.

Jungkook presses himself against the walls, seeing the perpetrator has a woman and baby held hostage in the bathroom, just as Darryl described it. His back was turned to the door, which was only slightly adjacent. The woman was sobbing, though the baby was no longer crying. To Jungkook, that wasn't a good sign at all. You would hope an infant responds to a crisis such as this. Otherwise, it suggested something morbid.

The woman spotted them, and they place their fingers over their lips. "Take it, bitch! There better not be one drop in that bottle when you're done with it." The man shouted, pointing his gun at her.

"Dylan, please-"

"Shut up! Just shut the fuck up!" his voice was thunderous. Darryl leads, slowly opening the door just enough to slip through. He sneaks up behind him, knocking the gun from the perpetrator's hand. It clatters to the floor, and he turns and swings at Darryl. Jungkook quickly took advantage, escorting the woman out. She appeared even weaker than the little girl, sick and in pain. She clutched the bundle in her arms, though as she was about to reach the stairs, she stopped abruptly.

"Wait, my baby's still hidden!" she protested, Jungkook heard a rough thud from the bathroom, Darryl grunted in pain.

"Where, ma'am?" Jungkook demanded, and the frantic woman panicked.

"I hid him in the hamper in the bathroom. He was going to kill him." She explained, Jungkook nods at that, in far too much of a hurry to ask any further questions.

"Go outside to the patrol car, your daughter's there." he explained, she limps down the steps and Jungkook turned back toward the bathroom.

"Don't you fucking move! I'll shoot him!" The perpetrator shouted, Jungkook sees he'd managed to find the infant, as the hamper had been knocked over, laundry dispersed across the floor. The baby looked asleep, breathing faintly. It had alarmingly shallow breaths, and Jungkook was certain that he was in an induced sleep.

The man held him in his arms, he had no real support under the child's head, and Jungkook noticed how it lolled back. The gun was aimed at him when he entered. "Put the baby down and your hands behind your head." Jungkook ordered, aiming his gun at him, as did Darryl.

"Fuck you! That bitch leeched off of me, man! I never asked for these damn kids...!" Whatever bullshit he was spewing, Jungkook wasn't going to entertain it. Jungkook could hear other officers filing into the house. The man pulled the trigger, firing a bullet at an officer that approached the door. Jungkook heard her grunt in pain.

"Just do as I say!" He demanded, aiming the gun at the infant's head.

"Alright!" Darryl shouted in defeat, looking at Jungkook knowingly. He held his hands up, his gun no longer aimed at the perpetrator. "Don't hurt the kid."

The gun was directed at Jungkook's head, "You too, asshole." Jungkook followed suit. Dylan smiles devilishly, "That's how I like it. Now, you two are going to turn around and you're going to leave us be."

"It doesn't have to be this way, Dylan. No one needs to die over this." Darryl reasoned, and he shook his head stubbornly.

"No, she has to die. And the kids too. It's too much..."

"We can get you some help." Jungkook reasoned, though Dylan was not very keen on negotiating. Darryl subtly nudges his head toward the baby, tightening his grip on his gun.

"You don't want to help me. You want to help her. That selfish bitch. She got two kids out of me. She takes my money. What more does she want from me, huh?!"

Darryl takes a step closer, Dylan points the gun back at him, pulling the trigger. Darryl, having anticipated this, ducked down and shot Dylan's knee cap. He shouts in pain, falling over. "Shit!" Jungkook dives onto his stomach, catching the infant in his arms and pulling him to his chest. Darryl's body falls on top of him. The perpetrator groaned in pain, though ultimately he fainted.

Jungkook huffs in relief, shoving Dylan's heavy body off of his. "Great catch, man," Darryl offers his hand, pulling Jungkook up to his feet. "I think our perp's passed out. I must've nailed him good." A shot to the knee is known to be excruciating, and usually does a great job of holding off any violent suspects and perpetrators. They were taught that in police academy.

Jungkook looks at the baby in his arm, making sure he supported his head in the crook of his elbow. He sighs at how pale and clammy his skin felt, the poor thing was no more than a couple days old, surely. He still had vernix caseosa (a term he never would have known had he not been there when his twin nieces were born) on parts of his face and hands. "I still can't believe you caught him, man. That was awesome." Darryl pats Jungkook on the back, the two of them moving downstairs to bring the infant to a paramedic. Whatever he was given couldn't be any good for him, his lips were starting to turn blue.

"Great job, you two. We'll take it from here." A couple of detectives come to greet them. Jungkook is handed his coat by a paramedic, he looks over at the little girl, sitting in the ambulance, wrapped in blankets. He tugs it on, zipping it up promptly to escape the cold.

"You still smell like baby cheese." Darryl teased as Jungkook approached their shared table. Jungkook chuckles, he got more of it on his sleeve than he'd thought, though he honestly didn't care. Strangely, it had a sort of sweet smell, he remembered how Alex couldn't resist smelling the twins' heads because she like the smell so much. She said something like it smelling like home.

"Whatever," Jungkook dismissed. "I still smell better than that awful body spray you insist on wearing."

Darryl scoffed, feigning offense. "So you got jokes, now?" Jungkook can't help his amused smile, taking a sip of his drink. Darryl chuckles, "Just so you know, plenty of women love it."

"I'm sure they do. Anyone who can smell that overpriced bullshit on you is bound to be lured by anyone with enough money to buy it." Darryl playfully narrows his eyes at him, stuffing a handful of fries in his mouth.

"You know what, I'm gonna get you a bottle, just for saying that. Watch, your girlfriend will be all over you." He insists, waving his finger at the younger officer. He takes a bite out of his burger, hardly bothering to mind any table etiquette.

Jungkook's mind wandered back to that morning, and what little elements of a smile he did have on his face slowly died. Darryl sighs, wiping mustard from the corner of his mouth. "Hey, JK. Don't take it too hard, man."

Jungkook shrugs, stabbing at his loaded salad. Joy got him hooked on them. He didn't have much appetite for anything else right now. He mindlessly watches other customers, the restaurant was hardly very full, as it had passed the rush of lunch hour. "It is what it is." He murmured.

"It's fucked up is what it is. You know man, why don't you just get back at 'em? Yell, fight, do something. I'm sure they'll know not to mess with you when they realize how quickly you can pummel a guy twice your size," Darryl rambled, Jungkook sighs, shaking his head and continuing to chew his food. "I'm just saying, if it were me, they wouldn't be able to get two words out about my girlfriend."

"Darryl-" Jungkook started, shaking his head. The older officer holds his hands up in his defense.

"I just hate to see you suffer, man. You're a really cool and chill guy, and I don't understand how they don't see that. It just makes a few of us curious when you'll let them know they're barking up the wrong tree."

"I'm not going to escalate it. If I go there they'll make things worse. None of this is sudden, their other jokes were pretty tame compared to this but..." He trails off, remembering the crude remarks they made about Joy, and it darkened his expression. Even Darryl was off-put by it. "It's not just me anymore. They've been dragging her into it since last year when they found out we were together. It boils my fucking blood."

"...You had this scary ass look on your face, I seriously thought you were going to kill them." Darryl claimed, his voice a bit hushed for the sake of other diners. Jungkook shakes his head. He was at the brink of his breaking point, yes, but he would have never forgiven himself if he touched a hair on one of their heads.

"My anger has killed someone before." He admits.

Darryl goes quiet, blinking in surprise. He certainly wasn't expecting that confession, especially not from one of the most laid back people he knows. His mouth gapes open and closed like a fish before he finally decided on what he wanted to say. "...Was it justified?"

Jungkook lifts his head from his food, looking away as he recalls it. He had buried that part of himself a long time ago, and he really couldn't afford to let it resurface. "Technically, yes," Darryl tried not to show it, but he looked relieved to hear that. "It happened back when I was on my S.W.A.T team, the perp was being obnoxiously violent. He murdered his family with his bare hands.... He charged at me, this huge dude. I charged, too. The impact was so hard that he collapsed, and he never got back up again.... I was so enraged, mad with myself because I felt our team could have saved those people. Like I could have."

"You bulldozed him?"

"...You've seen tackles in American football?" Darryl nods, starting to picture what he's getting at.

"Picture that, only one of us is armed to the teeth with hard equipment, the other has no protection whatsoever. I crushed him, and he hit his head really hard. His ribs were broken and he had severe internal bleeding. He coughed up a lot of blood..." Jungkook shakes his head. "I had to take anger management classes for about six months," Really, taking those classes at such a young age were a large part of why he's come to be so calm and collected in most tense situations. It taught him how to properly handle pent up frustration and stress in the moment, and up until now he's had a good grasp on it. "I've never allowed myself to let my anger get to me again."

"But," Darryl shakes his head, seeming to worry about Jungkook's wellbeing. "He deserved it, JK. Fucker went on a rampage."

"That wasn't for me to decide. I had a responsibility to protect and detain, and that day I did neither. That's why I don't let my anger take advantage of me. I can't risk making a mistake like that again." He explained.

"Huh," Darryl chews his fries. "I never would have guessed. You think if you let yourself get angry you'll kill them?"

"I can't guarantee anything when I'm in that state of mind. But I know I can't control my own strength, and that terrifies me, Darryl.... Do me a favor-"

Darryl waves him off, "I know, I know. Don't tell anyone what you told me." Jungkook lifts a brow at him.

"I'm serious."

"I know you are. You're never not serious when you say it. Honestly, if you ask me, I think it would do you some good to scare the shit out of those idiots, but..." Jungkook's narrowed gaze seemed to intimidate him. "Alright, alright, I won't say a word. Consider your secret locked, the key is thrown."

Jungkook nods, "Thanks... for always having my back. I know I can get pretty stand-offish, especially now..."

"Any time, man. What are partners for, huh? And about the other day..."

"Darryl, I'm sorry about that, man."

He waves his hand dismissively, "It's okay, seriously. I knew you weren't in the mood and I approached you anyway, after you made it very clear you didn't want to be bothered. Don't worry about it, JK. We all have those days, and it's nothing to feel guilty over." Jungkook nods at that, brushing his hair back.

Joy didn't have much on when she came to greet him at the door, he shuts it behind him quickly before anyone out in the hall can see her. She grips his shoulder and kisses his cheek, "Joy," he starts.

"Did you have a good day, baby?" She asked softly, pulling his arms around her so that he was holding her waist. She drapes her arms over his shoulders, pulling herself close to him.

"What're you wearing?" He demanded in a soft tone, she definitely didn't have a bra on under his t-shirt. Nor did he feel any shorts beneath it.

She raised a brow at him, "What I damn-well please, just like always. Why?"

He shakes his head, knowing it was something stupid to get into. Who was he to dictate what she wears, no matter how it made him feel? She was just sitting in the house, after all. The events from today just have him tense, especially knowing that he had clearly been followed by his co-workers so they can snap some pictures of her. The idea of her being humiliated made his chest burn. He felt extra cautious, but it was her name on the lease. "Nothing. Sorry," He leans down and pecks her lips, but she still seemed off-put.

Her hands grip his shoulders, a knowing look on her face. He had a rough day, "You wanna talk about it?"

The question made him squirm, and he looked away, pulling his arms back from her body, "No." He said simply, she watched him pull his boots and coat off, tucking them into the closet. Joy folds her arms, she was frustrated. Of course she was. After watching him break down, reduced to tears and an eventual unfulfilling sleep, she wanted nothing more than for him to get better. But how was she supposed to help if he wouldn't say anything? It was unfair that he expected anything that wasn't comfort, because that was about all she could provide until she knew more.

He hasn't addressed his problems since Korea, roughly three months ago. Even before then, Joy sorely remembered the promise he'd made. That he would try to be more open with her. She watches his large form move past her, watching him closely. What did he have to hide?

Jungkook grabs a water bottle from their fridge, he could tell she was hurt by his lacking response, and it seems to harbor itself deeper into her eyes with each passing day. He didn't want to hurt her, it was killing him to do so. But he just couldn't bear reliving the day's dreadful events, and especially not anything else.

She looked adorable when she was mad, it made him want to chuckle. Her pretty face pinched with frustration, arms folded over her bust, her hip jutting out as she stood expectantly. But most of all, her frustration survived as a gleam in her eyes, tinting them a light shade of pink.

He moves around the island, setting his water down and engulfing her in his arms. The guilt knotted in his core, and it made him wince as it summoned heat to his face. Joy was a bit startled by his sudden bear hug, his arms wrapping around her body with a secure, strong hold. He tucks his head into her neck.

She hears him sniffle quietly, cooing gently. "Oh, baby... What can I do?" She strokes his ebony locks. The way he likes it, it made him relax some. She rubs the tension out of his back.

"Just... Hold me." He mutters pleadingly, his wavering voice muffled in her neck.

"Okay," she nods. "I'm here if you need anything, Kookie." He squeezed her gratefully, enjoying how sweet her hold on him was. She didn't bother letting him go, hardly considered it. She didn't shy away or berate him for being too vulnerable and sensitive. Didn't chastise his need for comfort at all, or belittle his intense and complex emotions that he had no idea what to do with. Her touch alone was something peaceful... something he hadn't realized he's been yearning for all these rough years.

It was hard to tell how long she spent in his embrace, she never complained, didn't say a word. He still felt the irritating burn of his adrenaline and anguish as they fester, despite her angelic presence. He startles her when he pulls her feet off the ground, wrapping her legs around his waist. She was confused as he carries her back to their room, kicking the door closed. He sets her down on the floor in their bedroom, heading to shower.

The steam rolled off his body, though it didn't achieve much in extinguishing his frustrating troubles. He felt helpless, unsure what he could turn to if nothing else was working. Talking about it would hardly do much to solve it, he needed to unleash this negative energy with something physical, but there was no use going to the gym downstairs.

Joy was brushing her teeth by the time he was done. He wraps a towel around his waist, she stares at his reflection as he approaches her from behind in the mirror, feeling up her thighs and butt. Quickly, she slapped his hand away, figuring he would at least let her finish brushing her teeth. Joy turns to scold him, but he simply places his hands on her hips and lifts her up onto the counter top with ease. She looks at him worriedly, seeing the dark look in his eyes. He has his hands firmly planted either side of her, waiting for her to finish scrubbing her teeth. She leans over and spits in her sink, rinsing her mouth out with water.

Joy studies him wearily, noticing how tense he still is. She places her hands on his shoulders to knead them, but he distracts her with a deep kiss. It's sloppy and aggressive, which she typically wouldn't mind if she wasn't so worried about him. She pulls away, studying the dark look in his eyes. "Let's talk about this," she insists gently.

He continues to kiss her, "Just let me take my energy out on this." He pleaded, feeling sincerely that nothing else was working and that it was only frustrating him more. He had to release this pent up energy somehow. She sighs, seeing that he was already poking from beneath the towel.

"Jungkook..." She says worriedly, knowing sex was no real solution he needed. They agreed on that long ago. He kisses her insistently, gripping her thighs and pulling her into him.

He parted their lips, and she was completely breathless, he leans close to her ear, whispering in a low, husky voice, "I would love to taste your pretty pussy."

"You can't touch me until you agree to have a real conversation with me." She decided, pulling back when he tried to kiss her again. He smelled good, and it was making it hard to resist temptation when he was staring at her. But she held herself firm, leaning out of his embrace. He pulled her thighs around his thin waist, she actively avoids staring at his fit figure.

"Joy..." He practically growled in frustration, he looked desperate. Not even for sex, just for an outlet to release. Jungkook could hardly be sexually frustrated. He squeezed her thighs tightly, and Joy bit back a dainty squeak, she folds her arms, shaking her head. He sighs heavily, looking defeated. "It won't help."

"It'll give me peace of mind," she countered. "And you don't know that. You've never opened up about it before, so how could you know?"

He sighs, dropping his head. Joy bites her lips when his strong hips jutted into hers, she felt heat in her stomach, but she held strong. She needed to hear him say it, so she can hold him to it. It didn't have to be now, but it definitely needed to be soon.

"Baby, don't make me..." He pleads, shaking his head. He rests his forehead on her shoulder, but Joy wasn't giving in. It was making him squirm, but she would rather an awkward conversation than to have to watch him suffer any longer. He looks into her eyes, knowing she wasn't going to budge. She had had enough with his suppressed emotions. He ought to let someone in. He's just so used to facing his demons on his own.

"Okay..." He muttered.

"Okay...?" She asked, needing clarification.

"I'll... talk to you about it, because I know you want to help." He still felt it wasn't going to work, though. It wasn't going to work with him like it did with Joy, to let go of all that hurt and numbness he's been feeling. It was an unbearably awkward role to play, even with Joy. He could already anticipate the embarrassment he was going to feel as a result.

She pulls his head up, planting a gentle kiss on his lips. He was pouting, and not in a joking manner. He was extremely reluctant, he had guarded his emotions for so long. Joy began to second-guess herself, wondering if maybe instead she should have invested in more qualified input. But the deal had already been made, and she could only hope there was no harm done. Things could only improve from here, right? He was at his lowest point, after all.

Sex was hardly a resolve for much other than their physical yearning for each other. Joy was well aware of that, but perhaps it would help him sleep. She just wanted him to get a full night of decent rest, and sex or a hard work-out was usually the only thing that could knock him out for good, at the very least, he'll stay asleep for a couple of hours. It was a better alternative to being in and out, completely delirious and unable to decipher what was reality. He scared her last night when he lay in bed, completely stiff and unmoving, staring at a shadow in the corner of their room. He was sweating profusely as a result, literally drenched. Joy had decided to wash their sheets, since she was home all day.

He holds the small of her back, his hips bucking roughly into hers. He was making his best efforts to get her aroused, and typically nothing had her dripping like his rough and powerful grinds. Joy melts into the sultry kiss, it wasn't so aggressive this time around, so much as it was intense. She felt him pull her thighs apart, closer into him and refusing to let her go. His hands glide up the large graphic t-shirt, up her soft torso towards her breasts. She gasps as he began to knead them in his hand, simultaneously pulling her back into him when she flinched. She huffs hotly, he tugs on her thong, and she lifts her butt before he could rip another one.

He pulls back, wrestling it off her legs, "I better hear you. If you're making me talk, you're damn sure not hiding those pretty moans." He sinks down onto his knees, Joy gasps as he abruptly pulled her closer to the edge of the counter.

He placed his mouth on her hot, soft skin, chuckling at how much she was enjoying it. He placed her legs on his shoulders, feeling her squirm and twitch. Her soft feet press into his back, and she grips his damp hair in a tight fist. "J-Jungkook! Too much!" She whined, absolutely exasperated. He looks up at her, shaking his head. Joy bites her lips, holding back a loud moan as he brings her closer to orgasm. He reaches around and slaps her plump butt, effectively making her jump. Her ears were bright red with embarrassment, but he would spank her again if she held back.

She tensed, gripping his biceps tightly as the heat overwhelmed her. She threw her head back, moaning softly. He loved how hard her eyes rolled back, feeling her thighs twitch around his head. He wasn't done with her, though. They were only getting started.

Joy sensed this, frantically patting his head when his tongue swirled around her most delicate area. He blatantly ignored her, though, "Oh my God... Fuck-! Kookie!" She whined, her legs were quivering non-stop, and her body started to shudder again. He loved her intense orgasms, when she lost complete control of her body. She had only ever started cumming like that when he came along, and he took pride in it.

She starts to push at his head, shaking her head hard. "Not again. I can't handle it." She pleaded, and he looks up to read her face. Hm, maybe one more. Or two. That should do it.

She struggled and squirmed desperately, but until he heard their safeword leave her lips, he would continue. She was throbbing when he got that fourth orgasm he wanted out of her, and her legs kept quivering. Joy pants, she tried to look mad, but when he smirked at her, giving her a cheeky wink, she couldn't help but to giggle, granted, still out of breath.

She watched him rinse his mouth out, not bothering to move at all. He turned back to her, she tried to press her thighs together, but she was still very aroused. "You good to stand, baby?" He asked, Joy seemed confused, incapable of thinking clearly.

He lifts her up, she pulls the towel off his waist, having to tug hard because of how tightly he'd wrapped it. He turns her toward a wall, pressing her back into it. She grips his shoulders tightly, biting back a loud moan as he sunk into her. Her nails claw at his back. Roughly, he spanks her again, "What did I say?"

She whimpered, he had a merciless fast pace, hardly sparing her a moment to relax. His hand pressed firmly into the wall beside her head, he pumps her body roughly into it, making it thud. Joy was speechless, hearing his loud grunt as he moved. He was chasing the sinful sound of their skin slapping together, and the volume of her sweet moans. The hairs on his neck rise as her nails scratch at his skin. She grips the long parts of his hair tightly, moaning as he sucks roughly at the skin on her neck. Joy was glad she didn't have work for the weekend, but she would have trouble hiding it from her friends the next day.

She stammered as his name fell from her lips, "Louder, Peach." He growled, Joy yelps as he thrusts himself particularly hard, she was seeing hot flashes of white. "Holy shit..." She whimpered, yelping again as he slowly drew his hips back, thrusting back into her just as powerfully. He smirks against her skin, pulling her thighs roughly. Joy began to shiver at each sinful impact, her orgasm came strong. It was so intense that her walls clenched around him with such a tight grip that he found it difficult to move.

She buries her face into him, whimpering as the better half of her orgasm creates waves of tremors in her body. She was throbbing rather hard. He smirks in satisfaction, "Fuck, sweetheart," her release nearly put him over the edge as well, but he could still feel the heat of adrenaline alive in his veins.

Joy huffs, locking her ankles around his waist and shaking her head. She couldn't take anymore. Where the hell did all of this energy come from? He only ever lasts this long when he's got that dark look in his eyes, after a particularly shitty day. She was unsure how much she could genuinely handle.

He peels her off the wall, carrying her into their bedroom. He drops her onto the mattress, pulling her by her ankle. Joy huffs, whimpering as he sinks himself back into her. He groans loudly, gripping her hips tightly with his strong hands.

Joy's moans were getting softer and softer. She stares drearily at the ceiling, the pleasure of his powerful thrusts starting to wash with heat. She pants in exasperation, unable to understand the sudden heat, especially if they've moved to a cooler room. She stares up at Jungkook, whose head was thrown back as he pumped her nonstop. Joy arches her back, her toes starting to curl. But she couldn't escape that dreadful heat, like someone was blowing hot air directly onto her face.

"K-Kookie..." She tries, though it would easily pass for a pleasurable moan. Joy blinks, black spots dancing across her vision. She tries to pull the t-shirt off, hoping it would rid her of the heat. "Jungkook..." She huffed, and he looked down at her, leaning over her body. Though he didn't stop his movements, rolling his hips roughly into hers. Typically, Joy would be at her edge by now, but her sudden faintness was overwhelming the pleasure. She swallows thickly, giving up on the t-shirt. She felt too weak.

She huffs, "M-Man..." He pulled his face from her neck, trying to look at her face. "Mango." She managed, he dithered, but stopped the motion of his hips.

"Mango?" He asked for good measure, and she nods. Jungkook pulls his hands from beneath her, wincing as he climbed off of her. He sits on the edge of the bed, sighing deeply. Joy lies panting beside him, sweat glistening on her neck and stomach. She gulps down heaps of air, Jungkook stares down at her, frowning. She tugs on the t-shirt, and he helps her slip it off. She lies back, naked, looking a bit relieved.

"Sorry..." She muttered. "I... I felt hot and I was getting dizzy." She explained weakly, slowly starting to come back to her senses. She blinks up at the ceiling, turning to look at him.

He had definitely gone overboard with the over-stimulation. Why didn't he listen when she said she couldn't handle it? He felt extremely guilty, it twisted his gut and made him want to double over. Joy closes her legs, dabbing at the sweat on her body with the t-shirt. "Did I hurt you?" He asked, needing the truth. He had promised himself that he wouldn't lose control with her and he wasn't sure if he had. She doesn't respond, which of course is enough of an answer in itself. Jungkook turns away, putting his face in his hands. "Fuck..." He murmured to himself, feeling heat behind his eyes. "I'm sorry, baby. I shouldn't have forced you." He had acted like a fucking animal.

"Kookie, you didn't force me to do anything. I know what I'm doing." Joy denied, but she was trying to make him feel better about it. But the bottom line was that he hurt her. He hurt Joy. His precious gem. This wasn't like any tears he could wipe away after making her cry like he had all those weeks ago. She bore real bruises because of his desperate pursuit to pleasure and relief.

"Still," he shakes his head, unsure if he was going to forgive himself for this. "I pressured you. And it was too much for you."

She lifts her head to look up at him, but his back is still facing her. "I just had my period, and you know I'm anemic when I'm on it. It takes a few days for my iron levels to get back to normal, so I'm still a little weak from it. It's not your fault." She defended, but Jungkook knew she was making excuses for him. He shakes his head, even if that were true, he had a responsibility to have sex with her properly, neither of them liked being in pain when they did it, save the harmless spank hear and there. But that wasn't the same thing by far.

Jungkook didn't feel any better about it, if anything he felt worse. He knows better, Joy had less energy on her period, and as a result they usually don't have sex during the duration of it. He made that decision to prevent this exact situation from happening. Not to mention, it meant they hadn't been intimate in a week, which meant surely she was a bit more hypersensitive. He studies her thighs and waist, staring scornfully at the red marks he'd left. Large, darkening marks on the insides and outsides of her thighs, waist, and hips. He was sure they were on her back as well. They were going to bruise. He was so disgusted with himself he felt sick to his stomach. He starts to get up to finish himself off, as she had uttered their safeword at the brink of his high, but she heard him hiss. "Where are you going? I just need a minute."

"I don't want to hurt you, Joy," he shakes his head. He wasn't going to put her through it anymore. How could he force her to endure something for his own relief? It was incredibly selfish.

"You won't," She shakes her head, still panting, though she had gained her color back. "Come back. I'll be fine." She lifts her wrist to gesture him closer, though she didn't have much energy to keep it up.

He didn't seem too sure about her insistence, but she didn't want him to be in pain. She wished she said something after he had finished, he was rather close after all. She was sure he hadn't even thought about that since they stopped, but she knew he was enduring that awful throbbing pain. "Are you sure?" He asks for good measure, he wasn't sure if he trusts himself anymore.

She bobs her head, "Yeah, we can at least finish up. I don't want to end on a bad note." He hesitates, not looking so sure about it anymore. She had never seen him look so disappointed in himself, it weighed on his whole demeanor.

Joy spreads her legs apart, "We were at my favorite part." She hinted, offering a teasing smile at him. He didn't give much of one in return, seeming far too focused on how careful he was being with her body to even register what she'd said.

He sighed in frustration, too anxious to make the first move. He was already on top of her, and she waited for his thrusts, but he knew that if she winced so much as once that he was pulling away. Joy sensed how tense he was, and took note of the overly cautious look in his eyes, having long replaced that dark, lustful presence.

"Baby," she cooed, she rolls them over, pulling him up into her chest in a tight hug. "If I didn't trust you, believe me we would have never gotten this far." She assured, kissing his hot cheeks. Slowly, she starts to girate her hips back and forth, grinding her pelvis into him deeply. It didn't take long at all for her to work up a rhythm, and for the both of them to get back into their arousal. Joy grips his neck and shoulders, whimpering in pleasure. He cursed as he tensed, gripping her body and pinning her down on top of him. She moans at the sensation, her walls clenching as she grinds as much as she can, though it was difficult when she was restrained.

She climbs off of him, lying on her side beside him. She was tired, and he was sure she was going to be sore. The least he could do was try to help her around it. He pulls himself to his feet, going back to their bathroom and starting to run her a bath. He poured some of her oils and salts in, stirring it in so that it was mixed well. He turned back to look at Joy, having fully expected her to still be lying in bed, half-asleep. However, she was up, changing their sheets back to their normal silk. He had forgotten that she said she would wash them that morning, he felt bad about how much he was sweating, not to mention how embarrassing it was.

She squeals when he scoops her up from behind, making her drop the pillow she was dressing, she was nearly finished, after all. He steers her toward the bathtub, watching her get in. "Thank you, Kookie. You're very sweet." She said softly, he tries not to blush, starting to leave her be when she caught his hand.

"What? I'm the only one allowed to relax? Get in." She insisted, tugging his arm. He sighed, but felt a smile pulling his lips when she made room for him. He steps in behind her, and she lies back on his chest, resting her head into his neck. "I know you're tired, so we won't be long, okay?" She explained and he nods, earning a sweet kiss to his cheek. "I love you." She reminded.

"Love you, too, Sweetheart." He murmured, wrapping his arms around her. She giggled and slapped his hand away when he playfully squeezed her breast.

"Oh my gosh! Guys, look how cute this is!" Hazel squeals, holding up a set of pastel onesies." The other three women look over at it, Joy coos. "Cute! It's got little teddies on it," She swooned, "Grace will love it." "And it's gender neutral, just like she asked," Hope added. Hazel had been struggling to find cute, neutral baby clothes all day. It was winter time, so plenty of the outfits were dressed for the season, however Grace should be having the baby in the spring, and the winter selections would simply be too hot for the baby. "Let me see," Hazel holds it up over the rack for Ingrid to see the cute set, Ingrid turning from the rack she was studying to look at it. She coos, "Aww! Ugh, I miss having a baby." "You've got an eighteen month old at home." Joy defended, and Ingrid sighs dreamily. "But she's in a defiant phase. She decided she loves her Daddy more. And refuses cuddles from me. Don't get me started on my four-year-old. She's already ready for school next year. Jin done went ahead and got her excited, now she wants nothing more than to go to kindergarten," Ingrid puts on a pout. "Not to be that kind of Mama, but, I really miss having a chunky baby on my hip. But Jin won't give me another one." "Aww, that's so cute, Innie!" Hope squeals, hardly acknowledging the stares a few other customers sent her way. "Girl, don't mope. You're gonna fuck around and give me baby fever, too. It's contagious." Hazel adds, giggling when Ingrid pouts harder. She sighs dramatically, putting the blue and red outfit back on it's rack. "Maybe Jin would like a son," Joy offers, noticing how Ingrid couldn't get out of the boys' section. They were supposed to be looking for gender neutral clothes, but Ingrid had already bought all the clothes she wanted to give to Grace, so she was combing longingly through the section, cooing at every single one she pulls out. She had a serious case of baby fever, if Joy had ever seen one. "Don't get me started, girl. I want a baby so bad I could honestly cry," Ingrid mutters. "He doesn't take me seriously when I say it," Joy walks along with her as she moves down the rack. "Why not?" Joy wondered, hearing Hope and Hazel giggle at something from the other section. "He's always rambling about his patients and how many lives he needs to save and whatnot. He says I ought to wait a few years so I can get back to what I love to do. But he doesn't realize how much I also love to be a mom." Joy coos at Ingrid's sincere confession. She hadn't been in that position before, so she couldn't honestly give very useful or insightful advice. However, she could empathize. "If it's meant to be, I'm sure it'll happen, Innie. Just give it time. Maybe Jin will realize how serious you are about this." Hope and Hazel return from the register, giving Ingrid a knowing look as the oldest of the four swoons over another article of baby clothing. Hazel hums, "Maybe we should take a break from the baby section." She suggests subtly, Ingrid looking up at the other three. "No! I mean- I'm fine, guys, really. I just need..." She trailed off, her eyes directed at the door to she shoppe. Ingrid's face softens and she deflates, staring longingly at something. The other three turn and look to see a young woman walking in wearing a baby sling, bouncing and rubbing her infant's back. "Come on," Hope starts to tug Ingrid out the door, "You need to spend more time away from here." Ingrid pouts, looking at the cute infant's chubby face. They had rosy cheeks. The mother notices as the three young women try pulling Ingrid out of the store, looking noticeably confused. "Your baby's so beautiful! " Ingrid said, making the woman smile, despite her confusion, she got back to shopping. The bitter cold air brushes past them, Joy tugs on her scarf to make sure it stayed in place. It was actually Jungkook's, Marble had torn up her favorite one last year and she never got around to replacing it. She was glad he had one to offer, because surely nothing would effectively cover up her hickey without it. Not only was her neck exposed

to the bitter cold air, but that hickey he left the night prior couldn't be any more obvious.

Ingrid sighs, "I'm good, y'all. I need to calm down before I start lactating again.... Maybe just one more look." Hazel steers her around before she could start to go back, keeping her arm over her shoulder to prevent her from trying. Joy chuckles to herself, doing her best to keep up with their quick stride. It made her legs ache to walk normally, but she tried her best to not make it obvious. "Why do you think Jin doesn't want another baby?" Hope wonders, stuffing her hands in the pocket of her coat, her bags dangling in the crook of her elbow. "He says it's because of work, but I feel like it's something else. He's making sure we use birth control." "Maybe he'll come around later on, give it a few months, maybe some years...." Ingrid groans at Hazel's remark. "If it's meant to be, it'll happen." Hazel continued. "You're right," Ingrid sighs in defeat. "Just in case, I've been trying to get him to do some good positions for contraception. In case we get pregnant by chance, you know." Hope gives Ingrid a disapproving look. "What? Just in case. You never know with these things." She defends. "Joy, are you alright? You're walking kind of slow." Hazel asks, turning back toward her. She was trailing just a couple steps behind, however they didn't want anyone feeling excluded. "Y-Yeah, I'm just cold." She made an excuse, making sure not to wince as she moves. She can't help walking stiffly, and her tall boots weren't much help. They give each other knowing looks, completely skeptical about her claim. Hazel looks across the street, "How about we take a break? I could use something sweet." She offers, gesturing to a quaint cafe across the street. "Yeah, that sounds good to me." Hope agreed.

The cafe was warm and smelled like coffee and vanilla beans. It was comforting. The four of them approach the counter to make their orders. Joy and Hazel break off to find them somewhere to sit.

"How have y'all been doing, Joy? I know we don't talk as much as we'd like, but you know how work gets in the way." Hazel started, she fluffs out her brown curls, smiling at Joy.

She returns the friendly gesture, "Well, for the most part, we're alright..." She started, Ingrid and Hope join them, taking their seats with a promise that a waiter would arrive with their orders. "For the most part?" Hope wonders, having heard as they approached.

Joy nods, sighing to herself. "He's just acting... secluded," she tries to explain. "And numb. He's been in this awful depressed mood since he came back from his brother's wedding in August."

"That long?" Ingrid asks worriedly, and Joy can only nod. The other three coo at her.

"We're here if you want to talk about it, Joy. We know it can help to get some insight." Hope offers, and Joy hesitates, she tugs gently on her scarf, but ensures that it stays wrapped around her neck. A waiter approaches their table, though it didn't do much to lift her tension. Their orders are placed in front of them.

Joy takes her warm mug of coffee, watching the steam waft into the air. She looks into the hot brew, waiting for it to cool. The other three give each other worried looks, Hope reaches across the table and takes Joy's hand. "Joy, did he hurt you?" she asks in a hushed voice, trying not to draw any attention to their table.

"No," Joy quickly shakes her head. "He'd never do that to me. That's not Jungkook. I'm just... I'm worried about him." She admits, and the tension washes from their faces some.

"Because he's secluded," Ingrid nods.

"He's also an insomniac, he always has been since we've been together, and sometimes it's worse than usual. Sleep is already hard for him to come by, but lately he hardly sleeps at all. He has these terrible nightmares and it just..." Joy sighs, swallowing the lump trying to surface in her throat, not letting it shake her voice. Hope coos at her, she was noticeably overwhelmed.

"I know something's going on with him, but he won't talk about it. He refuses to open up with me." Joy explains, sighing and taking a small sip of her beverage, a small attempt to calm her nerves.

"Well, Joy, some guys struggle with feeling vulnerable. Jungkook's from Korea, and it's almost frowned upon for anyone to talk about their emotions, let alone a man." Hazel notes, and Joy nods at that. This she knew, Jungkook had told her about it. He mentioned before how he grew up in a household where one's feelings were hardly considered. And that men especially had a responsibility to keep their feelings to themselves and continue to work hard. He never learned how to release, and furthermore, he was never consoled about his personal issues as some others would be.

"I think we have all been affected by this at one time or another," Ingrid adds, everyone nodding promptly in agreement. "It's frustrating."

Joy felt defeated. "I know the lack of sleep isn't helping either. He's clearly depressed, but he can't even rest and start feeling better. He's stuck... I don't know how to help him."

Hazel hums in understanding, "What have you tried?"

Joy chews her cheek, "Everything I could think of. I've tried to be upfront, subtle, coercing him, waiting for him... It's like he feels a need to hide his suffering from me."

"But you know him too well. So of course you notice." Ingrid nods, sighing. It did sound like a tough position to be in, one they have all had to deal with to some degree. Although, their own situations didn't seem nearly as intense as Joy and Jungkook's.

Joy bobs her head, "I started to give up on making him talk to me on his own, because I really don't think he'll ever come to it. So I tried finding ways to help him sleep better, before I seek a specialist. I figured that if he's better rested, maybe he won't be so down anymore. Usually, he'll go down after a remedy, or if he's holding me," The other three coo at that, Joy not having realized how cute it sounded. "This time, though, nothing is working. If anything, it's worse. He has these... violent nightmares, they make him sweat profusely. A few nights ago he had an episode with sleep paralysis. Most times though, he's completely delirious. He can hardly form a full sentence."

"Nothing worked?" Hazel asked for good measure. "Not even melatonin or sleep aids?" Joy shakes her head in defeat.

"That does sound tough, hon," Ingrid sighed, taking a bite of her cookie. Everyone nods in agreement. "But I'm sure he appreciates you trying."

"...I'm really sore because of last night," Joy admits. "He said he had to find a way to release his pent up emotions somehow, and... it helps him sleep a little better."

To her surprise, they took her claim completely serious. Joy knows how such a thing insinuates all sorts of innuendoes. "Orgasms tend to make people sleepy, especially men," Hazel nods to confirm. "You think it helps?"

"He didn't wake up too many times last night, and he stayed asleep for a good four hours without interruption. It's a start, I guess."

"But you two can't have sex just to get him to sleep," Hope interjects. "That's not a healthy habit."

"I know," Joy rests her chin in her hand, looking at the pedestrians wandering the streets through the large glass window. She was noticeably defeated. "Sometimes, he'll go work-out, but I don't like when he does it. Because he'll go out of his way to over exert himself, and he won't be able to move the next day."

"Sounds like sex is your best bet, then," Ingrid claims, Joy nods.

She sips her drink, shaking her head thoughtfully, "He wasn't terribly rough with me, but... he was so intense. I thought I could handle it, and for the most part, I'd say I did, but..." The other three go quiet, wondering what happened to make Joy feel so sore. They all leaned closer, anticipating the end of her anecdote.

"He's so strong, and he was insistent last night. I was really over-stimulated, and pleasure was starting to turn into discomfort, and I knew that it would start to turn into pain if I hadn't passed out first,"

Hazel's eyes widen in shock, they were more than surprised to hear of Jungkook's intense endeavors. "I had to say our safeword, and he's still really guilty about it." Just this morning, he got up to make her breakfast in bed, and he kissed her bruises. Joy couldn't get him to stop apologizing.

"Hold up, I didn't realize y'all were wild enough to even have a safeword," Hope holds her hand up, trying to process it. "You two are always so shy when it comes to opening up about sex."

Joy chuckles, "We're really not that wild at all, we just have it when things get too intense to handle."

Ingrid chuckles softly, trying not to laugh too hard. "Sorry, not to make light of a serious situation, but that's just so surprising. We had a hunch, but couldn't be completely sure."

"Really?" Joy wonders.

The other three share a knowing look with each other, subtle smiles on their faces. "What?" Joy asked, clearly they were all in on something she wasn't aware of.

"We know that walk from anywhere, girl. You're good at hiding it when you're focused." Hope explained, Joy blinks. Was it really that obvious? Luckily she had ear muffs too, or they'd see her bright red ears.

"There's nothing to hide, Joy. We're all in the same boat as you. I can't tell you how many times Jimin has embarrassed me because of it," Hazel assures, rubbing Joy's back.

Joy offers her smile to them all, preferring to move on from it. She was happy to vent and be listened to. It made the pressure a little less intense."Thanks, y'all."

"You know, Joy," Ingrid starts, and the youngest turns her gaze away from the window to look at her. "If you get the chance, you should ask Grace about how to approach this. She may have some consultants or friends she can refer you to. She mainly works in pediatric psychology but I think she knows some people who can help."

"You think they can help?" Joy asked, trying not to sound as hopeless as she felt. She was running out of options as to how to approach this. It's a difficult thing for them to resolve.

"I say it's worth a shot," Hazel offers, wearing a sympathetic smile. "No harm in trying right?"

"Yeah, Joy. I mean, it could go nowhere but who knows? Maybe if JK sees that you're putting forth effort to make sure he feels better, he'll understand how important he is to you." Hope adds, and Joy perks up a bit at that. She purses her lips, looking hopeful.

"Maybe..." she entertained, though she wouldn't set her expectations too high. Grace may not know anyone who can help them after all. "Thanks, I'll ask her about it when I get the chance."

"Of course, Joy! We're here if you ever want to talk about it some more, okay? Don't hesitate to reach out to us," Hope offers, the other two nodding along. "On a lighter note, let me tell y'all about Tae's new promotion. He's so proud of himself, it's honestly adorable."

"You are so childish, you know that, hyung?" Taehyung grumbles, giving Seokjin an irritated glare as he sipped his beer from it's bottle. Jin laughs, sticking his tongue out at the younger.

"It's not my fault nobody taught you how to play pool." Jin teases, Jimin giggles, firmly planting the end of his cue stick in the ground. He stood by Jungkook on the side, the both of them waiting their turns as Jin and Taehyung bicker. Jimin laughs at a particularly ridiculous pose Jin was making as he aims to hit one of the balls. Taehyung scoffs in utter annoyance.

Jungkook was noticeably quiet, it had them all a bit unsettled. Not that he was ever very chatty in the first place, but he had this look about him, just like had Taehyung told them. His demeanor was slumped, and his expression hard. His mind was on anything but the bar.

"Yah, Jeongguk-ah," Jimin starts, the younger turning toward him. He gripped the neck of his beer, which he hardly took any sips of. Every occasion that he actually did bring it up to his lips was always accompanied by a bitter grimace at the taste it introduced to his tongue.

"Yes!" Taehyung punches the air in victory, having successfully hit the ball just as he'd intended. Jin quickly follows with a remark to simmer his ego.

"Yeah, hyung?" Jungkook entertains, able to tell by Jimin's quiet, gentler tone that he was going to be talking down to him. They were all walking on eggshells with him, and if anything it dampered his mood further.

"How's everything going? Are you and Joy getting used to living in the same space yet? It took Hazel and I a while to find our footing." Jimin tries, watching as Jungkook downed another swig, fighting the urge to let his expression sour at the taste. The older's attempt was subtle, he'll give him that, however he wasn't intending on sparing many details.

"We're alright." He nods simply, though Jimin didn't seem too convinced. He offers a warm smile at the younger, patting his back.

"Good. We all figured the two of you would be just fine. I'll admit, I was a bit worried about you, Jeongguk-ah. At first I felt like you guys were sort of rushing into things... But I didn't realize how serious you two were about each other until Tae told me. It's pretty obvious how much you care about her."

Jungkook hums, unsure what to make of the older's sudden confession. He didn't turn to meet Jimin's eyes, as the older had been trying to get him to do. Jungkook knows that if he did, he would comment on how sullen he looks, just as everyone else has. Especially how tired he looks, and how dark his eyes are.

"JK! You're up!" Jin called, ignoring Taehyung's disappointed pout. The youngest sets his beer down, gripping the staff of his cue stick to line it up with the white ball on the table. Taehyung had arranged the balls in the proper formation for him already.

"Wah, Taehyung-ah, you're letting the youngest one outshine you. Take notes on his posture." Jin teased, laughing at the younger's irritated expression. Jimin giggled too, but covered it up with a cough when his best friend sent him a hard stare.

They all watched as the balls dispersed across the green table, the mighty clack having taken hold of their attention. Jungkook stood back and watched them roll, bouncing off the boundaries and each other.

"Nice shot, Jeongguk-ah," Jimin cheered from beside him. Jungkook steps back, waiting for the next person to take their hit. Unbeknownst to him, they were all giving each other knowing looks, ensuring that the youngest doesn't notice. They knew that it would make whatever he's feeling worse.

"How's the house treating you, Jimin?" Jin pondered, veering away from the elephant in the room. Jimin got a bit bashful. He never tried to really hide the fact that he was having a house built for Hazel and himself, however he never went out of his way to mention it either. He got shy about it, clearly Hazel had rubbed off on him more than he realized. Everyone found it kind of cute.

"It's nice, hyung. Button really likes it. Sometimes I have to drag her out of it." He admits, and Jungkook chuckles, watching Jimin take his turn.

"JK, you haven't been yet, have you?" Taehyung asks, and the youngest shakes his head.

"Joy showed me pictures. She and the girls were twerking in the master bathroom." Jungkook explained, chuckling gently to himself.

Jimin can't help his fond grin, tilting his head in amusement as he hones in his focus on the ball to hit. "Yeah, that sounds like Button. She doesn't look it but she loves to shake her ass," the balls clatter around the table. Jimin steps back as they all watch, he and Taehyung high fiving when a couple solid colored balls fall in one of the holes.

"Yah, don't get too excited. Jeongguk and I can still kick your asses." Jin challenged, earning a roll of the eyes from the other team.

"I gotta say, Gguk, Joy surprised me a bit." Jimin admits, continuing with their conversation from before. Jungkook genuinely chuckles hearing that, and it prompted the others to smile, too. It was refreshing to see him smiling, it seems that these days you really have to work for it.

"You're telling me. I've never seen her twerk before that video." Jungkook chimes, shaking his head at the thought, he moves around the table so Jin can have his turn.

"You never forget the first time. Hope likes to tease me about it. She said my face was priceless." Taehyung adds, Jimin stifling a laugh as he remembers. He happened to be there with Taehyung that night when he first witnessed Hope's erotic dancing. They weren't together yet, and Taehyung had never seen anything like it until that point.

"Seriously, you guys haven't seen shit until you turn on some reggae music. I don't know what kind of music your ladies listen to, but for Hazel and Mya..." Jimin shakes his head, whistling at the thought. Jin seemed to know exactly what he was getting at.

"Ingrid and Mya had their own whining session at my place the other day-" Jin explains, and Jungkook furrows his brows.

"Whining?" He had never heard of such a thing, not related to dance, anyway.

The other three chuckle at how innocent he still is. "Ah, Jeongguk-ah, you still have so much to learn. If Joy can twerk I promise you she can whine, it can go hand in hand." Taehyung explains.

"Mya and Ingrid were unstoppable. They were in another freaky ass world." Jin continued.

"Ah, and Mya has some heritage in the Dominican Republic and parts of Jamaica. Yoongi hyung really has it out for him," Jimin stated, "I don't know how they do that with their hips."

"Well, however they learned, I don't want my babies picking up on it," Jin muttered, pretending to be mad. "I told Innie her whining was for my eyes only. Yoongi gave up, though. There's no stopping Mya."

"Hey, guys," Hoseok steps in, ducking his head to get into the pool room. He pulls his hands from his pockets, greeting everyone enthusiastically. They all turn and approach him, genuinely surprised at his presence. Hoseok gives them all a friendly bear hug. Jin offers to buy him a beer, but he quickly declined.

"I really shouldn't. If Grace even smells alcohol on my breath she'll be so sick," Jin hums in understanding, seeming to know exactly what he was getting at. Jin being the only one who's been in his shoes amongst the five of them.

"Hey JK," Hobi greets the youngest with his usual enthusiasm. "It's good to see you! How was the wedding?" Hoseok had a lot on his plate as of late, which meant they hadn't been seeing much of him too often. What with the baby and all, not to mention they had to postpone their wedding, which meant a lot of rearrangements had to be made - which was a hassle in itself. Jungkook couldn't imagine how stressful it was for them as is, let alone with a baby on the way.

"It was nice hyung," Jungkook nods, Hoseok taking a cue stick. "How's Grace doing? I thought you two were getting ready for the shower tomorrow?" he went to their native language.

Hoseok sighs heavily, and they all turn to look at him expectantly, hoping everything was alright. A weighted sigh like that typically wasn't good news. They all give a look of concern to their friend. "She kicked me out." He explains.

Taehyung's eyes widen, "Kicked you out?"

"How do you mean, hyung?" Jimin wondered.

Hoseok cracks a gentle smile, waving it off and suggesting that it wasn't nearly as serious as the younger three were taking it. Jin seemed to understand him perfectly, giving Hoseok an amused yet sympathetic look. "She said I was stressing her out, so she decided to work on everything without me there. And here I am."

Jungkook couldn't believed Hoseok was kicked out, and Jimin and Taehyung seemed to think the same until Jin patted their backs. "When you get married and have children, you'll understand, soon enough. Pregnant women need their space sometimes. It's just instinct."

"Grace seems like she gets frustrated with me for no reason, but I have to remember it's not her fault. There's some science somewhere about how the father can make the mother feel more distressed in stressful periods. And this baby shower has taken a lot out of her. So she ran me off." Hobi explained, which soothed the youngers' nerves some. "It's probably for the best, anyway. Whatever makes her feel better." Hoseok shrugged it off like no big deal. Jungkook wasn't sure how he'd be able to take getting kicked out of his own apartment.

"Jeongguk-ah, not to scare you or anything, and it probably won't happen to you, but I assure you we've all been put out at some point. Especially when the lease is signed in her name," Jin reasoned, not acknowledging the look of alarm he was instilling in Jungkook's eyes. "Yoongi and I have had to spend some nights at each other's houses a few times."

"Actually, Hazel's never put me out of her apartment, even when she was pissed at me." They all collectively hum knowingly, thoroughly confusing Jimin. "What? Why that noise?"

"That's no surprise, Jimin. To be honest, we don't see it happening. I've never seen Hazel ever legitimately mad at you. Not outwardly." Taehyung justifies.

Jimin rolls his eyes, "Whatever."

"Seriously, she's really patient with you. She and Mya are always asking her how she does it. Especially my wife." Jin grumbled a bit enviously, his complaint at the end made Hoseok raise a brow. Jin finally gets around to taking his turn with the balls on the table.

"Hyung, I'm just going to say it, because everyone could see it at the housewarming party-" Jin interrupts Jimin with a wave of his hand, shaking his head.

"No need, I know she's fed up with me." He insisted, sounding a bit defeated. Jungkook felt his heart ache for his hyung a bit. Jin loved his wife, and Jin especially hated when they were upset with one another.

"I wouldn't say she's 'fed up' with you, hyung..." Taehyung hints, and the eldest was noticeably confused, as was Jungkook, as he and Joy hadn't attended that party. He listens intently, glad that the focus was directed at him. "I think a better word is 'frustrated'."

"What are you guys saying?" Jin asked in English, he wasn't at all sure what they were suggesting. Jimin, Taehyung, and Hoseok share a look before watching Jin down the rest of his beer in one go. He slams the bottle down a bit too firmly, gaining some attention from other guests at the other pool tables. Clearly, Jin was more aggravated about it than he was letting on.

"Hyung, remember how close she was to Grace all night? She kept asking to touch her belly and whether or not we know what the baby is, and if the nursery was set up yet..." Jin waited, clearly not following Hoseok's hints. He sighs in defeat, saying it outright for his sake."She wants another baby, hyung. Seriously."

They all turn to see his reaction, Jin's face having gone blank. Jungkook saw him turn white as a sheet, and he staggered a bit as it sunk in. The officer grabs a nearby stool and has the oldest sit down on it, keeping his hand on his back to keep him steady. "Thanks, Jeongguk-ah," Jin mumbles, massaging his temple.

"...Is that not something you want?" Jimin sounded hesitant to ask and Jin sighs, shrugging his broad shoulders.

"Shit, I don't know. It's not our first child but... somehow I'm taking this one the hardest. I guess I sort of figured she was done after Jihye was born. Her second pregnancy was pretty hard on her."

"That means fuck all to women, hyung," Jimin countered. "Hazel's worked with women with scarred uteruses trying to get pregnant again. Clearly she doesn't care about the pain."

"Yeah," he sighs. "I know she doesn't. Innie doesn't give a shit about pain. I just can't believe she would want that right now. Jihye barely started potty training... she's still a baby herself! What does she want with another baby...!" Jin rambled, exasperated as he struggled to make sense of it.

"Well, have you talked to her about it?" Jungkook wonders, knowing from the minimal experience he's had with Joy (at least compared to Jin and Ingrid) that a real authentic conversation can hold a lot more power than you'd expect.

"No," Jin admits. "I had a hunch, to be completely honest. But I don't want to have that conversation. She's been trying to talk to me but..."

"Hyung," Hoseok starts. "She can't keep dropping hints forever. You'll have to talk about it eventually and at least get on the same page. If it happens out of the blue you're stuck." Hobi was trying to say it gently, but that made the pill no easier to swallow.

"I know, guys. I know. I've been avoiding her. I can't make myself confront this. I don't want to hurt her feelings." Jin admits, and Jungkook blinks hearing that. He felt a bit guilty about the relief he felt, knowing someone was in a similar situation as him. Why was confronting your emotions so difficult with the ones you care about most?

"We all know it may have to come to that, though," Jimin says, hating to be the one to say it. "She knows you probably don't want another baby, but it isn't fair to let her get her hopes up. At the very least, tell her your perspective. She deserves at least that much. Wouldn't you want Ingrid to tell you how she feels about something this serious if the roles were switched? What if you were keen on getting a new car and she was fine with the way things were? You wouldn't want her to tell you how that makes her feel?"

Jungkook purses his lips at that, Jin bobs his head. "You have me there, Jimin-ah. I'll talk to her, tonight."

"Don't stall either, if you wait for her to confront you about it you probably won't be able to say what you really need to. Tell her unprovoked. Trust me, she'll appreciate you saying something first before her baby fever gets worse." Hoseok advised, and Jin nods, rubbing his knee at the thought of having that conversation with his wife. It made his palms sweat, Jungkook could see how much it was taking a toll on him.

"Her baby fever can't get any worse," Taehyung notes. "Hope texted me saying they had to drag her out of the baby section."

Jin sighs at his wife's humorous antics, unable to help cracking a smile. "She did that before we had our first baby...." He shakes his head fondly, "Dammit, Innie.... You know she's been trying to coerce me?"

"That's no surprise to me, the way she was beaming at the way Grace described her pregnancy. I'm shocked she's not all over you, attached at the hip." Hobi explains.

"Yeah..." Jin sighed. "avoiding the conversation meant avoiding her. I'll admit, she almost got me with the whining she and Mya were doing in our weight room."

"Wait, if you two didn't do anything, how did you handle it?" Jimin pondered, and they all gave Jin a curious look. The doctor's ears flush red.

"I pretended I didn't see anything and became acquainted with my hand in the nearest bathroom. Thankfully the girls were napping, because Innie would have killed me if she found out I locked the door." Their oldest, Jieun, was in a phase where she copied everything her father does, which meant Jin was no longer allowed to lock any doors outside their bedroom because she'll follow suit. Jin often laughs with them about the time the poor thing had locked herself in the bathroom once, despite Ingrid telling him it wasn't a laughing matter.

His confession made Jungkook laugh, "I can't remember the last time I had to do that. You must've been desperate."

"She was doing that 'tic-toc' thing with her hips and I couldn't bear it, okay? Mya was hyping her up, too, it was too much." Jin groaned in defeat, prompting the others to laugh at his sexual misery.

"Nah, if that was Grace whining like that unprovoked..." Hoseok shakes his head, not finishing the sentence, but they all knew what he meant.

"Alright, Gguk, since you're not being shy today, tell us something about your experience." Taehyung challenged, and Jungkook deflates hearing that, which made the others chuckle. Though he was not only feeling embarrassed, but he recalled the events from the night prior. How Joy barely was able to manage telling him their safeword. His chest still ached with a deeply settled regret. She told him not to concern himself with it too much, but he sincerely couldn't help himself.

Taehyung noticed how unsettled the younger felt, "Hey, you don't have to, man. Sorry for putting you on the spot like that."

Jungkook shakes his head, "No, it's alright, hyung. I... can I be honest?" he said, his voice low and a bit meek. He rubs at the hairs tickling the back of his neck.

They all nod for him to go ahead, assuring him that he could always be as honest as he wanted with them. "I fucked up last night..." he started, unsure how else he should elaborate.

They all had serious expressions, which to Jungkook was a relief; they were taking him seriously, despite how some might find the situation amusing. "She just wanted to talk to me and... I went out of my way to escalate things into sex. I wanted to take out my emotions on something and.... I just kept going and going and going..." they stayed quiet, letting him continue his perspective.

"I didn't realize it was too much for her. She had to use our safeword and..." He sighs heavily, blinking as the heat tries to surface to his face.

"Jeongguk..." Jin started, sounding unsure what to say. The police officer shakes his head.

"I guess I just feel so ashamed. Like I used her. She made me agree to talk before we even did anything, but... I haven't kept to that promise," He was saying more than he'd originally intended, however it was all flowing like rushing waters. There was no stopping the stream of guilt pouring from his mouth. "I can't make myself talk to her. About any of it."

"But this is no way to go about it, Jeongguk," Taehyung starts, and the youngest nods. He knows this, of course he does. But that didn't mean it wasn't difficult to resist. "You two need to have that conversation. Sex won't do shit but make you tired. You need to confront it, whatever you're dealing with."

"It's not fair to Joy, Gguk," Jimin nods along. "We all know you aren't really feeling like yourself lately, but you can expect for us to leave you alone. We're not the ones that live with you. Of course we all care about you, but Joy is the person you should really be confiding in. She knows you best when it comes to comfort and understanding."

"Right," Jungkook nods. "She's been trying to get me to talk to her since I got back from my brother's wedding but..." He sighs in defeat, unsure what to make of himself. Really, nothing should be wrong. His family reached a resolve with him, his job was shitty as per usual, and up until recently, their relationship has been in great standing. "I don't know..." he admits at last. "I'm not sure what I'll say to her."

"You'll tell her the truth, Jeongguk-ah. There's no more beating around the bush, there will come a point where one of you is going to reach a breaking point and chances are it won't be pretty," Jin explains gently, seeming to take a lot of faith in his own words. Almost as though he's reciting them to himself, as well.

"Hope is worried about Joy, Gguk. Her heart is breaking for her, because we all know how much she cares about you. Why shut her out?"

Jungkook sighs, "I really don't mean to. Sometimes, parts of me want to unleash, but I'm scared of what I'll say. I don't want to subject her to parts of me that I don't like. She's never seen me like that."

Hoseok, Jimin, and Taehyung sigh knowingly, though Jin was noticeably confused. "Jeongguk, when are you going to learn to let someone care for you?" Jimin asks, his voice was calm but firm, like he wasn't entertaining any excuses for this. "Joy is the only woman who has cared about you to this capacity. She's the only person you'll let yourself be vulnerable with. You can't just take on her hardships and not share yours either. She's helpless, Gguk, and she's trying to offer you the best she can but you won't let her."

Jungkook lets Jimin's words sink in. Joy was helpless, how she desperately tried to go through to him in just about every way that she can. She was being incredibly patient with him, surely, it was only a matter of time before she succumbs to the pressure. He doesn't want to make her crack.

But how would he manage to be honest with her, to unveil all those demons he has? Once they're out in the world there was no reeling them back in, Joy would be forever haunted with the details of his inner turmoil. These were things she will hold on to for the duration of their relationship.

"Jeongguk-ah," Taehyung called, gaining the attention of the young officer. Jungkook blinks the dampness out of his eyes. "How much do you care about Joy, really?"

Jungkook froze, knitting his brows together. He was not liking the way Taehyung was asking such a blunt question. "S-She's everything to me-!" he started, feeling defensive.

"Well then make sure she knows that, too," Taehyung continued, he had this look of intolerance in his eyes. Jungkook lets his guard back down, entertaining what Taehyung had to say. "This dark, secluded facade you have is putting her in a position she doesn't deserve to be in, don't you think? You can't hide everything from your spouse, JK. It's not healthy. She's offering you a safe place to vent and you're refusing it. Do you really think she's going to continue to hold on to that offer if you don't take it?"

Jungkook huffs. He felt that dark, heavy cloud numbing his chest, gripping him tightly. The guilt kept bubbling to the top, rising in his throat. "I've never had anyone to vent to before her."

"We know, Jeongguk-ah," Hoseok assures. "It's an adjustment to make. But Joy loves you. We all know it. But more importantly you know it. Be honest with her, man. We can't stress this enough. We would hate for you to lose something this good because you didn't take advantage of something you need," He reaches over and pats Jungkook's shoulder. "Take care of who you've got, and let her take care of you."

Joy sighs and shakes her jacket off the moment they step back into the apartment. She yawns and stretches high above her head. They had been stuck in traffic longer than they'd anticipated. But it didn't damper Joy's good mood one bit.

"Grace looked gorgeous tonight, didn't she? She's just glowing." She swoons, he takes her coat to hang in the closet for her. He watched he pull something out of her purse, something Grace gave her at the shower. Grace gave it to her discreetly, and he wasn't sure how the secretive nature made him feel.

"She really outdid herself with the decorations. They were cute." He went about their conversation, pretending not to notice how she tucked the card in to one of her pockets. It was a light grey card with small dark print on it. Jungkook shakes his head, perhaps it was something personal. Really, who was he to ask her to open up about it if he couldn't so much as muster the gall to answer her simple questions.

"The grey bunnies were a nice touch," Joy agreed. She sighs, taking her hair down from it's ponytail, her fluffy hair falling down her back. He watches her curls bounce as she starts to move down the hallway. "I'm ready for bed, you coming?"

Jungkook was quite tired, after the conversation he had with his friends yesterday, he hadn't gotten much sleep last night. Everything his hyungs said kept reverberating in his mind, it followed him into the morning and even the baby shower they just attended. How would he find the right time to talk to Joy? He wasn't sure at all where he'd begin or even what he'd say to her. How would he explain himself to her? He could barely face her when she confronts him directly.

Joy yawns, turning back toward Jungkook, "Kookie?" she asked, noticing he hadn't moved from the entrance hall. "You alright, baby?"

He blinks, bobbing his head, "Ye-Yeah. I'm good." She offers a gentle smile, though she was skeptical about him being as okay as he says he is. He knows she can see right through his charade. She holds her hand out to him, "Come on, I've got to start getting ready for tomorrow. We've got to get up early."

"Don't remind me." he groans, smiling when she chuckles. He takes her offered hand, and she started to lead the way, though her phone started to buzz. Joy looks at it, smiling excitedly at her phone.

"It's Alex and Joon, I'll take their call real quick." She insists, shuffling her way over to the couch. Marble approaches her, resting his heavy head in her lap. She scratches his ears, cooing at the sight of Hyunjae in Namjoon's arms, the camera having been turned to face them. He had a huge grin on his face, dimples on full display. Joy gives Jungkook a look, wondering just what had him smiling so hard.

"Joy! Are you busy?" Alex asked from out of sight. Jungkook studies the screen over Joy's shoulder, cooing at Hyunjae's cute plump face. Her hair was longer, dark brown curls sprouting all over her head. She had a pink binky in her mouth, whining as she squirmed in her Daddy's arms. Her belly was exposed, as she only had on her diaper and a yellow shirt.

"No, we're not busy at all, why?" Joy wondered, watching Namjoon make distance between himself and the camera as he moved further into the room with Hyunjae, he sets her down on her feet. The baby holds her arms up, pouting behind her binky. She was clearly frustrated, struggling to keep herself balanced on both feet. She whines, looking up at her father expectantly. She reaches her small chubby arms up toward him, watching as he took a few steps back. Joy and Jungkook's eyes widen, anticipating live proof of a huge milestone.

Minjee babbles from her bouncer, gumming on a teething ring. Her little toes push her body off the floor, she was bouncing quite the bit. She seemed rather content in her bouncer, staring at her father and younger sister. Just like her Jae, Minnie's hair was all over the place, she watches intently as her father continues moving back, Hyunjae whimpering as he moves away from her.

"C'mon Jae, come to Appa." He urged gently, kneeling down to her level. Joy holds her breath, the baby teetering on her two feet. She continues reaching toward her father, her little feet starting to move on their own. Joy and Jungkook gasp at the adorable sight, unable to believe their eyes. Hyunjae moved quickly, like she was in a hurry to get back to her father. She falls into Namjoon's hands, and he lifts her up high, telling her not to cry. She was upset to have been put down. Jungkook coos in amusement.

"When did she learn that?" Joy wondered. "She's already walking so well!" She was trying not to squeal in excitement.

"She literally started like fifteen minutes ago. She's kinda cranky because it's time for her bottle, she doesn't care about anything else right now. Joonie set her down and started to go get her bottle but I guess she wasn't done with her cuddles. She got up and followed him all by herself. He didn't even notice until she was gripping his pants."

Jungkook chuckles, "Such a Daddy's girl. She doesn't even realize how big this is." He was amused by how upset she still was, she still wanted her bottle. She had no perception of the achievement she just made whatsoever. He found it so cute: she started walking to follow her Daddy.

Jae continues to fuss, "Alright, baby girl. I'll get your bottle now." Namjoon laughed, the smile on his face didn't fade at all. He moves out of sight to get Jae her bottle. Alex flips the camera back toward her.

"I can't believe how fast they're growing up," She beamed, almost tearfully. "My baby's walking already. And look, Minjee's hitting milestones, too."

"She is?" Joy asks, she and Kookie sitting on the edge of their seat. Alex sits on the floor next to Minjee's bouncer, the baby girl pulling her toy from her mouth and waving it around excitedly.

"Minnie, tell Auntie Joy and Uncle Kookie what you told me." Alex cooed at the infant, whose dimples were on full display. Minjee burbles, "Muh-Muh!"

"Oh my gosh!" Joy squeals. "Minnie's talking!" She claps her hands excitedly.

"Her voice is so cute!" Jungkook coos, the baby smiles bashfully at the sound of his voice, looking into the phone adorably. He coos at her cute face. "Aish, they grow up too fast."

"You're telling me." Alex sighs. Namjoon sits down beside her with Hyunjae cradled in one arm. She was sucking from her bottle sleepily, her head lolled back and eyes half closed. Her long lashes flutter sleepily as she looks up at his face. Namjoon had her hugged to his chest, cooing sweetly at her as she suckled. It was all Jae had wanted in the first place, and she seemed content to be in his arms, now.

"We just wanted to show you what they did today, I won't hold you two too long. We've got to put these two down soon." Alex granted, waving at the camera. Minjee squeals, following suit and trying to copy her mother. Joy and Jungkook coo, waving back at her. "Talk to y'all later."

With that, they hang up. Joy slumps back in astonishment, staring at the ceiling in disbelief. Marble's tail flops about, smacking both their legs. "Oh my gosh, those babies...! I swear it feels like they were just born yesterday, Kookie! Now look, walking and talking...!" Joy shakes her head in disbelief.

"Where did the time go?" Jungkook agreed, he couldn't imagine how Alex and Joon felt as their parents. "I'm so proud of them."

"I know, my little pumpkins. They're getting so big, too, ugh... Maybe Alex will let us watch them again some time real soon." Joy rambles, and Jungkook can only laugh, watching his girlfriend get up to start preparing for her day tomorrow. She continued to swoon about the twins throughout the night, and it made Jungkook's chest warm. Something about Joy and everything that happened that day felt right. He goes to bed with such comforting thoughts in mind, reflecting on what his friends had advised. It'd be a shame to let all of this good fortune go to waste. Maybe it was time he started recognizing and appreciating the smaller things when it comes to Joy. He felt he owed it to her.

A/N: What did you guys think? Please let me know! I love reading your comments and analysis. It helps me improve more. Thanks!

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peculiarscriptures51 · 2 years

Text

The one where he’s an android (JJK)

🌺Because honestly how is Kookie even real like I-

Joy unlocks the front door to her condo by scanning her hand, sighing as she strutted herself in and threw her purse onto her counter. She huffs heavily, wiping the moisture from her cheeks and stepping from her heels, stopping to pull them off her feet before limping over to her bedroom.

She was tired, overwhelmingly so, and plenty of things at her company were giving her a rough time. Not to mention her relationship with her 'boyfriend' was teetering on the edge of a cliff right now. Admittedly, it was the main prompter of her tears.

She knew she should strip her clothes and shower before lying down on her clean sheets but her shoulders were weighted and she was dragging. She'd lie for no more than five minutes, it wouldn't be too bad. It wasn't like her 'boyfriend' enjoyed her company in bed anyway, so why bother.

There it was again, the reason she'd gotten with him in the first place; that aching, deep feeling in her chest. Like a void she couldn't fill.

Joy's life, at one point, was completely swallowed by work, hardly could she manage to entertain very many relationships, including that of her family and she's grown irreversibly distant with a few friends of hers since the growth of her successes. The more abundant her inventions became in demand, the more lonely she felt.

She looks at her bedroom, she tried her best to keep up with her condo, but she was working at least 16 hours a day, and it was getting near impossible to maintain her own home on her own. Even if she wanted to, she honestly was incapable of mustering the energy to even get anything done, let alone doing it properly.

She'd left her television on, and she stared at the translucent screen fixated high on her wall before the foot of her bed, staring at another typical advertisement. She sighs, staring at those androids that the whole world raved about. They were controversial, but in her case maybe it was necessary.

She forces herself back on her aching feet, pulling off her black stockings and moving to her bathroom to wash off her long day. Her make-up barely smudged, though she'd been crying a lot in the car ride back home.

She at least felt a little less terrible after her shower. She grabbed her tablet, swiping through the holographic screen to find what she was looking for. To be honest, she didn't really know. It felt like she was shopping for more than just a housekeeper. Like she was searching for something that will give her an ounce more of substance in her life than the dull lifestyle she'd become quite accustomed to. For Joy, luxury had come with misery and she was glad for the former. But emotionally, she was so deeply hurt by the pain that harbored in that hole, which seemed to keep growing as her life was crumbling around her - no matter how much it may seem like she's building it up.

The company's website was simple to navigate, at least, and she was immediately offered the option to customize her android for an additional fee, though Joy honestly didn't care for looks all too much. She went through the different pre-made models, which surprisingly, according to the site's statistics, were not that popular.

She was a bit unsettled with how real they looked, the damn things had a thermal feature, which made them seem eerily human. Not to mention they breathed, and for god'ssake it was a little creepy. But Joy knew that if she wanted her home to stay in it's good condition that she would have to endure. She didn't necessarily have to do very much interaction with the android, at least.

There were literally hundreds of models, many of which modeled after different nationalities. She sighed, there were far too many options, she filtered her search: looking specifically for male models, just because she felt the need to have a sense of 'testosterone', or at the very least to simulate it if her off-again-on-again boyfriend couldn't fulfill that for her.

The models were given names already, all of which clearly specific to cultures and nationalities of certain countries. Joy sighed, randomly selecting a country to narrow down her search further. Her finger landed on Korea, and she shrugged, still stuck with dozens of handsome selections to choose from.

Joy really couldn't be sure which model was best for what, and she didn't have a preference in regards to looks, so she once again chose at random. She was directed to the profile of Jeon Jungkook, the android sported a neutral expression, though Joy couldn't help but to notice how the corner of its lips were upturned slightly, like a faint smile.

She sighed to herself, it was a handsome model, and the description mentioned that it would fulfill anything asked of it - of course with legal regulations built into it's system, though Joy wasn't too concerned with that either.

She placed her order and a notification was sent to her account that her android would be on its way soon. She expected it would take a while, as typically manufacturing and shipping would take long, despite how much quicker it's started to become in recent years.

The following day, Joy's mood was parallel to that of yesterday. Though luckily she wasn't crying today, she was still quite exhausted. She just wanted to have some wine and let the fogginess of stress clear from her mind. She walked up to her front door, but was surprised to see a tall white crate standing before it. She blinks, recognizing the android company label. She hadn't expected her android to arrive so quickly.

She hums, unlocking her door with her DNA and watching as it opened automatically. Joy stares at the large crate, wondering just how the hell she'd be getting it inside her home. No doubt it would be heavy, she shoves it lightly, concerned that it may easily tip over, though it simply rolled forward into her doorway.

Well, at least they thought to make it convenient. She gently pushes the tall package inside and makes sure the door was locked behind her. She sets her purse on her counter and pulls her hair back. She would deal with the android later when she's restored her energy. Surely, there was a lot of programming she would have to do to set it up and she wanted to do it right in case it was irreversible.

Joy returned to her living room, freezing as she stared at the tall crate, the latch had been opened and the android that was inside was not in there. She stared in utter confusion, certain that no one else had been in her home and she surely hadn't opened it herself-

"Good evening-"

Joy screeched, jumping a foot in the air as she stared up at the tall android that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. She definitely hadn't heard it move, which was definitely freaking her out. Still shaken, the whites of the android's eyes brighten for a moment as it analyzes her, it's steely gaze focused on her.

"You seem tense, may I assist you with a massage?"

Joy, with her hand still pressed to her palpitating heart from the scare, ignored the request from the uncanny machine. "How the hell did you get out of there?!" She demanded.

"Once an android has been placed in it's location of service, and has not been opened for a prolonged period, it may come out on its own." It informed, his voice was light - again, strangely human.

"How do you know you're in the right place?" She wondered aloud, to which the machine blinked at her and gave her another response. His voice was natural yet calculated, human, but robotic. She was distracted by it alone, never mind the impressive technology.

"Androids are programmed with our locations of service before we are activated. This is to prevent theft or misplacement."

Sure, that was understandable, but still unsettling. The android tilts it's head, its very human ebony hair moving slightly with it. Its eyes light up again as it makes its observation about her. "Are you currently in need of assistance?"

"Don't you need to be programmed?" She wondered.

"You already programmed me when you made your purchase, Ms. Watson. I follow any command you may give me so long as they abide by the laws of this country and Bio-Tech™ regulations."

Joy sighs, "You're here to maintain my home when I'm gone. I'm usually working most - if not all - days of the week and for several hours at a time. Your job is to make sure my house stays well kept."

"What tasks am I assigned to fulfill my duties?" It asked, its eyes lit up again, though they continued to glow as it received the responsibilities it was assigned with.

"What time of day do you prefer I work? And for how long?"

"Whenever I'm not here. And if everything can't be done in one day then really it's no big deal." Joy replied nonchalantly, the androids head followed in every direction she moved, so she gave up and stood still.

He blinked and his eyes resumed to their normal shade. Joy moved to her couch, and the android followed with its gaze, unmoving from where it was stood beside of her. She sat down on her couch and switched on her television, noticing at last that it was still staring at her, its body facing her direction.

"Why aren't you moving?"

"I must be commanded to do so. To activate my roaming mode, simply say 'Jungkook, roaming mode'. To deactivate that setting, simply say 'Jungkook, wait'."

Joy sighs, this was a bit strange and new to her, regardless, she was in it now. "Jungkook," its eyes light up again, "Roaming mode."

The android moves from its frozen position, Joy a little startled by how humanly it was moving. They must program real walking cycles into them in order to make it seem as such. If she wasn't mistaken, they could almost pass for real people.

"Do you have any questions? You can see to my manual or ask me directly." It started, and she turned her attention from her tv.

"Hm... What are your maintenance requirements?"

Jungkook blinked, its perfectly modeled epicanthic eyes moved so realistically. Joy tried not to look too hard, though it's not like she was being rude. Jungkook was only an android after all. "I do not require much maintenance, however if I am to be covered in dirt or grime you may have me washed. You may do that on your own or have it professionally done. As for my energy, my charging station only requires an hour until my energy is completely restored. Though alternatively I can sleep for up to four hours with your permission-"

Joy hummed, she hadn't known that, her curiosity got the best of her and she interrupted him before he could continue. "This is kind of a silly question, but I know you can't harbor emotions. What about senses? How does that work for you?"

"Specific androids have specific strengths in the senses to abide by their duties. Taste is least common, as it is primarily used to identify foreign substances in foods rather than pleasure as a human would use it."

"What if I were to feed you something? Would you eat it, taste it?"

"If I am commanded to do so, yes. I am able to identify foreign or peculiar substances in foods, though my sense of taste will not be like yours."

"Alright, fair enough. How long does your energy last, Jungkook?"

"Without recharging I can work up to 24 hours before I shut down or am able to re-charge on my own by sleep." Well, that had to be the most human part of it, Joy figured.

"And you don't mind if I call you pronouns?"

"I have no preference for pronouns, I am programmed to accept my name, Jungkook, in response to you." It stated.

"Okay, what about nicknames?"

"I accept nicknames. Would you like to give me one?"

"I'll have to think of one first," Joy checks the time. "It's getting late and I'll have to leave for work early. So I should be heading to bed."

"Would you like breakfast when you wake up? If so, what are your preferences?" The android perked up at the mention of her going to sleep. Joy, who had gotten up and stretched above her head, looked back at the android.

" U-Um, sure. Pancakes are fine. Or scrambled eggs-"

"Do you have any food allergies that I should be aware of? I must be able to detect cross-contamination in any food items you may already own." Joy was taken aback by how advanced the android's programming was. It literally thought of everything.

"Um, none to my knowledge. Have at it, I guess."

For the first time, Jungkook's neutral face changed, and Joy half-expected for its silicone face to crack with an eerily robotic smile. However, its lips turned up naturally into a gentle smile. It blinked and bowed at her, which she learned was a feature exclusive to androids modeled for East Asian descent. "Have a peaceful rest, Ms. Watson."

🌺Part 2? I was experimenting with this one. What do y'all think? Too weird? Ideas?

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peculiarscriptures51 · 3 years

Text

Prosecution [Police Officer JK X OC (AMBW)]

46 - Execution

A/N: I've been so busy lately and I'm really trying to get things together to wrap up this story in a fulfilling way. Thanks for your patience and understanding. Obviously I'm not perfect, and there are some things I wish I had done better with this book; regardless, I deeply appreciate you guys! Please enjoy!

P.S. Sorry I haven't responded to many of your comments in the last chapter (I read them all and I swear I wasn't ignoring you guys!), as I've said I have been incredibly busy as of late and had to focus on my personal life as well as effectively wrapping up this book. I would like to have the final chapter up in time to register for the Watty's this year, just as a means of sharing my hard work as much as I can. I don't usually care for numbers or anything, but I would love to see my story get received more by more people. The more engagement, the better! Anyways, thanks for everything, as always!

P.S.S Do any of you listen to the music I put in the media? It usually sets the tone of the chapter. If you do, tell me what you think, or if you enjoyed any of the other pieces (mostly the same soundtrack) throughout this book. 💜

Jungkook hears soft footsteps sauntering down the hallway from his and Joy's bedroom. He lifts his head from where he was lying back on the couch cushion, staring at Joy's slim figure in the dark. He squints in the darkness, barely able to make out her silhouette.

He heard her sigh softly, and he could tell her arms were folded across her bust. He made out her fuzzy slippers. Joy ambles toward him, treading lightly against the floor as she approaches nearer. Her presence made Marble stir a bit, but the hound continued to snore.

"Baby," she started, and he could only groan. He didn't have the energy for one of her 'this isn't healthy' lectures. She sighs, because they both knew that giving him that speech wasn't going to do much convincing. "Come to bed, Kookie." she urged softly, covering her mouth with her hand as she yawns. Consequently, Jungkook followed suit. Though as sleepy as he felt, his eyes wouldn't stay shut. They felt dry and irritated from staying open so long.

"I know I'll wake you up again." he shakes his head at her, and Joy narrowed her eyes at him with intolerance. He tries not to chuckle. She was cute when she was sleepy, she got cranky and annoyed, mostly when it was really late. Not to mention her adorable bonnet.

"I don't care, you need to come to bed. Your back will get stiff if you stay on the couch."

"I'll be fine." He waved it off, she kisses her teeth.

"Why are you so damn stubborn?" She grumbled, starting to turn away with a roll of her eyes. He grabs her wrist though, pulling her down on top of him. Joy sighs deeply as he settles her on his chest, wrapping his arms around her body to pin her down before she could protest and squirm.

She huffs, trying to stay annoyed with him, but he lifts his head to look at her face, which she kept trying to hide from him. "The bed's so cold without you in it," she admits, he coos at her sweet words, kissing her silky soft bonnet.

"If you missed me that's all you had to say." He smirked.

"Don't flatter yourself too much." She mumbled into him, his warm embrace already starting to lure her back to sleep. Jungkook liked having her weight on him, she was warm and soft, and he thinks he prefers her to the throw they had draped over the couch. He had to admit, it didn't feel right to be sleeping - well, trying to - without her next to him.

"Kookie..." she whines groggily, lifting her head. "Come to bed, baby." she insists, fighting how much her voice was trying to drag. She could barely keep her eyes open as she looked at him.

"I think you should be the one going back to bed." He deflected, and Joy huffs. He was avoiding it again, and she seemed fed up with him. Typically, when her eyes weren't crossing from exhaustion, she goes out of her way to not show how frustrated she may feel at times. But Joy couldn't manage to hide it now.

"You didn't scare me that bad." she tells him, earning a long, deep sigh from him. He rests his palms on the small of her back, studying her pretty face in the dimness.

He scared the daylights out of her, literally made her startle out of her sleep with a hard jolt. One of his nightmares was running rampant in his head, and he had subconsciously grabbed the limb of the nearest thing in his proximity. He must have pulled her arm rather hard, because the terrified shriek she let out scared him half to death. The frightened look on her face still rattled his core. Her scream was one of pure terror, the kind that's summoned from deep within - straight from the core. It was short-lived, but alarming nonetheless. She relaxed once she had realized it was just him, but it took her a while to settle after that. He hasn't been able to keep his eyes closed since, and that was three hours ago. He left bed when she had fallen back under. It felt like a much worse version of accidentally stepping on Marble's paw with his boots on. He didn't want to grab her like that again. He was certain he was going to hear that scream again in his night terrors, the thought of it made his heart throb with painful palpitations.

She studies his regretful gaze, knowing he was looking past her face and remembering that momentary fearful expression she bore. "I'm okay, Kookie," she assured him. "You didn't hurt me. And I know you wouldn't ever try. You know I trust you." Her voice was soft. She lays her head back on his chest, shifting her weight on top of him as not to crush him so much (not that he minded).

He couldn't muster the gall to go back though, not tonight. What if he does it again? Or worse? She may trust him, but he sincerely doesn't trust himself. His body continues to surprise him with what he's capable of.

Maybe all that he had suppressed and locked away was trying to slip away from him. He fumbled with the reigns to bring them back in, not let them free to wreak absolute havoc on everything he cares about.

The control he had wrangled up was starting to slip away from him little by little, and he feared the damage would continue to be catastrophic, if not more devastating. There was no opening up, now: no telling what might be unleashed.

Already he was hurting Joy and he hadn't even begun to unveil his truths. Why give an open invitation for such a dreadful thing to happen? It felt selfish, to unleash the beastly burden he bore simply for his own benefit. He wasn't going to allow it to hurt her anymore. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he did.

📷

"Dude, at this point, I wouldn't be surprised if pure caffeine runs through your veins." Darryl comments, gesturing to the tumbler Jungkook held in his gloved hand. Jungkook rolled his eyes, slamming the car door shut.

Darryl's thick boots crush the hard ice crystals collecting on the pavement. He follows him back into the building, "At least I'm warmed up. Don't hate."

Darryl chortles at Jungkook's blunt statement, the younger officer had always been deflecting every chance he gets. Anytime anyone addressed the coffee he always had with him, he didn't acknowledge why he needed it so frequently now. He was practically surviving off of it at this point. Without it, he'll nod off throughout the day. Only to be met with the bitter taste of irony whenever his head hit the pillow.

"Drinking that much coffee can't be good for you, JK." Darryl pried, pulling the door open, Jungkook follows him to his desk so they can discuss the details of the report they had to write up. There was some sort of commotion in the station that day, something had people stirred.

Jungkook was praying it had nothing to do with him. He was grasping at straws trying to hold himself together for the remainder of the day. He couldn't withstand anything else. He's been plagued with exhaustion and coffee was acting as his only antidote.

Darryl strips his coat, draping it over the back of his chair. He pulls it out from beneath his desk to sit, however someone approached the two of them. Jungkook was already starting to count in his head, to maintain at least the remnants of his composure.

He turns to see his boss's thick mustache, sporting his usual stone cold expression as he approached. "You two aren't too busy, are you?" he asked, and Darryl looks up from his file cabinet, brows furrowed.

"Need something, Chief?" He wondered, closing the file he had in his hands. Foreman nods with a sigh.

"I hate to stop you two from the lovely pleasures of paperwork," he said in his usual sarcastic drawl. "But I need one of you to do me a favor. You're the only two competent enough to do it right now, my other good guys are all out on call or have the day off."

Jungkook and Darryl share a look, "You go ahead, JK. I was about to start, anyway." He granted, and Jungkook internally groans, turning back to his boss. He didn't have the energy for any surprises today. His thread was fraying more and more by the minute.

"Come on, Jeon. I need to get this over with today before it becomes more of a stick up the ass." God, Americans and their analogies. It never failed to baffle Jungkook sometimes. He follows the Chief back toward his office, praying for something manageable like paperwork - and he hated doing paperwork, but it was all he could handle right now.

"I'm relying on you, kid," he opens the door to his office, and Jungkook immediately spotted the young fresh face turned towards them both. He had a lost and expectant look on his face. His blond hair was nicely styled for his first day.

"Shit." He mutters under his breath, wanting to shout it with all his might. Luckily his boss hadn't heard. Of course, of all people, he was picked to show the new guy the ropes. Jungkook shuts his eyes slowly for a moment, obtaining a tighter grip around Joy's tumbler in his hand. Thankfully he still had his gloves on, otherwise they would see just how hard he was straining.

"This here's Griffin Henderson, he's a spry kid fresh out of the academy. I figured you ought to give him a proper introduction into things. He might take it better from someone close to his age instead of me."

Jungkook offers a smile, though it felt more like a grimace. "Hey, Griffin, I'm JK. Welcome to the station." He greets, pulling his free hand from his pocket and giving his hand to shake.

Griffin offers a similar tight-lipped smile, he didn't seem too thrilled about this either. At least they were in the same boat. "It's just for the day, you two. Deb's out today, and you know how I usually have partners showing each other the ropes. Alright, get out of here." He dismissed, Jungkook didn't bother sticking around to be an eyesore. Griffin hesitated, a bit addled by the boss's bluntness.

Jungkook continued on his way, and just as he presumed Griffin was quick to follow suit as not to be left behind. Griffin jogs to keep up with Jungkook's pace, watching the older gingerly sip from his tumbler. "Did anyone give you the tour yet?" Jungkook wondered, feeling somewhat awkward. He wasn't the best at greeting newcomers, he was sort of a shy person as is around new people. At least, around new co-workers. They usually end up antagonizing him after they've pried enough.

Thankfully Griffin nods, "You said you're JK, right? As in JK Jeon?" the younger wondered, and Jungkook felt uneasy by the sudden inquiry, but he nodded, the kid following him to his desk.

"That's me." He confirmed, trying not to let his voice reveal how unsettled that question made him feel.

"Joven and Karl told me about you while they were showing me around." Jungkook mentally curses, fantastic. The last two people in the world he wanted a review from. He doubted he would rate very high in their book.

He doesn't respond to that, "Let me show you around town, kid. If we have enough time maybe we'll have lunch, too." Jungkook decided, veering the subject away from himself. Griffin was noticeably a bit caught off guard by Jungkook's passive and dismissive attitude.

"You don't want to know what they told me?" Griffin pressed, watching Jungkook down the rest of his coffee and store the tumbler in his desk. He grabs his wallet from the locked drawer, checking to make sure it had everything in it before pocketing it.

Jungkook shakes his head, starting on his way out of the station. He has Darryl toss him the keys of their patrol car, they clatter when he caught them in his hand. "Gas her up while you're at it, JK." Darryl bid, offering a friendly nod at Griffin when he passed by.

"We're not taking any calls today, so this shouldn't take too long," he explained.

"So what is there to do around here?" Griffin wondered, Jungkook figured he wasn't from the area. He had a different accent then some of the locals, it wasn't very distinct, but he's been living there for long enough to tell the difference.

"There's plenty of things, always a place to eat or have coffee. Plenty of shops and markets. Anything you'll need is pretty much in the city."

"But what about things for fun? " Griffin pressed, folding his arms once he'd buckled himself in the passenger seat, Jungkook pulling out of the parking lot. The younger's insistent tone made it seem as though he was suggesting something more than what he was getting out. "You do go out, don't you?"

Jungkook resists the urge to roll his eyes. Joven must have put him up to this. He wasn't sure what they told this kid, but whatever it was probably made him look bad. Normally, he really couldn't care less, but if he was going to be stuck with this guy for the day he wasn't going to tolerate being disrespected. Not only did he not have the energy but he had a sincere intolerance toward younger people disrespecting others.

"Yeah, but I'm in to all kinds of things. I really don't know what you'd like to do."

"Are there any places to drink?"

Jungkook thins his lips, "Plenty, but I'm not much of a drinker, so I wouldn't trust my recommendations." He pulls into their usual gas station, seeing Griffin's gears were turning.

"Figures." He grumbled, just loud enough for Jungkook to hear. He didn't add anything to that, watching JK get out to fill up the tank. Griffin studies the devices in the car, turning on the on-call radio to listen in on the alerts.

Jungkook was enjoying the brief moment of quiet as he monitored the prices, only for Griffin to roll his window down. "So," he started. This kid must get bored easily. "How do you like working here?"

"It's alright," Jungkook says vaguely, though Griffin wasn't too satisfied with that answer. He looked impatient to know more, and pressed on when Jungkook didn't give in.

"How are the crime rates here?"

"To be honest with you, it depends. It's not as bad in the winter until the holidays approach, if that's what you're wondering. Unfortunately, crime has no off button, and despite what you see in the movies, Christmas doesn't always give people a change of heart."

Griffin hummed at that, watching Jungkook twist the gas cap back on before climbing back in. "Is that your way of saying we don't get holidays off?" He assumed, Jungkook chuckled at his naive question.

"I guess it is. It's not so bad, though. If you do work on a holiday, usually they'll give you a shorter shift. But once you're here long enough, they won't be so quick to ask you to take it. Usually the older cops with families don't have to take it on."

"Alright, I guess that's fair." Griffin didn't seem too thrilled to hear it. But it was part of the job as a first responder. Life doesn't stop, ever. Emergencies aren't put on hold.

"What about you?" Griffin directed the attention back to Jungkook, the older was showing him a few of the routes he and a few of the other cops take. He's used every single one, but it would simply take forever to go through it all. Griffin was just starting, so he figured it best to not exhaust him with too much at once. Besides, he'll probably spend his first few months getting cursed at for writing parking tickets.

"What about me?" Jungkook wondered.

"How long have you worked at the department? Did you transfer from somewhere else?"

"About four years, since I was twenty," Griffin seemed a bit confused by that.

"You graduated from the academy at twenty?" It wasn't necessarily unheard of, but most academies required that you be at least twenty-one to graduate. Though, Jungkook was an exception because of his remarkable experience.

"I left the SWAT at twenty. I was in the military since I was seventeen until I took on a role in SWAT forces." Griffin was more than surprised hearing that.

"Wow, I never would have guessed. From what Joven and Karl told me, they said you were a bit on the scrawny side."

It's true that Jungkook wasn't as big then as he is now, but he was also just out of his teens. He was muscular then, but didn't have the same muscle mass as he does presently. "I guess I was, but I was younger than you. Getting huge wasn't a goal of mine."

"They said you were sensitive," Griffin started. "You wore your heart on your sleeve."

Jungkook shrugs, there was no use denying such a thing, because as much as he hates to admit it, there was some validity to it. He was no crybaby, but plenty of the calls he took at the time really got to him. He let his emotions run free back then, and they often clouded his judgement. Considering that he was the youngest in the department at the time, they took advantage. Not to mention their ignorance to his situation and origin.

"Did the three of you talk about anything else? I'm sure there are far more interesting things to talk about than me." Jungkook muttered, and Griffin hums. He knows his gears are turning.

"They mentioned where you're from." Jungkook sighs deeply, clearly Joven and Karl were trying to pin Griffin against him. Whatever motive they had against him was really pushing its limits.

"Can I ask why?" he demanded, trying not to sound as annoyed as he felt.

"They were just warning me," Jungkook was confused. "It'd be a shame to be sabotaged by an immigrant." Wow. He really had the balls to go there. Jungkook had never met this kid until this morning and he was already being tested by him. He must already have something against immigrants as is or he really let his elders get a hold of him. Did Joven not have the balls to do all the grilling himself? He had to get a puppet to do it for him?

"Griffin, I'm telling you now, my background has very little to do with my work. If you're going to keep letting them feed you their dumbass assumptions about me, I can't stop you, but you don't know me as much as you think you do." Jungkook explained, and the blond narrows his eyes at that, like a stubborn toddler. If he was trying to pull a reaction out of Jungkook, it wasn't going to work. Jungkook had learned to stop letting his perpetrators win with one. As a result, most of them have left him alone, but he supposed Joven, Jared and Karl really can't let that shit go.

"Alright, geez. I must have struck a nerve there, didn't I? You miss home, or something?" He held his hands defensively, but the devious smirk starting to grow on his face implied his scheme.

Jungkook doesn't respond, looking at the time. They'd been roaming for a while, and if Griffin didn't have anymore work-related questions, then he supposed they could eat and head back.

"What's 'JK' even stand for anyway? I mean, it's on your uniform and everything."

"It's really not anyone's business." Jungkook murmured, pulling into a spot and hopping out the car. The quicker they were done eating, the sooner he could shake this kid off his belt. He had his way of poking and prodding that unsettled him. Not to mention his reluctance to leave Jungkook alone. Surely Joven and his goons put him up to this, maybe they were paying him. Waiting for him to report on whether or not Jungkook gave them a reaction with all the prying and digging. Jungkook almost felt bad for the kid, being used as a pawn to sabotage someone he barely knew. The main perpetrators knew they couldn't get anything out of him on their own so they had to recruit a fresh face.

"It must be an embarrassing name, huh?" Griffin rambled.

"The only thing embarrassing here is how much you keep talking." Jungkook fired back, and Griffin goes quiet at that, he and Jungkook sitting in a booth. A waitress approaches with menus and offers drinks.

Just as Jungkook was starting to enjoy the bliss of silence, Griffin managed to concoct another invasive question. The waitress left with their menus in hand, and a notepad with their orders scrawled on it. "You know, they told me one of your secrets."

Jungkook furrows a brow at him. No one at his job would ever suspect that he had any secrets. "Now I know that's not true. I don't talk about my personal life at work, kid." They know he's reserved and kept to himself, but not secretive. He had nothing to hide at work - not like he used to, anyway. But his co-workers all knew about Joy now so really there was nothing else for him to hide. Griffin was frustrated now, because he wasn't getting any real traction with the progress he was trying to make with Jungkook.

"They told me about a special someone in your life..." he persisted on with his cheap hints, and Jungkook stared at him as though he wasn't catching on (he knows exactly where the kid was going with this, but it didn't mean he had to buy into it). "Your little lady-friend..." He urged a bit forcefully, staring at him expectantly.

Jungkook internally cringes at the subtle vocabulary he used. "My 'lady-friend'?" he repeated in a questioning tone, making the phrase seem as dumb as it sounded. The waitress returns with their drinks, promising that their food was coming up soon.

Griffin was noticeably frustrated, Jungkook felt satisfied to say the least. "Come on, dude. I know you have a girlfriend." He said at last.

"Well if you already knew, why are you asking?" Jungkook fired back, Griffin was a bit taken aback by his bluntness. The waitress approaches again, smiling as she sets their plates in front of them. Jungkook smiles and thanks her, watching her walk away. He starts working on his meal, though Griffin wasn't as quick to eat.

"The other guys say they've been seeing you around with her. Walking your dog in the park and everything. It was a sweet little moment they captured in the photos." Jungkook chews on his sandwich, staring at the guy expectantly. What was he supposed to say? It was no surprise that they showed Griffin the photos they tried to provoke him with. Of course it still pisses him off, but dwelling on it was only going to make him succumb to that rage that tried to spill out. He had to focus all of his energy on keeping himself together. The last thing he needed was to unravel in front of his co-workers. He'd never hear the end of it. And he wasn't completely sound on the destructive things he'd do if he were to allow himself to get into that mindset. The older swallows a heap of his food, giving Griffin an impatient look.

"And?" he pressed, chewing another mouth full of food. Griffin shrugs with a faint smile gracing his features, like he won. He may have accomplished annoying the hell out of Jungkook, but he definitely hadn't gotten what he wanted out of him.

"It's just cute is all. Everyone says they didn't expect a big, tough guy like you to have much of a personal life. Let alone that woman," the guy whistles. "She's hot. I'm surprised you nailed her." Now he was pushing it. Jungkook recalls a series of numbers in his head, pulling himself back in before he can boil over. He had to get a hold of himself. No way was he letting this kid have his satisfaction. He refused to reveal his true thoughts.

Jungkook stares harshly at him, putting his sandwich down and wiping his mouth. "Look, I just told you I don't talk about my personal life. Anything that happens outside of work is my business and I like it that way. Don't talk about my girlfriend," Jungkook muttered in a low voice, his harsh tone insinuating his absolute intolerance. "I'm not going to tell you again."

Griffin chortles in amusement, holding his hands up to suggest his innocence. "Woah, I must have struck a nerve there. That's the first real emotion you've shown me all day, pretty boy." Jungkook grimaces at the stupid name he was given. Was that the best he could come up with? He supposed it was better than a racial slur.

"Don't bring her up again." Jungkook warned menacingly, and Griffin seemed to take him serious this time. His grin faded for a moment, and he folded his arms. He shakes his head, scoffing. He finally starts to munch on his food, giving Jungkook a strange look before he started talking with his mouth full.

"I just gotta say, man. I didn't expect you to get with her. You must have been pretty lonely to have to get with her." At this point, Jungkook was just going to stop responding, he does this often when his co-workers say something personal. They'll hit a dead end eventually.

"I mean, come on, a black chick? A pretty one, too, but... I mean, I can only imagine how desperate you must have been to land her. Clearly no one bothers to fuck with you at work." Jungkook said nothing, not even looking at him. He continues eating his food, trying to tune him out.

"How do you have no work friends when all you do is work? Don't you find that a bit weird, JK? I would never guess anyone would want to get with such a loner, really, someone like you doesn't deserve her.... But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you two do deserve each other. I guess it makes sense for two unwanted people to get together, right?" No number of attempts were enough to satiate Jungkook's growing temper. He's reached ten so many times in his head, but he was still seeing flashes of red. The burning pit of anger scorched his chest, pumping hot fury into his system. He was losing his grip, and he felt more and more like a ticking time bomb. His fists ached from how tightly he gripped them closed. His teeth felt as though they might crack from how hard he had his jaw clenched. "... I mean, if one of you leaves the other then you won't have anyone else. Sure, she's cute but I wouldn't call her anyone's first choice, you know? Why would anyone choose her over a pretty white-"

It rushed him in a flash, his rage was hot. It washed over his temple and supplemented his veins. There was a deafening thud on the table, and the quake knocked Griffin's glass of sweet tea on it's side, splattering to the floor. Jungkook hardly registered where it had stemmed from until he found his own fist firmly embedded in the table, sitting in a slight dent he had made. The startled yelps of other customers were quick to follow. Griffin stiffens, eyes wide as he stares at the dent Jungkook had pounded into the table. He looks up at Jungkook's burning, seething face, his warm eyes having grown dark with rage."I just told you to shut the fuck up about her. I was trying to be nice. One more word out of you and I'll make sure you leave this diner with less teeth than you came in with." The curses dancing at the tip of his tongue were tempting, but the few other diners all had their eyes set on him as it was, and he couldn't afford to ruin his own image over this. Let alone risk his job making a fool of himself in public.

"You won't do shit." Griffin scoffed, though the fear Jungkook had instilled in him survived in his eyes. The younger was reasonably startled by Jungkook's sudden outburst.

"You really want to find out if I won't?" He challenged, glaring harshly at the bold blond. At that Griffin swallowed, his skin paling a few shades. Jungkook is a known pacifist to everyone in the station. As a matter of fact, it was largely why so many of his co-workers have left him alone. If Griffin knows as much as he thinks he does, he would surely know that much. Though if he's agitated Jungkook enough to personally be threatened by the older, he was in over his head. Jungkook could see the ghost of regret starting to wash over his features, and Griffin continued to pale as he looked into Jungkook's expression."Do not ask me about my personal life again." He warned, pulling out his wallet and slapping a few bills on the table, pushing himself up promptly.

The prying eyes of other diners follow him as he moves, and if Jungkook wasn't so furious, he would shrink in utter embarrassment. He never liked making a scene if he didn't have to, but the fucker brought Joy into it. The words burned hot in his gut as he recalls them: someone like you doesn't deserve her. Who the fuck did this guy think he was?

Jungkook pulls his keys from his pocket, turning his back on Griffin and marching toward the door. He flexes his fist, wanting to hit something with all his might."H-Hey! I'm not done yet, asshole!"

"Find your own way back to the station." Jungkook said without looking back.

📷

"Yo, JK I need you to.... Hey man, are you alright? What happened to the kid?" Darryl asked, standing up to catch up with Jungkook, who had just treaded past his desk. Jungkook felt Darryl's hand on his shoulder, and he shrugs it off.

"Darryl, not right now, man." He muttered, resisting the urge to bark and have another outburst. He'd just spent the past fifteen minutes circling the block in an effort to cool himself off. It hardly did much of anything.

Darryl furrowed his brows, concern washing over his expression. He nods, despite his unease, "Sure, man. Whatever you need," His voice was small. "I'm here if you wanna talk."

Jungkook hardly acknowledges the offer, having no intentions of taking it. He moves toward his desk, receiving plenty of long looks from some of his co-workers, especially Jared. Everyone had seen him leave with the newbie, and suddenly he's nowhere to be found. Jungkook was sure his hardened expression wasn't helping his case.

He puts his wallet and gloves back in his drawer, slamming it shut. He tries to drown himself in paperwork, maybe that will distract him enough from this awful, insistent rage that kept meddling with him. He couldn't swallow it and manage to keep it down. The anger he felt burned and bubbled up within, frothing violently within his conscience. He hasn't felt an emotion this intensely in a long time. He had to tame it before it could bring an onslaught of actions he couldn't take back.

Griffin storms past his desk, his teeth were chattering and he was covered in a thin layer of ice. Ice crystals sat in his hair, which was no longer as well-kept as it had been before. He glares harshly at Jungkook, moving past his desk and heading straight for the Chief's office. Of course he would snitch. Jungkook rolls his eyes as hard as he can, finding it nearly impossible to stay focused on the report he was typing up.

He opens one of his drawers, grabbing a stress ball he hadn't used in years. He'd make frequent use of it when he was younger, in fact, he bursted a few of them when he was veering into that treacherous state of mind he often frequented. The one he promised himself he couldn't go back to.

Jungkook heard someone clear his throat, looking up to see the kid from before. He wore a deep scowl. "Chief wants to see you." He pulls himself from his desk, tossing his stress ball back in. Griffin didn't bother moving out of Jungkook's way, shoulder-checking him on his way to their boss's office. Fucking childish prick, Jungkook wanted to say, but he bit his tongue before it could leave his lips.

Jungkook was certain he was going to get chewed out for leaving the kid on his own. If Griffin had been smart, he'd have hailed a taxi to get back, but he supposed he settled for walking in below freezing weather. Not to mention the wind chill was getting more aggressive outside. Oh well.

"Close the door behind you, Jeon." Foreman huffed, Jungkook doing just that. The Chief sighs deeply, peeking up at Jungkook from his files.

"You know you can't... are you alright?" He sounded a bit alarmed at the sight of Jungkook's face. But he didn't need to acknowledge it. It was only going to make things worse.

"I'm fine."

"Kid, if you need a break-" He started to offer.

"Just get on with it, Chief." Jungkook urged, and Foreman gave in, sighing as he stared into Jungkook's dark, scarlet red eyes.

"You know you can't just leave him like that, JK. I asked you to watch him for me."

Jungkook shrugs, turning his face from his boss's insistent gaze. The worried look he was getting was starting to agitate the living shit out of him. "I figured he needed the exercise."

Foreman scoffs, as if he was a bit amused by Jungkook's blunt statement, but he was too concerned to laugh. "I know he was getting on your last nerve. The first thing the little idiot told me was that 'all he did was ask you some questions'. But you can't let your anger get the best of you, JK. That's not like you." He was known for keeping his cool, always approaching things with a level head. It seemed entirely out of character for something this small to irritate him this much. Jungkook admittedly felt out of place to be so bothered by this, far more than he realized he would, but maybe his sleep deprivation was catching up with him. And he was sick and tired of Joven's shit as of late.

Jungkook bobs his head, finding the awards and photos on the shelves interesting. They all needed dusting. He purses his lips, "So what's going to happen to me?" he dictated, his intolerant tone was something completely foreign to his boss. Jungkook had never directed his anger at anyone, let alone the Chief himself. Of course, it was obvious that he wasn't upset with Foreman in particular, but still extremely affected nonetheless.

"Nothing. You get a warning. Because this is new, coming from you. Don't let me hear about something like this happening again, Jeon. I'll be forced to write a report." Foreman bid with a conclusive tone. Jungkook takes it as his cue to leave. He shuts the office door tightly behind him.

The trek to his desk wasn't normally so long, but there were a few people starting to crowd something. He heard Joven's voice over others, rolling his eyes at whatever bullshit he was spewing. "...isn't that just adorable?" he chanted sarcastically, earning the usual snickers from his goons.

Jungkook broke through the crowd at last, only to see Joven sitting on top of his desk, a long laminated strip in his hand; it had three creases, neatly folded. Jungkook notices his wallet laying open on his desk. He grits his teeth, the heat in his body starting to swarm his chest and head with so much tenacity that he felt light-headed.

"You've been hiding something from us, Jeon." Joven teased with that awful grin. He waves the strip of photos Jungkook had from his wallet. Griffin was grinning with them, having been inducted into their miserable clique already. Just as he suspected, he must have reported back to them with everything that he got out of Jungkook. It must be how they knew to find his cherished photos, Griffin must have seen them in his wallet when Jungkook left the diner in a fuming rage.

Jungkook reaches for it, though Joven holds it back. "Give it back." He growled, trying to snatch it from his grimy hands. He was bending it and making the paper warp.

"Not a chance. This is too good to be put to waste."

"What the fuck do you want from me?" Jungkook imposed, not letting his voice rise any higher. He wasn't going to give them the show they wanted. They were really testing the limits of his belligerence, and Jungkook himself couldn't be too sure just what would come out of it if they don't leave him alone.

Joven's sly grin fades a bit, his gaze hardening. "I think it's obvious what we all want," his buddies seem to agree with him, nodding along with his words like it was gospel. His cold eyes train onto Jungkook's face, glowering menacingly. "We want you and your little black bitch to fuck off to where you came from."

"Fuck you." Jungkook fired back, trying to snatch the photo strip back from his awful clutch. They laugh at his attempt, Joven was making a show out of him. Jungkook trains his hands, trying to keep his fists un-clenched. His breath felt shallow, lungs filled with that familiar burn of rage; it was rising to his throat, tinting his eyes, souring his expression.

"Joven, leave him alone man, don't you have work to do?" Someone muttered from the crowd, inducing a series of murmurs in agreement. Joven barely acknowledged it, completely disinterested in the accusatory jab. Jungkook felt the piercing gazes of several pairs of eyes on his face. How they all stared down his tense and rigid stature with such intensity that he could practically feel their gazes crawling on his skin. It stiffened his back and deepened his blazing glare. He trained his eyes on Joven's face, imagining just how much satisfaction he might feel if his fist were to collide with his boorish mouth-

"Just give him his pictures back," Darryl urged, moving to the front of the crowd. He folds his arms insistently, staring the four perpetrators down."Stop being an asshole, all of you. You're taking it too far, like always. Do you really have to make a scene?" The protests were ignored, Joven didn't seem to care that others in the crowd were coming to Jungkook's defense. Even some who used to ridicule him in the past alongside Joven. He hardly believed it himself, but he supposed that at least the most reasonable people could find fault in this, regardless of how much they liked Jungkook or not.

"What are you going to do if something happens to your precious photos, Jeon? Hm? Kick my ass?" He asked sarcastically, as though the idea of such a thing coming into fruition was absurd in itself. Jungkook had never defended himself from them, and they were convinced he wasn't going to start now.

He felt his heart thud hard in his chest, the air was thick and hot. He blinks as his vision starts to blur at the edges, and he could hear the swell of his heartbeat thumping in his ears. "I think we pissed him off, Joven! That's a first." Karl crowed mockingly.

"Nah, I think he can do better than that, guys. Maybe I should take this home with me and see how he likes having another man's cum on her face-"

"Shut the fuck up!" Jungkook demanded, his booming voice making the crowd jump in surprise. It bounced off the station walls, affectively silencing any and all other commotion that hadn't already stopped to witness the scene. He heard a door open from the distance, but the background noise was becoming increasingly overpowered by the heartbeat in his ears. "Leave her out of this."

Joven scowls at him, "Or what?" He pulls himself off Jungkook's desk, his eyes narrowed intensely at the younger. "You're going to -" The heels of Joven's hands shove his chest with force, though Jungkook stood his ground. "-make me?" He challenged. Jungkook grits his teeth. Joven scoffs, grinning in satisfaction, he shoves Jungkook's chest again, this time with more excessive force. It would bruise for sure. "Your soft, scared ass doesn't have the fucking balls to touch me," Joven growled, he lowered his voice, leaning up toward Jungkook's face with a seething glare. He spoke through his teeth, "Not even if I bring up your woman."

Fuck numbers. Fuck controlled breathing and stress balls and keeping to himself. Fuck Joven and all of his idiot friends. The force of Jungkook's fist knocked Joven to his side on the floor. He landed with a deafening thud, grunting loudly at the unsuspecting pain. A thick stream of blood pours from his nose, dripping onto the floor beneath him. Joven coughs, the stream having pooled into his mouth, he glares up at Jungkook furiously. "What the fuck man?!" The crowd around them had frozen in place, bewitched in a stunned silence, only the sound of Jungkook's deep, heavy pants filling the large room.

Jungkook's boots thud heavily against the floor as he approaches nearer, Joven's eyes widen when he sees he's not backing down. Desperately, he starts to scramble backwards, holding his bloody hand up pleadingly. "Wait, man, I-I'm sorry! I was only-" Jungkook grabbed a fistful of his shirt, his nails were clawing at his hand, leaving long crimson trails. Jungkook hardly acknowledges the numb sting, yanking Joven's shirt up with a swift jerk, his toes scrape the floor. Joven fumbles helplessly when Jungkook retracted his fist again, grunting at another unforgiving punch.

Joven's head snaps to the side. He flexes his jaw, spitting out a bloody tooth. "Get him off of me!" He begged at the top of his lungs, the crowd far too stupefied to make much of a move. It was the first time any of them had witnessed their nonchalant and collected co-worker inflict his absolute wrath on his perpetrators. Darryl especially had his eyes wide, watching intently as Jungkook executed his next agonizing throw. The rage in his eyes, it was unlike something they'd ever seen before... it was intimidating, to put things simply.

Jungkook lands another punch on his face, and Joven goes limp for a minute, barely managing to open his eyes again. "He's going to fucking kill him!" Jungkook felt several pairs of hands wrapping around his body, but his rage was still alive and fermenting inside him. They pry his fist from Joven's shirt, and he lands on the floor with another rough thud. Jungkook wrestles from the restrictive grip of the hands, suffering a harsh landing on his knees, though he hardly acknowledges the bruising ache. He straddles Joven's waist, throwing another punch his way with all his might. Joven bellowed another loud groan, cursing at the pain swarming his face. He chokes out another cough, blood splattering on his face. His lip had a gaping split in it, gushing with the crimson fluid.

"JK, calm down, man!" He heard Darryl's frantic voice. Someone wrapped their arms around him from behind, and he felt more pairs around his arms. His weight left the floor, and he felt his feet dragging against the polished marble, scuffing it as he struggled. He wasn't fucking done with him yet...!

"Jeon, you've gotta calm down, man. You're gonna get yourself in serious trouble." Another voice warned in a low tone, he's tugged back from the moaning and groaning body on the floor. All pairs of eyes were trained on him, and instilled in their gazes was the unmistakable presence of fear. He's seen it in victims' eyes, he knew it when he saw it. But he wasn't fucking finished. He had to make sure that fucker didn't say one more word about Joy again. He kept fighting the restraints, grunting in frustration when the four of them pulled back at him with more overbearing power. A small crowd formed around Joven as Jungkook is eventually dragged away.

"Get him in my office. Now." a gruff voice ordered.

"Shit, he's so strong..." Someone strains, Jungkook pants heavily, the redness in his vision starting to fade. He continues thrashing about as they wrestle him into a room by himself, forcefully sitting him down in the nearest seat before leaving him to himself. Darryl lingers, but decides not to say anything. He turns toward the door, shutting it softly behind him.

Jungkook heaves heavy breaths, blinking the redness away. He felt his knuckles starting to burn. He stares scornfully at his hands, the stinging scratches deeply embedded into his left one. How the fuck was he going to explain this to Joy?

Scratch that, she'll be more pissed at him when she finds out he's out of a job. There's no way they're letting him walk away from this unscathed. No one would care that he was provoked and publicly humiliated. No one would care how much it hurt to hear them say such disdainful, vile shit about the person he cherishes most in this world.

Maybe he doesn't deserve her. Joy needed someone who knows how to cope with his own emotions. Someone that could tame his inner turmoils and not let it torment him down to his core. She deserves someone that was honest with her, and wouldn't hide the truth from her when asked. Someone who didn't have anything to hide, no beastly anguish within that needed to be subdued.

For starters, how was he going to face her like this? Like he had just come down from a rampage that had been toiling inside him and finally made its way out. She wouldn't care if he blacked out, if all he saw was red and that he fell prisoner to the stupefying state he couldn't get a hold of. He didn't expect her to.

The heat of his anger starts to cool down, though it still occupied his chest by the time he was breathing normally again. He felt his anxieties starting to surface in lieu of his resentment, instilling a prominent fear of what was left to come.

He flexes his aching fist, settling his gaze on the desk that was in front of him. Of course, it was Foreman's. No use stalling, right? He wanted this over with. He needed to start thinking of how he was possibly going to approach Joy with this. She wouldn't want to be with someone as violent and ruthless as him.

She was so afraid to give him a shot when they first met, completely convinced that all policemen were angry, incompetent, and reckless individuals. People to be afraid of. People that killed. How was he supposed to look her in the face and tell her that he was any different?

The door creaks as it opens again, and the Chief sighs. Just from that sigh alone, Jungkook knew his boss was conflicted. He sounded disappointed and pissed and disheartened all at once, not to mention a slew of other conflicting emotions that Jungkook couldn't quite put his finger on.

He shuts the door behind him, coming around the chair Jungkook was sitting in. He presents an ice pack to the younger. Jungkook almost refused, but he studied his hand - his knuckles are bruised and raw. Joy would freak out. Maybe he'll keep his gloves on when he gets home. No need for her to see the damage.

Chief Foreman sits on the edge of his desk, looking at Jungkook with this... strange look in his eyes. Like he's trying to read him. "Joven's going to be alright," He states in a dry tone. "He's out cold, but he'll be fine."

Jungkook says nothing.

Chief thins his lips, folding his arms over his broad chest, "I know he provoked you. Shoved you pretty hard, even. Twice. But JK, I have to report this. You broke his nose. And I can't say for sure until the x-rays come back, but it looks like his jaw is dislocated, too."

What was he supposed to say to that? Jungkook felt conflicted, he was generally not violent in his core, but considering how much he had been tortured and ridiculed by that asshole, he had it coming. "Usually something like this earns an immediate dismissal," Jungkook bites his cheek. How could he refute this? The argument was turned against him, regardless of the context.

He bounces his leg anxiously, the tone Foreman used put him on edge. He needed this job. He couldn't support himself without it. He couldn't stay in the country without it.

"But," Jungkook looks up at him, not knowing what to expect. He grips the ice pack hard in his hand, already his hands were numb. "It's your first misdemeanor on a clean record - really, it's more of a misconduct. And," he lowers his voice, leaning a bit closer toward Jungkook as he utters his next words. "Lucky for you, the security footage got corrupted." Jungkook stares up at his boss's face, seeing a slight hint of a smile beneath his thick mustache.

Relief floods his chest. He wasn't completely in the clear, but he couldn't be persecuted for this, at least. He could keep his job. "Thanks, Chief," Jungkook felt a bit lighter, pressing his palm to his chest to soothe his beating heart.

"Everyone knows you're a pacifist, JK. Joven pushed you to a breaking point. I ought to charge all those idiots with harassment, especially him..." He trails off, his face adopting a more sullen expression. Jungkook swallows, preparing himself for the hit.

"That does bring me to some other news. Good or bad, take it how you will," his pauses were agonizing. "I've been reluctant to do this, because you're such a great asset to our team. The work you've contributed here is fantastic, JK. And I hate to see it go..."

Jungkook stares inquisitively at him, not understanding where he was leading this conversation. "I'm referring you to another facility. Same department, it's the one across town. It's bigger, and a lot of the veterans already work there. So you probably won't have a bunch of shitheads bothering you there. I know those guys, they keep their heads down like you." He nods as he talks, as if to reassure himself of his decision. He studies Jungkook's hard expression.

Again, Jungkook is unsure what to say, what to make of this. Could this be a better opportunity, or another disaster waiting to happen? "You were going there when you got promoted anyway," Foreman reasons, and Jungkook couldn't hide how much it lifted his slumped shoulders. "Obviously it's not a promotion, and you'll probably have to start from the bottom again, but it's a change. A necessary change. I already put a good word in for ya. They'd prefer if you had a clean slate, but you're human. Just explain what happened today, they'll probably understand."

Jungkook had his doubts about that. In his experience, minorities are typically never given the benefit of the doubt. But it was another chance, and be damned if he was going to lose sight of this one.

"Who knows, maybe then you can have a better shot at detective work. I know that's what you really want to do. The job won't be all that different, just the location." Foreman assures, Jungkook nods as it dawns on him. A change in location. It's something he yearned for a lot when he first started, at the very start of all the harassment and berating. He couldn't pinpoint why it made him so uneasy, now. As though the legitimacy of this opportunity was something questionable.

"Thanks, Chief." Foreman gets up, and Jungkook follows suit. He felt his boss's heavy arm drape over his shoulders, walking him out of the office. Jungkook received stares from all directions. He wasn't sure how to read their expressions. There were plenty of mixed feelings about what had occured.

"You sure know how to throw a punch, JK. I'll give you that," Foreman says under his breath, Jungkook follows his gaze to the janitor, who was mopping the floor of blood.

"I want you to do me a favor, okay?" Jungkook nods, looking up at his face.

"Take some time for yourself. Don't be in such a rush to come back and clean out your desk. I want you to get the best out of this, JK, because it's what you deserve, alright? Come back when you're ready, we'll say our goodbyes then."

"Yes sir," Jungkook nods, the two of them stopping at his desk - well, former desk. Jungkook starts to grab what he came in with that morning, tugging his leather gloves on over his hands. He fought a wince as they aggravated the raw skin. "Thanks for everything." He says sincerely, unsure how else to offer his gratitude.

"Darryl put your photos back where they belong already," Chief informed. Jungkook pulls his wallet open to see his pictures neatly placed there where they should be. Maybe he ought to keep them in a safer place from here on out. He really cherished the photos, and would hate for anything else to happen to them.

"It's been a pleasure kid, it truly has. Take care of yourself. Oh, and tell your girlfriend not to worry. I'll make sure you get a call sometime this week."

📷

Marble was as enthusiastic as ever to see Jungkook come back home, especially so early. He groans at the sound of Marble's excited whimpers and noises, throwing his heavy paws onto Jungkook's legs to greet him in his usual chipper fashion.

"Hey, Mar," Jungkook groaned, giving their pet a gentle scratch of his ears. Marble seemed to sense his surly demeanor, sitting down and looking up at Jungkook expectantly. Jungkook sighs huskily, feeling his heavy body sway as he tries to make his way further into the house. His head was pounding, like someone was stabbing him behind the eyes.

He trudges toward the nearest surface, which happened to be the kitchen island, and props his elbows on it, dropping his head onto the cool surface. Jungkook pants, the surge of pain in his head was aggravating his stomach, and the light-headedness he felt from before wasn't doing him any favors.

Marble's heavy paws thud against the floor as Jungkook stiffens, the hound moving away. Jungkook hiccups, wincing at the taste of alcohol that permeated his tongue. He'd bought himself a beer after he left the station, but he couldn't manage to finish it - he hardly took more than a couple sips before deciding that he was on his way to a regrettable mistake. His stomach felt too full with anxiety. He had to have been in that pub for at least an hour, staring into his drink and contemplating what might happen next.

He was trying to make himself numb to his emotions, because the reality of it was that he was crashing rather hard from the intense high his anger had enforced on him. It made him feel sick in his chest and stomach.

"Jungkook?" He heard her voice, and his eyes snap open. He didn't think she was home already. Marble must've fetched her to check up on him. That dog was too damn smart for his own good. He feels a wave of panic stir in his gut, but grimaced and swallowed the hot bile surfacing in his throat when he tried to move.

He feels her hand on his back, fighting another hiccup. If she figured out how sick he felt, he'd unnerve her for sure, and he already had so much to explain as it was. She rubs in slow, soothing circles, cooing gently.

"Kookie," she asked softly. "Are you okay?"

No. He wasn't okay. But how was he supposed to admit that? To spit it out and not cough up his lunch, too? He pulls his hands to his head, panting at the dizzying pressure he felt. He heard her hum sympathetically. "Another migraine?" she asked knowingly.

Jungkook manages to bob his head, and her slow circles travel up his back some more. It was a pleasant contrast to the heat in his gut. "Oh, baby," she cooed tenderly. "Come lay down, I'll make you something to eat, okay?"

He shakes his head, squeezing his eyes shut. She took note of how pale he was, realizing he was starting to sweat, too. "Don't, I'm nauseated." He admits. He was one full sentence away from tasting his sandwich again.

"That bad?" She asks, and he bobs his head. He feels her tugging lightly at his shoulders, as if to pull him up. He supposed she wasn't going to let him stay at the island, preferring instead that he lie down. "Take off some of your clothes, Kookie. I'm sure all that trapped heat isn't helping." She urged gently, reminding him of his mother's tone when he was a boy. He almost chuckled at it. She was right, the layers made him feel especially hot and suffocated, making it that much harder to breathe. But if she made him take them off, he'd have to remove his gloves, too. He wanted to explain himself, first.

She manages to drag him off the counter, which was no longer as cool as it was initially, she keeps her arm wrapped around his middle, guiding him toward the couch. He didn't open his eyes, because the painful sting of a flash of light would possibly be enough to make him faint. She has him sit down, tugging at his thick coat and boots. She was careful as she unlaced them intricately, pulling them off with ease. Jungkook slumps back into the cushioning, sighing as a rush of cooler air swallows him. He swallows thickly, feeling her dainty hands starting to tug at his gloves, but he pulls his hands back toward him, not giving her any further access to them.

"You think you can handle chicken soup?" she asks, moving his damp hair out of his face.

Jungkook hardly answers, and she hums. "Did you eat today, Kookie?"

He bobs his head, she sighs to herself. She was close enough to smell the alcohol on his breath, so he wasn't intending on having her catch on to it. He senses her starting to move, cracking his eyes open enough to see her moving toward the light switch, turning it off.

He veers along the persuasive torpor of sleep, sinking his head into one of the fluffy pillows. He felt his body relax at last. The tension began to uncoil some, offering some remnants of relief. His rest was deep and dreamless, a pleasure he hadn't had in a long time, longer than he can recall.

He stirred when he heard her voice, and a tender hand slowly caressing his scalp. Jungkook's lids flutter open, he looks wearily at Joy's sympathetic face. She offers a soft smile, and the aroma of hot chicken broth infiltrated his senses. He pulls himself up, realizing she had draped his body with the lush throw from the couch. He scrubs his eye, straining as he stretched for the heavens. "Feeling any better?"

He bobs his head, his migraine was gone for the most part. His head still felt a bit ache-y from the unrelenting pressure, but it wasn't pestering him any more. She holds up the bowl to him, and he takes it graciously. His stomach wasn't hurting so much anymore, so he was sure he could manage to tolerate it all. He lifts the spoon to his lips, sipping the broth gingerly. It was mostly just that, as she figured he would prefer something light in case his migraine made its comeback.

She smiles warmly when he swallowed. She starts to get up, but he stops her. "Don't go yet," his voice felt a bit hoarse. Joy stops in her tracks, looking back at him with a curious expression.

"Okay," she agreed, sitting down beside him. Jungkook sighs, looking into his bowl. He had to say something, but... how? Why did it feel so unnatural?

Joy was studying him, she didn't have much of an expectant look so much as she was undeniably curious about his insistence for her to stay. "Are we going to talk about it?" She wondered at last, hesitant to ask. "What's been going on with you, Kookie?" The worry in her tone sunk into him, and he felt his heart throbbing again. It felt like it was swelling in his chest, invasively hindering his flow of breath.

Jungkook wants to - he has to. But his tongue was tied. Syllables were stubborn and the words refused to leave his mouth. He sighs, shaking his head in defeat. Joy thins her lips at that, nodding, though he knew she didn't want to accept that from him any longer. "Okay," she starts to get up and he watches her move. Her response sounded simple, but he knew she didn't appreciate his discretion. She sounded vexed - irritated, even.

"Where're you going?" He wondered, staring at her back as she went. She wrapped her arms around her middle, moving slowly. The thick grey sweater she had on practically swallowed her whole, drooping from her shoulders. The long sleeves covered her hands, making rather large paws that she kept having to tug on. However her adorable outfit hardly hindered how fed up she seemed.

"To our room," She said briefly, continuing on her way. "You're not my favorite person, right now." His face falls hearing that, she'd said it under her breath, like it was hard for her to admit. Surely, she must not have wanted to come to terms with feeling in such a way, but he couldn't blame her. He had reassured her time and time again that he would open up with her and here he was, secluding himself again. After knowing how vulnerable she'd made herself to him, unveiling so many ugly truths she had to him and he hadn't even attempted to respond to something as simple as "are you okay?".

"Joy, I..." he sighs, placing his bowl on the coffee table and sinking back into the couch. What the fuck was he going to tell her, now? He can't make himself commit to something so exceedingly simple. It was more than frustrating.

"What, Kookie?" She demanded softly, turning back toward him with a flash of impatience in her eyes. She was entirely unsure what he was trying to imply. What was he expecting from her? If she can't get the truth out of him, then why would she expect anything else? What use was there in asking him anymore? Maybe she ought to start gathering her bearings and-

"I... This isn't easy for me, Joy." He admits in a rush. It was far more difficult than he anticipated, spitting out the truth about his emotions. But he didn't want her to think it was her fault. He didn't really understand why he can't manage to open himself up to her. Why he couldn't share his deep, personal vulnerabilities with Joy of all people - especially when she had done just that with him.

"Just be honest with me, Kookie." She sighs, sounding tired. "You promised me you'd try."

"I know..." he felt defeated. Her expression was stoic, almost pissed. He couldn't figure out how to start, looking up at her pleadingly.

She sighs miserably, he noticed her eyes starting to gleam before she turned away, "Joy, please..." He whispers, stopping her in her tracks again. She exhales deeply. Her back was turned but he noticed her reach up toward her face, dabbing at her eyes and using her sweater paws to mop the moisture from her cheeks. She faced him with a slightly flushed face, moving back toward the couch and slumping down next to him.

"I don't know what you want me to do, Kookie. How am I supposed to help you if you don't tell me what's going on? You do trust me, don't you?" Her voice was a bit thick and riddled with apprehension and concern, she cares so deeply for him, after all. His chest was aching, hearing her voice shake, succumbing to all the pressure she had put on herself to try to help him. Yet he hadn't bothered to try helping himself, or even to consult her when she offered. He recalls the night he made her use the safeword, feeling like he betrayed her... used her, even. It made his stomach churn to think about. Did she feel that way? Is that why she was reduced to tears just now?

Jungkook was vanquished, resting his head on her shoulder. The pressure to release was making him feel feverish and hot again, and the overwhelming heat of his anxiety made him lightheaded. "I don't have anything to hide from you, Joy. And I do trust you, I just... I've never had to open up to anyone like this before."

"I understand, Kookie..." she said, like she was expecting him to say just that. But he shakes his head. "I know it's difficult for you."

"No, like... I don't think I know how, baby. I'm trying... I've tried. Really. I know it's unfair, Joy, and I hate it. But... I can't do it."

"You don't have to feel obligated to say everything at once, Kookie. And you don't need to over-explain yourself, either. Just let it flow, it shouldn't be stressful. Opening up to me or other people shouldn't have to feel like a chore, it's supposed to give you relief. Not stress you out." Her fingertips massage his scalp, and he wants to let his eyes loll back at the soothing sensation. She was going to put him back to sleep.

Right. Okay. He has to be honest about everything. If he doesn't explain it himself she'll never know the full story. He stares at the gloves on his hands, still. They were so awkwardly placed, but as usual she hadn't pried too much about it. He tugs at the fingertips, feeling her gaze on his hands as she watches. There was no back-tracking now.

He bites back a hiss as the leather is removed from his raw knuckles, the material having clung to his hands rather closely. Joy let out a small gasp at the sight, especially at the scarlet scratches drawn along his hand. She pulls her fingers from his scalp, taking his large hands into hers. "What happened?" she demanded, fretfully looking at Jungkook's face.

Jungkook swallows the bile trying to climb his throat, watching her examine his hands carefully. "I lost it," he exhaled.

"I need to treat this, Kookie. Give me a second." She pushes herself up from the couch, jogging across the apartment to fetch the first aid he needed. She sighs when she returns, prying the white kit open and shaking her head in disbelief at the sight. She pulls his hands back into her lap, turning them over frantically in search of anymore offensive wounds. "How did this happen?" she wondered, her tone less forceful than before.

Jungkook sighs, wincing when she dabs at his knuckles with a cotton ball, murmuring something about how serious an infection would be. "There was a new guy today, my boss wanted me to show him around. He was an annoying asshole, he kept interrogating me about my personal life and..." he hesitates, but shakes his head, spitting the rest out. "And you." She waits for him to continue, seeming like she wanted to say something, but she wanted him to elaborate first.

The pressure of her silence was convincing enough. Jungkook shifts uncomfortably, hissing as the alcohol she used stung. "Don't flex your hand, you'll make it bleed." she ordered, nodding for him to go on.

"He was trying his hardest to get a reaction out of me, and normally I wouldn't but... I guess I was off today." Joy purses her lips at that, he was hardly conscious that morning. He moved around and got himself up for work, but he was practically out of it. She already had plans of calling a sleep specialist for him, because he was like a zombie. He wouldn't survive going on like this, she feared the worst... but perhaps the worst has already happened.

"The things the fucker said about you... that I don't deserve you.." he shakes his head, scoffing at the audacity Griffin had to utter such a thing to someone he'd only just met. "I knew some of my older co-workers put him up to it. He must have been their new recruit, and they know they can't get anything out of me, so they had him do it."

"I'm sorry, baby." Joy mutters sincerely, patting his knee.

He shakes his head, "They... Before they found out about us, it was always just me. I could handle that. But Joy, the things they were saying just... boiled my fucking blood. Just because they know you're with me."

She had a disapproving look on her face, "They really went too far this time. I don't normally react, I went on years without letting it sink into me. But when that fucker stole my photos and threatened to-" he stops himself, Joy looking up at his face, noticing how much he was fuming simply at the thought. "I couldn't let them think it was okay to talk about you that way. They were provoking me, shoved me even-"

"Kookie..." Joy had a hunch as to where this was going. "You didn't...?"

"I broke his nose, Chief said I might have dislocated his jaw, too, and..." Joy sighs. He feels the tension rising in his throat, threatening to close in around his words. What would she make of him if she knew how violent he could get? That he had just as much potential to kill as the cop that shot her brother? After all, they both acted based on clouded judgement - him with his ignorance and racism, and Jungkook with his destructive rage. "I was so mad, Joy... it was like I blacked out or something." She pulls out the gauze, which he thought was a bit overkill, but one of his knuckles had split and she wasn't going to let him get an infection if she could help it.

"... My boss has to report it..." He started, swallowing thickly. He watches her dainty hands, she was so careful and intricate as she tended to his wounds, as minor as he considered them to be.

"So what does that mean for you?" She wondered at last, the burning question he had been dreading most.

"I can't work at that station anymore," her eyes widen, and she looks at him with alarm. She of course knew just how important it was for him to keep his job, and of all ways to lose it, it was because he felt he was defending her. He's quick to explain, "But, my boss took my side. He got rid of the security footage, and I'm relocating to the station across town. I'll have to interview for it, but he said I was going there sometime soon, anyway."

The relief that flooded her demeanor spoke volumes, and for the most part the tension she felt had faded. "So you're not out of a job?" she asked to be sure.

"As long as I can get past the interview phase, I should be fine. Just a change in location."

"This is... good, actually. This means no one can bother you, right? Isn't that what we wanted?" His heart stutters when she said 'we'. He nods his head, a satisfied smile on her face.

"Well, at least something good came out of this," she claims. "But I'm still not understanding why you acted out, Jungkook. That's not in you, not that I've seen, at least."

He wants to say he hardly recognized himself today, that it all felt so foreign to feel such intense and prodding emotions. But he's felt that before... he'd rather forget it. He studies Joy's expression, though. How lost she seemed. Of course she didn't understand this side of him, not after he's spent so long hiding it from the world and locking it away. Pretending that part of his past never existed. That it wasn't who he was anymore. It's entirely why he never bothered to mention it to her, because it was a side of him he didn't need or want her to know.

"I guess I've just spent so long secluding myself, all of my emotions," he admits, and her face softens at his confession. He sounded so sincere, despite how difficult it was for him to gather the words and translate his complex thoughts into something coherent or interpretive. But he was trying really hard, practically compelling himself to speak about it. She felt proud, but rather concerned. Normally, opening up to someone you trust shouldn't be this hard. "I never used to... I never really found an appropriate way to deal with my emotions."

"What makes you say that?" She wonders, her soft voice was warm and inviting. The unease flushing her face wasn't so intense. He wraps his arms around her middle, pulling her closer to him. Joy coos, moving so he could lie on top of her, his head on her bust. Such a position usually helped him sleep and relax when he couldn't on his own - which was just about every night, now. He feels her hands at the base of his back, rubbing into it with a soothing pressure. Her lush legs encircle his waist, and he feels the urge to rub her thighs, but settles his hands beneath her back. Before Joy, he hasn't been held this affectionately, not since his boyhood by his mother. But as he grew older, she'd stopped comforting him in such ways.

Before Joy, he'd completely forgotten how pleasant the warm embrace of touch could be. How it offered so much security and affection, a nice reminder that someone was there and cared for his well-being. However, since growing out of that young and impressionable age, he hasn't been coddled. No one asked him how he felt about things, regardless of the nature of what he had to do. He was expected to keep his mouth shut and do what he was asked. And when his older brother considered their bond to be something too sappy, Jungkook was left on his own. He was forced to go his own way with no real understanding of how he felt. No one offered to talk with him about how such devastating things made him feel. He was expected not to.

His family cared for him, sure. But until he was enlisted in that military program his school offered, that only so few students completed, he felt abandoned by them. They didn't care to know how sad it made him feel for his brother to consider Jungkook as someone not worth his time. Of course, Junghyun was only a teenager then, but it hurt nonetheless. His father told him to brush it off. Their callused approach didn't allow for much healing, though he couldn't pin it as their fault. That's just the social customs where he's from. They'd been raised in similar ways.

He left for America and suddenly everyone was paying attention to him again. He was 'too young', and he 'could have spent more time in the Korean military', and most notably, 'his family would miss him too dearly'. At the time, Jungkook was just as ambitious as he was naive, so he took the leap. All of a sudden he didn't have to suppress how he felt on new land. The customs were different, he felt it. The openness Americans have toward each other is quite distinct, and it was especially to him at the time.

But he was a reckless teenager. He was overwhelmed by the onslaught of emotions he'd been trained to hide. And most of all, he had nowhere to unleash them to. "I used to be so hot-headed... I let my emotions influence everything I did. I didn't know how to control it when I got here.... My anger... it..." he trails off. Joy hums, she waits patiently but he can't make himself admit it aloud. That he took someone's life. She'll never look at him the same way. Especially after how disappointed she looked finding out about his outburst from today.

"What changed?" Joy wonders, "How come you aren't as emotional as you used to be?" He was glad she lead the conversation elsewhere, he wasn't sure how to navigate himself away from it.

"Because of my recklessness, I took some anger management classes... I had to... I didn't really have a choice." He admits. She hums again, and he liked how the vibration of her voice felt against his cheek. She's so warm, and she smelled sweet like lavender.

"...I see," Joy wasn't entirely sure what he was getting at, suggesting her unease. However, she would take his word for it. He didn't have to elaborate now, he was revealing so much as it was. She hoped that any questions she may ask won't be too invasive, enough to make him clam up on her like before. "Is that how you came to be so cool and collected now?"

He shrugs, "I guess it is." As effective as his classes were in helping him control his anger, they didn't teach him how to cope with it. His emotions were something that quickly became destructive in his life.

"Around that same time," he swallows the lump growing in his throat. "I tried to cope with my emotions with alcohol, just once. Jimin hyung and Taehyungie hyung took me out for a night and I... over-indulged."

Joy nods, seeming to understand exactly where he was going with this. "When you got drunk?"

"I did more than get drunk... I don't remember that night, thank God. My friends told me what happened... y-you won't like it..." he trailed off, feeling meek.

"I won't judge you, baby. What's done is done, and I know you've grown since then."

With her brief encouragement, he contemplates explaining further, but he had already said so much as it was. "An older woman brought me to a house party and took me into a bedroom..."

"Oh my God...!" Joy exclaimed under her breath, her hand clasped over her mouth in horror. She had no clue he was taken advantage of. It was no wonder he didn't drink. Chances are he didn't want to risk being so inebriated so that such a thing won't be committed again.

"Luckily my hyungs tracked me down, but they found me with my pants at my ankles, and she was on top of me. Again, I don't remember it, so I don't really feel that bad about it. They still call it an 'incident'." She studies him in disbelief, sighing at how nonchalant he was being about this. She can't expect him to suffer or relish in the horrors of what had occurred, but she at least figured he'd have more of a reaction from this.

"Kookie, I'm so sorry, baby. That's terrible." He shrugs, not seeming to care about how much gravity this had.

"I got over it," Joy shakes her head, looking completely heartbroken to hear such a thing. Was he suppressing how he really felt or was he really not as affected by it as you'd expect? Joy was noticeably conflicted. He felt her hands squeezing his body a bit tighter, pulling his head a bit closer into her bosom. "Really, I'm not all that bothered by it. I probably said yes to her, and she was pretty drunk, too." He tries to reason, but it was only worrying her more. Like he was trying his hardest to convince her that he wasn't affected by it. Like he had to prove something. Joy doesn't want him to prove anything, she wants him to be okay.

"Jungkook, she took advantage of you. Does anyone else know?"

"Just my hyungs, and I'd prefer it that way. It's still really embarrassing. They got me out of there, but I was miserably sick all the way back to my apartment, and through the next day. I haven't been able to approach alcohol the same way since."

"This is more than making some stupid mistakes as a kid, Kookie..." Joy pressed, and he knew she was going to keep going on about this. But this was a long time ago, and he was practically a different person back then - does that justify what's been done? No, not at all. But he was choosing to leave that part of his past where it belonged. He didn't feel particularly violated - he did at first, but found solace in the fact that he couldn't remember a thing from that night. Her current reaction was largely why he never even considered mentioning it to her, just that she wasn't technically the first person he'd had sexual relations with. That was about as close as he came to mentioning it. He leans up, pecking her lips.

"Joy," he can't help his chuckle at her expression. He had to admit how nice it felt for someone to care about him so deeply. Of course his hyungs expressed just as much concern, but obviously not to the same capacity that Joy can. "I'm okay. In my consciousness, it didn't happen, and I'd like to think of it that way. I'm just glad nothing came of it."

She sighs, but decides to back away from it. He may be over it, but she couldn't help the protective obligations she felt toward him. He was so vulnerable then, and if the roles were switched...

He stirs her from her thoughts, pulling her hand to his hair. She starts to run her fingers through it again. He enjoyed the soft thrumming of her heart against his ear, hearing her sigh heavily. "You're just so calm and collected... very level headed, even in bad situations," she notes with a deep sigh. "I guess I assumed you wouldn't mind opening up with me. I thought it wouldn't be as hard for you as it turns out. I wouldn't have forced you had I known, Kookie."

"But it's not fair," he shakes his head. "Because I know you only want what's best for me, Joy. I know it with everything in me. No one has cared for me like this before you,"

Her hand pauses for a moment as his words sink, but she resumes her soothing touch. "I've spent most of my life finding every possible way to hide how I was feeling about... well, anything, really. I felt like no one cared about my input. But you..." he feels heat in his eyes, and his voice starts to shake a bit. He sighs, gathering himself up again to finish what he had to say. "You've always asked me for my input. Even for something simple, like my opinion on something - and you'd take it seriously. I've never had that, Joy. I hope you understand. I'm grateful, but it's... awkward. Like a strange feeling in my gut that just won't let me tell you."

She remains quiet, her soft breaths starting to persuade Jungkook's lids into closing. "When I met you, you really transformed my perspective on how I felt. I haven't realized how much I could care about another person until you came along."

"Aw, Kookie..." she coos, feeling her heart swell at such sweet and genuine words.

"In the same breath, you really showed me how much I wasn't used to someone caring about me. I guess I'm still not used to it." He finished, turning his head into her sweater, letting his eyes close. It felt strange... how light he felt. Like his chest had been alleviated of an intense burden.

Of course she understands that addressing his emotions and feelings was really difficult to him. Though it explained a lot about the man she knows him to be. Before her, he thought he could go about things the way he had been. No need to address how he felt about anything, at least, that's what always worked for him. But their relationship was a commanding commitment, as is any other, and it tended to intel more out of them than they both thought they were capable of. More than they could ever think to be equipped with.

Joy had shown him time and time again that it was not only possible to care about others, but necessary to handle his own inner hardships. Aside from his hyungs, no one had insisted that he take care of himself the way she had. No other woman that he's taken any remote interest in valued his attention like she does - while also encouraging him to give it to himself, as well. No one else would have constantly reminded him that things didn't have to go on unaddressed; a primary reason why he never properly dealt with his work situation up until this point. He didn't feel the obligation then like he does now.

Joy sighs, reaching up toward her cheek and swiping the tear that broke free. His words had touched her, deeply resonated with her in a way they haven't before. Something about how honest he was choosing to be with her, to finally feel that satisfaction she's been yearning for really drove it into her heart. She blinks back more tears, his breathing was starting to get heavy, but she had one more thing to address him about before he's out for good. The short nap he'd taken was the first time in a while that she's seen him sleep without tossing or turning.

"Let me up," she tells him gently, lightly tapping his back to wake him more. Jungkook stirs at the disturbance, his brows knitting together sleepily. He was noticeably confused, as she typically didn't disrupt their cuddles, especially after a long talk like the one they just had. But he pulls himself up from her body. His head follows as she shuffles toward her purse to grab the card Grace gave her. She rejoins him on the couch, elaborating on her proposal she had in mind.

"I really think therapy ought to do some good, Kookie. It'll help you feel better." She holds up the small business card, and he stares down it, expressionless. She feels her heart sink a bit, but puts on a hopeful smile.

"...You think that'll help?" he asked softly, sighing deeply as he studied the name and credentials of the professional's office. She offered the card to him, and he takes it, studying it between his fingers.

"Jungkook..." she sighs heavily, looking up at his face. The pause she made provoked him to meet her eyes. "You can't keep going on like this, baby. I hate to see you this way." Her voice was soft, barely floating above a whisper, like he was something fragile. He didn't like the way the lump felt in his chest, how much it stung when he breathed.

When he doesn't respond, Joy laces her hand into his, minding his fresh bandages. "I just want what's best for you and," he noticed her eyes starting to gleam, her voice getting frail. "I can't help you on my own."

"But baby," Jungkook starts to protest. This was feeling like a stretch. She starts shaking her head.

"No, Kookie, I'm serious. I wouldn't suggest it if I didn't think you needed it." She knows she's not to blame, that none of this could be her fault. But deep down, it still felt like she could have done more to help him. She felt guilty for not being that for him the way he needs. But no matter what she tried she knows it simply can't be enough. She can't heal him on her own.

"Where'd you even get this?" He wondered, and she sighs, sounding a bit defeated. More than he anticipated she ever could be. He didn't blame her for this.

"I asked Grace if she knew any specialists... someone who's qualified to help you feel better." Ah, so that must have been what she had to talk to Grace about in private. He had wondered what it was. He tears his gaze from her, and she noticed him rubbing his knee. Like the topic made him anxious. His eyes trail blankly along the floor: he was obviously apprehensive about it.

But how could he not be? Seeing someone meant facing this officially. It meant a challenge. That this was seriously something that he had to recover from. He never had to change his ways... until Joy he never had a reason to. It was intimidating.

"I don't need a therapist, though, Joy. I'm healing just fine with you. You're my medicine." He said sincerely, watching the moisture in her eyes twinkle. Joy coos, smiling at him warmly. She knows he's being completely genuine, that he meant what he said with the most integrity. But she can see through him. She knows deep down how anxious this made him feel.

She reaches up and moves his thick hair out of his face, cooing softly. "That's really sweet, Kookie. But I want you to heal, to improve from this. I'm still supporting you in every way that I can, but I can't help you cope on my own. I've been trying for months, Kookie, but I just can't seem to reach you.... I think trying something more foundational, and consulting a professional who knows how to approach it will help you most."

He sighs, realizing just how serious she was about this. When he met Joy, he didn't think there was anything wrong with him. In many ways, he still doesn't.

She'd brought this up before, for a similar situation, actually. They'd contemplated the effects of seeing a specialist to help them with their communicative struggles they had at the time. He wasn't opposed to it then, because he wouldn't be coping with it on his own. It would have been a collaborative effort... but Joy got better, she unveiled her truth and she accepted it. Jungkook was still stuck, with no leads towards recovering. He felt like he failed...

The conflict in his expression spoke volumes, "Baby," she cups his cheek, bringing him to look at her face again. He reads the sincerity in her expression, feeling that hard lump in his chest start to soften. "There's nothing to be ashamed of. I'll be with you every step of the way. I really think it's worth a try, if you take it seriously."

He sighs, shoulders growing heavy with the weight of it. He's trying to concoct every excuse to pull to justify not going. To tell her not to push so hard for him to go to therapy. But he was struggling just as much to find any fault in her claims. Her comfort and reassurance and affection alone couldn't cure him. She can't shake him of this beastly thing he's been wrangling for so long now.

He feels a pang of guilt stutter his heart, recalling just how much he tended to confide in her physical comfort. He was almost relying on her completely for the relief he so desperately craved, and that she so desperately tried to give - only to come up short. It simply wasn't enough. He owes it to her to try to cope with his own demons without consulting her so much.

She looks for his response, and he slowly feels his head bob. He had hopes of this working. He had to try, at least. Her smile grows, and he feels her lean into his side, wrapping her arms gently around his shoulders. She leans up and presses a sweet kiss on his cheek. "So you'll try it out?"

"If that's what you think is best." he nods, more sure this time.

"I know you don't think it yet, Kookie, but I really think this is a step in the right direction. Maybe having a professional outlook will help you put things into perspective. To understand yourself more than I ever could," he hums as she continues, staring at the neat letters on the little card. "They have a better shot at helping you grow from this, Kookie, and that's what I want most. For you to grow from this. You were never going to get out of that seclusion if I was the only one trying to help you. And I don't think it's worked too well when you've dealt with it on your own."

Again, she wasn't wrong. The thought made his throat go dry. He wants nothing more than to swear up and down that it wasn't true. That he was recovering at his own pace and learning to be more open and expressive with her. But that simply wasn't the case. If anything, he had gotten more closed in on himself - even made empty, unfulfilled promises to Joy that he would open up to her about everything. He still had so much that he needed to tell her, and he wasn't trying to take those measures like he said he would. He hates himself for it, for lying to her.

"I'm sorry." he musters softly, squeezing her hand in his.

Joy shakes her head, her warm, dazzling smile lighting up her face. Her eyes didn't gleam anymore. "It's not your fault. I don't blame you, Kookie, I want you to know that. I know you only made those promises to me because you really thought you could keep them. And I know that it's not that simple for you. And that's okay."

"It is?" he asks, just to see if she really meant it. To ensure that she didn't think any less of him because of these precautions he had to take. Her impression of this would really have an impact on him, and it dwells on him how much he's influenced by her perception of this.

Joy nods and he takes a deep breath, "Alright. I'll schedule an appointment with him." he decided, earning another kiss to his cheek.

"I'm so proud of you, Kookie." she whispers, squeezing him in a hug. He wraps his arms around her, hiding his flushing face in her shoulder. He hadn't expected to feel so flustered and warm from such a statement. He didn't think it would hold that much power, to affect him this deeply. He felt heat behind his eyes as her sweet words echoes in his head, though the overwhelming sensation proved a rather pleasant contrast to the shit he had endured that day.

Joy was quiet as the rest of the night drifted along. Ice had crystalized on the windows, and Marble had practically thrown a tantrum when she forced his coat on for his walk. Jungkook found it a bit peculiar, how quiet she was being. She was... reserved. Like she couldn't reveal what thoughts were racing in her head. Even when he tried to engage her in casual conversation, or invite open discussion about the movie they'd watched while they cuddled, she hardly took the bait.

Perhaps she was processing everything, though. He wouldn't blame her for needing some time to think about all he had told her that day, not to mention that he still had more to explain regarding Korea. But she agreed he could cross that bridge when he felt ready. That he didn't have to force it out like he did so many other things already. She mentioned that this was something he had to take his time with, and he was perfectly willing to go through with that. It alleviated some of the pressure to talk, at least.

He just couldn't help but notice how much her gears were turning. Like she was taking something serious into heavy consideration. What it could be was entirely beyond him, but he'd show her the same patience she had graciously given him. Still, something about her sudden quiet nature really put him on edge. It was this... this twinge in his gut, like he knew something was up. She had something of detriment on her mind, he could see it in the way her eyes would slightly squint every so often, lost in her thoughts. It's a small habit she had when she was thinking hard about something, usually he noticed it when he video-called her at work.

She surprised him when she stepped into the shower with him. Nothing happened between them, nothing more than the comforting intimacy they felt in one another's arms. She hadn't said a word, simply hugged him from behind, her cheek pressed to his back. Her eyes would train on things, but she was always looking past them, submerged in thought. What was she thinking about so much that it held her tongue?

Not much had changed when they made it to bed, lying awake. Neither one of them had bothered to shut off their bedside lamps just yet, choosing instead to lay in full view of each other. Joy kept looking up at the ceiling, and Jungkook wanted to press her. To ask her what she was contemplating so deeply.

The sheets shifted when she moved, sitting up and turning toward him. Her bottom lip pulls between her teeth, like she was anxious to talk. Jungkook stares up at her curiously, wondering if she was going to answer any of his burning questions. "Kookie..." she starts softly, her sweet melodic voice flowing gently. He watches as her fingers fumble with the silky sheets, running along their soft texture. He feels himself swallow, unsure if he should anticipate the worst.

"Yeah, baby?" he answered at last, trying not to let his worry shake his voice. It could be benign. Joy surprised him sometimes: she broke habits often, as did he. Maybe it was something stupid, a new habit she was developing - her sudden quietness, that is. Or maybe work was a lot for the day. She hasn't mentioned any particularly difficult shortcomings lately, but she had shifted the focus to him for that day. Maybe she wanted to get something off her chest too, to gain some insight or closure-

"I've been thinking and... I think you need a break. To have some time to yourself."

Why did the weight of the world have to come rushing him all at once? Why did it have to hit him so hard? Why did such simple words have to charm a chill down his spine?

He studies her expression, he was trying to convince himself that it was changing, that she was about to crack her beautiful teasing smile at him and start laughing at his gullible face. But her eyes looked deep, and her features remained soft and empathetic.

The weight on his chest made it hard to push himself up - but he had to read her eyes properly. To be level with her. To seek some sense of understanding as to why she'd suggest such a thing. But they were warm. Just as inviting and deep and honest as he knew them to be. He hopes for any traces of a bluff; he could read faces well, he knew when people were lying. He knows when she is lying... but she isn't.

"How do you mean?" he inquired wearily, hoping her response wasn't headed for the worse. His voice felt as thick and heavy as the pent up emotions he internalized. Like he needed to cough up the molasses that infiltrated his lungs. Stunted his heart. Heated his face.

She sighs heavily, and he prays for the traces of her smile, doing it's usual tugging at the corners of her soft, plump lips. Or appearing in the creases of her eyes. But she shook her head slowly. Her voice was floating above his head, and the words were crashing down on him. And suddenly the heat kept rising to his eyes, and no matter how much he blinked the blurriness from his vision kept returning. "I really think it'll be good for the betterment of your mental health. Maybe... if you had some time to dedicate and focus on yourself, to get a handle of therapy and work and everything, you'll feel better," she'd said it as gingerly as she could. "You shouldn't have to worry about me or how I feel in the midst of it all. This is something you need for yourself."

The heat rushed down his cheeks, and as the tears fell, so did her face. He couldn't miss the hurt in her expression as she watched him struggle not to unravel. He bites his lips hard, resisting the quivering in his chin. He tries to turn his face, to ground himself and toughen out the stinging in his heart. He doesn't want her seeing him so affected by this. Chances are that she'll only feel worse about an already difficult decision. She doesn't let him move away, though. She props herself up on her knees, leaning up toward him, pulling herself closer, "No baby, don't cry," her voice is wavering, she reaches toward his face, using her thumbs to wipe his cheeks. But the tears kept flowing, it was getting harder to fight the hiccups. "You're gonna make me cry."

She hadn't expected him to take it this hard. Not at all. Her heart shatters as he hides his flushed face in her neck, choking up slightly. He was trying to ask her to elaborate, but the words never made it past his lips. She feels his strong arms encircling her waist, pulling her deeper into his embrace, onto his lap. Joy blinks in surprise, stroking his hair soothingly. She was exasperated, unsure what to make of this. He'd never... broken down like this before. Maybe it was the influx of so much emotional trauma he felt, all rushing through him, and it didn't surprise her at all that he was looking to her affection to cope.

"A-Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked, pulling his face from her neck, though he couldn't meet her eyes. He was embarrassed, thoroughly so. She swipes at his cheeks again, smiling at him sympathetically. She bobs her head. He exhales deeply, pressing his head to her chest, gripping her body securely, hardly entertaining the idea that he'd let her go. "Jagi, please..." he whispers hoarsely. "Please don't do this."

"Jungkook," she pulls his face from her chest, wiping his cheeks with her thumbs, his tears haven't stopped pouring. Seeing his complex expression makes heat swell in her own eyes, makes her want to retract it all and hold him all night. To let him seek her comfort and try their best to get him through the next day. Just like they had been doing. But in order for him to get better, he needed change. This was something she's come to conclude on her own, especially after what he told her today. She wants him to heal, so he can feel like himself again. So that he may be the best Jungkook he can be. "I want you to take care of yourself before you try to take care of us, okay? I want you to feel better. This is not something you can heal from over night, these things take time." She reasons, he sniffles, swallowing the lump in his throat.

"But why can't I do it by your side?" he wonders, voice laced with hurt. It's killing her to have planted that seed, and she hated watching it sprout and consume him, but she loves Jungkook too much to let him go on like this. He needs an intervention. She's not his antidote, as much as he'll swear up and down that she is.

"You can, baby. This isn't a goodbye. I still love you the same, but I love you too much to see you killing yourself with everything you're internalizing. I want you to go through with this, Kookie, please. I can't stand to watch you suffer anymore and feel helpless."

He shakes his head, still in denial. Still not able to wrap his head around the why of it all. Why should they have to be apart? "You help me heal, Joy..." She's the only person he trusted, who he knew for certain would come through with helping him however she could. Surely, there had to be another way. Something that didn't twist the dagger in his heart. Didn't make his stomach ache. Didn't force them to be apart.

"But you've only been getting worse, baby," she moves his hair out of his face, keeping her gentle smile. It was agonizing, how right she is. How much her smile offered so much security, promising her loyalty to him. "I'm not equipped to help you on my own. As much as I want to take all of your pain and suffering away, it's not that simple. You have to handle this in your own way...." Jungkook sighs, shutting his eyes and taking deep breaths. He never thought he'd find himself collapsing like this, in such a devastating and embarrassing fashion. She didn't seem to care about how much or how hard he'd cried, she accepted it like she usually would. He supposes he can at least find comfort in knowing that his emotions were indeed validated, regardless of the severity of which they may be exerted. "I'll be waiting for you here when you're ready, okay? I meant it when I said I'll be as patient as you need me to be."

He sighs deeply, but nods again. Okay. This wasn't an end. Nothing to lose more sleep over. He knows that Joy had only reached such a conclusion because she loves him too deeply to watch him become his own downfall. After the day he just had, Jungkook realized how much he was plummeting. Joy can't be his sole salvation. She can't always be the one to pull him up from the ashes. She was smiling, sure, but it was to offer him comfort. She knows it makes the pill a bit easier to swallow for him, especially when he's never been so predisposed to such a vulnerable state. He doesn't even think his nineteen-year-old self could rival the foreboding sentiments he had. She truly wants him to find peace. For good.

Her smile grows and she wraps her arms around his neck, kissing his head fondly. "You know how much I love you, Jungkook." Of course he knew, and he knows he has to come to terms with the fact that she's only doing what's best for him.

A/N: This was by far one of my hardest chapters to write. I'm still not the proudest of it, but please let me know your thoughts. I always look forward to your comments and analyses. What did you think of Joy's declaration? Do you think it'll help Jungkook, that it's in his best interest? Stay tuned for the final chapter! I'll try to get it out soon (I promise I won't leave y'all hanging lol)! Please let me know if you have any further requests or things you'd like to see. Any other questions you'd like answered? Thanks so much, guys, as always. 💜

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