guess who's back
--
"It's nice that they face you art supplies here."

Whether it was a blessing or a curse, there was one thing that everybody who knew Jimin knew for sure. He loved Jeon Jungkook unconditionally.

It was if the younger was water to him. Essential for life, but deadly enough to take one as well if it wanted to. But all Jimin took into consideration was all of the good things about Jungkook. His boyfriend could hurt him time and time again and he would still forgive him.

Jungkook needed him, and he needed Jungkook.

That fact was indisputable.

"I guess." Jungkook sighed in response, setting down the pencil he had in hand and leaning back against Jimin's chest. "But I still don't like it here." That was an understatement; Jungkook hated it in the hospital he was confined to. All of the walls were white, his hospital gown and bedsheets being coloured a boring light grey.

Everything was so dull.

But the one thing he couldn't bear, were the nights. In the week he had been 'monitored', Jungkook hadn't gotten more than two hours of sleep at night. He couldn't. The stiff bedsheets couldn't compare to the feeling of his boyfriend's arms wrapped around him, and the low groan of the heater couldn't lull him to sleep like Jimin's soft breathing had done so many times.

"I know you don't." Jimin sighed, leaning down to press a soft kiss atop Jungkook's messy hair. "But it's for the best, you know that right?"

Jungkook shook his head and closed his eyes.

"Is it for the best? Is it really?" He spoke softly. "I can't live here without becoming worse than I already am." Jimin frowned as he listened to his boyfriend's words, running his thumb over his own arm - and the scratches that had appeared there last night. "I don't want to hurt you, Hyung, I never have. But everything burns. It's like my skin itches as a way to tempt me into hurting myself, and refusing just makes it worse."

Jimin shook his head and pulled Jungkook closer to him. He swore he felt a piece of his heart break off with each word his boyfriend spoke. "But I'll try to hold back, just for you."

"You're taking your medication right?" Jimin asked, Jungkook nodding before turning around so that he could face the older. His eyes looked tired, a frown on his lips.

"Once every day." He sighed, bringing his hand up to swipe a few pieces of Jimin's hair out of his eyes. The silver tone had begun to lose its shine, dark brown roots making their appearance once more.

It was silent for a moment, before Jungkook's voice broke it. "I miss you." He spoke, voice cracking at the end as he reached out to hold Jimin's hand. "I miss you." A lone tear slid down his face, dripping off his chin and landing on his hospital gown.

Jimin's heart sunk, bring his hands up to cup Jungkook's face. His thumb rubbed circles against the younger's skin in an attempt to calm him down.

"I'm right here, love." Jimin breathed. He leaned forwards, pressing a kiss to Jungkook's forehead. "I'm right here." He moved down and kissed Jungkook's nose softly. "I always will be." His lips met Jungkook's, heart aching as he tasted the salt of his tears from them.

"Will you?" Jungkook asked against Jimin's lips, voice shaky.

Jimin hummed, pulling Jungkook up so that he sat of his lap. He rested his hands on the younger's waist, not caring that a nurse could walk in at any moment.

"I'll be with you until the day we die, and then after that I'll be with you in the afterlife." Jungkook sighed shakily and nodded, arms finding their way around Jimin's neck. "When I saw forever, I mean it. There's nothing that you could ever do to make me leave."

"But I put you in danger." Jungkook whispered, Jimin shrugging his shoulders in response.

"If that's what it takes to be with you, then I'll risk my life every single day." He sighed, before leaning forwards and pressing his lips against Jungkook's with more need than before.

It was because Jimin knew he would have to leave soon, and he hated that. He hated having to leave his boyfriend behind ever night, and couldn't stand the broken look on Jungkook's face every single time he uttered another goodbye.

Jungkook sighed, adjusting his position on Jimin's lap. Their lips moved in sync, helping each other to forget their sorrows, at least just for a little while.

"Hyung." Jungkook mumbled, pulling away and tucking his head into the crook of Jimin's neck. "Do you still trust me, after what happened?"

Jimin nodded without hesitating.

"It wasn't your fault. That's not who you are." He brought his hand up, running it through the younger's hair soothingly. "What happened that night didn't change how I think about you. I still adore you. I'd still do anything for you." He sighed softly. "I know that you're hurting. I've known that for awhile now. And I know it must be so hard for you to go against what your mind is telling you."

He pressed light kisses against the crown of Jungkook's head. "And so I'd just like to say thank you."

He lifted Jungkook's head up so that he could look into the younger's eyes. "Thank you Jungkook, for trying. Thank you for thinking of me, thank you for thinking of your own safety. Relapse is a part of recovery, you're not a failure just because you slipped up."

"I nearly killed you." Jungkook countered, eyes still glossy as he looked at Jimin. "I nearly took everything away from you. How can you not hate me? How can you not be... Terrified of me."

"How?" Jimin asked, wiping a few tears off of Jungkook's face. The younger nodded, looking deep into Jimin's eyes.

"Because." Jimin sighed, smiling at Jungkook fondly. "My love for you is stronger than all of that."

-