Chapter Text
Jungkook was managing.
If managing meant barely scraping up enough money to afford the bare necessities each day while sleeping on the side of the road each night, tucked behind a few dumpsters or some untrimmed bushes for protection.
Life had never been the best to him, with a mother who died when he was five and a father who shut him out by the time he was six. Now, only three months after his 16 birthday, marks the third month of him living on the streets. He didn’t have a place to call home, and finding a stable job that didn’t require him to have a phone, a reliable form of transport, a permanent address, or to be decently groomed, shaved, and showered daily was difficult. Needless to say, monetary income was scarce.
He’d gotten by with a few side jobs when he noticed people in need. He’d helped the owner of a pizza shop fix a broken table and been rewarded with a free lunch, assisted an old lady finishing her grocery shopping and upon bringing it to her doorstep be offered a few dollars in compensation, and even found himself helping little kids find toys they accidently chucked under the sewer drains near the parks.
He never received anything for those, but he never expected to be paid to be a decent person.
Though the ones that paid for his help made his day, and he was much cheaper than an on-call handyman. A few extra dollars meant he might be able to buy a toothbrush with his convenience store sandwich. Or possibly some soap to make himself smell a little less like the sewer he was crouching in today. He yearned for the day he earned enough money for a haircut. By now his nicely trimmed brown hair had grown into a rats nest he has to continuously push away from his face.
He knows people stare at him as he shuffles down the streets, some in disgust and some in recognition of something he may have done for them in the past. His demeanor doesn’t exactly scream friendly, with his torn hoodie he’d been wearing since the day he left and his shoes that wore down to the soles. He was the type of person his mother used to guide him away from as they walked down the sidewalks to the store, much like the other mothers do around him.
He tries not to let it bother him, instead he puts up his own front. He pretends to not care as people sneer at him or when highschool kids laugh at him. He acts like seeing groups of teenagers hanging out in front of a cafe doesn’t make his heart ache in envy. When a particularly hostile business owner or parent gets fed up with seeing his face, he simply nods and walks away, trying to keep his anger twisted into sadness at bay.
There are days he wished it was easier, and sometimes wonders if leaving was the best course of action. Afterall living under a roof, albeit a roof with a lot of shouting, fighting, and bruises, but a roof nonetheless was better than a dumpster. But then he reminds himself of the years of anguish he has to force himself to forget afterwards, the tears that came far more often and the pain he beared almost everyday. There was nothing there for him besides a lifetime of suffering and disappointment that he’d rather not think about.
So he manages, alone on the streets of Seoul. With nothing more than a penny to his name and a tattered backpack filled with spare parts and memories he’d collected.
It was December first, exactly three months to the day of his escape from the place he had referred to as “home” for 16 years. The weather turned icy and his sweatshirt wasn’t quite cutting it anymore. He found himself regretting not saving up for a blanket or a heavier jacket earlier in the fall as he shivered in an alleyway. He couldn’t necessarily blame himself as much as he had to blame the douchebag gangs that didn't seem to like him hovering in “their territory”.
The cost of disinfectant and bandages seemed like they skyrocketed every time he stumbled into the store with a limp and a road burn across his arm.
He hadn’t gone a day without some kind of bruise or aching pain in awhile.
“Aye Jungkook!”
The brunette halted his shuffle down the streets. Now that it was nearing dinner time, the rush of people trying to get home had dwindled down, and most of the shops were beginning to either close or prepare for the dinner rush. The owner of the pizza shop he had fixed a table for waved him over across the street with a grin on his face.
After checking his surroundings, Jungkook headed across the street to meet with the older man. Once in arms reach, the man extended his palm to grab ahold of Jungkook's shoulder and bring him into a side hug, squeezing out a soft awkward chuckle from the younger. He never was much for physical affection, but the old man seemed fond of it and he didn’t have the heart to turn him down, even if the touch made his skin crawl and caused his brain to scream in protest, “How’s my favorite handyman doing today?”
“Doing fine Sang-ssi,” Jungkook responded as he pulled himself away nervously, “Did you need my help again?”
“Ah you know me well, young man.”
And this is how his days usually went. After helping Sang-ssi, he would either find himself with a rare stomach full of food, or a pocket full of spare change. Tonight he was delighted with enough money to purchase food and a bar of soap with some extra left over. Sang-ssi waved him off happily with a newly fixed employee door leading to his back kitchen.
Jungkook smiled at the man as he left towards the convenience store down the block. It was already dark, and he had yet to find where he would set up camp for the night. He debated heading inside to purchase food or to wait it out until morning instead so he could secure himself a decent place to rest for the night.
It was risky to wait too long, otherwise all the good spots would be taken by less than friendly folks in the same position as him and he would be forced to linger into the gang claimed streets which only landed him in more trouble. Though the rumble in his stomach was growing, he ignored it and found himself settling in an alleyway between two apartment buildings. He could always buy food in the morning, but bruises would bother him for days on end.
It would have been like any other night, a fitful sleep with the cold seeping into his skin as he desperately tried to cling to a few hours of sleep before he found himself scouring the convenience store for some packaged bread. Only this time it wasn’t, because just as Jeongguk was starting to doze off behind the dumpster, a loud clang brought him to awareness. The following muffled curses and sniffling helped spur him into action.
Peering around the dumpster corner, he could see a man squatting against the brick wall with his head cradled in his hands as his hushed curses filtered through his fingers. He seemed young, dressed like he was in highschool and hunched in on himself like any other self conscious teen would. His black hair was covered by a hat which he anxiously removed from his head as his hand ran through his hair. When the man glanced up once more to the opposite wall, Jeongguk could see a glossy sheen over his eyes. Tears had always been his weakness.
So he found himself leaving the safety of the dumpster to approach a stranger in need of help.
“Hey,” Jungkook’s voice startled the shorter into a stand. Both boys stared at each other with wide eyes, but since the other didn’t seem to be willing to answer him Jeongguk took it upon himself to press on, “Um, are you okay?”
The man rubbed his hands together with jittery fingers. His words came out slightly mumbled with his teeth worrying at his bottom lip, “Yeah, I’m okay. Sorry to disturb you.”
The stranger refused to meet his eye, not that Jungkook could blame him. He probably thought Jungkook was out to mug him like some of the other undesirables in this town, “It’s no problem. But if you need help…”
He left the offer open ended, hoping the other would be willing to finish his train of thought. He found conversing with other people to be exhausting, and he couldn’t quite tell why the thought of talking to someone made his heart race. Each conversation left him drained, yet he still found himself offering his assistance to anyone who needs it.
“Actually,” the boy’s eyes shined with a desperation that Jungkook could sympathize with, “If you can help I’d be very grateful, although I’m not sure if you know anything about cars.”
Jungkook scratched his hairline, a nervous tick he’s picked up sometime in his childhood. The boy was meeting his eye now, just barely, and Jungkook would hate being the guy to ruin his night after offering his help. So even without knowing anything, “I can’t promise anything, but I can take a look.”
The stranger’s previously sad mood gradually lifted as his tearful eyes were wiped with his sleeve and his lips turned upwards, “Uh, I’m Jimin. Park Jimin.”
Jimin was a nice name.
Jungkook nodded with his own shy smile, “Jeon Jungkook.”
When Jimin led him to the car, he wasn’t expecting something you’d find in a junkyard. A beat down blue car, don’t ask him the model because he had no idea, was dead by the side of the empty street. Just the sight of the car brought tears back to Jimin’s eyes, which Jungkook wasn’t sure what to do with, “Um, what’s wrong with it then?”
Given the nature of Jimins responses, he was expecting a short, precise, to the point explanation. So he was surprised to hear a rambling sentence with shaky syllables, “So my friend Tae fixed up this car a few months ago and my roommates have been sharing it. I normally don’t drive it because I don’t have a license but my job needed me to come in at the last minute for some delivery and I couldn’t take the bus so I took the car but it just stopped working and my phone’s dead and Tae’s gonna be so mad!”
Jungkook stared at the boy in concern as he took a few shuddering breaths before continuing, “I barely know how to drive a car, I should have just asked Seokjin-hyung to take me but I didn’t wanna bother him and Namjoon-hyung while they worked, and everyone else was asleep so I thought if I just went really quick then no one would be bothered but I just ended up breaking Tae’s baby and he’s going to be so upset Jungkook! I’m a terrible friend!”
“Okay, okay,” Jungkook awkwardly tried to console the crying boy in the best way he could, though the aforementioned dislike for physical affection meant the realm of possibilities was slim, “I don’t think it’s as bad as you think. Did the car do anything weird before it died?”
Jimin wiped his tears yet again, trying to compose himself with a few more deep breaths, “Uh, it beeped at me. I didn’t know what it was but a light came on when I turned it on and quickly went away so I thought it was fine, and then it started beeping and just died on my way back.”
Jungkook hummed in response as he approached the car. He really knew nothing about cars. His father owned one, but he never taught him to drive so his knowledge was limited. Although he’d been in a car enough time to know the basics. With a request to Jimin to see the inside of the car, the black haired boy nodded vigorously before manually unlocking the door.
Jungkook stayed outside the vehicle, but peered inside. He wasn’t sure what he expected, maybe a piece of the car that was blown up or something else drastic to appoint them to the problem. But he found nothing, “Can you try starting it?”
Jimin agreed quickly before entering the car. When he turned the ignition, the car sputtered violently, scaring Jungkook away from the hunk of metal. Keeping a bit of distance, he glanced at the dashboard as various lights blinked on, before the car had a chance to die down again or the lights decided to disappear, Jimin pointed at one of the glowing symbols, “That’s the light that came on.”
Just as Jungkook recognized the icon behind the steering wheel, the car died down again. Jimin sighed in his seat as he pulled himself out of the car once more. He wrung his hands nervously in front of him and in order to save the boy from any intruding worries, Jungkook decided to give him his verdict, “I think you’re out of gas.”
And if the situation had been a bit different, Jungkook might have thought Jimin's face was hilarious.
“Out of gas?” he whispered as he zeroed in on the key still clutched in his hands, “You’re telling me all this time I thought I killed Tae’s baby and it was just out of gas?”
Jungkook decided not to comment on the “baby” statement, or about Jimin overreacting to the minor problem, because he’s been there. Fear was an overwhelming emotion that seemed to avoid reason. There wasn’t anything funny about the situation, if anything it was relieving that Jimin had nothing to worry about, “Hey it’s alright. I would have made the same mistake.”
Jimin shook himself from his trance to give Jungkook an appreciative smile, “Thank you so much Jungkook. I don’t know how I can repay you.”
As much as he’d enjoy a few dollars for helping this guy with his problem, he wouldn’t expect it. He looked like he was in a harsh situation himself, and it only made Jungkook want to make sure he was okay. He didn’t know him, yet he felt like someone he should know. There was something in his voice that made him feel nostalgic, like he could trust him and that cemented his decision to make sure he got home safe. It was already almost 1 in the morning, in the middle of Seoul during December. Jungkook may be a child himself, but he’s been fine on the street for three months. Jimin didn’t look like the kind of guy who got into fights or could hold his own in one, and if any other ordinary homeless person happened to wander upon him tonight…
“I guess I should find a gas station,” Jimin turned in all directions as he surveyed the area, “I think there’s one like two miles away.”
“Um I can, uh, walk with you. To the gas station,” Jungkook interjected quietly before shaking his head at his awkward wording, “I mean, can I?”
His spot at the dumpster was probably already taken anyways.
“Oh it’s alright, you don’t have to go out of your way,” Jimin assured him.
“It’s not out of my way, but if you want the company,” Jungkook kicked his worn out sneaker into the street as he once again, left his offer extended for the other to grab.
Was he too forward? Was this how normal people spoke to others? Or was he just being creepy? He’d been told in the past that his overly helpful nature was going to get him taken advantage of, that it wasn’t normal of the youths around her to behave like him. But he figured acting strangely by being nice was better than acting strangely by being an ass. But his niceness here might be seen as overbearing. Maybe he’d overstayed his welcome.
“Actually, I’d like the company. If you don’t mind.”
Jimin gave Jungkook a beaming smile, one Jungkook couldn’t quite match but reciprocated with his own small grin. If Jimin was willing to let him walk with him, then he couldn’t have been acting too weird.
Jimin made sure to lock the door, double checking the handle, before heading down the street. Silence loomed between them and Jungkook realized just how out of practice he was in basic communication. He wasn’t used to small talk, and human interaction was something he had in limitations. He didn’t enjoy talking to people much because it only stressed him out, which is exactly what he was experiencing as the empty space filled with every other sound that were suddenly becoming way too loud for him.
He could hear his foot crunching against rocks on the sidewalk, the rustling of leaves above them, the sound of Jimins hands brushing against his jacket, it was suddenly too much in his ears. Why did he walk with Jimin again?
Oh right, because Jungkook developed a weird affection for him and was worried he might get mugged.
“So,” said boy’s voice drowned out the surrounding sounds to a low muffle in the back of his mind, “How old are you?”
Thankfully Jimin decided to fill the silence, and though Jeongguk wasn’t fond of personal questions, he’d rather answer Jimin than let the deafening silence take over again, “16.”
He noticed Jimin stumble on his feet, using his hands to steady himself as he returned his balance. He snapped his head in Jungkook’s direction with his eyebrows pinched in concern, “You’re only 16?!”
Jungkook cringed as Jimin continued to stare at him in shock. Normally he chose to lie about his age and say he was 18, but in his defence, his head wasn’t quite all there. It was past midnight, he was tired and hungry, and he had been arguing with his brain only a few seconds ago so he felt he had a bit of leeway here to say I fucked up but you can’t hold it against me.
“Yeah,” Jungkook choked out finally as he met Jimin's eyes. He hoped the look he gave the other conveyed the importance of what he was about to say, “But please don’t say anything to anyone around here. I usually tell people I’m 18.”
Luckily Jimin didn’t try to question why he lied about his age, only nodded in understanding before his lighter tone returned, “Well I actually am 18 so you can to call me Hyung.”
“You want me to call you hyung?” Jungkook blanched at the boy in confusion, “But you don’t even know me.”
“Correction,” Jimin pointed at him in amusement, “I know your name and age.”
“Fine, you barely know me,” Jungkook huffed.
“So why were you outside in the middle of the night?”
Jungkook’s steps faltered for a moment before he returned to his normal walk speed. He usually never had to tell people because everyone around here recognized his face as the one homeless dude that fixes everything. Not to mention he obviously didn’t look taken care of. But Jimin didn’t know him, which meant he could really say anything he wanted. He could let Jimin believe he was sneaking out or that he had just come back from a crazy party.
But lying didn’t feel right, and knowing him he was only going to fuck it up. He already told Jimin the truth about his age, something he normally hid, so what the point in lying about something everyone already knew?
“I’m homeless,” He finally mumbles.
“Oh,” Jimin sounded so lost, like he didn’t know what to say to that and that only made Jungkook feel worse. He hated this part, either Jimin would look at him in disgust and leave him behind, or politely ask him to leave after he offered his service. He was used to it, but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.
Except Jimin really isn’t like most people and Jungkook should probably start to realize that.
“Well that sucks,” Jimin stated matter of factly and clicked his tongue, “I had a friend in that situation once. It must be hard, I’m sorry.”
Jungkook tried to hide his stunned expression, and the swell in his chest grew at how this stranger was being so understanding. He didn’t press him about his age, didn’t push him away after finding out he was homeless, and continued to speak to him as an equal. You could say that was rather rare for him.
“It is what it is,” Jungkook shrugged as the gas station came in view, “I get by when I can.”
The rest of the walk was filled with a comforting silence rather than the bitter soul swallowing one from before, and content flooded over Jungkook’s mind. He was relaxed, for the first time in awhile, and he wasn’t sure if he should be happy or scared about it. Something in the back of his mind was nagging at him that this wasn’t right, that he should leave now and quit bothering Jimin. But he felt attached, which he knew was unhealthy given he just met him, but he couldn’t shake it.
Inside the gas station was bright and empty with a tired looking employee reading through a magazine at the register. They received a quiet welcome as they entered but were quickly left to their own devices. Finding a gas can was relatively easy, what ended up being difficult was when they got up to pay.
“Shit!” Jimin shouted before lowering his voice and patting down his pants, “I dont have my wallet!”
The employee zoned out the interaction in front of him, letting Jimin come to a decision on his own about whether to leave the gas station on his own and try to magically come up with the money needed to fill up the car. Watching the older boy frantically search his pockets for any spare change was painful, and when he saw the panic and desperation reach his eyes again, Jungkook stepped in, “I’ll pay for it.”
The employee nodded his head, telling Jungkook his total. He had barely enough.
“Jungkook, no,” Jimin looked at him with a mix of fear and appreciation, “I can’t take your money.”
Jungkook waved him away and he reached into his pockets for the money he earned earlier in the day, “It’s okay Jimin, really. You need to get home anyways.”
Maybe he could earn from money by lunchtime tomorrow to fill his stomach.
“Here,” he laid the money on the counter, “I think that should be enough.”
Jimin remained silent, though his facial expressions betrayed him. Guilt was practically plastered across his forehead but Jungkook gave him a reassuring smile, “Don’t worry about it, yeah?”
The walk back to the car was filled with Jimin both thanking him and apologizing profusely. His ears and nose were tinged pink, but whether it was from the cold or embarrassment Jungkook wasn’t sure, “I shouldn’t have taken the car in the first place, then I wouldn’t have taken your money.”
“Jimin,” Jungkook said for probably the fifth time, “Seriously it’s okay.”
He was hesitant to admit how drowsy he was, and the insistent apologies were beginning to bother him. Not in a “I’m annoyed with you” way, but a “I’m getting tired and I don’t want to snap at you when you’re feeling bad” kind of way.
When they arrived at the car, Jungkook watched Jimin refill the tank before putting the empty can in the trunk. Jeongguk had no idea what time it was now, and frankly he didn’t care. He knew he was probably going to get only a few hours of sleep before the outside noise of traffic and morning commuters became too loud, and worrying about the time was only going to bring down his mood when he realized how much time he really had.
Besides, knowing that Jimin was going to get home safely was enough for him. He can deal with being tired tomorrow, and hopefully he’ll find some food eventually.
“Alright,” Jimin clapped his hands together, sounding much more awake than Jungkook felt, “Let’s see if it starts.”
Jungkook nodded, stepping to the side as Jimin unlocked the driver side door and sat down. It didn’t take long for the car to come to life, and rather than immediately dying, the humming of the engine remained active. Regardless of his sleepy brain, he found himself smiling fondly at the excited dance Jimin was doing in the driver seat. He looked at Jungkook with bright eyes, which were much better than the sad ones from just about an hour ago, and toothy smile.
“It’s running! Tae’s not gonna kill me!”
Jungkook chuckled at the boy, “Yeah, you better get home then before your roommates start to worry.”
“Yeah you’re probably right,” Jimin admitted with an uncomfortable laugh, “Seokjin’s gonna be pissed.”
“Well, I’ll let you get to it,” Jungkook stepped back from the car, pulling his hands from their place in his pockets.
“Wait!” Jimin shouted just as Jungkook was turning to leave. The younger boy turned to face the older who had stepped out of the car once more, “Do you have anywhere to go?”
Jungkook raised an eyebrow at him, “Um, is that a trick question?”
Did he not remember that Jungkook was very much homeless?
“No, I mean,” Jimin shook his head at himself as he searched for the right words, “Do you need a place to stay? You can crash with us for a bit.”
“Oh no, it’s okay,” Jungkook waved his hands in dismissal but Jimin’s pleading interrupted him.
“Please, I owe you for helping me. I even took your money! It’s the least I could do.”
It wasn’t often someone offered to help him, and he wasn’t sure how to take it. On one hand, the thought of sleeping indoors and possibly sleeping in past 5 AM was tempting. But Jimin doesn’t owe him anything, contrary to what he may think. Jungkook does what he does because he wants to, because it’s what he wished people had done for him, not because he expected anything in return. And most importantly, Jimin has roommates, whom he’s never met.
“Jungkook,” Jimin spoke again, and the sadness was back in his eyes. Why he was sad, he couldn’t say. But he had a feeling it was because of him, because he was trying to deny him, and he didn’t want to be the cause for Jimin’s distress. Would one night kill him? Probably not.
“Okay,” His voice cracked slightly as he timidly accepted, but it was worth it to see Jimin smiling again.
It didn’t take long for Jimin to usher him into the passenger seat and begin driving towards where he and his roommates lived. He talked animatedly throughout the drive, mentioning various little things about the scenery, but Jungkook was far too tired to reciprocate. He attempted to hum along in agreement, but his social meter had long since run out and he could only hope Jimin’s roommates didn’t expect him to hold much of a conversation.
But that would be rude, wouldn’t it? Intruding in their home and then not speaking to them?
“Here we are!” Jimin announced as he pulled in under the building to park the car in one of the vacant parking spots. The apartment building was definitely not in a good part of town, but Jungkook didn’t think that mattered. A roof is a roof, and at least Jimin has one. It means he’s safe.
“We’re on the tenth floor, and the elevator has been broken for like forever so we’ll have to take the stairs,” Jimin explained with Jeongguk trailing behind him, “Also I’m not sure how late it is so we’ll have to be quiet as we walk in.”
Jeongguk nodded along in understanding and began scaling the ten flights of stairs, which ended up being a challenge with his checked out brain. Jimin had quieted down his talking in favor of humming to a song Jungkook could recognize but couldn’t for the life of him recall the lyrics too. When they reached apartment 1014, Jungkook had briefly considered turning away. His brain was screaming at him and his heart was turning it’s back to the wooden door.
Suddenly he was wide awake, and slightly terrified, because he doesn’t know these people.
“Here we go,” Jimin pulled a key ring from his pocket which held a few keys and a pink cat dangling chain. As he inserted the key into the lock, he noticed Jungkook’s eyes on the tiny creature and simply shrugged his explanation, “Hoesok-hyung gave it to me on my birthday.”
Jungkook didn’t have a chance to ask who Hoesok was or prepare himself for meeting the new people that resided behind the door, because the door was opened and Jimin was pushing him inside.
The creek of the door opening was quiet, but someone was awake to hear it, “Jimin, I swear to god that better be you!”
Jimin cringed beside Jungkook when a tall lanky body with pointed fingers waving in the air quickly turned the corner into the entrance hallway, “I’m going to punt you into next Tuesday for scaring me like that!”
“I’m sorry Seokjin-hyung!” Jimin had his hands in surrender as the new addition scowled at the boy, “I shouldn’t have left without telling anyone.”
“Damn right you brat! Do you have any idea how worried we were? Your phone kept going to voicemail!” Seokjin steamed with fists clenching his pajama bottoms, “You could have died or gotten kidnapped or fallen into a hole!”
“A hole?” another voice asked from beyond the hallway.
“Yes Joonie, a hole,” Seokjin turned his back on the two boys in front of the door to sigh at the foreign voice, “Jimin’s short and tiny, holes are dangerous for him.”
“I’m not that short!” Jimin argued but Seokjin spun back around to return his pointed glare on the small boy.
“Holes are a hazard! Don’t argue with me!” The tone conveyed finality, which made Jimin grumble in annoyance.
Jungkook stood stunned, not quite sure how to interpret the conversation he just witnessed and feeling entirely out of his comfort zone. The taller man, the one Jimin called Soekjin, turned towards Jungkook with a pleasant smile. It was a complete 180 from his previously angered expression and it left Jungkook confused at the sudden change, “Oh sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Seokjin, nice to meet you!”
Seokjin reached a hand out for Jungkook which he gently grasped in his own. Seokjin’s handshake was extravagant to say the least, considering the movement made him lose his footing for a second. Seokjin laughed at his clumsiness, “Come inside, I’m sure you both have a lot to tell us.”
“Someone’s here?” The same voice from earlier called out.
“Oh my god Joonie, are you even paying attention?”
At nearly 2:30 in the morning, Jungkook found himself seated at a small kitchen table next to Jimin with Seokjin and another man named Namjoon sitting across from him. He was greeted warmly by the two new strangers who had a mug of hot tea shoved in his hands almost immediately after he sat down.
“I had no idea what type of tea you like but if you’re friends with Jimin then I only assumed you might have his tastes,” Seokjin rambled as he stirred his own mug.
“Thank you,” Jungkook’s quiet voice made their own smile grow as he sipped at the sweet honey filled black tea.
He hadn’t had anything like this in awhile, tea was a treat he couldn’t afford. Just like desserts, pastries, and coffee. Water was his best bet, and sustainable food was what mattered most. His graciousness was genuine, and he hoped his appreciation was noticed.
“It’s no problem,” Namjoon spoke this time, a man with platinum blonde hair that had been one of the only two awake along with Seokjin. They both gave Jungkook parental vibes, but neither looked old enough to have children themselves, “So what’s your name?”
“Jungkook,” He timidly responded, keeping his eyes trained on the dark liquid beneath him.
Talking to Jungkook in a situation outside of his control was like pulling teeth. He hated trying to talk to people like this, because he couldn’t think. He couldn’t process the words and plan his sentences. He was going in blind, and even though these two gave him hot tea and Jimin offered him a roof to sleep under, they could turn out to hate him the moment he spoke too much or revealed himself enough.
It was a gamble, creating relationships and developing friendships. He never knew what he was getting himself into, and that only led to more heartbreak in the end when they reveal they never really liked you and only tolerated you because they felt like they had to.
“He pretty much saved me, hyung,” Jimin, Jungkook’s brain reminded him, was explaining the situation to the two older men for Jungkook. Just another thing that made Jungkook like Jimin, “I got a call from work, so I took the car-”
“Which you shouldn’t have done,” Seokjin interrupted.
“Does he even have a license?” The cluelessness Namjoon exuded was almost enough to make Jungkook laugh, and Seokjin’s heavy sigh and easily supplied, “No, you don’t remember anything when you're tired,” made Jungkook feel a little more at ease.
“License aside,” Jimin continued, “The car was acting weird when I turned it on, and on the way home it just died. My phone died while I was at work, so I couldn’t call anyone and I was kind of freaking out on the side of the road when Jungkook showed up.”
The sudden attention made him curl in on himself, but Jimin didn’t stop, “He helped me figure out that the car was out of gas,” Namjoon nearly choked on his own drink as he tried to swallow his laughs earning him a eye roll from Jimin, “I get it, I’m an idiot, moving on. He walked with me to the gas station, but I didn’t realize I left my wallet at home and had no money. So Jungkook, the amazing person he is, buys the gas for me!”
“Aw, that was very nice of you do Jungkook!” Seokjin gave him a warm look that normally would have made him uncomfortable, but he found himself strangely okay with it in the moment.
“And now I owe him so I offered to let him stay here tonight,” Jimin finished his story as he leaned back into the chair.
“Speaking of, it’s pretty late,” Seokjin stood from his seat and dumped his small amount of leftover tea down the kitchen drain, “You two should probably get some sleep, you must be really tired.”
Namjoon mumbled an agreement before loudly standing and proclaiming his tiredness, “Nice to meet you Jungkook, and thanks for helping Jimin. He’s a bit of a handful sometimes.”
“Not as much as Taehyung,” Jimin countered as Namjoon ruffled his hair on his way down another hallway. Jimin turned his body to Jungkook, “Do you want to take my bed tonight? I can sleep on the couch.”
“No, no no,” Jungkook spat out instantly, “I can’t take your bed. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“Are you sure?” The other asked casually, and glanced in the opposite direction revealed a curious look from Seokjin who had finished drying off his mug and placed in a dish strainer.
Jungkook nodded furiously, and luckily Jimin didn’t pressure him. Seokjin excused himself to grab some extra blankets and a pillow leaving the two boys in the crowded room. Jimin left Jungkook at the table to wash their remaining dishes, giving Jungkook a few moments to observe the small, cramped household.
Both the small kitchen and living room were connected in one singular room with beige wallpaper and little knick knacks pinned up in ever crevasse. The kitchen had minimal storage space and the appliances looked outdated but cared for. The refrigerator had a few dings in it, but the happy pictures and various papers of achievements stuck to it made it shine.
The living room was furnished with a comfy looking brown couch, and reclining chair that was a different shade of brown. The coffee table looked nicer than the other furniture in the room, which had a glass top and fancy looking black legs. There was a small tv mounted on the wall right above a tan entertainment system with wires leading outside the small window in the corner.
So many things on the walls made the room look small but cozy. The bulletin board hanging beside the hallway leading to closed doors was covered in photos, lists, and long written notes. There was a shelf over the stove with nearly every kitchen utensil in existence stuffed in vases. A rack of overflowing spaced danged on the wall below a cupboard, right next to a very clean coffee maker. The apartment looked lived in, and that brought a sort of comfort to Jungkook that he hadn’t felt in a long time.
“Alright Jungkook,” Jin arrived from the hallway carrying a pillow and blanket and set it down on the couch, “Here you go. Hopefully no one else wakes you up in the middle of the night, but if you need anything feel free to wake someone up.”
He wouldn’t dream of interrupting anyone’s sleep, but he agreed either way to please the older man, “Thank you Seokjin-ssi.”
“Oh no need for that,” he waved him off, “Call me hyung. Everyone else does.”
These people sure did seem extra friendly, especially when they hardly knew him. But Jungkook agreed again, because he wasn’t going to push away someone taking their time to help him. He knew when to be grateful, and this wasn’t a time to be stubborn, even if he didn’t think he deserved it.
Jimin and Seokjin both wished him a good night before disappearing into the hallway. The light had been turned off, leaving Jungkook in the silence of the night once more. Only this time, he couldn’t hear the cars going by, or feel the wind brush his cheeks. His shoes were off and he could feel the blanket covering him, and for once he was actually warm.
It felt great.
But he wouldn’t be here long, only until morning. To make Jimin feel better for helping him. It was dangerous to stay here too long, dangerous to get attached. He had too many problems he needed to face, and bringing innocent people into his fucked up life isn’t his intention. So just for tonight, he’ll let himself be content with the warm blanket and the quiet room.
If he stayed any longer, they may end up despising him too.
Jimin couldn’t sleep. And it wasn’t because Taehyung was snoring again , or because of the blinking light of his roommates phone, or even because of the soft groan coming from above as their upper floor neighbors walked across their bedroom. He felt uneasy, like there was something he needed to do or say, and he was almost entirely sure it had to do with the boy sleeping in their living room.
Jimin could tell immediately after he saw him that he wasn’t the typical homeless guy. He was far more caring, far more gentle than the bums he sees on a daily basis. Maybe that’s why he trusted him so easily, or why he felt inclined to speak to him and get to know him. He reminded him of himself, and Taehyung, and Hoseok, Namjoon, and Seokjin. But mostly Yoongi, their eyes were the same as where their hunched shoulders and protective stance.
He saw himself and his friends in this kid, and knowing he was only 16 strengthened the need to help him. But if he really was like Yoogni, then Jimin may be out of his league on this one. Yoongi was like Jungkook once, only a few years ago, living on the streets and hoping to get enough money to eat every day. It was hard to break him of old habits or get him adjusted to normal life, according to Seokjin and Namjoon. Yoongi came before Jimin did, and he wasn’t entirely sure how the process went or how long it took for Yoongi to feel comfortable, and Jimin wasn’t confident in himself to be able to provide the right kind of help.
Yoongi used to be secretive, a bit of a hoarder and temperamental, but he was also one of the sweetest guys Jimin has even met. He was kind and helpful when any of them were having a hard time, and he opened up to everyone eventually, lowering his walls until they could all hop over.
He’d grown ever since Jimin met him when he was 15, into a confident person with a good head on his shoulders. But even he had demons he still deals with, like when Seokjin spends all day trying to coax him out of his room, or when Hoseok cards his hands through Yoongi’s hair as he stares out the window unresponsive. The days when he won’t eat or work or move.
Those days are hard, but they’re becoming farther in between which is progress.
But if Jungkook is anything like Yoongi, Jimin won’t be able to help on his own. He couldn’t be the support pillar Jungkook would need, at least not by himself. He’ll need the others on his side, the ones that are familiar with his situation. He may not know Jungkook’s story, but if he’s out on the streets at 16, then he must need someone, a family. It’s not the first time the boys have adopted new family members, and he’s sure they won’t be opposed to his idea. It’s more whether Jungkook will let them help, if he’ll be willing to trust them.
And Jimin is willing to try, even if he isn’t sure of himself. Jungkook helped him when he wasn’t sure he could help, and Jimin wanted to return the favor. Even though the anxious thoughts in the back of his head were telling no, you can’t do this.
You’re only going to make it worse.
You don’t have the strength to help yourself, how are you going to help him?
You’re only going to push him away.
There was a buzz besides his head that knocked him out of his thoughts. He was staring off into space for a few minutes according to his phone. The buzz had come in the form of a message from none other than the mother hen of the household.
Seokjin: Jungkook looks young.
Jimin was both surprised yet not by his older friends observation. Jimin hadn’t noticed anything too odd with Jungkook at first, until he straight up asked him. Though he should have expected the oldest to have figured out Jungkook was younger than he led on.
Jimin: He’s 16.
Seokjin: A bit young to be on the streets .
Jimin chuckled softly in order to not wake up Taehyung before typing back a response. He should stop underestimating his hyungs, they seem to know everything.
Jimin: I never mentioned anything about him being on the streets, how’d you know?
Seokjin: With age comes wisdom.
Jimin: So do wrinkles.
Seokjin: You’re on thin ice.
Seokjin: Does he need somewhere to stay? I’m sure we can squeeze him in somewhere.
Honestly, Jimin was expecting a bit of a challenge getting everyone to accept Jungkook into their family, but having Seokjin offer was a good sign.
Jimin: I wanted to see if we could help him but I wasn’t sure if everyone would be on the same page.
Seokjin: Jiminie, he probably saved your life tonight, do you realize that? You could have been approached by anyone but it happened to be him. I can see his heart is big but broken, and if anyone can help him it’s going to be us.
Jimin: You’re just a big softie, Seokjin-Hyung.
Seokjin: A softie that accidentally adopted five hooligans.
Jimin: You didn’t adopt Namjoon-hyung?
Seokjin: He’s the father, therefore he is supposed to be semi responsible for you lot. Yet he can’t even be alone in the kitchen for five minutes without burning down the apartment.
Seokjin: Anyways, I’m sure everyone else will be on board. Jungkook is too young to be alone, and if anyone is going to be able to sympathize with him it’s probably going to be Yoongi.
It was as if Seokjin read his mind.
Jimin: I was thinking that too.
Seokjin: Don’t worry too much ChimChim, I know you overthink things a lot. Everyone is going to be much more open to the idea of another person than you think. You have to remember we’ve all been there before. We don’t want to see anyone else suffer like we have or still are.
The smile on Jimin’s face was genuine, and he found his unease drift away as the messages came through. He tends to forget how understanding his Hyungs are. Seokjin was right, if anyone was going to help Jungkook it would be them. They’ve all been through various types of hell and have found a way to climb themselves out. For most of them the journey isn’t over, but that doesn’t mean they’re against helping people like them.
People who have been rejected by society, by family, by friends, by life. People who just want to be accepted, loved, trusted, or listened too. They were all running from something or chasing after something, and what better way to get there than together?
He had a feeling Jungkook would fit right in, given time, encouragement, and support. Jimin could already imagine Taehyung forcing him to play Seokjin's nintendo with him, or Namjoon convincing him to dye his hair. He could see Hoseok dragging Jungkook with them to dance practice as he’s done to everyone at some point or see Yoongi messing with him as he does to everyone. Seokjin is sure to recruit him to some type of kitchen duty shortly, and eventually he’ll be tested on his cooking knowledge so Seokjin can maybe, finally, have someone else who knows how to semi-decently cook.
Jimin wanted to get to know him, wanted him to trust them, and he would give him all the time he needed for that to happen.
Seokjin: Get some sleep hun, It’s nearing 3:30 in the morning, and I’m only letting you sleep in until 9 because I have to be up at 8 and you don’t get to get out of helping in the morning like you promised.
And then he was groaning, because Seokjin’s mercy was non existent and when he woke up the whole house is going to know about his mistake and he will not be able to live it down.