Morning Ink

AN:Yeah, it took a while. But hello, I am still alive. Thank you all for waiting and for the support.

"What are you doing to my son?! Let him go!" Jungkook's mother screamed, sobbing, hitting above my arched back with the all strength she could collect in two small fists.

"Did we cause you any harm? What have we done to our son to end up like this?! Tell me!" His father screamed from a chair, covering his expression.

"WE LEFT HIM ALONE WITH THIS MONSTER! THAT'S WHAT WE DID!"

I was watching, naked, bent over Jungkook's black and blue body for the bloodshot eyes and tear-stained face to leave my sight.

That was until Jungkook reached out his hand to touch my cheek, smiling.

"Don't listen to them, Namjoon. This is what I want. What I deserve. Don't you want to kill me too?"

His hand fell by his limp body, nose bleeding, and eyes unfocused.

Something within me knew he was now dead. And there was nothing I could do about it.

When Mrs. Jeon shook me awake at about eight AM on a Sunday with a clean, tweaked with light make-up face it was as if I had just landed in a parallel reality.

"Good morning." She whispered.

I blinked several times, immediately feeling the dryness of both lips and neck.

"Morning," I whispered back with a dying voice.

"Wake Jungkook up too. The pancakes are ready." She smiled widely, leaving the room like a ray of sunshine that shouldn't overstay its visit.

'Why didn't she wake him up herself?' Is the question that came up whilst I unglued my body from Jungkook's naked chest.

"Fuck."

'We didn't do anything last night…didn't we? But she wouldn't know that either way. And this sure looks…suspicious.'

"Jungkook…wake up." I proceeded to shake the also half-naked boy back and forth slowly at first and then so fast that he actually opened one eye just to look at me accusatorily.

'Don't overreact. It might just look like I wanted the bed all to myself. Yeah. Like I'm used to sleeping alone and Jungkook just happened to be swept under my favorite sleeping position: the starfish.'

"I'm awake…" He complained, still, clearly ready to fall back asleep.

"Pancakes," I uttered, unsure if I should tell him about the human expresso that woke me up in less than three seconds.

'Wait…usually, but not always…was I hugging him in my sleep again? I don't remember. God fucking dam…'

"Namjoon, do you like sugar in your coffee?" She asked quietly from the cracked door.

'Why is she still whispering?!'

"No. Thank you."

"Good for you. That's healthier."

I was smiling whilst I released her son's torso which fell right back on the bed with a thud.

'Did she see that too? Did I look desperate to wake him up? To tell him that we just got caught? Is she just laughing at me in the kitchen?!'

"Jungkook. Wake up. Now."

I shook hard. He was trying to roll away from my arms and succeeded in almost falling off the bed.

'Fine. Be that way.' I thought, checking if the door was still closed.

And after five seconds of silence, I concluded: 'You leave me no alternative.'

So, I leaned down, wet my lips, and then bit the only part that I was sure she wasn't going to see.

The inner thighs.

"Mother of all that's Cursed! Nam…!" I covered his mouth a little bit later than I would've liked.

"Shh…" I tried.

'She heard him, I'm ninety-nine percent sure of that.'

"What the hell?"

He caressed the now red upper thigh.

"Your mother." I started.

"What about her?"

"She saw me…."

All massaging ceased.

"Saw you doing what?" Eyebrow up, mouth slack, he finally met the terror on my face.

"Above you. I'm not sure if I was hugging you in my sleep or not, but…"

He lightly slapped my cheek with a wide, mad Cheshire cat-like grin:

"If you ever wake me up like that again, the house better is burning down and the key to the front door is somehow lost in another dimension. Basically, you'll just be informing me that I have like two more minutes left to live. Or else, just pick me up and carry me outside!"

"Jungkook's up?" She whispered even after seeing both of us sitting up on the bed and talking.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm up." He mumbled.

"Come eat."

"In a minute." He let her know whilst looking for something to wear.

And she was gone again.

"What if she knows?" I asked, accepting a t-shirt that I assumed was a gift for his brother that he took considering the size.

"Firstly, what she saw was one big person taking all the space on a bed that is too small for two, or for one of you." He said, pointing. "Secondly, there's no way it even crossed her mind. Thirdly, even if it did…well, she will find out sooner or later."

"Still…"

"Still what? Why are you so careful around my mom? Did you fall for her or something?"

"No!"

"Then why do you look like you just told her Santa isn't real? You're freaking me out."

I slipped the over colorful t-shirt on with a sigh.

"I don't know how I should act around parents. How should I know you are more…protective of your brother than you are of your mom? That's weird."

"No. That's not weird. My brother is my mom and dad. My mom and dad are my brothers."

"That makes no sense!" I scream-whispered.

"It does to me. Go steal another shirt from Jung then and stop looking so dejected with the one I gave you!"

"With pleasure."

After dressing up and deciding that we will not talk about the headache Jungkook was having. I was about to lie first thing in the morning:

"Tell her that I need a pill and pass it to me when she turns around."

"Again, why aren't you just telling her that you have a headache? It's not a big deal."

"No. She'll know I drank too much."

"How?"

"She'll just know."

'You said she's like your brother, so how much you drank yesterday shouldn't matter. You're contradicting yourself so hard right now.'

I stared hard for a moment and then let it go. Went out of the bedroom after fixing the morning nest my hair liked to create and sat down before a full plate of skittles mixed with strawberries, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, and Nutella.

"Here's your coffee."

"Thank you very much." I half bowed and took it expecting to see marshmallows floating in it.

'She must think I'm insane.' That is what I assumed when she caught me staring down at the cup slightly afraid.

"They look so good." Jungkook cheerily exclaimed and sat down by my side, searching for a fork.

"Here." She reacted before I even parted my lips.

"Thanks."

"Powdered sugar?" The mother of diabetes asked.

Her son stared down at his plate and somehow decided there wasn't enough sweetness which resulted in a curt nod.

She turned around towards the pan, exposing the back of her white blouse which had of all things, a few sprinkles stuck to it.

'I don't want to know.'

"Ahh, Mrs. Jeon, can I have a pain pill? My head hurts."

"Oh, of course. It's a good thing you asked me since there's nothing in this house. I looked everywhere yesterday."

"That's great."

She moved some stuff inside a bag and then handed me a tiny white pill.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now. How did you boys sleep?"

She was pouring some coffee when I gave Jungkook the pill under the table. He immediately threw it in his mouth with some pancake and whipped cream.

Wondering if my stomach and veins could take all this sugar without feeling sick.

Mrs. Jeon placed the second cup of coffee before her son and then added: "Namjoon, dear, you know, there are some plain ones too, if you don't eat as sweet as…"

"Oh, no. It's…perfect."

"I can eat it if you want. In fact, these pancakes are famous in our family because it's the way I eat them. Jungkook is the only one who can match my sweet tooth."

"Mom."

"Hm?"

"Take them. He's not a big fan of sweets." He betrayed me between big bites.

"Why didn't you say so?"

She immediately replaced it with a plain stack, surrounded by cut strawberries and just a dab of whipped cream on the side.

I was relieved to see it but still felt like I did something rude until she was sitting down before us, digging into what used to be my share of childish yet appetizing pancakes.

I couldn't help but smile on the inside, watching them both inhale sugar first thing in the morning.

'Why am I so surprised? It should be normal that they have things in common. That's what it means to be related. Right?'

The breakfast was otherwise uneventful. The walk around the neighborhood that followed was relaxing, if not worryingly nice. I did get awfully quiet, but the more Jungkook's father talked and drilled Jung about his girlfriend, the more I felt like I should head home.

But they were the first ones to leave.

"Some friends we have to say hi to. I hope you guys don't mind."

"Nah. I have to go study anyways." Jungkook announced drily.

"Do you have the key, or is it in my bag? Honey…"

"I don't need it. I'm going to his house. I…ah, forgot my backpack there. All my books are there. Besides, he's helping me study. He's a genius after all." Jungkook sent me a glare that was full of some sort of pride I couldn't comprehend.

"Oh, you don't say." His father crossed his arms, looking at me with newfound curiosity.

"Nothing of the sort." I quickly argued.

"He's modest. He's the best in our school and I think he's even won some prizes; I don't remember if…"

"Studying is not hard."

"Convince him, please." Mr. Jeon pointed, beaming.

"Darling, you don't have to be shy about your accomplishments. Be proud. Brag about it. There are only a few things in life we can truly brag about openly." Mrs. Jeon said with her fist by her chest, looking solemn.

"I remember things really easily, so I don't work as hard as others that get the same grades. That's why I don't feel like…"

"So, a good brain. Good on you. Take care of it." The father cut me off with a warm smile.

"No drugs until you're older." The mom's joke caused Jungkook to force himself to an awkward laugh.

I found myself nodding like it was an order.

"We won't keep you guys any longer." Mr. Jeon was waving already.

"We need more time to find out about Jung's girlfriend and if you two are gone, he can no longer use you as a distraction." She whispered even though he was buying gum from a nearby store.

"Grill him until he cries." Jungkook pleaded with a grin and unmerciful eyes.

They embraced. Again.

And I felt as evil as I've felt during that nightmare walking down the street with their son by my side towards the poorer streets of the neighborhood. The house is known among a few as the house of a dealer with no family and as a questionable orphan by the rest.

I took a shower to cool my head as soon as I got in.

Jungkook seemed to be studying, so I joined him.

Two hours later, I was done and he was pulling hairs out whilst crossing out one too many lines.

I sighed.

"Where are you stuck?"

"At the beginning."

"Of what?"

"This exercise."

"Still can't tell which formula you should use?"

"I am not even sure if I've learned it yet."

"You did."

"When?" He inquired, confused as to how I could possibly remember such information.

"Last week. We were drinking that new tea you wanted to try out since you were bored with everything. The one that tasted like wet socks."

"Ah. How come I remember the tea, but not the rest?"

I gently patted his head.

"You're lucky you're cute."

"I told you, I'm good with stuff that doesn't involve numbers and dates. It has to have a story or an image, a sound, something…"

"I was joking." I was moving the hair out of his face when he mumbled under his breath:

"Mom said my hair is getting too long and that I should cut it. What do you think?"

"It's cute," I said, absently stroking his shoulder.

"That's not the answer I was looking for."

"It's your hair."

"Not what I asked."

"I like it long. Is that what you want to hear?"

"Is that your answer?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I won't cut it then…"

And just like that, the silence engulfed us again. Jungkook stretched and tried to figure out the answer to the exercise again and again until he asked for the help of the wisest of all: the internet.

I was pouring myself a cup of tea when he showed up behind me.

"No deliveries?"

"No. Why?"

"Just asking."

He was watching the tea bag soak while I was arranging the cleaning supplies that we bought yesterday.

"What are you doing?"

"Taking a break."

"Hmm." I went into the bathroom and left the bandages in the spot where the sleeping pills used to be.

I heard the Tv springing to life a second later. My own words echoed back to me in the quiet bathroom: "Turn it off! You are never able to watch just one episode of anything!"

"Mom? Is that you?"

I frowned, stomped to the other room, and unplugged it with the satisfaction that only parents should probably experience.

I was told that the parents have met Jung's girlfriend and despite some small complaints about her taste in music and fashion sense, it ended without many fireworks.

Jungkook spent less time with me for the next few days and then vowed not to leave anytime soon even if all he did was sleep, work, and study.

One month passed before our eyes and even if he seemed to get irritated at the littlest of things, he was eating and studying regularly without smelling like alcohol. And then, I disturbed the calm waters that held a hidden underwater volcano underneath it.

"Namjoon, it's 3 AM."

"I know."

" Then where are you going?"

"Some house, or something… I will find out what it is when I get there."

He was rubbing his eyes, wearing a white pajama I've borrowed him, with one naked shoulder making my eyes wander. It looked like it was about to fall off at any moment.

"Why?"

"Delivery," I answered drily.

"Now?!"

I exhaled louder than I probably should, zipped the backpack, and grabbed his shoulders. Twisted him around and pushed the smaller body towards the dark bedroom.

"Sleep. You have an early shift, don't you?"

"Yeah, but…"

"Go to sleep."

I was almost out the door when a wide awake Jungkook ran out the bedroom and said: "Take me with you."

I looked at him with wide eyes for a moment before controlling my expression and shooting him a reassuring smile.

"I can't. But I'll be back. Don't worry."

He didn't move one inch. But the cab was already upfront, so I left despite the newfound ache stealing the air out of my lungs.

The truth was that I would normally refuse and tell them to call me tomorrow.

But I couldn't bear to say no to Johnny even if Fred wasn't happy to hear from me at 3 AM either.

I ran to his place in and out in a matter of minutes.

The conversation contained the needed information about the delivery and nothing else. No hi or bye. But a hoarse 'take care' was whispered on my way out.

The driver was surprised to see me back so soon.

When I got to the said location, my heart was beating out of my chest. It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. And the dark protective veil of the night was starting to become more and more see-through with every wasted second.

I was ready to knock on the front door when the garage door started rolling up, making a lot more noise than it should.

"Shht. Here."

Michael whispered as if the Metallica concert of the garage couldn't be heard by everyone on the street.

"How you doing, tall man?" He asked whilst pressing a blue button vigorously. The door seemed to go down just a centimeter with every push.

"Can't complain." I breathed out staring at the small room which was cleaner than I expected. The grey floor contained a lot of boxes at its right but at its left, a black curtain held up by steel bars blocked my view.

"I like when the delivery man arrives while the pizza's still flaming hot," Johnny exclaimed after he showed his smile from under the curtain. I reciprocated, approaching him in big strides.

"Nice to see you're doing well."

"How ya doing ma man? Been too long." We shook hands.

"Living. Nothing new."

"Nothing new? I heard you're back with the guy I was choked for." Michael argued, looking bitter, arms crossed.

"V?" I asked, hoping that I was wrong.

"Who's a better stalker?" Michael shrugged with the corner of his mouth lifted.

"Don't want to bust your balls, Johnny, but I'd rather you finish sooner than later man." A voice I didn't recognize said from behind the long material.

"Sorry, sorry."

And the guy disappeared behind the black curtain again and a buzzing sound started a few seconds later.

I stood before it as if it was a barrier.

"Mon, get in, what you doing?"

Michael went in as if he was the one Johnny called.

The sound made total sense now that I could see the red and black flowers that covered the back of a man lying on his belly. Part of a snake was peeking from under every single petal and leaf. And yet it took me a while to realize that the yellow eyes were under the center of a red flower as the hidden, yet not so hidden center.

"You're a tattoo artist?" I asked Johnny.

"Sometimes. Mainly on the weekends."

The stranger looked me up and down. Reached out to shake my hand whilst groaning. He didn't have to say a word to let me know he was not having a good time since the blood from the white rags made it obvious.

"Friends call me Bud."

"Namjoon. Strangers call me Monster."

"Oh. You are…"

"Don't move." Johnny half yelled.

"Ouch. You, cheeky bastard!"

Bud complained, but Johnny appeared completely absorbed by the task.

"The goods." Michael suddenly demanded; hand-stretched out as if it would all fit in the palm of his hand.

"Money," I demanded back, hand-stretched and open as well.

"That's how little you trust me, huh?"

"They don't give you shit for free at the store if you tell them you'll pay in four months, do they?"

"Fair. Johnny, where's the money?" The blond retracted his hand and turned towards the man who spoke slow and steady.

"By the bed."

"Why the fuck there?"

He shrugged, not looking up or moving anything, but his wrist.

"Come with me."

We went inside the house and passed by a big black and white dog who looked straight into my eyes without blinking.

"She's inoffensive. Don't worry."

"I'm not worried." I lied.

The house looked as small from the inside as it did from the outside.

It seemed to be lived in a modest and homey type of way. Faded teal walls, light wooden floors, and dusty carpets. Cans of soda here and there. Full trash cans and yet, surprisingly clean tables.

The whole house smelled like magnolias. But the room we got in smelled exclusively like weed.

Michael opened several drawers before a stack of cash revealed itself.

He moved the money back and forth, saying:

"So, you and your old flame coming to the party next weekend?"

"What party?"

He huffed and puffed.

"You can't possibly be this dull. We weren't going to use all you got us just between the three of us."

"I'd rather not assume. But I doubted it."

"Then, coming?"

"I'm not sure if it's a good idea this time around."

"Why not?"

I scratched the back of the head and cursed my luck.

"Exams are coming up in a month or so. Can't get smashed during cramming season."

"It's just one night."

I raised an eyebrow. He went on:

"And the next one for recovery. Two. Two days out of a month? V said you're smarty pants, so I'm sure you'll pass with flying colors."

I scowled at the thought of V saying anything about me in particular.

"If you want us to keep being friends, firstly I'd rather you not mention V in front of me. Or talk to him in general. But the second is your bad decision, not mine."

"What you got against him anyway?"

"Not much."

I sat down on the bed, feeling like someone was scratching a board with nails every time I heard his name.

"That's a weird grudge you hold then."

I sighed.

"He used my drugs to rape someone." I heard myself saying as my mind's eye reminded me of all the lights that went on and off, colorful and dark when the small boy kept pushing V away with trembling arms.

"Savior complex much?"

"Common sense. But I forgot you were the one who also wanted to blow me exactly when I was losing my mind."

"That would've been the best blowjob of your life. There's nothing like the first high and you know it. That was a gift from me to you." He insisted by pressing the stack of money to his heart as if it was a confession.

"I don't care." I blurted, smiling. Moving my foot right and left.

"You say that, but wouldn't you like to slip your little boy a little happiness in his cup for a good time? You can blame me after he calls your name for the rest of his life. I don't mind playing cupid."

"I could make him do that sober."

"Confident too? But still, the way you're saying that… what could possibly be better than…oh, you two haven't done it yet." His wrist stopped moving back and forth, his mouth closed and opened with the same smile present.

He plunged down by my side and left the money in my lap before patting my shoulder slowly.

"I can't say I'm not disappointed, but it sounds like he would really benefit from a pill or two."

I tore the backpack open and threw the opaque plastic bag in his face.

"Like I said, sober."

And got up.

"Got it. Still, doesn't he like to party it up?"

"He does. After passing his exams." I said between clenched teeth while counting every bill.

"Aren't you thoughtful? But I wonder how long you can keep that up before ripping him a new one."

I threw the cash inside and zipped it up.

"I got it. Don't need to worry."

"Who's worried?"

"Now you're asking the real question."

I almost managed to get out and back to Johnny when a slim, longhand blocked my chest.

"I'll text you the details in case you change your mind."

"I won't." I controlled the smile that was slowly turning into something else that I couldn't imagine with my mind's eye and almost ran back to Johnny after lightly slapping his hand away.

"Hey, big guy. Took your gold?" The black guy asked from behind the curtain.

"Yeah. Call me up during the day next time."

"I will when I can. But ain't it tricky if you're walking with that much shit during the day?"

"Touché. I'm calling a cab."

"You're in a hurry? I'm almost in for a break, we can smoke one if you'd like. And catch up on stuff."

"No, sorry, I got to get back quick."

"I see." Johnny sounded a bit down, but I was a bit too irritated to care.

"He's whipped," Michael announced as soon as he stepped foot in the garage.

I could hear Bud cracking up before he asked, smile in his voice:

"Namjoon, do monsters get whipped?"

"They're usually the ones who do the whipping." I spit.

"Don't trust a word he's saying. He is with a green colleague, but he won't even introduce him to us. He must be above us or something."

Michael kept blabbering and my hand was starting to feel warm. And the cabs just kept canceling on me.

"Hey, if he needs some buds. Tell him I got cheap tall grass."

'Bud's a dealer? Of course. Then why did they ask me then…?'

"Good morning, I'd like a cab at … Yes, thank you."

"They coming?" Johnny asked, sounding distracted while the buzz sound would not stop.

"Yeah. They said so. Better trust a man's word."

"Pff." Michael turned his back on me, arms crossed.

"I don't mean to step on your tail. But what's your problem?" I asked as calmly as I could.

"Ups, John it seems like it's bad out there. Better not take that break." Bud suggested, jokingly.

The blonde ignored the other dealer and answered me instead: "My bad day has nothing to do with you. Sorry, but you're not number one on my list. Not even two. So, take your head out of the gutter. I was simply inviting you and your boy to have some fun. Take it or leave it. I don't give a fuck."

"Your tone says otherwise."

"Look, MONSTER OF FRE…!" The scream died as soon as Johnny's calm scream overpowered his by tone alone.

"Ignore him Namjoon! He's lost a friend to meth last week. He's been a bitch to everyone ever since and won't even admit that's why. Just go home today. It's been a…bad week."

Michael's harsh eyes went soft at the snap of a finger.

The blond turned around and stared at the closed door as if there was a Tv screen on it.

I heard a car engine, so I grabbed the remote and I was still pressing the up button when I heard Michael sniff a bit too loudly.

'Fuck me.'

It opened just enough so I could slip by.

But I couldn't before I shook Johnny's only free hand and patted Bud on the one untattooed arm. And right before I was about to slip out, I turned around and hugged Michael from behind.

It was brief. So fast that it didn't last more than ten full seconds, but it was enough.

"I know how it's like. Sorry for your loss." I whispered real close to his ear just to make sure the other two didn't hear me.

And then sneaked out like a stray cat before Michael turned around.

The air was crisper and the driver didn't look pleased to see me at all.

Either way, the garage door remained open until the house was out of sight.

"Young man, isn't it a bit early for you?"

"Old man, isn't it a bit late for you?"

I leaned back and closed my eyes for the rest of the ride. Replaying every single word that was said, finding holes and words that I've spoken out of anything but sound logic.

'Monster of Fred, he said. As if anyone could compare with the Devil.'

I was taking my shoes off at 5. 53 AM. Trying not to make much sound, the light from the bedroom was leaking out from underneath the door. I opened it and sighed.

Jungkook stopped writing in his notebook and looked at me with the dark circles I was now contributing to.

"Couldn't go back to sleep?" I asked, unsurprised.

"Didn't stand a chance. What happened to you?"

"Nothing interesting."

"Namjoon…"

"Wait. I need to pee."

And that's what I did. Buying time to find anything else to replace the party topic and deciding on sticking with the facts.

"You really want to know?" I asked, lying down right on top of one of his books.

"I usually don't ask, but there must be a good reason why I was woken up after four hours of sleep, after, might I remind you not sleeping for two days straight."

I sighed and pulled the book from under me only to throw it next to Jungkook.

"One was giving another a tattoo. The other was mourning the loss of a friend. And they wanted some pick-me-ups. Sounds good so far? Nothing happened."

"How did the friend die?"

I stared at the ceiling and blurted out: "Meth."

"Huh." He breathed out and continued writing with a bit less fervor than before.

"So, how's …" I stared and peeked at his notebook before continuing, "history going?"

"So and so. I think I'll just give up on remembering any year any day now."

"Make it connect to a date you already know."

"Birthdays and Christmas? Yeah, that'll make it less confusing if only I knew the birthdays of at least two hundred people."

"C'mere."

"Can't. I have," He checked the phone before continuing, "Less than two hours until I need to walk out the door."

"But I'm jealous," I admitted with a smirk.

"Of who? Yi Sun-Shin? Don't be. I bet he was spoiled, but he was probably very tired in the last years of his life."

"No. I was talking about that pen you're biting."

He took it out of his mouth and looked at it as if he was seeing it for the first time.

"You bit me so much that I don't even feel like biting you back."

"That's good, 'cause I'd rather you s…."

He was throwing me a tired, uninterested, unexcited expression that I've come to find slightly amusing with the passing of time. And yet, the eyes stopped looking at me and instead, resumed reading way too soon for my liking.

"C'mere." I grabbed his arm and pulled him towards me with force. He fell forwards with his head hitting my belly like a seal about to slide on the ice.

"Let me go or I'll really bite."

I frowned when he tried to get away.

"I think you forgot a very important thing that happens after the exams."

"End of war? End of suffering? End of this educational nonsense? Aw."

I forced him on his back and pinned both hands on either side of his head before leaning down to say:

"The end of your virginity."

"I forgot to tell you that I've changed my mind; I'd rather die a virgin. Apparently, I will be considered pure and get straight into heaven. Who knew that's all it takes?" He said, no change in tone or even a considerable change in facial expression.

"Not funny."

"Who said I was joking?"

But he smiled.

And I smiled.

And then I bit the side of his neck.

"Aw. Aw, stop it, Namjoon, I'm tired…why are you…"

I was licking the wound that I just created which seemed to have confused him. Or that's what I thought until he asked: "Are you an animal?"

"Humans are animals, you know?"

A long silence followed by a decisive: "You know what I meant."

I traveled to his collarbone and sucked on the bone that was sticking out whilst I released one hand to slide mine underneath his waist.

He immediately started pushing me away with the freehand.

"Go to sleep. It's six AM."

"Only if you do."

"You know I can't."

The sadness from his voice alone had me lying on my back, staring at the ceiling I came to abhor.

"Sorry…" I heard him whisper softly after picking up his stuff and heading towards the hallway.

"Don't worry. Just remember how nice I was now for the next time I'm not."

The matter-of-fact tone I used echoed against the bare walls. And the silence answered back.

"You should sleep one hour. Or quit your job. Whichever one works better." I added, trying to lighten up the atmosphere when he didn't move for a few more seconds.

"No. I can't fall asleep at work, so I can study there." He yawned and walked out, leaving the door ajar and my two eyes looking through it and seeing nothing, but the floor that lacked Jungkook's feet.

It wasn't long until I too found myself unable to fall asleep. I simply stood still with my eyes closed and listened to Jungkook making himself a coffee, writing, and turning pages.

'I know I should be proud of him. But for some reason, I want to rip all those books.' I thought, turning towards the window, imaging myself doing exactly that over and over again until I was too exhausted to stay awake.