YOU BEFORE I KNEW | JIKOOK ✔

2. PORN MAGAZINES

When Jimin makes it halfway down the stairs, he can hear laughter resonate from within the kitchen. The sound of pottering about draws him in and he finds Taehyung helping Jin unload the groceries - specifically stalking the fridge with an array of alcoholic beverages.

It doesn't take too long for Taehyung to notice Jimin's presence. And once he does, his smile falls and his laughter comes to a standstill. He stops moving, as though he's guilty and like he's done something wrong.

"You ready to go, Tae?" Jimin asks, hoisting his backpack strap further over his shoulder.

"Yeah, let's go." Taehyung smiles at Jin while slipping beside him and toward the door to put his shoes on. He leaves first and when he does so, Jimin glares at his older brother irritably.

"What?" Jin asks, crossing his arms while leaning against the counter, lifting a brow that beckons conflict.

"Whatever. Just please keep the house in one piece while I'm gone." Jimin doesn't spare Jin another glance, simply because he can see the bigoted expression on his face from his peripheral. He leaves the house and closes the door behind him, trailing toward Taehyung's car to hop in the passenger seat.

Taehyung is drumming his fingers against the wheel with protruding lips, watching Jimin as he situates himself. "Did you get everything?" he questions.

Jimin hums, shuffling through his back. "I'm pretty sure. Jeongguk Hyung was distracting me so I wouldn't be surprised if I forgot something."

"He was at the house?" Taehyung ogles Jimin's hands as they work deftly to push aside heaps of school work.

"Mhm. He popped up out of nowhere and reminded me why I dislike him." Jimin sighs, zipping his backpack up. "I forgot to pack my medication. Shit, I really don't feel like going back inside. Both Hyungs are giving me a headache."

"But you still have your inhaler, right?" Jimin nods, looking forward with his backpack clutched against his chest.

"Wherever I go," he confirms.

"Okay, that's good." Taehyung smiles. They take off toward the latter's house very shortly. It isn't too far away from Jimin's which is nice. Just the perfect distance to get away from the chaos.

"Looks like she's still at work." Taehyung leads the way and Jimin follows behind as they walk by an empty driveway.

It hasn't been too long since he's last visited but for some reason, it always feels like it's been forever. The aroma of Taehyung's house makes him calm because it reminds him of his parents in some way - more specifically his mother. Jimin can only stand being in the house with Jin so long because he can only seem to correlate the smell to bad things.

"Do you want a snack?" Taehyung places his bag on the couch and ambles into the kitchen, shuffling through the fridge.

"Sure." Jimin does just the same and follows Taehyung into the kitchen. He sits on the counter while he watches his best friend pull out a fruit and vegetable tray.

After the tray is opened and placed on the counter top, Taehyung leans against it and places a piece of honeydew in his mouth. Jimin digs in himself while eyeing the blue haired boy closely. It's eerily quiet because it's in Taehyung's nature to be at least a little energetic.

"Is there something on your mind?" Jimin asks before taking a bite out of his strawberry.

The boy shrugs his shoulders. Instead of eating the fruits or vegetables, he's drawing his finger against the counter with protruding lips. "I'm sorry," he says suddenly.

Jimin tilts his head to the side. "Sorry? Sorry for what?"

Taehyung sighs, standing up straight. He faces Jimin and looks him in his eyes, chewing on his full bottom lip contemplatively. "About Jin Hyung."