STRAY // JJK x HYBRID (bunny)✔️ Re-Writing

CHAPTER 65

BO-YOUNG

Jungkook smiles, his cheeks tinted a bashful red color as his signature bunny smile spreads across his face.

"And you call me cheesy," he chuckles. I chuckle with him, shooting him an apologetic look.

"Sorry," I mutter, out chuckles dying down as Jungkook's eyebrows raise.

"No, no, don't apologize. I think it was sweet," Jungkook tells me solemnly. His eyes meet mine for a moment, and I can see the gears turning, his feelings slowly articulating. His eyebrows knit together in thought as I see him debate with himself.

"Is something wrong, Jungkook?" I ask, leaning forwards in worry.

His eyes meet mine once more, but this time his soft features are plagued with nerves. He lets out a shaky sigh, his lips curling into a shy smile again.

"Nothing's wrong," he says confidently, but I feel like there's more to what he's saying. I stay quiet, patiently waiting for him to continue. "Bo-young, over the past few months, I've grown quite..." he pauses, "fond of you."

"What are you saying?" I whisper, yet my voice still sounds loud in the silent living room.

"Life was boring before you came here, and I appreciate your company," he says, looking away from me and into the kitchen, a distant look on his face. "I've developed feelings-"

"Jungkook," I interrupt. He looks at me, a hopeful yet remorseful look on his face. "I don't think something like that would work. I'd love for it to be possible, but with the way things are, it isn't."

His face falls, his demeanor faltering ever so lightly as his shoulders lower, the tense nervousness leaving him within seconds.

"I don't understand," he mutters.

I sign, tilting my head up to avoid the welled up tears from falling. My ears press down flatly against my head, my heart hammering in my chest.

"I like you too, but I'm not comfortable with the power dynamic," I explain.

"The power dynamic?" Jungkook asks, his eyes searching mine for clarification.

"It's not your fault, it's out of your control. You can work, I cannot. You don't need to rely on someone for your basic needs, I do. You're that person to me, my security. If things go wrong between us, you'll be fine, but I will not. I'll be homeless again."

I divert my gaze – because of shame, fear, nervousness? I do not know. I hear Jungkook sigh before a warm hand takes mine, rubbing soothing circles on the back of my hand.

"It's okay, I understand," he says reassuringly, his voice low and calm.

I dare not look up at him, my rejection causing an aching discomfort in my chest. A part of me wants to apologize, but I know it won't make either of us feel better.

"Tell you what: this can wait. I can try to pull some strings and-" Jungkook begins.

"But it shouldn't be like that. Strings shouldn't have to be pulled for a hybrid – a person – to feel secure," I interrupt, without meaning to come off as rude.

Jungkook stays silent for a moment before saying in a hushed voice: "I understand."

A warm tear escapes my eye, despite my best efforts to keep myself from crying. I wipe it away with my sleeve, but once I've wiped away one, two more replace it.

I feel myself be pulled into a warm chest, Jungkook's arms wrapping around me in a hug.

"It's okay, we'll sort something out," he whispers, his voice becoming raspy and deep from speaking so low. "But until then, would you want a cup of hot chocolate?"

I chuckle, but it's muffled by Jungkook's embrace.

"You and your hot chocolate," I remark as I pull away, shooting Jungkook a slightly judgmental look.

It's the first time in a moment that I've looked at him. To my relief, he seems fine. His face isn't twisted in sadness, embarrassment, or shame – he's just fine, in fact, he looks warmer than he did before. He offers me a small smile, which I reciprocate.

"Are you saying that you don't want any?" he asks, looking scandalized. "You don't want my top-tier masterfully prepared hot chocolate? Blasphemy!"

I laugh at his goofy antics.

"I'll have some, since you're being such a drama queen." 

A/n: This is a bit of a sad chapter, huh. I promise this isn't the last one.