Chasing Dreams (Jikook) - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Unspoken Words
The hospital smelled of antiseptic and something faintly metallic, a scent Jimin had never liked. He shifted uncomfortably on the examination table, his ankle now wrapped in a bandage.
The doctor had confirmed it was a mild sprain—painful but not serious. He would need to rest it for a few days, avoid walking too much, and use crutches if necessary.
Jimin sighed, leaning back against the pillows. His mind was still reeling from everything that had happened.
Sungho. The fall.
And—
Jungkook.
Jimin turned his head slightly, eyes settling on the figure standing near the window. Jungkook had been quiet ever since they arrived, his expression unreadable.
He hadn’t left Jimin’s side, but he also hadn’t said a word.
Jimin hated the silence.
"If you have something to say, just say it," he muttered.
Jungkook flinched slightly, as if caught off guard. He turned to face Jimin, but his gaze remained fixed on the floor.
Jimin clenched his jaw. "Are you going to keep avoiding eye contact forever?"
Jungkook’s fingers curled into fists, but he said nothing.
Jimin scoffed. "Unbelievable." He shifted his injured foot, wincing slightly. "You went through all that trouble punching Sungho and carrying me here, but now you can’t even look at me?"
Jungkook exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You got hurt," he finally murmured.
Jimin raised an eyebrow. "I noticed."
Jungkook’s shoulders tensed. "Because of him."
Jimin’s chest tightened. "That’s not new, Jungkook. Sungho has always hated me."
Jungkook’s expression darkened. "I should’ve stopped him sooner."
Jimin blinked. Something about the way Jungkook said it, the weight behind those words—
It sounded almost like guilt.
Jimin inhaled deeply, his emotions in turmoil. "Why are you acting like this now?" His voice was quieter this time, almost hesitant. "I don’t get it, Jungkook."
Jungkook finally looked up, his gaze locking onto Jimin’s. And for the first time, Jimin saw something raw in his eyes.
Guilt. Regret.
And something else.
Something deeper.
"I—" Jungkook started, then stopped, exhaling sharply. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident.
Jimin waited.
And then, barely above a whisper—
"I was an idiot."
Jimin’s breath hitched.
Jungkook clenched his fists, his voice shaking. "I pushed you away. I ignored you. I let Sungho—" His jaw tightened. "I let him mess with you when I should’ve stopped him."
Jimin swallowed hard. "Jungkook—"
"I thought it was easier that way," Jungkook admitted, his voice low and strained. "Easier to pretend I didn’t care. Easier to avoid…" He trailed off, struggling to find the right words.
Jimin’s heart pounded. "Avoid what?"
Jungkook hesitated. Then, with a deep breath, he looked directly at Jimin.
"Avoid wanting you the way I do."
Silence filled the room.
Jimin’s chest ached. His fingers tightened against the hospital sheets. He had dreamed of hearing those words for so long—
But now that they were here, now that Jungkook was finally admitting it—
It was too late.
Jimin let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "You’re unbelievable."
Jungkook’s face fell slightly. "Jimin—"
"You don’t get to do this," Jimin cut him off, voice trembling. "You don’t get to suddenly change your mind and expect me to just—just accept it."
Jungkook took a step closer, but Jimin held up a hand, stopping him.
"You hurt me," Jimin whispered. His throat tightened. "You ignored me, you let people talk about me, you acted like I didn’t matter."
Jungkook’s fists clenched at his sides, his eyes desperate. "I know. And I—" He inhaled shakily. "I don’t know how to fix it."
Jimin exhaled, closing his eyes for a brief moment. When he opened them again, his voice was steadier.
"You can’t."
Jungkook flinched, his breath hitching.
Jimin looked away. "Just… leave me alone, Jungkook."
And with that, he turned his head toward the window, refusing to look at Jungkook again.
A long silence stretched between them.
Then—
The soft sound of Jungkook stepping back.
The quiet creak of the door opening.
And finally—
The click of it closing.
Jimin clenched his jaw, gripping the sheets tightly.
He didn’t cry.
But the ache in his chest told him he wanted to.
The Absence of Jungkook
Jimin had expected to feel relieved.
After all, this was what he had wanted, right?
For Jungkook to leave him alone.
For him to disappear from Jimin’s life.
But then—
Jungkook actually did.
And suddenly, everything felt wrong.
It had been a week since Jimin’s injury, and he had returned to classes with Taehyung’s help. His ankle was healing well, and physically, he was fine.
Emotionally, though?
He felt off.
Jimin tapped his fingers against his desk, staring blankly at the front of the classroom. The professor was talking, but Jimin wasn’t really listening. His mind was elsewhere.
Or rather—
On someone else.
Jungkook.
He wasn’t there.
Not in the hallways. Not in the cafeteria. Not even on the sports field, where Jimin would usually spot him during practice.
It was as if Jungkook had vanished.
And Jimin hated how much he noticed.
Hated how much he cared.
“What’s with that face?” Taehyung’s voice pulled Jimin out of his thoughts.
Jimin blinked. “What?”
“You’re sighing every five seconds,” Taehyung said, crossing his arms. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking about him.”
Jimin stiffened. “I—”
Taehyung scoffed. “Oh my god, you are.”
Jimin scowled, turning away. “I’m not. I’m just… It’s weird, that’s all.”
Taehyung narrowed his eyes. “What’s weird?”
“That he’s not here,” Jimin muttered.
Taehyung’s jaw clenched. “And why do you care?”
Jimin didn’t respond.
Because the truth was—he didn’t know.
Taehyung sighed, rubbing his temples. “Jimin, seriously? After everything he did? After he ignored you, after he let Sungho treat you like that? After he only started acting like he cared when it was too late?”
Jimin bit his lip. “I know.”
“Then stop looking for him.” Taehyung’s tone was sharp. “You’re better off without him. He’s just messing with your head.”
Jimin clenched his fists. “I don’t think he is.”
Taehyung let out a humorless laugh. “Oh, really? Then where is he now?”
Jimin faltered.
If Jungkook really cared, why had he disappeared?
“He’s probably just—”
“Just what?” Taehyung interrupted. “Proving my point?”
Jimin swallowed hard.
Taehyung shook his head. “You always do this. You always give him the benefit of the doubt, and every time, he just proves he’s not worth it.”
Jimin stayed silent.
Because no matter how much he wanted to deny it—
Taehyung wasn’t wrong.
Then why did it feel like something was missing?
But the next day, Jimin found himself doing something he never thought he’d do.
Looking for Jungkook.
It wasn’t obvious, of course. He wasn’t actively searching.
He just…
Checked.
Subtly.
During breaks, he glanced around the cafeteria, hoping to see a familiar figure.
When he walked through the hallways, his eyes darted to the usual spots Jungkook used to linger.
Even when passing the sports complex, he found himself slowing down, scanning the field—
But Jungkook wasn’t there.
And with every passing day, the unease in Jimin’s chest grew heavier.
Where was he?
Had he really given up?
Jimin should be happy.
But instead, his chest ached in a way he didn’t understand.
The Visit
“Are you seriously asking me to go to his house?” Taehyung asked, staring at Jimin like he had lost his mind.
Jimin pressed his lips together, shifting uncomfortably. “I just… I just want to check on him.”
Taehyung scoffed. “Check on him? Jimin, you were literally avoiding him not too long ago, and now you’re suddenly worried?”
Jimin looked down, feeling frustrated. “I know how it sounds, okay? But it’s been days, Tae. He’s not in class, he’s not at practice, he’s just—gone.”
Taehyung rolled his eyes. “So? Maybe he finally got the hint and decided to leave you alone. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Jimin hesitated. “I thought so, but…”
“But what?”
Jimin took a deep breath. “But he was the one who took me to the hospital, Tae. He helped me when I was hurt. And now he’s the one who’s missing.”
Taehyung crossed his arms. “That doesn’t change anything.”
Jimin’s voice softened. “I think it does.”
Taehyung groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “You’re impossible.”
“Please, Tae?” Jimin looked at him pleadingly. “Just this once?”
Taehyung sighed heavily, clearly annoyed. “Fine. But if we go and he’s perfectly fine, I’m never letting you live this down.”
Jimin’s lips twitched. “Deal.”
The air felt strangely tense as they stood outside Jungkook’s house.
Jimin hesitated, shifting from foot to foot. The house looked the same as ever, but something about it felt off. The curtains were drawn, and there was no sign of movement inside.
“Are you gonna knock, or are we just going to stand here all day?” Taehyung asked impatiently.
Jimin glared at him before knocking on the door.
No answer.
He knocked again.
Still nothing.
Jimin frowned and turned to Taehyung. “He’s not answering.”
“Maybe he’s not home.” Taehyung threw his hands up. “Alright, we tried. Can we go now?”
Jimin ignored him and tried the door handle. To his surprise, it was unlocked.
He exchanged a look with Taehyung before cautiously pushing the door open.
The inside of the house was dim, the air heavy with silence.
Then—
A sound.
A muffled groan.
Jimin’s heart clenched.
Without thinking, he rushed inside, following the sound to Jungkook’s room.
And what he saw made his breath hitch.
Jungkook was lying in bed, his face pale, dark circles under his eyes. He looked weak, completely unlike the strong, confident athlete Jimin was used to seeing. His arm was draped over his forehead, and there were a few crumpled tissues beside him.
“He’s sick?” Jimin whispered, feeling his chest tighten.
Taehyung folded his arms. “Great. You dragged me here for this?”
Jimin ignored him and stepped closer. “Jungkook?”
Jungkook groaned softly, barely opening his eyes. When he saw Jimin, he blinked in confusion. “Jimin?” His voice was hoarse.
Jimin swallowed. “What happened to you?”
Jungkook coughed before giving a small, weak chuckle. “Guess I pushed myself too hard…”
Jimin frowned. “You think?”
Taehyung sighed. “Okay, you’ve seen that he’s alive. Can we go now?”
Jimin shot him a glare before looking back at Jungkook. “Have you eaten anything?”
Jungkook shook his head slightly. “Not hungry.”
Jimin’s frown deepened. He turned to Taehyung. “We’re staying.”
Taehyung groaned. “Jimin—”
“He’s sick.” Jimin gave him a pointed look. “And he helped me when I was hurt. The least I can do is return the favor.”
Taehyung muttered something under his breath but didn’t argue further.
Jimin exhaled and turned back to Jungkook. “I’m making you something to eat. And you are going to eat it.”
Jungkook, too weak to argue, just let out a soft hum of agreement.
Jimin’s heart clenched again.
For the first time in a while—
He wasn’t running away from Jungkook.
He was stepping closer.
The Caretaker & The Complainer
Jimin rolled up his sleeves as he stepped into Jungkook’s small but neat kitchen. He scanned the ingredients available, nodding in approval when he spotted some vegetables, eggs, and a pack of rice. It wasn’t much, but he could make it work.
Behind him, Taehyung leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. “I can’t believe you’re actually doing this,” he muttered.
Jimin didn’t even turn around. “You can leave, you know.”
“Oh, believe me, I would,” Taehyung said dramatically. “But I’m invested now. I need to see how far you’re willing to go for this guy.”
Jimin sighed, shaking his head as he started chopping vegetables. “He helped me, Tae. It’s only fair.”
Taehyung scoffed. “Fair? Oh please. You’re acting like he donated his kidney to you. He just carried you when you twisted your ankle. You could’ve just taken a cab.”
Jimin turned and pointed the knife at him. “Do you want to eat this knife?”
Taehyung gasped, clutching his chest. “Did you just threaten me? With a knife? In a sick man’s house?”
Jimin rolled his eyes. “I swear to God, Tae. Sometimes I think you were born just to annoy me.”
Taehyung grinned. “And I thrive in it.”
Jimin groaned, turning back to his cooking. He quickly whipped up a simple yet nutritious porridge, something easy for Jungkook to digest. Once it was done, he carefully poured it into a bowl and grabbed a spoon.
When he stepped back into Jungkook’s room, he found the younger man lying exactly where he left him, still looking half-dead. His eyes cracked open slightly when he sensed Jimin’s presence.
Jimin sat on the edge of the bed, placing the bowl on the bedside table. “Sit up.”
Jungkook groaned. “Don’t want to.”
Jimin clicked his tongue. “Don’t make me force you.”
Taehyung, who had followed him in, snorted. “Yeah, good luck with that, Jimin. What are you gonna do, carry him?”
Jimin ignored him. “Jungkook, if you don’t sit up, I’m going to—”
Jungkook, with much effort, weakly pushed himself up, leaning against the headboard. “Fine,” he muttered, voice raspy.
Jimin huffed. “Good.” He took the spoon and scooped some porridge. “Open your mouth.”
Jungkook blinked at him. “I can feed myself.”
Jimin frowned. “Can you?”
Jungkook raised a weak arm but barely had the energy to lift it properly. Jimin smirked in victory. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
Taehyung gagged. “Oh my God. This is so disgusting. Why are you two acting like an old married couple?”
Jimin ignored him and brought the spoon closer to Jungkook’s lips. “Eat.”
Jungkook hesitated before finally opening his mouth. He chewed slowly, his expression unreadable.
Jimin watched him carefully. “How is it?”
Jungkook swallowed and blinked. “It’s good.”
Jimin felt an odd warmth in his chest. He shook it off and continued feeding him. Taehyung, meanwhile, looked like he was going to vomit.
“This is painful to watch,” Taehyung groaned. “I feel like I’m witnessing something illegal.”
Jimin rolled his eyes. “Then leave.”
Taehyung gasped. “Excuse me? Leave? How dare you? Who else is going to make sure you don’t do something stupid like falling for him again?”
Jimin almost dropped the spoon. “I— Tae!”
Jungkook, who was half-asleep from the fever, mumbled, “He already fell.”
Taehyung and Jimin both froze.
Silence.
Taehyung’s eyes widened in pure horror.
Jimin’s face turned red.
Jimin quickly shoved another spoonful of porridge into Jungkook’s mouth. “Shut up and eat.”
Jungkook, too weak to protest, simply chewed.
Taehyung slowly backed away. “Oh my God. It’s happening. I knew it.” He pointed at Jimin. “You better not do something stupid.”
Jimin groaned. “Tae, I swear to—”
But Taehyung was already storming out dramatically, muttering curses in what Jimin could only describe as the language of hell.
Jimin sighed, turning back to Jungkook.
“Jungkook, finish this and then take your medicine.”
Jungkook hummed sleepily. “You take care of me well…”
Jimin ignored the way his heart skipped. “Just eat.”
And for the first time in days, Jungkook smiled.