ramenㅣkth

chapter 13

"jimin what the f**k?" namjoon's voice boomed as he bolted off the couch, wide awake.

"it's nothing, hyung," jimin strains his voice, trying to keep up a pained smile.

jungkook notices this and approaches jimin quickly, "hyung, you're definitely not okay. what happened?"

jimin glanced up towards the younger's eyes that were filled with worry and his chest ached. both the leader and the maknae were alarmed and it was all because of him. he yet again caused the people he loved and deeply cared to be hurt.

"i'm sorry," jimin whispered before crumbling into jungkook's arms.

namjoon grabbed ahold of jimin's left arm as jungkook caught the right in time. with a firm nod from the two, they both dragged up the passed out male into his room and tucked him into bed.

as namjoon and jungkook shut the door and went back downstairs, the two were in silence. they had no clue what just happened to one of their teammates much less their friend.

"so, what do you think happened to him hyung? he couldn't have gone into a fight, right?" jungkook tried to calm himself down.

namjoon patted jungkook to reassure him and shook his head, "not a fight. but i'm not sure how he could've gotten those bruises. has he been receiving threats lately from anywhere? sns, emails, phone calls, anything?"

jungkook shrugged, "no, he barely receives threats. he's the cute mochi remember?"

"then how could he have gotten beat up like that and still have a smile on his face. that's not normal unless someone threatened him," namjoon's eyebrows furrowed as he placed his hands on his hip.

"do you think maybe-"

"by the way, where's taehyung?"

"-taehyung hyung could've had a fight with him?" jungkook said as soon as namjoon questioned.

namjoon froze and processed jungkook's words but didn't want to even think about it, "no way. taehyung would never fight with jimin. they're like best friends."

jungkook nodded reluctantly but still wondered where his hyung was so late outside.

"tae's probably just off at lotteria again."

jungkook visualized his hyung drooling as he saw the mozzarella cheese burger sign on the window and shoving through the doors.

"yeah, you're probably right."

-

well, they were sort of right.

"taehyung, really. you don't have to do this, i'm not hungry. at all," valencia protested, still cringing at the thought of the greasy food forced into her stomach.

"i bought the ramen you were supposed to buy and plus you stole one of mine. eat, it's the best you can do for me right now," taehyung muttered, his smile fading away.

valencia opened her mouth to suggest something else but the expression that taehyung had was the exact same expression as her mother when she came back with medicine. she decided she would try, just for this boy she met not so long ago.

"here you go, two bowls of black bean noodles! hope you enjoy," the waiter came back with their dishes, all warm and fresh.

"thank you," taehyung said, giving her a wink.

the waiter giggled and whispered, "this is for free, i'll pay for it. i'm your fan."

valencia overheard and stared at taehyung with confusion who was smiling wearily while taking glances of her.

"your fan..? what does she mean by that? are you some sort of famous-"

"wow this looks fantastic, let's dig in!" taehyung interrupted before valencia could say any more.

with that taehyung drove his chopsticks, mixed the greasy sauce with the noodles, and was about to bring his first bite to his mouth until he took a peek at the stationary girl in front of him, not daring to touch her utensils.

taehyung held back a sigh, "cmon please at least one bite..?"

valencia licked her chapped lips and stared down at the bowl of noodles in front of her. just for a moment, just for one second, she thought of having a bite. but the flashback of her past self picture came back and haunted her. she didn't dare to become that fool again.

"no, i'm sorry but i don't feel hungry nor do i feel good right now." valencia said in the softest voice she could while avoiding taehyung's pleading eyes.

taehyung bit the bottom part of his lips with slight frustration and shoved the noodles into his mouth making sure to create a huge slurp. the sudden force made small drops of the sauce to splatter and one landed right beside valencia's lips. taehyung wiped his mouth with a napkin and noticed this.

"uh.. valencia, you got something right beside your mouth. you can just wipe it with your tongue." he tricked her.

valencia, thinking it was her spit that accidentally flew out wiped it with her tongue only gasping in surprise when the "spit" had actual flavor. though it may have been a small drop, the flavor was overwhelming to valencia and she cringed immediately at the taste, trying to drink some water to make it go away. she used her hands to try to wipe her tongue not mattering that it looked "unladylike" and searched for some napkins.

"calm down, val. it's just a single drop!" taehyung tried to reassure her but valencia harshly glared at him and stood up with such hurry that her dish was sent clattering to the floor.

the glass broke and the noodles spilled everywhere on valencia's clothes. it was the most grossest thing that valencia has ever experienced in some time. she screeched as the black squirmy noodles clung onto her body and she wanted it to go away.

she wanted to run away.

she wanted to leave.

and right before she felt light headed, she heard taehyung scream.