Soap - Melanie Martinez

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Jeongguk just barely hummed, hissing to the pain on his back when Lalisa's fingers pressed around an area where his muscles stabbed a direct pain in his body.

"Sorry."

Four days.

It's been four days and Jeongguk already feels like he's going to actually not make it to the second week.

Speed skating practices are getting worse, as in are more intense and quick that it didn't even give him enough time to breathe. No one was making jokes anymore, now it's full on intense mode with determination to finishing up the task.

Figure Skating isn't getting any better, at all. If anything it feels like very day he's being pushed to his breaking point. At one point he was actually having a mental break down during break because of how much pressure he felt, but Jackson managed to calm him down to head back to practice on time.

Once it's over, after a shower Jeongguk just eats and rests for the day, not bothering to sleep so he would be able to do it at night. It's torturous. And it's only the fourth day!

So after he finished his practice of the day of the day, instead of resting and staying indoors to recover his energy, he and Lalisa decided to head out to the beach. Well to be quite honest it was because their coaches ordered them to go out together just for the public image, basically to feed some crumbs that they're together. Obviously the two speed skaters were dreading it a tad bit since - for obvious reasons - they're tired.

But now being outside to the beach for a while, this actually has been relaxing too - despite the sun feeling like it's directly on their skins.

Anyways, right now Jeongguk is laying on his stomach with his arms used as his pillow under his chin. Lalisa is sitting on the base of his spine, giving him massages and cracking his back because earlier he felt like he could barely even move a muscle by how sore he was.

And the worse part is that Lalisa is anything but gentle, just like her personality. Jeongguk was in too much pain to even let it sink in that his literal idol is massaging his back right now, instead being like a little bitch to the pain.

How embarrassing.

Another whine sputters out Jeongguk's lips, signing with shakily hands, "Can you not press so hard!"

"Dude, do I look like a massage therapist to you? I'm trying!"

"Just be gentle!"

"You're the one being sensitive!"

Jeongguk snaps his face back, narrowing his eyes to the girl scowling right back at him. Alright she's being nice enough to offer him the massage in the first place, and they're practically feeding the people around - hidden paparazzi's who knows - some content if they recognize them, so maybe Jeongguk should just suck it up instead of being a baby.

But his back hurts!

With a heavy sigh, he hangs his head and casts an eye around. The beach is full today and he's already caught a few stares and a couple of shy waves from some fans, maybe a paparazzi with a poor excuse of hiding their camera.

Eyes everywhere, marvelous.

So Jeongguk turns around, Lalisa now laying on his hips but he abruptly sits ups - almost sending her flying off with their noses close to fucking crashing against each other - but Jeongguk sustains her by her back as she just sits on his lap with that deep scowl on her face to Jeongguk's own scowl back.

"Ew, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not that unattractive."

Lalisa grimaces when she catches onto the signs on his hands, rolling her eyes but masks a bright smile, "Oh dear, of course not. You're my loving boyfriend for a reason."

With an equally bright smile, that ached his cheeks, Jeongguk chuckles drily, "Oh you're so bad at this."

"Excuse me-" The girl did a whole football tackle on him, sending him flying back with her on him as she fucking chokes him, "I'm bad at this? Last time I checked, I was the one giving you massages!"

"M-My neck!" Jeongguk signs, "You're suppose to love me! Not murder me!"

"Oh give me a break- Ah!" Jeongguk grabs her by the wrists and flips her to the blanket, switching position so he's towering over her with wrists pinned down.

Lalisa's eyes widen, blinking at the annoyed look the boy is giving her, "You do know we look like we're about to fuck, right?"

The slow realization settles Jeongguk's mind, cheeks firing red with eyes glancing awkwardly away from her before looking back to Lalisa's smug eyes and sticking his tongue out out of embarrassment.

A sudden giggle splutters out of her lips, raising a hand now that Jeongguk released her wrist, and caresses a tender finger to few strands of hair away from his face and behind his ear.

Jeongguk blushes, now looking away for sure with his heart skipping a beat to the sudden act that made Lalisa giggle more.

"Such an adorable idiot," And she adoringly pats his head, "Alright, enough feeding these crumbs to people. Let's have some fun!"

And that they did.

They got into the water and had a few swimming competitions - just because they're both competitive as fuck. Obviously they had to stick to the script that they're dating so they had to be a little touchy, but Jeongguk due to being shy and respectful to her he wouldn't go over board with it and that's clearly something she appreciated. Sometimes he would - out of some protective instinct - shield her from the eyes of a few perverted stares since obviously Lalisa is wearing a bikini right now.

That was obviously a poor act from his side because Lalisa can definitely defend herself just fine. If anything she does a better job at glaring at a few girls who were eye gawking him without even trying to hide it, nearly got into a fight with this one girl who asked for his number that Jeongguk had to physically drag her away back to their spot on the blanket and under the umbrella.

Other than that, they had a good time. They shared a few drinks together, where Jeongguk was left with his jaw open by how much this girl can drink without getting tipsy. Either way they couldn't drink so much because they are insanity week, gotta be in good shape, so they just drank enough while taking a few pictures together to post on their 'dating social media' and shared a few stories together.

Jeongguk was actually starting to enjoy this, as in the fake dating thing. He's getting to know Lalisa a lot and she's such a cool person, something he always has dreamed of interacting with her. He's more so liking being like this with someone, as in publicly affectionate, even if it's fake. He misses the close contact of having someone close to him, or doing couple like things.

Just the concept of dating. And well at least Lalisa is helping him live that time together.

"So," Lalisa starts, pushing her beverage aside on the table, "How's the figure skating thing going?"

The two are now at a restaurant, near by the hotel. The sun is slowly setting in a distance, the ocean breeze still caressing their faces with the sweet sea scent; while the two are sharing a meal together.

Jeongguk takes a sip of his piña colada, pushing it aside as well, "Scary. They're intimidating."

"Just like your partner?"

A small twitch fixes Jeongguk's lips, fluttering his eyes to the mention of it, "Ah, you could say Jimin is a little intense."

Lalisa snickers, laying her cheek on her palm, "He scared the shit out of me when we first met. Looked like he wanted to murder me on the spot."

"He's like that. He doesn't really like people besides Jihyo and Taemin."

"And you."

The heat raised up Jeongguk's cheeks, snapping at Lalisa's observant eyes and trickling smile.

And Jeongguk quickly shakes his head, "Ha, he sure does-"

"You don't believe me?" Lalisa now leans over the table, "I've only seen you guys around each other like what, twice? Jimin clearly hates me being around you."

Okay, this is making Jeongguk feel weird.

Like his stomach being weird.

It's acting up.

Maybe it was the drinks?

Jeongguk clears his throat, despite not using his voice today, "I doubt it. Don't take it personally, he just really doesn't like people," And he nervously rubs his thigh before signing again, "He's taking this skating thing a bit too seriously these days."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, he overworks himself a lot," He signs, frowning deeply, "Literally after practices he practically runs to the hotel room after he stretches. I come in, he's passed out asleep in his work out clothes. Sometimes he doesn't wake up until the next morning or wakes up in the middle of the night at times."

Now Lalisa sits up, eyebrows furrowed, "Does he eat?"

Jeongguk thinks about it for a moment, slowly realizing that Jimin doesn't really..... Eat. Or he hasn't seen him eat at least. He doesn't want to think that Jimin isn't taking care of himself while they're practically killing themselves during this week, but..... Is he really not eating?

Hm...

Lalisa didn't wait for Jeongguk to respond, only calls over the waiter and - in Portuguese - orders food to go.

Lots of it.

Jeongguk looks between and the waiter, who's now walking away, turning back to her, "You don't have to. I could buy him something-"

"It's alright," Lalisa cuts in, smiling, "Been there before...... Just makes sure he eats the salad first and then save the meal for when he starts to feel hungry."

Been there before?

As in, probably missed eating because of practice?

Jeongguk stares at her, feeling a small tingle of warmth to her worry for Jimin. Not many people show a concern for him, besides Felix or Hongjoong during the earlier days, before Jeongguk stopped talking about him. It's a bit weird since it feels like Jeongguk is getting approval or something in regards to Jimin.

In some odd way, he kinda likes someone not really take his attitude too personally. He wants people to like Jimin because he can be a decent guy when he wants to be, just often times misunderstood.

At this moment, Lalisa was not just an idol that Jeongguk adored.

She became Jeongguk's friend, and this act she's doing for Jimin is something he will never forget.

After the two shared a soft smile together, the sun slowly disappeared and they headed back to the hotel, going off to their separate ways with an awkward hug just for the sake of it - Okay maybe towards the end he did hug her more affectionately as gratitude but he will forever be too shy to admit to that. From there Jeongguk went up to the room with the bag of food in hand.

Today has been a very long day and without a doubt he did get a tan from all of the sun, so a very needed shower is what he could really go for right now.

But first, he has something important to take care of.

Well, someone.

With a head high he enters his room, seeing it slowly get dark from the sun disappearing in the background. He could see Jimin clearly laying on his own bed, slumped as though he literally passed out cold against it.

He must be exhausted.

Quietly Jeongguk leaves his shoes by the entrance of the door and walks towards Jimin's bed, making sure he was gentle with his steps. He crouches down, laying the food on the table and gently pats Jimin's arm.

The man didn't wake up.

Jeongguk grimaces and gently turns Jimin so he's laying on his back. Jimin didn't flinch, or even reacted at all. He's breathing, calmly as though he was sleeping, but too far in this unconscious state to wake up.

He's literally been sleeping all day, he needs to eat something.

"Jimin," Jeongguk murmurs quietly, tugging Jimin's arm, "Wake."

Jimin didn't even budge.

This is definitely going to take much more effort.

A little more nervous now, because Jimin looks like he's actually dead right now, Jeongguk sits on the side of the bed and hesitantly wraps his arms around his body, dragging him to slowly sit up. Jimin head hangs back, brunette hair falling back like river streams of chocolate, but Jeongguk carefully guides his head up right and leans it to the crook of his neck.

Now Jimin breathes heavily against his skin, all the while Jeongguk cradles his body in his arms with a frown. He hasn't seen Jimin eating at all, and he doesn't know if he just isn't here when he does or he's actually starving himself.

If that was the case than how does he even have energy for practices?

Jeongguk refuses to dive in deep about it, yet, and holds Jimin closely in his arms.

Trying to get nervous by how light Jimin feels right now.

He nibbles his bottom lip, pushing his worry back, "Hmm..... J-Jimin," Was all he could quietly murmur, leaning down to rest on his forehead on Jimin's shoulder, nuzzling against his skin, "Please."

Jimin still kept sleeping, unsurprisingly, but Jeongguk still held him like this for a moment or two longer. A small hug is really what he's been needing these days, even though he's the one doing the hugging. Doesn't matter, he's had a long day and this is really easing him down to return to being grounded with himself.

He felt calm, and nice.

And hopefully Jimin is feeling the same way too, even if he's asleep.

Coming to a complete relaxation, Jeongguk slumps his shoulders to relax and pulls back to check on Jimin.

Seeing him now staring back at him.

Jeongguk blinks at him, unsure what to expect from him since Jimin doesn't really like close contact - even though they've crossed a lot of boundaries in regards to that; He still respects Jimin's wishes for his own comfort.

So he gave Jimin the space to do whatever he wanted for his next move without initiating anything.

And that he did.

Slowly Jimin sits up and away from Jeongguk's arms, sitting on the bed with knees to his chest while awkwardly refusing to look at him.

As expected.

"I was fine. You didn't have to do that."

Jeongguk twitches a frown, nodding, "Sorry."

Jimin didn't say anything more, so Jeongguk took that opportunity to reach for the nightstand and remove the box from inside the bag. He takes it out and opens it, revealing the food.

He extends a fork, "Eat...... Salad."

There's this dark gleam that clouded over Jimin's eyes the second his eyes moved to what was in front of him now, glaring at the food with this deadly hatred that Jeongguk was actually not expecting such reaction from.

He looked a scary, and very..... Angry.

"I'm not eating that," His voice is low, so low and aggressive as he dismissively looks away from the food with tight hands around his knees.

But he hasn't ate anything - that is if he was sleeping all day after practice. He didn't even eat in the morning, or any of the past mornings either, and that Jeongguk would know since they leave this room together.

They're still going to have intensive practice for the remainder of these three days and he needs the energy. His body could collapse out there.

So with eyebrows knitted together, Jeongguk clenched his jaw, still holding out the fork.

"Eat-"

The take out box of food is suddenly banged from the bottom, out of his hands and right to his face; everything now splattered against his skin and clothes with the damn box dropping to the ground.

Just like the fork from his hands that slipped past his fingertips.

This all happened so fast and abruptly that Jeongguk didn't even react, or sat there, eyes closed as the fresh smell of food coats every layer of his upper body with a few scattered around the floor to his feet.

Did Jimin just...

Did he-

Jimin did not just-

"Are you fucking out of your damn mind!" Jeongguk slowly opens his eyes despite feeling the smudge of a sauce against his eyebrows and eyelids, seeing Jimin sitting there with face completely red, "I told you I didn't want any fucking food! You're so irritating! Do you just enjoy pissing me off!"

Jeongguk parted his lips, ready to say something but he didn't know what to say. He did not expect Jimin to react this way at all, even less to fling the food at him. It was a lot to process in a spam of seconds, and now with Jimin's temper raging and yelling at him, Jeongguk is slowly starting to shake by how taken off guard he is.

How badly he wishes he could talk at this very moment.

"You don't get it, you just don't fucking get!" Jimin grabs a pillow and flings it across the room, making Jeongguk flinch and slowly move back away from him, "DON'T TRY TO DO SHIT FOR ME! JUST BECAUSE WE NEARLY FUCKED TWICE DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE ANYTHING! YOU DON'T MEAN ANYTHING TO ME! UNDERSTAND!"

Jeongguk could just barely hear Jimin's voice by how badly his ears are ringing from the volume and his anxiety reaching that familiar level of high that he began to disconnect himself from his conscious. Tears are pooling his eyes, not willingly and he's seeing images now in his vision.

"Prom king huh?"

"Your girl was sucking my dick just last night."

"Blast the music boys! Seems like he's getting a little sad."

"Aw he's crying! Turn it up higher!"

"Or even better, bring the noise to him."

Jeongguk is on his feet, moving harshly away from Jimin bombarding voice with vicious whimpers to a mix of noises slamming his ears. He's trying so desperately to make his heaves be the only loud thing he can hear, but it's so quiet that everything else sounds like a blasting speaker.

His skin is crawling, remembering the brutal noises against his ears, fucking up with his ears to hear nothing but a piercing ring to perminently fuck with his hearing. Even if he yanked the hearing aids off and slammed it to the ground, he can still hear it.

It wouldn't stop.

Help.... He needs help.

He doesn't know if he did this subconsciously or his body just reacted out of panic for him, but he doesn't remember when he took his phone out and texted in the speed skating group chat of emergencies. Not typing a letter like they agreed to.

He wrote help.

By this point he doesn't know if Jimin is still yelling at him or if it's the voices, but he's so fucking scared to even open his eyes. What if they're there?

The noise..... The noise will be too loud.

Jeongguk was so deep in his traumatic panic attack that he didn't feel when the door to his room barged open, who knows how without the key, and he felt someone in front of him.

No! NO! They found him!

He shrieks loudly and steps back, crashing against the wall-

"Hey Bambi it's okay, it's me. Don't worry, it's me," Jeongguk slowly flutters his eyes open, somehow hearing so faintly those words, and seeing Woosung standing in front of him with a small smile with Hongjoong standing behind him, looking over his entire attire with a jaw ajar in shock

The food, the clothes, everything.

All the while in the background, when Karma entered the room and saw Jeongguk's state, he instantly stormed right towards Jimin and landed a direct punch across his face out of his pulsating rage.

No one messes with Jeongguk, absolutely no one!

"THE FUCK IS YOUR DAMN PROB-" Karma mouth is covered by Minho's large hand, yanking him back from beating Jimin horribly while Felix instantly went to Jimin to also hold him back from lunging at the red haired man in his own fit of rage.

That was the last thing Jeongguk was able to see properly before being guided out of the room and taken to who knows where; anywhere but there.

Not being able to hear the way Jimin was already throwing his emotional tantrum the second Jeongguk stepped out of the room.

_________________________

A/N:

Hey loveliesssss

It's been a while, how is everyone?

I've been a little sick, maybe have a flu or something, but I'll be okay. Just been trying to find ways on getting better slowly :')

I PURPLE YOU! <33