Kay', first off, I'm really sorry for the delay! I was in a holiday and when I came back Fairy Tail ended so I wanted to wrap up a few of the stories I had. If you're interested in Fairy Tail, check out my other account: Sam Morales of Sabertooth :D!
Second, this isnt the last chapter XD I know i said it would be but it got really long so I decided to split it in two. Next one will prolly be but dnt quote me on that LOL (just in case).
EDIT: The reason it got so long is because i wrote this (and the next chapter) from both their points of views.
Third, there will most likely be smut in the NEXT chapter ;) if you dont feel comfortable, feel free to skip it! Might have to change the rating.
Done! Now ENJOY! AND THANKS FOR READING!
Disclaimer: I dnt own jin goddam
The King of The Iron Fist Tournament
A Devil's Promises
Jin Kazama/Hwoarang
X
Hwoarang was bored and anxious, which was not a good mingle, and his neck was aching because he couldn't stop looking over his shoulder at his friend over the bed.
It's been two days and Jin hasn't so much as stirred.
Hwoarang was dead worried and restless. Jin had a stabilized heart rate and breathing pattern, Hwoarang has checked for a thousand times now, but the fact that he hasn't even shifted a mere inch nor made a sound gave Hwoarang the horrible idea that he failed and Jin was dead.
But that can't be possible. Hwoarang will kill him himself if he dies.
Hwoarang groaned and dropped his head onto his hands, -"Oh great, now I'm thinking nonsense,"- He released a rueful and bitter chuckle, -"Who's stupid now, huh?"
Jin's dormant condition was driving him insane. The last two days for him have been filled with nothing but anxiety, loneliness, and misery. He hasn't slept either, both due to his worry and the undeniable fact that sleeping on a couch was a bit uncomfortable. He didn't want to take any space from Jin.
And, well, sleeping alongside Jin was… another issue he preferred not to think about now.
All he has done throughout the days was watching over Jin and tend to his wounds. With the little money he had left, he bought more medical kits, and he was particularly proud of his work… until the second day passed and Jin still hasn't woken up.
The fact that he hasn't done any of his daily hours of exercise and training didn't even bothered him anymore.
All he cared about now… was Jin.
Hwoarang groaned aloud again and stood up, running his calloused hands through his hair as he sauntered towards the bathroom. He entered the shower in a pointless attempt at distracting his mind. He placed both hand on the tiled wall and looked down, watching the water stream down the gutter.
He tried to relax under the cold water showering his naked body, but it wasn't working. Nothing was.
-"Relax, Hwoarang,"- He spoke to his reflection once he stood before the mirror, -"It's gonna be fine. Jin's a tough guy. You know that better than anyone. You'll see, he'll wake up any second now-"
As though Hwoarang had been heard by some sort God, not that he's complaining, he heard strained groans from outside the bathroom, indicating that Jin was waking up. Hwoarang hadn't finished thoroughly dressing up when he sprinted out of the bathroom to Jin's side in the blink of an eye.
-"Jin? Jin!"- Hwoarang couldn't contain his gaiety and reprieve as he jolted his friend.
Jin suddenly gasped and shot his eyes open. He sat up abruptly with a sharp wince and shrank away in defense and apprehension, clutching the bed's sheets to his chest. Jin was suffering from another nightmare when he woke, panic stricken, shaking and wheezing. He was unfamiliar with his surroundings and thought he and Hwoarang were captured by Claudio's organization.
-"Hey, hey, hey, easy. It's just me."- The red-head spoke in a low, lulling tone. Hwoarang thought Jin was in a shock.
Jin fluttered his eyes open to see Hwoarang holding him tightly instead of someone else. Relief washed him thoroughly and he exhaled as his muscles unstrained and his body relaxed onto Hwoarang's grip.
-"It's just us here,"- He said, rubbing his thumb soothingly on Jin's shoulder, causing the latter to shiver and sigh in content involuntarily, -"You've been through a lot. You can relax now. You're safe."
-"Hwoarang…?"- Jin replied, dropping his shoulders and loosening his grip on the sheets, -"I… I thought…"
-"Naw, it's over. I kicked that fancy guy's ass back to Italia."- Hwoarang stated with a smug smirk, straightening himself up.
-"You… you did?"
-"You don't remember?"
Jin shook his head and looked away. He tried to remember, but nothing surfaced, as per usual. The only memories he can recall is the exorcist and his harrowing torture. He remembers fighting him and letting his guard down, allowing Claudio to attack and render him flightless. He then remembers nothing but excruciating agony, and due to that, he must have lost control from that point forward, because he doesn't remember anything else…
… except attacking Hwoarang again.
Hwoarang felt disappointed, but he brushed the sentiment away with a wave of his hand, -"I'll tell you all about it later. Uh, how do feel?"
-"I feel better,"- Jin eluded the question, still looking away, -"Where am I?"- He didn't wanted to worry nor be a burden to Hwoarang any further.
But Hwoarang wasn't stupid. He frowned at his friend, -"Don't ignore my question."
Jin gulped and finally met Hwoarang's gaze after a few silent seconds, -"I thought I was dead, Hwoarang. I… everywhere hurts, I can't move without at least crying once, and my head is about to explode, but…"
Hwoarang waited for him to continue, a sorrowful expression on his face.
But you should've left me to rot. I deserved that.
Jin gaped his mouth, but bit his bottom lip with a slight shake of his head and spoke after a few hesitating seconds, -"I'm so glad to see you…"- That wasn't what he was going to say. It wasn't a lie, however.
-"Yeah, you said that before…"- Hwoarang replied and Jin noticed a slight pink color on his cheeks despite the other trying to hide it.
-"I mean it,"- Jin added, -"You saved me."
Hwoarang shrugged nonchalantly as his blush deepened, -"Yeah, well… it's nothing."
-"Nothing?"- Jin repeated with a low chuckle, searching for Hwoarang's expression, -"You traveled far and did all this for me and you think it's nothing?"
Hwoarang looked flustered and frustrated by now. He kept looking away, hiding his face from Jin while fidgeting with the bed's sheets. Why does he have to say stuff like that!?
-"It means a lot to me, Hwoarang…"
Hwoarang's skin tingled with a spark of excitement. There he goes with those words that get me hopeful again…
-"It's nothing, Jin. I mean, you… you needed help and I couldn't just do nothing."- Hwoarang looked at Jin now, after the heat from his face subsided.
-"How… how did you know?"- Jin asked, tilting his head slightly. He never told Hwoarang of his troubles.
-"Look, I'll… we'll talk about it later,"- He dismissed the question with a wave of his hand. He didn't want to talk about that now, -"Lemme check those nasties."
Jin hesitated for a moment and then nodded slowly, leaning back down on the bed to allow Hwoarang to work on him. Jin trusted Hwoarang. It was him that saved him from Claudio and tended to him all this time. His body sunk slightly when Hwoarang sat beside him. Jin, from the new perspective, noticed the other's unclad torso. He gulped and gazed away.
All the while, the red-headed fighter tried not to stare too long at Jin's unequal torso as he made himself vulnerable on the bed.
Hwoarang didn't know where to start, like usual. Jin just had a lot of injuries for him to pick. He started with the one that caught his eye first, the vertical cut that started from the crook of his armpit and reaching the tip of his sharp hipbone. To cover that one up, Hwoarang wasted a whole pack of bandages. He wasted an equal amount of time unwrapping it.
-"Did he… did he do this to you?"- Hwoarang inquired, running his finger through the wound's length gently and absentmindedly.
Jin shuddered at Hwoarang's touch. He could only nod, too distracted with the warmth of Hwoarang's fingers on his skin.
-"And this?"- Hwoarang pointed at the deep gash just above his v-line.
Jin nodded again.
-"You mean, all this,"- Hwoarang's gestured at Jin's whole body, rife with big and small cuts, bruises and sears, -"… was him?!"
Jin nodded for the third time, quiet as always.
-"He tortured you?"
Jin sighed and looked away again, -"It's… alright, Hwoarang. I-"
-"Alright? Alright my fucking ass!"- Hwoarang bleated, gesturing at Jin's wrecked body, -"Look at what he did, Jin! He almost killed you and you say its alright?!"
-"I deserved it, for… for all I've done."- Jin cupped his face.
-"No! No, you didn't!"- Hwoarang couldn't believe the words out of Jin's mouth. He yanked the other's hands from his face, -"That guy was a twisted jerk!"
-"I'm a monster, Hwoarang. You… you know better than anyone,"- Jin slowly lifted his gaze to Hwoarang and his guilt-ridden expression broke Blood Talon's heart. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, -"I attacked you… two times now."
Hwoarang was rendered blank for a moment, -"But you didn't. You didn't hurt me. What are you saying?"
-"But I could've. If you hadn't spoken to me, if I hadn't heard your voice, I would've… I would've killed you."- Jin's voice was shaking as he looked at Hwoarang with the most sorrowful expression he has ever seen.
-"No, no, no, not you! That… that wasn't you, Jin! I know it!"- Hwoarang rose his voice, making Jin flinch, -"Whatever that was, it wasn't you!"
Jin educed a low, bitter chuckle, -"If only it were that simple…"
Hwoarang was taken aback, -"What do you mean?"- He pried, hoping Jin will say something.
Jin gaped his mouth to say something, but closed it off at the last second. He didn't wanted to say something he'd regret later, -"I… I should get going. I don't want to cause any trouble."
Jin made to sit and stand up, but Hwoarang pushed him back onto the bed, a bit harshly due to his growing frustration, -"No, you're not going anywhere. Not on my watch."
-"Hwoarang, please-"
-"No, you can't! You're… you're in no condition to leave!"- Hwoarang blurted abruptly, surprising Jin and himself. For starters, Jin is undoubtedly unsuited to be walking yet. Second, Hwoarang didn't wanted him to leave… for a more personal reason.
He missed Jin, so damn much. More than he would like to admit. He had been searching and chasing after his friend for so long… Hwoarang couldn't lose him when he finally found him.
-"Besides, I… I promised I'd take care of you, so… let me keep my word. You can't leave until then. I won't let you, anyways."
Jin's expression was ridden with so many emotions Hwoarang couldn't point out, -"Hwoarang, you don't understand-"
-"Then explain it to me!"- Hwoarang yelled, slamming his fists on the bed, startling Jin, -"I want to understand! Let me understand so I can help you! Please!"
Jin was speechless, eyes wide and sparkling with awe, hope and even joy. He didn't know what to say. He was too struck by Hwoarang's words. His heart was thumping against his chest and his face felt warm.
Hwoarang groaned tiredly after guessing that Jin wouldn't talk to him, -"Let me get this over with then."- He mumbled, angrily ripping open the bandages' satchel to start tending to his injuries.
As Hwoarang began to pour peroxide over the cloth, Jin breathed deeply and gripped Hwoarang's hand. He needed to say something. No, I need to say so many things. Jin had so much pent up in his heart. He felt it clogged up and about to burst.
-"Wha-"
-"It's the devil gene,"- Jin began, hands shaking anxiously atop Hwoarang's, -"It runs in my blood and I… I can't control it."
Hwoarang felt his air thinning as he continued to hear Jin eagerly, though the other's anxiety worried him.
-"It can possess me when I least expect it to, or when a strong emotion overwhelms me, like anger or fear…"- Jin explained, head hung with shame and dread.
-"Is that what…?"
-"Turns me into that thing?"- Jin finished the other's question bitterly, -"Yes…"
-"How…? Why do you have it?"- Hwoarang pried.
Jin tensed and closed his mouth before he could spill more beans. He released Hwoarang's hand and was stunned when he felt a crave for it, -"I don't want to involve you in this, Hwoarang. Please, I… I need you to understand, to trust me."
Hwoarang realized that might be the reason he never told him of his issues. Hwoarang did trust him, but he doesn't understand. He doesn't really want to either. He thought Jin was just being too stubborn to accept help, -"I think I've been involved since you first… you know."
-"I'm sorry…"
-"This is like the hundredth time you've apologized, dude,"- Hwoarang complained and huffed, absentmindedly rubbing his fingers over the spot Jin's hand once was, -"Can it already. It wasn't you."
-"I can't help it,"- Jin replied in a low, shaky tone as he wallowed over the memory again, -"I still can't forgive myself."
-"I forgave you."- He blurted without a second thought. That's one of the many things he wanted to say to Jin. He couldn't miss the opportunity.
-"What?"- Jin breathed in disbelief, looking up at him with dilated, glossy eyes, -"You… you do?"
Hwoarang nodded, -"I told you, that wasn't you,"- The red-head hasn't realized he began to lean closer to Jin without thought, placing one hand beside the other's head and making the bed sink further, -"You… you said so yourself, remember? You said you wouldn't do that…,"- His heart began to race in anticipation and his mouth dried as he gazed down at Jin in his vulnerable state, -"… that you wouldn't hurt anyone, specially not me."
Jin was unaware of Hwoarang's closeness. He couldn't focus on anything except his friend's mouth and eyes. Jin remembers saying those words, but he hadn't expected for Hwoarang to undermine the meaning behind them. This can't be happening, -"Hwoarang…"- He breathed.
-"And I believe you,"- Hwoarang continued, further enthralling Jin, -"I believed you after I defeated that guy. You were gonna attack me until you… became you, the Jin I know… the Jin I miss."
Hwoarang jerked back with a deep gasp. That last phrase wasn't supposed to come out of his mouth.
What the hell am I doing?! Hwoarang berated himself, smacking his own head after realizing the lack of space between them.
-"I, uh… you must be starving. I'll go fetch some food."- Hwoarang spoke too quickly. Jin didn't caught a single word.
Jin wanted to call out for him, but the taekwondo combatant was already out of the room. He sighed and looked up at the ceiling, unable to stop thinking about Hwoarang and his words.
He hadn't known Hwoarang felt so strongly about him like that. It explains why he has gone so far to find him in the past. Jin was so focused in his situation with his family that he had ignored the red-head completely. Now, however, he wished he hadn't.
A small portion of his heart was beating in the hopes that maybe Hwoarang felt more for him, felt the same as Jin did, but Jin ignored it. It can't be possible, he thought, heaving a laborious breath, even if… even if he does feel the same… we can't do anything about it.
As Hwoarang stormed out of the room to the near minimarket, he kept cursing and mumbling to himself. Why did he make that move? He wasn't thinking when he did, it was an impulsive and whimsical act, but Hwoarang had felt so desperate and confident about it.
Claudio's words rose to his head inevitably: he loves you, fool! Can you believe such barbarity?
Hwoarang wanted to believe it, wholeheartedly, but it seemed so farfetched and fantasized.
He drove those thoughts away as he stepped in the minimarket and bought something to eat for Jin. The room they were staying in didn't had a kitchen, but it at least had a microwave and a small fridge. Hwoarang bought a pack of pre-made pizzas, burgers, burritos, and different types of snacks. He bought a gallon of water, in addition.
He left with the bags hooked on his arms, counting the remainder of his money as he walked back to the room, and sighed sullenly. He didn't have much left, but it was enough to survive the week. Once he returned to the room, he shoved the burgers in the microwave and returned to Jin's side while he waited for it to cook. He continued where he left off bandaging the silent fighter.
Neither of them spoke and the air felt heavy with unspoken words.
Hwoarang couldn't endure it anymore, -"I'm, er… cooking something for you. It'll be ready soon."- He spoke out, wrapping the cloth around Jin's strapping chest. Hwoarang gulped to wet his dried throat as he attempted to peel his eyes off the other's flesh.
-"Thanks…"- Is all Jin could say as a reply. There was a lot on his mind.
-"You hungry?"
Jin smiled weakly, -"Starving. I'm running on a granola bar."
-"Seriously?"- Hwoarang sighed and nearly squealed when he heard the microwave ding, -"I'll go get it."
He retrieved the burgers and sat beside Jin once again with the plates on his hands. He hissed, feeling the plate's edges hot, and pulled his fingers away.
-"Damn, that's hot,"- He commented, lifting one of the two burgers in his hand, -"Here. I know it's not much, but it's all I could afford. I'll shove it up your ass if you start complaining."
Jin released a low chortle as he grabbed the burger from Hwoarang's hand, -"It's fine."- Just then, his stomach grumbled and strained painfully at the sight of food. Without thought, he drove the burger into his mouth and swallowed it wholly in one gulp. He started coughing afterwards.
-"H-hey, take it easy!"- Hwoarang impulsively reached for his friend, slipping an arm underneath the other's back to slowly and painstakingly sit him up. He becomes oblivious of the actuality that he stays still as he helps Jin compose himself.
Jin doesn't mind it. He fully welcomes it, in fact, and his skin prickles in agreement.
-"You're hungry alright,"- Hwoarang commented, -"Want mine?"
Jin only stared at him in question.
-"I'll cook another one."
Promptly, Jin snitched the burger from Hwoarang's palm and eats away at it, this time more calmly, swallowing the chunks of meat and bread gently.
Hwoarang didn't stood to cook another burger for him yet. He only sat there beside Jin, watching him as he eats with a grieved expression. Suddenly, Jin started to cough again and Hwoarang pressed himself against Jin, tightening his arm enfolded around his back and careful not to hurt any injuries. He aided Jin through the episode again and when the latter looked up, they find their faces only mere inches apart.
Neither moved or said anything; they only stared into each other's eyes as the atmosphere between them shifted to a heavy heat emanating from their bodies and the rapid drumming of their throbbing hearts.
Hwoarang thought Jin's eyes were a sight to behold. He couldn't peel his away, only travel lower to file Jin's exquisite features in his mind again; essentially his structured, protruding jaw and his perfect mouth.
Which, he just realized, its lips were scarred.
Hwoarang spurred and reached for the cut without thought. Jin tensed, but allowed Hwoarang's thumb to graze over the wound, causing him to wince lowly. The pain faded to nothing once the warmth of Hwoarang's hand kicked in. He exhaled and closed his eyes mildly in satisfaction.
-"Sorry, I…"
Hwoarang was about to yank his hand back to avoid hurting Jin further until he saw the peaceful look on his face, like he didn't want him to pry his hand away.
Hwoarang was captivated by Jin's relaxed features as he continued to gently caress his lips. Again, the silent fighter looked innocent, vulnerable, and utterly breathtaking. The soft, low gratifying sounds that escaped Jin's mouth made the moment ten times better for Hwoarang; he felt a swelling jubilance and heat bubbling in his guts that spread to his body and face, spurring him to stretch his fingers and rub over Jin's jaw. Hwoarang held his breath as he felt the length and stiffness of the other's jaw. He has always dreamt of doing that and he couldn't believe it was happening now.
Jin, moreover, was literally falling asleep on Hwoarang's hand. He had never felt so secure and comfortable before, not with anyone else beside his mother, and since her death… Jin has grown uptight and cynical. It was a foolish and frivolous wish, but Jin has yearned for that sentiment for a long time. He was glad Hwoarang was with him; he was glad to have someone to rely on, someone to trust when things get grim. And that was Hwoarang.
But he couldn't risk getting too comfortable with it.
Reluctantly, Jin gripped Hwoarang by the wrist and pulled his hand away, looking elsewhere from the other's questioning gaze.
Hwoarang was befuddled, but he didn't push Jin to answer his piling queries. Before he could say anything at all, however, Jin turned over his side and closed his eyes for the day.
Hwoarang stayed up a while longer, sulking over the events of the day, until his body began to beg him for rest. He slept on the couch and his back began to complain.
Jin awoke the next day to the smell and sound of sizzling bacon. He sat up with a strained groan and watched Hwoarang cooking breakfast with a slight hump to his back. Jin's chest constricted with worry and guilt and he spoke without thought.
-"You've been sleeping on the couch."- He stated the obvious.
Hwoarang laughed, -"Good morning to you too."
-"Hwoarang."
-"I'm fine,"- He said flatly, scooping the greasy meat from the newly bought pan over the newly bought burner. He's officially broke now, -"Hope you're hungry."
-"Hwoarang."- Jin called again, with more depth this time, and it caught his roommate's attention.
Hwoarang sighed in defeat, -"Yeah, I've been sleeping on the couch. So what?"
-"It can't be comfortable."
-"It's not, but it doesn't matter,"- Hwoarang spat as he turned to Jin's with a plate filled with eggs and bacon on his hands, -"Are you gonna eat this or not?"
Jin nodded slowly and Hwoarang walked towards him to leave his plate over the bed. Jin watched as he returned to the counter for his plate and made his way towards the couch to watch TV as he ate.
-"It never bothered you before."- Jin commented after a few quiet minutes, picking on his food glumly.
-"Huh?"- Hwoarang muttered with his mouth full, never looking back at Jin from where he sat.
-"Sleeping with me."
Hwoarang froze as his mind involuntarily summoned the memory of the time when they used to share a room in the sorry excuse of a lodgment from their high school, Hwoarang used to think. They were really close back then and sleeping in the same bed hardly bothered neither of them. All the rooms with three or more beds had been taken and the duo were forced to choose between the measly ones with one bed and no kitchen.
With the memory came nostalgia, anguish, and a pulsing headache he couldn't subdue no matter how many times he rubbed his temples.
But Jin was waiting for him to say something. Maybe it was time to talk, -"Yeah, well… it wasn't me who suddenly disappeared from the face of the Earth and became a stranger."- And he regretted it the second he gaped his mouth because he knew it'd hurt Jin. He didn't add anything else to fix his blunder, either. Jin did disappeared and became a stranger.
That struck a nerve in Jin. He tensed his jaw and felt his pulse hitching to erratic levels as he clutched the bed's sheets at his sides. Deep breath after deep breath, Jin tried to ignore and control the pokes of the devil gene on his conscience, -"You don't understand, Hwoarang."- It's all he could bring himself to say. He doesn't want to cause another incident, much less inside a motel.
Hwoarang suddenly rose to his feet, arms flung in the air, -"Aaaand we're back to square one!"- He was moody. He blamed his sore back, not Jin. Definitely not Jin for causing him to pull an all-nighter just thinking about him and the events of the previous day, -"I don't understand because you never said anything! You left without a single damn word and I had no fucking clue what the hell was happening with you! Hell, I still don't!"
Jin was gritting his teeth. His jaw was aching badly. He doesn't think he'll be able to keep his mouth shut for another minute, not if Hwoarang doesn't stop yapping. There's just so much bottled up.
-"I… I fucking waited for you, Jin! And I looked for you after weeks of hearing nothing from you!"- Hwoarang continued his rant as he stomped to where Jin sat, frustrated in a frenzy of mixed emotions and thoughts he had been dying to voice out for years. He became oblivious of what his mouth spilled, but he didn't cared, -"You promised! You promised you'd come back to spar with me again, like we used to! Old times sake, remember? Old times! But I guess I can't take the promises of a freaking devil, can I?!"
That did it for Jin. Hwoarang was near enough for him to lurch upward and take hold of his shirt, completely ignoring the pain that churned his entire body from head to toe. The plate of his breakfast fell, but Jin ignored it and pulled the red-haired fighter down until their faces were evened and only a few inches apart. The lack of space, the heat and sweat between them bypassed both their consciousness.
And that sort of hostility, no matter how small, knocked Hwoarang out of his frenzy. He has never seen Jin lose his cool before.
-"I never said anything because of your indifference, Hwoarang! You didn't care about anything or anyone other than yourself and your stupid scheme of proving to be the best fighter!"- Hwoarang was stuck at 'stupid'. Jin rarely swears, -"You only came to me to fight, not because you cared! How can I say anything to someone so ignorant!? How can I expect help from someone like that, and worse, someone who I considered a friend?"- Jin meant his words, but there was more to it.
Hwoarang's ears were ringing the more his chest and head palpitated. With the revelation, out of Jin's mouth, which wasn't something Hwoarang wasn't aware of, the taekwondo fighter was struck and left speechless. Hwoarang believed Jin, but knew there was more to his words.
It created a perfect opportunity for him to open his mouth and speak out, in any case.
He has been rehearsing this for a while now.
Guess I needed to hear it from you, he mused as he came to the realization that it was all he needed. He needed to hear from Jin how ignorant and indifferent he used to be. Hwoarang knew it, he knew he was a lowly jerk and had intended to apologize to Jin, tell him how guilty he felt and how much he regretted his actions, but something held him back. Jin. He needed to hear it from Jin.
-"I was stupid, so damn stupid,"- His hands moved over Jin's and they were quivering with frustration and fear, -"And I'm so sorry, Jin. I should've realized sooner that I was a damn prick. Maybe if I had… things would've been different."
Jin observed his friend, stupefied and speechless, and saw genuine guilt in his eyes as he tightened his fingers around Jin's hands.
-"I was so stuck-up that I choose to ignore you, thinking whatever you were going through was nothing too serious, nothing bigger nor more important than me, but that wasn't supposed to matter. No matter how small or big your problems were, I was supposed help… as your friend, and I failed… big time,"- A low, bitter chuckle slipped past Hwoarang's lips, accompanied by an escaped tear from his red-ringed eyes. Jin loosened his grip on Hwoarang's shirt at the sight, -"All I wanted was… to be with you, to follow you wherever you go, because I… I admire you. I know it's hard to believe, but it's the truth."
Jin noted the reluctance in his voice as he spoke, aside from the unsteady pattern between his words. There was more than Hwoarang let on. He meant to say something else.
-"I'm… really, really, really sorry, Jin. I hope… I hope you can forgive me too,"- He really hoped so, but it's been years and the gap was too long. Things were different, -"And if you don't, well… you still have to stick with me because I'm not letting you leave yet."
Jin was at a loss for words. The man before him, yet again, amazed him with his sincere words. Not ever has Jin heard him speak like that, much less about him. This unpremeditated journey they've taken… has proven to be quite the surprise. They've both learned traits and facts about each other they have never known before.
Just as Hwoarang wasn't being entirely honest, Jin wasn't either, but this moment… was too precious for both of them to muck up. Jin suddenly remembered, sometime in their journey, feeling Hwoarang's fingers wiping a tear from his face. He did the same; he stretched his arm up, painfully so, and gently brushed the tear that slid down Hwoarang's cheek. The red-head wasn't expecting the gesture, but he welcomed it, -"That… doesn't sound so bad. I forgive you, Hwoarang. We're both at fault, anyways. I didn't know you felt so guilty."
-"There's a lot you don't know,"- Hwoarang took a deep breath and lowered Jin's hand, -"How about we start again, from scratch? You and me?"
Jin has never wanted anything more in his life. He was in the midst of answering when an unbearable pain assaulted his body; Jin grunted and fell back on the bed, gripping his abdominal wound and feeling it damp with blood.
Hwoarang quickly looked for his medical kits. Before he started tending to his re-opened wounds, Hwoarang paused and looked at Jin expectantly, -"I take it that's a yes?"
Jin smiled weakly and nodded.
Hwoarang tried, but failed, to contain his joy.
The process could go wrong or right, slow or fast, but it began that night when Hwoarang, out of habit, prompted to rest on the couch until Jin called him on it.
-"Sleep here. I won't mind."- Jin said, laying on the bed for the night.
Hwoarang couldn't see him, but he knew Jin was serious, -"Look, I don't wanna take up of your space. What if I end up hurt-"
-"Hwoarang,"- Jin wasn't having his excuses anymore, -"Please."
His back didn't complain when he laid down and he couldn't suppress a sigh of content from filling the otherwise quiet room. Jin chortled.
-"Don't say it."- Hwoarang spat, a hidden, playful smirk on his lips as he rolled over his side, back facing his friend, to give Jin as much space as he could.
The room went silent again for a few seconds until Jin spoke, -"I told you."
-"Damn you, Kazama."
That same night, Hwoarang felt the mattress beneath him trembling, heard low, muffled whimpers and short, unsteady spurts of breath. He rolled to his other side to face his friend's back and realized that it was him causing the distortion. It was Jin who silently sniveled and whimpered in his sleep.
Hwoarang poked his shoulder, -"Jin?"- But he received no response, only more soft cries of fear. Worry and pity spurred Hwoarang to think of a solution for his friend's infliction. He deduced Jin was having a nightmare.
And his deduction was proved assertive when Jin began to murmur to himself, -"N… no… please…,"- He clutched the bed sheets to his chest again and Hwoarang thought it must be a habit of his when he feels anxious or panicked, -"… don't… don't hurt him…"
Blood Talons did the first idea that crossed his mind and that was to press his body against Jin's and toss his arm over the other's waist to spoon him in a secure lock. Hwoarang reached for the soft sheet and pulled it over their bodies, trying to emanate as much heat as possible. Jin's shaking wasn't caused by cold, but he hoped the heat from his body would lull his friend from the nightmare. With his face buried in the crook of Jin's neck and his other arm serving as an additional pillow, Hwoarang began to whisper soothing words into the other's ear, all the while ignoring how good Jin smelled and how cozy he was feeling being this close to his perpetual crush.
-"Jin, hey. It's not real. It's just a nightmare,"- He stroked Jin's abdomen in slow, steady circles, feeling the sturdy shape of his celiac muscles under his fingers. Hwoarang ignored his growing arousal. He had to do anything to pull Jin's mind out of the nightmare, -"I'm right here. You're not alone."
After several minutes of gentle strokes and soothing words, Jin's body relaxed and his breathing pattern returned to normal. Hwoarang waited for any signs that his partner was awake; he wanted to know if he was uncomfortable with the position they shared.
Amidst the darkness of the room, Hwoarang saw Jin's head swiveling slightly until their eyes met over the karate fighter's shoulder, -"Hwoarang…?"- He slurred sleepily, his voice laced with a whit of fear.
-"Hey,"- The-read replied, struggling to remain calm. His guts were churning with an undeniable heat and desire, -"You were having a nightmare. Though I'd help, y'know, being in the same bed and all. Hope you don't mind."
-"N-no…,"- Jin stammered, but seemed decisive, -"It's alright."
Jin doesn't mind the embrace, not at all, but he couldn't help feeling rather flustered and nervous of his love interest's closeness to him.
Silence engulfed the room once more until Hwoarang gathered enough courage to ask the question, -"Wanna talk about it?"
Jin nibbled on his quivering lips as the memories of the nightmare popped into his mind. He kept it to himself, but eventually, as he lazed increasingly, Jin narrated the nightmare to him: it was Jin watching the devil gene, with his own body, murdering Hwoarang.
-"It doesn't matter,"- Jin said suddenly, clasping his hand over Hwoarang's, the one that gently stroked him into calmness. Hwoarang shivered and nearly squealed at the touch, -"Because it wasn't real. I would never do that to you."
Hwoarang smiled in the dark, -"Exactly. Glad you got it down."
Jin felt the shape of Hwoarang's lips curving into a smile against the nape of his neck and it summoned a blazing heat to his face. He was glad Hwoarang's couldn't see him, -"Thank you… Hwoarang. For this and… for everything."
Hwoarang shrugged slightly, -"You know what I'm gonna say. It's nothing."
The red-head heard Jin chuckle lowly for a short moment, -"I know."
The room went quiet once more. Hwoarang, absentmindedly, continued to stroke Jin's skin. The silence bored him and he poked Jin's shoulder gently to see if he fell asleep. A relieved smiled bloomed on his lips when he noticed the other still as a rock and breathing steadily in slumber.
Hwoarang exhaled before he closed his eyes and submerged himself in sleep too.
That was cute wasnt it