Work Text:
Seokjin reached out for the radio, turning it down. His hand met with Jeongguk’s, who moved to turn it up. He flinched back.
Their argument was still ringing loud and clear in his head. The words that spilled from their lips, hurting each other without a second thought, wanting the other to be in pain, to suffer made him shiver uncomfortably. It was, without doubt, their worst fight ever. The loud music interrupted by static whenever they drove through a village only made his headache worse.
He put his arms back in his lap instead.
Jeongguk preferred music. He liked letting the loudness drown out his thoughts. It was a way for him to get a break from his head. So Seokjin kept his hands in his lap with eyes shut from pain. His relief was calm Jeongguk.
Instead, he tried to focus on the road. The sky was setting down, red and orange seeping through clouds. There were alone on a road with holes in it, surrounded by flowerless fields. Neverending green around them made him nauseous.
He let his eyes drop. Everything around him made him feel even worse.
Jeongguk didn’t say a word. He did, however, turned the music down and slipped his free hand between Seokjin’s. He kept on driving.
Seokjin didn’t know how much time has passed before Jeongguk’s grip became too strong. He held him like that only when he was nervous. Other times, he’d treat Seokjin like he was precious - like he still couldn’t believe he got to have him in his arms and he was gonna disappear like a frail dream if he just squeezed too hard.
But whenever Jeongguk got nervous, he’d grip Seokjin’s body like his life depended on his. When life around them became too chaotic, he could always find his rock in his hyung.
So when Jeongguk, even though probably only subconsciously, dug his nails into Seokjin’s fingers, he knew something was wrong. He forced his eyes open, taking in Jeongguk’s appearance.
He looked good. He always did. But this time, under his eyes were ugly looking bruises with a deep wrinkle on his forehead. He chewed on his lips, droplets of blood visible on his chin.
Seokjin’s heart clenched.
“Pull over,” there was no anger in his voice left, “let me drive for awhile.”
Jeongguk looked so relieved it almost brought tears into his eyes. Even when their switched seats, one of Jin’s hands on the steering wheel, the other found its way back between Jeongguk’s. He kept on holding tight, slowly whimpering and turning around in his sleep. But he never let go.
Jin smiled. They were going to be okay