Claimed

Jungkook had always been the type to keep things close to his chest. He was known for his cold exterior, the way his sharp eyes seemed to pierce through anyone who dared to get too close. But with Jimin, things were different. The moment Jungkook laid eyes on him, he knew he had to protect that soft smile, those bright eyes that seemed to see the good in everything.

Jimin was the sunshine that warmed the cold walls Jungkook had built around his heart. But sometimes, that warmth made Jungkook anxious. The world wasn't always kind, and Jungkook couldn't help but feel the need to shield Jimin from it, even if it meant holding on a little too tightly.

It started out small. Jungkook would drape his arm around Jimin's shoulders whenever they were out together, subtly reminding others that Jimin was taken. Jimin thought it was cute, endearing even, how Jungkook always wanted to be close. But as time went on, Jungkook's protective nature began to feel more like possession.

"Jungkook-ah, I’m just going to grab coffee with Taehyung," Jimin said one morning, slipping on his favorite yellow sweater.

Jungkook’s eyes darkened slightly. "Again? You saw him yesterday."

Jimin tilted his head, confused. "Yeah, but we didn’t get to talk much. Plus, he’s my best friend."

Jungkook’s jaw clenched, but he forced a smile. "Just... don’t stay out too long, okay? I’ll miss you."

Jimin laughed softly, leaning in to peck Jungkook’s lips. "You’re so clingy, Kookie. I’ll be back before you know it."

As Jimin left, Jungkook’s heart tightened with a familiar unease. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Jimin—he did, with every fiber of his being. But the thought of Jimin being out of his sight, sharing his sunshine with others, made something dark and possessive stir within him.

Hours passed, and Jimin still hadn’t returned. Jungkook’s anxiety morphed into frustration as he stared at his phone, willing it to ring with Jimin’s name on the screen. Finally, the door clicked open, and Jimin walked in, a content smile on his face.

"Sorry, Kookie, we lost track of time," Jimin said, slipping off his shoes. "Taehyung and I ended up—"

"Why didn’t you answer your phone?" Jungkook’s voice was icy, cutting through Jimin’s explanation.

Jimin blinked, taken aback by the sudden change in Jungkook’s tone. "I... I didn’t hear it, I guess. Kook, what’s wrong?"

Jungkook stood, his hands clenched at his sides. "You said you’d be back soon. I’ve been waiting for hours, worried sick, and you couldn’t even bother to check your phone?"

Jimin’s heart sank. "Jungkook, I didn’t mean to worry you. I’m sorry."

But the apology wasn’t enough to calm Jungkook’s racing thoughts. "Are you sure it was just coffee? You’re spending so much time with Taehyung lately. What’s going on?"

Jimin’s eyes widened in hurt. "You don’t trust me?"

"It’s not that," Jungkook snapped, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I just... I need to know you’re safe. I need to know you’re mine."

Jimin stepped closer, reaching out to take Jungkook’s hands in his own. "Kook, I am yours. But you have to trust me too. I love you, and that’s not going to change just because I have friends."

Jungkook’s anger began to dissolve into guilt as he looked into Jimin’s earnest eyes. "I’m sorry, Jiminie. I just... I’m scared of losing you."

Jimin’s heart softened as he cupped Jungkook’s face. "You’re not going to lose me, Jungkook. But you can’t keep me locked away either. I need to be free to be myself, and that doesn’t mean I love you any less."

Jungkook pulled Jimin into a tight embrace, burying his face in the crook of Jimin’s neck. "I’ll try, Jiminie. I’ll try to let go a little. Just... don’t leave me."

Jimin smiled, pressing a kiss to Jungkook’s hair. "I’m not going anywhere, Kook. We’re in this together, okay?"

Jungkook nodded, holding Jimin close as if afraid he’d disappear. But deep down, he knew that Jimin wasn’t someone who could be caged. He was the sunshine, and sunshine was meant to be shared. Jungkook just had to learn to share it, to trust that no matter where Jimin’s light shone, it would always return to him.

And as they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, Jungkook realized that letting go didn’t mean losing control. It meant gaining something far more precious—the peace of knowing that their love was strong enough to withstand anything, even his own fears.

Because in the end, Jimin wasn’t just his possession. He was his partner, his equal, the one who made him feel whole. And that was worth more than any claim he could ever lay on him.