gift exchange,
steintw:
slowly, he brings his hand up, eyeing the tools on the counter as his lips purse behind the fabric. “where…” he starts, voice low. “…would you like me to put these?” he holds up his hand, red stained around his knuckles despite his actions to wipe his hands off the best he could. “i…hope, you’ve been well.”
suji is eager for yoongi’s company. she can feel it in the way her body hums with anticipation. not only does he bring her wonderful teeth, fresh and usually free of most of the world’s rot, but his company reminds her of safety.
reminds her of home.
she busies herself with the tea, pulling two mugs, a pair of tea bags, a kettle, and a small jar of honey from one of the cabinets around her. she finds her sink, fills the kettle, and then places it on a small electronic warmer. the iron glows red as it lights with life, the heat spreading through the kettle and making the water soon bubble. she waits for the token screech of the kettle before pouring the water into each much and dropping a tea bag inside to seep.
as it seeps she finds herself turning back to yoongi, smile at hand. “where did you find these--” and she stops, brow in a furrow.
her hands are quick to catch his from across the counter, snatching at them as she pulls them close to her view. she analyzes the blood stains, frown marring her features. “are you hurt?” she asks him, fingers gentle as they brush over each of his knuckles. “i may have some bandages and perhaps some soup would clean out any wounds you have.”
suji is aware of what yoongi does. she is aware of the dirt under his nails and the scars across his skin from fight after fight. she knows of the alleys where he lurks and the role he plays. but it doesn’t stop the concern from spreading over her chest like a thick blanket, choking and infuriating really. part of her enjoys the stories she makes up in her mind about him, about his life. she imagines fist fights and switch blades, blood caked cement and feet that flee the blinding police lights. she imagines under table drug deals and men who sit on money thrones. but the reality of it breaks her heart for him. and while it seems like an enthralling life, she knows it is anything but. she knows there is cruelty and pain. she knows each of his scars burned upon infliction.
it makes her mouth twist with more concern. “if only you’d come to visit me when violence wasn’t involved,” she jests, a joke by nature. but the worry is still there, etched in the lines of her mouth. she drops his hand, “we’ll get you cleaned up. then on to business. hopefully you don’t mind spending more time with me than you have to.” another joke, she summons a smile at him this time.
suji pulls the tea bags from the cups and slides yoongi his mug, along with the honey, before turning to dig under her drawers for a set of wraps or gauze. it takes a moment but she finds some, pulling them out and placing them on the table before them. “at least tell me you won whatever fight you picked.”
