Chapter Text
Jimin finally came back to the city after 4 long years of loneliness, adulting and taking care of himself. So, quite obviously, the first thing he wanted to do after landing was meet up with his friends.
He sat at this new cafe that was being hyped up recently for its beautiful decor, waiting for others to join. He was drumming his fingers to the beat of some low pop music in the background when a waiter placed a pinkish-orange drink on his table.
Jimin turned to them, about to reject them because he definitely didn't order this drink, when the waiter pointed somewhere behind him and uttered, “Courtesy of the gentleman over there.”
He peeked behind him in search of the said man. And found a guy probably the same age as Jimin, if not more, grinning and waving at him. Jimin tried to rack his brains, if he was supposed to know this guy, but he still couldn't recognise him. He watched as the guy leapt from the barstool and walked towards him.
Jimin waited awkwardly as the guy, who was dressed in a shirt with hammock prints and cargo shorts, made his way through the crowd. He still has no fucking clue about who this man was supposed to be. A part of him didn't want to talk to a random stranger and give them any kind of signals because he wasn't really searching for anyone to mingle. There was a whole big human-sized reason for him not to look too, but Jimin decided not to open that Pandora’s box at the current moment.
“Hello, beauty! I hope you don't mind the drink I sent.” The guy said as he pointed towards the glass.
Jimin sighed in relief as he realised the guy also didn't know him.
“It's non-alcoholic. I just thought pink and orange suited your outfit, doesn't it?”
Jimin looked down at his peach silk shirt paired with a high-waisted black denim decorated with black rhinestones and back at the drink.
“You like oranges? The fruit or the colour?” Jimin asked with a pout.
“I definitely like oranges as a fruit. But I like you in orange shades too, or wait… maybe peach. Yeah, peach suits you more.”
Jimin shook his head to dismiss the thought. It's been 4 years, it's high time he moves on and forgets him rather than spiralling at the same spot.
He smiled, putting as much sweetness as he could, “Thanks for the offer. But I think I have to reject your drink. I am sorry.”
Jimin turned himself away then, when his eyes skimmed over a familiar face. His heart picked up its pace as his eyes retraced their steps. That one moment was enough for him to start feeling all tingly. The surroundings for some reason quietened down as he could finally discern the music that was playing in the background.
Said "Sabrina, don't you know Devin?"
And I was like
Huh…
Jimin gasped audibly as he finally found that face again. Him. NONE OTHER THAN THE MIN YOONGI! All the alarms in his brain started blaring, indicating his impending doom.
Now you should know Jimin is strong. He definitely knows how to behave properly in a public place. But in front of Yoongi… well, that's a different case altogether. He is fucking weak whenever the other is involved, and he is well aware that he melts faster than a cheese slice on a burning pan.
Jimin froze, maybe even stopped breathing. He couldn't care less about what the other guy was even chatting about, not when Yoongi stood at a distance, glaring at him, who was so oblivious of this fact. There was a certain depth to that glare, a slight tilt of his head… like if laser eyes were a possibility, the place would as much be burning right now.
When did you get hot?
All the sudden I could look you up and down all day…
Jimin scoffed when he heard the lyrics, because it was never about “when did he get hot?” but always about “why was he so hot?!” when it was Yoongi he was talking about. And most of the time, it wasn't even something very special. A smile here, a brush of fingers there. The scent of his earthy cologne on a windy day, or… Jimin raked his eyes over the elder’s frame. Yoongi was dressed in a tucked navy shirt, with his sleeves rolled up, paired with dark dress pants. He looked prim and proper, like he was going for an interview, very professional, something that would make a good first impression.
Wait! Did Yoongi come here on a date??
It doesn’t matter.
It shouldn’t matter.
Honestly… Jimin was far too gone for this guy, and really, there was no reason at all. He had promised himself that moving out was his new slate. Yoongi was past tense; he should get over him, over this stupid crush. But everything that he had tried to bury in these four years just broke those damn walls and overflowed.
He felt a drop of sweat trickling down his back in a fully air-conditioned restaurant. So, he took it as a sign and turned back to the guy, successfully stopping his rambling, “Uhm… thanks, but I should go. I just remembered something.” He got down from the seat and focused on the exit sign to get away as soon as possible, not even waiting for the guy’s answer. He can meet Taehyung and Jungkook some other day, he convinced himself.
He was just about to push the door and exit when a hand stopped him. The same pale hand with the rolled-up sleeves. Jimin could see his veins… Yoongi was so pale! He noted that they had just turned more prominent with time, and a little part of him wanted a taste. But he stomped that thought away. He winced the very next second, though, when his eyes fell over the bracelet that adorned that wrist with trinkets attached, which spelled “minimin”.
“Minimin? What's that, honey?”
Jimin turned to his mother with a proud smile. He had hand-made the bracelet for his Yoongi hyung’s 7th birthday with that specific term because it meant mini-min. Minnie and Min. Jimin and Yoongi. He tried to conceal his smile and answered, “Uhm… nothing big, eomma.”
“Your smile says you are hiding something. Tell me!!” She moved closer, “or the tickle monster’s gonna catch you!” and wriggled her fingers in front of him.
Jimin giggled in anticipation. “Nooo! I’ll tell you. Keep the tickle monster away.” He nuzzled into her tummy next, “Eommonim, you will laugh if I tell you.”
She ruffled his hair and pecked the top of his head. “Not at all. Tell Eomma, quickly!”
He chuckled again and started hesitantly. “It means mini-min.” He peeked at her, still stuck to her torso. “Mini. Like tiny min. Because Hyung is small, just like me!”
“OMG, Jimin. That's…” she shook her head as no words came to her. “That's a burn, Minnie.... If he chases you after this, I am telling you, eomma won't save you.”
A grin spread on Jimin's face, “But how will he know, if we both never speak of it again?”
“So…” Yoongi’s deep voice uttered near Jimin, and a shiver ran down his spine. “Where are you off to?”
Jimin's breathing quickened as he felt Yoongi's warm chest hovering near his back. His knees wobbled, and he clutched the handle tighter even though he could bet his favourite Chelsea boots that Yoongi was all ready to catch him anyway.
Yoongi moved closer, as Jimin felt his breath on his nape. “Are you trying to ru–”
Jimin was startled when his phone started ringing at the highest volume right that moment. But he is thankful that it ambushed Yoongi for that one second, where he slipped out of the cafe with the excuse of taking the call. He didn't even look and picked up the call.
“Jimin? Where are you?” Taehyung screamed over the phone. “It's so crowded here at the entrance. My god!” There was some shuffling on the other side, but before Jimin could answer, Taehyung started, “Wait! I think I see you. Wait there!” And then he disconnected the call.
Jimin stared at his phone screen for a moment, which showed the call had in fact disconnected, followed by sighing and looking around where Taehyung must have seen him from.
A pair of hands embraced him from the back after maybe 5 mins, “Chim, my cutie sugarplum Chimmie.” Taehyung nuzzled at his nape. “Oh! I missed you so much.”
Jimin felt elated and turned back in the hold to hug the other back, “I missed you too, Taetae!”
“Four years are too long without you, baby. Don’t ever go away, okay?”
Jimin thought about it, he can’t really promise that at the current moment. Still, he answered back with a soft, “Okay.”
They stayed like that for some time, until they heard someone clearing their throat. Taehyung pulled away, and as soon as he did, Jungkook pulled him into a bear hug. “Ahh Jimin Hyung! I am seeing you after such a long time.”
“Brat!” Jimin chuckled and hit Jungkook’s back playfully, “You literally saw me a week ago back in Seoul. Not to mention, you stay in my neighbouring unit.”
Jungkook giggled at that, “So what? That’s Jeon Jungkook out there. You are talking to Kookie Monster right now. And he has seen Minnie Hyung after a long gap of 4 years.”
Taehyung gasped, “Kookie Monster? Seriously?”
“I’ll be Cooky! I choose Cooky!” little Jungkook was jumping in enthusiasm.
Taehyung turned to Jimin, “Then I am going to be Tata!”
“Fine. I’ll take Chimmy, then.” Jimin sighed defeatedly. “But if it’s just us three, the games will finish very soon, don’t you think?”
“What if we call Yoongi hyung?”, Jungkook chimed in with those big puppy eyes. “Hyung! You are his best friend. I am sure that if you call, he will come.”
Jimin felt the warmth creeping on his cheeks. He wasn’t Yoongi’s best friend; He can’t be. Their mothers were besties, obviously, but them? Jimin was just ten years old, and Yoongi was already a teenager.
“Oh, hello!” Taehyung voiced. “You, Kookie Monster. I am Jiminie’s best friend. What are you even talking about??”
Yeah, Taehyung could be his best friend. Not Yoongi.
“Koo… Kookie Monster?”
Taehyung huffed, “I said what I said. And you heard me. You ate up all my favourite cookies, so you are a Kookie Monster in my eyes.”
“Take it back!” Jungkook seethed. But he was so small that no one took him seriously.
“No. Never. Not in a 100 lifetimes. YOU ARE A KOOKIE MONSTER! KOOKIE MONSTER!”
“Hello!”
Yoongi’s deep timbre brought Jimin back from his thoughts. He was already beside him. The elder’s hands nestled at the small of his back as if that’s where they were supposed to be. “What’s happening here?”
Taehyung’s eyes widened as he looked between Yoongi and Jimin. He looked like a deer caught in headlights. “Uhh… I– I am so sorry, Chim. My god! I totally forgot to mention I called up Hyung, too.”
“It’s okay,” Jimin spoke hurriedly. And waved his hand to distract. But only he knew how his heart pounded like a racehorse. Any moment, it was going to leap out of his body. And the firm embrace on his side definitely wasn’t helping either.
Yoongi wriggled his fingers holding Jimin, and that caught his attention. “All okay, Minnie?” he whispered low enough just for his ears.
Jimin looked at the elder and nodded with a small smile, as he slowly pried himself away. He needed space from Yoongi before he combusted on the spot.
“Where’s Hobi Hyung?” Jimin questioned just to forget the looming presence beside him.
Taehyung froze for a moment, “Uh…”
“Can’t we talk inside?” Jungkook whined, holding his tummy. “I am hungry, please let’s just go inside!”
They reached their table situated at the edge of the mini waterfall, and Yoongi pulled out a chair for Jimin. Taehyung and Jungkook took the seats on the opposite side, so that left the elder to have a seat on the right of him.
Yoongi sat a little too close to Jimin, causing him to be distracted for the majority of the time. Their legs kept brushing underneath the table, sending goosebumps all over Jimin every freaking time. Then the elder insisted on leaning against him while they were ordering, looking at the menu in Jimin’s hands. And don’t even ask about the time when Jimin, for once, got invested into a topic only to realise all the meat on his plate had been cut into perfect bite-sized pieces just how he liked it.
He kept stealing glances at the elder, followed by the other two, trying to gauge their reactions. But no one, neither of the two, batted an eye as if this were just a normal Tuesday for them.
Jimin pinched himself twice. Maybe this was a dream again. Won’t be something new for him; Yoongi is a recurring character in his dreams. But the only thing that happened was his skin turning bright red like a bruise on his wrist where he pinched himself. He mentally facepalmed, regretting pinching himself this harshly.
So naturally, once he was done with his food, he excused himself to the washroom while Taehyung and Jungkook continued to chat amongst themselves. He decided that maybe putting some cold water would make the reddish skin a bit lighter. He can’t go around with it because people will definitely ask what happened to him. And he can’t go through that nightmare again.
He was probably still 5 years old at that time. It was a fine afternoon, perfect for swinging in the neighbourhood park. He still remembers the feeling of that cold wind rushing past his ears, how it felt so much like he was flying in the open, bright blue sky. It was spring, the flowers and their petals floating up in the air with him. He remembered having this rushing thought about what if he jumped off when the swing reached the highest point.
He gave himself a final push, and when the swing reached the top, he leapt without giving it much thought. Bad. Bad decision, right there. His stomach swooped as it felt the gravity pulling him down. Jimin closed his eyes and took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air and this uncertainty that thrummed underneath his skin for the very next moment when his body would touch the ground.
His heart raced as his fingers brushed past something. He remembers having a thought that it didn't really feel like the ground that he touched, but he let it slip. The ground felt different, softer than what he was expecting. Until…
Until he heard a groan underneath him. “Oww… you are heavy!”
Jimin snapped his eyes open to meet another pair of wide, cat-like eyes. That was the first time he saw Yoongi. He froze in that position and kept blinking while his thoughts clashed against each other and seeped into the void.
Yoongi was the same, too stunned to speak up. Still after a minute or so, he licked his lips, “Uhh… are– are you going to get up?”
Suddenly, it dawned on Jimin that he was lying over this kid, with his full weight and face too close for anyone’s liking.
He tried to get up at once and stand. “I am sorry, I am really sorry.” He bowed, but maybe it wasn't really a good day for him because the swing, still in its inertia, came back and hit him so hard that he fell face flat on the ground yet again.
“Ohhhh…” Yoongi crouched near him. “Are you okay?”
Jimin recollected feeling hot; he was definitely red at the moment. He still can't say for sure if it was because of the shining sun, the embarrassment of falling flat on his face or the way Yoongi looked at him when he took a petal out of Jimin's hair. All he remembered was the shame he felt as he ran away back to the comfort of his own home, his bed, where he could hide or maybe bury himself for an eternity to come.
But he was caught by his mother right at the entrance. “Jimin? What did you do?”
He wanted to disappear. Why can’t the sun just melt him and later evaporate him away? He curled up on himself. “I am sorry… I– I fell down…”
“Oh, honey!” She knelt. “You scratched your knee. How did it even happen?”
Jimin felt the sting right when his mom asked. The shame that he was trying to bury bubbled up on its own, and the next moment he started crying. He hugged her and cried to his heart’s content. She didn’t ask him much, just caressing his back, reminding him that it was okay and mom wasn’t mad. He didn’t say a word himself; It didn’t work for long, as you may see. But he was sure he had saved his dignity that day.
Jimin closed the washroom door behind himself and stood in front of the mirror. He looked defeated, sad, pathetic! He was freaking matching his own shirt’s hue, who does that in the big year of 2026?? Ewww…
The door rattled, and Jimin took it as a cue to put some water on his face. He knew someone entered the room when he felt the gush of cold air hit his back. But it was a little too quiet for his liking. So, he looked through the mirror just to meet his gaze with that of Yoongi.
They stared at each other through the mirror, with no words. Then Jimin gulped, and he saw Yoongi’s eyes following that movement. It was lewd, how they got stuck at the little skin peeking at his chest, or his unbelievable butt. (He won’t shy from calling his ass great. It really is too pretty to ignore!) They took their sweet time in checking Jimin out, like savouring him.
Then they furrowed for a moment, and with just one big step, the elder was behind him. “Jimin? What did you do?”
Jimin followed that gaze to find it over the reddened skin at his wrist. He instinctively put his other hand over it to hide. “Nothing!”
Yoongi removed his hand and brushed at the skin softly with his thumb. “Did you pinch yourself or something?”
Again, why isn't Jimin made of cotton candy? His life would have been so much easier. Just fall into the water and disappear forever!
Jimin averted his gaze. He felt too raw and seen.
Yoongi cupped his face and made him look, and Jimin realised he was already caged in his position. “I am real, and so are you. It's not a dream that you pinch yourself.” The elder looked into his eyes and slowly leaned over to join their heads. He proceeded to whisper over Jimin’s lips, “The only question remains… are you still hung up on your answer?”
Jimin’s breath wavered.
“Jimin, ” Yoongi looked into his eyes. There was a hint of reluctance. Uncertainty about how Jimin’s gonna react. But Jimin knew. He fucking knew the question. And the answer that was long decided for him. “Jimin, I— I think I am fall-”
“Falling from this cliff? Yeah, probably.” His eyes widened as he realised how bad that sounded. “Noo. No, I meant yes, it would be fun to fall.” Jimin waved his hand next. “Ahhhh! Let’s jump together?” And he started scooting to the edge.
“Jimin?” Yoongi pulled him back. He shook his head next. “What? What’s the matter with you?”
“What’s the matter with me?” Jimin scoffed, which came out more like a whimper in his nervousness. ”What is it with you? You suggested jumping, and now you want to back off?!”
Yoongi pulled him more, and Jimin crashed into his chest. The elder cupped his face, “Jimin, I—”
“NO!” Jimin inhaled deeply just to get swarmed with Yoongi’s cologne. But he tried focusing instead to gain a little bit more confidence in his words. He shook his head. “No. No, I disagree.”
Jimin saw how Yoongi’s whole body deflated. His face fell, and his lips moved around nothing, not sure what to reply back. “No?”, came out his voice, too fragile, too low, that it could easily be mistaken for the passing wind.
Jimin’s heart broke; It cracked when he realised his feelings were not in vain. His love was reciprocated. It wasn’t just his stupid crush. But… but he can’t accept this love. He can’t say yes and break the promise he made all those years ago. So, he bit back on his own lips that were on the verge of wobbling. And voiced, “No!” with more determination this time.
He took a step back, and another. Another. Yoongi stayed still, biting on his own lips. His eyes were shining in the low light. And when one traitorous drop dared to pass Yoongi's lash line onto his cheek, Jimin turned away at that instant.
He picked up the call that had been ringing in the background. His mother’s stern voice was heard, “Come back home, right now, mister. I don’t wanna hear any of your lousy excuses! Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Jimin felt like Deja Vu standing this close to Yoongi yet again, facing the same question. But nothing had changed, neither the longing in Yoongi’s eyes nor Jimin’s answer. He licked his lips, and Yoongi followed the movement, mirroring him subconsciously.
When Jimin felt like he had finally gathered enough courage, he answered. “Yes. My answer’s the same…”
Yoongi closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. His hold on Jimin slipped.
Jimin felt weak and empty without Yoongi’s arms around him. “I– I am not jumping off the cliff with you.” His voice worked before his brain could comprehend.
Yoongi’s eyes flew open. “What?”
Jimin knew he just stepped into quicksand. He has no other option than accepting the consequences. So, he huffed and continued, “Nuh-uh! Not after you backed off in a second. I don’t trust you anymore.”
The other tilted his head, and his brows furrowed. “Was that ‘NO’ for jumping off cliffs, all this time??”
Jimin turned his face away, unable to lie through his teeth while staring at that divine face. “It was for whatever stupid question you wanted to ask me.”
“Do you even know the ques– The thing I wanted to say?”
Yes! A hundred times, Yes!
“No.” Jimin shrugged it off. “And I don’t even care…”
“Jim–” Yoongi was interrupted when they heard a shuffle outside the door again.
The next moment, Jimin was being dragged into one of the cubicles, “Yoon… what are–”
“Hush!”, Yoongi put a finger over his lips, effectively shushing him. “You have said enough! Now you listen to me…”
“Baby! See, I told you no one would be here.”
Both of them perked up when they heard Jungkook’s voice right outside. They were both shocked, honestly. Jungkook was seeing someone? But it was Yoongi who actually whisper-screamed, “BABY?!”
They heard the door close and waited with bated breath, long forgetting their own conversation. There was some shoving, followed by the sounds of smooching. It was awkward, third or maybe fourth wheeling Jungkook’s love life, but at least it was a distraction from how close Jimin was huddled up against Yoongi in that tiny cubicle.
“Why. Can’t.” Jungkook asked a bit breathless. “Why can’t we just come clean to Hyung?”
“Hmmm…”
Jimin’s eyes widened as he realised who that deep velvety hum belonged to. He had heard it enough times sharing his bed with the other to know that rumble with his eyes closed. Taehyung? Jungkook was seeing Taehyung??
“It— It’s not that easy, Kookie.”
“Not easy, you say? Do you think stealing glances at you in public, yearning to hold your hands in mine, restraining to pull you close to me whenever I want, easy on me?”
Jimin wanted to coo at that. He knew Jungkook was a hopeless romantic, but this?
Taehyung sighed, and they heard the tap. “Okay, I agree it’s not. But you have to understand Chim—”
“I… I have to lie to Jimin Hyung. On his face. That… that I am down with the flu when you come over. I am not even a good liar!”
Yoongi squeezed his hand at that, making Jimin realise they were holding hands all this time. He decided to ignore it, more invested in the topic outside.
The tap closed. “Kookie, darling, listen to me. Don’t sulk. Won’t you give your Taehyungie hyungie hyung a chance? Chim thinks I am still with Hobi Hyung. Argh. How do I tell him the whole messed-up story out there?”
“It’s not your fault, though.” Jungkook coaxed.
“Oh! I know.” Taehyung sighed. “I am not blaming myself either. It was both our faults.”
“Yea– Wait! What? How is it my fault?”
“Well… duh! Namjoonie Hyung was your date, mind you.”
“IT WASN’T A DATE! I was just trying my luck. But Hobi Hyung AND Jin Hyung were very much yours. YOU were two-timing.”
Taehyung gasped, so did Yoongi, as well as Jimin. “You?!” Taehyung uttered, and then their cubicle door rattled as if someone had been shoved into it.
Jimin swore he heard the kissing sounds again right outside their door. Yoongi held his chin and turned his face to himself. Then he motioned with his other hand for Jimin to breathe. He tried to follow, but pretty sure there was a lack of oxygen in the surroundings because he didn't feel any different.
Taehyung spoke again after a minute or two, “Hmm…It was a backup plan!”
“Yaah… You wiped your wet hands on my shirt. Anyways, who was the backup, pray tell?” Jungkook asked, his voice turning a bit rough.
“Doesn't matter anymore. Did it work? No!”
“Kinda suits you, you know?”
Something irked Jimin at this point. He didn't like how Jungkook stated it. Or maybe he didn't want to get stuck in a tiny space with his crush, third wheeling another couple who were shamelessly making out right outside his door. So, he opened the lock at once, ignoring Yoongi's protest. “That's rude, Jeon Jungkook!”
This time, it was Taehyung and Jungkook's time to be shocked at finding Jimin and Yoongi together.
Taehyung looked at the two and the small cubicle alternately. “Shit! Were you two here this whole time??”
Jimin ignored the question and put forward his own. “Since when has this been going on?” He pointed a finger at the two. “And what is it that you couldn't tell me? What mess? Now I need to know!”
Jimin noticed Jungkook's ears turning pink, and he started averting his gaze slowly backing away.
Taehyung held his wrist and sighed. “Okay. I'll say it. It was nothing. I went on a date with Jin Hyung. We met Hobi Hyung. Then we met him”. He said while raising Jungkook's wrist, “along with Namjoonie Hyung. Apparently, they all knew each other. People talked, drinks were shared. One thing led to another. I might have kissed him, and he might have liked it. Long story short, we are just fooling around now.”
Jimin waited. It didn't feel like Taehyung was done. But Jimin definitely was; It was too much information in a short time. As if meeting up with Yoongi after all these years wasn't enough. Now he has his friends fooling around, making out and confessing in the restaurant washrooms while he gets to be huddled up next to the one guy he shouldn't be with.
Taehyung looked back in the mirror, setting his hair before speaking, “Okay, now that the rabbit’s out of the hat. What's with you two? Hiding in the same cubicle, huh?” He gasped again. “OMG! It's serious! You are even holding hands. Wait! I hope we didn’t interrupt?”
Jimin pried his wrist from the elder’s hold at once. “Nothing. It's nothing between us!”
“Aww… Are you shy?” Taehyung smirked at him. “Maybe we can talk about it in our… You know?”
Jimin was blank. All the eyes turned to him.
“Your what?” Jungkook was the one who spoke.
Jimin felt too seen, and he started, “I– I don't know what he’s talking about!”
Taehyung winked at him. “Chim honey, you remember that?” He wriggled his eyebrows, “You know our… our hideout?”
“What hideout?”
“Aaagggrrhh! Will it hurt to just agree with me once? Just once, Park Jimin!” Taehyung shook his head. “I know we don't have a hideout, but you could have just gone with me?” He wiped at his nonexistent tears. “It's the dumpling incident all over again. Jin Hyung was correct. ‘Cause it's all FAKEE LOB! FAKEE LOB! FAKEE LOB!”
“I think you meant, ‘Fake Love’?”, Yoongi voices out quite hesitantly.
“Noo! Hush!” Taehyung puts a finger on his lips. “I meant every word I said! You know what? I am done with the conversation now.”
He turned around then and started walking towards the door. Jimin exchanged glances with Jungkook and Yoongi. Taehyung stopped just at the door. “Well, hello?? Do y’all need an invitation or something?”
Jimin looks at Taehyung, all puzzled, maybe 4 years away did make him forget a bit about Taetae Language. But why is everyone else as clueless as him?
Taehyung stomps in his place as lips form a pout. “Excuse me! Who will say ‘sit back down’?”
Yoongi clears his throat. “Uhh… well Taehyung, with all due respect, why would we ask you to sit here in a washroom?”
“OMG!! Boomer behaviour by the way!” He opens the door and leaves. The last Jimin heard is a low “I don't think I can spend another freaking minute here with them. God give me strength!”
Jungkook shied away and mumbled. “I’ll go check on him.” And he ran away too.
“Shall we?”
Jimin turned to see Yoongi’s outstretched hands. He looked at the hand and back at the face with confusion.
“You are overwhelmed with questions. And the thing I wanted to say…” Yoongi tucked a strand of hair behind Jimin’s ears. “This is not the place for it. So, let’s just go… What do you say, Petal?”
A full body shiver ran through Jimin’s being. It wrecked him so hard that he had to hold onto Yoongi’s bicep. “I– I am not your p–petal!”
Yoongi shrugged, that confident kind that screams HOTTIE with full caps and intertwined their hands. “Whatever lets you sleep at night, Petal.”
Jimin straightened on his wobbly knees and started following. “You are too okay about this… It scares me.”
Jimin closed the door behind him, panting with the way his breath was nearly gone.
“Are you home, honey?” His mother’s voice came from inside.
He toed off his shoes hurriedly. “Yeah.”
She peeked out of the living room with a tiny pout, “Where are they? Did they leave already? Didn’t even say ‘Hi’ to me?”
“Uh.. yeah. They drank, and I–I told them to go home. No one’s there,” Jimin stood guarding the door instinctively. She can’t open the door. She shouldn’t open the door and stumble him on this path.
She came near him, eyeing him suspiciously because she is a mother after all. “Okay… But why are you protecting the door as if there’s a treasure outside?”
A tiny voice inside Jimin said, there indeed was a treasure right outside their door. But it was a treasure he was forbidden to touch. So, no. He can’t let her out. As she moved towards the window beside their door to peek, Jimin pulled her into a hug. “I miss you so so much. I miss your smell, your warm hugs, and your caresses on my back. How can you resist holding me close to yourself?”
She chuckled at that. “Oh! Now you remember your mom? Who was the one who wanted to go meet Taetae as soon as he got down from the plane?”
Jimin nuzzled at her shoulder as he felt her rubbing his back delicately. Everything came rushing back to him. “Eomma…”
“Yes, sweetie. Eomma’s here. Eomma’s right here.”
“Eomma… I– I” Jimin hiccupped as he sobbed on her shoulder.
His mother forgot all her anger and tried to soothe him. “Yes, yes, baby. What happened?”
He cried more as he remembered Yoongi’s face right in front of his closed eyes. That deflated figure, the droopy and shining eyes. It must have hurt as he watched Jimin go farther and farther away.
“I– I am a b-bad person. I made Yoo–someone cry.”
“No. My minnie is not a bad person at all.” She pecked at his cheek and tried to make him sit, pulling him closer. “Not after he is crying himself thinking that he hurt someone.”
“But I am. I think so… I made you worried too. I should have told you, I might be late.”
“Oh my baby! No. No. You didn’t, Eomma was a bit angry” She wiped his tears and ran a hand over his hair. “But I am sure you didn’t mean to hurt. You are the best baby.” She wiped her own tears, too and smiled. “Eomma is with you. I know you must have your own reasons to do what you did. Eomma loves you, okay?”
Jimin nodded as he felt the burden on his heart lighten. But he couldn’t, he couldn’t face Yoongi again after what he did. “Eomma… Can I ask for something?”
“Anything, honey...”
“I wanna go out, like out of this city. Can I–”
“Yes. Anything. Eomma will send you out of this city, okay?”
Jimin licked his lips and voiced hesitantly. “Do… Do you hate me for leaving you alone like this?”
She pulled away and looked at his face. “NO! Who’s feeding you these lies? Why will I hate my baby when he just wanted to fulfil his dreams? Eomma–”
“Be honest, please. It was hard to let me go, wasn’t it?”
She blinked settling her thoughts and choosing her words carefully. She bit her lips and started, “Jimin… I am a mother. Obviously, it was hard for me to let my only baby go out into the harsh world all alone. But you are back now, isn’t it?”
Jimin’s lips wobbled, and he knew his eyes were already teary. “Why didn’t you stop me?”
That night, as Jimin lay in his bed, he thought about what Yoongi said again.
“Jimin…”
Jimin hummed as he walked on the edge of the pavement. He wanted to keep as much distance between them, but walking on the road was scary, so the edge it was.
“Be honest… You left the city because of me, didn’t you?” Jimin stumbled as one of his legs slipped, but Yoongi was fast enough to catch him. “Be careful!”
Jimin kept quiet. And this time, when Yoongi held his hands, he didn’t resist. Anyways, his home was near, he didn’t have much time before he had to say goodbye yet again.
Yoongi started again, “It’s okay even if you did. I have realised we were still children then.” He chuckled and shook his head, “But don’t do this to your mom, you know? She missed you so much. Visit her often, don’t hesitate because of me.”
The words hit directly at Jimin’s covered-up wounds. It felt like peeling off a scab from an open wound. He knew, and he regretted it, so he got defensive. He rolled his eyes, “Why would I do that?”
“You did that. And I can say it just by looking at your face.” Yoongi stopped so did Jimin. The elder stretched his other free hand to caress his cheeks. And then turned him around towards his house. “Go, go back to her.”
He pushed Jimin lightly. “And if you look back, just know, I would be standing right here, okay?”
Jimin opened his phone, and somehow his fingers navigated right into Yoongi’s chat.
Jimin: You weren’t there!
Jimin: You didn’t wait like you said. 🤨
He was just about to close the chat, when the three bubbles of Yoongi typing showed up.
Yoongi Hyung: Did you look back? You wanted me to stand there?
Jimin: Hah!
Jimin: Get off your high horse
Jimin: I don’t care
Jimin: !!!!!!!!!!!!
Yoongi hyung: I can’t. Haven’t seen a horse in a while. I have better things to do. 😂
Jimin huffed. The man definitely knew how to boil his blood.
Yoongi: Did you talk?
And just like that, Jimin went blank. His fingers hovered over the keyboard.
Yoongi: I was there, by the way. You will get to know it tomorrow.
Jimin waited as the bubbles appeared again.
Yoongi: Now sleep and stop overthinking. Good night!
Jimin locked his phone and shoved it aside. He was wrong for even asking; Obviously that stupid would have stood right at that place until Jimin got inside his house. He pulled the blanket over his face and closed his eyes. He will deal with this problem tomorrow.