Archive of Our Own

In Jimin’s rulebook there are only three rules to a successful rebound hookup.

Don't ever invite them to your place, you don't want to get upset seeing someone else right where your boyfriend was a few months ago.
It is best if you don't exchange any niceties, never give them even a morsel of real information about yourself, not even your name.
Always crash at your best friend's place afterwards (cling to the door if he tries to shoo you away)to wash your sins and avoid facing your sorrows on a lovely Sunday morning.

So, when he wakes up on his usual place,—Taehyung’s couch— his bedazzled denim jacket over his torso as a blanket, curled up in a fetal position with a very warm and blunt throb in his lower back, a lazy grin breaks out on his face. Jimin sits up slowly, mascara dry and uncomfortable as he rubs sleep away from his eyes.

He puts away his jacket, still in the same clothes from yesterday, and makes his way—very ungracefully, to Taehyung’s fridge before chugging down an entire bottle of water. A slight limp in his walk irks him equally as much as the pleasure that wracked his body last night. Lucky for him, he has no clear account of yesterday's events which saves him from unnecessary guilt and any remaining feelings.

Jimin stretches backwards hands on the dips of his hips, and something rustles in his back pocket. He fishes it out, clutching the piece of crumpled paper with his index and middle finger. Messy handwriting and a haphazardly scribbled number comes to view when he straightens out the slip. Half of it isn't even decipherable and the name of the writer is at the very corner, the last few letters presumably torn off.

Might I see you again?
-Jeon

He snorts before tearing it up and trashing it away. That was the most respectful ‘do you wanna fuck again?’ he has ever gotten.

Call that an improvement.

“Good morning princess.”

The sarcastic drawl makes him turn around to face Taehyung, hands full of brown bags on the verge of spilling over, standing in the middle of his living room with a very displeased look on his face. He walks—stomps—to the kitchen counter and drops the bags on it. Almost immediately, Jimin is half head into the bags, searching for anything he can use to satiate his very empty, growling stomach.

“Yeah, thanks for helping.” Taehyung scoffs, staring at him in annoyance. Folding his sleeves up he starts sorting the fresh groceries he has hauled from a farmer's market. Jimin nods, a dopey smile gracing his lips because he's in for a treat and nothing feels better than Taehyung's fragrant tea on a Sunday morning after getting railed by a very able-bodied man who certainly knew how to do it right.

“Will your sleeping rampage end only after getting deflowered by every man, who you think is hot, in the city?” He grumbled, snatching away a block of butter from Jimin's hands, who sighs, hands spread across and forehead pressed to the counter top. Of course, he's in for a morality lecture again. His best friend had witnessed all the chaos that had unfolded. And as expected, Jimin couldn't stay cool-headed when his long term boyfriend of six years had decided to break up with him because he found someone better.

Taehyung was there to wipe his tears, to clean his room for days when he felt like he didn't even have the energy to get up, when it all felt worthless. He was there to put Jimin back on his feet when his entire world seemed to have crumbled—one second, you know all about a person and the next you're a complete stranger in their life. Even though Taehyung complained, he still would've done it all over and over again for Jimin.

So even if the nagging made him embarrassed and was a jab to his over inflated ego, Jimin let him be. Because he knew Taehyung said things which stemmed from a place of concern and affection.

“I just got broken up with, let me live.” He huffs in response, graciously accepting the cup of tea begrudgingly pushed towards him.

“Yeah, well, there are healthy coping mechanisms to deal with that! You don't need to get bent over every surface that exists to be at peace.”

Jimin gasps, hand at the base of his throat with a scandalised look, “Who said I was the one getting bent?!”

Taehyung shoots him a deadpan look that shuts him up. “You're not the one having to deal with your drunk ass when you come knocking at my door every Saturday night.”

“Why are you lecturing me about my sex life again?” He grumbled, stirring his tea idly.

“I frankly don't care how often you have sex. Do it seven days a week, I don't care. What I do care about is the reason behind your heightened sex drive. Have you not moved on yet, Jimin?”

“Who says I haven't?” He shoots back defensively. “It's just…on my days off it feels,” he sighs, “it starts to feel too lonely. My house becomes emptier than it already is but the walls start to close in on me.

Jimin leans back on the stool, shoulders slumping as he rubs his fingers through his black, matted hair. “It gets difficult sometimes. Sometimes I even start to miss him, even though I'm definitely not going back.”

“You mean a lot of times?” Taehyung slurps from the other side of the kitchen.

“Do you want to get punched?”

Taehyung smirks, putting his cup down he speaks again, “I understand how you feel—”

“You're literally in a healthy, loving relationship with Bogum hyung.”

“That's besides the point.” He almost smiles shyly, and it makes Jimin want to fake a gag. “That doesn't mean I don't understand you or how you feel when such—”

The sound of the front door rattling open interrupts him, and soon footsteps follow, walking down the entry way to the living room. “Hyung, have you forgotten your car keys inside the car again?”

Jimin's eyebrows furrow, Taehyung doesn't have many visitors, apart from him, given his family and relatives are in a different state, on a weekend. Before he can rack his brain for any guesses as to who might be interfering with the start of his post one night stand ritual, the mystery man decides to finally reveal himself.

Face turned towards the hallway, standing under the arch of Taehyung's living room stands a man Jimin doesn't recognise. He's clad in grey sweatpants and a black tshirt, which sticks to his—rather chiseled—chest and biceps. The sweatpants hang low enough to accentuate his slender waist and broad shoulders. Sweat forms a slight sheen on his neck and it's almost a sinful sight when his throat bobs with a heavy gulp.

Slightly out of breath, he puts his hands on his waist before he looks at Taehyung, “I think I heard the engine running.”

The tips of his bangs that are clumped together, slightly wet, as he brushes them off his forehead and out of his eyes. Round eyes, slightly unfocussed, and very endearing align so perfectly on his face. Jimin would've grumbled in envy if he wasn't momentarily taken aback by his presence—very attractive presence if he dares to add.

“Not sure though,” he adds and Taehyung starts patting himself, hand searching inside every pocket he has on his jeans and jacket.

“Oh shit.” Taehyung says when no key magically appears inside of his pockets and realising he has most definitely left them outside in his car.

“Yeah, I'll go get it.”

Jimin snaps his head towards him so quickly Taehyung's almost startled for a second before he understands the look of question and betrayal on Jimin's face. He sighs and leans back against the counter and scratches at his eyebrow as if saying, ‘oh right…’

His best friend is yet to make any introductions because even though this guy waltzed in here looking like an absolute treat Jimin would rather not be left alone with a stranger in his sacred hour. And the guy hasn't even acknowledged his presence, or looked at him even once!

“Jeongguk,” Taehyung starts, pointing to him, and the stranger's eyes follow, eventually landing on Jimin, “This is my very dear friend Jimin.”

The sarcastic emphasis on dear was so nice of him.

“Jimin, this is my cousin Jeongguk.”

Jeongguk looks over at him as if just realising another presence, and first his lips downturn upon meeting Jimin's eyes. And then when his gaze sweeps over his frame, his eyebrows draw together. In the twenty-nine years Jimin has lived, he has never had someone greet him with such an expression. Even if it wasn't the case, he still felt like he was being scrutinized.

Rude??

Then as if something dawns on him Jeongguk's eyes blow wide. Now, blatantly staring and dragging his eyes up and down Jimin's body again and again. His jaw slackens lightly, glancing at Taehyung then back at Jimin twice before finally looking at his cousin as he asks, “That's your friend?”

Taehyung tilts his head, looking back and forth too, “Yeah?”

“Why? Is there a problem with that?” Jimin balks before he can hold it back. Why did this hotshot dude phrase that in such a condescending way? And to his face at that. What kind of one sided imaginary beef does he have with him?

“What? N-No! No.” Jeongguk shoots back defensively but he fumbles, eyes flickering everywhere as if he can't decide where to look. His hands flail around a little, an effort to scramble and hold onto something in vain, “I did not say that.”

“Okay,” Taehyung cuts in, “I'm gonna go and grab my keys—” He moves around his finger between them, “—and then we address what the fuck is happening.”

He strides out leaving a very awkward and restless Jeongguk in the middle of the room. Jimin frowns, looking down at his tea which is cold now. He cannot pinpoint it yet but something's definitely up with the guy. Stirring his tea—that he isn't going to drink now, Jimin doesn't look back at him. Only the sound of Jeongguk fidgeting and hovering behind can be heard in the room apart from the occasional tinks of the metal spoon on the base of his cup. Jimin doesn't look up when Jeongguk walks over to fish out a bottle from the fridge.

The sounds of gulping makes him glance over, and the sight would've been a feast if his mind wasn't straining to remember something. Something that's quickly transforming into an irritating, abstract thought at the back of his head that he can't quickly untangle. He squints, going back to stirring his tea. That incessant thought becomes a huge blurry blob and all Jimin can see are indescribable hues of motion.

“So,” Jeongguk clears his throat stepping closer to the counter, he places the bottle on the surface and it makes Jimin look up, “do you not recognise…me?” His voice falters at the end with uncertainty and hesitancy. His fingers twist and untwist the bottle’s cap as he looks down, staring down at him.

Jimin leans back on instinct, “What do you—”

All of a sudden the fog inside his mind clears, and the view in front of his eyes seems a bit too familiar. He's on the kitchen stool, eye level with Jeongguk's torso while the latter peers down at him.

The nagging thought in his head expands into a flashback chain, the scenes pass almost too quickly for him to make sense. However they come to a screeching halt and he's staring up at the same eyes again, except this time they're glossed over in arousal as a hand digs in Jimin's hair. The ground is uncomfortable underneath Jimin's knees when his hands come up to unbuckle his belt and a sigh escapes the glistening lips above him.

He jolts, attempting to push himself further back which almost tips the stool and a yelp tumbles out of his mouth. His jaw falls slack, eyes widening and teaspoon slipping out of his grip. To his horror, Jimin realises the eyes peering at him are the same ones that pinned him down with an intense stare when fingers in his hair tightened, nudging him further towards—

Jimin gasps, hand on his mouth and utterly flabbergasted. This epiphany is a disaster brewing in silence, and it can blow right in his face at any moment. He had slept with Taehyung's brother, and the very same brother was standing in front of him, as attractive as he looked last night but awkward and flustered.

“Your name is Jimin?” Jeongguk asks, pressing his lips together afterwards as if an inner thought had involuntarily escaped his mouth.

FUCKK

Jimin cringed on the inside, feeling hot embarrassment course through his body at that question. He probably didn't give Jeongguk his real name last night, like he does with all his hookups, the problem is he doesn't remember what name he made up and the almost dejected look on the other's face makes it so much worse.

Jimin sighs, “Uh…yeah—”

Before he can try to explain himself, Taehyung enters, car keys jingling in hand, “Got them.” Jimin prays that he doesn't mention anything about their, very obviously, weird encounter but that wouldn't be like him at all.

“So, what was that?” He asks after sitting down, looking at Jeongguk.

“What was what?” He tries to evade in vain, unable to meet Taehyung's gaze.

“Jeongguk.”

“Well…” Jimin starts, fiddling with the silver necklace he's had on since last night, “I don't know how else to put this but uh… we've met before.”

He sneaks a glance at Jeongguk, who adorns an alarmed expression, and then at Taehyung who's gaping, “What does that mean? When?!”

“Last n-night?”

“WHAT THE FUCK? JIMIN DID YOU SL—”

“AT A STORE!”Jeongguk blurts loudly and they both whip their heads around. “Uh, I was at the store to pick up meds and—” he hesitates, “And I see him down the aisle piling up condoms—” He looks at Jimin who's looking right back befuddled.

“And I accidentally made a not-so-comment out loud and suddenly he grabbed my collar and said ‘you want a piece of me?’ so I had to run out of there before he could sock me in the face.” He tries to shrug it off but that clearly doesn't work on Taehyung.

“Jimin, you threatened to beat him up?”

“Oh um…I guess?” Jimin tugs at the ends of his hair absentmindedly, still trying to wrap his head around Jeongguk's impromptu excuse and doing his best to follow this storyline.

“You didn't tell me about anything like this happening? Neither of you?” He waves a finger between them.

“Not like it was anything special…”

“Yeah, true.” Jeongguk nods, “This is why I was shocked to see him.”

“God, Jimin, how much did you buy to open his mouth in public?” Taehyung sighs, raising his eyebrows to gesture at Jeongguk.

“I—”

“On second thought, I don't wanna know. I saw how you crashed on my couch yesterday and I’d rather not be aware of how or which monster of a man had you blissed out like that.”

Jimin palms his face, rubbing his eyes he feels his cheeks burn from unbridled shame and embarrassment. Because not only is he facing his guilty pleasure in all its glory but the said person is now very much aware of what feelings he harbours about last night. He would very much like to dig a hole in the ground, creep inside it and never come out ever again.

The tips of Jeongguk's ears turn red and he bites the inside of his flushed cheeks—his sweat is to blame for that obviously. He deems now would be the perfect time to excuse himself, walks away muttering something about needing a shower.

“You did not need to say that in front of him.” Jimin scowls, looking for anything to throw at Taehyung's face.

“He doesn't care, trust me. Jeongguk's chill.”

Jimin's not chill though, he's anything but chill. It's as if Jeongguk's presence opened the floodgates to last night's memories and his mind is brimming with them. The way Jeongguk's breath fanned across his neck as he kissed down his throat and collarbones, the way his soft lips whispered praises across his skin, the way his eyebrows scrunched in pleasure when Jimin—

He shakes his head, feeling the back of his neck burn with every new thought that unlocks more sensations, which aren't welcome at all right now. He's sitting in Taehyung's kitchen for fuck’s sake.

He clears his throat, “Did you think I slept with him?”

“Yeah for a good second.” Taehyung shrugs.

“And why would that be a problem?”

Taehyung whips around, eyebrows raised and hand floating midair in front of a cupboard's door. “Excuse me?”

“Even if we had slept together, why'd that be a problem to you?” Jimin nervously rubs his hands together, “It'd be a consensual thing between two adults so…”

“Well not, it wouldn't be a problem but it surely would be a tad bit awkward?” His reply comes out as a question.

“Not for me but for you I guess.”

“For me?” Jimin frowns, “What? Why though?”

Taehyung resumes stacking all his prized cups carefully in the cabinet, “You’re in a rebound phase and as you said, you don't wish for another relationship at present. I'm not sure, and I definitely don't know too much about this but—” he looks around, making sure the topic being discussed isn't in or near the room he continues, “Jeongguk doesn't sleep around much. And if he does then it's probably because he hopes to pursue them in future.”

He snorts, “That is if they don't throw away his silly little notes with his phone number.”

Right…

“How do you know this information about your cousin?” He asks, tone accusing, handing over the teacup to Taehyung.

“I didn't until a few years ago. Jeongguk had a bad breakup and he drank and babbled away everything to me. He's usually very privy when it comes to matters of his personal life. And that is why you two hooking up—” he eyes Jimin “Isn't a great idea since he's gonna be staying over for a month or two.”

“He's WHAT?” Jimin screeches, If it was for a week or so, surely he could pretend this never happened, ignore Jeongguk completely and go on his merry way, but a MONTH? OR TWO?!

Taehyung flicks his forehead, effectively making him step away, “Stop screaming in my ear. He just finished his final semester exams and now he's staying here for the break. And that means no more crashing at my place after getting railed.”

However the major problem at hand still wasn't the torn up note at the bottom of Taehyung's trashcan, it was that Jeongguk was Taehyung's brother and that he was potentially (?) interested in Jimin. And Jimin doesn't know if that's something he's ready to face…

rule no. 4
Don't sleep with your best friend's brother.

ヾ⁠❥

The next time Jimin sees him is after a week. Naturally, he's been doing the only thing he knows to do —if a very persistent one night stand declares his love for Jimin and shows up all disheveled in front of his clinic saying he hasn't been able to sleep because he's just too lovestruck— avoid him. He gave one chance to that type of guy and look how that ended. Avoiding Jeongguk has been very easy, work at the clinic has kept him busy and he wouldn't see him if he doesn't visit Taehyung.

However, being the dutiful friend he is, Jimin agrees to volunteer when Taehyung's urgent texts bombard his phone about his broken door lock and needs for someone to look after the house for a few hours while he goes to fetch the mechanic. Only after discreetly confirming twice that Jeongguk would not be there because he had already left early in the morning to meet someone though.

He doesn't mind it at all, it's his day off and Taehyung's house is always warm and smells like one of the teas from his exquisite collection. The air has started to grow chilly outside with the onset of autumn, so, Jimin doesn't hesitate before cozying under a blanket on the sofa while watching Netflix. Just as his body sags completely and comfortably on Taehyung's couch so much so that he might even fall asleep, the sound of the front door swinging open jostles him awake.

“Hyung, the lock’s broken again.”

Jimin hears the frustrated voice before he sees him and just hearing that voice again sets off all kinds of emergency alarms in his head and he barely manages to suppress the urge to hide. When Jeongguk steps in the first thing Jimin notices is how the tips of his fingers, and his nose are slightly red from the cold.

He adorns a denim jacket, unzipped till right below his chest through which his white undershirt peaks through. His hair is messy from the winds yet curls perfectly over his ears. And he looks so effortlessly attractive it momentarily stuns Jimin. He opens his mouth to say something else but falters when he sees Jimin sprawled all over Taehyung's couch as if it's his property and the only thing that comes out of his mouth is a shaky and meek ‘oh.’

“Hi,” Jimin starts, immediately regretting it because that sounded incredibly awkward even to his ears. Taehyung had said Jeongguk wouldn't come home until late in the evening so why was he even here?

He folds his legs and sits up, emptying up space, “Oh, um… sit down if you'd like. I'm just uh—watching this random show I found ‘cause well Taehyung's gone to give the mechanic a piece of his mind and he said you weren't gonna be home anytime soon?”

Jeongguk, who hasn't moved from his spot as if frozen, fiddles with the hem of his jacket as he speaks, voice slow but steady now, “Oh yeah, plans got cancelled and um—sorry I can go back outside if it bothers you. I did come back earlier than planned so I don't mind—”

“No, no.” Jimin sits up trying to keep his head from conjuring up any memories again, they have faded a little bit, not enough to not get his insides in a twist anymore.

“I don't mind at all, please sit down.”

And it's almost hilarious in hindsight how Jeongguk sits at the very opposite end even though he's been physically closest a person can be to Jimin. The silence that follows has him picking at the seams of his blanket, glancing back and forth between the TV and Jeongguk, who has his eyes trained solely on the screen as if looking anywhere else would be a problem.

Unbeknownst to Jimin, Jeongguk was fighting his own demons and fighting off every flashback that tormented and awed him at the same time. It was no news that he found Jimin attractive, of course he did (still does). When he walked into the club with his friends that day he had only planned to down a few glasses as a celebration, but he physically couldn't resist when he made eye contact with Jimin across the room.

Clad in a jacket bejeweled with stones, he looked decked in diamonds. Lips parted and moist catching the glint of numerous hues that danced across his face. Jimin circled his finger around the glass’s rim, looking straight at him. His hooded eyes trapped Jeongguk in a spell that makes a man want to commit unspoken acts. To drown in desire that swims inside his eyes and an innate urge to please.

Entranced, Jimin beckoning him by curling his finger was the green light he needed. His feet moved on their own accord until he was standing right in front of him, awestruck at the beholder of siren-like beauty. A shiver had rolled down Jeongguk's spine when a teasing smile played over Jimin's glistening lips, “Hi.”

“Taehyung told me you're in university?” Jimin makes an attempt at easing the atmosphere and Jeongguk blinks out of his flashbacks.

“Yeah, um I'm doing my master's degree.” He exhales, trying to cool down after his little spiral of thoughts.

“That's cool,” Jimin nods, “Master's degree in what though?”

“Architecture.”

Jimin chuckles, a bit taken aback, “So, you're a nerd?”

“Huh?” Jeongguk finally looks at him, eyes round and mouth pursed in a thin line. He brushes his hair out of his eyes sheepishly “I guess…”

He looks so endearing Jimin can literally kiss his face all over just to see what shade of red do Jeongguk's ears turn after that. And it's so unfair that he's technically off limits for him. Even though Jimin wouldn't admit it out loud to anyone, if given the chance he'd very much like to feel Jeongguk's hands on him again. The only thing that scares Jimin is giving Jeongguk hope for something that he isn't mentally prepared for.

“Sorry I didn't mean to offend—”

“Oh no, it's okay, none taken.”

Jimin cringes at his failed attempt to joke with the younger but then Jeongguk speaks, “You’re the one to talk, you're literally a doctor.”

“A vet.” Jimin corrects, pulling the blanket over his shoulders. He raises his eyebrows at Jeongguk, mildly amused at his jittery voice.

“Still a doctor,” Jeongguk shrugs, fiddling with one of the many zippers on his jacket, “you're probably on top of the typical nerd careers list if there is any.”

Jimin snorted, rolling his eyes, “Taehyung did not inform me that you talk back to your elders.”

Jeongguk smiles down at his lap, a low huff escaping his lips, “Alright, I apologise Grandpa.”

Jimin gasps, eyes widening. Not only was this little brat cracking jokes, but the joke was directed at him! “Grandpa?” He scoffs, “I'm only 31!”

The former hums, pretending to think about it, “You're almost at that age.”

“You're annoying.” Jimin sighs, turning the TV's volume up a little.

Jeongguk smiles, looking back at the screen. This time the silence that settled felt lighter, and no past events seemed to hang over their heads uncomfortably. This was probably one of the rarest times where he could talk normally with someone he has already slept with, most of the guys, no matter how hot they are, are usually insufferable. They don't talk after that, only the sound of their steady breaths keep them company—a subtle reminder of each other's presence.

Jeongguk sat with his legs crossed on the sofa, leaning against the backrest. Jimin steals a glance, and then another; Jeongguk's shoulders had slumped, fingers calm in his lap, no longer on alert and consistently tugging or twisting everything he can get his hands on. Unknowingly the corner of his lips turn up and he snuggles further into his blanket. Soon enough he falls asleep mimicking Jeongguk's breaths.

He's only awakened by the collective sounds of chaos from Taehyung's kitchen. Kitchenware being rattled, something bubbling over, Taehyung uttering profanities and Jeongguk's incoherent words mixed with laughter. Taehyung emerges from the kitchen and sets down bowls on the table, muttering things Jimin's half asleep mind doesn't comprehend.

Taehyung spots him peeking over the couch, squinting, “You come to my house only to sleep.”

Jimin yawns, combing his mussed up hair, “Did you fix the lock?”

“Yeah. I gave the mechanic a good earful and found someone else to repair it.”

He nods, “Good job.”

“Hyung, hyung, hyung, hyung, HYUNG! TAKE THIS OFF MY HANDS FAST.” Jeongguk rushes in, quick but careful footsteps to prevent the big golden pot in his hands from spilling over. Taehyung, to Jeongguk's despair, does nothing but put down a coaster in the middle of the table. Jeongguk puts it down, immediately shaking his hands and blowing on his fingers.

That wasn't so hard was it?” Taehyung grins, putting down three pairs of chopsticks.

“That was shitty of you.”

“Sure. Jimin, if you're done rubbing your eyes into your skull, come sit down if you want to eat. I made enough for all of us.”

Jeongguk turns around, eyes big and ever so endearing. Jimin joins them at the dinner table, movements still sluggish from the, fairly good, late afternoon nap. Mindless chatter littered with occasional pauses filled the room, mostly from Taehyung and Jeongguk, Jimin tried to participate to the best of his ability. The main thing on his mind was satisfying the noises in his stomach first.

“What did you two do while I was gone?” Taehyung asks mindlessly.

“Nothing much,” Jimin says, taking a bite.

“Yeah…” Jeongguk chimes in quietly and that makes Jimin look up from his bowl.

“We just talked.” He continues, and the way he says it is like it's hidden with a meaning only they know. He says it out loud but he hopes only Jimin understands what he means. Something that will sound bleak to others because they don't know what he means when he says it.

An almost shy smile creeps on his lips and he looks away instantly, but Jimin fears it wasn't quick enough because something delicate had already begun to tug inside his chest.

ヾ⁠❥

“Hi.” Jeongguk gulps, trying not to grimace when the strong smell of cigarettes ambushes his senses.

“Jeongguk.” Jimin breathes, surprised but not unwelcoming. He reeks of cigarettes and it makes Jeongguk sniffle. Jimin opens the door to his apartment completely once he has confirmed the younger’s presence.

“I hope I'm not disturbing you, since it's quite late already.” Jeongguk looks at his wrist watch. The sun had set long ago and a veil of dark blueish hues covered the sky illuminated by the city's countless, glimmering skyscrapers.

“No,” He sighs in response, “you aren't, come in.”

Jeongguk steps in and the smell of cigarettes comes to him full force. An ashtray, brimming with put out cigarettes, sits on a table nearby and Jimin tries to hide it, stashing it away out of sight. He then walks out of the room and to his balcony. Jeongguk tails behind silently, waiting for the right chance to speak. He watches as Jimin leans forward on the railing, arms bent at elbows. Warm lights from inside cast a sullen glow on his ruffled hair, the night illuminates his features in a blue that makes him look serene.

Jimin breathes deeply, fingers rubbing together in an itch to reach for the pack inside his pockets. Jeongguk leans forward too, looking out at the skyline twinkling with city lights, golden specks littered throughout. He tries to mimic Jimin's deep breaths but the smell of cigarettes still clings to his clothes.

“I didn't know you smoked.” He says, fingers treading through his hair.

Jimin hums blankly, “Sometimes.”

“I see.” Jeongguk nods, clueless how to ask what's wrong, because something clearly is. Jimin looks tired, so tired as if something is weighing him down. His expression appears relaxed but dull with an emotion Jeongguk can't put a name to. The kind of calm that hangs heavily over the head after eyes have dried up and no tears are left to spill. He wonders what could've affected him so deeply.

“To what do I owe this visit?” Jimin smiles but it doesn't reach his eyes and Jeongguk's insides twist unpleasantly at that. It's so formal and distant. He did intrude at the wrong time but then again that's why Taehyung sent him.

“Hyung was worried.” He states simply.

Jimin chuckles wryly, “He sent you as an offering?”

Jeongguk shrugs, “Kind of, but he was mostly worried since you haven't picked up any of his calls or answered his texts, and…” he hesitates, unsure if this an appropriate thing to say, “I can kind of see why he was.”

He gulps nervously, turning his head to look at the other who has remained unmoved, not even a single twitch in his features. A few seconds pass but Jimin doesn't respond so he continues, “Hyung wanted to come by himself but he got caught up with someone at the last minute, some client…I don't know the specifics. So, I sorta volunteered.”

Silence settles over them again and Jeongguk wonders if he has overstepped a boundary he wasn't meant to. If coming here was a bad idea altogether, maybe Jimin didn't want to see him at the moment, they weren't close at all like that. Though if he was being honest he wanted to, he wanted to see Jimin again and saw this as the perfect excuse to do so. Jimin occupied his mind more than he would like to admit for some reason, and it was so fucking humiliating to get hung up over someone who he has talked to only twice.

Jeongguk bites the inside of his cheeks, in the end, he couldn't resist the urge and it could send Jimin wrong signals. He did not want that.

“It's been… difficult at work these past few days.” Jimin finally says, head bowing.

The younger stays quiet, giving him room to elaborate further. Jimin looks at him, eyes flitting between Jeongguk's, as if debating. Eyes distraught, a frown makes his lips curl, and he looks away again.

“There's a puppy,” this time his voice shakes, fingers trembling slightly, “Dodo, his name's Dodo. He has…” Jimin exhales sharply, “He has trouble breathing. It's been like that since his birth. And uh—”

He breathes deeply, to steady his voice, “I've been helping him since he was a month old. I've—I’ve been with him for a long time but recently his condition has gotten worse and I have tried, I am trying but nothing seems to work and—” He stops abruptly, gripping onto the railing so tightly that his knuckles turn white.

A shaky breath escapes his lips, “And I don't k-know what to do.” He looks up, eyes glistening with unshed tears, a crinkle between his brows. His tongue swipes over his chapped lips and he whispers, as if admitting defeat, “I don't know what to do.”

A small sob tumbles out his mouth and Jeongguk stands frozen, fists clenched at the sides. His stomach sinks, feeling helpless witnessing Jimin struggle to hold back tears. The twinge inside his chest grows in size the longer he sees him like that.

“Each time, after yet another unsuccessful operation, he greets me with a wagging tail even though he is in so much pain. And—” Jimin gasps, tears finally falling.

“And the only remaining option was to euthanize him. I c-couldn't do it, Jeongguk.” His voice breaks, he palms his face trying to stifle his sobs.

“I couldn't do it…” Jimin looks at him, eyes bloodshot and tears flowing down his cheeks. The furrow between his brows deepens and his lip quivers.

Jeongguk swallows down his own tears, ignoring the sting in his eyes he whispers, “I understand. It must've been difficult.”

“No you don't,” Jimin shakes his head vehemently, “You do not understand Jeongguk. I couldn't do it—” He gasps, “—someone else did it and that was my last chance to see him.”

He sobs, stepping forward until his head touches Jeongguk’s shoulder, “I couldn’t…”

Jeongguk freezes, taken aback at the sudden contact but eventually raises one arm to put around Jimin’s shaking shoulder awkwardly while the other rests at his side. He nods even though Jimin can’t see it, trying to gently pat his back in an attempt to comfort. “It’s okay.” He whispers, hugging him tighter. Jeongguk rubs his back, whispering anything he can to soothe the ache that pains him. Jimin trembles with the force of his stifled sobs, head further nuzzling into Jeongguk’s shoulder.

He tries to mirror the younger’s breath again, willing himself to calm down. He fists Jeongguk’s jacket, curling his fingers tighter as waves of grief wash over him and Jeongguk stands still throughout, a steady presence Jimin clings onto for his dear life. And he doesn’t leave,even after Jimin’s tears have long dried and stays beside him when he stares into an abyss, sitting on the balcony’s floor.

He doesn’t say anything, letting Jimin clutch his hand within his grasp. He doesn’t try to detangle their intertwined fingers nor does he try to pull away. He doesn’t even flinch when Jimin gets teary eyed again and his nails dig into his skin.

Jeongguk stayed as long as he was needed.

As long as Jimin needed him.

ヾ⁠❥

Jimin groans, taking off his glasses and digging the heels of his palms in his eyes. Updating patient information on this condensed excel sheet in front eleven was proving to be an endless chore. His eyes feel sore and puffy to touch and his throat feels sore too. The aftermath of an emotional breakdown is always irritating to deal with.

Last night's embarrassing events have him sighing so much that even Namjoon, his fellow colleague and dear friend, has side-eyed him more than once. Well, he should be grateful that Jeongguk isn't a douchebag and helped him navigate grief with openness. He is grateful, he really is, but the mortification is overpowering his gratitude and he doesn't know how to face the other ever again.

He doubts Jeongguk will see him again though because he basically dumped his emotions all at once in front of him—and on his jacket. Good lord, he did NOT need to cry like that on Jeongguk's shoulder. They weren't close enough to be sharing an emotionally vulnerable moment together but Jimin might as well have trampled all over his personal boundaries.
He sighs again, head in hands and fingers tugging at his hair.

“Okay…” Namjoon says, startling him, “I think you need to clock off now. One more sigh and I'll pack your stuff myself and kick you out.”

“What? No!” Jimin scowls, sitting up straighter, “Hyung, I only have a little left, I'll leave after I complete this. Also, I'm not sighing.”

“Yeah…sure” Namjoon grimaces, “I don't know what's going inside your head but I have an inkling it's not peace related. Go home Jimin, we're done for today, all appointments cleared. Yoongi hyung is gonna stay back till late this time.”

“But—”

“None of that please,” he adjusts his glasses, “Also, someone is asking for you outside.” Namjoon shoots him with a look, “New boyfriend?”

“H-Huh?” Jimin gapes, eyebrows raised, “What boyfriend?”

“There's a guy sitting in the waiting room. He asked for you.” Namjoon clarifies, sifting through the remaining files on the desktop, “Since you've almost completed this, you can go, do the rest tomorrow.”

“Hyung—”

“Jimin.” He exhales pointing at the door, “Out.”

Jimin wished and dreaded seeing one face after stepping out of his office, and to his delight the reason for his misery, as of late, and his giddiness was sitting right in front of him. Jeongguk looked so out of place and lost as he raked his eyes through every nook and cranny of this place. He looked young, and frankly a bit of a delinquent, in the black leather jacket he adorned. But it was sure an interesting sight, he's almost compelled to watch him behaving like a lost puppy.

“Find anything to your liking?” He says smiling, coming in front of Jeongguk. He only hopes his voice sounds cool-headed and not affected by this not-so-unwelcome presence. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't hate the sight of Jeongguk in his workplace even though he should because this is certainly crossing some very personal boundaries.

Jeongguk smiles back and stands up, brushing his hands on his jeans, “The cat anatomy diagrams are pretty cool, I guess.”

“Ah!” Jimin looks at the posters on the wooden board hung on a wall, and he nods “I suppose they are.”

Jeongguk chuckles but it's tinged with nervousness, “Are you leaving or…”

“Yeah, I'm off duty as of now.”

“Okay,” he nods, putting his hands in the pockets of his jacket, “I know it was rude to show up unannounced like this but uh I didn't have any contact information—”

Jimin smirks, “You asked Taehyung for my workplace address but not my number?”

“Oh.” Jeongguk pauses, red colour rushing up his neck, as he fumbles “Sorry I didn't um…”

Shit that should've been the course of action…

“Is this awkward? Uh, it probably is, should I just—” he takes a step back towards the exit.

“Jeongguk.” Jimin calls gently, like he does to coax a super alarmed cat out of its hiding place, it works on Jeongguk too apparently because he stills, looking back at him cluelessly. “It's okay, I don't mind.”

Because surprisingly, Jimin doesn't, even in the short timespan he's known Jeongguk. And even though most of their interactions have been chaotic and embarrassing for Jimin, he truly doesn't mind the other's presence since he isn't insufferable and pompous like the rest of his hookups. Jimin thinks they could've been good friends if that night didn't happen.

Jeongguk scans his face, eyes flickering and hand rubbing at the back of his neck when he speaks next, “I wanted to know if you're feeling okay now.”

Jimin sighs, he knew this was coming but that doesn't stop shame and more flashbacks from creeping inside his head, “Yeah, I'm better, I suppose—” he sighs, "I owe you an apology for bursting out on you like that yesterday, must've been uncomfortable. I'm sorry.”

“No,” Jeongguk shakes his head, “No it wasn't. Please don't apologise. I'd feel relieved if I was of any help.”

“You were.” Jimin whispers and Jeongguk's heart catapults in his chest at how earnest he sounds. Jimin's eyes carry a softness to them he hasn't seen before and something about it makes Jeongguk want to look away because it feels personal and layered intent so, he forces himself to look back.

“Okay,” he exhales, trying to keep his cool, “Are you free now?”

“Yeah,” Jimin looks down at himself and pinches the fabric of his shrubs, “After I change out of these.”

“Do you maybe want to go somewhere…with me?” He adds with a pause, voice unsure.

Jimin blinks, surprised at the sudden offer, “Go where?”

Jeongguk smiles, stepping away, a glint of playfulness in his eyes, “That you'd know only if you decide to come with me. I'll wait outside.”

Jimin stands there for a moment after Jeongguk's already out the door, contemplating. He bites his lower lip, curious nervousness coursing through his veins at the younger's mystery proposal but also worried about progressively getting entangled in each other's life and where they stand.

He huffs, walking away to change into something else. After all, the worst he can do is regret it the next morning.

ヾ⁠❥

“Nononononono Jeongguk—” Jimin clenches Jeongguk's jacket within his fists tighter, eyes screwed shut from the sheer force of wind slapping his face, “ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE DRIVING WITHIN THE SPEED LIMIT?”

Jeongguk, to his misery, only laughs as a response, light and airy. The sound bubbles out of his chest joyously. Jimin would've found it endearing if he wasn't hanging on to Jeongguk for dear life. He yelps when the younger revs up his bike and the speed increases. He holds Jeongguk tighter, afraid of falling down. In hindsight, their proximity would've been a bit inappropriate. Jimin sits behind on the bike Jeongguk had borrowed from Bogum, chest pressed to his back and his hands tight around the other's torso, not an inch of space between them. He doesn't know what he was thinking, agreeing to this after seeing this monstrosity of a bike.

Jimin screams profanities which makes Jeongguk laugh even harder, the sound muffled through his helmet. After what seems to be never ending suffering and screaming he finally pulls to a stop and Jimin swings off immediately, whacking the back of Jeongguk’s helmet with his own, “I will sue you for attempted murder.” Jeongguk takes off his helmet and it’s infuriating how his soft, silky hair falls right back into place, just the right amount of mussed to be called ‘effortless’.

And it’s even more infuriating when a smile so wide spreads on his face the corner of his eyes crinkle, “Hyung, there’s no way I would ever let you get hurt.”

Jimin freezes, eyes widening slightly at the cocky audacity and the way hyung had naturally glided over his tongue. He doesn’t reply and looks away. The more they spend time together, the more boundaries they cross. Jimin doesn’t know what’s the end and what’s the start to them anymore. Where does he stop? Where does he ask Jeongguk to not try to get so close? Where does he finally put some distance between them?

“Hey,” Jeongguk whispers, he bites the inside of his cheek before taking the helmet off Jimin’s hands and holding them within his grasp, “I’d not let you get on here if I wasn’t confident and I get it if you don’t want to sit behind again. I’m…I apologize if it felt frightening or comfortable.”

Jimin scoffs, trying to ignore how Jeongguk’s touch sears his hands and the heat rising up his cheeks at the contact, “Yeah no shit, I thought I was gonna die.”

“But you didn’t…” He remarks cheekily and if it wasn’t for his stupidly handsome face Jimin would’ve flung his helmet right at that face. “So..” He inhales deeply, preparing for potential rejection but hope flutters in his chest because Jimin still hasn’t pulled his hands out of his grasp, “I can drop you home if you’d like, or we could walk to the place I wanted to show you.”

“Since you’ve already dragged me here,” Jimin grumbles, “It can’t be for nothing right?”

Jeongguk smiles, caressing the back of Jimin’s hands with his thumbs, “You sure?”

Jimin’s hands flare at the touch, he swallows around nothing, unsure if this is borderline flirting or Jeongguk is just a touchy person. Regardless, it doesn’t help that Jimin has felt the same touch before but on the dip of his waist, rubbing small circles into his skin to soothe him as he scanned his face over and over again for any signs of pain. Jimin blushes, rolling his eyes to feign annoyance, “As long as you don’t chop me up and dump my body next, I think we’re good to go.”

Jimin walks beside Jeongguk, eyes taking in the numerous lights and lanterns hung over his head. The night market was bustling with people, air filled with chatter and calls of shopkeepers announcing their prices to attract customers. “What is this place?” Jimin wonders out loud, standing in front of a shop, hand sifting through a bunch of charms mindlessly.

“Exactly what it seems,” Jeongguk grins, taking his hand again and dragging him through the crowd. He sighs looking at the back of the younger’s head, there has been an awful lot of handholding today for it to be called casual. “I assume you haven’t eaten yet?”

Jimin shakes his head, letting Jeongguk take him wherever he wishes. He watches as the yellow lights flit across his face, and for the first time he notices the scar on Jeongguk's cheekbone and the mole underneath his lower lip. He stares blatantly, at the slope of Jeongguk's nose, at his lips, at his eyes, dancing between numerous stalls.

It's like seeing him for the first time, in a different light. Each time they've interacted, he's witnessed different versions of Jeongguk. And this might be the only time where he looks completely at ease, steps light and carefree. And the feeling of something tugging inside his chest returns full force when Jeongguk looks back at him, light bouncing off his hair, face splitting in a wide grin.

Jimin just might be a little doomed.

ヾ⁠❥

Stomachs full and satiated by a huge bowl of ramen and other things they gulfed down in less than twenty minutes, Jimin sat on top of Jeongguk's bike while the latter leaned against the engine in front, drinking a can of soda. He exhaled, sniffling lightly due to the sudden chill in air. The temperature seems to have dropped a little.

Jimin mindlessly swings his legs on either side, watching the faint glow of market lights glimmer in the distance. Tonight had been surprising to say the least. His mind was at peace and every muscle in his body, earlier tightly wound up, seemed to have relaxed. And he felt lighter, so much lighter as if he could finally breathe.

He looks at Jeongguk, who crushes the can before throwing it in the trash. When the younger meets his eyes he smiles and Jimin looks away. Jeongguk places one hand down on the middle of the seat, in front of Jimin.

“Hi,” he whispers, prompting Jimin to look up.

He chuckles nervously in response, rubbing his clammy hands together, “Hi.”

This proximity is worse when he isn't leeching onto Jeongguk for dear life in order to not fall. He exhales, trying to not let his jitters show.

“Hyung,” Jeongguk calls and he has to will himself to not show a reaction to that physically. “How are you feeling?”

Like my heart is gonna come up to my throat.

However, that's not something he can say out loud, so he nods, settling on a good. Jeongguk mimics his nod, standing up straighter.

“This was a very impromptu thing.” Jimin says, fiddling with the sleeves of his sweatshirt.

“Yeah, well” Jeongguk huffs, the corner of his lips turning up, “I'd consider it a job well done if you didn't hate it.”

“I didn't.”

“Thankfuck.”

The way he says it makes him laugh, it sounds half joking but half genuinely relieved.

Jeongguk steps closer and it makes the thuds inside Jimin's ribcage grow faster. He can feel the younger's breath brush against his cheeks and warmth courses through his body. Brown eyes flit over his features, and Jimin's scared to breathe, air caught in the back of his throat. He's afraid that if any one of them moves even an inch further they might go back to where they started again.

Jeongguk's index finger touches his, gently intertwining them on the surface. He looks at Jimin's eyes for a second, as if to gauge his reaction and then his gaze drops to Jimin's lips and the latter's breath hitches. Jeongguk's eyes don't waver, but his breaths do, giving away his nervousness.

Jimin's lungs are on fire, the lack of oxygen makes him dizzy but so does anticipation. Every muscle that had relaxed in his body locks and he physically cannot move. He doesn't know what he'll regret more tomorrow—not moving away or not closing the distance between them.

Jeongguk meets his eyes again, gauging his reaction once again before he drops to his lips. This time, he nudges forward a little, as if giving Jimin a chance to bridge the gap between their lips

However, he doesn't do that, nor does he move away. He cannot choose to give in to something he might regret later and give the other hope for something more. A part of him wishes to though, so deeply wishes to feel Jeongguk's lips on him again that it makes him almost lean in and kiss him but he cannot do that to Jeongguk.

He cannot trade one guilt for another.

So, he sits still while Jeongguk waits, eyes trained on his lips. The kiss he was waiting for would never come. As soon as he realises that he moves away, chuckling wryly at the sight of Jimin's wide eyes. He puts the spare helmet over Jimin's head, fastening the buckle under his chin and patting the top of it.

Jeongguk sighs, “You're all set.”

Jimin's stomach sinks, panic coursing through his body. He wants to hold on to Jeongguk, but run away at the same time. His throat constricts and an uncomfortable knot makes it hard to breathe again. All he can do is meekly call him, “Jeongguk…”

“It's okay” He smiles and Jimin's stomach sinks further because it doesn't reach his eyes. His once glittering, warm eyes now seem blank and somewhat defeated.
What's devastating is that Jimin has seen that look before. On himself.

He knows this feeling, wanting to ask a hundred questions or to hear a reason. Just one thing that he can hold onto and remind himself to stop pursuing them because they're not interested in him like that.

It breaks Jimin to see him look like that, yet his hands feel tied by an unseen force.
He cannot do anything except stare at Jeongguk helplessly, unable to convey the storm of emotions brewing inside him as the latter brushes back his hair and sighs.

“I understand. It's okay.” Jeongguk nods, before putting on his helmet.

Jimin gets dropped off at his home and waves him goodbye—that he returns with a nod. He waits outside until Jeongguk drives off, disappearing down the lane.

That was the last time he saw Jeongguk.

ヾ⁠❥

Knee deep in his work, Jimin didn't realise how a month had passed already. Turns out, with the pressure of work on his head 24/7 it's pretty hard to think about anything else, but whenever he had a little time on his hands and had to sit idle with his thoughts, Jeongguk was always there.

Jeongguk and his fluttering lashes as he kept shifting his gaze between Jimin's eyes and his lips, Jeongguk who had nudged forward, desperation in his eyes for Jimin to kiss him, Jeongguk, whom Jimin had rejected with a cold stance.

At the end of the month, after his break ended, Jeongguk had flown back to his university. Jimin had forgotten all about it until Taehyung had called him a day after he left. He did not know if Jeongguk silently leaving was a wise move, hell, he doesn't even know if not kissing him back then was a good move either.

Would Jimin's heart still feel this heavy whenever he thinks about him then or would he just look back at that moment with fondness?

Guess he wouldn't find the answer to that.

Work hasn't been easy and life has somewhat turned hectic, one massive difference was he had finally put an end to his sleeping rampage as he's too tired to do anything on the weekends except sleeping. Though a part of him is scared that he'll look for those eyes in every other person he'll meet.

That thought alone makes his heart plunge, it's a territory he's not yet ready to set foot into.

One thing he's sure about is, even though he had hurt Jeongguk's feelings—very visibly—he had in no way or form led the other on. That's the only relief Jimin clings to whenever he thinks back to that night.

And maybe the heavy weight on his chest will go away with time, and he'd no longer think of Jeongguk with uncomfortable knots in his throat.

Jimin needed time, for himself, to detangle himself first before he could even think of pursuing someone romantically again. He would not want to carry any doubts into his relationships in the future, nor would he want to feel scared to be in one again.

He needed time.

Months pass and time ticks by, trees shed their leaves in the bitterness of winter and when spring comes new ones sprout. As the seasons pass, Jimin also feels the heaviness of winter escape him.

Days no longer feel suffocating with an inexplicable loneliness, and he doesn't find himself staring at an abyss several times a day. There's a lightness in his mornings, and not from the blunt throbs in his back anymore but from looking forward to doing something, well, ordinary.

Sometimes, he'll try out video games, attempt to cook a new dish, try doing yoga, maybe even do his laundry properly for once. Even though it sounds tedious and awfully boring, it gives him a purpose throughout the day, keeps his mind at peace while being engaged in things that he has come to find therapeutic—and that includes making minute dots on an A4 size paper, the same one that is framed and hanging in his room now. He doesn't know what prompted him to do it, he just did, and he liked it.

And that's a lesson Jimin has learnt, sometimes you need to do what you want even if it doesn't make sense, even if it seems like a waste of time. If you feel a pull to something then why not give it a try? It doesn't always have to be something meaningful.

However, one meaningful thing he has indeed picked up is journaling. Everything going inside his brain eventually finds its way inside his journal, one way or the other. Sometimes it's pages filled with paragraphs, sometimes it's a doodle or a drawing, sometimes it's just a ramble of words squished together on a page.

Whatever is on his mind, is in his little diary sitting on top of his desk at home. And somewhere inside those pages is a certain someone's name scribbled in the corners and then crossed out completely, more than once.

For a while now, Jimin hasn't felt the need to bolt right back out of his door because his apartment feels so…empty. Waves of loneliness still wash over him, but in gentle tides that lap at his feet rather than the ferocious waves that had once drowned him.

Jimin has learned how to plant his feet firmly, so he doesn't get swept away again.

ヾ⁠❥

“A medical conference?” Jimin asks, looking over the edge of his custom “I love cats but I'm allergic to them :( ” cup Namjoon had so kindly gifted him on his birthday last year. He sips the watery coffee from the one and only coffee machine/ dispenser they have in their clinic.

“It's been years since I've gone to one.”

“Yeah, same.” Yoongi says without looking up, typing away at his phone.

“Well,” Namjoon says scratching at his brow, “I also think this is a bit unexpected but my mentor—ex mentor,” he clarifies, “has very kindly given me three passes to this conference—I actually think it's more like a seminar, though.”

Namjoon scrolls through the event details on the invite sitting in his e-mails, “Anyways, since he has given me the passes, I think we should go. It's only a two day thing, plus the hotel rooms are paid for.”

“That does sound nice,” Yoongi grumbles slowly from the corner.

“Exactly! When would we get another chance to do a colleague bonding trip, like this?” Namjoon chimes, switching his screen off.

“I think we do enough bonding while cleaning litter here.” Yoongi deadpans and it makes Jimin snort.

“Hyung isn't wrong.” He agrees.

Namjoon grunts, rolling his eyes in response, “Very funny guys, really funny. Just to inform you, a lot of experienced and retired veterans are going to be there to learn from and also to network with other fellow vets of the same age.”

“Where is it though?” Jimin piques, putting his cup in the sink. He'll need to wash it before leaving or else everyone will give him shit for forgetting his unwashed utensils in the break room’s sink again. He definitely doesn't need a repeat of last time.

“SNU.”

“That's where I went for college.” Yoongi states, finally looking up from his phone.

Namjoon hums, “Right, you can interact with some of your batchmates again if they're also invited.”

He sighs, “Not very keen on that.”

“Oh my god, guys. Are we going or not?” Namjoon asks, exasperated, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“I swear you two team up against me for fun and drag the process of making a decision."

Jimin giggles, covering his mouth with his hand, “I'm in.”

“Thank you!” Namjoon exclaims sarcastically.

Yoongi snickers, getting up from the one and only dusty green couch pushed in the corner of the room, “I'll come too.”

So, here they were unloading their suitcases out of the trunks of their taxi. Jimin grunts, pulling Namjoon’s unusually heavy carrier out while the latter pays the driver.

“Hyung, a little help?” Jimin pants, tugging at the suitcase and feeling one of its wheels catch onto something inside the trunk.

“Sure,” Yoongi steps forward, lifting the bottom of it and shuts the trunk after they've successfully hauled it outside.

Namjoon comes around to them and Jimin hands him his suitcase, “With the weight of that thing, people will suspect you have a dead body hidden in there.”

“Stop speaking nonsense,” Namjoon grimaces, clearly not liking whatever visual his mind had come up with.

Yoongi takes the lead, checking in first at the hotel and gets his allotted room number, Namjoon and Jimin follow. Surprisingly, three passes mean three different rooms—though a bit too small—for all of them. Jimin has already started to think that maybe coming here wasn't a bad idea at all.

Their rooms are adjacent to each other on the same floor, Namjoon's room in the middle of Jimin and Yoongi’s. The conference—or seminar as Namjoon calls it—was set to begin the next morning. They had checked in at night a day prior, as it was instructed in the invite. They gather one last time for dinner before retiring to their individual rooms.

Jimin sits on his hotel bed with his journal in his hands, drawing small flowers along the edges of the page. Once he feels tired and satisfied with the drawings on the page, he turns off the lights. The tiniest bits of excitement creep inside his chest, sort of nervous but a little bit giddy for tomorrow.

Maybe if all goes well he'd have tons of good memories to look back at and write about in his diary.

ヾ⁠❥

The college was bustling with students, presumably, making way to their 9am lectures. Jimin smiles to himself, he was almost never on time for early morning classes.

They are guided by a student volunteer who expertly steers them through the campus crowd. She leads them into the science building and in front of one of the big auditoriums in this college. Namjoon shows their invites and passes at the front desk—manned by three students belonging to the student council—and he's handed three bags of souvenirs.

Jimin peeps inside the bag, finding a pen, a notepad, a diary and wallet—all branded with the logo of the university. He laughs, feeling giddy, “I've always loved university merch.”

Yoongi rolls his eyes, “If you like it that much you can take some of it from me. I have so much stashed away in my cupboard somewhere.”

“Alright, we're on time.” Namjoon checks his wristwatch, dressed in a perfectly tailored, formal, dark blue suit. They collectively decided to wear suits for this occasion, so that no one was accidentally showing up in any long coats or jackets.

“They said we can go take out seats in the auditorium and it'll start in about fifteen minutes.”

Jimin nods, the souvenir bag clutched in one of his clammy hands. He doesn't dare try to wipe the other on his pants because it would be absolutely humiliating if it left a sweat imprint, even though it'd be hardly visible on black but he still wouldn't take any chances.

The seminar begins shortly after they're seated inside the auditorium. Yoongi keeps feeding him little bits of information about the venue, like where the vents are and what kind of air conditioning and lighting they have embedded inside the walls. Jimin smiles, he reckons Yoongi does feel proud and nostalgic to be back here afterall.

The event proceeds smoothly, opening up with greetings from the student council and the professors, then seamlessly moving to introduce distinguished doctors, alumni and finally to the speakers. It may sound boring to some people but to a room full of people who are technically nerds, it's a holy grail.

When a short break is announced after two hours of continuous speeches and discussions, Jimin grins ear to ear, not feeling the tiniest bit tired. He's glad he decided to come, it's been informative to say the least.

“I told you that you will like it.” Namjoon states looking at his expression.

“I never said that I wouldn't like it.” Jimin counters, still smiling.

A student volunteer politely asks them to help themselves to some refreshments from a desk outside the auditorium. Yoongi steps in, asking them to wait while he fetches buttered bagels and americanoes for all of them. Namjoon and Jimin stand off to one side, avoiding the stream of doctors and apprentices who spilled out of the auditoriums slowly.

“Here,” Yoongi hands him a bagel and a tall glass of the beverage.

Jimin unscrews the lid off taking a huge sip, unconsciously searching for any familiar faces from his batch when he did his residency. Yoongi and Namjoon engage in conversation while Jimin zones out, occasionally smiling back at any friendly face that smiles at him.

To his horror, a sudden push from behind knocks off his balance, he flails struggling to reclaim his footing. Fortunately enough, he does not fall flat on his ass, unfortunately his white dress shirt is sticking to his skin, now soaked with coffee, turning a hideous brown colour.

A series of gasps erupt in the backdrop— one from Namjoon too— but Jimin's frozen, unable to move or process what just happened in a split second. He stands there dumbly, glass more than half empty and raised in air beside his head while he stares down at one hate crime of a stain on his once pristine shirt.

Yoongi, unlike Namjoon, immediately moves to action, grabbing a lot of tissues off the nearest desk. He asks Jimin to take off his blazer and the latter does so in a haze, mind struggling to catch up with anything, as if his system has momentarily shut down. Yoongi tries to dab Jimin's collar dry, while instructing him to dab at his chest in the same manner.

“Jimin,” he whispers, only so that he can hear, “It's okay, it's completely fine. Come back to me, look here.”

Jimin looks at him, feeling the sting of humiliation burn in his throat. Yoongi doesn't waver, eyes calm but fingers working to get the dripping coffee off his collar.

“You go find a washroom, see if this washes off with handwash. If it does run it under the dryer, if it doesn't, call me and I'll fetch you a new shirt.”

Jimin nods, feeling out of his body, he moves on autopilot “Excuse me.”

He walks away, blazer hanging over his right forearm with only one thought on repeat inside his head—find the restrooms. Jimin briskly walks past one closed—under cleaning—restroom, ignoring the looks from students, taking big strides to not be noticed.

His eyes frantically scan his surroundings, deliberately avoiding the faces around him. The last thing he needs to see is their expressions. Jimin zooms right into the next, open and functional washroom he sees. Thankfully for him, it's completely empty .He takes off his white shirt but keeps his vest on for the sake of decency even though it sticks to his skin.

Following Yoongi’s instructions, he squeezes soap onto his hands and rubs on the shirt, trying to get the stain off. He rinses it off once and then repeats the procedure again. The panic inside him subsides a little when the shade of brown gets lighter. However that doesn't last long because it doesn't completely come off. So, Jimin does it all over again, too caught up in his head to notice another presence enter behind him.

“Jimin hyung…?”

Snapping out of his stupor he turns around, coming face to face with—

“Jeongguk?” He breathes, clutching his shirt tighter, mind spiralling now. Eyes distraught and looking everywhere but him, “H-How…what—what are you doing here?”

It's as if the universe has decided to play one of its cruelest pranks on him because nine months later he's standing face to face with the man who he had left at a crossroad before. It appears that he has come a full circle.

Jeongguk’s eyes were wide and equally shocked, flitting between Jimin's face and the shirt in his grasp and then to the ribbon of the conference’s pass dangling out of his pants pocket. Jimin sees his face morph from shock to confusion and then finally realisation. But before Jimin could feel even more mortified, he gasps, “Oh my god.”

Jeongguk steps forward and grabs his wrist, grip gentle but firm as he wills Jimin to look at him. “Give me one minute. Just one minute. You stay here okay?”

Jimin nods in a daze, confused.

“Okay,” Jeongguk steps away slowly, his eyes scanning Jimin's face, “I'll be right back.” With that he sprints outside the door almost immediately leaving Jimin alone and very puzzled.

Jeongguk returns in record time, panting as he swings the door open and shuts it behind him. He gasps, one hand on his knee and the other extending a red plaid shirt to Jimin.

“Here I—” he gasps, chest heaving with heavy breaths, “I usually have a spare in my locker in case my current shirt, oof, gets smeared in adhesive or something.”

Jimin balks, hesitantly taking the shirt but turning around and putting it on instantly. He buttons it to the top, an obvious attempt to hide the stain on his vest.

“So, you study here?” He asks, watching as Jeongguk's breath starts to even out. The younger nods, making eye contact with him through the bathroom mirror.

“Good.” Jimin gathers his soiled clothes from the counter, “Take me somewhere else.”

Because he truly doesn't want to go back to the programme after making such a spectacle of himself. Embarrassment sears his cheeks at the mere memory of it. He would rather throw himself into moving traffic than go back there again right now.

He shoots Yoongi a text, just in case the elder starts worrying.

I'm okay, not coming back though. I've got company.

ヾ⁠❥

“Do you…” Jeongguk starts, picking at the loose strands of his jeans, “want to talk about it maybe?”

Jimin groans, lying down completely on trimmed grass of the college's field. The sun shines pleasantly on his skin and he was starting to forget the embarrassment from earlier but then Jeongguk asked him that question.

“You literally figured it out on the spot.” He scoffs, putting his arm over his eyes.

“That's different.”

Jimin clicks his tongue, “It really isn't. Everything you think happened, happened.”

“I can't believe you became a victim to a classic coffee spill.” Jeongguk chuckles as he uncrosses his legs and stretches them.

He sighs in response, “I can't believe that either.”

A beat passes before he speaks again, “You didn't tell me that you study at SNU”

“Didn’t get the chance to.” Jeongguk then adds as an afterthought, “Then again, I suppose that there's a lot left unsaid, still.”

Jimin quietens, he has an inkling about what Jeongguk may be hinting at right now. “I suppose there is.” He whispers.

“This morning,” Jeongguk says, voice low, “For a split second, I did wonder if you were invited to the conference. And I also wondered how I would greet you if we happened to stumble upon each other.”

Jimin chuckles, embarrassment burning his cheeks again. “Funny how that turned out.”

“I did not expect that at all” Jeongguk huffs.

“Neither did I.” He agrees, rising on his elbows to look at Jeongguk better, who looks back straight at him.

“Thank you.” Jimin whispers, hoping his voice sounds as earnest and sincere as he feels, “I'm so thankful I met you today. If it weren't for you I probably would've started crying in there.”

Jeongguk's eyes soften as he looks at Jimin, raking through his features once before settling on his eyes. And Jimin is momentarily stunned again because the sun makes Jeongguk's eyes look like an inviting and safe haven.

The light makes his eyes glow in such a manner that Jimin's forced to wonder just how many moths will sacrifice their lives to be near.

Jeongguk smiles, and it looks so kind that Jimin feels something underneath his ribs twist uncomfortably, he doesn't know how the younger can still manage to smile at him like that even after being…left like he was. He shakes his head and takes a deep breath before speaking.

“I didn't do anything but lend you a shirt. Also, I feel sort of…bad that things turned out like that for you.”

Jimin sighs, “It is what it is.”

“But for the crying part,” Jeongguk adds, a cheeky look on his face, “No shit, why do you think I panicked that bad after looking at you?”

Jimin gasps, hitting Jeongguk's biceps—he deliberately ignores how the muscles feel under his touch—and scoffs, “You're exaggerating.”

“I'm not.”

“Shut up.”

Jeongguk chuckles and folds his legs, now sitting with his hands in his lap, “Any plans to go back?”

Jimin looks away and to the vast grassy ground, feeling sheepish he clears his throat, “Most certainly not.”

“Okay.” Jeongguk hums, opening his mouth to say something else but deciding against it. After a moment he asks instead, “Planning to return to your hotel room or something, then?”

“Not really.”

The younger bites on his lower lip, reluctance evident in the way his eyes constantly drift to Jimin and fingers rubbing together. He gets up abruptly startling Jimin.

Pretending to play it cool Jeongguk asks, “Since you have nothing planned right now—” he clears his throat, “—would you maybe like to join me for brunch?”

Having a meal sitting across from each other in one of those campus cafes he's heard about might seem harmless and even enjoyable to an extent, but if Jimin recalls correctly the last time they sat for a meal together Jeongguk almost ended up kissing him.

Jimin frowns, not completely onboard. He tries his best to evade “Don't you have classes to attend today?”

Jeongguk groans, shooting Jimin an exasperated look, “Yeah okay hyung, missing one day isn't gonna put a massive dent on my record. Are you in or not?”

Jimin's stomach flutters, maybe Jeongguk had called him hyung twice today but surely that must be a slip of tongue kindda thing right? He wouldn't willingly try to rekindle even a morsel of their past or to repeat the same mistakes surely, no one would.

He mulls it over for a few seconds, battling with his thoughts but then finally agrees, “Lead the way.”

Because the worst that can happen is that maybe he'll end up falling or slipping or spilling something on himself again since he's certain there seems to be no lingering or attached look to Jeongguk's eyes this time.

Over the course of the next few hours, Jimin would've mapped every inch of SNU, except the library, because Jeongguk told him only students can enter. He even bore witness to Jeongguk's ongoing project in the lab, unfinished and tucked in a safe place to prevent mishaps. After that, he was dragged into a cafe or two, because whenever Jeongguk saw one worth introducing he'd grab Jimin's wrist out of nowhere, gently tugging him towards several of these saying, “Hyung, you have to try this one. It's the best I swear.”

And whenever Jimin complained about making another impulsive purchase from yet another shop, Jeongguk would look back, eyes crinkled at the corners and grinning in a way that made his teeth peek out and then drag him into yet another building. His traitorous heart would thump loudly, picking up its pace and Jimin doesn't know what to do with himself. He gets dragged to Jeongguk's will, letting him take the reins completely.

It did not help that whenever Jeongguk took a hold of his hands his touch felt electrifying, sending zaps through his body whenever Jeongguk’s fingers curled over his wrist and an inexplicable warmth coursing through his veins. One that feels like a grip over his heart, a twist in his stomach and that makes him curl his toes.
He knows what this means, he knows what this feeling means. He has experienced it before and it’s nothing alike to what he felt in the past sitting on top of Jeogguk’s bike. It’s far more…intense, knocking the wind out of his lungs at times and he tells himself that it’s okay. It’s probably because of the intimacy that they shared in the past that’s making it hard for him to breathe, but deep inside a part of him knows that he’s deluding himself with such thoughts to avoid facing…whatever he might currently feel for Jeongguk.

They stand at a curb, bellies full, numerous paper bags clutched in Jimin’s hand— an aftermath of Jeongguk’s eager initiative to make him try everything good he has ever tasted. The sun, before setting in the next hour, shone in the warmest of yellow and orange hues once again drenching Jeongguk in an ethereal light. Jimin occasionally stole glances, at his golden skin, at his windswept hair through which he occasionally raked his fingers, at the slope of his nose, at his lips, moist from how he occasionally licked at them—a habit Jimin has started to notice.

Jimin fears he might be in the very same shoes Jeongguk was months ago, but unlike the latter he doesn't have courage to act accordingly or take any initiative.

Jimin’s ride to the hotel pulls up and Jeongguk helps him get the bags inside and holds open the door so he settles in comfortably. Butterflies erupt in his stomach as Jeongguk looks down at him from, backing away a little bit still holding the car door open.

“I guess this is goodbye then.” Jeongguk smiles and Jimin's stomach sinks once again, months later, when he realises it doesn't reach his eyes.

Jimin's eyes flit between Jeongguk's, and suddenly they seem to have suddenly lost their shine. The rays hitting his eyes don't flood his eyes with brown warmth but reflect back…emptily. “I suppose it is…,” he whispers as a reply.

Jeongguk ducks his head and takes another step backward, almost letting go of the car door, “Right, then I'll leav—”

Jimin leaps forward and out of his seat, wrapping his hands around Jeongguk's neck, who stands frozen in shock, hands suspended awkwardly in the air and breath hitching at the contact. He rests his forehead on Jeongguk's shoulder, and every nerve inside his body sets ablaze at the familiarity of this gesture.

Jeongguk's arms come down slowly to wrap around his torso and Jimin nuzzles deeper into his shoulder. The younger's grip tightens ever so slightly around him before relaxing completely, but Jimin doesn't let go, hands intertwined behind Jeongguk's neck firmly.

“Thank you.” He whispers softly, “I'm glad I got to see you again.”

Jimin pulls back to look at Jeongguk's eyes—wide with shock and confusion—his grip loosens and he takes half a step backward, and something heavy clogs his throat as he tries to say what he wants to, because he wants Jeongguk to hear it, “I wish today didn't have to end.”

He feels Jeongguk's fingers curl into the fabric of the red flannel he's wearing. The younger seems to be at a loss for words, tongue darting out to lick his lips once again and eyes looking everywhere but at Jimin now. He stutters, “I-I see, um…”

He trails off and Jimin steps back completely, missing the light tug on the back of his flannel, an unnoticed, desperate plea “Goodbye Jeongguk.”

Jimin doesn't look back to wave at Jeongguk when the cab drives off. The unexpected sting in his eyes and the lump of emotions lodged in his throat prevent him from doing so.

ヾ⁠❥

The conference concludes late in the afternoon so Namjoon and Yoongi decide to have dinner early with other vets they met. Jimin receives Namjoon's text about extending their stay by a few hours. So now they'll have to check out tomorrow morning instead of tonight. He assumes they'll be late, given how much time socialising after a workout event requires.

He's not missing out on much.

Jimin steps outside the shower attached to his room, drying his hair with a hand towel. He slips into one of his loose sleep shirts and shorts, mind elsewhere. He starts unpacking some of the food he had bought with Jeongguk earlier that day.

Very honestly, Jimin doesn't understand this attachment. They've met a handful of times and he doesn't even know Jeongguk that well. He does not understand this infatuation, this strong pull he feels toward the latter. He doesn't know how to make sense of it.

And it is maddening.

Maddening how Jeongguk is all he can think about. The red flannel he wore the entire day smelled so much like him Jimin felt dizzy at a certain point, high on his scent. The way Jeongguk's fingers felt on his wrist, the way his skin felt to touch, the way his eyes almost seemed lost upon Jimin's vague but desperate confession.

He doesn't know if Jeongguk's lack of response was just another way he has humiliated himself today. He doesn't know why it aches when he thinks about him, nor does he know why his heart throbs so.

Jimin calls the room service, asking if they can heat the food in these containers up for him. They tell him someone will come to pick it up and he hangs up.

Jimin looks down on his bed starfish style, staring at the ceiling. His mind is blank but brimming with thoughts at the same time and it all seems to be bubbling over right now. There's too much he feels but too little as well. He sighs, picking up Jeongguk's shirt from the edge of his bed. Jimin carefully folds it, placing it neatly on a chair nearby.

A knock on his door snaps him out of his stupor and he walks over to open it. He swings open the door, fully expecting room service staff, what he does not expect however is Jeongguk, looking like a deer caught in headlights, in a stance that suggests he was about to run away any moment.

Jimin gasps, “Jeongguk?”

Jeongguk pants, a sheen layer of sweat on his neck and forehead, “Uh…hi” He chuckles dryly, placing his forearm against the doorframe to stabilize himself and breathe.

“What are you…” Jimin trails off, words truly failing him at the sight of the other. He cannot think of any reason why Jeongguk stands at his hotel room door, panting like he has run all the way here and almost ready to bolt off again.

“Oh I actually think I left my phone with you.” Jeongguk gulps, pursing his lips.

“Jeongguk.”

“Yeah…?”

“Your phone is peeking out of your jeans pocket.”

Jeongguk looks down at himself, and almost with a look of betrayal at that. “Right… totally forgot I left it there.”
But his tone isn't relieved at finding his phone, he almost sounds disappointed.

Awkward silence stretches between them, Jeongguk's eyes zeroed in on his phone for a few seconds before he looks at his shoes. Jimin fidgets with his fingers behind his back, unsure what to say except—

“How did you know which hotel I was staying at?”

Jeongguk looks up, an almost confused look on his face as if he hadn't heard Jimin, too occupied with whatever is going on inside his brain, but then something dawns on him, and he breathed out, “I…uh, I sort of peeked at the driver's screen so yeah.”

The tips of his ears turn red and Jimin has half a mind to comment on them but he doesn't. Instead, for whatever reason, he decides to put an end to this conversation, even though there's so much more he'd like to ask and know. He'd rather step on the hope igniting in his chest than let it turn into a wildfire.

“Well, since you've found your phone…is there anything else you wanted to ask?”

“Oh,” Jeongguk steps back, removing his arm from the doorframe, “No, no. I should get going, you're right.”

He spins on his heel and walks away briskly. Jimin closes the door and sits on his bed again, staring blankly at the wall trying to process the encounter. Not even a whole minute later, there's a knock on the door again.

Jimin picks up one of the food containers to give the staff but he swings open the door again to find—

“Jeongguk?” He asks, somehow more surprised at his presence than before.

“What are you—”

“Am I the only one who feels this again?” He says in one breath, so quick that Jimin almost doesn't understand.

Jeongguk's eyes are glazed over, still distraught. He furrows his eyebrows as if something almost pains him to speak out loud.

“Do you feel nothing for me, hyung?”
He takes a step further, looking directly, into Jimin's eyes. A gaze filled with intent and determination. And Jimin doesn't know what to say to that, he fumbles and averts his eyes, shifting his weight between his legs and opening and closing his mouth several times like a fish out of water because what does he say to that.

I'm attracted to you, more than you can imagine, so much so that it's frustrating.

It exactly isn't easy to admit something like that out front.

“Hyung,” Jeongguk calls, voice tinged with desperation, “look at me.”

“Hyung.” He repeats, stepping forward when Jimin doesn't meet his eyes.

“Hyung.” Jeongguk's cold, trembling hand settles on Jimin's searing cheek to lift his head up. The contact makes Jimin's breath hitch, partly due to the unexpectedness of it and partly because of how it feels on his skin.

“Do you not feel anything—” Jeongguk whispers, voice breaking at the end, “—anything for me?”

His breath brushes against Jimin's cheeks and all of Jimin's blood must've rushed to his head because he feels so fucking lightheaded, due to the proximity, he can faint. Words die on his tongue and all he can do is stare back at Jeongguk, utterly dumbfounded.

“I'm not asking for something earth-shattering…just anything…please.” Jeongguk's other hand came to rest on Jimin's waist, his eyes flitting between Jimin's wide ones.

Jimin licks his lips, and Jeongguk's eyes gravitate towards them instantly. He slowly, but steadily puts his hand around Jeongguk's neck, rising on his tip toes just a little to land a peck right in the middle of his lips. Jeongguk's muscles tense under his hands, and he almost flinches back in shock.

“You speak too much…” Jimin whispers softly, cheeks turning red as he looks up at Jeongguk through his lashes.

And suddenly Jeongguk is all he could feel as he's being rushed inside the room, Jeongguk's lips crashing into his, kissing with so much intensity that it makes his knees buckle. The arm around his waist tightens, pulling him impossibly close and flush against Jeongguk's body.

Jimin's hands travel up from the back of Jeongguk's neck to his hair, threading in between the strands. Jeongguk bites at his lower lip and then soothes the ache with his tongue, licking gently over it. Jimin's fingers in his hair tightens as he delves further, tongue lapping against the insides of his mouth.

Jimin feels lightheaded but he doesn't wish to stop, he doesn't want Jeongguk to stop kissing him like he would starve to death otherwise. A gasp escapes Jimin's lips when he bites his tongue lightly but it's swallowed by Jeongguk's mouth entirely. Jimin pushes forward, body arching into Jeongguk's and a groan slips out of the latter's mouth at the contact and he presses back.

Jeongguk kisses back with double the ferocity, tilting his head further to get better access as he brushes his tongue against Jimin's. His hands slip down from Jimin's waist, and he bends ever so slightly to curl them around Jimin's thighs, hoisting him up in one swift motion.

Jimin gasps as he breaks the kiss engulfing as much air as he can in this short respite. He wraps his legs around Jeongguk's waist tightly and Jeongguk's lips are right back on his as soon as he adjusts Jimin to maintain a firm grip. With every step Jeongguk takes, Jimin's jostles slightly in his hold and friction turns him on so bad he almost lets out a whimper against Jeongguk's mouth.

He's placed on the edge of the bed in the middle of the room while Jeongguk kneels in front of him, neither of them breaking the kiss and instead kissing back with equal fervor. Jeongguk breaks the kiss after a few seconds and Jimin chases his lips but stops when he takes off his shirt in one swift motion.

And Jimin doesn't know where he should look, he keeps his eyes trained on Jeongguk's, completely ignoring how his toned ab muscles flex in the dim lights of the room, or how his firm chest rises and falls with rapid breaths. The emotion swirling in Jeongguk's eyes is equally worse to look at, they're glassed over as if in a haze again but this time Jimin's at the center of it, he's the focal point, the only clarity in the fog.

Jeongguk slowly raises his hand and trails along Jimin's bare calf, firmly grips the muscle before lifting his leg so that Jimin's foot rests against Jeongguk's — very naked— shoulder. Jimin bites back a whimper, steadying himself by placing both his hands behind him, as he looks down at Jeongguk. Jimin stares at him, heat coursing through his body as desire reflects very clearly in Jeongguk's eyes, desire for Jimin.

And a pleasure wracks his spine when he realises that Jeongguk has put him on a pedestal and he is the sole devotee Jimin will ever have.

“Jeongguk…” Jimin whispers, voice thick with emotion.

Jeongguk turns his head and kisses his ankle, once, twice, and then slowly makes his way up making Jimin wreathe at the sensation of his lips against his skin. He eventually reaches his thighs and Jimin moans, head falling back when Jeongguk digs his teeth in, not enough to hurt but just enough to leave a mark. Jimin fists the sheets under him, not knowing what to do with himself. Everything hurts and everything is blissful.

He peers at Jeongguk, whose cheek rests against the bite mark on his thigh. He peers up at Jimin through his lashes, a worshipping look to his eyes. He kisses over the mark twice before looking back and whispering, “I won't let you forget this time.”

A shudder rolls down Jimin's back at that. And looking at Jeongguk right now, he doubts he'll ever be able to forget this even if he wanted to.

ヾ⁠❥

Jimin's head falls back, a moan escaping his lips when Jeongguk starts kissing down his neck, taking his time to suck and bite at places he likes. Jimin doesn't stop moving his hips, feeling Jeongguk buried deep inside him and throbbing.

Jimin's arms loosen around Jeongguk's neck but the latter's grip tightens, pulling him flush against himself, skin to skin. Jeongguk gasps, hips twitching at a particular grind that has him resting his forehead against the base of Jimin's throat for a moment. Jimin takes it as a sign to pick up pace just a little. Jeongguk's fingers trail up his ribs, lightly applying pressure on the skin that makes Jimin lose his mind for a second.

He looks up at Jimin, almost in devotion, expression blissed out already, “Don't stop.” He whispers, their breaths hotly mingling together, “Please don't stop.”

So Jimin doesn't, he pushes his hips harder against Jeongguk's pelvis, trying to take him in to the very end which makes Jeongguk moan in response, eyes snapping shut and brows furrowing in pleasure. He grips Jimin's waist, guiding his movements while simultaneously thrusting upwards in rhythmic strokes.

Jimin whimpers, hiding his face in the crook of Jeongguk's neck as he struggles to breathe. A particular angled thrust knocks all air out of his lungs and he grips onto Jeongguk's shoulders for life, legs shaking violently on either side of the latter.

Soon enough Jimin's bouncing on Jeongguk's lap, who meets him halfway, steadily thrusting upwards in continuous strokes that have his eyes rolling back into his skull. Jimin's thighs burn with a satisfying ache, everything feels worth it when he sees Jeongguk's face contorted in pleasure, gasps and shuddered breaths tumbling out his mouth whenever Jimin clenches. The sensation is addictive and Jimin feels high on Jeongguk's touch, skin burning and bruising underneath his palm.

Jimin is a canvas and Jeongguk colours him in, painting on his body with hues that won't fade away easily, the ones that'll stay and remind him of this very moment for a long time.

ヾ⁠❥

Jeongguk's unnecessarily loud ringtone blares in the morning air, startling him and Jimin awake. He tumbles out of the bed and Jimin whines in protest at the loss of Jeongguk's bicep-pillow.

“Shi, shit, shit” Jeongguk flings himself out of the bed, scurrying to find his clothes scattered on the floor.

“What happened?” Jimin asks, squinting, struggling to open his eyes and groaning when sunlight hits him directly in the face.

“I'm late, I'm so late my professor is gonna kick me out of the class.” Jeongguk replies, walking to and fro throughout the room and picking up his clothes trying to get dressed as quickly as possible.

“You can just go to the next class then?” Jimin asks, still half asleep trying to put on whatever cloth he can get his hands on, which happened to be Jeongguk's red flannel from yesterday.

“No, he is going to evaluate projects today. If I don't go I basically fail!” Jeongguk cries out in frustration when he buttons his shirt the wrong way.

“Oh fuck…” Jimin scrambles to assist him, grabbing him by the collar and swatting away his clammy hands to button his shirt properly.

“Hyung, my other sock, where is my other sock?!” He almost shouts, full blown panicking right now.

Jimin tosses the discarded sock right at his face, “The more you panic the more you fumble, calm down and get there as fast as possible.”

“Not possible.”

Jeongguk scowls, hissing out in pain when he stubs his toe against the bed. Jimin runs a hand through his hair and face palms afterwards. Trying to remain cool headed and not throw one of his socks at Jeongguk's head too.

He almost slips and falls twice while trying to wear his shoes properly and all Jimin can do is watch and hand him his phone and other belongings when he's done. He hands him one of the takeout boxes from yesterday as well, “Eat this on the way, scarf it down your throat if you have to and do your best in…whatever project you have.”

Jeongguk sighs, looking at him properly since the morning and Jimin's sure he's quite a sight dressed only in a plaid shirt, hair all mussed from sleep, and by the way his neck stings he's sure there are several purple marks he's yet to lay his eyes upon.

He hesitates for a millisecond before stepping forward, pulling Jimin in and kissing the daylights out of him.

“God, how the fuck am I supposed to leave when you look like that?”

“Jeongguk.”

He kisses him once more and Jimin kisses back with equal fervor, “This is downright cruel.”

“Jeongguk. The project.” Jimin reminds him, cheeks ablaze and breath literally sucked out by Jeongguk.

“Right, fuckfuckfuckfuck.” He curses and hurries out the door, slamming it shut behind him.

Jimin limps back to the bed, sighing as he feels blunt throbs throughout his back. The door swings open loudly again and he almost jumps out of his own skin.

Jeongguk peaks through the door, eyes frenzied, “Just to clarify this wasn't a one night stand and my feelings are very much involved.”

Jimin smiles, “I know, mine are too.”

“Good.” Jeongguk slams the door shut behind him.

However, he peaks in again, not even flinching when the door rattles due to being flung open, “Just to inform you that this means we're technically dating now.”

“Jeongguk, I understand” Jimin sighs exasperatedly, flailing his hands, “The. Project. Get out now.”

Jeongguk hesitates, taking half a step out of the room before he turns around completely and marches to Jimin, stealing yet another kiss.

“This is cruel.” He sighs, turning back almost immediately to walk out of the room and looks back one last time.

“I will. Now get out Jeongguk . Do you want to fail this subject?”

Jeongguk grins, eyes crinkling and teeth peeking through when he smiles, “I never lose.”

Jimin scoffs, the audacity to say that when he just lost all his marbles picking his clothes up the floor?

Then with a softer tone Jeongguk adds, “Call me when you reach home.”

And just like that Jimin's a gone man, swept up right off his feet.

rule no.5 Cling to relationships like you've clung to Taehyung's door for years because one day, in future, someone may put a ring on your finger and promise you an eternity you didn't believe in.

ヾ⁠❥