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The best thing about being someone who wears jewelry all the time, Jimin thinks as he clasps the necklace behind his neck and slides the ring onto his finger, is that when he starts wearing a new piece no one asks questions. But he knows. And that’s what matters.
The necklace and ring were given to him in a set, quietly one evening as he lay curled up on his bed. The others were out. They didn’t know, either. Jimin thinks Taehyung suspects something, but true to Taehyung fashion, his best friend doesn’t ever ask. He always waits for Jimin to come to him first.
Jimin touches a finger to the tiny gem on the pendant. It had been picked with great care. On the back, there is a simple etching. 2017, written in a smooth, artistic scrawl. Only they know what that year signifies. Only they know why there isn’t a more specific date. There was never really a beginning to what they have now. It was always there, somewhere. But this year, something was different. They have been more comfortable. Less afraid.
This year they finally have allowed themselves to love each other.
Jimin twists the ring around his ring finger. It looks like nothing but a simple silver band, but inside is what matters. Isn’t that always the case, though? It doesn’t matter what is on the outside, but what is on the inside. Two sets of initials, in the same style as on the necklace. M.Y.G.P.J.M. No spaces between the letters, so they seem like one entity, inseparable.
Jimin smiles. He has been smiling a lot lately, he knows. The fans have noticed how happy he’s been. He doesn’t mind. As long as they don’t take away his happiness.
That night, after their schedules have finished, and he is barely standing upright from the exhaustion, he bypasses the doorbell and taps in the code only they know. The room is only partially lit, most of the light coming from the monitors. Yoongi is sitting hunched at his desk, clicking away. Jimin pauses for a moment, just observing. He loves to watch Yoongi working.
He’s sure Yoongi has heard him come in, but the other hasn’t turned yet. He gets like this sometimes. So engrossed in his music that he doesn’t notice the rest of the world. Jimin doesn’t mind. Yoongi wouldn’t be Min Yoongi without his music. It’s one of the things Jimin loves most about the other man. Jimin couldn’t replicate Yoongi’s passion for music even if he tried. He can come a little close if he’s talking about dance, but even that feels like a different level of passion. Not necessarily any less significant, of course. But just different.
Jimin quietly steps forward to touch Yoongi’s shoulder. The rapper turns and gives him a tired smile.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“What are you doing up still? We should go home.”
“I know. I just…I need to get this done first.”
Jimin nods. He knows.
“Can I stay with you until you finish?”
“Of course. It shouldn’t be too long, anyway.”
Jimin gently touches Yoongi’s hair and then moves over to the sofa by the door. He pulls down Yoongi’s sweatshirt that’s hanging up, and uses it like a blanket. Before he knows it, he has fallen asleep.
He wakes up to fingers running softly through his hair. When he opens his eyes, Yoongi is crouched before him, smiling slightly.
“Hey there, sleepyhead. Ready to go home?”
Jimin mumbles around a groan. “Carry me?” he requests, only half joking.
Yoongi scoffs warmly at him. “We both know I’m incapable of doing that. Maybe ask Jungkook-ah?”
Jimin scrunches up his nose. “No. Anyway, he left already.” He sighs and pushes himself upright. “Can I have a kiss before we go? Who knows when the next time we’ll be able to.”
The only problem with this love being a secret is just that; it is a secret. They know they will eventually have to tell the others, and maybe even Bang PD-nim, but for now it is only their little, big secret, and right now they are in the safest place in their bubble of a world.
Yoongi straightens out of his crouch before bending back down to lift Jimin’s chin. His lips are warm as he covers Jimin’s mouth, pulling him in closer. Jimin’s eyes flutter closed as their tongues softly greet each other after such a long time apart.
I missed you, Jimin’s seems to say.
I know, Yoongi’s replies. I’m here now.
Yoongi curls his fingers around Jimin’s shoulders and carefully pulls him to his feet, never disconnecting their lips. Jimin pushes closer, opening his mouth wider, pulling Yoongi deeper. His fists are tightly grasping the front of Yoongi’s t-shirt.
Their movements are slow, not rushed, but Jimin still feels time slipping away from them. He makes a small noise against Yoongi’s mouth. I don’t want to leave yet, he wants to say. But he knows, and Yoongi knows, that they can’t stay like this forever.
They pull away at the same moment, and smile at one another.
Yoongi’s lips quirk, and he dives forward for the quickest peck Jimin has ever seen; over before he even realized it was there.
“Hey,” he murmurs, and leans forward to steal his own touch. Yoongi laughs against his mouth.
They separate again, and Yoongi grabs his sweatshirt from the sofa, tugging it on. He checks his pockets for his mobile, and then ruffles Jimin’s hair.
“I wish I could sleep with you tonight,” Jimin whispers as they move toward the door.
But Yoongi shakes his head. “Jin will notice. Maybe another time.”
“We could accidentally fall asleep on the sofa together,” Jimin suggests. “Pick the quietest, most boring movie ever, and curl up together there."
“Yah, Park Jimin,” Yoongi teases as he opens the first of the double doors.
“Maybe we should do another room swap, and see if we get put together this time.”
Just before opening the second door, before they have to return to the harsh, judging world, Yoongi laces their fingers together and squeezes them momentarily.
“Don’t worry, Jimin-ah. We’ll make it work. Right now I have you, and that’s all I need.”
“I know. I just…”
Yoongi takes a quick glance at the door and tugs Jimin in for one last, searing kiss. He breaks away before the moan that’s lurking at the bottom of Jimin’s throat has a chance to bubble to the surface.
“I love you. Don’t forget that.”
Jimin smiles, and rests his head on Yoongi’s shoulder briefly. “I know. And I love you, too.”
“I know.” Then Yoongi pinches his side, right where he’s sensitive, and gives him a gentle shove away. “Okay. Come on, let’s go home."
He swings open the door and they walk back out into the world, the few feet between them feeling like miles to Jimin. He takes a deep breath and follows Yoongi, thinking about the day when they can just…be.
End.