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Jimin came home after another tiring day at the studio to the apartment he shared with his roommate: the mysterious Min Yoongi.
The little that Jimin knows about him includes a) Yoongi works mostly from home as a songwriter and producer, b) he values his space and independence, and c) resembles a cat. (That last one was more of his personal opinion, but the resemblance sometimes is simply uncanny).
Jimin and he had met through Hoseok, Jimin’s part time boss and full time best friend from the studio. He knew Jimin was thinking of moving out from his parents’ place to live on his own and was looking for an apartment. Hoseok had convinced him to think about sharing it with one of his old friends from college who was currently looking for someone to share the two bedroom apartment he rented.
"Jimin-ah, think about it. It'll be so much more affordable, and it'll allow you to save up. And he's an awesome guy. I guarantee it. Okay, he can be a little cold when you first meet him, but I swear he'll warm up after a while. He's just a softie when you get to know him."
"But Hoseok, he's a guy... and I don't know... this isn’t college. It’s living—like coming home—to someone. Everyday. I don’t know... it might be easier if I wasn’t—What if he isn’t comfortable with people like me. You know I’m not the most comfortable with this stuff…" Jimin squeaked out the last part. Hoseok sighed. He knew. He knew very well the things Jimin had gone through to get to the place he was today.
"Baby, stop. I promise you, he's a complete gentleman! I swear. And, um you don’t have to worry about him… you know, judging… he uh—kinda swings both way,” Hoseok gave him an awkward smile. Hoseok knew it wasn’t his place for outing someone, but he truly believed his two friends would be better off if this happened.
Jimin raised a brow, “Oh.”
Hoseok knew he had won the argument already. “Don’t worry too much, Jimin-ah. Think of it this way, sharing an apartment can be a great transitioning state for trying to live on your own for the first time, but if you guys match well enough, it doesn’t necessarily have to be short term."
Jimin nodded in reluctant agreement. It was a very appealing idea, and when he saw Yoongi's apartment for the first time, he fell in love. It was beautiful, spacious, and the location was so ideal that his commute would be cut in half. So, here he was three weeks after moving in, all settled into Yoongi's apartment.
However, his relationship with Yoongi was far from pleasant. It wasn't unpleasant, it was just that they barely interacted. Jimin had quickly realized Yoongi wasn't one for conversation. At least not with him.
One day when he was a little late coming home, he walked in on Yoongi laughing hard at something Hoseok had said. Jimin stood there in the entryway, shocked. Yoongi had a beautiful gummy smile that lit up his entire face. Yoongi’s eyes traveled to Jimin and his smile faltered slightly, but he gave him a nod, acknowledging his presence. Jimin offered him what he imagined was a polite smile and rushed into his room while trying to will his heart to stop racing.
Yoongi is beautiful.
The realization had hit him hard.
And from that moment onwards, with the realization of his feelings looming over him, his heart would skip a beat anytime he made a joke during small talk and Yoongi’s soft, pink lips would quirk up ever so slightly into the beginnings of a smile.
Yoongi truly had beautiful lips.
Today had been a long day. Jimin’s mind was already wandering to the bathroom where a hot shower awaited, ready to wash away the ache from his muscles.
He passed by Yoongi's room, then backtracked. He gave two soft knocks.
"Yoongi? I'm planning on ordering out tonight, I'm feeling too tired to cook. Do you have a preference?"
Yoongi and Jimin had split the cooking duties, so the two of them would alternate.
There was no response.
This was strange. Yoongi was always working on some project around the time Jimin got home. It was a Tuesday night, and he mentioned he’d being away.
Jimin was getting a little worried, so he twisted the door handle opening the door. Yoongi was asleep on his desk. His face exposed. His brows were furrowed. His pale forehead glistening with sweat. His black hair also drenched in sweat, plastered to his forehead.
Jimin frowned. Lifting his hand, he placed it on Yoongi’s cheek.
Holy shit.
First of all he was burning up. Jimin couldn't fathom how his body could feel so hot.
But also, he had the softest skin Jimin had ever felt. FOCUS! This isn't the time! Jimin scolded himself.
He shook Yoongi’s shoulders slightly, but Yoongi just grunted in discomfort. Yoongi didn't seem to be fully conscious. Jimin had to get him to his bed. Sleeping while upright on a hard surface could not be helping.
Jimin slipped one arm under Yoongi’s knees, and the other behind his back. In a scooping motion, he lifted the other man’s body into his arms. Readjusting the grip, so Yoongi was secure, Jimin carried him to the bed. It wouldn’t have been so difficult if he hadn’t had come back from a day of packed schedule. His aching muscles shaking from more excursion. He was grateful that Yoongi wasn’t any taller or more built. His poor muscles couldn’t handle that.
Yoongi didn't stir. Jimin was growing more and more worried.
He dropped the elder onto his bed, struggling to move the covers trapped under Yoongi’s dead weight. With a final tug, he was able to pull them out and proceeded to tuck him in, leaving just his face exposed.
Going into the kitchen Jimin grabbed a bowl putting it into the sink and turning on the tap. Opening one of the drawers he took out a towel. Turning off the tap, he took the towel and the bowl full of water back to Yoongi's room.
Jimin grabbed the rolley chair from Yoongi’s desk wheeling it over to his bedside. Placing the bowl onto the nightstand, he soaked the towel in the water, wringing out the excess water. Folding it, he placed it on Yoongi’s forehead.
Yoongi's furrowed brows slackened. Jimin could see his face relaxing from the cooling sensation of the towel.
After a while Jimin soaked the towel into the water again. Repeating the steps. He lost track of how much time had passed, but Jimin could tell it had been a while. The sun had set, and the room had become much darker. Yoongi seemed to be doing somewhat better though. Jimin left the towel on his forehead.
He grabbed a change of clothes and hurried into the bathroom. Quickly stripping and taking a shower in record time.
Heading back to the kitchen, with hair still wet, Jimin pulled up soup recipes good for sickness on his phone. Choosing one that looked somewhat promising, he set to work. He had to substitute in a few ingredients because he couldn't bring himself to leave the house to purchase them. He didn't want to leave Yoongi alone.
As the soup simmered, his thoughts drifted.
He thought about the days when Yoongi somehow managed to wake up before him, there would be a cup of coffee and a plate of breakfast waiting for him on the counter. He recalled how Yoongi took on more of the chores around the house because he had casually mentioned that this time of the year was super busy, everyone had been swamped at work getting the students ready for the upcoming recitals and performances. How Yoongi actually started buying vegetables and food to stock their fridge. Before moving in, Yoongi's fridge consisted of a few beer cans, whip cream, three bananas, and a package of sliced turkey that had gone bad. His pantry was starting to look better too. At least it now contained more than just rows and rows of cup noodles.
Yoongi was a caring guy. There were probably a hundred other things he did to accommodate him that Jimin must've overlooked. It was because all his caring gestures were so subtle. Yoongi made no move to talk to Jimin more or interact, but he was still a pretty sweet guy.
The soup was finished.
Plating it and grabbing a glass of water and some cutlery Jimin returned to Yoongi’s room. He startled. Yoongi’s eyes were open and staring back at him.
"Oh! Hey, you're awake. That's good. You need to eat."
Yoongi’s eyes widened as he realized he was in his bed with a towel on his head, and Jimin was standing in front of him with a tray of food. He got up slowly, removing the towel from his head. Jimin didn't miss the nauseated expression on his face.
He handed Yoongi the tray, not letting it go, but helping him guide it onto his lap.
"Jimin," Yoongi’s voice was low and a bit hoarse. Yoongi wasn't looking at him, but instead staring at the bowl of soup.
"Please eat, you need to eat something, so you can take medicine." Yoongi still didn't move, continuing to stare at the tray.
"Yoongi," his name a soft whisper on Jimin’s lips.
Yoongi finally looked up meeting Jimin’s eyes. Yoongi’s eyes were tinged red, but what made Jimin’s breath halt was the intensity with which Yoongi’s dark eyes were staring into his. As if Jimin was a problem that he couldn't quite find a solution to.
Jimin is the first to look away, "Eat. Or are you going to make me feed you?" Jimin’s tone was light, and Yoongi was quick to pick up on the jesting intentions. Jimin catches the elder’s lips twitching. Yoongi doesn’t say anything, but proceeds to eat the soup.
"I'll be back." Jimin left him alone to eat in peace.
In the kitchen, he cut up some fruits, creating a fruit salad for the two of them. Stopping by the medicine cabinet he grabbed the bottle of ibuprofen tablets as well.
Returning to Yoongi’s room, he placed the bottle of medicine on the side table, and one of the fruit bowls on Yoongi’s tray.
"Jimin-ah," Yoongi whined quietly in his low voice, even raspier from the unuse, "I'm not hungry. I can't eat all this."
"I don't care, you need to eat it. And you will." Jimin sat down on the chair beside his bed, giving Yoongi a pointed look. Jimin sighed. He poked a piece of melon with his fork and held it up in front of Yoongi’s lips.
Those dainty, pink lips. It really wasn't fair how beautiful Yoongi's features were.
Yoongi pursed his lips.
It was as if Jimin came off of autopilot smothering-mother mode realizing exactly where he was and what he was doing. His heart began beating faster.
He could feel the blood rush to his cheeks. He was thankful for the dim lighting provided by only the lamp on Yoongi’s nightstand. Any brighter, and Yoongi would surely notice his reddening cheeks.
Just as Jimin was about to lower his hand, Yoongi leaned forward plucking the fruit off of the fork using his mouth. He looked down at his tray, chewing the piece of fruit, but Jimin had already caught the smile Yoongi was trying to hide. The two fell into a comfortable silence, eating their fruit.
Jimin got up placing his empty bowl on Yoongi’s empty tray and carrying it back to the kitchen. He smiled to himself, feeling strangely happy that Yoongi had finished everything despite the protests.
Returning to Yoongi’s room once again Jimin saw him leaning his head back against the headboard. He must be in a lot of pain.
Yoongi’s jawline stood out, so sharp, yet the skin looked soft. Jimin remembered the feeling of his skin under his hand. Jimin’s gaze dropped to Yoongi’s adam's apple. Then, it lowered to his collarbones that were peeking out from under his loose black t-shirt.
Jimin gulped.
"Yoongi," his soft whisper caught Yoongi’s attention.
He raised his head languidly. Jimin moved to hand him two tablets and the glass of water.
Yoongi took it from him, shivering slightly where their hands made contact. Jimin watched his adam's apple bob. He had to force his eyes to look away. Jimin took the empty glass and set it back on the table.
"Lay down," he said gently. Yoongi nodded, lowering himself onto the bed. Jimin adjusted the covers so they were covering Yoongi properly.
Jimin grabbed the towel from earlier. Just as he was about to place it on Yoongi’s head, Yoongi reached out grabbing his wrist.
Yoongi’s hand was hot against his wrist. Jimin’s eyes widened.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience. You're probably tired. I'm really sorry for all the trouble." Yoongi’s eyes looked so guilty it broke Jimin’s heart.
"Yoongi, stop that right now. There is absolutely no reason for you to be sorry for falling sick."
"But—"
"No." Jimin’s firm tone stopped Yoongi’s attempts at apologizing.
"Well, then at least let me thank you." Yoongi was smiling now. And this time he didn't try to hide it. Although, timid, his smile still managed to brighten up Jimn’s mood.
"Thank me by getting better, okay?" Jimin replied gently.
Yoongi’s smile turned bashful. He looked down. Jimin tried to ignore the rosy tinge of his cheeks. Oh please, he has a fever. Stop getting your hopes up, Jimin. Yoongi nodded. Jimin put the towel on his head.
A low moan escaped him. Jimin froze. One sound sending his brain into a frenzy.
"Are you okay?" Jimin’s voice was choked up, but he was hoping Yoongi didn't notice.
"That feels so nice..." he murmured. Jimin chuckled hiding his embarrassing momentary shock.
Jimin replaced his towel a few more times. His eyes growing heavy and closing against his will.
His eyes opened. He was laying on Yoongi's chest. Yoongi’s hooded eyes open slightly, watching him. Jimin became hyperaware of how close they were. Their faces inches from each other. Jimin didn't move.
Yoongi lifted his head, leaning closer. Unconsciously, Jimin leaned forward too. Both of their lips inching closer.
Just as their lips were about to touch, Yoongi jerks back. Jimin freezes. Oh shit...SHIT! Why'd I lean in. He doesn't want to kiss me. Why would I think— But his increasingly depressing thoughts were brought to a halt, when Yoongi began violently coughing. Oh.
"Yoongi? You okay?" Jimin rubbed his shoulder helplessly. His coughing eventually dies down, but Jimin can see the effect it had on his body. Yoongi looked drained.
Jimin pressed his hand to Yoongi’s forehead, noticing how Yoongi shivered at the cool sensation. He pushed Yoongi down to rest on the pillow.
"Sleep, Yoongi. I'll let you rest, you need to sleep. I'll check up on you in the morning."
Jimin made to head out, but burning fingers wrapped around his wrist again, stopping him. Yoongi tugged, and Jimin stumbled, caught in the moment of surprise. He braces a hand against the elder’s chest to stop himself from falling onto him completely.
Yoongi’s other hand came to rest on his cheek. Jimin could feel the heat from his fingers on his face. Yoongi’s fingers gently pulled his face closer. Jimin let him. His body making no attempts to struggle. Their faces were impossibly close.
At the last moment, Yoongi turned his head to kiss Jimin’s cheek. A feathery, soft kiss. But effective enough to send goosebumps down Jimin’s body. Yoongi leaned closer, moving his lips to Jimin’s ear.
"Wouldn't want you to get sick, too. I'll show you my thanks when I'm no longer at risk for passing on this infection. I hope you'll allow me to show you my gratitude." His mischievous tone sent Jimin’s body into a frenzy. Jimin gulped.
Yoongi released him. Jimin’s body felt hot.
"Goodnight, Yoongi!" It comes out as a high pitched squeak. He fled the room quickly. Yoongi’s soft chuckles fading away.
Oh god... what exactly had he gotten himself into?
~ The End ~