Work Text:
“Last call Gyeongbu Line, next stop Yongsan.”
With a heavy sigh, Kim Namjoon put on his mask. He was in a non-make up diet for the past 24 hours, which was surprisingly good due to his job career, but it still could ruin his career if any citizen saw him with his bare face walking around like he was not the most popular model in the world. Under all that foundation, his skin looks terrible and his dark circles under his eyes were huge, but there wasn't any imperfection that a huge sunglasses and a big cap couldn’t hide away from the cameras. Lonely, he dragged his suitcase towards gate 9 and stepped on the white train.
It is a 2 hours – almost 3 – travel in a train straight to Korean coast. An relaxing solo trip which now, the man on the seat, will enjoy in silence, without any social media or interruptions from fans. Just his music and maybe a little nap.
When the soft beat of Dirt Off Your Shoulder started to play in his headphones, the trains started to move, and Namjoon sighed, closing his eyes.
Vacation. Finally a break, with all its letters and all the meaning this single word could have. It is only a 3 day vacation, because soon he will have to shoot for another Gucci Korea Issue. He, indeed, was a model, and Namjoon loves his work, but his daily routine was so exhaustive sometimes, he deserved this time for himself.
“Namjoon-ssi?” he felt someone tugging at his arm, waking him up of what would be a perfect siesta. Slowly, the man took off his headphones, meeting a attendant with a small smile. The woman was young with long auburn hair and shameless eyes, standing too close of him for his taste. “I’m sorry to bother you, but well… it’s not everyday we met a really famous model on his own. Would you mind giving me an autograph?”
Namjoon was used to the harassing, even when they come from young ladies relatively hot, if you are the kind of guy who likes woman – which was not the case. But invading someone’s personal space is always a bad thing, right?
The man gave one of his liveliest smiles as he greeted the fan and took the notepad and pen from his long, well-painted fingernails. He signed a generic dedication as he heard her excited chattering:
"I just loved your photos for Puma's summer collection! With completely honest, you looked wonderful all over the COEX.” She smiled, taking the notebook from Namjoon's long fingers.
“Oh, thank you.” he said in sweet voice. “All your love and support it’s what makes everything worth.” then Namjoon smiled, feeling happy with the girls compliments.
“I was wondering…” she started, with a honey-like voice. Namjoon felt embarrassed. “Would you accept a drink?”
“Wh-oh, no. No, thank you. Just rest, for now.” he answered, with a shy smile. The woman seemed to get the message before blushing and leaving quietly.
Namjoon sighed again, giving up of his nap. In his cell phone, he decided to study the options he could enjoy in those three days. It was the height of summer, so the beaches and hotels would probably be quite crowded, sadly he did not really want any social interaction. He had spent the last year with a lot of people around him, from staffs and manager, to numerous makeup artists. He only longed for some time alone, away from anyone who wanted to talk about work or himself.
It was impossible to find someone whom he could chat about banal things such as why we do not breathe underwater or what the minimum fingers are for. Apparently anyone approaching Namjoon was either to talk business or to praise some of his work, to ask for an autograph, and then to disappear for the rest of eternity.
"You can meet some other artist" Yoongi, his friend – and manager – suggested several times. But it was not that simple. Namjoon was corny, he liked special things, spontaneous things. It was not just about knowing any other artist to share his troublesome routines, but someone who could bring him the calm of a reciprocal love, someone who laughed at his sentimental bullshit or shut him up with a passionate kiss.
Simple things that could warm up his heart, you know? It was incredibly hard to find in Seoul.
"Next stop, Suwon , please do not obstruct the exit" the automatic voice was heard through the loudspeakers.
Namjoon started to think of restaurants he could visit as soon as he arrived the city. A good bulgogi dish would be great. No one would judge him for getting off the diet for three days, would them? The beaches would be awesome for walking at night, stargazing, taking pictures.
He had so many options that would probably stay at the hotel, lying down, staring at the ceiling.
Tour on the beautiful beaches of Busan
He read in some random article on the internet, which consisted of a partnership between the city's college and the government, in order to make tourists aware of the maritime fauna of its incredible sea.
Why not? He thought.
°。°。°。
Some good hours later, he finally sighed relieved to hear the same electronic voice from before announcing that the next stop was Busan .
During the taxi ride to his hotel, something like loneliness began to plague him. On impulse he fumbled for his cell phone, tempted to dial the number of his closest friend – who would be his own manager – just to hear his troubled grunts. But then he gave up, thinking that later he would regret not having occupied his head with anything other than work.
In fact, all through his first day, he took advantage of his time to actually stay locked inside his room, unsure of what to do but lie in his bed, watching the room darken as the sun went down. There were a lot of random movies on his TV, which he did not keep for more than half an hour, along with several packages of chocolate and random snacks. By the time the day became red with the early evening, Namjoon felt nauseous and rightfully useless.
Maybe he could do his night stroll today, he thought.
A long bath and a few minutes later, Namjoon found himself walking along the sea, balancing on the slippery rocks. It was not common at that time to have people in the sand, so everything was quietly calm. In the distance, the restaurants and hotels overlooking the sea glowed incandescent with countless people celebrating whatever went on in their lives. Again, he felt lonely.
Namjoon looked away from their happiness carefully, gazing at the peaceful horizon dimly lit by car headlights in the distance. Not far away from him there was a crouched figure at the edge of the sea. Even with the loud noise from the waves, his laughter could be heard being carried by the wind. He seemed to enjoy himself. Namjoon was uncertain whether or not to approach. It would be strange for a random guy to approach another in the middle of a deserted beach, so he would just be content to go through it and continue his walk.
Gradually his silhouette became sharper, a slightly smaller body curled up, laughing at nothing in the emptiness of the beach. As if that were not frightening enough, he did not even move when the other approached. Namjoon decided to ignore him, vehemently. He had seen horror movies long enough to not pay attention to strange things that emitted strange noises.
"DO NOT STEP ON THEM!" He yelled suddenly, catching Namjoon by surprise. Due to the fright, his body jumped on automatic, causing his foot to lose its balance and slip on the rocks until his coccyx slammed into some pointed part. His vision darkened with pain, and he could only let out a gasp of pain before letting his body fall in defeat. "Oh my God, I didn’t intend to frighten you!" He heard the other man speak.
Namjoon didn’t respond, just stayed there, feeling the pain go through his limbs while small tears settled in the corner of his eyes. In the next moment, a head appeared in his field of vision, blocking the glow of the moon just above, leaving the scene somewhat dramatic in his view. The person in question did not look older than him, in fact his appearance was almost childish, if not for his voice somewhat too thick for a child. His face was thin but had chubby cheeks in a cute way. His mouth was pink and plump, and his eyes gleamed silver like the color of his hair, but there was a lot of worry in his iris. Namjoon felt more pain.
"Why the hell did you scream?" He managed to say as he was helped to sit down. “You freaked me out!”
“Oh, I’m really really sorry, but you almost stepped on them and-” he began to speak quickly.
“On who, for fuck sake!?” he muttered, trying to get up, once again being aided by the cutie weirdo.
"The sea turtles! Can’t you see it?" He pointed out, offended. And, in fact, there were really tiny animals crawling along the beach, toward the waves that came and went to meet them. "This only happens once, if its path is not obstructed, and you, your blind little man, could have stepped on one and killed a baby turtle!”
"What? I was not looking at the ground! And even if I did, it wouldn’t been on purpose ... By the way, I got hurt here, and it was your fault!"
The shorter one looked at Namjoon angrily, but then he broke the grimace when realized that the tall one was slightly curled, with an expression of pain. He came hesitantly, trying to help the man but looked unsure of what to do.
"Can I see...?" He asked.
"Wh-I don’t even know your name! You're asking me to show... "Namjoon started to say, but the platinum-haired boy interrupted him.
"Jimin" he said. "My name is Jimin, now can you let me help you before someone know I hurt a stranger and lose my job?"
Half-heartedly, Namjoon lifted his T-shirt, showing him his back. Jimin's fingers were soft, avoiding touch him fully, so he just dragged them across his skin surface carefully.
"You look good, it was just a beat" said the younger.
"Will it be marked? Is it too big?" Namjoon questioned, worry in his voice.
"For a few days, maybe..." he replied.
"Oh God" he said mortified.
"Could you please not tell the others that I made you get hurt? My bo..."
“OH MY GOD, YOONGI IS GOING TO KILL ME!" he shouted, alarming the other.
"They need a quiet environment so they can go safely, you know?" Jimin said irritably, pulling the other man by the arm to the shore.
"Where are you taking me?" he asked, trying to loosen his grip.
"It was just a bruise, you scandal. I'm taking you to wherever you live. Is it very far?"
"I work with my body, it's not just a bruise!" he snorted, finally breaking free. His back still ached but he did not care. That boy had hurt him, and he still scold him? "I have a work in a few days and you just bruise me, thinking it's going to be alright? I should totally tell someone!"
"Please do not do that! I'm sorry!" his expression of annoyance to the taller one fell apart. Jimin now worried his bottom lip in an afflicted way and somehow Namjoon found it extremely endearing. "I'll walk you home to make sure you'll be fine, okay?" he proposed.
Namjoon almost continued with the offended pose, but something in the other eyes made him somewhat soft.. He looked like a fluffy bubble, and that almost made him want to squeeze him. But then he remembered that the boy had knocked him down and that now his back ached like hell
"I'm staying at a hotel" he informed. "There is absolutely no necessity…"
"I insist. I would feel better knowing that I could do some good after ruining whatever… you do as a job.”
The older rolled his eyes, starting to walk quickly – or how fast he could walk with the pain he felt – toward the great building just beyond.
“What do you do as a job, anyway?” asked Jimin, rapidly approaching.
"You don’t know me?" he asked, really surprised. Not that he demanded to be famous everywhere, but apparently everyone he spoke with lately knew him. Someone who didn’t even knew his name was different. A good different.
"Oh, right!" said Jimin, laughing in embarrassment. "I didn’t even ask your name."
"Namjoon" he replied, watching the other's expressions. No signal of recognition. Relief.
“What you do, Namjoon?” he asked again, a simple smile coloring his face.
"Biology?" He said uncertainly why he felt the urge to lie. Slightly scared the other one could search him up online. He just wanted a normal friendship, without his fame affecting things. Everything seemed more natural without being flattered. In fact, even that kid being rude to him on behalf of turtles was an exciting thing in his routine.
“Really?” the younger seemed stunned. “What kind?”
“Marine?” he spoke the first that came into his head. It was not totally a lie. He liked marine animals, the sea and all its immensity, the many species that inhabited it. It was amazing. At some point in his life he thought about pursuing this career, but he had never invested the idea.
“No way!” the boy almost screamed, his face now showing such a beautiful smile. "Me too!"
Oh, shit.
"Why were you so worried about a bruise if you're a biologist?" He asked as they approached the hotel entrance.
"I ... I have a huge research to do and if I hurt my back, it would complicate my work ... you know, in the water," he replied, giving a weird laugh, knowing that the lie had been the most tattered.
"It's at this hotel that you’re staying? Wow," he exclaimed in amazement “Someday I want to be a biologist just like you, then…” he whistled. His eyes met the tall one again, the other had stared back at him for some time now, and he felt a little silly about the boy's softness and how he smiled at everything. “Are you okay, is it still hurt?"
"Yes…” he said, kind of dizzy be the other’s light. Then he cleared his throat, focusing on the conversation. “Yes, it still hurts. But I'm fine.I just need, I don’t know, pass some ointment? I’ll figure it out.” said Namjoon, walking along the lobby, towards the elevator.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Yes, I do.” said the other man, beginning to feel somewhat exposed with that smile that insisted on opening toward the youngest. "Thank you for hurting me, Jimin," said Namjoon, more to annoy the boy than to actually bother him. In fact, this actually gave him the opportunity to meet a seemingly gentle, and extremely handsome person. Namjoon felt the urge to hug him.
°。°。°。
In the next day, Namjoon had called Yoongi,, reporting the incident and begging apologies for the disaster. The other did not seem to really mind, said that it had been in a barely visible area, so he told him to pass on one of the numerous creams that had forced him to bring.
He was feeling a lot better, not feeling any pain even tho the bruise was visible now. A dark purple spot the size of his own hand, which was pretty big.
After a quick breakfast, something inside him continued to bubble. Since last night, when he laid his head on the pillow, his belly insisted on whirling several times as he remembered the giggling, gray-haired boy. Jimin was captivating, simply captivating and he found himself in a huge desire to hear his voice again. So he decided left, not knowing exactly where to go, in the least hope that some blessed cosmos would help him see Jimin again. But Busan was huge, and this beach he was on was particularly large. He was deluding himself if he thought he could see him again.
At least he would have the image of Jimin staring at him from above, illuminated by the moonlight.
Further along the shore, there were children and some adults forming a group near the edge of the sea. Everyone stood, staring at the floor.
With a minimal click on his memory, Namjoon recalled the announcement of lessons about Korean marine wildlife. If he was supposed to lie, then he would do it right. He approached cautiously, listening to low murmurs of surprise and laughter.
Then he heard him.
"Can you see this hole in the sand? They were made by sea turtles. Their spawning is always near the sea, so that their cubs can find their way back home. Watch this trail, see? This was babies going to find their mother.” he finished, nudging the nose of a girl who watched him delighted. Jimin smiled at her, something so sincere that filled Namjoon's heart with tenderness. "Now if you follow me here ... Oh, hello!" Jimin had just walked right at him.
"Hi ..." Namjoon said somewhat uncertain. Suddenly he was very aware of how uncool his skin was without makeup, and how hair was messy. And how he'd just met Jimin and how whipped he already was.
"Are you better? Did you treated it well?” he asked. The people around watched them. Namjoon felt uncomfortable, almost afraid of he being recognized.
"Yes!” he answered, looking around. “I had been interested in this seminar about marine life... I didn’t know you were the instructor. "
"Ah, but now that you're here you can help me, right?" he smiled, pulling his wrist gently toward the next spot. A few steps ahead, there was a clump of stones and corals where small pools formed. Jimin stopped him there and called the group to join him in front of Namjoon. There was a happy look on his face, almost of expectation.
Namjoon swallowed nervously and said something very smart like: “So…”
One of the advantages of being part of a company that manages you to be a model is that you had to be a trainee for a few years. Namjoon trained for some time acting and modeling, something should have taken away from that.
People give in exchange for beauty, don’t they? It was what he thought as he looked at each of those faces, including Jimin's.
"Corals!" he announced, smiling and trying to look confident as he pointed to the lives in that small pool of seawater. The next five minutes was him inventing things not too absurd for a coral to do with the water, such as a shelter for some animals – he saw it in Finding Nemo – and serve as a natural filter. Jimin watched him with the same smile, sometimes nodding encouragingly. Namjoon felt confused but deeply excited.
"Very well" whispered Jimin, taking the lead and calling the group to the next spot. The oldest accompanied the group until the end, absorbing every word of Jimin, which gave a short but full of content class about every little thing that could possibly live in that sands. His eyes gleamed whenever something of a different sort happened, from a small crab moving his little arm to a starfish stirring in the wet sand. It was apparent that Jimin was passionate about his profession and it made everything more special. Almost an hour listening to the younger one speak and Namjoon found himself completely affected by every smile or intonation of his voice.
"You really love what you do," Namjoon remarked, after the group dispersed as he watched the younger man take a bottle of water.
"Don’t you? It's all so incredible, so blue, so natural.” he sighed, looking out to the sea. When he stared back at Namjoon, he wasn’t surprised to catch him watching.
Jimin would be lying if he said he had not been at all puzzled by the other. Namjoon was tall, looked immense to his own small height, but also seemed to be the right size to wrap him in his arms. Just thinking about it made butterflies float in his stomach.
"Listen, I still have a few more classes scheduled, but... would you like to have an ice cream later?” he’d done, and he felt extremely euphoric and nervous as he waited for Namjoon to answer his invitation to go out.
"Oh ... sure.” Namjoon replied, smiling as he showed his dimples, which Jimin had already noticed the night before, thinking it as a cute detail about the older.
"We can meet at that kiosk there." Jimin pointed out.
“It would be perfect.” he answered, receiving a sweet smile in response.
°。°。°。
The hours had passed, except Kim Namjoon's anxiety. It was almost palpable, and time seemed to drag on making him even more nervous. Should he dress up or his casual look was enough? It’s been so long…
By the time the sun had finally set enough, Namjoon rushed out of the hotel lobby toward the appointed kiosk. It was a little far, but not so much, and walking to the place made him forget the fear for a moment. Maybe he didn’t even like guys! Maybe he just asked him out because he felt guilty for scaring him last night…
But when he arrived, Jimin was there, in a wide T-shirt and shorts, looking like the most beautiful person on planet earth.
"I like the glasses," he said, smiling at the accessory. Namjoon felt his heart do a tap dance in his chest.
Namjoon smiled and so did Jimin. When it was simply impossible to face each other without seeming strange, the taller one led them to the ice cream parlor. A few minutes later they were both sitting on a rock by the sand, admiring the sun that slowly set in the horizon, coloring the sky with various reddish hues reflecting on Namjoon's skin and hair. Jimin tried his best not to face him.
"I guess I must say I lied," said Namjoon.
“What do you mean?” asked Jimin, curious.
“I’m not a biologist.” clarified.
Jimin tried hard to hold back the laughter, but it was impossible. Namjoon watched him closely, laughing embarrassed.
"A shelter for the clownfish? They use anemones, Namjoon.” he said, remembering Namjoon’s class early, still laughing. "I already knew you wasn’t a biologist, but you were lovely." he said, watching Namjoon’s face blush. The sun were now gone, showing the white moon above their heads. "I also know you're a model. Who was born on September 12th, in Ilsan.”
"You researched about me?" asked Namjoon, stunned. Jimin just kept smiling.
"I wanted to find you on some social network but all I found was your naver profile." he explained. "Why didn’t you tell me?"
"You were the only one who approached me without asking for an autograph or taking a pic. You were rude, then worried ... It was different. I didn’t wanted to ruin it."
“That’s… pretty cute.” said Jimin, with a sweet smile. “Is it that difficult to be this famous in the whole country?" asked him, sympathetic.
“It’s pretty lonely, actually.”
“You don’t have a girlfriend, or parents?”
“I’m not into girls…” he laughed, awkwardly. “And my parents live in Ilsan.”
Jimin approchead a little, feeling encouraged, but just sat closer to the other, who became quite oblivious to the shortened distance. He could feel the heat emanating from his skin and he admired how his muscles seemed absurdly attractive beneath his blouse. Namjoon felt too real to be a famous model.
“How is it? To live in the capital?” asked Jimin.
“You never been in Seoul?” the younger shaked his head. “It’s chaotic. Crowded with cars and people. Tall buildings and technology. It is quite cozy, but equally cold.” completed.
“How’s your home?”
Namjoon grinned, remembering the only place where he felt safe and sound.
“It’s white.” said simply. “I like white. There’s a bunch of pictures of different places. It has my face, now that I stop to think.”
“It must be very pretty, then.” said Jimin, in a low voice, gaining the other attention.
Namjoon looked away from the horizon just to meet Jimin's eyes. The younger boy was serious gazing him back. Almost as if he could read his mind, waiting for a reaction. Namjoon felt his heart heat up and then accelerate. Jimin was so close, he did not remember seeing him that close before. He could see himself clearly in his dark brown eyes until it faded behind his eyelids as he closed his eyes. Jimin wanted to kiss him.
And he did it.
Namjoon touched the other's lips gently, softly, feeling the euphoria take hold of his being. His blood seemed to rush through all his veins, leaving him intoxicated by Jimin's taste. The youngest had a gentle scent of sea breeze and soap, something extremely characteristic. From that day on, he would rate the scent of the sea breeze as Jimin. Something refreshing, even relaxing.
Jimin brought his short fingers up the curve of the older man's neck, feeling his skin practically burn under his touch. It was new, exciting, it made his head spin with a thousand thoughts and millions of reactions. He wanted to touch him, wanted to kiss him, to watch him forever. Namjoon seemed so much more interesting than the boring life he led in Busan. It seemed like an adventure at the same time that Namjoon sounded like a helpless child. He wanted to protect him in his chest, he wanted to love him. He wanted him.
"I've wanted to do this since I've laid my eyes on you" said Namjoon.
“Me too.” whispered Jimin. “When will you go back to Seoul?”
“Tomorrow.” said sadly, not wanting to stop kissing Jimin.
“Already?” whimpered Jimin, separating enough to look into the other's eyes.
“I don’t really want it.” confessed Namjoon. “But I do have a huge job to do.”
“Promise me you’ll come back.”
“Of course!” he said, immediately. “But you have to visit me too. I can show you the whole Seoul. Every single place you want to meet.”
Jimin kissed him again.
“I’ll call my job tomorrow, telling I’m sick. We have to enjoy our last day together.” murmured Jimin, pecking at the others lips countless times. Namjoon just smiled.
“Until the last minute.” demanded.
And so they did.