Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

College is bullshit.

It just is. It’s exhausting, there’s never enough time for sleep, and Jimin constantly feels like he doesn’t know what he’s doing, like he’s out of his depth. And he wishes he could be like everyone else, either not giving enough of a fuck to care or drinking all the troubles away, but he’s always been a bit of an overachiever and unfortunately, he can handle his liquor well, making it nearly impossible for him to lose control in the way he would want.

So he bakes.

It’s freshman year and he’s away from home so he’s living in the dorms; the only thing he has access to is a communal kitchen. But there’s an oven there, and he keeps his own set of mixing bowls, pots, and pans in his room, so it works.

He bakes because it makes him feel better.

He bakes because he feels like he’s accomplished something, and he can taste the proof of his hard work when he takes the first bite of whatever sweet concoction he’s whipped up.

He bakes because it gives him something to focus on; measuring out the ingredients, mixing it together methodically, watching it rise inside the heat.

He bakes because baking makes him feel in control, when so many of the aspects of his life are so not .

Zoology class is kicking his ass again, there’s a lab practical coming up and for the life of him Jimin can’t understand why it’s so important for him to know the different body parts of an invertebrate as opposed to an echinoderm, but thus is the bullshit that is his life.

Today his mind is buzzing a little too loudly, so he picks something simple. Sugar cookies were the first thing he ever learned how to make, when he was small and safe in his mother’s kitchen.  

He’s still small, but these days he feels a lot less safe.

But in less than an hour, he has a plate of delicious cookies, and even though it isn’t much, it’s still something. He’s so caught up in his sweet creation that he doesn’t notice the blonde boy at the door, who smiles at him warmly, the scent of warm cookies drawing his attention but the boy’s beauty making him linger.

The other boy wishes he had the courage to walk in, to strike up a conversation with the pink haired boy, but he doesn’t. It seems like a private moment, and the last thing he wants is to disturb him.

So he watches from afar for a few minutes, as the other eats happily, humming at the taste. One day he’ll go in, one day he’ll find out the boy’s name, and offer his own. But today is not that day, so he just steps away quietly, grinning as he walks upstairs to his room.

Chapter Text

Jimin passes his exam, by sheer will and way too many cups of coffee, and he’s twitching but he feels a temporary reprieve from the constant ache weighing on his chest.

He’s in his own world, swirling the buttercream frosting methodically while he waits for his cupcakes to finish when he hears someone come into the room. He doesn’t bother to look up; it’s not often that people come in here, truthfully it seems like he’s the only one that uses the kitchen on a regular basis, despite sharing it with all of the other boys in his building. But that isn’t really surprising, considering the fact that each freshman has a meal plan, and there’s at least ten different options to choose from each day when you’re hungry.

But there’s a boy, standing in front of the oven, and he’s huffing. Jimin halts his movements, eyeing his timer before he looks up. His intention is to tell the boy how much longer he’ll be using the oven, but his breath catches at the sight of him.

And what a sight it is.

The boy is wearing a shirt that’s way too big for him, but paired with the loose linen pants it’s somehow fashionable and chic. There’s a thick headband around his head, drawing Jimin’s gaze to his prominent dark eyebrows and a gorgeous pair of eyes. His hair is a sandy blonde, and he pulls on it as he stares at the appliance, clearly conflicted on what to do. He looks like a piece of art, with the pink bow lips and strong jaw, like something straight out of Jimin’s dreams.

He sets his whisk down, the icing no longer important. He can tell the boy is in distress, and he wants to help. “Is there something wrong?”

The boy whips around, his eyes growing large, as if he didn’t notice Jimin sitting there. Jimin doesn’t hold it against him, considering he was sitting silently at the table furthest away from the door. “Do you need something?”

“Sorry.” He points at the oven. “Is it yours? Inside?”

“Yeah.” Jimin looks at the timer again. He’s only just put it in. “It’ll be another forty-five minutes.”

“Fuck.” He curses, coming over to sit with him at the table. Jimin is surprised, and he probably doesn’t do a good job of hiding it.

“Sorry…” He mumbles, because he’s the reason the pretty boy is distressed, and it’s just another thing to add to what seems like the constantly growing list of his fuck ups.

“Oh no!” The blonde waves his hands, a boxy smile appearing on his face as he tries to shoo away Jimin’s bad thoughts. “It’s not a big deal at all. Well, I mean- it is, but it’s not your fault. You don’t have to feel sorry.” He shrugs, leaning on the table to get closer. “If anything I’m the one at fault. I’ve known all week that the bake sale was today, but I procrastinated til like, the last minute.”

“Bake sale?”

“Yeah.” He’s still smiling, and Jimin adores the way it looks more than he’d like to admit. “I’m a theater major. We’re trying to raise some extra money so we can get fancier props; we’re putting on In The Heights . Have you heard of it?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Oh man, you’d love it! You totally have to come when we put it on in December. It’s so good.” He says it like its a fact, like he knows the kinds of things that Jimin enjoys. “It’s by Lin Manuel Miranda, you probably know him from Hamilton.” He pauses, shaking his head. “Or Moana! He wrote the soundtrack. Sorry, sometimes I forgot not everyone is obsessed with musicals like I am.” He looks sheepish then, pressing his lips together.

“I’ll have you know that I have the soundtrack to Les Miserables memorized, thank you very much.”

The boy lights up again, the temporary set back shrugged off. “Really? That’s totally one of my favorites! Such a sad one though.”

“Yeah, well. Life is sad.” Jimin wants to kick himself for being so melancholy, but thankfully the boy doesn’t seem to mind.

“You’re right. It can be, sometimes. Ugh, my life is going to be sad once Seokjin hyung gets a hold of me.” He’s pouting now and it’s fucking adorable and Jimin doesn’t really have much time for things like friends and especially not dating but this boy is beautiful and he wants .

“What happened?”

The boy points his shoulder over at the oven. “Everyone in the cast is supposed to bring something for the bake sale. I’m not exactly good at baking so I was just going to get some cookie dough from the grocery store down the street and throw ‘em in for fifteen minutes. But you’re using the oven so, that plan is out.” He shakes his head. “Aish, I can’t believe I was so careless. I should have made them earlier today, but I took a nap instead.”

“Does it have to be cookies?”

“What do you mean?”

“For your bake sale.” Jimin clarifies. “Do you have to bring cookies, or can you show up with something else?”

He shrugs. “It doesn’t matter, as long as it’s homemade.”

“Well, how about strawberry cupcakes?”

He hums, setting his chin on his fist and he looks so cute. “I love strawberry cupcakes. But those are even harder to make then cookies. I don’t think I could do it in time. I’m supposed to be there in like a little over an hour.”

Jimin is amused that the boy hasn’t picked up on what he’s offering. “I meant that, I’m making strawberry cupcakes. But if you wanted, you could make them with me. Then you could take some to your bake sale.”

“Make them with you?” He says it slowly, like the concept is foreign to him. “Like, just the two of us?”

Jimin laughs, light and airy. “Well, I don’t see anyone else here.” But the boy is looking nervous, and suddenly Jimin is struck with a dark thought. “It’s not like I’m asking you on a date or anything. Boys can bake together without it being gay.”

He hates that he has to be so sensitive, but it’s college and heteronormativity is a menace, and he knows that a lot of the guys in the dorm avoid him because he’s too obvious, with his bright pink hair and not so subtle makeup. He usually doesn’t care about what narrow minded people think, but for some reason, he wants this boy to only think of him positively.

But the boy looks properly shocked, his mouth gaping like a fish. “No, that’s not what I-” He sits up straighter, his eyebrows furrowing. “I didn’t hesitate because of that. Trust me, I have zero problems with that. I just was surprised you were offering to give me your cupcakes. You never give away what you bake. You always take it back to your room.”

Jimin squints then, because this is the first time they’ve met and he has no idea how the blonde knows that. “How did you…”

“Aish.” He groans, pulling on his hair again. It must be a nervous habit. “Don’t think it’s weird but… I’ve kind of noticed you before?”

“Well, I’m not very hard to miss, considering the hair.” Jimin says it to break the ice, and it seems to do the trick because the boy seems to relax.

“It’s cute. The same color as this.” He points at mixing bowl full of strawberry icing that Jimin had abandoned the moment that the boy walked in the kitchen.

“Thanks.” Jimin shouldn’t be excited by his words, he’s probably just being friendly, but he can’t help it. “For thinking my hair is cute.”

“It’s not just your hair.” He whispers, his eyes intense as he stares at Jimin’s face. “Everything about you is very, very cute.” He reaches out, placing his fingers close to Jimin’s hand. “I noticed you earlier in the semester, saw you in the kitchen a couple of times. But you always looked like you wanted privacy, so I didn’t want to bother you. And I didn’t know which room you were in so…” He trails off, trying not to sound like too much of a creep, but Jimin isn’t thinking that at all. In fact, he’s very much flattered.

“Well trust me, if I had noticed a beautiful guy like you checking me out, I would have invited you to join me.” Jimin says it boldly, hoping he isn’t misreading the situation, this boy wrong. But the other guy just grins, finally closing the distance to touch Jimin’s hand.

“So if I were to ask you if we could do some gay baking together…”

Jimin cracks up then, his free hand covering his mouth to try to stifle the sound. “Yes. I would very much like to do some gay baking with you.”

“Great!” He gets up then, walking around the table to sit by Jimin’s side with a huge smile. “I’m Taehyung, by the way.”

“Jimin.” He’s blushing, he knows he is, but this is unexpected and it makes him feel so happy that he could burst, so he doesn’t try to calm the feeling. “You wanna mix the frosting?”

“Sure thing, sweetness.” Taehyung winks, taking the whisk from Jimin’s delicate hands, and Jimin knows, he knows that he’s going to fall for him.

He can only hope for the best.

Chapter Text

Taehyung asks him to be his boyfriend in the kitchen, no less than a month later. They’re in that stage where they’re both still very eager to use any excuse to see each other, and it’s nice, having someone to look forward to seeing each day.

Jimin still bakes, because it calms him down, but now when he finishes he’ll go to find Taehyung in his room. And even when he isn’t there, he leaves the sweet treats with his roommate Hoseok, along with firm instructions to leave some for Taehyung, because his roommate’s sweet tooth is almost as big as his own.

The blonde isn’t as useful in the kitchen as Jimin is, so when he hangs out with him in there it’s more just to keep him company, telling Jimin stories about rehearsal or listening to Jimin whine about his classes. It’s natural, and they’ve fallen in something that can be considered a routine and it’s as frightening as it is exciting.

Jimin knew he was going to fall, from that very first day, but he doesn’t know if he’s falling alone. He has another zoology exam, this time over segmented worms and arthropods, and by the time he’s walking out of the classroom he just knows tonight is going to be one of those nights, because he feels like he studied hard but everything on the exam was from a secret section he wasn’t given access to.

He’s texted Taehyung, letting him know he’ll be in the kitchen if he wants to see him, not even bothering to stop at the grocery store because he knows he has enough stocked up in his dorm to make do. Taehyung tells him to stop by the kitchen before he goes to his room, and Jimin is trying to decide on what he wants to bake when he walks into what is probably the sweetest thing he’s ever seen.

“Hey sweetness.” Taehyung is sitting at the table, a couple pink balloons tied to the chair, with a dessert in front of him. He winks at Jimin and whispers “Surprise.”

“Surprise?” Jimin looks understandably confused, and Taehyung grabs him by the hand. “I’m sorry about the test. I know you were dreading it. So this time I planned ahead and I made you something special.”

Jimin looks at the plate and back at Taehyung, the coldness in his heart melting away under the heat of his gaze. “You baked for me?”

“Well, not exactly.” Taehyung laughs. “I wanted it to actually be good so. I took the easy route and went with a no bake oreo cheesecake. I just took it out of the fridge.” Jimin is touched, moving over to sit in Taehyung’s lap, giving him a chaste kiss.

“Thank you Tae Tae.”

“Anything for you, Minnie.” Taehyung kisses him again, deeper this time, his hand catching in Jimin’s pink hair. The smaller boy giggles, pushing back on Taehyung’s chest as he breaks the kiss. Taehyung tries to chase his lips but Jimin turns away.

“Don’t you think we should at least try your dessert?”

“I don’t need dessert when I have you sweetness.” Sometimes Jimin wonders if the cheesy lines that Taehyung says are so convincing because he’s studying acting, or if he really just cares about Jimin that much.

“Tae, even if you didn’t use the oven, you still went through the trouble of making this for me. Now cut me a piece.”

“Yah.” Taehyung complains, reaching for the knife. “You’re so cold to your boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?” Jimin repeats, and almost laughs at the way that Taehyung’s hand  pauses in mid air, the knife settling in the whipped cream.

“Fuck.” Taehyung hides his face in Jimin’s back, refusing to look at him. “I was supposed to ask you that first. And then give you the cheesecake.” He blinks up at Jimin. “Can we start over? You leave and then come back and act all surprised.”

“No way.” Jimin laughs, nuzzling his nose against Taehyung’s. “I’m not going to leave my boyfriend’s side; not even for a second.”

“Does that mean…?”

“Yes.” Jimin says it exasperatedly, because how could Taehyung even think it was a question. “A thousand times yes.”

“You’re mine, sweetness.” Taehyung puts his finger in some whipped cream, playfully smearing across Jimin’s lips and cheek. The pink haired boy would have complained, but those thoughts went out the window when Taehyung leaned forward to lick away the mess.

Well, he had said that he wanted to try Taehyung’s creation, and he couldn’t think of a better way to taste it then off of his boyfriend’s tongue.

Boyfriend . Jimin smiles into the kiss, his fingers tightening on the blonde’s broad shoulders. He didn’t think he’d ever get tired of calling Taehyung that.

Chapter Text

The first time they fight, it’s not anybody’s fault really. Jimin is stressed because he’s always stressed, but this time Taehyung isn’t able to calm him down. It doesn’t help that Taehyung is dealing with his own issues; Seokjin got the lead role in the production, considering he was older, more experienced, and honestly better suited for Usnavi. But Taehyung got the role of Benny, who was just as important and had nearly as many lines, and it’s a lot more than he’s used to.

Taehyung is in a bad mood because him and Seokjin got into it during rehearsal; he had tried to offer his hyung some advice over his spacing during the opening number, and Seokjin got completely offended that someone younger had dared to scold him in front of the rest of the cast. Taehyung got frustrated because he really hadn’t meant it that way, was only trying to help not hurt, but their egos got in the way and he left the performing arts building with a chip on his shoulder.

Jimin is in his bedroom when he gets back to the dorm, something that happens often. Hoseok was the easy going kind of roommate who didn’t give him shit about always bringing his boyfriend over - probably because it gave him an excuse to crash at his rapper hyung’s place, but that was another matter - so Taehyung just nods in greeting, tiredly pulling off his shoes.

Normally Jimin’s presence would be enough to turn his frown upside down, but tonight it’s just not doing the trick. Jimin’s trying to make conversation, but Taehyung isn’t being responsive, one word answers while staring at his phone.

And Jimin’s patience is thin, because if there’s one thing that he needs from his boyfriend it’s attention, and Taehyung not giving it to him makes him feel not only uncomfortable, but terribly insecure. They exchange some tense words, before Jimin asks if Taehyung would rather he just leave.

He’s not exactly expecting Taehyung to say yes, but that’s what happens. He storms out of the room, shoes in hand because he’d rather put them on in the hallway rather than stay inside Taehyung’s dorm for another second.

Lucky for him, it’s barely even 9 pm so he has time to make a quick run to the grocery store. He has something specific in mind, so it doesn’t take long to gather his items and end up back in the kitchen.

He rolls out the dough, using more force than necessary but that’s okay. Once the crust is baking he starts on the filling, zesting the lemon, letting the sharp citrus smell permeate the air. Then he’s whisking, mixing it all up, creating something new.

Most people do this part with a machine, but Jimin has always preferred using his hands, putting real effort into his baking. And lately Taehyung had been the one to do it, the only part of baking that Jimin actually trusted him with. Sometimes Jimin would sit in Taehyung’s lap, his boyfriend’s large arms circling around him as he spun the mixture round and round.

He’s upset, because he knows Taehyung was just having a bad day and the only thing he needed was a little space. And god knows that there had been plenty of times that Jimin was the one feeling cold and distant, and Taehyung had always dealt with it patiently.

Part of Jimin wants to go back upstairs, to apologize, to make the weirdness disappear between them because he wasn’t used to it and he didn’t ever want to be.

But then the door to the kitchen is opening, and Taehyung is standing in the doorway, looking tall and statesque and fucking beautiful, just like always.

“Can I come in?”

“It’s a public kitchen.” Jimin bites his lip because that sounded snappy, and sometimes his own mouth betrays him.

But Taehyung seems to accept it as an invitation, and he slowly walks in. “I figured you would be baking.” He sits down across Jimin, which feels wrong, because Taehyung’s usually right next to him, crowding into his space and stealing kisses and being generally affectionate. “I thought you might need a hand.”

It’s an olive branch, the start to a reconciliation, and Jimin willingly accepts it. “Yeah.” Jimin pushes the mixing bowl towards Taehyung, their fingers brushing as he hands over the whisk.

“What are we making?” Jimin notices the fact that he used we, and he feels hopeful.

“Lemon tart.”

“Hmm.” Taehyung hums, his eyes focused on the yellow concoction. “It’s sour.”

Jimin shrugs, leaning on his elbow. “It’s how I feel.”

“I’m sorry, sweetness.” Taehyung looks sad, his big eyes downcast. “I’m sorry for being the one to make you sour.”

“Oh Tae.” Jimin adores him, he really does, so he stands from his chair and swings around the table, sliding into his boyfriend’s lap to hug him. “I’m not mad anymore. I couldn’t stay mad at you.”

“Prove it?” Taehyung whispers, looking up at Jimin with sparkling eyes. Jimin does, kissing him softly on the mouth, moaning into it when Taehyung lets go of the whisk in favor of grabbing onto Jimin’s waist. When Jimin’s lips fall to his neck Taehyung closes his eyes, his deep voice right in Jimin’s ear. “I was having a bad day, but that doesn’t mean I have to have a bad night. Not when I have you. I’m sorry.”

“I understand. And I’m sorry too.”

Taehyung pushes back on Jimin’s shoulders, so he can look at him properly. “We’re okay?”

“We’re more than okay baby.”

And later, they bring the lemon tarts up to Taehyung’s room, holding hands and making starry eyes at one another. Hoseok takes one look at them and laughs, moving to pack a bag. He lets them know that he’ll be at Yoongi’s place if they need him, but everyone in the room knows they won’t.

That night, after they’re tired and sweaty and blissfully happy, Jimin feeds Taehyung lemon tarts as they lay his bed; he thinks the sour taste contrasts nicely with Jimin’s sweet lips.

Chapter Text

Jimin is beyond nervous, because his heart is in so deep with Taehyung, and today he’s supposed to meet his older brother. Taehyung has told him a thousand times that Namjoon is chill, that he’ll adore Jimin and that he has nothing to worry about, but Jimin is Jimin so all he does is worry.

He had changed his mind about what recipe to bake at least ten different times, desperate to make a good impression and wanting the cake to be perfect. Taehyung assures him that Namjoon will be happy with any gift but it’s not just any gift, because Namjoon is not just any person. He wants Namjoon to think he’s worthy of Taehyung, wants to be accepted.

Taehyung can’t help him bake this time, too busy with rehearsals this week, and it’s both a blessing and a curse. It allows him to fully concentrate on baking, but anytime his boyfriend isn’t around Jimin misses him.

They’ve agreed to meet up at Namjoon’s birthday dinner, and Jimin is standing outside of the restaurant, holding his cake box - yes, he purchased a carrier case for this exact purpose because he refuses for his creation to be ruined during transport - feeling anxious the longer it takes for Taehyung to arrive.

He doesn’t bother to text him, because he knows Taehyung will be there as soon as he can. He only has to wait for ten minutes before Taehyung appears, Seokjin by his side. They haven’t hung out much, but every once and awhile Seokjin will stop by Taehyung’s dorm to help him run lines. He’s a good person, and he looks after Taehyung well, so Jimin likes him.

“You ready, sweetness?” Taehyung asks him outside, greeting him with a soft kiss on the lips, pointedly ignoring Seokjin’s gagging noises. Jimin nods because he’s ready as he’ll ever be, so there’s no use delaying it any further.

Namjoon is inside with a few friends, and when the three of them appear there’s a chorus of various hellos and hugs. Taehyung has his hand on Jimin’s lower back, steering him towards the head of the table where Namjoon sits.

“Hyung, this is my boyfriend Jimin.” Taehyung urges Jimin forward, and like an idiot, the pink haired boy just holds out the cake box.

“This is for you!”

“Oh.” Namjoon blinks at the sudden appearance of the box in his face, but he takes it graciously, placing the cake on the table. He opens it and a little gasp escapes his mouth, and it’s sounds so cute. “Oh! This looks amazing! Look at all of the sprinkles.” Internally Jimin preens, because he stood in a grocery store for fifteen minutes debating between rod sprinkles and sprinkle dots before deciding on the latter, and apparently it was the right choice. “Where did you get this?”

“Jimin bakes, remember hyung?” Taehyung reminds him, as his arm slips around his boyfriend’s waist.

“Ah, that’s right.” Namjoon’s smile is warm, and he’s got these huge dimples, and maybe he’s not so scary after all and Jimin can calm down. “Well thank you Jimin-ssi. It was really thoughtful, and I’m sure it’ll taste great.”

Jimin bows slightly, still somewhat embarrassed that he can’t talk like a normal person at the moment, but Taehyung guides them to a seat further down the table and gives him a kiss on the cheek. “You did good Minnie.”

“I totally froze, I thrust a cake into his face.” Jimin whispers back, hiding his face in Taehyung’s shoulder. The blonde laughs, kissing the top of his head.

“You didn’t actually put cake in his face. Although, I might do so later, just cause it’ll be funny. Hyung wouldn’t even get mad about it. I told you, he’s chill.”

“You think he’ll really like me?”

“Just be yourself, sweetness. That’s what made me like you so much.”

Jimin blushes, because Taehyung can be bluntly honest in a way that makes him feel caught off guard and special, all at once.

And so that’s what Jimin does, and sure the couple glasses of champagne help, but before long he’s engaging in conversation, shooting across the table during an argument about who is superior between Captain America and Iron Man, and cracking up in loud giggles when Seokjin convinces a drunk Namjoon to bend over for some birthday spankings. They’ve been at the restaurant for hours, but it feels like no time has passed at all, surrounded by such good people.

Eventually Namjoon does cut the funfetti cake, with an even louder, cuter gasp this time when he realizes that Jimin baked the sprinkles into the cake batter as well. “Please don’t break up with my brother, ever.” He says dramatically after taking his first bite, his hand on his heart. “Or if you do, keep being my friend and bringing me dessert.”

“Yah, hyung that’s too much.” Taehyung laughs, snuggling into Jimin’s side. “Just remember sweetness, I’m the Kim brother that you should choose to be loyal to. Hyung just wants you for your baking skills.”

“Oh?” Jimin’s pleasantly drunk, his vision just a bit blurry, in that zone where everyone and everything is a bit brighter. “And what do you want me for Kim Taehyung?” He says his full name cheekily, bopping his boyfriend’s nose with each syllable.

“I want you for your everything.” Taehyung says it so seriously that for a moment Jimin feels struck dumb, but then he’s smiling so big that his cheeks hurt and he’s climbing into Taehyung’s seat, wrapping all his limbs around him as he presses kisses against his face.

There’s a chorus of dismayed shouts from the table, pleas for them to get a room, and the two of them are too smitten to bother denying what they both know is about to happen. So they give half hearted goodbyes, too caught up in each other to do any better.

Later, Namjoon will tease Taehyung for the excessive PDA, but when his brother mentions he has Namjoon’s birthday spankings forever immortalized on video, he lets it go.

Chapter Text

It’s raining outside the first time that Jimin says I love you. The phrase has been on the tip of his tongue for months now, but he’s always held it in, shut his lips and looked away from Taehyung’s hypnotic eyes until he could control his wildly beating heart again.

But the weather has turned ugly, and even though Jimin is a (somewhat) fully functioning adult, he still despises thunderstorms. He’s trying to tough it out in his room by himself, because despite spending a large majority of their time together, he and Taehyung don’t always sleep over in the same room.

And they had hung out earlier, watching a few episodes of an American comedy show they both liked, but Jimin could sense the tiredness in his boyfriend’s body. So despite the fact that he was very much enjoying the shenanigans of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, he closed out the Netflix tab and shut down the computer.

He was expecting Taehyung to protest, because he always pretended that he was still watching, even when he was half way asleep. But when he looks over Taehyung is already passed out, his mouth hanging open as he snoozes away. So Jimin pushes Taehyung back on the bed, and he’s lethargic enough to not put up a fight. He tucks the covers around the blonde, dropping a quick kiss on his forehead before leaving for his own room.

Two hours later is when the lightning starts. And though it makes Jimin antsy, he can handle it. He plugs in his headphones so he doesn’t disturb his roommate Jungkook, who he knows has a big project coming up that’s he’s been working on nonstop.

And even though the volume is turned all the way up, he still notices when the thunder begins. The deep boom resonates in the room, makes his hair stand on end, and he’s so, so uncomfortable. He’s trying to read over some notes, get some studying done, but the words are meaningless on the page. Jimin has been staring at the same paragraph for over an hour, and he still hasn’t absorbed any of the information.

He gives up, crawling into bed and hoping for sleep. But he’s always been the type that prefers silence, and the loud music isn’t helping to put him at ease. So he lays in bed, staring at the ceiling as the minutes tick by.

His eyes are dry and he’s getting a headache, and after Jimin looks at the time on his phone, he gives up. He’s lonely and he’s kind of scared and he wants his boyfriend. He needs Taehyung. Jimin texts Hoseok, because he knew the older boy kept later hours, and he lets out a sigh of relief when Hoseok texts him back, letting him know he unlocked the door for him. Jimin pulls on the nearest pair of sweatpants and shirt he can find, grabbing his room key and phone to practically scramble to the door.

He’s only two floors apart from Taehyung, but with his current state of mind he doesn’t even think about waiting for the elevator. He just runs down the stairs, not caring if he’s being a bit too loud. Once he’s back inside Taehyung’s apartment, he locks the door behind him and slips into his boyfriend’s room.

Taehyung is cute in his sleep, curled around a pillow, and it makes Jimin feel the tiniest bit better. But then there’s a flash of lightning and he’s darting for the bed, too freaked out to be subtle. His boyfriend blinks his eyes open at the sudden movement, looking at him confused.

“I thought you left earlier.” He had only woken up for a second a couple of hours previously, but he knew when he saw the dark room that Jimin had gone upstairs to his own place. He’s not opposed to Jimin’s sudden reappearance, he just is curious.

“I wanted to come back.” Jimin is considering holding the real reason why in, but then there’s a loud boom of thunder, and the pink haired boy yelps. Taehyung squints at him, barely awake but very perceptive when it comes to the mannerisms of Park Jimin.

“Are you- are you afraid of the storm?”

And Jimin is worn out, and there’s nothing mean in Taehyung’s voice, just a desire to help.

“Yes.” He breathes out, shifting on top of Taehyung’s mattress. “Can I-”

“Get in here already.” Taehyung cuts him off, pulling back the covers so Jimin can slide underneath them. “I’ll protect you sweetness. Even from the storm.” Taehyung mumbles sleepily, throwing his arm around Jimin’s waist to pull him close. Jimin loves being the little spoon, loves feeling safe and protected in his boyfriend’s embrace.

“Thank you. For not getting mad that I woke you up over something as silly as a storm.” Jimin whispers, his fingers playing with Taehyung’s hand. Taehyung makes a weird noise, before he pushes Jimin to his back, staring him down in the dim light of the occasional lightning.

“Why would I get mad that you came here?” Taehyung asks the question like it’s a unfathomable situation. “I always want you here. I love you Jimin.”

And Jimin’s whole body goes tight with tension, because his boyfriend just said the words, said them like it was nothing. Like it was just a fact. “You- you love me?”

“Of course I do.” He’s looming above Jimin, and he brushes the pink bangs out of the smaller man’s eyes. “Been in love with you for awhile now sweetness.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Taehyung shrugs, dropping a quick kiss on Jimin’s lips. “I don’t know. I guess I was just waiting for the right time.”

“And now is the right time?” Jimin says incredulously.

Taehyung just laughs, pushing Jimin back to his side so he can curl into his back again. “As good a time as any. And it got your mind off the storm, didn’t it?”

And he’s right, because now instead of thinking of the rain outside, his thoughts are consumed with the fact that Taehyung loves him. His boyfriend kisses his hair, snuggling him closer. “I love you. Now get some sleep Minnie.”

“O-okay.”

“Goodnight sweetness.”

“Goodnight.” And even though the storm still frightens him, it’s easier with Taehyung there and before he knows it, he drifts off to sleep.

The next morning he wakes up to the smell of blueberries. Taehyung has heated up a muffin for him from the batch Jimin made the previous day, and there’s a milk carton in his other hand. “You ready for the best breakfast you’ve ever had?” Taehyung wiggles his eyebrows and it’s ridiculous, because it’s nowhere near gourmet, but Jimin appreciates the gesture all the same.

Once again it hits him, the force of his love for Taehyung, how beautiful and caring and generally sweet he is to Jimin. The words are at the tip of his tongue again, and he starts to push it down when he realizes suddenly that he doesn’t have to.

Not anymore.

Now he can say those three words and the world won’t end; Taehyung won’t leave him. The only thing that will happen is that his boyfriend will say it back. His heart is beating rapidly again, and he feels nervous, but this time he isn’t going to be a coward with his feelings, he’s going to say it, so that Taehyung knows he isn’t in this thing alone.

“Last night, you helped me with the storm. Thank you.”

“It was nothing.” Taehyung waves it off, sitting next to Jimin on his bed. “And I meant it when I said I always like having you here.”

“I know. But last night… you said something else too.”

“Oh.” Taehyung looks down nervously. “You don’t have to say-”

“Shut up.” Jimin says, pushing the food out of the way so he can climb into Taehyung’s lap. “Shut up, shut up so I can tell you how crazy I am about you. How much I love you.” He kisses Taehyung on the lips, his hands curling around the blonde’s neck. “I love you. I love you. I love you. ” He accentuates each confession with a kiss, and Taehyung is grinning so wide, his arms wrapping around Jimin’s back as he hugs him close.

“I love you too sweetness. I love you too.”

Chapter Text

Taehyung was wrong about In The Heights. It wasn’t just good, it was great. They’re in the full swing of the holiday season, and Taehyung has just finished his first show and Jimin is so, so proud of him.

Seeing Taehyung on stage was something transformative, and Jimin knew first hand how many hours his boyfriend had spent learning his character, perfecting the accent and unique mannerisms. To see it all come together on stage is something that Jimin will always treasure.

There’s a cast party afterwards, and Jimin knows if he asked that Taehyung would bring him along, but he wants his boyfriend to enjoy the celebration with the people who put so much effort into making the musical come to life.

Plus, he knows that Taehyung will come home to him anyways.

It’s late when his boyfriend comes knocking at his door, stumbling a little as he passes the threshold, his hands grabby the moment he sees Jimin. The pink haired boy takes a moment to be thankful that his roommate is away for the night, because Taehyung has that look in his eyes, the one that lets Jimin know he’s in for some trouble.

They shuffle into Jimin’s room, collapsing on the bed with giggles. Taehyung is so happy, because even if it hadn’t been perfect - a few missed lines and late cues - overall the show was a success. It was such a rush, standing on the stage, performing for the crowd, performing for Jimin.

It gave him such strength, when he was nervous backstage waiting behind the curtain, to know that somewhere in the audience sat his boyfriend, who would support him no matter how good or bad he was. But judging by the impressed look in Jimin’s eyes and the big bouquet of pink roses - the same shade as Jimin’s hair - he had done well.

While Jimin was the type to be comforting, to try to make others feel more cheerful, he had never been a liar. So when he’s kissing Taehyung on the lips, telling him how amazing his performance had been, how lovely his voice sounded, he knows Jimin means it. And Jimin’s approval means more than all the other well wishers combined.

So kisses him back, because the constant weight that had been pressing down on his shoulders as the show grew closer and closer has finally disappeared. He feels light in a way that he hasn’t in weeks, and he wants nothing more than to share his joy with Jimin.

“Are you drunk?” Jimin asks, tasting the sharp taste of liquor on Taehyung’s tongue when they kiss, but the blonde shakes his head.

“Barely tipsy.”

“Really?” Jimin isn’t quite sure if he believes him, but his boyfriend is adamant that he’s telling the truth.

“I was tipsy earlier, but now I’m just happy, more than anything else.”

“I like it when you’re happy.” Jimin grins, interlocking his hands behind the taller boy’s neck. “I like you. ”

“Just like?” Taehyung quips, playfully pouting.

“Maybe a little more than like?”

“Maybe?” He looks so put out that Jimin gives in quickly, bursting into more laughter.

“Fine. I love you. I love you lots, Kim Taehyung.”

“I love you too sweetness.” Taehyung nuzzles his face in his neck, getting settled in between Jimin’s legs. “The cast party was fun but the whole time I just kept thinking about you.”

“Yeah?” Jimin murmurs, his lips pressing against Taehyung’s forehead. “And what were you thinking about?”

“Doing this.” He responds simply, before leaning down to press their mouths together. This isn’t like the hello kiss from earlier, or even the happy pecks. This kiss is markedly different, slower , like Taehyung has all the time in the world to memorize the shape of his lips. “God, I missed you.”

“You’re here now.” Jimin reminds him, pushing his head down his body. “Show me how much.”

And the two of them have done a lot, but they haven’t done everything. It’s normally just kisses and insistent hands, moving together in the dark. Sometimes it’s mouths, pressing against intimate places, making Jimin go weak in his knees.

Taehyung’s fingers move across his lips, and Jimin accepts them easily. He’s always hand a thing for his boyfriend’s hands; they hold him close, they comfort him, but they also very much turn him on.

He’s rolling over before he knows it, letting Taehyung open him up, his own fingers twisting in the sheets. And when he comes it’s wonderful, the swiftness taking him by surprise but the intensity expected, because Taehyung always makes him feel so damn good.

And usually that would be the end of it, Jimin’s cue to return the favor, but tonight he wants something different. Something more.

“ Tae. ” He breathes out, moving to his back so he can look into his boyfriend’s eyes. “Want you. Want all of you.”

He doesn’t have to elaborate, because Taehyung is already on the same page, moving to grab the necessary materials with hurried hands. He’s shaking as he pushes into Jimin for the first time, and it’s overwhelming, but it’s good.

They aren’t virgins, but it’s been a long time for both of them. And Jimin had forgotten how great this feels, to be so intimate with someone, to become a part of them. And he loves Taehyung so much, with every piece of his heart, and it’s only fitting that the time has come for him to do the same with his body.

They move together slowly in the dim lit bedroom, savoring it because they only get one first time together. Jimin can’t stop kissing Taehyung, his legs wrapping around the blonde’s middle as he pulls him closer, wanting to feel him deeper. And Taehyung is a talker in bed, can’t stop telling Jimin how pretty he looks, how much he needs him.

And when it finally comes to an end, moans spilling from their lips along with declarations of love, that last bit of doubt in Jimin’s mind finally disappears. Because Taehyung is his, and nothing is going to make that change.

After taking that final step together, they’re practically inseparable. Jimin just can’t get enough of Taehyung; he’s so happy and he’s so, so in love. The holiday season just makes it even better, snow on the ground and Christmas lights illuminating the streets.

He’s a little bit down, because they’re going to different places for winter break; Jimin to Busan and Taehyung to Daegu. They’re both excited to see their families, but they’re dreading being apart from each other.

And Jimin doesn’t want to feel sad, not when he has so much to be thankful for, so he comes up with an alternative. As much as he’d love to wake up on Christmas morning in Taehyung’s arms, it was just not realistic.

So Jimin decides that Christmas will come twice this year.

Hoseok has already headed home to Gwangju, so they’ve got Taehyung’s room to themselves. Jimin’s already got the pieces of the gingerbread house baked, and now they are attempting to build it. It’s messy, there’s chocolate and icing everywhere, but it’s so damn fun. The two of them can’t stop laughing, sipping on wine as they decorate their sugary creation.

With the help of a few YouTube videos and Jimin’s determination, they eventually finish constructing their gingerbread house. But by then they’ve put so much work into making the dessert, neither of them wants to eat it.

But that’s okay, because every time Jimin looks at the house it makes him smile, because it’s cute and they created it together. The finish off the wine, before snuggling up in bed to exchange presents, and then kisses, and then everything .

It’s domestic, laying naked underneath the covers wrapped up in one another, the snow falling outside the window. And Jimin knows they haven’t been together for very long, that this is only just their beginning, but somehow he is sure that their love story will continue to be written, for many years to come.

With Taehyung by his side, everything tastes sweeter.