Archive of Our Own

At his own request, Jimin is there when Kim Namjoon moves in. Taehyung didn't really mind, not really, although he did try to object at first simply because he didn't want to overwhelm Namjoon. However, when Jimin told Taehyung that he's sure Namjoon is smart enough to understand the concept that Taehyung has his soulmate over, Taehyung was easily convinced.

When they hear Namjoon put his key into the lock, Jimin doesn't move from his seat while Taehyung stands up immediately, rushing over to the door to greet his new roommate, but like Taeyung said, Jimin doesn't want to overwhelm him.

When the door opens, Jimin finally gets to see what Kim "Taehyung's New Roommate" Namjoon looks like.

And then it's all downhill from there.

When it comes to relationships, Jimin thinks he's burnt out. Completely and utterly burnt to the crisp. Nothing there worth salvaging whatsoever. Seokjin thinks he's being a bit dramatic.

"You're being a bit dramatic."

Jimin rolls his eyes. "My last three boyfriends have cheated on me and now you're trying to set me up with someone else."

"I just think he's your type! I won't do it again though. I don't know. Obviously, if you don't want to date someone, you don't have to date someone."

"Thank you."

"But I just really think it'd be in your best interest."

"Hyung."

"You need to date someone good for you. All your past boyfriends have been shitty. I haven't liked a single one of them."

"Hyung, that doesn't matter. I don't care. I'm not interested. Just leave it alone. Please."

Seokjin looks like he wants to say more, but after another pointed look from Jimin, he decides to stay quiet. And Jimin knows he means well. Of course he means well. It's been over a month since Hanjae's betrayal and Jimin's never really been single for long the entire time Seokjin has known him. He probably thinks Jimin is having a massive breakdown.

It's just... Jimin is tired. Jimin is tired of dating. Even just a couple of weeks ago, he proclaimed in front of all of his friends, he wouldn't be dating someone for a very long time. Years, in fact. Maybe even decades. Possibly until death if it comes to it.

He's tired. He's tired of being hurt and being taken for granted. He's tired of falling so hard and so quick for someone only to be hurt again and again and again and again and again. A part of him is convinced it has to just be something wrong with him. Another part of him is convinced that Jimin isn't even a real person and that this is all some sick simulation.

Why else would it keep happening? Why else would it always happen the same way? Why else wouldn’t they want to stay with him?

Taehyung is adamant in reminding him that it isn't his fault though. He tells Jimin that if someone were to cheat on him, it means something is wrong with the other person, not him, never him. Taehyung tells him he'll find someone one day if he wants to. He tells Jimin that it'll all be okay. He tells Jimin that Jimin can take as much as time as he needs to be single or not.

Jimin isn't convinced he really believes Taehyung but he can at least agree about the being single thing. Jimin goes through relationships quickly, always so quickly, and Jimin has never really thought that it wasn't his fault somehow.

Sure, maybe his first couple of relationships, all of which ended pretty mutually, didn't break his heart the same way that his last horrible ones have, but it was still quick. Just a time in his life where he was with someone who he ended up never even talking to again. It simply was the way it was and Jimin had to accept that. Although, he does sometimes feel like he wasted his time altogether.

Jimin doesn't like being alone. He likes having someone to sleep with, he likes having someone to eat with, he likes having someone around him because when he's alone, Jimin sometimes doesn't feel too much like a real person.

When he's with someone else, he feels more real. He feels like he actually has a personality outside singing to himself in the shower or working hard. These feelings don't matter in the grand scheme of things. Jimin knows that he isn't the only person to ever feel like this. He's sure of it. And if they can get through it, so can he.

So, dating was easy. Dating is easy. And when it ended, it ended. Jimin only had to move on. It wasn't a big deal.

It isn't a big deal.

Except Jimin couldn't help but feel heartbroken over it. Each time… he can't help it. When it was truly bad, like his recent breakup with Hanjae, Jimin would have a night to himself where he'd just get drunk alone and listen to sad love songs and try his best to get it all out, to wring it from his body like water from a wet rag.

Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn't. At this point though, Jimin kind of just went with it.

He had bigger things to worry about after all. Such as.

"You're getting a new roommate?"

Taehyung nods. "You knew this would happen when you moved out, Jimin," Taehyung pouts. "This is why I told you not to move out."

"I was in love, Taehyung."

"Now you're living by yourself without me," Taehyung replies bitterly. Jimin sighs. "Besides, if you broke up with him even just a week before, it wouldn't have happened at all. But I already promised him. And he's a good person, I can't break that promise."

Jimin understands. "I understand." But. "When is he moving in? What's his name?"

Taehyung smiles warmly at him.

"His name is Kim Namjoon. He moves in tomorrow."

Jimin liked believing in love. He was always a pretty big romantic when he was younger although he rarely liked to show it. Jimin didn't really date when he was younger. He had one girlfriend for two years, and then he realized he liked guys and didn't date someone for a very long time.

When he met his first boyfriend, Jimin was convinced he'd be with him forever. Looking back on it now, Jimin knows he was naïve, he knows he should have known better, he knows that he held on a bit too tightly when it came to that relationship, but he was young and in love and it wasn't until after it was over that he realized that maybe "forever" doesn't exist.

He still tried though. He always tried.

But trying never seemed to be enough.

So, Jimin said fuck it.

When Kim Namjoon first walked in through the door, Jimin had stood up immediately, standing there like an idiot as Taehyung bowed, greeting him politely, apologizing for Jimin being over, telling Namjoon that Jimin had insisted and that he hoped he didn't mind, and Jimin remembers Namjoon looking over at him and sending him a tired smile and Jimin just continued to stand there like an idiot, not saying a single word because even though Jimin didn't really have a type, Namjoon was suddenly Jimin's Perfect Man.

Jimin reeled that thought back instantly though. He doesn't even know Namjoon. For all he knows, Namjoon could be the worst person ever. Namjoon could be a murderer or something. Oh god, what if Taehyung is now living with a murde—

"Oh, no, don't worry about that. It's no big deal. I'm Namjoon. It's nice to meet both of you." He smiles and bows politely, and Jimin just nods, blinking dumbly at him.

Jimin doesn't even get the chance to return his smile because then Namjoon is already walking to his room, his suitcase rolling behind him loudly, and Jimin wonders if Namjoon thinks Jimin is just a bit strange.

Taehyung is on him immediately, asking Jimin if he should offer to help again because apparently in that time Jimin stopped being able to process the world around him, Taehyung and Namjoon had a short conversation about exactly that. Jimin swallows. He shrugs.

"I don't know. How much stuff does he have? Does he need help?"

Taehyung shakes his head. "He has a lot of stuff but he said he's fine. He likes to know where his things are or something."

"Oh," Jimin mumbles. He looks back at Namjoon's door, only just barely being able to see him as he takes off his coat and set it on his bed. Jimin looks away, flushed. "Well, if it seems like he's struggling, we can help. I don't want to intrude on his space."

"That's what I said about you being here."

"I'm wonderful. You should be grateful I'm here."

Taehyung grins and rests his arm on Jimin's shoulder.

"I always am, Jiminie."

Namjoon, as Jimin comes to learn, is Probably Not A Murderer. He's goofy and serious and when he finally reveals himself a little later that first night, after giving into letting Taehyung and Jimin help him move in, he sits down with them and introduces himself properly.

The few days after, Jimin isn't able to hover around Taehyung's apartment as much as he'd like because he's busy with work, but he hears all about Namjoon through Taehyung's texts.

Namjoon is awkward. Namjoon is funny. Namjoon is smart. Namjoon is kind and wonderful but also goes back and forth between not knowing how to talk to Taehyung versus wanting to talk to him for hours on end.

On top of all of those wonderful qualities, Namjoon is also handsome and tall. Jimin thinks that's very neat.

Namjoon is fit, has dimples, and has a smile that Jimin thinks shines. Jimin thinks that's also very neat.

Not to mention Namjoon has legs that Jimin kind of wants to climb like a tree. Jimin thinks he's losing his mind at this point.

If Jimin were in any other position and mindset than the one he was in now, Jimin would have already pounced.

Except. Jimin remembers what it was like last time. He remembers what it was like the time before that as well. He remembers and he remembers feeling this way with all of them.

So, Jimin doesn't do anything. He absolutely refuses to do anything.

This proves to be difficult.

Extremely difficult.

"Jimin!" Namjoon greets happily, opening the door with a polite smile on his face. Jimin eyes him warily but smiles back. Jimin's taken to having to be On Guard when he's around Namjoon. If he's anything less, he's susceptible for falling for whatever Jimin decides to find cute this time.

"Hi, hyung. Is Taehyung not here yet?"

Namjoon shakes his head. "No, not yet. He didn't text you?"

Jimin checks his phone. Taehyung did. "Oh," he mumbles.

Namjoon laughs and it pulls Jimin's gaze back up to him. Namjoon is… Jimin sighs.

"Here, come in. You basically live here anywhere."

"Well, technically I used to."

"Oh, you never did tell me why you don't anymore."

A teasing smile plays at Jimin's lips. "We've only known each other for a week, hyung. Maybe that's why."

Namjoon flushes and Jimin smiles even wider because of it.

"Ah, sorry. I… sorry. I didn't mean to intrude, obviously."

"It's okay, Namjoon-hyung," Jimin says pleasantly, sitting down on the couch. Namjoon's eyebrows furrow. "Basically, I moved out with my boyfriend. He cheated on me."

"Boyfriend?"

Jimin frowns. Oh no. "Yes… there's no way you're homophobic, right? I very much doubt Tae would want to live with a homophobe."

Namjoon blinks. "What? No, of course not. I'm bisexual. I was just surprised." He scratches the back of his head. "I don’t know. I don't really have many friends who are LGBTQ+."

Jimin takes this information like a champion (considering his brain is currently screaming RED ALERT at him) and only gives a short nod. "That's good to hear," he finally manages to say.

Namjoon seems conflicted. "I'm sorry. I meant to say I'm sorry about your boyfriend. Obviously, a very shitty person. You definitely don't deserve that. Nobody does."

Jimin knows it already but it's still nice to hear.

"Thank you, hyung."

"Like he really sounds just all-around awful."

Jimin holds back a laugh. On Guard. Must Remain Impassive. Namjoon Is Not Cute.

"He was."

Namjoon seems to be spiraling out of control. "Just a really shitty guy. He didn't deserve you. Like… you seem… great…." Namjoon looks away and Jimin can easily see how horrified he is with himself.

Jimin can't hold it back anymore. He laughs.

"You're cute." Abort mission. Jimin definitely was not supposed to say that.

Namjoon doesn't flush as much as Jimin wanted him to but he does let out a shy smile.

"You think so?"

Jimin feels very much not On Guard. "I—"

The door opens and Taehyung enters, looking exhausted but lighting up when he sees Jimin. He frowns though as he slips off his shoes.

"I could cut the tension in here with a knife. Is something going on?"

Jimin opens his mouth to respond but Namjoon is standing up immediately, mumbling a quick "Nothing at all," before he rushes off to his room, the door closing behind him with an air of finality to it.

Taehyung's eyes are wide.

"Okay, what is going on?"

Jimin groans.

Taehyung thinks that Namjoon and Jimin should hook up. Not even just hook up. Taehyung thinks that maybe Namjoon is actually Jimin's soulmate. When he says this though, he quickly retracts it when he remembers that the statement goes against the very bond between him and Jimin.

"Please let it go," Jimin begs after two weeks of endless torture, AKA Taehyung telling Jimin even more details about Namjoon that Jimin wants to scream about. "I'm not into dating anymore, Tae. You know why."

Taehyung feels torn between wanting to continue his horrible schemes and respecting Jimin's decision. He's a good person though. He respects Jimin's decision and even gives him a tight hug.

"I'm sorry everything shitty keeps happening to you, Jiminie," he says softly and Jimin suddenly feels very fragile. "I know good things are coming. The universe has to balance itself out somehow, right?"

"I don't know, Tae," Jimin says. "I might still have to go through a lot of horrible stuff for that to happen. I don't know. Maybe I'm just not someone people want to date."

The words sound extremely sad but Jimin knows that Taehyung knows what he actually means. He actually means that maybe love simply isn't in the cards the universe has dealt him. Maybe Jimin will be alone forever. Jimin has his friends and family though. That's all Jimin even needs.

Taehyung hugs him even tighter and they order food in and Jimin feels like he's a kid again with how much fun they have. He feels like he's not walking on a tightrope.

He just feels like Jimin.

The thing about Kim Namjoon is that the more Jimin gets to know him, the more Jimin likes him. There's also the horrible realization that the more Namjoon gets to know Jimin, the more confident he gets about everything.

Jimin is trying his best. He really is. He even made a list of reasons why he's never going to date someone again. He even showed it to Taehyung. He even let himself be ignored by Taehyung.

Jimin refuses to date. He refuses to. There's nothing else to it. He lets the world around him continue to exist.

Namjoon is just so cute though. His mannerisms, the way he speaks about the world, the way he laughs, and all that combined with how sexy the man is in general makes it very hard for Jimin to stick to his list. When Jimin complains to Seokjin over lunch one day, Seokjin only expresses his disappointment in the form of making unsolicited jokes Jimin definitely did not ask for.

"I'm being serious, hyung. He's a walking disaster for me. I feel like if I asked him out and he said yes—"

"Of course he'd say yes."

"—then we'd start to date and I'd like him even more and then bam! He cheats on me and leaves me and tells me that the reason he cheated was because I was too clingy and annoying."

"I still can't believe Hanjae said that to you. I'm honestly going to kill him if he ever shows his face around me."

"Never mind about Hanjae. What about my future heartbreak over Kim Namjoon? What then?"

Seokjin sighs. "You haven't started dating him though, Jimin. You have no idea what it'd be like. You've only known him now for, what, a month?"

Jimin pouts. "Five weeks."

"Not even a month and a half. And it’s not like you're Taehyung and see him every day. Jimin, if you want to date Namjoon, ask him out. Go for it. Obviously, you're hurt right now. And you have as much time as you need to continue to be hurt, but Namjoon won't be single forever. If it's not you, it'll be someone else."

"I wouldn't really say I'm hurt."

Seokjin fixes him with a pointed look. Jimin bites his cheek.

"It doesn't matter anyway. If Namjoon starts dating someone else, I mean. It doesn't matter. I'm never dating again."

"Okay, we definitely did not come to this same conclusion. I was thinking you'd take a year off at the most from dating. You're really planning to ride this through?" He snorts. "Okay, yeah, sure."

Jimin pouts. "Well, I didn't tell you my full plan because I knew you'd react like this!"

"I'm not reacting like anything."

"Hyung, what should I do?"

"I already told you what I think. Ask him out."

Jimin groans, putting his head on the table and wanting to scream. He manages a peek at Seokjin who's only looking at him, completely unimpressed.

"Anything but that. What should I do that doesn't mean I date again and have my heart broken into a million pieces?"

Seokjin heaves a sigh. "Ignore him then. Just be his friend. Keep doing what you're doing. I don't know what you want me to say, Jimin."

Jimin lifts his head. "That sounds wonderful, thank you, hyung."

Seokjin rolls his eyes. "Don't let me keep you."

"I would never," Jimin smiles.

Sometimes, Jimin likes to get out just to get out.

He hasn't let himself just enjoy the world around him in a long time. Jimin didn't used to be one to just sit around and enjoy nature, but he took up the very rare hobby two ex-boyfriends ago. His favorite park is the one by Taehyung's place, obviously, as it used to be the one near his place when he still lived with Taehyung.

And sitting there on the bench, watching kids play and parents laugh to each other, Jimin thinks.

Jimin isn't big on thinking or introspection. It makes him feel a bit too sad, much sadder than he'd like to be, and Jimin doesn't enjoy being sad. He likes feeling okay. He likes being happy.

Sometimes though, only sometimes, Jimin thinks he needs to let himself be sad.

This park in particular has always been an escape for him.

And now Kim Namjoon is walking toward him with a surprised expression that Jimin, despite himself, thinks is absolutely endearing. His heart picks up. Jimin pretends it doesn't.

"Jimin, what are you doing here?" Namjoon sounds actually happy to see him but Jimin can't read his expression anymore. Jimin doesn't have it in him to be On Guard.

"I'm de-stressing. Watching nature and people."

Namjoon continues to study him with an unreadable expression. He motions to the open spot next to him.

"Can I sit down with you?"

Jimin nods. "Sure, hyung."

Namjoon does and immediately stretches back, his shoes digging into the soft dirt beneath them and Jimin can't look away. Namjoon really does have long legs. Jimin blushes.

"So, you like to people-watch?"

Jimin pulls his eyes off of Namjoon's shoes and shrugs. "Not realllyyyy," he whines, moving his head back even more and grinning at the sky. It's bright. Sometimes Jimin doesn't feel like a real person. He squints. But he is. "I don't like to get too much into my own head. I always find that I don't really like myself very much when I do." He looks back down, glancing quickly at Namjoon to see if he reacted at all, but Namjoon just seems to be contemplating his words.

The thing about Kim Namjoon is that the more Jimin gets to know him, the more Jimin likes him.

"That's so funny," Namjoon eventually says, the tone of his voice making Jimin think that the words are very carefully selected. "I feel like I'm the opposite. Almost like I have to think hard about everything in my life to make sure I'm making the right choice. I feel like I'm always in my head. Always analyzing myself."

"Sounds really tiring," Jimin says softly. Because it does.

Namjoon lets out a weak laugh. "It is." He catches Jimin's gaze. "But it's okay. I'm better about it now, especially as I get older. But… what you're doing is good. Letting yourself take yourself out like this, enjoy nature, people-watch… it's good."

Jimin smiles. "Thanks for the compliment."

"It wasn't a compliment."

"Wow, Joonie-hyung. I'm really offended then."

Namjoon tilts his head. He looks shy. "'Joonie-hyung?'"

Jimin blushes, finally looking away. He watches a little boy convince a little girl to go down the slide with him. She laughs and pushes him first, quickly following behind as the boy shouts in indignation. Jimin smiles.

"That okay?" he finally asks.

He doesn't have to look at Namjoon to know what his expression is. Namjoon is very easy to read and very hard to read. Depends on what's going on. Jimin wants to know more about him.

"It's good."

"Good," smiles Jimin.

The little boy and girl chase each other until another couple of children join in. They're laughing loudly and the parents in the background are getting a kick out of the sight as well.

"Good," repeats Namjoon, softly.

Jimin feels like he's falling.

Another month passes and Jimin feels more like he's re-establishing himself as a person comfortable in his own skin. He goes out to a nearby club one day and doesn't feel like shit when he leaves just as alone as he was when he entered. He works hard at his job. He's being considered for a promotion and a raise which Jimin isn't desperate for but definitely won't turn down. Jimin knows his job isn't permanent, just another step closer to something better, so he doesn’t feel the need to constantly be at his best. He's still one of the company's hardest workers.

Taehyung invites him over for dinner that Friday which Jimin accepts by default, thinking it'll just be Taehyung and Jimin and maybe, if he feels up to it, Namjoon.

Over a facetime call, Taehyung shyly admits to him that Yoongi is coming over as well, ducking his head when he does, and Jimin suddenly sees the dinner for what it is.

A date.

"Are you sure you want me there?"

"Yes," Taehyung whines. "You and Namjoon will be there to support me. As emotional support."

"It just seems kind of str—"

"You're coming."

So. Jimin was coming.

When Jimin arrives, Yoongi is already there, helping Taehyung make dinner. Jimin has only met Yoongi a few times before, but Jimin knew about Taehyung's huge crush on him even before Taehyung himself did. Jimin just didn't know that Yoongi had a crush on him too. But seeing them interact….

"They're disgusting, right?"

Startled by Namjoon's deep-ass voice crooning into his ear, Jimin jumps. It makes Namjoon laugh.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."

Jimin looks at him. Namjoon looks handsome. He always looks handsome, he thinks miserably.

"It's okay," Jimin finally says. He glances back at Yoongi and Taehyung. "And yes, I agree. They are gross and I hate them." Yoongi treats Taehyung like something precious and it's obvious, so obvious, and Jimin is so happy for Taehyung that Jimin knows if he thinks about it too much, he might start crying.

"You don't hate them."

"No, but I hate you."

Namjoon snorts. He's still close to Jimin, chin all but perched on Jimin's shoulder and it's a very weird and Not Platonic position to be in and it's that stupid confidence thing that Namjoon sometimes decides is his superpower and basically, Jimin thinks he's going to die tonight.

"You don't hate me either."

"I literally do. Your breath smells."

Namjoon pulls back immediately, checking his breath with red-tinted cheeks, and Jimin rolls his eyes and laughs at him before he bounds off to bother Taehyung and do everything possible to ignore the part of him that desperately, desperately wants this night to be a double date.

Namjoon has introduced Platonic Bike Rides into their routine. At least, Jimin has to look at them as Platonic so he doesn't lose his sanity altogether.

The bike rides are fun and random. Sometimes, they bike together in the mornings (which Jimin prefers) and sometimes, it's later on in the day, closer to evening. Sometimes, Namjoon bikes alongside him, talking to him about his day, asking Jimin about his, and Jimin has to catch his breath more than once, not always because he's tired from the biking. Sometimes, Namjoon doesn't really talk to him at all and they have fun biking around each other, their laughter dancing in the fresh air, and Jimin likes those times just as much as the ones where they do talk.

Biking with Namjoon is good and even though Jimin knows it's platonic, knows that friends can do this all the time, Jimin can't help but think that maybe Namjoon is interested in something more.

The routine quickly becomes an every-day routine. So, every day, Jimin either begins his day or ends his day biking with Namjoon. And every day, it becomes less and less platonic and more and more—

Namjoon asks him out on an evening two months after knowing each other. He asks the question with a nervous smile decorating his face and Jimin shouldn't be shocked, he really shouldn't be, all the signs were there, but he is.

"Oh," he says. It’s not a good sign and Namjoon's smile drops, just a bit, and it makes Jimin feel immediately guilty. He has to look somewhere else, watches as the sun goes down, and he swallows. "I'm sorry, Namjoon. I just… I'm not looking to date someone right now."

"Because of everything that's happened?"

Jimin nods. He still can't look at Namjoon.

"Oh," Namjoon finally does say, after a minute of silence. "That's okay, Jimin." Jimin finally looks back at him. Namjoon's whole body seems deflated. He's still smiling though. "I understand, Jimin. Of course. I'm sorry if this made you feel uncomfortable. Sorry that… you were probably just looking for another friend and now I made it all weird. I'm sorry."

Jimin didn't expect him to say that and he doesn't know what to say. He doesn't know how to say that he likes Namjoon too. Because… Jimin does. Jimin likes everything about Namjoon. He doesn't know how to say that though.

Besides. It doesn't matter anyway. Jimin still doesn't want to date him.

"It's okay, Joonie," Jimin mumbles. "It’s not your fault. I'm sorry. It's not awkward."

Namjoon just nods and after a few seconds, laughs. "It is a bit, but it's okay. I'll move on, Jimin. No worries, okay?"

Jimin only nods helplessly, I don't want you to move on I don't want you to move on I don't want you to move on I don't want you to move on running through his head on repeat, reminding Jimin of just how selfish he actually is.

He says nothing.

After that, it is a bit awkward, but not overly so. They're still good. Still normal. Still go on their Now Established As Platonic bike dates and it's good.

And Jimin can't stop thinking about it.

He feels like he messed up. Like he missed out. Like he gave up before even trying. Like he's making the wrong choice. Jimin feels this in every part of his body, stuck between his bones and deep in his heart. He messed it up.

Jimin made a promise to himself. He made a promise to himself that he'd stay away from dating. And a part of him thinks that if a relationship with Namjoon is what is meant to be then it'd all work out in the end, even if it happened later than sooner.

Except that's not how it works out. Namjoon told him directly that he'd move on, that it was okay, and Jimin doesn't want to lose that. He doesn't want to lose that before he even got to have it.

Jimin fucked up.

"Tae?"

"Hmm?"

"Am I a bad person for wanting to date Namjoon?"

Taehyung looks up from his phone and Jimin doesn't say anything else.

"What?"

"You know what I said."

Taehyung nods slowly. "I know what you said." He shuffles. "It's just that Namjoon told me that you rejected him. A week ago. When he asked you out on one of your bike dates."

"They aren't dates."

"Okay. Anyway. You turned him down."

"Yes."

Taehyung studies him for a long time. Jimin doesn't know what he sees. "I think you should. But only if you really want to, obviously."

"Oh."

"Did you think I'd say you were a bad person for wanting to?"

"I don't know," Jimin shrugs. "I kind of feel like it. I don't know. I… I just don't want to miss out on him because I made the choice of not dating." Taehyung nods. Jimin continues. "But I'm scared. I'm scared it'll end the same way all the other ones did. It feels like it could but at the same time, Namjoon doesn’t seem like he'd ever do that to me."

"He wouldn't."

"How do you know?"

Taehyung sighs. "He's a good person, Jimin. One of the best I've ever met. I haven't told you everything I think about him because I wanted you to discover it for yourself. But he's, like, the best person ever besides you. So, naturally, if you're the best and he's the second-best, the two of you are probably a match made in heaven."

It makes Jimin smile.

"He's really fucking sexy."

Taehyung laughs. "Yes, he's really fucking sexy. Not as sexy as Yoongi but I agree."

Jimin rolls his eyes. "Yoongi's alright. Namjoon is hot."

"And?"

Jimin pouts, sliding his body down the couch. "He's good. He makes me feel happy. Happier than I've felt in a long time."

"So go for it."

Jimin lets out a loud sigh. "But what if he ends up breaking my heart?"

"That's a risk with any relationship, Jiminie. Besides, if it happens again then I'll kick him out and you can live with me again. And you're strong, Jimin. You always get through it. But don't try and say it'll happen before it does."

Jimin pouts. He hates talking so much about feelings. He hates it because—

Taehyung leans over and hugs him when he starts crying. Jimin hates crying. So dumb. He should just move on. Taehyung hugs him tighter.

"You seem like you already know what you want," Taehyung mumbles, voice also near-tears, which makes Jimin's crying worse obviously. How rude. What a terrible friend.

Finally, "Yeah," Jimin replies, "I do."

"Sooooo," Jimin starts it off. Namjoon raises an eyebrow from across the table. They're out eating dinner together, as they often do, and Jimin plans on asking Namjoon out tonight or, well, asking if it's okay if they proclaim tonight as a date rather than a Platonic Outing Between Two Friends.

"Soooooo?" repeats Namjoon.

Jimin blushes. Just say it. "So."

Namjoon seems bemused. "Okay, obviously, you're being really weird for a reason. What if I just ignore you? Will that help you get it out?"

"I hate you."

"Hmm, did you say something?"

Just say it.

"It's hard to say."

Namjoon tilts his head. "Whatever it is, it's okay. I won't judge you."

Jimin rolls his eyes. "I know you won't judge me."

"Then why is it hard to say?"

"Just is. I'm afraid, I guess."

"With me?"

"No."

"So?"

"Your logic is really fucking annoying sometimes. Anyway, would you want tonight to be… a date?"

Namjoon goes quiet. Very very eerily quiet. But he's smiling and that makes it all worth it. "Oh," he finally says. "Yes. That would be really nice."

"I like you a lot, Namjoon."

Namjoon seems even more flushed now. But the happy kind of flushed. The kind of flushed that Jimin likes to see on Namjoon because it shows the pretty within him too.

"I like you too, Jimin. A lot. You're really great."

"That wasn't hard to say at all in the end. Damn."

"I mean, you knew I liked you already."

"Yeah, but it seemed like I fucked it up."

"Jimin, how could you have fucked that up? It's only been over a week since I confessed and you turned me down for a good reason. I respect whatever decision you make, Jimin. If you still feel you need more time for yourself after this then that's cool too. I'm just lucky to have you in my life."

The thing about Kim Namjoon is that the more Jimin gets to know him, the more Jimin likes him.

"Thank you, Namjoon. I was just afraid of you breaking my heart but honestly, that's okay. I don't want to miss out on you."

Namjoon smiles wide, eyes happy and bright, and Jimin feels himself falling so into him, so deep into them, and he doesn't want to pull himself out, "On Guard" be absolutely damned.

"Then, thank you for taking a chance on me, Jimin."

Jimin smiles, cheeks red and heart happy. It's a good night and a good date, and Jimin gives into hope and thinks that this time, he won't have his heart broken.

This time, it'll work out.

(And he's right.

It does.)