Work Text:
It was mid-December. Christmas was slowly starting to come closer. Most of town was decorated in pretty Christmas decor and lights, along with a thin layer of crisp, white snow. Christmas rush was starting to take over. People were trying to secure the final presents from their loved ones’ wishlist, getting Christmas trees and Christmas treats.
However, mid-December also meant that the semester was coming to an end and with that followed exams. That is why most students were missing from the Christmas rush in town as the were occupying coffee shops and libraries to study for the big exams coming up or to write on their exam papers.
Yoongi, himself, spend most of his December month in the library. To study, yes, but also to work as he worked the closing shift at his university’s library four days a week to earn a bit of extra cash. He was just lucky that nothing much happened during the closing shift, so he could sit at the front desk and study while drinking a cup of cheap, black coffee.
Today was no different. Yoongi was sitting behind the front desk with his books laid out in front of him with an empty coffee cup by his side as he was studying for an upcoming language exam he would be having the next Monday. The exam was taking place early in the morning of the 23rd, so he had just enough time to get home for Christmas. Not that Christmas was big in his family, but he would rather spend it with his family than being alone.
The library was quiet as it was expected to be in a library, but it was also almost empty as it currently was seven-thirty in the evening and there was only thirty until the library closed.
Aside from Yoongi, there were only one other person using the library. Yoongi recognized him easily. The guy had been spending his evenings in the library every evening for as long as Yoongi remembered, only leaving when Yoongi told him that they were closing for the night.
The guy was a beauty and was always catching everyone’s attention, but he didn’t seem to be interested in anyone. Yoongi had often witnessed as some guy or girl had offered the guy a coffee or a date, only for them to be rejected with a kind smile. Yoongi was amazed by how the guy always managed to show appreciation of the date offer or the confession so that the other part wouldn’t get their feelings hurt when being turned down. Yoongi couldn’t help but wonder if the guy already had someone in his heart or his he simply was too busy with his studies to even consider dating.
Yoongi removed his gaze from the guy and let it fall back to his textbook, letting out a small sigh as it landed on the stupid passage with technical terms he was having difficulties understanding. He would need more coffee in order to continue reading this nonsense.
He grabbed his mug and headed off to the coffee machine that was at the opposite end of the library. He hated how far it was from the front desk, but it was located right next to the study area so he supposed it made sense. Students would protest if there wasn’t a quick and easy way to get coffee while studying.
As he walked toward to coffee machine by the study area, he noticed how the pretty guy lifted his gaze from his textbook only to let it fall on Yoongi. Yoongi couldn’t help but feel his cheeks grow hot under the pretty guy’s gaze. Just a normal reaction from being watched by someone that attractive.
Yoongi knew why the pretty guy’s attention was on him, though. He probably thought that he was coming to let him know that they were closing for the night. That wasn’t the case. He was just getting himself some coffee, so he held up his mug to let the pretty guy know that he was just coming for a coffee refill and not kicking him out just yet.
As soon as the pretty boy had understood his gesture he converted his gaze back to his textbook, not letting Yoongi’s presence distract him any further. Neither of them felt the need for small talk. They had gotten used to each other’s presence from spending so many evenings silently together.
With the hit of a button, Yoongi started filling up his mug with that cheap, crappy coffee the library provided. It might taste like roasted bean water, but coffee was coffee and he got it for free since he worked there, so he really couldn’t be complaining.
As he waited for the machine to fill up his coffee mug, his eyes fell onto the paper cups there was sitting next to the coffee machine along with tea leaves and anything else one would need by a coffee machine. He looked over at the pretty guy studying, contemplating for a second before he took one of the paper cups and filled it up with coffee as well.
On his way back to the front desk, he dropped off the paper cup of coffee by the pretty guy without a word. He just wanted to do a nice gesture and it was Christmas after all. Wasn’t Christmas all about giving and sharing anyways?
The clock quickly ticked by and before Yoongi even managed to read the rest of the chapter, thirty minutes had passed and it was time for him to lock up the library. He stretched his body before he got up from his not-that-comfortable chair. He looked over at the pretty guy who was still deep into his studies and probably haven’t even noticed that it was a few minutes to eight.
Guess it was time for their almost daily conversation.
Yoongi walked closer to the study area, just enough for the guy to be able to hear his voice without him having to yell. “We are closing for the night.”
As always the guy didn’t reply, he just closed his textbook and started packing up his stuff, letting Yoongi know that his message had been heard. Yoongi watched as the guy emptied the cup of coffee. It was nice to know that the coffee had been appreciated.
Once that box was ticked off, Yoongi went on his usual route to check if everything was as it should be and that everything would be ready for the person who had the morning shift. Not that the morning shift ever complained if he had overlooked anything. He had heard the student worker who opened the library was too shy to ever complain.
As a final action, Yoongi packed his bag and put on his thick winter jacket. He fished the keys out from his pocket and headed towards the door.
However, he stopped in his tracks once he realized that the pretty guy was standing by the door. Why hadn’t he gone home yet?
“What are you still doing here?” Yoongi asked confused, walking closer to the door. He just wanted to go home and have a quick meal of ramyun, a shower and then go straight to bed. “Don’t tell me you were waiting for me. I didn’t give you the coffee to ask you out.”
“There’s snow blocking the door.” the pretty guy simply said.
“Oh.” Yoongi could feel his cheeks heat up from embarrassment. Well, that was awkward. “So I guess we are snowed in?”
“Looks like it.”
How great. He was being forced to work overtime and he wouldn’t even get paid for it. On top of that he was snowed in at the library with a person he just had embarrassed himself in front of. He must really have pissed off Lady Luck.
“What are we going to do?” Yoongi asked, walking to the front door to check if the snow was actually that bad. It was. The snow was taller than he was. There were no way they were getting out without having someone to free them from the outside.
“We’ll just have to wait it out, I guess.” Pretty Guy said with a small shrug, before going back to the study area. Was he really just going to study until they could get out? Unbelievable.
Yoongi followed Pretty Guy and watched as he started unpacking his textbooks again. “So you’re just giving up then? Going the spend the night in the library?”
Pretty Guy paused in his actions to let out a sigh, an eyebrow twitching in annoyance. “What do you want me to do? Fight the weather?”
“Yes.”
This only earned him a roll of the eyes.
“I’ll get us out.” Yoongi insisted, refusing to give up. He was going home.
“You go ahead.” Pretty Guy said already absorbed in his textbook.
Yoongi walked back to the front door and starred in annoyance at the pile of snow blocking his way out. Maybe if he stared at it hard enough it would melt. He was in no such luck. With a sigh, Yoongi pulled out his phone and decided to call his roommate to ask him for help.
“Yoon, what’s up?” Hoseok’s voice loudly barged through the speakers, but it didn’t startle Yoongi. He was used to the loudness of his roommate.
“Hey Hobba, I’m snowed in at the library.” Yoongi started, letting a whine slip into his voice in hope that it would help getting Hoseok to agree to the favor he was going to ask of him. “Is it possible for you to bring a shovel and get me out?”
“I’m sorry, Yoon. But I’m snowed in as well. Most of the city is.” Hoseok said, genuinely sounding apologetic. Like he wanted to help Yoongi, but he just couldn’t since he was snowed in himself.
Just great. That mean Yoongi was stuck at the library at least until the morning.
“Oh, well, I won’t be able to make it home then, can you make your own dinner?” Yoongi asked, not wanting Hoseok to starve. It was usually Yoongi who did all the cooking since Hoseok only seemed to be able to make toast with unimaginable topping combinations that somehow seemed to work.
“Of course. I’m not a child.” Hoseok said in a teasing voice before worry slipped into it, “Are you alone?”
“No. No, I’m with someone.” Yoongi decided to said, so that his roommate wouldn’t be too worried about him. He was with someone, yes, but that guy was only interested in his textbook.
“Who?”
“That guy who always stays late.” Hoseok would know who he was talking about since Yoongi accidentally talked about the guy quite often.
“Well, at least you aren’t alone.” Hoseok said in relief, “Call me if anything happens, okay?”
“I will.” Yoongi answered in a sigh, still unable to wrap his head around the fact the he was going to spend the night at the library instead of in his warm and comfortable bed.
“Take care, okay? I love you.”
“I love you too.” Yoongi said before hanging up.
Well, it seemed like there wasn’t anything he could do. Even if he managed to get out, he wouldn’t even be able to get into his own dormitory. He would just have to wait this one out.
In defeat, he walked back to the study area to join Pretty Guy in waiting it out, though there was no way he would do anymore studying. He needed a break from studying, from life.
“You how did that go? Are we free now?” Pretty Guy asked sarcastically.
“Shut up.” Yoongi huffed and plopped down in the seat opposite of Pretty Guy, crossing his arms. He could feel Pretty Guy’s intense gaze on him as he did so. “What?”
“We got the whole library to ourselves.” Pretty Guy said, pulling his math book closer to himself as if to hide it from Yoongi. So he was a science major. The complete opposite of Yoongi who was in Liberal Arts.
“And?” Yoongi asked, raising an eyebrow to get the other to get to the point.
“And! You decide to sit right in front of me!” Letting a whine of annoyance enter his voice as a pout appeared on his lips.
“Is that a problem?” Yoongi asked pushing his chin a bit out as if to dare the other to tell him off when he was the one who worked here and therefore the one being in charge.
Pretty Guy looked like he was about to argue but he didn’t instead he just rolled his eyes at Yoongi for the second time. “Whatever. Just try not to breathe too loudly.”
“You want me to die?” Yoongi asked sarcasm heavy in his voice.
“That will work as well.” Pretty Guy said before turning his full attention back to his math book.
Yoongi let out a snort. This guy.
Yoongi pulled out his phone and decided to distract himself by playing some app game. Maybe he should try to beat his own high score.
However, the game wasn’t doing much to distract Yoongi as he constantly found his gaze being directed back to the pretty guy who was sitting right in front of him. How could someone look so beautiful while studying math? Yoongi was sure that he had looked like someone dying or in major pain when he had studied math back in high school. His hair being a ball of mess as he had taken his frustrations out on it. The only sign of frustration on Pretty Guy was the small pout or frown that appeared whenever he faced a difficult problem. And if anything, it was just cute. Life really wasn’t fair.
How long had he been staring at Pretty Guy now? Yoongi had no idea, but it had been for long enough for Pretty Guy to lift his gaze from the textbook to meet his. He must have noticed that Yoongi had been staring.
“Why are you staring?” Pretty Guy asked and Yoongi was sure that he could see a cute blush appear on the full cheeks.
“Do you want coffee?” Yoongi asked, not knowing how to reply to being caught in staring, “You’re going to run low on energy if you study all night.”
“Uhm,” Pretty Guy looked surprised by his offer, but a soft smile appeared on his lips and he looked a bit shy. “I’d like that, thanks.”
The chair complained with a creaking sound when Yoongi stood from it, walking over to the coffee machine. He grabbed two paper cups and started filling them up with the cheap-ass coffee. It might taste disgusting, but if they were going to spend the night here they would need a lot of energy and caffeine, right?
Once both cups were filled, Yoongi walked back to Pretty Guy and put the cup in front of him, before taking his seat.
Pretty guy muttered a small 'thank you' and his hands immediately wrapped themselves around the cup to keep warm. Yoongi couldn't help but notice how small and cute the hands were.
“What is your name, by the way?” Yoongi asked curiously, not that he minded calling him ‘Pretty Guy’, but if they were going to spend the night together, wouldn't it be better to know his name? Maybe it was just an excuse to see if the name would be as pretty as the rest of him, “I’m Yoongi.”
“Jimin.”
A beautiful name to a beautiful person.
“Why do you come here to study everyday?” Yoongi asked curiously, hoping that he wouldn't come off as rude. He was just genuinely curious as to why Jimin would spend every single hour in the library rather than have fun with friends or a potential lover.
“I want to pass the exams as fast as possible. I came to uni to study, so that’s what I’m going to do; Study.” Jimin answered, letting his gaze fall back to the textbook, his eyes already running across the page as soon as it made contact with it.
Yoongi could suddenly feel his chest tighten. Just a bit. “Nothing else?”
“Nothing else.” Jimin agreed, his attention mainly focusing on his textbook now. It was obvious that he wanted the conversation to end so that he could continuing his studying. “Anything there isn’t studying is only a distraction and a waste of time.”
“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” Yoongi said, hoping that it would change the other’s mind as he really didn’t believe that a life where the only thing you do is study could be healthy or joyful.
“Let’s just agree to disagree on that.” Jimin said, ending the conversation.
Yoongi didn’t know what else to say, so he simply let the conversation die and focused on his cup of coffee instead. Sneaking glanced at the pretty Jimin sitting in front of him every now and then. Okay, most of the time.
However, staring at another person’s beauty only killed time for so long and Yoongi was starting to get bored. It was close to ten, so they had already been killing two hours since they had discovered that they had snowed in together.
Deciding that he did want to spend anymore time watching pretty Jimin study, he stood from his chair and looked around the library, getting an idea of how to entertain himself. “I’m gonna go explore.”
This caught Jimin’s attention and for the first time in an hour he looked up from his textbook, “Explore?”
“Yeah?” What was so weird about that?
“What is there to explore?” Jimin asked, his attention now fully on Yoongi for the first time. He looked at Yoongi like he was absurd, “It’s a library, you’ll only find books.”
“Exactly.” Yoongi answered, not understanding Jimin’s scheptism. With the amount of time Jimin spend with his nose buried deep in the books he must know the wonders they could create, no? “And inside each of those books is a world unlike another, so there’s plenty to explore.”
And with that Yoongi left to search the library for books whose world he wanted to explore.
Yoongi strolled around the library collecting all kinds of books; classics he had never gotten around to read, new ones that had been on his to-read list, old ones he wanted to re-explore. Within just ten minutes, Yoongi had already collected more books than he could carry, so he waddled off to find a corner of the library where he could bury himself in those books. He could always go find more later.
As the time passed on, the pile of books only grew bigger and soon Yoongi had built a small fort of books around himself. Worlds had been explored, while others were eagerly waiting to be explored.
While Yoongi was deeply into the world of Pride and Prejudice the sound of soft footsteps coming closer pulled him back into reality. He looked up from his book and peaked over his small book fort to see Jimin walking towards him with a curious expression on his face.
“How is the exploring going?” Jimin asked curiously in a gentle voice once he reached the book fort. He didn’t step into. He hadn’t gotten an invitation yet and anything else would be impolite. They were more or less strangers after all.
“As you can see, I have explored a lot.” Yoongi answered, oftering Jimin a soft smile. It warmed his heart that Jimin had let his curiosity get the better of him, leaving his textbook behind to see what Yoongi was up to. “Why don’t you come join me? Explore a universe of worlds with me.”
Jimin seemed hesitate for a bit. He looked over his shoulder in the direction of the study area and his textbook as he considered Yoongi’s offer while biting his lower lip. Once his gaze feel back onto Yoongi, a smile broke free on his face. “Alright.”
As Jimin climbed over the book fort, Yoongi moved over so that there was space for the both of them in the small book fort. However, they would be sitting close. Not that it was a problem as they would have to be sitting close to share the same book anyways. A warmth started growing in Yoongi’s body once Jimin sat down next to him, leaning closer into Yoongi’s personal space in order to be able to read as well. As Jimin leaned closer, Yoongi couldn’t help but notice that Jimin’s scent was gentle and sweet, like a warm vanilla.
A comfortable silence came upon them; both of them being sucked into the book’s world as they read. Or Jimin was. Yoongi on the other hand found himself being distracted by the beautiful and sweet-scented boy sitting right next to him once again. He could feel his heart being faster just by Jimin’s close presence alone. All his senses were being overworked as he tried to discover Jimin through each sense he could while being subtle. There was the sweet, gentle smell which made Yoongi’s heart full and warm and there was the sound of Jimin’s calm and steady breath which made Yoongi’s heart flutter with each breath. It had already been established that Jimin was a treat to the sight. Now Yoongi couldn’t help but wonder how it would be like to discover Jimin through touch and through taste.
He got to experience touch sooner than he had expected. One book had been closed and another had been opened, when Jimin leaned over to rest his head on Yoongi’s shoulder, still reading the book as he was completely sucked into the world in contained. Jimin’s touch was soft and gentle, like Yoongi had expected. It was the complete opposite from the effect it had on Yoongi’s heart, which had jumped by the touch and it was beating so fast that Yoongi feared that it would run out of his chest. Yoongi knew why his heart was acting like this, he wasn’t a fool. He was falling in love. There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment. And apparently, sharing a book with a stranger while being snowed in at a library was that moment for Yoongi.
“This is nice.” Jimin then spoke, catching Yoongi by surprise. He had been too focused on his chaotic heart that he hadn’t even noticed that Jimin had stopped reading. “Hanging out with someone.” Jimin explained, “I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve done that. Maybe middle school?”
“So you never hang out with friends?” Yoongi asked, unable to hide the way his heart clenched in his voice. The only thing Jimin had done since middle school was studying?
“I don’t have any friends.” Jimin shrugged it off like it was nothing, but Yoongi caught on to the sad sigh that fell from his lips.
Yoongi was sad to hear that Jimin hadn’t had any friends since middle school. He didn’t understand how Jimin could be friendless when he was so gentle and kind. Even when he rejected date offers it was done so nicely.
“Why don’t you try making some then?” Yoongi asked, wanting to encourage the other. It was never too late to start making friends. All he had to do was open up to the idea, rather than hide in his textbooks.
“I would, but…” Jimin trailed off, lifting his head from Yoongi’s shoulder, and Yoongi saw the sadness in his eyes, “I don’t know how to make people like me.”
Yoongi offered him a gentle smile in hope that it would cheer the other up. Just the slightest. “Be yourself and people will like you.”
“How can you be so sure?” Jimin asked, sounding a bit sceptical like he didn’t believe what Yoongi was telling him.
Yoongi caught Jimin’s gaze and held it, “Because I already like you.” The words fell easily from his lips. Light as a feather. The words were filled with nothing but pure honesty. He did like Jimin. He liked Jimin a lot.
Yoongi could hear how Jimin’s breathing got caught in his throat as his eyes widened slightly from hearing Yoongi’s words. The small gasp was shortly followed by Jimin’s cheeks turn an adorable, dusty pink.
“Honestly there’s a reason I came to the Liberal Arts department’s library instead of the Science department’s.” Jimin spoke, a shy look washing over his face as he started tugging at the sleeves of his baby blue sweater. His gaze falling down to his hands.
“What reason?” Yoongi asked, wanting to know. He could feel his heart pick up its pace. Just a bit. He easily remembered the first day Jimin had showed up at the library. It had been two years ago. Back the Jimin had walked straight to the front desk where Yoongi had been sitting and with a pretty smile on his lips, Jimin had asked him where he could find the study area. Even then, Jimin had been catching Yoongi’s attention.
“You.” Jimin lifted his gaze to meet Yoongi’s once again, his cheeks looked cutely flushed and Yoongi was sure that his own cheeks matched in the color. “I’ve felt drawn to you ever since I first laid my eyes on you. I like you, too, Yoongi.”
Yoongi could feel fireworks starting to explode inside his chest as his cheeks started to burn. He felt overwhelmed. He suddenly felt shy and he didn’t know what to do with himself. He hadn’t actually considered that Jimin would return his feelings. What did you do when someone returned your feelings? Yoongi couldn’t remember. His mind had completely gone blank. Instead of answering Jimin’s confession, he reached out to his comfort zone. Books. He grabbed the first book his fingertips touched and opened it on a random page. He read the first sentences his gaze fell on: “There is nothing sweeter in this sad world than the sound of someone you love calling your name.”
As soon as he read the sentence out loud, he could feel himself flush up even more if that was possible. Of all the books he could have picked up, he had picked up The Tale Of Despereaux and he had to read that exact sentence.
Jimin gently took the book out of Yoongi’s hands, closed it and put it aside. The whole time his eyes were on Yoongi and Yoongi only. A cute blush was very presents of his pretty cheeks. He placed his hand on top of Yoongi’s and leaned closer into Yoongi’s personal space, making Yoongi’s heart flutter and dance.
“Then call my name.” Jimin breathed in a whisper, their faces so close that Yoongi could feel Jimin’s hot breath tickle his lips. “Please.”
Yoongi let his gaze fall to Jimin’s plump, pink lips, licking his own as he wanted to taste them so badly. Then he lifted them up to meet Jimin’s warm eyes. Without even hesitating he whispered: “Jimin”.
Jimin’s eyes started to twinkle like a galaxy, before a smile formed on his lips. Without even wasting a second, Jimin leaned closer, closing the small gap between them in a kiss. The taste was a sweet mint and it was a heavenly taste. Neither of them knowing that their very first kiss took place under the mistletoe they didn’t know were hanging above them.
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The buzz of people arriving awoke Jimin and Yoongi from their slumber. After their kiss they had ended up falling asleep all wrapped up in each other’s arms. They looked at each other with shy smiles and rosy cheeks blossoming from the memories of the previous night. Last night had been the beginning of a new chapter in their story.
“I should clean this up.” Yoongi said, meaning the books since they weren’t alone anymore and he knew it was just a question of time before the librarian found them and scolded them for making a mess and for putting books on the floor.
“I should also get my books from the study area.” Jimin said, agreeing that they should wrap things up here. He stood from the floor, stretched his body, then paused. His cheeks wearing a tint of pink. “Do you have a date for Christmas?”
Yoongi shook his head, “I don’t.”
“You do now.” Jimin smiled before rushing off to collect his book, leaving no room for Yoongi to answer the date invitation.
Yoongi found himself with the biggest fond smile on his lips as he watched Jimin skip away happily. Love is longing for the half of ourselves we have lost and maybe Jimin was all he ever had been longing for.