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Jeon Jungkook looks up from behind the bar, where he is currently towel drying a crate of freshly washed shot glasses, his eyes and lips smiling when he sees a familiar, small, cherubic blonde take a seat at the counter. The male cheeses back at him before turning his attention to the bartender, Yoora, giving her his usual order of a simple beer.
Jungkook turns his attention back to his duty, smile still on his face. He’d met the blonde 3 weeks ago and when he had come into the bar that first time, his front and demeanor had been far different from the one right now. The smaller male had been all nervous and shy, looking like a deer ready to bolt at the first sign of eye contact. He’d been dressed almost to the nines in a crisp white button up tucked into black slacks, his hair groomed and impeccably styled.
Jungkook had been manning the bar that hour while his bartender had left for break and he’d smiled and asked the smaller to take a seat and order; he really looked like he needed something to calm his nerves. He’d sat down and at Jungkook’s friendly smile and usual public service of small comments and smiles, the other man had finally loosened a bit and admitted to being nervous because he’d be meeting a blind date tonight. His first date in a year.
Jungkook had whistled and laughed and concurred with him that he can definitely understand the skittish, edgy energy. Jungkook had then denied payment for the beer, telling the man he hopes it’ll fare as a good luck charm for the date.
And then, the date had arrived, a tall bearded man with a serious expression and deep dark eyes and Jungkook had raised a brow to himself as the blond had excused himself and walked off with his blind date. Jungkook remembered watching Jimin squirm through it uncomfortably as the blind date was more of a starer than a talker and after only 45 minutes, Jungkook had emerged out of his office to see both men gone. He’d found himself wondering which option it ended up as: they decided to just go home together and have some hopefully great sex or they each went their separate ways, never to see one another again.
His answer had come in the form of the blond man, again, the next Saturday, as he waltzed back into Jungkook’s bar, this time, more relaxed and confident. He’d lost the stuffy attire and came in dark denim and an untucked button top with the sleeves rolled up, his hair casually styled in a loose fashion. Jungkook had thought he was handsome before, but this relaxed person was a complete beauty.
“Well, hello again.” Jungkook had greeted.
“Hi. Hello.”
Jungkook’s breath had almost choked him as the blonde smiled up at him for the first time, eyes creasing into crescent moons and pink cheeks puffing up cutely. Damn, he is lovely, he’d thought.
Jungkook had cheekily joked if the man was back for another blind date and to his surprise, the man had been hesitatingly honest.
“Uhhmm, yes. This one is set up by another friend. They’re just all tired of seeing me single and I’m a little tired of being a third wheel so I agreed.” He’d replied. “I’m Jimin, by the way. Also, can I get a beer?”
“Hello Jimin. I am Jungkook. And sure thing.” Jungkook had nodded and turned to get his drink. Jimin. Lovely and pretty, just like the man himself.
The next Saturday had been a repeat, Jimin coming in a little earlier than his dates, all pretty and sunny smiles, ordering his beer and chatting up Jungkook before finally marching off to meet his potential boyfriend.
And Jungkook sees Jimin’s disappointments with each man, usually leaving after the blind date, smile not as bright as it had been pre-date.
Tonight is Saturday and Jimin is back. Jungkook can’t help the delight warming his heart whenever he sees the small blond enter his establishment. Looks like he has another blind date tonight, if his nice white top with the top two buttons popped and his smooth black jeans were any indication.
“Hi Jimin. So whose coworker is it tonight?” Jungkook stocks the last glass and scoots over to talk to the other, hoping his smile is small and friendly and not exuberantly happy like how he feels inside.
“Jungkook-ah! Annyeong!”
Jungkook swears Jimin’s smile can light up a dark room.
“Tonight, it is a co-worker of my friend Kim Namjoon. Namjoon is a history professor so I’m already sure you know how this will go.” Jimin makes a face and Jungkook laughs.
“These things have been so terrible. Why do you keep going on them?”
Jimin takes a swig of his beer before answering. “Well…to be honest, even though the realist in me tells me to stop agreeing to these ridiculous blind dates, the romantic in me can’t stop its hoping that one of these guys I keep meeting will just…be the one.”
Jungkook notes Jimin’s wistful look, aware that everyone wishes to not be alone forever. Heck, if he had the time at all…
“But who am I kidding. This isn’t any kind of fairytale and I am not going to just meet someone who is handsome, funny and drama-free just out of the blue, right? Heck, I’ll even take someone who isn’t super handsome, as long as he has a good, steady income to support himself, shower me with attention and can hold interesting conversations!”
Jungkook laughs along with Jimin, a small part within him flaming out. Much as he likes him, this just proves he could never be a candidate for the other.
Jungkook’s life is far from dramatic but the last two years, it’s been hectic and a bit tiring, though Jungkook would not change it for anything.
Two years ago, 4 months after Jungkook’s niece, Jeon Minji was born, his brother and his wife had taken the baby to see his sister-in-law’s grandmother in America. And in America, they’d gotten into a car crash that had left Minji as the sole survivor, strapped securely into her car seat in the back. It had been a miracle that she’d not been harmed or even scratched at all while her parent’s lives had been stolen.
Jungkook had been asked to be her guardian as the grandmother was in a nursing home and other then them, there were no other living relatives. Jungkook had been shocked, mourning the death of his older brother, but he’d known that letting his niece go into adoptive services was no life. He’d taken the baby under his wing as his own and with the help of his best friend, business partner and pseudo-elder brother, Seokjin, they’d somehow fumbled and scrabbled to raise Minji together.
Jungkook is the co-owner of Euphoria, the bar, and he’d switched his shifts to evenings so he’d have the daytime to take care of his child. During this time, Seokjin would have the baby, either at his place or he’d stay over at Jungkook’s guestroom.
Jungkook shakes his head softly. As if he even had the time or energy to date. Jimin is someone who deserves to be showered with attention and love and time. All of which Jungkook has little of currently. Heck, the last fling he’d had was three months ago and he remembers high-tailing it out of the hotel room at 2 am in the morning, unable to even remember the sex, too busy wondering if he had enough milk stocked in the fridge for Minji. Of course, on his rush home, he’d predictably stopped by the corner market and grabbed a container of, just in case.
Somehow feeling a little disheartened now, Jungkook backs off the counter and says a small “have a good evening, Jimin” before disappearing into the backroom to work on the inventory stock he’d been putting off. He misses the longing expression following his back.
--
“Yah. Park Jimin-ah.”
Jimin buries his head further under his pillow allowing only a grunt as a greeting to his best friend’s voice coming from the doorway.
His head throbs, maybe he’d drank a little too much last night but that date had been terrible; only second to the first date, the starer. This one, Yoo Shinyong, had been a droner. He just kept going on and on and on about how great his personal financial situation was and how he could help Jimin if he’d allow him to and Jimin had been ready to stuff his beer bottle down the financial director’s throat by the time their food had arrived.
“Jiminieeeee!”
“Kim Taehyung, shut the fuck up.” Jimin growls out a split second before he feels a whole huge body land atop his in bed. Jimin yelps and elbows his best friend, trying to get his head out from under the pillow before he suffocates.
“Did you see your hot bartender last night?”
A new voice emerges from the doorway and Jimin peers up from his bed hair to see his other friend, Taehyung’s boyfriend Hoseok, aka Hobi, standing there, smiling at them.
“Yes. But he-Taehyung, get the fuck off me, you brat!” Jimin shoves at Tae’s side, but the taller, heavier male only grabs on to him tighter. Jimin turns pleading eyes to Hobi. “Hyung. Please get your boyfriend off of me.”
Hobi grins and plops into bed beside them, reaching out to smack at Taehyung’s khaki slack-covered ass. “Move away from the groggy mochi, love. He’s bad tempered this morning so I take it the date was terrible.” Hobi turns sympathetic eyes onto the disheveled blonde as Taehyung finally relents and sits up.
“Terrible is an understatement. He only wanted to talk about himself and his financial perfection like he was trying to sell his services to me and then he spilled his coke on my knees when he tried to get up to use the restroom. The bartender was seriously the only good memory of the night.”
His two friends coo sympathetically before Tae reaches over and tugs on the comforter around Jimin’s middle.
“You know, Jiminie…” Tae begins, giving a surreptitious look in Hobi’s direction before continuing. “You’ve been saying that the last few dates…that the bartender is the only good thing of the night. Judging by how your eyes light up whenever you lament about him….maybe you should ask him out.”
Hoseok tsks from the side, eyeing his boyfriend. “No, Jimin will not ask him out.”
“Why not? He seems to like him more than all the other dates!” Tae pouts back, eyebrows furrowed together at his boyfriend’s denial.
“Well for one, Jimin has been saying that he’s ready to settle down and a young, handsome player-type guy is not the candidate for that. Plus, he’s just a bartender and even though he works in Seoul’s most successful bar and diner, it’s not a steady income/job.”
“Well then…maybe Jimin just needs to get laid. Use him for a booty-call!”
Jimin rolls his eyes and throws off his blanket, standing up and bracing his hands onto his hips. “I need to brush my teeth and shower. So if you two are done talking about my love life like I’m not even present, please get out of my room. Heck, out of my apartment.”
“Not just yours. Namjoon’s too. And since Joon is my brother, what’s his is mine as well!” Taehyung flashes a grin and Jimin gives up, leaving the two and slamming the bathroom door shut.
As he turns on his spigot and lets the water run and warm up, his mind wanders back to what Tae had said. Jimin has to admit, he really likes the bartender. With his easy smile, humorous conversations and dark sparkly eyes, he’d made Jimin feel more at ease each time before his dates. And if Jimin was honest with himself, he’d found his gaze constantly darting back to Jungkook more and more with every date.
And if he was even more honest, Jimin had looked forward to seeing and conversing with Jungkook, however brief, more so than his actual dates.
But Hobi also had fair and valid points. Jimin’s last ex had been someone without a steady job, a hotel security guard and Jimin’s never been one to judge someone on their current occupations, but the boyfriend before that had also been just a salesman and both men had ended up depending on Jimin and his salary as a school teacher to support both of them.
So he’d vehemently already decided that whomever he would date from now on would have to be able to take care of themselves financially first and foremost. It’s a shame Jungkook’s bartending job was just that…a job. Otherwise, with his muscular body, tattoo’d arms and gorgeous looks, it seemed he’d have been Jimin’s perfect partner.
--
“Jimin, wanna catch a movie with Tae and I tonight?”
Jimin stuffs a half of a plain bagel into his mouth, freeing his hands to grab the container of orange juice from the fridge. He shakes his head at his friend as he makes his way to the table where Tae and Hobi are currently congregating, all sorts of breakfast goodies in front of them.
“Can’t,” he replies after placing the jar on the table and removing the bagel from his mouth. “I gotta map out a lesson plan for the next two weeks tonight.”
“Ahh, you teachers. Always giving out homework. Even on weekends. Even to yourselves!”
Jimin grins. He loves his job. He loves children, he loves teaching, he loves seeing kid’s faces light up, curiosity in their eyes, happiness on their smiles.
“Yeah Jimin. Such a responsible, hard-worker. I say you flirt with that bartender and let him take you home for a night – you’ve more than earned it. And at no strings attached!”
Jimin rolls his eyes at Taehyung, ignoring him, laughing though, as Hobi reaches out to smack his boyfriend’s shoulder for being so outlandish.
Hoseok doesn’t seem concerned though; he knows Jimin would never do so, he is the type who just cannot get physically involved with others without his heart interfering.
--
Jungkook croons softly as he enters his living room to a sight of Seokjin sprawled out on the couch, half of his body hanging off, one hand clutching a princess fairytale book. Occupying the other half of the couch is his daughter, asleep, drool sliding off her chin.
Jungkook smiles. Minji is tiny, like her birth mother had been, with dark jet black hair, eyes round as saucers and plump cheeks the shade of spring peaches.
He reaches down and scoops up the sleeping toddler, lifting her easily into his arms, glad to have showered at the gym before coming home.
“Jin-hyung,” Jungkook nudges his best friend with his toes.
“Mmmff.”
“At least shift over and take up the whole couch now if you’re not gonna go to your room,” Jungkook murmurs, moving away to enter the hallway leading to his daughter’s room. He hears shifting and grunting and then soft snores again and he hides his smile in his child’s locks. He doesn’t know what he’d do without his hyung.
Seokjin is a couple of years older than Jungkook – he’d already graduated and had been a voluntary mentor while Jungkook was still in university and they’d been paired up as tutor and student and they’d just became inseparable since then.
Jungkook places his daughter in her “big girl” bed (really just a really extravagantly glittered pink extended crib courtesy of Uncle Seokjin) and presses one more kiss to her cheek before leaving to get into his own. It’s already early Monday and in a few hours he will get to spend his day off with his daughter.
--
Jimin walks into the bar the following Friday evening and sits at his usual spot, the popular place packed and loaded as all the other times he’s been here. He wonders how much money the owner must make, this place is really, as the teens say these days, poppin’.
None of his friends are aware that he’s here tonight as they’d not set him up on any more blind dates. All throughout his week, Jimin had had Taeyung’s words ring through his mind, about just getting laid and calling it what it was. He was here to flirt with Jungkook in the hopes the other male would get the hint and maybe ask for a date in which Jimin will boldly shoot it down and offer just a night of passion instead. He has no idea if this would work, but he’s talked himself into it. Not really the boldest, Jimin had decided he should just go for it. Just this once. Then he would return to the responsible adult he usually is.
He’d taken pains with his appearance tonight, making sure his hair was styled flatteringly, his scoop-neck tee wide enough to show some skin with the front end tucked strategically into a pair of ripped skinny blue jeans that just showcased his long legs. Jimin may be on the shorter side, but that doesn’t mean his dancer’s physique and lean legs aren’t eye-catching.
“Jimin-ssi. Hi again. Another date tonight?”
Jimin finds himself melting into a smile as Jungkook approaches him from behind the curved counter, wiping his hands on a towel. He places a beer on the counter and Jimin’s eyes instantly catch on the bulging arm muscles, the veiny forearms covered in a sleeve of dark tattoos, the big hands and his long, lean fingers. What those can do…
Jimin instantly blinks and looks up into Jungkook’s eyes, hoping his cheeks aren’t as red-flushed as they are hot.
“Hey Jungkook! N-no…actually no date tonight.” He replies almost shyly.
“What?” Jungkook raises a brow and leans downwards towards Jimin, balancing his hands on the counter to hear as the music from the live band picks up.
Jimin gets an instant whiff of the masculine scent of vetiver and oak and his blush takes off again. “N-no date. Just me. Tonight.” He stammers and then backs off quickly, afraid that he’d be unable to stop himself from doing something foolish, like reaching out and running his fingers through Jungkook’s long dark hair, or touch that enticing mole right underneath his bottom lip.
“Oh? Your friends finally get the message?” Jungkook laughs and Jimin grins. He likes how happy the bartender’s laugh always sounds, how comfortable and cozy it makes Jimin feel, much like how nice it would be to stand in front of a warm fire on a wintry day.
“I can only hope,” Jimin murmurs.
“So if no date, are you here just to drink tonight, Jimin-ssi?”
Jimin smiles, deciding to throw caution to the winds. “Yes. And…”
Jungkook raises a brow, intrigued when Jimin drifts off, watching his small finger trace water droplets from the neck of his beer. “And?”
“Perhaps find someone, but not blindly this time.” Jimin’s demure smile and flirty eyes are a huge contrast to his burning ears and pink cheeks. He doesn’t know where this confident, coy, almost shameless Jimin is emerging from, but he’s rolling with it. And it seems to work as a foreign flash of interest and intrigue spark up in Jungkook’s eyes.
“Is that so?” Jungkook’s tone of voice had lowered and his stare had turned deep and flirty as well, causing Jimin to flush. All he can do is keep eye contact and nod, his tongue suddenly feeling like a stone weight in his mouth as the other eyes him. He licks his lips and Jungkook’s eyes instantly follow the motion.
“Shouldn’t be a hard task at all, Jimin-ssi.”
Jimin blushes at Jungkook’s flirty tone.
“See anyone interesting yet?” Jungkook continues, holding eye contact with Jimin.
“Maybe.” He answers breathlessly, blooming under the intense stare. He feels flushed, heartbeat kicking up a few notches, his whole body like it’s on fire and only Jungkook’s gaze is touching him. Jimin doesn’t know how he’d handle anything physical if he’s already this affected.
And then, in the blink of an eye, it’s like a light of awareness turns on somewhere behind Jungkook’s brain and he instantly leans back and straightens up, the intensity of his stare dissolving into thin air, his smile going from dangerously flirty to coolly pleasant, controlled.
“In that case, Jimin-ssi, let me know when you find him. His first drink will be on me.” Jungkook offers him a friendly wink and then turns around to pick up a tab from the counter. As he turns his broad back to Jimin and enters the order into his computerized register, Jimin slumps back disappointedly in his seat, mind awhirl at the whiplash.
What the fuck had just happened? Unless Jimin was warped into another time zone, he could’ve sworn they were both just practically eye-fucking one another, the chemistry between them thick and alive. Yet, now, it’s like nothing happened. Did Jimin just imagine all that tension?
The evening picks up and Jimin barely sees the hot bartender the rest of the evening as he runs around with the rest of the staff, shouting off orders and serving drinks. It looks like a college crowd had entered and the establishment just lit up in flames of fun as the live band amped up the set.
After an hour and a half of not getting any attention from Jungkook, Jimin makes his way out of the bar and home. As he lay in bed that night, he decides he will try again tomorrow night. Maybe there will be no more college crowds and Jungkook will be able to talk to him some more.
--
Jungkook smiles at Minji as she crawls over to him and puckers her lips. She’d come up with her own cute way of asking for a kiss and Jungkook, as well as Seokjin, were suckers to it.
He bends down from where he is sitting on the rug with his back against the couch and puckers his lips back obligingly so she can give him a slobbering smack. He’d spent the whole of Monday morning playing with his child and her dolls, spending as much quality time as possible with her.
Being a gay man, Jungkook had never really thought much on children, he’d figured life would go as he’d expected where he’d find a partner first and then they’d talk about how and when to have children afterwards when they would both be good and ready. He should’ve known that’d be too easy. So now, here he is, a single father of a 2-year-old, one he’d raised practically since birth, and no partner in sight.
As Minji hobbles back away to crash her Barbie car into the building blocks she’d piled, Jungkook’s mind wanders to this past weekend of seeing Jimin.
Jimin. Gorgeous, beautiful Jimin with the pink plump lips and pretty eyes and sweet voice. He’d been flirting with Jungkook and Jungkook knew it. He’d reciprocated until he realized what he’d been doing. As much as he likes Jimin and would love nothing more than to date him, he can’t lead the man on. He’s got no time, between sleep, his baby and his business, he’s barely got time to breathe, let alone date. And that would be unfair to the other.
Jimin had returned last night and had started flirting right away and it had been so damn hard for Jungkook to not reciprocate. There he’d sat with his glistening lips, soft hair and v-neck top revealing skin Jungkook would love to put his lips on. He’d never been so glad to be short-staffed as he’d been last night, keeping him busy and from returning to Jimin as often as he’d wanted.
“Appa!”
Jungkook turns his head to his daughter and laughs when she cheeses back at him, crinkly nose, squished eyes and all. God, he loves her so much.
--
“Tae. It was terrible.”
“Wha-at?” Taehyung keeps his eyes glued to the monitor in front of him, his fingers moving rapidly on the controller in his hands.
“I followed your advice,” Jimin pouts from where he’s sitting at the dining table, busy marking stars on journal entries submitted by his students.
“Uh—hmmm…”
“I went back to the bar and flirted with Jungkook. Twice. And got rejected. Twice.”
“Oh, yeah? That’s nice-wait. What?” Taehyung drops his controller and instantly turns around to peer at his best friend.
“Mm hmm.”
“You didn’t.” Tae stands up, game forgotten as he runs into the kitchen and plops down on the chair beside Jimin’s.
Jimin sighs a bit forlornly and places his red pencil down before turning to face his friend. “Yeap. I went on Friday as well as Saturday night and he shot me down both nights. He’s just not interested.”
“What the fuck?! Is he blind? He must be blind.”
Jimin laughs. Leave it to his best friend to make him feel better.
“Or maybe he’s taken. Or not gay. No, scratch that last one. Gay or not, everyone is attracted to you.”
Jimin laughs harder, loving Tae so much.
“I’m sorry, babe. It’s his loss. Anyone would be lucky to have you.” Taehyung stands up and reaches out to hug his friend, rubbing his back comfortingly.
There’s an empty feeling in the pit of Jimin’s stomach and he can’t help but wonder the reason for Jungkook to keep pulling back.
--
Jungkook pushes the grocery cart with one hand, the other holding his tired daughter against his chest. Her head is pillowed on his shoulder and he can feel her soft cheek pooling into his t-shirt. It’s a bit past her nap time and she’s being sulky, but at least she’s quiet.
He manages to wheel the cart with one hand into the long line before reaching up to pat Minji’s back as she hiccups softly.
“Jungkook?”
Jungkook turns around in surprise, knowing who the voice belongs to before even seeing the blonde hair and wide, surprised eyes.
“Jimin. Hey.” He hasn’t seen the man in almost three weeks. Jungkook had had to keep himself busy to not think of him. During one night last week, he’d been tallying receipts and he’d seen one that belonged to Jimin and he’d remember wishing he’d asked for his number so they could maybe be…friends or so. To now see the object of his thoughts of the last few weeks is a bit jarring. And Jimin in bright lighting is even more staggering than Jimin in dark, dim lighting. Today, his soft blonde hair is parted in the center, he’s wearing a pretty, light green cardigan over a white tee and blue jeans with a silky yellow-printed scarf around his neck. With his eyes huge in surprise, his cheeks and lips pink and his face glowing, honestly, he looked like Jungkook’s dream come true.
Timely enough, this is when Minji shifts against his chest and drops her pink bunny doll. It lands with a quiet thud onto the floor.
“Wabbit!”
“Oh-oh, let me help you,” Jimin reaches down and picks up the stuffed toy, cooing as he hands it back to Minji, who shyly reaches out to clasp the toy’s hand.
“She’s adorable, Jungkook.”
“Ahh, thank you.”
“She must be yours, her pretty eyes are such a giveaway.” Jimin smiles softly, patting Minji’s back as the baby blinks back at him.
“Yes. She’s mine.”
His eyes meet Jimin’s soft ones over Minji’s back and he spots something akin to disappointment reflect in the depths at his answer but it’s gone so fast, Jungkook almost feels like he’d imagined it.
Jimin’s smile is back and cheery as they move forward in line. “Is it just you two grocerying? Or is her mom still picking out items?”
“Ahhh, I’m a single father, it’s just Minji and I. Can you say hi to Jimin-ssi, Minji?”
The baby squirms and digs her face shyly into her father’s neck, arms tightening around his shoulders.
Jimin coos.
“Sorry, she’s rather shy with strangers.”
As they scoot up for their turn to check out, instead of moving away like Jungkook had expected, Jimin sets his hand basket down and starts to help unload Jungkook’s cart.
“Oh! Jimin-ssi, you don’t have to-“
“Nonsense, you’ve got your hands full and I don’t. Let me help.”
Jungkook couldn’t even argue, he just shoots the blonde a grateful look, reaching out to push the basket closer to the checkout counter.
After they pay for their items, they all walk out of the store together. Jimin still insists on pushing the cart as Jungkook holds on to his daughter. As Jimin had only came to pick up a few key ingredients for his meal, all his items had fit into his book bag, freeing his hands.
Jungkook leads Jimin over to the middle parking strip, right in between the back of a sleek slate blue and black Range Rover and a compact, beat up, older Kia Rio.
“Well, hey, thanks for all your help, Jimin. I truly appre-what the hell-heck.” Jungkook searches his back jeans pockets and realizes his keys are nowhere on him.
“What is it?”
“I-my keys. Did I leave them in my car?” Jungkook murmurs, hoisting his daughter into his other arm so he can check that side pocket.
Wanting to help, Jimin circles the Kia and peers inside the driver’s side. “Uhhh…there are no keys in here…”
“Jimin-ssi, that’s not my car. I’m the rover. Can you check it?”
Jimin pulls back from the window of the Kia, shocked. Did Jungkook just say he owns the luxurious Rover? What?
He has so many questions, but doesn’t hesitate to hurry over to peer in through the tinted glass. Sure enough, it’s there, right in the driver’s seat.
“Uhh, Jungkook-ah. It’s in there.”
“Crap.”
“Well…do you want to call the tow truck or-“ Jimin fades off as he sees Jungkook punching in a number into his cellphone and raising it to his ears.
“Jin-hyung. I need your help. Minji and I are stuck at Lotte Mart, we’re locked out. Can you bring me the spare keys to my car?” …. “Great. No, that’s fine, we can wait. Thanks hyung.” Jungkook hangs up and turns back to Jimin.
“Sorry, Jimin-ssi. You can go. Please don’t wait on us. My hyung has a set of keys to my car and apartment should something like this happen and he’s coming by in about half an hour.”
“Ahhh, really.”
“Yeah. Don’t worry, we’ll be fin-“
“Appa. Milk.” Minji’s whisper comes through and Jungkook realizes then that her sippy cup in the cart is currently empty. The quart of milk refill he usually carries along is also in the trunk of his car, as they’d only planned to run into the store and run back out.
Jimin must’ve seen the panic on his face for he steps forward and places a hand on Jungkook’s arm. “Hey, why don’t we go back into the food court in Lotte and grab some food and milk for Minji while we wait for your hyung, hmm? It’s almost 6 pm, I’m sure you guys are as hungry as I am!”
Jungkook blinks, relief flooding over him. He hadn’t even thought to think of the food court, much less that they were at a freaking supermarket with plenty of milk; he’d just zoned in on her refill in the ice chest in the back of his car. He sends Jimin a look full of gratitude and the other just smiles back at him and takes a hold of the cart, pushing it and leading them all back towards the market entrance. God, he’s so terrible at parenting, he thinks. What must Jimin be thinking?
“How about you and Minji sit down and I’ll get in line to grab some food. And milk for the princess!” Jimin reaches over and pinches Minji’s cheek softly as she gives him a shy giggle.
Jungkook sinks down into a chair, settling his daughter onto one thigh, pulling the cart with grocery bags closer to him and out of the aisle.
“Anything in particular you want to eat?” Jimin asks and Jungkook shakes his head, no appetite present at the moment.
“Ok, I’ll be right back.” Jimin cheeses before disappearing and Jungkook finally breathes, so very grateful to the other. His mind wanders over to how Jimin is remaining so calm. He thinks if he were in Jimin’s shoes, he’d probably be no help to his friends, freaking out as well, concern about dinner the last thing on his mind.
“Appa, popo (kiss).” Minji raises her bunny up to Jungkook and he obliges, pressing one into the face of the toy and then one onto the tip of Minji’s button nose, making her giggle.
“Boo.” She points to the bunny’s blue shoes.
“That’s my smart girl. Blue. What about her dress?”
“Boo.”
“Correct, again.” Jungkook smiles. She’s been watching some teddy bear show on tv and they sang songs about colors and numbers and she’d been pretty good at memorizing.
Jimin is back soon, carrying two iced coffees and a small plastic cup of milk which he promptly empties into Minji’s empty sippy cup before handing it over to the baby.
“Minji-ah, what do you say, aegi?” Jungkook nudges his daughter softly and she peers back at Jimin with her big round eyes.
“Thank you.” She whispers and Jimin melts, his face aglow at her shyness.
“Of course Minji.” Jimin responds then turns back to Jungkook. “I got us both macchiatos, hope you don’t mind.”
Jungkook shakes his head with a small smile. “I don’t. Really, Jimin, thank you.”
Their food arrives before Jimin can answer and Jungkook suddenly finds that he is starving. Jimin had been generous in ordering hot rice, soup, kimchi and beef stirfry.
“Dig in, Jungkook.”
“You go ahead. I’ll eat after Minji is done.”
Jimin makes a face at him and Jungkook finds the expression so cute he has to stop himself from reaching over and kissing the pout right off the other’s face.
“It’ll be cold by then. Here, I can help.” Jimin picks up a pair of chopsticks and reaches out to scoop up some rice before holding it expectantly to Jungkook’s mouth. He nods expectantly and Jungkook finds himself obeying, letting the other feed him, following the rice with beef and kimchi before he feeds himself some as well.
As Jungkook chews, he finds himself falling deeper into this abyss called Jimin. What a miraculous human being, he thinks. Not only is he attractive as all hell, his heart is beautiful, patient and kind as well.
Jimin looks up and their eyes meet briefly before he smiles and ducks his head to pick up more food. As Jimin continues feeding them both, Jungkook knows without a shadow of a doubt, how easy it would be for the blonde steal his heart forever.
Minji interrupts his thoughts as she suddenly takes the sippy cup out of her mouth and reaches out with one hand towards Jimin.
“Papa!”
Jungkook freezes. What?
Jimin, on the other hand, lights up even more and laughs, his eyes landing on the baby who is staring at his neck.
“Yes, Baba. You like Baba Bear, aegi?”
“Baba! Baba!”
To Jungkook’s immense astonishment, his shy child promptly pushes off his lap and crawls into Jimin’s instead, hands coming out to play with Jimin’s scarf. It’s at this moment that Jungkook realizes the scarf’s print is of tiny bear faces… the same bear that Minji likes to watch on tv.
Ahhh. Baba Bear. Not papa.
“Baba.” She says contentedly, resting herself up against Jimin's chest as Jimin takes the scarf off and hands it to her. He looks up and catches Jungkook’s eyes.
“Eat.” He motions his head towards the food and Jungkook complies slowly, his mind still agog over his child’s behavior and Jimin’s nonchalance in the situation, as if he deals with it daily.
“Jimin-ssi…you…you’re good with children.”
Jimin laughs as Minji stuffs her sippy cup back into her mouth, hand now wrapping the scarf around her bunny.
“Of course I am. I’m surrounded by them all day, as a third grade teacher.”
Jungkook’s eyes widen in shock, but not especially. He can totally see that now, with how calm Jimin is with pressuring matters, how fast he makes decisions and how composed he stays, how good he is with kids. If he hadn’t thought of Jimin as perfect before, he certainly does now.
“So. Is this lil’ cutie the reason why you work evenings as a bartender?” Jimin smiles and nods towards the bundle in his arms.
“Well, kinda. As co-owner, it would make more sense to work out numbers and data in the daytime, but since she came along, I started working nights-“
“Wait, wait, wait. Co-owner? You co-own Euphoria?” Jimin’s mouth drops open.
Jungkook scratches the back of his neck, almost as if embarrassed. “Yeah. My hyung Seokjin, and I, we own Euphoria together. I handle the bar and he is the exec chef of the restaurant.”
Jimin is in awe. Well, now that whole Range Rover situation made sense. But good lord. He’s not just a bartender as Jimin had assumed. He actually freakin’ owns the damn bar and restaurant.
“Oh. Wow. That’s…amazing.”
“Seokjin-hyung deserves most of the credit, to be honest. He bought the place when it was closing and revamped it completely. He knows I possess a finance degree because I was going to try to get into an accounting firm but he completely steered me into this head first and…well, the rest is history.”
“That’s…so awesome.” Jimin blinks in awe.
Jungkook grins. “It’s not too bad for a young, single father, right Minji?” he reaches out and chucks her under the chin.
Jimin smiles along. “Minji’s mother…you guys aren’t together?” he inquires softly.
Jungkook raises his eyes to Jimin’s, almost hesitatingly. There’s a sweetness, a look in Jimin’s eyes that tells Jungkook he should have no fear in sharing his story, that Jimin wouldn't mind listening.
“Minji…she’s my blood, yes, but not mine completely.” He begins. “She is my brother and sister-in-law’s child. Two years ago they passed in a tragic accident when she was but 4 months old. Since I was the only living relative besides a great-grandmother who is in no condition to care for her, I was told she would either have to be in my care exclusively or social services would hand her off to an adoption center and I may never see her again.” Jungkook leans back in his chair.
“I-I knew nothing about kids, I’d just turned 25, my business with hyung was just taking off and I was in the midst of figuring out my life, still having fun and being as irresponsible as possible without killing myself or hurting anyone else, ya know?”
Jimin nods, an understanding light in his eyes as he places a hand on jungkook’s knees, whether in comfort or to urge him on, he’s not sure, but he's okay with it.
“Then Minji comes barreling in and at first, I was so hesitant to be her sole caregiver…me, a solo gay man who’s only had to care for himself and feed one mouth now will have to learn to take care of another? I was all set to let her go with social services where she’d hopefully get a caring family…but then Jin-hyung placed her in my arms and I saw how much like me and my brother she looks. She has our eyes. And I just couldn’t fathom letting her go, spending the rest of my life wondering if her potential family is taking good care of her… if they’re giving her lots of love like I would have…and that’s when I realized, I’d have to at least try.”
Jungkook didn’t realize he’d shed a tear until Jimin reaches over with one hand and wipes it off his cheek with the pad of his thumb.
“You’re an amazing guy, Jeon Jungkook. I honestly haven’t known you for very long, but the way you love and care for this child is evident enough only in the way you look at her. I know she’s going to need nothing more if you continue being this wonderful.”
“Appa! No cwy!” Minji points a finger at his face as she whisper-yells, breaking the moment and causing both males to laugh. When the laughter dies down, their gazes remain on one another, soft and full of hope.
“Jungkook? Minji?”
The voice breaks their looks and thoughts and Jimin rushes to support Minji with an arm as the toddler immediately sits up and points to a tall man with broad shoulders, sandy hair, round glasses on his handsome face and harried looking as he enters the eatery platform.
“Unc’ Jin!” she actually screams the name, surprising Jimin since she’d been so docile.
“Minji-ah! My baby!” he starts rushing over, arms out and Jimin turns to look at Jungkook, catching his rolling eyes, expression pleading with Jimin to have patience with the man.
Minji slides off Jimin’s lap with his help and scampers to meet Seokjin halfway, who wraps his arms around the child and swings her in circles, kissing her cheeks and laughing with her. Jimin is torn between laughing and cooing, his heart bursting at the fact that this little girl is so duly loved and doted on.
“Jungkook-ah! How did you even manage to lock your keys, huh? I’ve told you plenty of times-oh. Oh, hello there.”
Jimin giggles as Seokjin sees him stand up next to Jungkook, his little tirade vanishing immediately.
“You must be Park Jimin.”
Jimin’s eyes widen, confused on how he knew who he was. He completely misses Jungkook shooting warning glares at Seokjin to not be so obvious. Seokjin, obviously, ignores him.
“You have no idea how much I’ve heard about your beautiful smile and soft hair and pretty eyes these last few weeks from-“
“Hyung!”
Jin shoots Jungkook a glare. “Anyway, I’m Kim Seokjin. Jin, please.” His eyes move back to Jimin’s and he smiles.
Blushing still, Jimin shakes the outstretched hand until he remembers what Jungkook had said about Jin. “Oh! Chef Jin! I truly adore your cooking! Your braised pork dish is my absolute favorite!”
“Ahhh!” Jin grins, pleased. “You’re definitely a man of taste.”
“Baba!” Minji calls out and starts reaching for Jimin again. This, of course, startles Seokjin as well.
“Papa?” he asks, bewildered, much like Jungkook had looked earlier.
“Oh, yes. It’s…she likes my scarf. It’s printed with the cartoon character ‘Baba Bear’.” Jimin answers as he reaches out for the child who immediately cuddles up against his chest.
Seokjin eyes them curiously, a smile appearing on his lips. “Seems she likes a lot more than just the scarf-“
“Hyung, come, come unlock the door so I can load up and go home. Minji is overdue for her bath.” Jungkook quickly interrupts, pushing Jin forward before placing his hands on the cart handle, maneuvering them all outside.
As they walk to the car, Jimin continues to hold Minji in his arms as they totter along behind, Jimin listening and responding to Minji’s mostly nonsensical babbling. Jin and Jungkook walk a few steps ahead, the elder giving sneaky, knowing glances towards the younger. Jungkook focuses on pushing his cart and avoids looking at his hyung, not wanting to answer the million questions Jin has most probably already drummed up and listed in his head in numerical order, sure to ask him later.
They finally make it to the rover and Seokjin pops open their door, leaning against the side while Jungkook starts unloading. He turns to Jimin and asks for his cellphone. Jungkook freezes and raises a questioning brow at him.
“Oh...ok…” Jimin hands it over, confused, but allows the elder to have access to it. His fingers fly over the screen quickly. Then he flips the phone and takes a selfie of himself before going back to flittering his fingers across the screen.
“Ok. Alrite. All done! My personal contact, complete with selfie.” He says, presenting the phone back to Jimin. “Next time you come to Euphoria for lunch, you text me or call me and I will personally cook your dish.”
“Oh my gosh,” Jimin squeals and Seokjin says his goodbyes to the crew, kissing Minji on the cheeks and promising to see her tomorrow.
“Jimin, thank you again,” Jungkook starts as he closes the trunk of his car, and then reaches out for Minji, who quickly jumps into his arms. Jungkook doesn’t quite want to say goodbye but also does not want to detain the man any longer either.
“Of course, it’s no problem at all, Jungkook-ssi.” Jimin beams back at him and then waves at Minji, who is currently staring at him from the comfort of her father’s arms.
“Bye Minji! I’ll see you some other time, yeah? You be a good girl for your dad and uncle, ok?”
Minji smiles at him and waves her little fingers as Jimin turns to leave.
Jungkook turns to his car door as well, disappointed in himself for not having the nerve to ask Jimin for his number. Then his eyes catch on the scarf his daughter is currently holding still.
“Oh! Jimin-ssi!”
He rounds back to see Jimin freeze and then turn and practically skip back to him, a hopeful smile on his cute face.
“Yes?”
“Your scarf…” Jungkook reaches for it and when he tugs, Minji lets loose a loud squeal, not letting go.
“Oh, it’s okay, she can keep it.” Jimin rushes to say.
“No, no, she can’t. Minji-ah, you know this belongs to Jimin-ssi. It’s not right to keep something that’s not yours, okay?”
Her big eyes fill with tears and Jimin steps in quickly.
“It’s ok.” Jimin rubs at the baby’s little shoulder consolingly before turning to look up at her father. “Minji is just borrowing it, right, sweetheart? You’ll give it back to Jiminie when you’re done with it, hmm?”
The baby nods tearfully and Jungkook groans.
“So. If your father will just give me his cellphone, I will pop my number in it so he can call me to come pick it up when you’re done with it.” Jimin winks cutely and warm heat spices up Jungkook’s neck and face. What is this man doing to him? He’s never been much of a blusher yet, here he is, seemingly doing nothing but. However, he still complies, trying hard to hide his eagerness.
Jimin flashes another one of his gorgeous smiles and punches in his information before handing the phone back. “Alright you two. See you soon.”
--
Jimin waves off the last student and heads back inside to clean up his desk before heading home. He’s a little disappointed, it’s been 4 days and Jungkook hasn’t texted him. Did he read all the signals wrong? Was Jungkook really just not interested in him?
He picks up his cell and swipes to his messages, reading the new one from Joon, asking him to pick up a carton of juice from the corner market before he comes home. Jimin sighs and texts back a quick: sure. anything else?
Then he picks up the scattered pencils, stacks all the loose sheets of papers and blows the pink eraser marks off his desk. He’s wiping off his whiteboard when his phone pings with Joon’s reply. Jimin continues cleaning, gathering the markers and stacking them neatly into their box on the wall, dusts off the erasers and places them back before heading back to his desk. He stuffs his planner into his bag, swings it over his shoulders and then picks up his fluffy, dark brown cardigan, laying it over on arm. His phone is the last thing he picks up before he leaves the classroom.
Jimin is at the bus stop, wondering about how to make his intentions about liking Jungkook even more clearer without actually speaking out the obvious when he remembers Joon’s text. He brings up his phone and sees it’s a message from an unknown number.
2:45PM UNKNOWN
Jimin-sii, hey. It’s Jungkook. This is my number. I’m sorry it’s taken so long to text you. I still haven’t been able to pry your scarf from Minji. She just cries when she can’t find it. Can I please pay you for it?
Jimin lets loose a surprised loud screech, small hand automatically covering his mouth and eyes start darting around in embarrassment to make sure he was standing alone. Thankfully, he is.
Jungkook texted him! And it’s such a cute text that Jimin wants to scream again. He starts texting back that Minji can have it…when an idea strikes him. He erases his original text and starts again.
3:15PM
Yes. I only accept payment in forms of food and time tho…?
3:18PM UNKNOWN
Is that right?
3:18PM
Yes. ^_^
3:19PM UNKNOWN
Cute. In that case, tomorrow at 2 at the cafe a few blocks from my bar?
3:20PM
Serendipity? Sounds good!
3:21PM Jungkook ♡
It’s a date then. See you soon, Jimin-ssi. Bye.
3:21PM
Bye! ^_^
Jimin clutches his cellphone to his chest and breathes through his nose, trying his damndest not to scream. He’s going on an official date with Jungkook! Is this world correct?!
--
Jungkook wipes his sweaty palms on his black ripped denims as he steps up on the curb. He’s nervous and he’s not someone who does so. He’s dated plenty, always confident in himself, but Jimin just…strikes something in him. Something warm and unfamiliar yet comforting.
The days following the grocery trip, Jungkook had lamented over Jimin constantly, wondering how and when and even if he should approach the other. It had taken lots of patience and eye rolls and verbal assurance from Kim Seokjin about Jimin liking him back just as much for Jungkook to muster up the courage to text Jimin about his scarf. How the text conversation veered from that to a date so fast, Jungkook isn’t sure, but he’s thankful.
Jungkook enters the quiet café and his breath instantly gets snatched when his eyes land on Jimin sitting in a booth in the corner, eyes twinkling and lips smiling up at a waitress as she converses with him. His soft blonde hair glows from the sunlight filtering through the window, his frame looking cute and small in a thin oversized baby blue sweater with a low neckline.
He’s glad Jimin is dressed casually; Jungkook had stressed the fuck out this morning until Seokjin and pushed him into the couch, went into his closet and emerged with a pair of ripped denims, a white tee, and a knit light camel colored button up (that Seokjin had gifted to him the birthday year earlier). Jungkook truthfully had kept it in his closet, unsure when to wear it.
“No timbs! You better not be putting on those damn timbs!”
“But hyung-!”
“Wear those copper redwings, you fool.”
And so, Jungkook had begrudgingly pulled those out of the shoebox they’d been in since last year as well, seemingly too fancy to wear every day. And oh, how wrong he’d been once he’d put the outfit together and stared in the mirror. Jungkook had to admit that these items weren’t as intimidatingly fancy as he’d thought. As a matter of fact, they looked damn good and felt just right. Perhaps he will start incorporating all these items in his possession and has deemed as “too fancy” into his everyday wear. And if they impress Jimin as well, all the more power for it!
Jungkook starts forward as the waitress leaves and then Jimin’s eyes fall on him and he wonders how he is even still upright. The man looks like a beautiful dream come to life, his face glowing, his smile lovely, soul consuming.
Jungkook preens a little, taking comfort and small pride in the fact that Jimin seems to brighten up more, cheeks pinkening as he eyes the other.
“Hi.” Jungkook slides into the booth opposite the blonde, eyes never straying from his.
“Hi.”
It’s a shy greeting and as Jimin bites at his bottom lip and stares back unabashed, Jungkook finds himself endeared. How does he do that? Be so shy yet so brazen? He likes it a lot.
“Minji and Seokjin say hi, too.”
Jimin’s lips split into a huge smile and then he giggles, bringing up his small hands to cover his laugh. Jungkook knows he’s grinning back, probably looking dopey and dumb as hell but he cannot help it.
“Oh god, she’s too cute. I already miss her.”
“Wait until you have her a whole day.” Jungkook chuckles.
Jimin gasps softly, his eyes widening. “I’d love to babysit sometime! She’s precious!”
Babysit? Jimin actually wants to babysit his child? Unbelievable. Jungkook shakes his head and offers up a smile. “I was just kidding. She’s very energetic.”
“Well,” Jimin cheekily drags his cup of water closer to him and bites his lips. “I’m not kidding.”
The air around them tenses for a bit as they make eye contact. The strange magic breaks as the waitress comes by and drops off another glass of water for Jungkook and take their order.
“So. Jungkook. How old are you anyway?” Jimin asks after the waitress walks off.
“I’m actually a little younger than you…hyung.”
Jimin grins teasingly. “I knew it!”
“What do you mean you knew? You look super young yourself with those cute cheeks too.”
Jimin blushes, embarrassed yet obviously pleased with the compliment. “I figured you saw my ID when I was ordering drinks at the bar.”
“I did. And I’m only a year younger – 11 months if we want to specific.”
Jimin laughs and Jungkook smiles, so endeared his heart hurts. Really, Park Jimin is just beauty in human form.
“I like your smile,” Jimin states shyly, the tops of his cheeks pink and pretty.
“Well, I like yours too. Actually, I like everything about you,” Jungkook dares to admit.
“Oh really? You just wanted to make me chase, hmm?" Jimin teases and Jungkook knows he is, but he still wants to clear up his actions from before.
"To be quite honest, I’d known you were flirting the last two times I saw you at the bar. I started reciprocating until I realized that you deserve a hell of a lot more attention and time then I could give.”
“Ahhh. All this time I’ve been wondering if I was just…not reading the signals correctly or that you weren’t gay or that I’m not your type at all-“
“No! No, you’re…so…you’re so my type, Jimin.”
Jimin giggles at the eager look on Jungkook’s face as he opens up. He’s so cute and Jimin is so head over heels for the young father already. He reaches over and dares to play with Jungkook’s long fingers on top of the table.
“I thought you were beautiful when I’d first seen you. Still do. And I’d love to wine and dine and take you out but…”
Jimin curls his fingers around Jungkook’s as he drifts off. “But?”
“Like I said before, my hands are so full with my career and my daughter and I don’t want to disappoint you or make you feel left out if Minji has to come first.” Jungkook swallows and continues. “And…at the grocery store, when I’d admitted to Minji being mine, I’d seen something akin to disappointment in your eyes and it kinda…really scared me away.”
Jimin’s mouth drops open in shock. “Oh my god, Jungkook. No…I mean, I was disappointed at first, mainly at myself, because I’d figured that you were happily married with a child and I’ve been trying to hit on you so long!”
“Oh.” Jungkook is speechless. Then his cheeks redden at the realization that he’d been so wrong.
Jimin starts giggling and Jungkook finds himself joining in on the mirth. Then, Jimin completely surprises him by standing up and rounding the table to sit next to him on his side of the booth so they can share the same space.
“Jungkook-ah. I completely understand that Minji comes first. I’m a teacher. I expect her to. Your sense of responsibility is actually what’s attractive to me. Not saying you aren’t drop dead gorgeous or have eyes I can drown in for days, but…” Jimin drifts off and they both chuckle.
“Look, I’m not asking for much. But if you’re willing, I’d like for us to get to know one another, take it all one day at a time. I would never expect you to choose me over Minji, at any time. I’d be mad if you did. We can just see where this attraction can go, okay? What do you say?”
Put that way, Jungkook cannot say no. As a matter of fact, he’s feeling a strange sort of excitement and anticipation. No one knows what the future holds, but he’s feeling so hopeful.
He nods slightly and leans down to kiss Jimin’s cheek.
“Ok.”
------
Epilogue
2 years later
Jungkook enters his home and smiles as his daughter screams out “Appa!” and then run over to him on her little feet. Jungkook picks her up and peppers kisses all over her cute, apple-sauce smelling face and neck.
He sets her down and she scampers back off into the living room where her toys are scattered everywhere. Jungkook follows at a slower pace after slipping off his shoes.
“Hi, baby.”
Jungkook will never tire of that greeting. Jimin is sitting on the floor, his school planner open next to him, pencil off to the side. In one hand is a cup of applesauce and in the other, a small spoon he is working into the cup to gather up some more. He looks up and beams at Jungkook, who approaches him and bends down for a soft kiss before straightening up again.
“I’m gonna go change and freshen up.”
“Ok. Seokjin, Joon, Tae and Hobi won’t be over for another few hours so we’ll have time to clean the place before they arrive.”
Jungkook nods, well aware that their friends are coming over for dinner tonight. He heads off into the bedroom and strips down before hopping into the shower briefly. Then he redresses in a pair of gray joggers and a thin white pullover. He pulls up the long sleeves and walks out of the bedroom, the sweet sound of giggles luring him.
He stands at the hallway threshold and leans against the archway to fix his watch strap, eyes trained on the loves of his life.
“Aegi-ah, come on. Last bite!” Jimin holds out the spoon and Minji scuttles over in her bunny onesie, her pigtails flying in the air, a huge, gummy smile spreading forth as she closes her lips over the spoon.
“Good girl. Who’s baba’s big girl, hmm?”
"Meeee!" she points to herself and cheeses back at Jimin before whirling around and heading back to the block tower she was building.
2 years ago, Jungkook could not even think of this scene playing out before his very eyes. They had embarked upon getting to know one another, slowly, as they’d agreed upon, only to constantly foil that pace up.
Once they’d clicked, it was like they couldn’t get enough of one another, craving each other’s presence and time and touch constantly. As opposed to Jungkook’s initial belief that he wouldn’t have time, he learned to make time. For the first three months, both he and Jimin squeezed in dates and time to see one another, even if it was only a 15-minute passing window. But they talked and texted every night, keeping each other in the loop on their lives when separate.
Jungkook finds that the more he is with Jimin, the harder it is to stay away. With them working opposite schedules, Jungkook had, at times, gotten plenty frustrated. Maybe it was because Jungkook had to grow up so fast, or maybe he’s just gone too long without but whichever the case, Jungkook just cannot get enough of Jimin. In bed, the man is shameless but sweet, shy but unabashed, full of playful teasing and purposeful taunting at times until Jungkook reaches breaking point. Sex with Jimin is like nothing else Jungkook has experienced and he finds himself craving it all the time, frustration mounting until Jimin made it a thing to swing by after work on some days so they can rendezvous in the stockroom in the back…or Jungkook’s office, whichever was convenient.
It’s amazing to Jungkook how fast and deep he’d fallen for Jimin, and this is without even factoring into play the very point that Jimin is terrific with Minji. Shy Minji who had taken to Jimin almost immediately, keeping to calling him ‘Baba’ and asking for him more than he does Seokjin (a fact which Jin will absolutely not agree to). And Jimin’s willingness to babysit Minji on some minor weekends when both he and Jin had work was just icing on the cake.
They may have agreed to taking it one day at a time, but honestly, Jungkook had already kicked that notion out of his head the very first week, after his very first kiss with Jimin. Thankfully, he was of the same mind. And just a year after they’d started dating, Jungkook had nervously asked Jimin to move in and to his astonishment, Jimin had agreed, saying if Jungkook hadn’t acted soon, Jimin was just going to start moving his stuff in piece by piece.
It is now 12 months later and Jungkook thinks he’s reached the best part of euphoria there could ever be. He’d swapped his schedule around a few months back as well, back to daytime because Jimin is able to take Minji with him to the school’s new preschool daycare, ran by one of Jimin's closest friends (and now Jungkook's too), Jung Hoseok. This completely allows them to be a family together in the evenings, bonding and learning more of each other. And if Jungkook gets to wrap his arms around Jimin every night and wake up to his cute cheeks every morning, all the better.
And really, Minji is both theirs. She’d taken to having Jimin as a parent figure in no time at all, running to the other for safety and comfort when Jungkook would have to scold her for being naughty. And Jimin, the godsend, knew exactly what to say and do, offering comfort at the same time pointing out her wrongdoings softly and lovingly. Jungkook really thinks he is the luckiest man alive. He’d been fearful of letting Jimin in too fast, too hastily, but life had its own plan and Jimin has said time and again that he’s already too attached to them to consider anything else.
He reaches into the pocket of his joggers and wraps strong, slim fingers around a very special, very important piece of jewelry. Tonight, he is ready. Ready to live out the rest of his life with Jimin by his side, officially.
--END--