Chapter Text
It’s snowing when Jimin finally escapes the restaurant through the staff entrance. It’s not that surprising considering it’s the fifth of December but since it’s the first snow of the season, it’s exciting nonetheless. He hopes it will settle overnight so he can wake to a city covered in white.
After working an eight hour shift today and two equally long ones the days before, Jimin is exhausted. Despite that, he takes the long way home, enjoying seeing the snowflakes slowly fall down around him, melting at contact. He feels like he could walk around the city for hours and the only thing stopping him is his worry that Hoseok would still be up waiting for him to get home. His roommate likes to know he’s safe and sound before going to sleep and Jimin understands that.
Their apartment isn’t anything special, it’s actually pretty crappy. It was advertised as a two bedroom apartment, but in reality it’s a one bedroom someone built a new, very thin, wall in the middle of. It’s cramped, cold, far from any public transport station and they found a dead rat outside their door once, but it’s theirs and Jimin loves it. Hoseok is kind of the perfect roommate too, he’s tidy and respects Jimin’s space and sometimes he cooks. It helps that they’re best friends of course but out of all of Jimin’s friends, Hoseok is the only one he can picture himself living with without killing.
As expected, Hoseok is up when Jimin returns but quickly retires to his bedroom once he sees Jimin is still breathing with all limbs attached. Jimin follows not long after, letting out a long sigh once his head hits the pillow. It’s been a long three days of training and on Saturday the real work starts.
He’s both terrified and excited.
___
When Seokjin called him and asked if he could fill in for one of his waiters during the holiday season he was unsure at first. He had no prior experience in waiting tables or working in service but when he told Seokjin as much, he was just laughed at.
“Don’t worry, just show your cute little face and the middle aged ladies will love you no matter what you do,” Seokjin said while people bustled around in the background.
“For how long?” Jimin caved and asked.
He could practically hear Seokjin’s grin over the phone.
“Three days of paid training and then every weekend in December plus Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and new years. And before you complain, just think about all the money you’ll make.”
Jimin couldn’t argue with that.
___
The first three hours of Jimin’s first official day as a waiter at La Fourchette goes by slowly but without any bigger mishaps. Several ladies fuss over what a handsome young man he is while he tries to put down plates without dropping them and their husbands either give him a warning glare or ignores him in favor of taking another sip of wine.
It’s fine.
By eight o'clock it’s less fine. The pianist starts to play more uplifting songs and some couples leave their seats to stand up and dance on the small area cleared in the middle of the restaurant. Tipsy old people might look fun from a distance, but trying to avoid bumping into them while carrying several plates of food is really hard, and also something Seokjin failed to mention.
The man in question walks around taking orders and carrying plates while avoiding twirling boomers like it was something he was born to do.
That bastard.
Just as Jimin is setting down some plates and wishing the guests at the table a pleasant meal, someone taps a microphone.
“Hello, I hope you’re all having a nice evening,” a man standing next to the piano says into the mic. “I’ll be singing a couple of songs for you, I hope you enjoy them.”
It’s a good thing Jimin already put down his plates because as soon as the singer’s voice fills the room he gets chills.
The voice is deep and soulful, Jimin has never heard anything quite like it. The song is some old overplayed Christmas song but the singer makes it his own, adding new notes and melodies that keeps it exciting. Jimin finds himself thinking that he’d gladly listen to just this one man sing for the rest of his life.
Before he knows it the song is over and the audience clap their hands while the singer thanks them and bows.
“Did you forget yourself for a second there?”
Jimin jumps when Seokjin taps his shoulder.
“Sorry! I’m so sorry, I’ll get right to it,” he hurries to answer but Seokjin just snickers at him.
“It’s fine, it’s actually time for your break but if you’d rather stand out here drooling over the lounge singer that’s fine by me,” Seokjin shrugs.
Jimin actually contemplates it for a second before deciding food is more important and leaves the dining area for the staff’s break room.
___
The rest of the evening goes by quickly. The singer becomes a part of the background noise as he focuses on doing his job.
Think of the money. Think of the money.
As the night drags on, less and less tables ask for food and more and more ask for drinks, which makes his job way easier.
One table in particular asks for three margaritas and a bottle of cava and after Jimin understands the margaritas are all for the same woman, he has to ban the table from ordering more drinks. There’s a young man at the table who looks mortified when Jimin tells him they won’t serve them more alcohol and profusely apologizes on behalf of his mother. Jimin feels kinda bad for him and for once he’s glad he’s the one serving tables and not sitting at one.
___
When Jimin comes home at one thirty he’s met with a note saying Hoseok is at Namjoon’s.
He falls asleep thinking about margaritas and a singer with a deep voice.
___
“So is he hot?” Is the first thing Hoseok asks when Jimin tells him about the singer from yesterday.
“I didn’t really look at him?” Jimin answers, but it comes out more like a question.
“Of course you didn’t,” Hoseok sighs and falls into Namjoon who’s perched on their couch with his laptop on his lap.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing, just that it’s so typical you to focus on personality, or in this case his voice, instead of appearance,” Hoseok shrugs before curling into his boyfriend.
“You mean I’m not shallow.”
“Yeah and it’s boring! The first time I saw Joonie I texted you three paragraphs about his thighs and this is how you repay me?” Hoseok grabs said thighs in frustration and Namjoon pats his head.
Jimin sighs, “I’ll take a real good look at him tonight Hoseokie, just for you.”
___
Just as he promised, Jimin takes a really good look at the singer while he’s taking orders from a table close to the stage. In fact, he takes such a good look that he sees everything from the way his suit jacket fits perfectly over his shoulders to way his hair curls at his nape. He swears the world stops spinning for a couple of seconds when he sees pearl earrings dangling from the singers ears and what he presumes is makeup making the high points of his face sparkle in the spotlight.
He takes such a good look that he doesn’t notice it when his pen falls from his hand or when the people at the table inform him about it.
A light tap on his arm drags him back to reality and Jimin feels his entire face go red.
“Ah, my apologies for spacing out like that, I’m really sorry,” Jimin says, embarrassed at his own unprofessionalism.
“No worries dear!” An older woman at the table assures him, “He really is something huh?” She looks over her shoulder at the singer and Jimin wants the ground to open up and swallow him.
He somehow manages to take their order and get back to work but unlike the previous day when the music eventually faded into the background, he now finds his eyes drifting to the stage every other minute.
Fuck.
___
hobi’s baby: yes
hobi: ???
hobi’s baby: he’s extremely hot
___
During Jimin’s well-deserved break, Seokjin decides he hasn’t annoyed him enough tonight and proceeds to drape himself over his back.
“Why am I doing this to myself?” He whines into Jimin’s ear.
“Because of the money,” Jimin reminds him.
“Fuck the money, I’ll just find a sugar daddy or something,” Seokjin detaches himself from Jimin and slumps into the chair beside him, “fuck, I hate it here.”
“You don’t, you love this place,” Jimin reminds him, “and you tried the whole sugar daddy thing but got freaked out after a day.”
Seokjin puts his chin in his hands and lets out a frustrated groan.
“I hate everything! I just want money!”
“Ain’t that a mood.”
“And one of those shrimp cocktails, I have never had one despite serving them to rich people daily.”
“An actual crime.”
“Homophobia at its finest!”
They both laugh at that and Seokjin let’s his head fall to the table.
“No you’re right, I do love it here, I just wish I was in there,” Seokjin points at the kitchen, “and not out there,” he says pointing at the dining area.
As long as Jimin has known Seokjin, and it’s been a couple of years by now, he’s been saving up money for culinary school.
Seokjin’s family is fairly well off, but his parents cut him off when he refused to study anything “practical” like medicine or law and he’s been on his own ever since.
Between paying rent for his overpriced apartment (that is even shittier than Jimin and Hoseok’s, just better located) and overall living expenses, saving up hasn’t been easy for him. Now his dream is within his reach and Jimin couldn’t be more proud of his friend.
“One day,” Jimin takes his hand, “One day you’ll be making the shrimp cocktails instead of just serving them.”
___
A week goes by surprisingly slow when you have nothing to occupy yourself with.
Jimin spends his Monday in bed, treating himself to a lazy day after his hectic weekend. Tuesday, he meets Namjoon for lunch at a new vegan place he wanted to try and then he heads for the local gym where he teaches ballet to five year olds twice a week. Wednesday is yet another lazy day at home, while the whole Thursday is spent at the gym, first working out and then teaching. On Friday, Hoseok drags him out to a bar and challenges him to a drink off, which is hilarious because Hoseok falls off his chair after three beers and then Jimin falls off his because of how hard he laughs.
Jimin’s daily life isn’t that exciting, but he supposes that it’s his own fault.
There’s one thing bothering him though, a thought that won’t leave him alone throughout the week, and it’s the image of the singer when the spotlight hit him just right, making him glow.
He still doesn’t know his name, which makes the whole situation seem more inappropriate in Jimin’s head. He makes a mental note to ask Seokjin. Or maybe to just muster up the courage to ask the singer himself.
It’s ridiculous really, how lame Jimin is.
But he can’t get that face and that voice out of his head.
No matter how many times Hoseok claims it was love at first sight when he met Namjoon, Jimin never believed him. Such a thing simply doesn’t exist here in the mortal world.
But if it did, well, then Jimin would be fucked.
___
Jimin arrives thirty minutes early to the restaurant on Saturday due to public transport actually being on time for once. He decides to kill time by keeping the bartender company. It’s an elderly woman who Seokjin swears is at least ninety years old, but makes the best cocktails in the city.
“Drinking before work?” She asks with her raspy old voice once Jimin has taken his seat.
“Nah, I’m not Seokjin.”
The bartender laughs at that, “That man deserves a lifetime of free drinks for all the work they make him do.”
Jimin agrees with that, Seokjin’s workload is insane, and it really doesn’t match up with his salary.
“So what will you have then?”
“Just some sparkling water please,” Jimin fishes some cash out of his coat pocket to put on the bar.
“Coming right up!”
La Fourchette is pretty much dead until the pianist arrives at eight o’clock, the only people dining this early are families with young children or old people who wouldn’t be able to hear with the music. Surprisingly enough there’s also a young man sitting at the bar a couple of stools away from Jimin, seemingly drinking alone. Jimin doesn’t think much about it at first, why someone’s at a bar alone is none of his business, but then he hears a clink and a crash and a variety of apologizes being stuttered out.
Jimin realizes he recognizes him.
“Like mother like son huh?”
The poor kid turns around with a look of utter mortification on his face, even worse than when he apologized to Jimin last weekend on behalf of his drunk mother.
“I’m not drunk, I swear!” the young man says, like Jimin was the police or something.
“No, I’m sorry, that wasn’t nice of me,” Jimin stands up and walks over to where the man is sitting. There’s glass on the floor and he picks out some of the bigger shards and puts them on the bar. The man follows and soon there’s no glass left.
“I’m Jungkook.” The man holds out his hand and Jimin takes it.
“Jimin.”
“I know,” Jungkook says and Jimin looks at him questioningly, still holding his hand.
Seeing the look on Jimin’s face, Jungkook drops his hand like he’s getting burned. “I’m not a stalker or anything I swear! It’s just that your name was on your uniform last week when you waited on our table and that memory was so awful that my brain has been replaying it every night before I fall asleep.”
Jimin lets out a laugh at that, small at first but when Jungkook gives him a confused look he absolutely loses it and has to clutch the bar for support.
“I’m the face of your nightmares,” Jimin says once he’s calmed down, “I’m really sorry for that.”
“It’s fine, I’ll forget it in five years or so,” Jungkook chuckles, joining Jimin in his laughter.
The pair small talks for a bit while Jimin finishes his water. Jungkook talks about how much he dislikes the holidays and his relatives, Jimin talks about the stress of his job but how much he actually likes the restaurant with its floor to ceiling windows and good view of the city. Jungkook agrees and shyly adds that the entertainment is also very good, something Jimin enthusiastically assents to.
“That’s why I’m here,” Jungkook’s cheeks are getting red, and Jimin doesn’t think it’s because of the alcohol.
“Yeah the singer really is something, isn’t he?” Jimin really hopes his cheeks don’t show a matching color.
“S-sure, he’s very good! But I was actually talking about the pianist.”
As far as Jimin’s aware, La Fourchette only has a singer on weekends, but there’s a pianist every day of the week. Because of this, it’s impossible to only have one. There’s been at least three different pianists playing during the few shifts Jimin has worked, and none of them really caught his attention the way the singer did, which really is nothing surprising. While the singer stands front and center with a spotlight, the pianist is secluded in the corner, there’s even a large leafy plant partly obstructing the piano from view if you’re seated on the left side of the restaurant.
There’s also the fact that the piano music is meant to be seen as background music and is easy to tune out. Not that Jimin can’t appreciate good piano playing, because he can, it’s just that in this particular situation, he’s not here to listen to the piano, he’s here to work so that’s what he’s been doing.
He didn’t think anyone would come here, to a french restaurant, just to listen to the piano, but apparently they do.
“Do you play piano?” Jimin asks.
“No, I tried as a kid but I could never learn how to read the sheet music so after years of trying I gave up. I regret it now, though, I guess that’s why I admire people who can make it look so easy.”
That makes Jimin sad. “You don’t have to learn how to read the sheet music to play piano, there are other ways to play, like with chords and stuff.” He tries to sound encouraging.
Jungkook shrugs, “I guess, I mean I’m not opposed to take lessons again, but I’m a little scared.”
Jimin wants to say something encouraging to that. Something like you’ll be fine or it’s nothing to be afraid of, but he’s probably the last person to give advice on how to overcome fear. Instead he stands up and pats him on the back, saying how it was nice to meet him but that he has to go start his shift now. Before he can leave, Jungkook asks for his Instagram so they can keep in touch and Jimin gives it out willingly.
That night be pays extra attention to the pianist. He is really good. Jimin’s music knowledge might be limited, but he’s sure the young man at the piano tonight is overqualified.
___
If you asked him a month ago what his favorite Christmas song was, Jimin would probably have said he didn’t have one. Sure, he likes Christmas music, but not to the point of having favorite songs per se. Now though, now he’s got a list, or maybe setlist would be a better word for it since all his newfound favorite Christmas songs happens to be the ones the singer performs every night.
He’s currently singing ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ and it’s incredibly distracting.
Suddenly it’s eleven already and the singer thanks his audience before disappearing backstage. He doesn’t stay there for long, seeing as the backstage area really isn’t much more than a place for the entertainment to store their things. Once the singer has gathered his coat and bag he returns out from behind a curtain, trying to sneak out quietly to not disturb the guests. He would have succeeded with that, seeing as it isn’t really difficult, but unfortunately for him he shares the same workplace as one Park Jimin.
It really isn’t on purpose when Jimin bumps into him with two cups of dessert and almost dumps it over his expensive looking navy blue coat.
“I’m so sorry!” Jimin exclaims, hurriedly checking so no ice cream or creme brulee has been spilled and that the cups stay steady in his hands
“No, it was my fault, I should’ve checked where I was going,” the singer assures him.
“No, I should’ve checked, I mean, it’s kinda my job to get through this crowd without bumping into anyone.”
“Well you haven’t worked here for very long right? So it’s okay that you don’t have it all figured out yet, and even if you had, accidents happen to everyone,” the singer gives him a reassuring smile. It’s a really nice smile, one that Jimin would pay money to see again.
“Not to Seokjin,” Jimin says instead of anything intelligent or impressive. It works out in his favor though, because the singer smiles even wider at that.
“No you’re right, it wouldn’t happen to Seokjin, but I’m talking about us mere mortals now.”
“Us? You’re really gonna lump yourself together with me like your voice isn’t what you hear at the gates of heaven?” Jimin wonders if having his lips sewn together or his vocal cords ripped out would hurt more.
The singer blushes a bit and laughs silently. It’s a sound almost as nice as his singing, “Thank you, but no I must admit I’m quite human. You see, the reason I’m wearing this slightly wrinkled shirt tonight is because I spilled paint all over the ironed shirt I was originally going to wear,” he confesses, making Jimin join in with the silent laughing. They must like utter fools, standing there in the middle of the restaurant just grinning at each other.
When Seokjin suddenly appears behind Jimin, plucking the cups out of his hands and gently reminds him that he’s still got an hour left of his shift, it’s like a spell is broken.
“Sorry again,” Jimin fiddles with the towel hanging from his shoulder to have something to do with his hands now that he’s not holding the cups.
“It’s alright! As I said, it’s nothing to apologize for.”
“I’m gonna go back to work now,” Jimin gestures to the door of the kitchen, “but it was nice to meet you, I’ve been meaning to compliment you for awhile now because I really mean it, you’re great.”
“Thank you, I really appreciate it a lot because some days I think I just disturb the guests.”
“That’s impossible, they should feel blessed actually, to be able to hear you, I know I do.”
The singer hides his face in his hands, “God, you can’t just say that.”
All of a sudden Jimin feels brave, “I can and I will! Nothing will stop me from complimenting you…” he trails off, suddenly aware of the absurd fact that he hasn’t bothered to learn the singer’s name yet.
It must show on his face because the next second the singer offers him his hand, “I’m Kim Taehyung.”
“Park Jimin.”
“Park Jimin who’s still got an hour left of his shift,” Seokjin says, snapping his towel over their clasped hands to make them let go.
“Well Park Jimin, it was nice to meet you, I hope the last hour of your shift goes smoothly!” Taehyung says and excuses himself to escape out from the restaurant, waving to Jimin and Seokjin once he’s outside.
So, Jimin thinks, that was interesting.
___
During the next week Jimin thinks about Taehyung a lot, because yeah, he’s got a big fat crush on him. Usually, he’s not one to fall for people this quickly, but he guesses there’s a first for everything.
Hoseok is delighted, teasing Jimin at every opportunity he gets.
Once the weekend arrives, Jimin’s stomach is in knots. He wants to talk to Taehyung again, but he doesn’t know how to approach him. They’re not friends, or even acquaintances, they talked once and that was on accident. Not to mention Jimin kinda made a fool out of himself. In the moment, he didn’t feel bad about it, because Taehyung reassured him, but this last week his brain has been asking itself the same question over and over.
What if he lied?
It turns out all of Jimin’s worrying was for nothing. When Taehyung spots Jimin in the crowd he gives him a little wave and when Jimin waves back a big grin spreads across his face.
Luck is on Jimin’s side yet again when it’s time for him to take his break and he finds Taehyung already sitting by the small staff table. They small talk for a bit and their conversation flows just as easy as yesterday.
Taehyung overall is just easy to be around.
At the end of Jimin’s last shift that weekend he walks home with a skip in his steps and Taehyung’s phone number in his contacts list.
___
Before getting Taehyung's number, Jimin didn’t really text much. Now, he finds himself reaching for his phone every time something even mildly interesting happens to either tell Taehyung about it or snap a picture to show him.
Hoseok's teasing has gotten worse, and now Namjoon is in on it too.
You really can’t trust any men.
“My Jiminie is in loooove!” Hoseok says as he back hugs Jimin and makes them sway back and forth.
“I’m not, we’re just friends and he’s way out of my league anyway.”
“Nuh huh, no self-deprecation on my watch,” Hoseok says and hugs Jimin tighter, “you’re a real catch.”
“You’re calling me, a drop-out who’s basically unemployed with a steadily decreasing mental health, a catch? Wow, you’ve got low standards.”
Hoseok pinches his side and Jimin yelps.
“I said no self-deprecation!”
Jimin promises not to talk down on himself, but both he and Hoseok know that doesn’t change anything. You can’t change the way you view or feel about yourself by simply uttering a few words.
___
Even though they had talked a lot the last two days, Jimin is surprised when he sees Taehyung on stage on Christmas Eve.
Yoongi, the pianist Jungkook came to watch and who Jimin has learned is Taehyung's good friend and roommate, is not up on the stage with him.
Taehyung is great as usual, Jimin suspects there’s no way for him to be less than great. It’s simply just not possible.
When Jimin is on his break he sneaks backstage to say hello despite the backstage area being nearly too cramped for two people.
“What are you doing here?” Jimin says instead of a greeting like a normal person would.
“Merry Christmas to you too! This is the backstage area, so maybe I should ask you that instead?” Taehyung says and takes a sip of water from a bottle he picks up from his bag.
Jimin blushes from embarrassment, “I didn’t mean it like that, just… why are you here on Christmas Eve? Shouldn’t you be with your family or you know… a date?”
Now it’s Taehyung's turn to blush.
“I don’t have a date…. And my family lives kinda far away and since I’m a poor art student, I just can’t afford a trip there and back as it is right now.”
“I’m sorry, that question was really rude and intrusive.”
“It’s fine really! And I like it here, there are way worse places to spend Christmas, right? And the company isn’t that bad either.” Taehyung nudges him with his elbow. “So why are you here?”
Jimin sighs, “my parents went on a cruise and invited my grandparents and my brother so I don’t have anyone to spend Christmas with unless I wanna crash my roommate’s date night.”
“Why didn’t your parents invite you to the cruise?” Taehyung asks.
“They’re mad at me for dropping out of med school,” Jimin confesses, scratching the back of his head.
“That’s dumb,” Taehyung says, looking shocked.
Jimin laughs at that, “yeah, you might think so, but you didn’t spend a shit-ton on your son's education only for him to decide that no, that’s not really what he wants to spend his life doing.”
“Well isn’t it better that you’re happy?”
For some reason it baffles Jimin that Taehyung takes it so lightly. He knows that he himself would’ve been angry at his kid for at least a little while if he decided to pull a stunt like Jimin's. Taehyung though, he would’ve probably been supportive right from the start.
Jimin falls for him a little bit more.
Just a little bit.
“So when do you get off today?” Jimin asks to change the topic from his sad life and also because he suddenly got an idea.
“At ten thirty, what about you?”
“Eleven... I was gonna ask you if you wanted to take a walk through the park and see the lights but you probably wanna go home right?”
Taehyung's face lights up brighter than any Christmas lights ever could.
“I’d love to go see the lights with you, Jimin! I’ll wait thirty minutes, it’s nothing,” Taehyung says, excitement clear in his voice.
Taehyung’s enthusiasm does something to Jimin’s heart. Not only did he agree to see the lights with Jimin, but he is willing to wait thirty minutes for Jimin to get off. Jimin can’t really think of a word to describe what he’s feeling. Appreciated, maybe? Acknowledged? It doesn’t really matter, for whatever it is he’s feeling, it’s something good.
“Great, I'll see you then,” Jimin retreats from the cramped backstage area to hurriedly eat some dinner in the last remaining ten minutes of his break.
___
Every year in December the big city park decorates the trees and bushes as well as temporary statues with colorful lights to light up the dark winter days. It’s a tradition that lures in both locals as well as tourists and the park is usually filled with people taking pictures or just enjoying the view. Jimin already went to see the lights with Hoseok earlier in the month but just the thought of going there with Taehyung makes him smile.
At eleven thirty at night on the 24th of December, the usual crowd isn’t there. As far as Jimin can see, there’s just a few couples walking around with their arms around each other.
It’s a very romantic atmosphere and Jimin suddenly wonders if Taehyung may have gotten the wrong impression, because Jimin wasn’t asking him out. Not that he doesn’t want to, but it’s too soon for that, isn’t it? But if Taehyung thought Jimin had asked him out and still said yes then wouldn't that mean…
Jimin mentally fistfights any thoughts that dare enter his mind.
He is going to enjoy his not-date with Taehyung without his stupid brain or stupid feelings interfering.
“You know, I’ve heard about this park before but I’ve never been,” Taehyung confesses as they make their way through.
They stop before a big tree that sparkles with purple lights.
“It’s beautiful.”
The purple lights make Taehyung glow the same way the spotlight from the stage does, only now he’s not on a stage but right in front of Jimin and it’s kind of overwhelming how beautiful he is.
Jimin feels like a typical male drama lead when he says “yes it is,” and means Taehyung instead of the tree.
A snowflake falls down and lands on the tip of Taehyung's nose and Jimin wishes his eyes could snap pictures. Maybe that’s what he should do now that he’s not a med student anymore, become an inventor or something and come up with a way for eyes to snap pictures.
They wander around the park aimlessly for about two hours, just enjoying the lights and each other’s company and it’s really nice.
At some point, Jimin mentions his hands are cold because he forgot his gloves at home and Taehyung takes his hands in his to warm them up.
He only lets go of one of them.
Jimin doesn’t even realize how late it’s gotten before Namjoon texts him to ask where he is because Hoseok got drunk and misses him.
Jimin smiles at his phone, damn he loves his friends.
“What’s up?” Taehyung asks.
“My roommate is drunk, but it’s fine, his boyfriend is taking care of him.”
Taehyung picks up his phone as well, presumably to check the time.“It’s getting kind of late, maybe we should call it a night…”
“Yeah, maybe we should.”
They stay in the park for another thirty minutes before reluctantly going their separate ways.
___
“Did you win a million dollars or did you get laid?” Hoseok asks as soon he sees Jimin enter their small kitchen.
“Huh? Why would I win dollars?”
“That’s what you’re focusing on? The currency?”
Jimin checks the fridge, it’s just as empty as yesterday. “Well even if I had won money it wouldn’t have been in dollars.”
“It’s an expression.”
Jimin closes the fridge and takes a browning banana from the fruit bowl Namjoon bought for them as a way to try to get them to eat more green.
“It’s a stupid expression.”
Hoseok stands up to wash his plate, “I feel like you’re avoiding my question by questioning it.”
“I’m not avoiding it, I’m simply questioning it because it’s a stupid question! But if you must know then neither.”
“Then do you care to tell what you’re so happy about?”
“Taehyung held my hand yesterday,” Jimin confesses, like it’s the world's most scandalous thing.
“The way you said that makes me feel like we’re thirteen and skipping class to talk about boys.”
“It was really sweet okay? We looked at the lights in the park and it was snowing and it was just perfect.”
“You’re so fucked.”
“I know.”
___
Just like working on Christmas Eve wasn’t a problem for Jimin, neither is working on Christmas Day. Taehyung is there too and it might just be Jimin’s imagination or wishful thinking, but his eyes seem to light up when they spot Jimin among the tables.
Their eyes seem to meet more frequently than during any other night spent at the restaurant. It’s as if Jimin isn’t the only one who can’t stop his eyes from wandering to the other.
When Jimin is on his break Taehyung surprises him by greeting him with a hug. Jimin freezes for a second before he remembers to hug him back. Jimin likes physical affection, thrives on it actually. He hugs Hoseok, Seokjin and Namjoon all the time but somehow the thought of hugging Taehyung never even crossed his mind. Maybe because he’s a little in love with him. Maybe he was afraid Taehyung would know. Whatever it was, it washes away the second Jimin feels Taehyung’s warm body press against his.
Hugging Taehyung is nice. Really nice and not at all weird, the opposite actually. It just feels natural and as cliche as it sounds, Jimin feels like he was made for Taehyung’s arms to hold.
“Do you have any plans tonight?” Taehyung asks once they let go. They’re still standing close to each other and their hands brush more than once.
“No, I’m just going home I guess,” Jimin answers.
“Wanna hang out with Yoongi and me? Jin saved us some leftovers from yesterday and Yoongi bought beer.” Taehyung looks hopeful and Jimin is weak.
“I’d love to eat leftovers and drink beer with you, but are you sure Yoongi is okay with me being there? I haven’t even met him.”
Taehyung brushes him off, “Of course he’s fine with it, you’re my friend!”
They’re friends. Taehyung called Jimin his friend. It’s such a simple word but it holds a lot of meaning. It’s validating, it means Taehyung must enjoys Jimin’s company. Must like Jimin.
“When does your shift end today? I get off at eleven and I don’t want you to wait for me again,” Jimin says, trying to keep from smiling like an idiot.
“I get off at ten thirty again, but Yoongi also doesn’t get off until eleven so I’m waiting for him anyway.”
Jimin hadn’t even noticed that Yoongi is working today.
“Besides,” Taehyung says and takes his hands when they brush against each other again, “I would’ve waited for you even if you got off even later, your company is worth it.”
At that, Jimin can’t keep his smile at bay any longer. He must look like the world’s biggest fool.
“I have to get back to the stage, enjoy your break!” Taehyung slowly backs away, holding on to Jimin’s hands as long as he can.
Once Taehyung is out of the room, a very obvious fake cough makes Jimin turn around. Seokjin stands in the doorway with his arms crossed and the most suspicious smile Jimin has ever seen.
“So you and Tae, huh?”
Jimin blushes.
“We’ve become friends.”
Seokjin raises his eyebrows, “friends, huh?”
He looks so smug and Jimin wants to slap his dumb expression off his face.
He resorts to smacking him with his towel.
___
It doesn’t really hit Jimin that he’s been invited to Taehyung’s home until he’s already inside the apartment. There are shoes all over the welcome mat and Jimin isn’t sure if his jacket will fit on the coat rack overflowing with jackets and scarves and bags. Taehyung apologizes for the mess, Yoongi mutters something about how Taehyung wouldn’t have bothered to clean even if he knew Jimin would be coming over.
There’s a half filled cup of coffee on the floor that Jimin almost trips over and another cup standing on a bright blue dresser. He wonders if it was Taehyung or Yoongi who left them there.
Taehyung gives a brief tour of the small apartment while Yoongi warms up the food.
Jimin estimates the apartment is about the same size as his and Hoseok’s, but the colorful art on the walls, the clutter on the floor, the piano in the corner and the monstera decorated like a christmas tree in the middle of the living room all make it seem smaller. There’s not a single open space, but instead of it feeling cramped, it just feels cozy.
“That’s Yoongi’s bedroom, we don’t wanna go in there, and that’s mine, it’s messier than the living room.” Taehyung points at two doors opposite each other.
“That’s the bathroom,” he points at yellow door beside his bedroom, “and I guess that concludes the tour!”
Taehyung leads Jimin to the couch but instead of sitting down in it, he throws some of the pillows on the floor and sits down there instead, leaning back against the couch. Jimin follows his lead and when Yoongi brings the food and beer out he sits down on the floor as well, not batting an eye like this is something they do often.
Jimin was worried it would be awkward with Yoongi there but it isn’t. He’s a nice guy, and really interesting. It isn’t awkward at all, and after three beers it’s as if they have known each other for two years and not two hours.
After they finish their meal they just dump their dishes in the sink to deal with tomorrow. Taehyung puts on some chill music and Yoongi goes into his room to fetch a card deck.
Jimin sucks at bluffing, but Taehyung laughs every time Yoongi calls his bluff and in the end Jimin doesn’t really mind losing.
Sometime during the night the music goes from soft r&b and indie to girl group songs and anime openings but Jimin doesn’t mind, he’s having a really good night, better than he’s had in a long time.
When the clock nears three am, Taehyung loudly announces he needs to pee and drops his cards without a care about his opponents seeing them.
When he’s out of the room Yoongi turns to Jimin and for the first time that night (and ever) they’re alone.
“So,” Yoongi starts, “what are your intentions with Tae?”
“My intentions?” Jimin asks.
Yoongi gives him a non-impressed look, “You think I haven’t noticed the loving stares and shy touches? It’s like I’ve been sucked into one of Seokjin’s dumb romance novels he likes to pretend he doesn’t read.”
Jimin feels his cheeks heat up. “I won’t pretend my feelings for Taehyung are completely platonic,” he says and takes a sip of beer, “but we haven’t known each other for very long and I don’t wanna fuck anything up. I like him, as a friend, and that’s more important than anything else I might feel.”
“Hmm… That’s a good enough answer for now, I guess,” Yoongi reaches to pat his shoulder and Jimin feels relieved, he survived the mandatory friend interrogation.
Taehyung returns right after and picks up his cards, not noticing both Jimin and Yoongi messed with them.
___
Jimin wakes up by his phone blasting the Twice song he set as Hoseok's special ringtone. His body feels stiff, and he’s lying on something hard. Not only hard, but also very weirdly shaped and for some reason it’s also moving.
It’s Taehyung.
Even in his still half asleep state he can put two and two together. He fell asleep on top of Taehyung, on his couch, in his apartment.
And Hoseok is calling his phone.
Taehyung looks like he’s still deep asleep and Jimin doesn’t wanna wake him. His phone goes quiet only to start vibrating with text messages, Hoseok must be worried sick since Jimin never got home.
Jimin tries to get off the couch, only to realize that Taehyung has an arm wrapped around him. Jimin can feel his steady breathing and the beat of his heart. Can clearly see the little mole on his nose and an eyelash stuck on his cheek. He reaches to pluck it but right then his phone starts ringing again and the shock of it sends him falling off the couch instead.
“Fuck,” he hisses silently as his ass makes contact with the wooden floor.
Taehyung lefts out a soft whine at the loss of his Jimin-blanket but doesn’t wake up.
Jimin gets up on his feet and aggressively presses the green button to accept Hoseok’s call.
“I’m alive,” he announces.
“Damn, I already sold your MacBook on ebay,” Hoseok answers jokingly, but Jimin can hear the relief in his voice.
“I slept over at Taehyung’s, sorry I didn’t say anything.”
”Mm… I figured,” Hoseok says and Jimin doesn’t like his tone, “Did you and your new boyfie get up to anything fun?”
“We played cards with his roommate.”
“A threesome? That’s spicy, I didn’t expect that of you.” Jimin blushes and hopes neither Taehyung or Yoongi can hear anything Hoseok is saying.
“I’m full of surprises.”
“Well have fun with your boys, I’m gonna have fun with mine so you should wait at least an hour before coming home.”
“Noted.”
They say their goodbyes and hang up. Jimin goes to the bathroom to pee and check his appearance. As expected, he looks awful, with hair standing up and red marks from where his cheek must have been pressed against Taehyung.
He tries to flatten his hair with water but it seems to be beyond saving.
When he exits the bathroom, he hears clattering from the kitchen. It’s Yoongi.
“Good morning,” he says, standing on his toes to reach for a pan in a cabinet above the stove.
“Morning,” Jimin says and stands in the doorway awkwardly. He doesn’t really know where he stands with Yoongi yet.
“There’s fresh coffee in the pot, cups are right above,” Yoongi says and points at a coffee maker.
Jimin thinks he’s got the answer to the randomly placed coffee cup question.
Yoongi fries them eggs and heats the rest of the leftovers and they sit down at a small kitchen table that only fits two. The chairs are mismatched, like everything in the apartment seems to be and it’s charming. Jimin already feels at home.
Yoongi isn’t a very talkative person, but the silences aren’t awkward, they’re comfortable.
After they finish eating breakfast they wash up and do the dishes they neglected last night.
Yoongi lets Jimin borrow a fresh shirt that he suspects is actually Taehyung’s, and the man in question sleeps through it all.
After texting Hoseok to make sure it’s safe, Jimin leaves Taehyung and Yoongi's apartment to make his way home across the city.
___
tae: im sorry i didn’t wake up:( i wanted to say goodbye to u
jimin: it’s ok!! u looked so peaceful and i didn’t want to wake u!!
tae: i had a lot of fun last night, i don’t know if this is too forward of me but i really hope we can have more nights like that.
Nights like that.
Jimin doesn’t know if he means the hanging out part or the sleeping together part, but it doesn’t really matter, he’s fine with either.
jimin: i hope so too