Archive of Our Own ^beta

“shit.” 

his face was buried in his hands, murmuring curse words into them. quiet enough where anyone else nearby couldn’t quite hear him. loud enough to bounce around his own head. 

the computer screen in front of him hadn’t changed in the hour he’d been sitting here, trying to find the motivation to finish this essay. hell, to make progress on it. he groaned again, rubbing his eyes and pushing his hair back. okay, park, focus. it’s not that hard. just, write some damn words in the doc. 

just as he started to write some dribble, the soft clink of porcelain sounded next to him. a cup was set down on his table and he turned to see a man - the barista? - directly next to him, staring intently at his computer screen. he was crouched down, hand stroking his chin, and making a humming sound. 

“ahh … this isn’t very good, jimin.” 

the barista finally turned to look at him, entirely confident, an eyebrow raised, tssk ing. jimin blanched, utterly taken aback and -

“it was on your receipt. I probably sound like a stalker.” he grinned at jimin, rising to his feet fully and rubbing the back of his head. jimin followed his gaze and tried to find a retort, absolutely affronted. he wasn’t able to get a word in before the other man pulled at his apron where a name tag was pinned. “taehyung, if you didn’t catch it already.” he looked back at the computer and pointed at it, any potential bashfulness gone again. “I’m not sure where you got your sources from, but you should probably look at a couple more reputable ones. just that, these ones are a little dated. oh! have you heard of yayoi kusama? she’d be great for this. i can pull up some articles for you…”

jimin really just stared at him. who...? what...? he felt embarrassed, confused, and… well. defensive. 

his lips pursed, finally regaining some composure. “thanks. I’m good.” he paused, eyebrows raising pointedly. “taehyung.” 

the barista bit his lip, considering, before shrugging and smiling at him. why was that so infuriating? “ahh, no problem. just let me know.” he went to turn away, glancing back at Jimin who wanted to just tear his own hair out at this point. “the drink’s on me, by the way. just seems you could use a lift.” he winks before turning and moving back behind the espresso bar. 

...was that a short joke? 

—-

“welcome back, jimin!”

the smile that broke across taehyung’s face when jimin walked back into the coffee shop was unmistakable and obnoxious , in jimin’s humble opinion. 

as he walked up to the counter, he could only roll his eyes and quirk an eyebrow. the barista’s smile did not falter, he only appraised him right back. “what’ll it be? a macchiato while swearing at the computer?” 

he glared, then, scoffing. “no essay, today. so I’ll probably avoid that part.” that made taehyung laugh, and jimin was very upset at his mouth instinctually wanting to smile back. he didn’t though. a small victory. “and just a vanilla latte. thanks.” taehyung just nodded and smiled to himself as he put in the order, handing back the card. “be right out, jimin.” 

god. infuriating. 

jimin was planning on studying today. 

which really meant watching choreography videos to songs he liked. 

he was a dance major … it counted. 

he had one earbud out to listen for his order, but was surprised once again by the sight of a coffee cup set next to his computer, long fingers gently extracting themselves from it. there was a beautiful rosetta design on top of it and looked to be sprinkled with cinnamon. jimin glanced over at who he inevitably knew the culprit would be. he gave him a questioning look, and taehyung actually looked a little sheepish. “you’ve gotten cinnamon in your coffees before, hope you don’t mind.” 

begrudgingly, he did not mind. 

the taller man’s eyes widened a fraction as he glanced at jimin’s computer screen and he suddenly felt the urge to tab out of it. “ahhhh, this is a great group! i’ve watched most of their dance covers - and god, their original choreo is just-“ he did a chef’s kiss motion and jimin snorted at what a dork he was. still, he was appreciative of the comments. this group had been a large inspiration for him growing up and encouraging him to keep going, keep learning and challenging himself. they had a positive message and jimin was happy to hear when anyone else enjoyed them. taehyung was looking at him eagerly... eventually, he gave in. “yeah… i’ve been watching them for a long time. i want to cover one of their originals, I think, soon.” 

he was caught by surprise again when taehyung dropped to the seat next to him, eyes large. “you’re a dancer, then?” he sounded totally amazed and it was kind of… endearing? jimin just nodded, maintaining a bemused expression. taehyung clapped his hands together once, looking at him like he was a god. “amazing! I’m so jealous of dancers. I’ve always wanted to learn. I try to teach myself sometimes, I’m okay, but-“ he stopped short, grinning stupidly. “I bet you’re really good.” 

this kid was really good at giving him whiplash. at the compliment, he felt himself flush a little. he furrowed his eyebrows, however, and adopted a challenging tone. “how would you know?” 

immediately taehyung shrugged and grinned, that strange kind of smile he had. “just a feeling. so! how’d your essay go?” apparently jimin needed to quickly become adjusted to these shifts in subject, because right now his head was swirling and he could only manage a “huh?” 

“your essay. looked like it was an analysis and history on abstract art? a great concept, I think, but you were.. very protective of it.” he laughed, very lightly, and jimin huffed, very lightly. “so how’d it go?”

in truth … jimin had deleted everything he’d written other than the thesis. he liked his thesis. apparently so did taehyung. and after a lot of internal struggle and back and forth and finally pulling up a search of this yayoi kasuma… he had fallen into a rabbit hole of articles on her. the history, thinkpieces, the pieces themselves. jimin finished the essay that night and had actually kind of enjoyed it…? there was a first for everything, he supposed. he was certainly grateful for taehyung’s suggestion... 

definitely couldn’t tell the truth about that, though. not the whole truth. 

“it went…well.” he shrugged, tentative. “the professor was happy with the analysis overall. pretty good grade considering my usual average or below average ones in that class.” he sighed a little, a bitter smile thinking about the art class he definitely underestimated when he signed up for it. 

but taehyung’s eyes were sparkling. “you took my advice, huh?” 

jimin gaped. scoffed. crossed his arms. “wh- I don’t even… you are so cocky.” this only made the other boy grin. “my thesis was just really good!” 

taehyung laughed, raising his hands in surrender. “it was! you’re absolutely right, it was really good! I wanna read it.” jimin sat back a bit at that, arms still crossed and definitely still huffy… but a little more subdued. “which is whyyy …” he let the word elongate, leaning in just very slightly “I made the suggestion.” 

staring was something he found himself doing a lot with taehyung. he was the absolute strangest human he’d ever met. a complete enigma. from another world entirely. 

“don’t you need to get back to work?” 

“yep!” he clapped again, smiling and standing. “and you have coffee to drink.” he pushed his chair back and the coffee cup closer to jimin. “I’d be happy to help with any art-related homework in the future. you just lemme know.” his tone was singsong as he walked away. 

jimin shoved the earbud back into his ear, grumbling slightly. this kid, seriously. 

he brought the coffee cup to his lips, finding the temperature was just right. he closed his eyes and hummed. it was really nice. and… he really liked the cinnamon. 

— 

jimin came to coffee shops often. the atmosphere helped him relax and usually helped him concentrate. he frequented a few of them near his apartment or close to campus, but he’d found himself coming back to the same one, lately.

well. 

the coffee was good, the location was convenient, and he really liked the interior. it was just very nice. it was merely an inconvenience that every time he came, that same obnoxious barista seemed to find his way to jimin. 

it was obnoxious how he always seemed to look right through jimin. like he could sense what was going on in his brain… even if he couldn’t decipher it, himself. it was also obnoxious that when jimin walked up to the cash register, taehyung made a guess at what jimin wanted to drink. more often that not, he was right , but jimin wouldn’t be jimin if he gave the other man the satisfaction of knowing it. it was obnoxious that no matter how jimin acted, how snotty he got, how sarcastic, how antagonistic… taehyung smiled at him. he recognized the glint in his eyes, filled with curiosity and mischief, and had realized that taehyung was not so different than jimin. he was using the smile offensively - he wouldn’t give jimin the satisfaction, either, of winning whatever little war they had going on. 

it was obnoxious that taehyung always brought him his drink. even when jimin decided to wait by the counter, the barista would round the corner and hand deliver it to him. he could’ve screamed that day. 

it was obnoxious that jimin kept coming back to it. daily. despite his painstaking attempts not to. but... jimin liked coffee… and maybe he liked witty baristas that could keep up with his attitude. 

yeah... maybe he liked that, too. 

less obnoxiously, taehyung did actually end up becoming a great asset for his art course. 

“so how long have you been… doing art?” he made a vague gesture with his hands, not sure how to phrase it. maybe he sketched or painted or did photography… jimin felt a small pang of guilt for not having already asked that. they’ve been having these strange, familiar interactions for a while now, and taehyung seemed to know a lot more about him than he knew taehyung. that whole ‘seeing right through jimin’ thing. 

“what makes you think i ‘do art’?” he countered, setting down his coffee for today. leaning his arm on the table, head cocked to the side, his dark hair flipping a little behind his headband, and jimin found that infuriatingly cute. he was being infuriatingly cute. anything he could do to get under jimin’s skin. 

“nobody who’s that big of a nerd about art isn’t involved in art.” jimin scoffed, rolling his eyes, finding taehyung very much so under his skin. 

of course he sat at that. his head was resting in his hands, watching the dance student with that same damn look. “that’s so presumptuous of you, jiminah.” the nickname made his skin go hot in an instant, his cheeks flushing. “and you called me cocky?” taehyung sat back, hand to his chest in an offended manner. he certainly noticed jimin’s reaction, from the way his eyes flashed, but he didn’t say anything. not that he had to. the man had gotten a small victory over him in that moment and they both knew it. 

jimin did recover quickly from his momentary lapse of sanity, giving him a dull look. in all honesty, the reason jimin was certain he was an artist was because of the little things he had noticed in their time together. taehyung doodled . and his doodles were… pretty damn good. they were on jimin’s receipts, on his napkins, on his cups if he was getting it to-go. hell, even his latte art had a specific finesse to it that jimin could respect. he knew from the style of his doodling that he’d done a lot of the visual graphics for the shop itself. jimin should have found it more frustrating that he was picking up on these familiarities. 

“ahh, then...” the barista murmured, “it’s a loaded question. all my life or maybe two years? depends on if you want to ask a more specific question.” taehyung’s fingers had wrapped around the pencil jimin brought with him, tapping it against the table, eyes slowly moving back to meet his. jimin shivered. 

“so you’ve only recently been practicing your art, but you’ve been interested for as long as you can remember.” jimin didn’t ask, but the words still held space for objection. there was none. “if you’ve always loved it, why did you wait?” 

the barista smiled at that, and jimin really wished he hadn’t. because that wasn’t a teasing smile. it wasn’t the type of smile that always seemed to be reserved for the two of them and this game they played. it wasn’t even flirtatious. flirting he could handle. but this was simply … fond. 

fondness was more difficult to process. 

“fear, I would think.” his words fell out in a low tone that jimin had grown so accustomed to. like a hum escaping his chest. jimin made a small sound of understanding. “hard to go for something when the world tells you not to. i’m sure you can relate.” his laugh was breathy, still resting his head on one hand and hardly taking his eyes off the other boy. 

said boy just nodded, pondering the words. it was true that jimin hadn’t exactly been … encouraged to pursue his dream. but he had been determined and he had worked insanely hard and he was going to make sure everyone knew it was worth it. 

“eventually though,” he continued, glancing out the window momentarily, “decided it wasn’t worth it to keep living like that. my parents weren’t thrilled when I changed my major, but …” a sort of melancholy filtered his face so briefly that someone might miss it if they weren’t watching him as intently as jimin was. “my gran’s very supportive of me, and that’s enough, I think.” there was that fond look again, only now it was directed to someone much more important to taehyung. jimin felt privileged. 

“don’t regret it. don’t usually regret much anymore.” his eyes flickered back and jimin quirked an eyebrow. “if I want something… i’m not afraid to go after it.” 

there was a pause. silence. the air between them filled with something heavy and a little suffocating. or maybe the oxygen had been sucked away entirely. 

whatever it was, jimin had to bite the inside of his lip to keep his face as straight as possible. kim taehyung, obnoxious, enigmatic, unbearable kim taehyung… would not win. 

“your coworkers are going to kill you one of these days.” 

“i don’t think it’s them that’ll be the death of me.” he winked and sauntered his way back to the bar. jimin just stared at the space he left behind. 

he may as well pack up his things. there’d be no focus on studying, now. 

bastard. 

—

“i want to see some of your pieces.” the barista’s eyebrows shot up, obviously not expecting jimin’s forwardness. which was a small victory that he would definitely be counting moving forward. 

taehyung hadn’t even had time to get a word out, make any coffee recommendation, before jimin had spoken first. “and I’ll have the barista’s choice.” he smirked, leaving a bill that would cover whatever the drink was plus tip, and walked to his usual table. 

yeah. he had a usual table. of course he did. it was a nice secluded spot, near a fireplace, with a lovely street view outside the window. it was somehow empty each time he came and, why did he hope that was purposeful? 

jimin has his laptop out and both headphones in, knowing to expect the sight of coffee to bring him back to reality. instead, he got a hand placed lightly on his shoulder. he cursed his body for the shiver that ran through it. the hand belonged to who he expected it to. he’d studied it enough to recognize it immediately. 

and suddenly his face was next to his as well, watching the screen and jimin tabbed out of the window immediately. taehyung turned to look at him, grinning widely, which only made him want to bury his head in the ground. 

“barista’s choice, good monsieur.” he did a small bow, placing the coffee cup on the table before taking his usual seat. jimin grimaced. 

“art?” 

“dance?”

“sorry, what?” he couldn’t help the surprised laugh that came out, forehead creased in confusion at the immediate response. 

“dance.” that boxy grin, damn it. “I think it’s only fair you show me that first.” his head nodded toward the laptop and jimin flipped him off, creating a dramatic look of offense from the opposing boy. “you’re already watching one!! jimiiiiin” he whined, pouting, and no that was not going to get him anything more than a hard scoff. 

“for helping you ace your art class, I think I should get a reward.” a childish huff as he crossed his arms. jimin’s eyes crinkled with laughter at the image - he couldn’t help himself. 

“you’re such a bastard.” he grumbled, somehow giving him everything he was asking for. park jimin may be an enabler. “i can’t believe i’m doing this, this is so embarrassing.” he passed one headphone over to taehyung, turning the computer screen, and hiding his face in his hands as the music played. 

it was his most recent dance practice with two of his classmates, hoseok and jungkook. they recorded most of their practices to help them analyze their strengths and opportunities. opportunities , not weaknesses or failures. his friends had been pressing that into him. jimin was always one to over analyze himself, picking apart everything and figuring out how to be better. always be better. it took a lot out of him, and he was appreciative of the two for trying to keep him above ground. 

he couldn’t help but peak between his fingers, glancing at taehyung, whose expression had become very serious. his eyes were glued to the screen and jimin’s eyes were glued to him. his fingers brushed at his lips as he watched the video, studying it, and suddenly jimin had never felt more vulnerable. more on edge. 

brown eyes met his own and jimin realized the video must have ended. 

oh.

“so?” he finally breathed out, wondering why he desperately craved to hear the other’s thoughts. he felt like he was on the edge of a cliff, glancing down at crashing waves and jutting rocks and a fall he most certainly wouldn’t survive. he managed to take a breath. 

not yet. 

he pulled himself back from dangerous thoughts. 

“good? bad? heavenly? meeting all of your expectations and more?” he grinned, leaning back. he may be extremely self-critical, but he knew how to turn on the arrogance, too. he may not think he was perfect, but he worked too hard to not know he was good . 

this startled taehyung out of his dreamy look, and jimin felt like he was racking up the points in that moment. the adjustment was small, controlled, but it was there, and jimin allowed himself a smug smile for it. 

a breathy laugh, taehyung rubbed the back of his neck and glanced anywhere but the dancer. “mm, you guys truly work hard. you must practice a lot. your synchronization is pretty incredible, I’ll admit.” he was purposefully avoiding pointing out anything specifically about jimin as he continued, and he thought maybe his teeth would grind into dust because of it. they were both too damn good at this. 

“I’m very thankful for those two.” jimin did have a small smile at that, affection leaking into it. “wouldn’t know what to do without them, honestly. i’m lucky we got so close, i… i probably wouldn’t be doing this, still, if not for them. they’ve kept my head above water more times than i can count.” for some reason, he didn’t mind sharing this. maybe because taehyung was always so open when he spoke about his personal life, when it did come up. maybe because he’d never seen true judgement in those eyes before and he felt a little safer here than he did almost anywhere else. 

that was a weird thing to think. really weird, jimin. 

taehyung watched him affectionately and jimin started to think he really could read his thoughts and… yeah it’d be really cool if that wasn’t the case. 

“I think the whole world is thankful for that too, then.” he took the earbud out and placed it in the other boy’s hand, letting his fingers rest on his hand so very lightly, so very carefully, and so very briefly. jimin only now noticed the envelope that the dark haired boy had brought with him, sliding it forward and standing. “you can keep these - a reminder of me whenever we’re apart.” a cheeky grin, a little teasing, a little too genuine. he brushed off his apron, maintaining his gaze. their eyes locked. 

“thank goodness… that you didn’t give up.” his eyes were intense, despite the light hearted smile. he bowed and turned and walked away. 

jimin swallowed. his name was written in pretty cursive on the front face of the envelope. inside was a variety of what jimin would assertively call works of art. so taehyung was a photographer and a painter. the few sketches were gorgeous, using the smearing graphite to his utmost advantage. jimin knew he was good, but he was flabbergasted now. his eye for detail and color, his use of space and texture. he was an artist . 

the last paper in the envelope was an invitation. Kim Taehyung’s art exhibit, in two weeks. 

I know you’re busy. You look far too stressed out for me to not know you overwork yourself. When you think I’m not looking, your shoulders sag and sometimes your head is in your hands for a little too long. That makes me so sad, Jiminah~ :( there was a tiny crying bear face. But as much as I would not be able to admit it to you in person yet, it would mean a lot to me if you found time to come. Please know I understand if you can’t. But… don’t tell me though! I like surprises. And I like to get my heart broken a little bit every day, so that’ll be the added bonus if I keep my expectations high and you don’t show up. There’s no way you could let me down! 

...Yeah. So. Don’t look at me for the rest of the day. This is so embarrassing. Actually the next two and a half days. Oh my god. I can’t believe I gave this to you. Geez. You just got a ton of points, huh? Aishhh. 

jimin grinned at that, but his whole body was hot and light and giddy and he took a step closer to the edge of the cliff, looking down, and smiling. 

this didn’t really feel like a game anymore. 

—

he wasn’t sure if he should go. he had only interacted with taehyung in this little world of their’s. it would be different. probably awkward. maybe jimin would feel out of place and the artist would realize he’d made a mistake and should never have changed the direction their world had been spinning. did they want this little planet to expand like that? 

jimin definitely did come back to the coffee shop the very next morning, though, and let out a bright laugh immediately as taehyung sank behind the counter, shouting “we’re closed!” 

“certainly looks like it.” it was a busy morning for the shop, with a few customers glancing their way in confusion before hesitantly returning to their respective little bubbles. when he approached the counter, the barista did not rise. “this is not how you should treat such a loyal customer, kim taehyung.” his words came out lazily, sighing dejectedly. he liked saying his full name. he reserved it just to get a special reaction. he heard a groan from the other side and leaned over the counter, smiling brightly, met with the dismal eyes of probably the biggest child he’s ever seen. 

“let me die, yes? yoongi, please take his order for me so I can die!” 

the other barista just looked at them deadpan, rolling his eyes and swatting taehyung’s head as he walked right by. 

“I receive only cruelty wherever I am.” 

jimin snorted at that, leaning against the counter and tapping impatiently. with a dramatic sigh, kim taehyung stood and hung his head. “I don’t know why I thought you would respect my wishes. it hasn’t even been one and a half days.” 

“I think you’d get withdrawals if I waited that long, so I’m actually being very kind. don’t get used to it.” that pulled the poorly hidden grin out of the barista. 

“jimin withdrawals are worse than coffee withdrawals.” taehyung agreed mournfully and jimin would have swatted him if he were closer. “what’ll it be, then, other than my utter demise?” his tone and expression were so serious that jimin couldn’t help the genuine laugh again, throwing his face into his hands. this made taehyung giggle. 

this was nice. it felt a little different and a little the same and a lot nice. 

“i want you to guess.” he raised his eyebrows, just slightly challenging, eyes just slightly wider to give the impression of a pout. lips just slightly puckered. 

he heard a sharp intake of breath. just slightly. 

taehyung didn’t seem to be ready to process flirting this early in the morning. but he recovered, as they both always managed to. 

“a french vanilla latte. in house, because obviously you’re staying and I’d be very upset with you if you weren’t.” jimin bit back the smile very poorly. “almond milk, extra hot, because you’re extreme ly high maintenance and not because it takes you forever to drink it, which is definitely no fault of mine.” his eyes glint, gaining control of the interaction. “and cinnamon. of course. on top, and secretly steamed into the milk, specially for you.” 

“you’re so obnoxious.” jimin flushed, handing him his card. 

“and you’re…” he paused, changing course, and jimin tilted his head. 

“hmm?”

“...order will be right up.” taehyung beamed brightly, swiping the card, turning the screen, and disappearing to the espresso machine. 

jimin’s table was vacant again, and now he was sure it had to be purposeful. wow, that man’s coworkers must really be done with him. he laughed quietly to himself at the thought of the other barista he knew, yoongi, yelling about favoritism and poor business practices and taehyung whining that it was a good way to make your regulars feel welcomed and at home. yoongi would probably point out that they had more regulars than just jimin and taehyung would probably give him the most shocked look of his life like he’d never thought of that before. 

yeah. he was positive it would go just like that. 

jimin was glad that the staff gave taehyung as hard a time as jimin did. it was deserved. 

he relayed this to him when he reached their table. 

taehyung gaped at him. “have I ever told you you’re the rudest, most ungrateful favorite customer I’ve ever had the pleasure of serving?”

jimin’s eyebrows rose at that, but smiled. too genuinely. “have I ever told you you’re the nosiest, absolute weirdest favorite barista I’ve ever had the pleasure to be served by?” 

ahh. that was rewarding. 

he hadn’t seen him blush before. 

“oh my god you’re the worst.” 

“thank you.” 

jimin looked at the latte and his smile felt a little too broad as he saw the heart that danced on top. “a little simple today.” he murmured, still smiling, glancing up at this man that had wormed his way into a comfortable spot in his life. 

“i like simple, sometimes. life is too hard and people too confusing, but there are some things that are simple. I want to grab on tight to those things.” 

“are you a writer on top of your other many skills?” 

“was that good?” 

“it was dorky, just like you.” jimin smiled into his coffee, using it to distract him a little before realizing that taehyung had been right, he almost never drank it this quickly, and it was still too hot. he grimaced a little, setting it down. 

“so other skills, you say?” 

ahh, there it was. 

jimin sat back, appraising the barista. he looked a little nervous. the same look in his eyes that jimin had when the other watched him dancing. his body language one in the same. trying to keep it cool. failing miserably. that was probably why taehyung sat so quickly. 

“good? bad? heavenly? meeting all your expectations and more?” he grinned. what a little shit. jimin grinned, too, and decided to be nice.

“I was surprised, actually.” taehyung’s eyes brightened, looking eager and ready to devour any morsel of praise. “I was… really impressed. you’ve only been doing this for two years, ‘seriously’ I guess… it’s impressive. you’re just… very impressive.” he ended it more shyly than he intended to. the other man looked like he was going to fly into space. jimin covered his mouth with his hands as he laughed. fondly. it was always fondly now. 

“coming from the most impressive person, that is the highest of praises.” 

jimin tried his coffee again. 

it was perfect. 

—

he kept meaning to go back. he really wanted to. it was embarrassing how much he wanted to. but his showcase was coming up and he spent late nights in the studio and he was too exhausted in the mornings to wake up in time for his normal coffee run. honestly he didn’t even have time to pick it up. the lack of a certain smile and constant banter was waning at his heart. 

god. maybe he was having taehyung withdrawals. 

oh my god, that was so embarrassing. so obnoxious. 

[unknown number]

park jimin 

um

[unknown number]

i got ur number from jungkookie 
now he thinks im a stalker 
will u tell him im not im just texting this boy i met at work who thinks im impressive? 

omg

[unknown number]

🥺

OBNOXIOUS 

[unknown number]

RUDE

idk what if you are a stalker? 
how am I to know? 

[unknown number]

😑

he’s v protective of me 
you should be careful 😘

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

… r u dating? 
he has a secret bf 
is it u? 

LMAO 
N O 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

ah
probs yoongi then 🤪

oh my god what
WHAT 
im upset about how much sense that makes
just cause i didnt think of it first

wait how do u know kookie???

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

oh
photography 
kid’s a prodigy 
good at everything 
also we’ve been friends since forever 

surprise? 

im never visiting you again 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

!!!! 
i assumed that already!! 
since you’re AVOIDING me 

brat
im busy
like
more than normal

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

well ya I assumed that too 
no one can actually resist me 
but im very needy and cant be left alone for long 
which is why I had to take desperate measures 
🥺🥺🥺

i’ll visit soon 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

thank goodness 
I was gonna have to start actually stalking u if not 

very threatening
but no need
I was gonna need to come back soon anyway

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

???

turns out the withdrawals are like
wayyyyy worse than coffee

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

oh my god 
my heart 
😩💞💞

—

they didn’t text after that. probably because jimin woke up at a reasonable hour the next day and made his way to the cafe. and by woke up, he meant literally dragged himself out of bed to try and make himself presentable. he washed his face quickly, threw on a beanie, hoodie and glasses. he appraised himself in the mirror. not bad, park. other than those dark circles that still peaked out through the light concealer he had on.

lugging himself out of his apartment, he was happy it was sunny despite the chill. 

he’d still had a late night. he hadn’t gotten to bed till 2am and it had been a hard sleep until the alarm went off and ruined his life. 

well, not really. that was reserved for the damn boy he was doing all this for. 

taehyung didn’t see him until he was at the counter. he’d rounded the corner, looked like he’d been finishing up another order, when their eyes met and… was that a squeal ? 

he laughed incredulously. “you’re embarrassing.” 

“i can be more embarrassing. i could leap over the counter and absolutely destroy you with hugs. honestly I don’t really know how I haven’t, already. wow you are a sight for sore eyes. even if you do look like you may have gotten run over by a train? like, twice? you somehow manage to make that look good, though. is that a curse? a blessing? both? park jimin, are you a creature of heaven and hell?” 

he let him ramble, happiness seeping into him. it’d been a little over a week since he’d last been to the shop - since he’d last seen him. it was strange how immediately he’d relaxed. 

“i need a coffee or a nap right now, taehyung, and i’m pretty sure i won’t be getting the nap. i know you’ve been in a jimin desert lately, but hopefully you still remember what i like.” he smiled softly, placing the bills on the counter again. “meet you at the table.” he walked away, feeling a little too tired and a little too confident. he felt eyes on his back. he smiled. 

he’d only brought his duffle bag with him today, full of dancewear. he was planning a day of holing up in the studio to get some last minute practice in which really meant over analyzing every movement he made and being berated by his fellow dancers about it. he probably wouldn’t eat much, he realized, seeing as he’d forgotten to pack anything. well hobi usually had something for him or he could steal some of kook’s food. that usually worked out. ah, the coffee shop had food, right? it was going to be a long day … he was glad, at least, that he could start it like this. 

“it seems like a chai day today, actually, but I did put two shots of espresso in it because wow no amount of makeup can cover those bags under your eyes and also it’s one of my favorite drinks, maybe partially because it’s called a dirty chai and i’m probably twelve years old, but I think you’ll like it nonetheless.” came the voice of comfort, one he’d been thinking about a lot more lately, often before drifting to sleep. “I’m sure you’re busy, and if you have to go I can put it in a to go cup when you leave me in the jimin-less void, again.” 

he could only smile. too tired, too stressed, too focused to play games right now. not that this felt like a game anymore. not for a while now. 

“i’m good to stay for a bit. i forced myself out of bed today, you know. you’re welcome.” he sighed, leaning back and holding the cup. he wouldn’t drink it yet, but he appreciated the warmth that engulfed his hands after the brisk cold from outside. 

“practicing hard?” taehyung read the vibe and sat down, leaning against the table. “you look exhausted, jimin. are you taking care of yourself?” 

jimin gave him a look, eyes squinting with a guilty smile. 

“yeah i don’t know why i asked.” taehyung shook his head, chuckling quietly. he looked a little sad. 

“come to my showcase?” jimin blinked, surprised, as if he hadn’t been the one to say it. “ahh… sorry. that came out of nowhere. i’m… really tired.” he chuckled, embarrassed, blaming it on something else entirely. “your exhibit is the day after, you’re gonna be busy. i guess, just...” 

“i’ll be there.” 

his mouth opened, but he didn’t have anything to say. the response was so immediate. so certain. taehyung looked a little embarrassed by it himself. “taehyung…” 

“i was, uh… already thinking about going, anyway. jungkook and all.” oh, right. “i wasn’t sure, though, because yeah i definitely do have a lot going on, but um… i’ll be there.” he ended it with a shrug. like he knew that wasn’t a real reason, and now jimin felt a little guilty. this exhibit was important to the other boy and going to some dance showcase the night before didn’t make any sense. no matter how much jimin wanted him to be there. 

jimin gave a small smile, hesitating only a moment before placing a hand on the other’s. he liked the feeling of it there. aish, when did he get so damn soft? “don’t.” he brightened his expression up. he was not about to guilt him into it. “don’t come. i rescind my invitation, in the kindest way possible, because there will be more in the future and kookie usually wants nothing more than to pass out afterwards anyway. and you should focus on your work. i can tell how important it is to you.” 

the other man’s lips were pursed. his eyes reflected a hundred unspoken thoughts. jimin could tell he wasn’t thrilled with the response, but he didn’t speak against it. well, jimin wasn’t thrilled either. 

his hand still rested over the other’s. he refrained from brushing his fingers over skin, wanting to confirm what he guessed the texture of them would be. probably firm, a little calloused from working so furiously with pencils and paint brushes. he wanted to know the landscape of his hands. 

he drew it back instead, smiling sheepishly. 

“I’ll watch the recording.” a beautifully bright smile appeared again and jimin unconsciously imitated it. “you have to promise me to take care of yourself and get some rest before the show. like. pinky promise.” his eyebrows lifted to what was probably the very top of his forehead and had a very serious look in his eyes. his pinky was absolutely held out in earnest. 

jimin stared, lips quivering as he fought the laughter, and gave in with ease. his little finger wrapped around the other. it was a moment of tenderness that jimin could have kept in his heart forever. 

instead, they burst out into giggles. 

“the smallest hands! the smallest! oh my god!”

“it’s not my fault your’s are weirdly giant! you’re cursed, with monster hands!”

jimin couldn’t breathe through his laughter, falling forward against himself and unable to stop it. jimin was a little embarrassed by his laugh. his real laugh. he laughed with his whole body and he’d been teased for it in the past. nothing serious, really, but enough to make him just a little conscious of it every time. but he was comfortable here, in this moment. he could cringe about it later. 

when he looked up, he didn’t miss the look of stupid wonder on taehyung’s face.

“I like it when you laugh, park jimin. i don’t think I’ve ever been more privileged to see something in my life.” this time, jimin did smack his arm. he was still giggling a little. they both were. 

“thanks for coming today. you didn’t have to, but you know that, too.” 

“well, i told you, I actually did.” he smiled and took a sip of his drink and, after a moment, gave a nod of approval. “I don’t think having the shakes is going to benefit my dancing much. this was purely for my health.”

taehyung pressed his lips together and shook his head. “right, and you did just promise me to take care of yourself which!” he barked abruptly. “was sealed with a pinky promise which is unbreakable. so if you dont, i’ll die, and I’m pretty sure you don’t want that blood on your hands.”

a snicker. “oh you die, huh?”

“yup. one because that’s just how it works now, and two, because the stakes are higher with my life. you’ll never get another specialty coffee from your favorite obnoxious barista and you’ll have more taetae withdrawals.” 

“hmm,” he pondered, “so what you’re saying is I need rehabilitation from you.” 

“oh, no. no. unfortunately for you, and fortunately for me, there’s no kim taehyung cure. scientists are at a loss. it’s rather sad. a hopeless situation.” 

dork. 

“then… i guess i have no choice.” 

“none at all.” 

they wore matching smiles. 

“oh, one more thing.” he disappeared briefly. jimin kind of felt like he was floating, still, when taehyung reappeared with a little baggy and a bottle of water. “I know you have water already but i also am ninety percent sure you didn’t eat breakfast nor did you pack anything for later. so there’s a breakfast sandwich and some granola bars. eat.” he grinned cheekily, adding, “you pinky promised.” 

and jimin probably could have kissed him then and there, if not for his useless pride.

—

goodnight 🥱🥱🥱

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

you’re a danger.
to me. 
to everyone around you. 
to society. 
are you even legal? 

banned in at least five countries 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

hmmmmmmmm 
kinda hot ngl 

byeeeeeee

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

good night sweet prince 🥺 
may angels sing ME to MY rest
😩🙏🏼💀

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

11pm is very reasonable btw
...
for you 
im so proud 

—

it was a beautiful day. 

park jimin deigned it to be terrible, instead. 

dancing was the worst mistake. why did he do dancing? why not… dentistry. or accounting. something that didn’t require climbing on stage in front of everyone and making a fool out of himself. it was probably time to drop out. it was only the end of his junior year. it’d be fine. 

melodrama was practically tradition at this point for jimin when it came to show days. he’d already received a snap from hobi that had come at… “oh my god five am ? i hate morning people.” it was made of a bright sunshine smile and a caption telling jimin he was great and sexy and going to literally end lives tonight and that dropping out was very likely a bad idea. maybe he should be embarrassed about how well hobi-hyung knew him, but it just brought a sense of comfort. it went to work on quelling some of the nerves. 

he threw on a long peacoat over his baggy practice clothes and, enormous water bottle in hand, made his way to the dance hall. he liked walking on show days, especially with a chill in the air. it helped snap a sense of excitement into him. god. he may be a nervous wreck, but he really loved it. jimin loved performing. the moment he stepped on stage, it was like something turned on inside of him. 

it was just the moments leading up to it that he was ready to turn and run. 

he felt a buzz in his pocket. 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

good luck, jiminaaaaaah 🥰
not that you need it. 
like. 
at all. 
you’re about to blow some minds 
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

he couldn’t help it. the slow smile sliding onto his lips. the message was exactly what he needed right now. 

thx haha I
🙃
wanna die im
i might throw up
it’s normal
we’re good
🙃🙃🙃

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

that’s chill 
I’ll still hang out w u even if u puke 

i’m honored 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

#blessed in fact 

😊🥴🤢

jimin would have absolutely stopped at the coffee shop this morning, but taehyung had the weekend off, including yesterday. taken it off months in advance to prepare for the exhibit. jimin was probably more excited for him than he was his own performance. just because he loved the way the boy’s eyes lit up when he spoke about it. 

another buzz. 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

id tell you if i thought you were anything less than spectacular
im very honest, if you havent noticed, and i dont lie
not even to pretty boys 

and also jungkook never stops raving about u?
his great mentor 
dont tell him i told u 
but ur basically a celebrity to him 
understandably 

im totally gonna tell him you told me 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

cruelty 
WHEREVER I go 
I won’t survive it 

you’ll be fine 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

will i? 
will i recover from this ultimate betrayal? 

it’ll take like 5min and you’ll be falling all over yourself again
u can’t resist me 
too pretty 😘 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

end me 

jimin cackled a bit, happy no one was really around to pay attention. when he’d arrived at the practice rooms, he wasn’t surprised to find them mostly deserted. he flicked the lights on and looked around, smiling delicately. he loved an empty practice room. 

he turned on the speaker, music blaring loudly, and started stretching. he glanced at his phone, making a decision before he got started. 

maybe later
gotta practice
byeee

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
YOU CANT DO THIS TO ME 
PUT THAT AWAY
WHERE ARE YOUR SLEEVES????
JIMIN !!!!!!!!! ??????

🤙🏼

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

🥵

— 

a hush fell over the crowd as the lights dimmed in the auditorium. the air was thick and heavy and jimin realized he actually just wasn’t breathing.

he swallowed, steeling himself. he’d been working hard all day. would’ve been non stop if his friends hadn’t forced him out of the studio and into a nearby cafe for something to eat. 

you’re gonna suck if you’re too tired and famished to actually perform. 

he mimicked the words sourly in his head, knowing they were entirely true. those kinds of comments were normally the only ones that could pull jimin out of his trances. 

but now it was time and jimin was overthinking. if he’d just had a few more minutes with a particular set, he could have mastered it. maybe he didn’t put in enough time and he was going to hold back everyone else. he’d distract the audience from excellence to witness mediocrity. 

a hand on his arm squeezed gently. he knew the familiar touch before their eyes met. jungkook smiled at him. filled with determination. certainty. jungkook was very competitive and probably as much of a perfectionist as jimin. but he never beat himself up so much. he had an envious attitude, managing to use losses as a motivator. a freshman and already surpassing many of his elder peers. 

earlier, when jimin had teased him about what taehyung said, there was only a moment of joking about throttling the artist before he turned serious. he was good at switching like that, grazing easily between emotions. he’d baffled jimin when they first met, but they became fast friends, despite how much jungkook liked to harass him. maybe jimin had a penchant for it. 

“i’m jealous of you every day, hyung. i literally had to make you my friend as soon as i saw you or else i’d have to make you my enemy because you’re so good and my pride couldn’t handle it. i’m probably a little obsessed with you, honestly, and i’d probably confess if my heart didn’t belong to someone else already. so thank you for being my friend so we didn’t kill each other. i am going to kill tae, though, but he usually deserves it- 

so, anyway, speaking of people obsessed with you…” 

jimin had diverted the conversation immediately at that, though blushing tremendously at jungkook’s honesty. it was a bit much, but it did make him feel good. it was a very kook thing to say, and it really warmed jimin’s heart. it helped. it really helped.

and now as jungkook stared at him intently backstage, eyes glittering with anticipation and assurance, jimin felt it press into his skin. it would be fine. it would be great . 

he shuffled onto the dark stage for his first routine, naturally moving into position, and took a deep breath. the music began, the lights flooded the stage, and jimin released everything. he let go. 

— 

jimin felt light. like he could probably fly if he tried hard enough. 

hoseok and him were nearly collapsing on each other as they stumbled out of the auditorium and into the lobby where the audience was awaiting them. friends and family were clapping and cheering, laughter ringing through the crowd. many had flowers for the performers, many were taking pictures together. 

jimin greeted his friends, giving light hugs since he was drenched in sweat. hobi hugged him from behind, murmuring about how amazing he was and how they absolutely murdered the whole crowd, squeezing him tight before leaving to go love on some of the other dancers and friends that came to watch. jimin wished he knew what he’d done in a past life to deserve such an amazing friend. 

‘two. two amazing friends.’

the thought came as hobi’s place was quickly taken by a jungkook that would’ve probably taken him down to the ground if jimin wasn’t one hundred percent prepared for it. he laughed, embracing jungkook as the younger one lifted him off the ground. he was crying out jimin’s name in wavering octaves that did not sound at all natural, but he laughed fully against him, mimicking jungkook’s name in the same tones. 

they were gross and sweaty and loving all over each other when jimin’s eyes landed on a man standing not too far off, who jungkook must’ve been talking to before his attempt at demolishing jimin. a valiant attempt, truly, but what he saw affected him way more severely.

taehyung waved a little, smiling sheepishly. 

holy fuck. 

he started approaching them a little hesitantly, eyebrows raised in question, as if to ask ‘is this okay?’

oh my god. 

jungkook pulled back when he realized jimin was frozen in place before looking back and grinning stupidly. knowingly. jimin hated him, but he was too distracted to do anything about it. 

holy shit. 

“taehyungiiiiieeeee!” jungkook sung out, pulling back from jimin fully. he approached the two dancers and jimin realized this was the first time he’d seen him without a headband, he was pretty sure. his hair was a little long and a little curly, bangs hanging just slightly over his eyes. he was in all black, with tight fitting jeans and a looser dress shirt. definitely not buttoned all the way up. he’s pretty sure he spotted collar bone? how long had jimin’s mouth been so dry? 

taehyung stood before him, looking like he was almost sure what jimin’s reaction meant, but still seeming apprehensive. jimin hadn’t said anything, yet, and taehyung didn’t know how to take that. jimin always had something to say, but now... how could one person radiate so much confidence and sheer hotness and still look fucking shy ? he was so cute.

was jimin dying? is this what dying felt like? 

he resigned himself to his inevitable fate at this point, waiting only a moment more before he jumped at taehyung, wrapping his arms around his neck and grinning. it was a single second of hesitation before the other man returned the embrace, laughing into jimin’s hair. 

“this is a good reaction. i like this reaction.” 

“you are the actual worst and my payback is giving you this really gross sweaty hug.” 

“oh this is a punishment? I think you should know a couple things about me…” 

jimin shoved him back playfully, now noticing jungkook’s cackling next to him. little shit. the younger dancer left a big sloppy kiss on jimin’s cheek, a pat on taehyung’s shoulder, and made an offhand remark about needing to go find the love of his life and he’d leave them to it. jimin’s eyes widened a little, glancing over taehyung’s shoulder to watch jungkook walk back to the mass of people. an extremely satisfied smile carved its way onto his mouth when he spotted the a familiar head of hair that jungkook immediately started ruffling, resulting in a soft smack and a shy smile. oh. jimin could not wait to talk about these developments.

but first. 

he socked him in the arm, glaring, “you came!” 

taehyung looked at jimin with wide eyes, his arm, and back to jimin, rubbing the point of attack. “um, okay, ow? i do like it rough, jimin, but this might be too soon.” he giggled as jimin pushed him back, blushing fervently, but riding his adrenaline high too well to be embarrassed. “and yes, i came, because i never actually said i wasn’t going to. all i said was that i’d watch the recording. which is true. i intend to do that as well, considering i probably blacked out at one point during a very specific dance move and i’m gonna need to experience that again. like, alone maybe?” 

jimin was smiling so stupidly as the other man spoke, two months ago him would have been so upset. he was just… so happy. 

“you’re really bad at doing what you’re told.” 

“do you like that? cause i can keep doing that if you like it. but i guess if you want me to do it, then I should… stop? which… this sounds like a paradox. and… i’m…yeah okay sorry.” 

oh no. he was so cute. fuck, he was done for. 

taehyung’s drop dead gorgeous appearance and ridiculous smirks couldn’t mask the turbulence jimin could see moving through his mind. he was a nervous mess under it all, and jimin, thankfully, was still riding that performance high. gifted with a temporary, unrelenting confidence. 

this was a nice change of pace. for once … maybe he could see right through kim taehyung. 

“thank you, for not doing what you were told. i guess.” 

jimin grinned and the other man looked at him in surprise for just a moment before mirroring the expression. “i think i should be thanking you , actually. for gracing this world with your prowess. allowing me to know you so that i could experience it. 10/10. entirely worth it.” 

“you’re such a nerd,” he snorted, shaking his head as he crossed his arms. “but, this was… yeah, this was a really good performance, and. i’m glad you could make it.” it may have come off as shy, but for jimin, his words were courageous. he was asserting his satisfaction with himself tonight. he didn’t often feel on top of the world, but with the man before him surprising him tonight and showering him with compliments, he wasn’t sure if there was another way he could feel. 

taehyung could tell, and he saw the ease settle into his expression, automatically more relaxed as he read the open book before him. taehyung’s careful hands flipping through worn, fragile pages. no one else had managed to handle this book with such care and such intent. jimin was glad it was him, who had gotten past the cover. 

“im glad i could make it, too.” it was softer and he had taken a small step closer. “i’m not kidding when i say you were incredible. stunning, in fact. you said you found me impressive, but i’ve never seen something before tonight that is the very dictionary definition of it.” jimin was flushed, maybe from the words, or the proximity, or his body dealing with over exertion, but he didn’t quite know how to process everything happening. more than anything he wanted to just close the distance and kiss him silly. alright, jimin. let’s slow the fuck down. 

“i-“ 

“hyuuuuung!” 

he physically cringed, automatically taking a small step back and glancing over to where the wicked shout came from. he knew immediately who it was from. he spotted the young protege waving, standing next to the now infamous yoongi, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there. he was tugging at jungkook’s arm, eyes wide as he whispered harshly at him. the younger man only laughed, eyes fond as he continued waving them over. “we’re partying! taetae’s invited too! I’ll text you about it!” he sang the rest of the words and grinned at his - oh, totally his boyfriend. yoongi seemed to immediately relax when jungkook’s hand found his and lead him out of sight. 

jimin’s eyebrows raised, beaming when he moved to look back at taehyung. his expression was the exact same. 

“god you were so right! you were so right. i can’t stop smiling right now.” 

“aww!” he pressed his hands into his cheeks, cooing, and jimin wished he found it less endearing. “they’re so cute, it’s disgusting.” 

“polar opposites and absolutely perfect for each other.” jimin laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“but are you sure that’s the reason you can’t stop smiling?”

jimin just looked on, biting his lip. he suddenly couldn’t remember why he’d been resistant for so long. taehyung’s pull was magnetic - why would he ever repel it?

his younger friend’s invitation started to sink in and he managed to formulate his thoughts into words. “ah, so… yoongi must have an effect on kookie if he wants to go out after. uh,” he paused, searching those dark eyes. “did you… want to go?” he immediately wished he hadn’t asked. not because he didn’t desperately want to go party with the most beautiful man on the planet, but because the look on said man’s face should be a crime.

apologetic. regretful. conflicted. and jimin was frustrated with himself for being the cause of it. of course taehyung wasn’t about to go out partying when he shouldn’t have even come to the show in the first place. 

“i really do. i really do, jimin. but, yeah… you weren’t wrong before, in that I probably shouldn’t , logically, have come tonight. but like hell that was gonna stop me from seeing you perform. and i don’t regret that even a little bit, and i won’t tomorrow morning, or during my exhibit, or after.” jimin quirked an eyebrow at that, feeling himself glow a little. jimin wasn’t really a romantic. sure, he ugly cried during sappy movies and binge watched the occasional surprise engagement video and really liked holding hands and pda. but, you know, he wouldn’t really call himself a romantic.  “but... as much as i want an excuse to stare at you all night long, ai think i have to make the rational, responsible, jimin choice tonight. hopefully it makes said jimin proud.” he was blushing and glancing down and jimin could melt right there. he thought vaguely about points and wondered when he’d stopped keeping track of them.

“right. well. i’ll let jimin know about your decision and get back to you on that.” he smiled fondly, then. it wasn’t worth it to try and hide it anymore. “but i have a feeling he will understand, respect, and encourage this decision.” taehyung looked delighted in the way he spoke and jimin wondered when he’d fallen for such an enormous nerd. 

“that’s good to hear.” his words soft again, striking jimin thoroughly through the heart. “i hope jimin goes to the party, though. he deserves a fun night, every night, but definitely this night. and i will just wait on a raincheck. for the very near future.” taehyung bowed a little, glancing up at jimin through those beautiful locks of hair, eyes alight. jimin felt reflected in them. “i’ll leave you to it, though, oh impressive one. have fun, and wish me luck, and promise not to forget me in your stardom?” 

jimin simply shook his head with his arms crossed, finding that taehyung was right, and there was definitely another reason he couldn’t stop smiling. “i would never. and, of course … good luck, taehyungah.” the grin that broke onto his face was somehow the largest one jimin had ever seen from him. it was wide and square and glistening and wonderful. he started waving, backing away and as he turned to walk away, jimin blamed the rest on the adrenaline rushing through him, still. he wondered if it was all still from the performance.

“i hope that wasn’t your way of asking me out!” 

taehyung turned again, walking backwards now, much slower. “oh, jimin. you know me better than that by now, right?” his cheeks were dusted with roses, his lips turning playfully. “where’s the drama ? no, not tonight.” he blew a kiss and winked and disappeared.

 jimin found he was hugging himself a bit, utterly delighted. 

he couldn’t imagine himself in a happier place as he practically skipped downstairs to the dressing rooms. they were mostly empty, the others either heading home or to jimin’s destination to celebrate. he stopped short when he saw the single rose laid over his bag, directly next to a letter with his name written prettily on top. he recognized the penmanship. his heart stuttered.

when he opened it, the first thing he saw was the little drawing in the corner of the letter. small, cute characters that jimin was giggling over as he realized it was the two of them. jimin was performing what looked like some type of arabesque with cute little swan wings on his back while taehyung’s character stared at him with little heart eyes. so sweet. his eyes finally traveled up to the words. the pretty, pretty words. 

I wasn’t sure if I should write you anything or not. I thought it might be strange to write all of this before I even watched you perform. It might be strange to tell you how beautiful I think you are - when you perform. It might be strange to tell you how your very presence is intoxicating - when you perform. It might be strange to tell you how easily you light up my day… when you perform?

I also realized that I am strange, you already know I’m strange, so I may as well embrace it. Because obviously it hasn’t deterred you, yet.

In truth, I don’t need to see you perform first to know how astounding you are, you were, you will continue to be. I’m privileged enough to see it firsthand on an almost daily basis, because for some reason, you keep coming back. To me? I’d like to take a moment of selfishness to think that might be the case. 

I’ll have seen you, by this point. And talked to you. And certainly told you how insanely breathtaking you were tonight. I’m sure past Taehyung wasn’t even a little bit prepared for what he experienced, though, and you somehow exceeded every bit of my expectations. 

Yeah, I’m sure of it.

Thank you for walking into my life, Park Jimin. 

I’m not going to be doing what I was told today, and I know I’ll be glad for it.

I hope you are, too.

-T

and suddenly, it was the easiest thing in the world, to take a running leap off the cliff, never taking his eyes off of the sky ahead. 

— 

i cannot believe u 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

no?

oh my GOD
seriously
how dare you

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

oh
well
i dare pretty easily, actually

im so mad at u 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

that’s okay 
you can be anything you want w me after that performance 
😏😏😏😘

you’re so gross 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

sure am
repulsive, in fact 

… thank you
thank you thank you
thank you

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

god
literally any time at all 
ever

taehyung…
i’m so glad you came. 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

so am i 
so am i, jiminah

—

he woke up earlier than he needed to. jimin was buzzing with an excited sort of anxiety. he would go, right? he told himself last night when he saw taehyung’s stupid beautiful face and read his stupid beautiful letter that he would go. 

except that was last night. when he had post-performance adrenaline pumping through his system and his rational mind was rattled by the appearance of a man he specifically told not to come, who looked that good doing exactly the opposite of what he was told. and he was made vulnerable by sweet words written specially for him. 

last night jimin was not this morning jimin. 

last night jimin was unburdened by anxiety and uncertainty. last night jimin was filled with a kind of confidence only performing could give him. last night jimin only had thoughts about how kim taehyung came to his show and how he told him he didn’t even have words for how breathtaking jimin was and how he’d left him a letter with a fucking rose and how he couldn’t stop thinking about how much he wanted to see taehyung, all the time, as much as possible, as soon as possible.

last night jimin… was not this morning jimin. 

this morning jimin was more like performance hangover jimin. who couldn’t stop thinking about how embarrassing it was that he so quickly pulled taehyung into a hug. who couldn’t stop thinking about how they’d changed their dynamic and what would that mean for them if jimin decided to go? taehyung was braver. he liked facing the unknown. maybe last night jimin could be that person, too. 

but this morning jimin was burdened with indecision. burdened with fear. 

what if it changed everything? what if it ruined everything?

he stared at the ceiling as he talked himself out of all of his self-made promises from last night, wishing he could stop. he wanted to go. he did. he really wanted to. 

his spiraling was interrupted by a buzz, and jimin became more and more convinced that taehyung knew what was going on in his head. 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

ready for heartbreak

um
any hearts u breaking besides mine?

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

crossing my fingers that it’s only you 
but truthfully i’d break any heart if it kept your’s in tact 
...
too much? 

🤦🏻

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

my honesty will be my greatest downfall 
but at least I won’t regret a thing 

an envious trait but at least I still have my shame 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

overrated imo 
life would be a lot easier if people just 
did whatever the hell they wanted 

sounds terrible

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

sounds FUN 

you’re insane 
but like, in a cute way i guess 

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

wow i’m seriously honored 

you seriously should be 

he paused, staring at the texts. three months ago, jimin couldn’t have imagined himself in a place like this. somewhere so comfortable, with someone he never imagined feeling so strongly about. 

so
good luck today 
i know you’re living your best life and everything with not a care in the world
and you probably dont need to hear this or anything but 
you’re a phenomenal artist 
everyone’s going to be as impressed as I was 
……………still am
i guess
god 
DONT RESPOND

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

RESPONDING

damn it.

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

definitely DID need to hear that
it may not seem possible but i, too, can get nervous 
maybe even at this very moment??? 
who’s to say
but maybe your text helped, potentially
significantly
and maybe it means more to me than it probably makes sense to
what’ve you done to me, jimin

i could ask the same thing, taehyung

[taehyungaa 🐻☕️ ]

well im just gonna go ahead and be really giggly all day now so THANKS FOR THAT
but rly 
I appreciate this and you 
very much 
too much
🥰

rooting for u

and, after a moment-

❤️

he would go. 

--

‘ First Impressions ’

it was him. 

it was jimin. 

jimin was… jimin was in the exhibit.

he had spent time enjoying the variety of art pieces before the artist himself could find him. he felt extremely self-absorbed to think taehyung would seek him out on such an important day… but he couldn’t help the feeling he had that he would. 

he’d allowed himself to get lost in the artwork. his chest thrummed with affection as he found himself noticing the little details of kim taehyung. small gestures in the man’s art that jimin easily recognized in the time they’d spent together. the brush strokes that looked like bright smiles. the images crafted together like small, easy conversations. the well executed lines acting as purposeful mistakes. jimin knew everything was purposeful. 

it was such a short time that they knew each other. three months was nothing. but it felt like a foundation. it felt like the building of something so much greater. he wondered how that could have happened? how could he feel like he knew a man when he’d only been exposed to the tip of the iceberg? why did he want to plunge into deeper waters to explore the rest? why did it already feel so familiar? why did it already feel like a home? 

at least… the start of one.

but now… now he thought that taehyung had to feel the same. he had to. 

because he was saying it.

it was jimin. it was every part of jimin. it was every piece and fracture that he was made up of. it was the most terrifying mirror he’d ever looked into. 

technically speaking, the piece was exceptional. it was the greatest combination of taehyung’s pursuits. his artistic pursuits. overlaid with sketching and painting, sharp lines and abstract colors. pastels and watercolors focused on one half. monochromatic on the other. it blended together in the middle, like a battlefield. it was all placed beautifully atop a photograph of jimin. 

“did you just take a picture of me?”

“no?”

taehyung grinned behind the camera lense pointed directly at jimin. 

“taehyung!” he couldn’t help bursting out in laughter again and the photographer lowered the camera, laughing with him. he’d brought his camera that day to play with after his shift. jimin happened to have come as his shift was ending. it wasn’t intentional, of course. he would have had no reason to specifically come right before the barista’s shift was ending. none at all.

“you had no idea this was being taken, oh my god it’s so cute. look at you!” he flashed the other end of the camera, narrowly avoiding the hands that lunged at him. 

“delete it!” 

he put a hand to his chest while fighting jimin off with his other, horribly offended. “absolutely not! in fact, i’m framing it. no, i’m putting it in an exhibit. wait. i think i have to get your permission. this might be tricky.”

“you’re unbearable.” jimin groaned, smiling into his face palm. 

“and you’re giving me permission to use this.”

“oh my god .” jimin’s head lulled to the side, an exasperated expression on his face as he just stared at him. “sure, taehyung, you have my explicit permission to put my face in a museum.” 

“wow, conceited much? an exhibit, not a museum… yet. some day, though. but just so you know, your words are binding, and if you sue me, this not-friendship is so over.” 

that resulted in another smack to the arm, and the two kept bickering endlessly, littered with the most genuine laughter jimin could remember. 

the canvas was filtered with colorful emotion. it was about war. it was about joy and insecurity. it was about self-reflection. it was about more than just jimin, but it was still really, really about jimin. 

it was how taehyung sees him.

how did he see him so well?

“well… no heartbreak.”

jimin didn’t turn to look at him, but he felt his presence so severely. it felt different. it felt urgent.

“but the sheer embarrassment might be worse.”

jimin still looked ahead, trying to absorb every aspect of his ( his? ) portrait. when he spoke, it was laced with more emotion than he was able to hold back. “i really, really didn’t think you were being serious.” it was quiet. he could practically hear the other smile in response. 

“i may be extremely melodramatic, but - i told you. i’m not a liar.” he paused, garnering a very serious tone that jimin knew was meant to be joking. he really wasn’t so sure that it was. “museum’s next. just saying.”

he had a really difficult time tearing his eyes away from his own face to take in the mastermind behind it. when he did, his throat grew thick with emotion. no one had ever done something like this for him, before. he managed to bite it back, taking in the artist. okay, yeah, his brain may have short circuited a little from how good he looked. this was the second time in less than 24 hours that he had this effect on jimin and that was so not fair. 

“remember when, the first time we met, you said you probably sounded like a stalker?”

“yes, i do, and yes, i realize this is absolutely not helping my case…” 

jimin let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head. “i wish i could say i can’t believe you, or that it’s too much, but…” he ran a hand through his hair, feeling his resolve weaken to a breaking point. “i believe it, and it’s… god, it’s amazing.” he wasn’t sure how to comprehend everything going on in his head and heart and the way that taehyung looked at him in that moment. with the utmost hope and genuine affection... jimin felt his stupid, awful, ridiculous instincts kick in. god forbid he let himself be happy. 

“i’m sad, a lot.”

taehyung’s eyebrows raised, obviously not anticipating this path being taken. amusement pulled at his perfect mouth, anyway.

“i am constantly working on bettering myself, but that also means a lot of backtracking and a lot of lost progress and a lot of just … days where I don’t like myself. a lot of them. okay?

i like having fun, and hanging out, and being goofy and cute and I really. ugh. I really like the gross romantic garbage but that part, it just doesn’t really work out for me. i’m bad at it. and you are…” he broke his words, taking a breath. he wasn’t sure what he really even wanted to say. taehyung was what? a million things… strange, obnoxious, overzealous, quirky, endearing, gorgeous, ridiculous, insane, perfect.

...perfect.

“you’re you . and i’m me. i’m extremely frustrating, i know this because i have to live with me. you like simple, taehyung. i don’t make anything simple.” 

he was bewildered when taehyung laughed .

“no you certainly try your best to not make it simple, huh? but… it is. it is simple. 

i’m trying to tell you, jimin. that i see you. i’ve seen how you look when you let go. when you let yourself laugh. when you let yourself be just, totally free. totally yourself. seeing you perform... i knew from the videos you showed me how sure of yourself you looked, but in person? you’re like, the sun, jimin. which is the grossest thing i’ve ever said in my life, probably, so, you’re welcome. i was so privileged to see you that night. you were… colorful. but i see the other parts of you, too, jimin, and i promise that i am privileged to see that as well. because color is not the whole picture. you’ve let me see those rough sketches too. and i’m talking in metaphors because i’m a weird elitist piece of shit artist, but i’m telling you i like every shade of you. so much i had to… freaking… i had to put it on a canvas and talk about it.”

he looked alive as he spoke, like he could finally put it all into words. he kept gesturing at the painting, light dancing in his eyes. jimin was pretty sure he forgot how to speak.

“ i know when you get into your own head, when you feel like you’re not good enough. when you overwork yourself because you always feel like you have to better yourself.  i see the uncertainty. and i like it all. i like everything about you. again! gross! but i… i just want to keep finding more things that i like about you. and i want to be able to tell you all the time how good you are, and that i know it won’t stop you from pushing yourself - another thing i like about you - and i want to be there for you to fall back on. and be there to lift you up. 

...that was definitely a short joke. just so you know.”

he took a deep breath, scratching the back of his neck. his face was shaded, obviously not intending to go on like he did, but jimin liked it. he liked it so much. he liked his honesty and his willingness to put everything on the line. he liked that taehyung could express himself through so many outlets. he liked that taehyung wasn’t afraid. he wasn’t afraid. it made jimin braver.

“i like having fun.” the younger started again. quieter, now, but equally as assertive. maybe more. he was repeating jimin’s words. “i like being goofy and cute and I like doing that with you . and I definitely really want to do gross romantic stuff. with you. specifically. i want all of it. i want to get every part of you. there’s nothing bad about this idea because i can’t see anything bad about you . you’re totally gonna get on my nerves, and i’m gonna get on your’s. and i’m not afraid of that.”

he wasn’t sure when he’d gotten closer. jimin watched him with wide eyes, an unabashed flush on his cheeks, and a deep realization in his heart. 

“jimin… you already frustrate the hell out of me. i just wanna hold your hand while you do it.”

“I swear I’ll start singing the Beatles song, I-“

he cut himself off as small fingers interlaced with his own and jimin stared at their shoes. his thumb traced over taehyung’s skin and there was a small smile of gratification in that he was right, in how he thought his hands would feel in his own. and he decided he was going to memorize that feeling. 

the air tasted like salt. the wind whipped hard against him. his eyes had been squeezed shut to brace for the impact of the fall. to be lost to the crashing waves forever. but it didn’t come. it was tentative… hesitant… but… he opened his eyes.

he looked up at taehyung, like he was the fucking sky. 

when jimin fell, he never stopped. 

and he realized he might’ve been flying all along.

ha. gross. 

the other man grinned.

“you know this means i win, right?” 

“after everything you just said? you wish.” 

they both let the smiles reach the stars in their eyes and jimin didn’t know when they moved into each other’s arms, when jimin’s hands found themselves against the nape of the other man’s neck, or when arms had wrapped tightly around his waist, or when their lips collided like galaxies. 

but jimin thought, he liked that losing felt like winning. 

jimin thought, he might like flying more than anything else.

“now that… was me asking you out.” 

jimin glared, still just a breath away. “i can’t stand you. yes. absolutely. you ass.” 

the world was expanding and jimin knew he would like this new universe.