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The last few years flashed before Jimin's eyes, hoping to blur them out and succeeding once Seokjin came into his view, a smile naturally coming to his lips.
His breath began to steady, eyes to the figure lying in front of him, reminding him of what he had now. His fingers reached out slowly, touching the soft skin of Seokjin's cheek, hoping not to wake him so early.
Surely enough it did wake the older boy just a bit, a smile and mumble before moving into Jimin's hold, instantly wrapping his arms tightly around the boy.
"Don't forget I need to breathe," Seokjin speaks quietly, a small laugh escaping his lips.
Jimin smiles again, resting his chin atop Seokjin's head, his hand now rubbing up and down their back so soothingly he must have fallen back to sleep faster than he ever has.
"I love you," Jimin speaks up, taking in Seokjin's smell, listening to him breathe, feeling the boy just pull him closer.
Seokjin had woken up hours later, preparing for work, finishing up the breakfast he had made for the two of them. Of course, Jimin was going to make it as he had a day off, but Seokjin knew Jimin didn't have a good night's sleep, so he took it upon himself to treat him.
"I'll take care of the dishes, alright?" Jimin stood in front of Seokjin, who was walking plates over to the sink, earning a small laugh from him in the process, "Thank you for breakfast."
Seokjin just smiles, looking towards Jimin with the most loving look he could ever give anymore, resting a hand on the boy's cheek before leaning down and giving him a small, meaningful kiss, "I love you."
"I love you, too." Jimin smiles, reaching up for just one more kiss, the two laughing as they couldn't seem to get enough of each other.
“I have a day off tomorrow, so we can spend it being lazy and watching movies or out at the store shopping, okay?” Seokjin smiles at Jimin, his hands resting on the younger boy's waist comfortably.
Jimin nods, “Can we do both of those things?”
Seokjin’s smile grew, a small laugh following after, “Anything you want, baby.”
The two continued with their morning, Seokjin took care of the dishes while Jimin had gone to their room and fixed their bed, setting the last pillow down as Seokjin hurried into the room. Seokjin quickly pulled Jimin to him, a small yelp from the boy as he was held in a tight hug.
“I’ll see you when I get home, okay?” Seokjin’s eyes locked with Jimin’s, lips pressed to his quickly, “Don’t make anything for dinner okay? I’ll bring us something to eat so we can both relax.”
“Okay,” Jimin giggles, a wide smile forming as Seokjin gave one last kiss to his forehead before pulling away and exiting the room.
Jimin stood there, face warm and small giggles from his lips. Only Seokjin can make him feel so giggly and warm as such. He hated it, but of course, that meant he loved it so much.
Once he heard the door shut he rushed to the window, looking out to see Seokjin looking right back at him. A blush filled smile and wave before he hurried into the car. The older had kept waving at him even as he sat down in the driver's seat, hoping to make Jimin smile so big it stays on his face all day long.
Seokjin just knew there was something wrong, he felt it the second he woke up, how nervous Jimin got, how he flinched at loud sounds, clinging onto him so tightly. And of course, he knew why.
But he didn’t want to push him, he knew better. Ever since they met and ever since Jimin had told Seokjin what had happened before they met.
Jimin stood at the window a bit longer once Seokjin’s car had left his view, his smile still there, a small shake of his head as he giggled at how goofy Seokjin was. He loved it and was thankful for him.
Jimin looked around for a moment, quiet huff as he tried to think of what to do. He didn’t feel like staying home today or sitting down watching some random show, nor to stay in bed for hours on his phone.
Instead, Jimin went to his closet and got dressed, casual wear and with that, he left the house for a small walk. The fresh air would do him good, plus it wouldn’t worry Seokjin.
Jimin made sure to let Seokjin know, earning a small comment from the boy but he understood him at the end. He made his way down the road, stopping at a small market to get a small snack and drink, going on with his walk as he came across the small shopping markets.
Jimin was nervous about crowds, he hated them, they simply reminded him of the times he had to run and hide, taking advantage of the same crowds, scaring every single person as a weapon was pointed at him. But that was so many years ago.
The boy carefully walked by everyone, glasses over his eyes keeping from anyone recognizing him - if anyone did, at least. His hair color helped him feel more comfortable.
But he couldn’t help remembering what had happened years ago, before he met Seokjin. He had fallen into the wrong crowd, making friends with people that had the wrong motives in life, letting Jimin fall into that without warning. He became mixed in with trouble, running from cops and being chased by people he didn’t even know.
Jimin shakes his head and keeps walking, stopping at a small jewelry stand, little smile emerging as he quickly looks for any paired pieces. Once he spotted the piece, he quickly purchased it and walked away from the small shop, a small bag in his hand as he looked at all the other shops with a sweet smile on his lips.
“No, I’m still waiting for them to show up.”
Jimin froze, his feet unable to move but he forced himself, not even taking a second to look at this person. If he did so, it’d be over for him. He quickly made his way through the crowd, head down, and moving fast. He was hoping to be careful as he walked by them, trying not to cause a scene and apologizing even for the smallest bump.
Once he got out of the crowd, he went into a small store, hoping to hide, pulling his phone out and looking at the time, seeing it was thirty minutes to Seokjin’s lunch break. Jimin didn’t even hesitate, walking out of the store and walking towards the bigger buildings in the city as if his life depended on it - and it did.
Seokjin had just set decorating plans on his desk, a small sigh as he looked up to the clock, almost. He wasn’t bored, annoyed, or anything, he loved his job - on most days. But his mind was stuck on Jimin, worrying about the boy, hoping he was alright.
He stood from his desk and went for the door, stepping out of his office and walking down the hallway of his work floor. He gave a few greetings, his coworkers bringing up some work they’ll be bringing for confirmations when he comes back. Hm, he’d surely never get used to being promoted, that’s for sure.
Once he reaches the elevator, he presses the button and waits for it to open, relaxing, excited for his break, he hadn’t heard from Jimin in a few hours, maybe giving him a call would be fun.
And that’s what he decides to do, he reaches into his pocket to grab his phone, a sigh escaping his lips before he turns around and walks back to his office. Of course, forgetting his phone, that wasn’t surprising. He steps into his office and looks towards his desk, small laughter as he hurries and grabs his phone.
“Seokjinnie?”
Seokjin almost jumps at the voice, turning quickly as there’s only one person that calls him ‘Seokjinnie’. His eyes quickly met the ones he sees every single day without fail. He could have sworn his heart sunk.
“Jiminie?” Seokjin just stares, looking at the boy who stood at the door, he knew something had to be off, “What’s wrong?”
“Did… did I miss your lunch?” Jimin speaks up so quietly, Seokjin could barely hear him, but he did. He also saw a look of fear in his eyes.
Seokjin didn’t bother responding, he couldn’t. Jimin simply walked up to him, wrapping his arms around Seokjin’s waist, hiding his face in their chest. He was shaking, trying to control it but that didn't work.
“Minie, what’s wrong?” Seokjin speaks in a whisper, arms around Jimin, kissing the top of his head.
“I'm sorry.” Jimin shakes his head, feeling hands cup his cheeks.
Seokjin lifts Jimin’s head slowly, eyes only towards Jimin, “What’s going on, Minie? Are you okay? Did something happen?”
Jimin doesn’t know how to reply, his mind is racing, but he knows Seokjin is so worried about him, “I saw someone, someone from back then. They didn’t see me but I just - I was so scared… everything came back to me.”
Seokjin doesn’t hesitate, he nods, hoping to show Jimin he was safe here, “I’m sorry that happened, I’m so glad you’re safe and nothing happened to you. You’re alright here, with me.”
The younger nods, eyes threatening to spill tears he had been holding since the morning. Seokjin notices, wiping under his eyes as one tries slipping down his cheek.
“Did I miss lunch?” Jimin asks again, earning a small laugh from Seokjin.
He shakes his head, a loving look to Jimin, “Was just going to break, and I was a few seconds away from calling you. But we’re going home now.”
“What? We?” Jimin replies confused, small head tilt as he rests a hand on one of Seokjin’s, “What do you mean?”
“I’m not gonna let you go home alone - nor walking, especially after your day.” Seokjin chuckles lightly, leaning forward and pressing a small kiss to Jimin’s forehead.
“Oh.” Jimin simply replies, a blush taking over his cheeks, warmth of them even warming up Seokjin’s hand, “Wait are you sure that’s okay? Can you really do that?”
Seokjin nods, “Of course I can, I got promoted remember? I can leave early. Plus it’s an emergency, and I gotta make sure you’re alright and keep you safe.”
“Okay,” Jimin smiles lightly, nodding.
Seokjin’s hands fell from Jimin’s cheeks, their hands locked together as Seokjin led the two out of his office. Jimin stayed close to him, appearing smaller, fear from earlier still in his head, but he knew it was going away cause of Seokjin. He was so determined to take care of him.
Seokjin took Jimin home, the younger still asking if this was okay, fumbling with his hands as he stayed quiet for most of the drive home. Seokjin knew to say something, but at that moment it seemed like there was nothing he could say or do. Instead, he kept a hand with one of Jimin's, thumb rubbing where it laid, a small touch of love.
Jimin stayed next to Seokjin all day, the two hidden away in their room. The television playing low, lights off, Jimin’s arms were wrapped around Seokjin, the older holding him, letting him doze off. Surely enough Jimin fell asleep after his breathing had calmed.
They both ended up asleep, Seokjin following just some time after. Neither had woken up till the sun was going down, but they didn't bother trying to do much. They made a small meal and just went back to their room, trying to find that safe space once again.
Luckily for Jimin, that safe space was Seokjin.
The older had a day planned out for them, hoping to clear Jimin’s mind with a nice walk and small stroll through another small shopping mall. Seokjin made sure to stay by Jimin's side, never letting go of his hand unless he absolutely needed to.
Thankfully, Jimin began to smile, happiness found in his eyes as they passed shops, stepping inside whether it was to buy something or just look around. Happy Jimin meant everything was okay. That's what Seokjin wanted.
"Jinnie look at the pretty necklaces." Jimin awed, earning a big smile from Seokjin, making his cheeks warm up.
"Do you wanna go in and see the rest of them?" Seokjin chuckles, seeing the excitement in Jimin's eyes.
"Yes, yes, yes, let's go!" Jimin cheers, giving the necklace that caught his eye another glance before turning and walking towards the entrance.
“Jimin?”
The man's voice made Jimin freeze in the spot, his heart starting to race, eyes shut tightly before he let out a shaky breath. Jimin turned towards the man that had called him, giving him a confused look, he hoped he could get out of this. Well, he hoped not to get Seokjin involved.
This couldn't be happening again.
Seokjin quickly glanced at the younger, feeling him tense from just his hand. He knew this wasn’t good.
“Excuse me?” Jimin spoke up, his voice shaky but he tried his best to hide it.
“It is you, isn’t it? Park Jimin.” The man replied, looking to Seokjin now, his eyes showing too much interest, “It’s been years.”
“I’m sorry but we don’t know what you mean, now if you’ll excuse me -” Seokjin starts, hoping to pull him and Jimin away from this man, surely one Seokjin has never met, but one that Jimin knew from his past.
"So this is where you've been? Hm, figured you'd go across the globe to get away." The man speaks again, loud enough for the two to hear, he sees Jimin stop in his tracks, the worry in the other boy's eyes as he tries to pull Jimin with him.
Jimin turns back to the man, a polite smile on his lips - yet he was shaking in fear, "I'm sorry, but I don't know who you are. We'll be on our way now."
Seokjin smiles a bit, now being pulled away by Jimin who was more than desperate to get out of there. He wasn't sure if they were being followed, not that it mattered, they were fast but still careful. Jimin didn’t want to risk it, he knew the guy was armed, the last thing he needed was Seokjin being involved in that.
Thankfully, the two felt safer in the car, a sigh of relief for tinting their windows not too long ago. Jimin quickly shut his door and leaned forward, hand on his face. Seokjin shut his own door and locked it, giving outside a quick glance, no one in sight but a family that was walking away.
"Jimin -" Seokjin starts, coming to a pause, unsure of what to say, "Relax, don't let all those bad thoughts come back."
"They've been there for the last few days, Jinnie." Jimin shakes his head, lifting his head and looking at Seokjin, eyes red from the tears, "I don't understand what's happening. I don't get why they're here. I haven't been this scared in a long time."
"What do we do?" Seokjin asks, keeping his voice calm, his eyes staying on Jimin before he turned to the wheel and switched the engine on.
"Honestly? I don't know." Jimin replies, his words emotionless. He didn't know what to do, let alone what he could do.
"What if we get away for a little bit, start looking at another place to live, for our safety." Seokjin looks to him, seeing something in Jimin's eyes at the words, "What?"
"After the last few days, and that encounter, you're still gonna stay with me?" Jimin's voice is weak, words breaking and eyes carefully looking at Seokjin, he was wondering if he had heard wrong.
Seokjin turns a bit more to Jimin, his hands reaching out, one falling on Jimin's cheek and the other to one of his hands. The two start looking at each other for a moment, Jimin's eyes showing worry and fear. Seokjin couldn't blame him, he's seen and heard everything.
"I'm not going anywhere without you, of course, I'm going to stay with you."