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The sound of the traffic wasn’t his favorite but he couldn't do anything about it, he had to deal with it. The Big Apple was all about sounds and lights. He couldn’t see the stars in the night sky but he could study what he wanted and get his dream job. It wasn’t Paris but New York was a good place to learn about fashion design, better than his little hometown in the south of California.
Jimin walked down the 27th street and saw the little crowd in the entrance of the FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology). He felt the bile rise up his throat, he had to stop walking. He was about to throw up.
Jimin stood under the canvas of a shop, leaning against the wall he pressed his forehead to the cold concrete and took a few deep breaths. When the bitter liquid stopped threatening him about being completely expelled from his body, he looked at his wristwatch. He had ten minutes to put himself together before the class started.
“You know, that is not very hygienic of you”. A deep but tender voice warned him. Jimin tilted his head in the direction where the voice was coming.
A tall guy was leaning in the doorway of the shop with a half smile on his face. Jimin began to separate from the wall, he could feel how the other young man was looking at him, when the smoke from the cigarette the guy just lit hit him, forcing him to lean against the wall once again.
“I’m sorry, but, Could you please move away a little? I’m not feeling very well and the smoke is not helping…”. Jimin asked, his voice muffled by the sleeve of his sweater. Jimin heard how the guy stepped on something and moved a little closer. The ashes and the cigarette lying on the floor at their feet.
“Can I help you? Do you need something?”. The guy asked, concerned in his voice. “You look pale, do you want a glass of water? Or, do you want me to call someone?”. The questions were overflowing Jimin's ability to process anything.
“I will accept the water”. Jimin said with some difficulty, he started to turn around slowly so he could rest his back on the wall, but the world started spinning. With the little strength he had he grabbed the first thing on hand and closed his hands in fists, feeling the cotton filling them. A hand rested on his back kindly.
“Can you walk or do you want me to help you move?”. The warm breath of the stranger caressed his cheek, a little gasp escaped from his mouth. He was way too close, but he didn’t know if he would be able to stand by his own will.
“I don’t know… I don’t know if I can…”. Jimin answered, face hidden in the crack of the stranger’s neck. The other hummed in response. The sweet fragrance emanating from the stranger was the opposite of the style of clothing he was wearing. To his delight, the perfume calmed him down and did not make him gag as he feared at first.
“That’s all I need to know”. The stranger said before putting an arm around his back and bending down a little to pass the other arm under his legs to lift him off the ground like he was a feather. Bridal style, the guy walked inside the shop and set down Jimin on a little taboret. “I'm going to get a glass of water. If you need something or feel worse, or... whatever, just... yell”. Explained with his doe eyes wide open, Jimin nodded and tried to smile at the stranger.
“Thank you…”. Jimin started thanking him but noticed he didn't know the name of his knight in shimmering armor.
The other one smiled at him and licked his lips before saying: “Jungkook”. Jimin nodded again and tried to smile again.
“Thank you Jungkook”. Jungkook waved at him and walked away, surrounding the counters full of CDs, vinyls and cassettes towards the back of the store where a counter with a cash register on top waited for the owner of the shop.
Jimin realized the store was a music shop, the place was full of records, of course it was! But he kinda didn’t know what to expect when he was carried inside, he just hoped the guy wasn’t a serial killer, at least, the place looked vividly even though there were no people in it.
He realized there was music playing, ‘With or Without You’ by U2 was musicalazing his breakdown. Super cool.
Jungkook came back with a glass of water and some simple salty cookies. “Drink this and eat these, you look like you can have some”. Jungkook smiled at him and handed the glass and the little plate. Jimin took the glass of water and a cookie. Suddenly, he felt thirsty and started gulping the water in big puffs. “Slow down Sugarplum, that can be harmful”. Jimin stopped drinking immediately upon hearing the pet name. “Eat a little bit, it’s going to help you recover faster…”. Jimin did as told and started biting the salty cookie under the gaze of the other one.
“What’s your name Sugarplum?”. Jimin swallowed the crunchy cookie. Observing Jungkook carefully, he noticed that he seemed a little younger than him.
“Don’t call me that, it's really... cringy. My name is Jimin". Jungkook lifted both hands in the air as a sign of peace and smiled at him.
“Alright , Jimin, I’m sorry, didn’t wanna be disrespectful, I just wanted to make you feel better…” Jungkook doubted himself and rectified. “More lively!”. Jimin smiled involuntarily at the foolish attitude. “Look! It’s working!”. Jungkook replied with the same smile to the cute guy sitting in front of him.
Jimin looked like a really sweet guy, with his brownish and oversized sweater, Jungkook could see the basic white shirt underneath, the cute black beanie, brown hair peeking out of it.
Jimin started to blush at the intensity of Jungkook’s gaze. He was about to clear his throat when he laid his eyes on the clock hanging on the wall of the store, he had just 3 minutes to get to class. He gasped and as fast as he could stood up and pushed the glass into Jungkook’s hand and mumbled some incomprehensible words on his way out the shop, a really confused Jungkook followed him.
“Where are you running? Stop running! You haven’t completely recovered Jimin!”. Jungkook screamed behind him. Jimin just waved at him and said a little. “It’s okay! I gotta go, thank you Jungkook-ah!”.
Jungkook stopped running around the corner but he kept watching as the little man got into the Institute in the next block. Jungkook signed and walked to the music shop.
What a unique way to start the day.
Jimin was gladly surprised by how class turned out. He wasn’t an outcast, he actually got to talk to some classmates and he could see a lot of friend-potential in two of his classmates, Seokjin and Taehyung, both Kim, but they weren’t brothers, just korean descendants, like him.
He took his brand new briefcase with his first drafts. He didn't feel anxious anymore, the bitterness had left him once Taehyung approached him, he was so kind and Jin, he was really good at making him laugh and forget his anxiety. Just like Jungkook did earlier.
The events of the morning surrounded his mind and he realized that he didn't say goodbye or thank you properly. Jungkook deserved better. The idea of inviting him a cup of coffee popped in his mind even if he could hardly think of Jungkook without blushing.
Though he didn't pay much attention to his appearance, because of the… unexpected circumstances. He wasn't blind.
Jungkook was a little bit taller than him, with a well built body, nothing exaggerated. He had long dark hair with some curls, a cute bunny smile, bright doe eyes… well, he kinda saw him really well now that he thinks about it.
Jungkook was handsome, strong and unexpectedly sweet, as his perfume.
"Minnie~". Taehyung crooned. "Do you want to go somewhere after class? We were thinking about a really expensive brunch and a walk around Central Park". Taehyung beamed at him, Jin joined them and put an arm around their shoulders. Jimin shrugged, removing the embrace and smiled shyly. Jin and Taehyung looked at him, smiles fading a little.
"I have something to do, maybe tomorrow, if you want too". Jimin smiled at them. "If you excuse me, I will get going. See you later guys!". Jimin waved at them smiling before turning around and walked away. Leaving the other ones speechless and confused.
He got out of the FIT and walked to the music shop. The store looked different. There were a few people walking around the counters, browsing records. He was looking for Jungkook, with his heart racing, he didn't know what he was going to do or what he was going to say, but he was excited to see him again.
When he finally saw him Jungkook was seated beside the cash register, talking with a girl. She was obviously flirting and Jungkook was laughing at something she said. His hands turned into fists, the excitement fading little by little. He was going to turn around and walk away when Jungkook saw him, jumped off the counter and started walking in his direction.
Jimin entered the store and approached him. Both of them stopped walking just a few steps away.
"Hi Sugar-... Jimin". Jungkook said and scratched the back of his head. "What are you doing here?".
"I came to thank you properly, I'm sorry that I left like that. I had classes. It was my first day, that was the reason I... left". Jimin explained.
"You look a lot better now, so… How did it go?". Jungkook asked him, a smile appearing on the face while crossing his arms in front of his chest. Jimin beamed at him and nodded.
"It was actually really good, I made some friends and bought this new briefcase, we made some sketches…". Jungkook looked at him with overflowing tenderness in his eyes.
"I'm happy it went well…". They stared at each other for a few seconds before a client called Jungkook to the cash register. "Please wait a little, I will be right back". Jimin nodded and saw him walk away to talk with the client.
The same girl he saw talking with Jungkook approached him but she stayed in the counter next to the one he was, she was 'browsing' in the counter. So Jimin started browsing into his counter and looked at her from time to time.
"Hi". She said finally. Jimin looked at her and smiled.
"Hi". Jimin replied back.
"You're Jimin?". She asked him tilting her head a little bit. Jimin nodded surprised. "You are really cute". She exclaimed.
"Thank you". He answered shyly, he felt the blush spreading on his face.
"Jungkook told me about you. I'm Madison, Jungkook's brother's fiancee". Jimin exhaled in relief and she laughed, his face burning even worse.
"I'm sorry, I don't even know where that came from". He said ashamed.
"It's okay, he's kinda whipped already so... you don't have to worry, I'm not his type". She winked at him.
"What are you two talking about?". Jungkook said when he approached them.
"Nothing". Both said at the same time. They looked at each other and started laughing.
"Glad you're getting along". Jungkook said with a smile on his face as he lifted his brows. "Do you want to hear it?". He asked him. Jimin was clueless. "The cassette is in your hand". Jungkook pointed at it.
"Ahhh, em, yes? Why not.". Jimin replied with a shrug and looking at the cassette carefully for the first time.
"There is a music booth there". Jungkook pointed at a corner of the store. "If you want to, I can take you there and help you a little...". Jungkook offered. "Madison, can you look at the cash register for a few minutes?". Madison accepted nodding a few times.
"You can take a few minutes Kook". She said with a wide smile.
Jungkook extended his hand to Jimin and he held it in an involuntary response. Jungkook laughed at the act and Jimin tilted his head.
"I was asking for the cassette. But this is okay too". Jungkook said, the blush running through Jimin's face. He was about to let Jungkook's hand go when he intertwined their fingers and caressed the back of his. "Let's go". Jimin nodded and Jungkook guided him to the corner where the little booth waited for them.
Jimin looked back and saw Madison making excited and weird gestures. His heartbeat was irregular and his palms were sweating already.
"You have to put the cassette inside the music player". Jungkook explained. Jimin did as he was told and laid against the wall of the booth, next to Jungkook, who held his hand immediately after it.
"What is the name of this song?". He asked Jungkook, who looked at him, right into his eyes, Jimin held his breath.
"Kiss me". He said. Jimin gasped and opened and closed his mouth a few times before Jungkook opened his eyes wide. "That's the name of the song". He explained and Jimin started nodding before he looked away. He was sweating and his heart was rising. He was nervous, the wave of bitterness byle up through his throat. He was in a booth with a hot guy, he couldn't deal with the bitterness now, not in front of Jungkook, who was staring at him and held his hand and was caressing the back of it.
He had to focus on something else, he tried to think of something else. So he started to actually listen to the song. Was this song chosen purposely? It was a 'hidden' message?
What a cheesy song, Jimin thought, oh my god, this has to be a joke, girl please don't.
The singer started to sing again and Jimin squeezed his eyes shut and closed his hands in fists.
Oh, kiss me, beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance
Silver moon's sparkling
So kiss me
He was dying. Jimin tilted his head and looked at Jungkook who was, casually, looking at him. Jungkook smiled and looked away. The atmosphere started to get tense, Jimin let go of Jungkook's hand and rubbed them on his pants, wiping the sweat.
The singer kept begging for a kiss, Jungkook looked at the way Jimin was all tense and he didn't know what to do. He tried to get closer but Jimin moved away instantly. Jungkook cleared his throat and Jimin looked at him sideways and smiled awkwardly and then looked the other way.
"Do you want to go on a date with me Jimin?". Jungkook asked without thinking. Jimin's mouth opened and closed a few times before finding the courage to answer him.
"I would love to". He said with his face flushed. Jungkook smiled wide, he was cheering inside, but he had to play it cool.
"Do you have any place in mind?". Jungkook asked. Jimin thought for a second and even if the song was really cheesy and made him feel really awkward, it helped him a little.
"I would love to see the stars, or we can go on a picnic. Haven't done any of those here yet". Jimin replied.
"You're not from here?". Jungkook asked, Jimin shaked his head.
"I'm from California. And I loved to go to the hills to see the stars. It was a tradition that I had with my friends whenever we were close to the Hollywood hills". He explained.
"It's actually a good plan for our first date". Jimin froze at the comment and Jungkook smirked.
They stood still, listening to the song and looking at each other from time to time. Slowly they started to get closer, their gaze crossed and they looked at each other's eyes, Jungkook held Jimin's hand again.
He wanted to honor the song and kiss him, so he leaned a little and waited for Jimin to approach him, Jimin sighed and closed his eyes, putting his mouth on a little pout while standing on tiptoes. Jungkook smiled at the cute gesture and held Jimin's face between his palms and caressed his cheeks. Jimin could feel Jungkook’s breath brush his lips. They were ready for it.
The soft lips were thin compared to his own, the kiss was slow and a delight to his sense, so, so sweet . Jimin put his hands on Jungkook's neck and stroked the hair that was there, tangling and untangling it. The squeak of the door opening made them open their eyes and separate quickly, there was a man on the door who was staring at them, hesitating between entering the booth and walking away.
“Come in, the song just finished". Said Jimin as he realized."And... and we were going to get out now, right Jungkook?”. Jimin said, holding Jungkook’s hand, passing quickly past the dumbfounded man.
Madison looked at them expectantly, Jimin’s face turned red, but he wasn’t the only with a flushed face, Jungkook was blushing too. Jimin smiled shyly at her and she laughed.
“Where are we going?”. Jimin asked, arm locked on Jungkook’s. Jungkook beamed at him.
“You wanted to see the stars! So, that’s what we are going to do. Sadly they can’t be seen anywhere close to the city, but I found something that might be a great supplement”. Jungkook suddenly stopped and opened a door for him.
Jimin entered first, Jungkook closed the door and the room turned pitch black.
“Jungkook?”. Jimin whispered groping in the air, looking for the youngest one.
“Wait a second”. He answered from afar. Jimin starred in place and closed his eyes.
He started to doubt himself. He didn’t know much about Jungkook, he had talked with him just a little. He knew his full name, if that was his real name, Jeon Jungkook, majoring in Arts at the New York Academy of Arts, he was a half-time employee at his older brother's music shop and... that was it.
There were still chances that he was a serial killer, he shaked his head trying to forget that idea. He could see kindness in his eyes, the way he smiled was really sweet, he knew that under the dark-baggy clothes and the tattoos he was the Sugarplum.
Even though he had his eyes closed, he could see the brightness that suddenly appeared. Jimin opened his eyes and his jew dropped open, the room was big, white walls and a dark floor of concrete.
Jungkook was standing in the middle of the room, he, like the walls, were the canvas where a thousand stars were projected. There was a blanket on the floor and a picnic basket, Jungkook was standing next to it, he extended his hand and Jimin approached him.
“This is one of my friend’s art galleries. I hope this is enough”. He said while helping Jimin sit down on the blanket.
“This is more than enough. I'm in shock, for real. How did you think about this? It's amazing, it's like being in a painting”. Jungkook sighed and opened the basket, he started to put the little containers around them and when everything was settled down he sat next to Jimin. “If this is our first date, I don’t know what we are going to do in the next one”.
“You have to plan the next one”. Jungkook said, lifting his hands in the air. “I asked you first and invited you first, you have to do the next move”. He excused himself, washing his hands over the matter.
Jimin beamed at him and tilted his head to see him better. The stars and the blue sky reflected on Jungkook’s eyes. Jimin was mesmerized by the sight. He had to do the second move. So he did.
He started to get closer to Jungkook, who’s cheeks turned red, closed his eyes and waited for the soft touch of Jimin’s plump lips.
Jimin enjoyed how cute and calm Jungkook looked with his eyes closed, his long lashes resting on the top of his cheeks, his tiny lips on a small pout and the pink subtable blush on his cheeks. Jimin closed his eyes and felt the gentle caress of their lips brushing.
A sweet melody started playing at the back, it was ‘Kiss me’, the same song they’ve listened to in the music booth. He wanted to laugh at the hidden joke. Was this their song now? Or just their first inside joke?
Jungkook cupped Jimin’s face on his hands to hold him closer, if that was possible. Their heart beating in sync, creating a beautiful melody that only they could hear.
The perfect symphony that both of them wished to keep playing it on repeat.
So kiss me...