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“I think we need to livin’ this place up.”
“What do you mean, hyung?” asked Namjoon from behind the front register where he was perusing the new translation of a classic by one of the Greek master philosophers. He glanced up from the text and pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. He smiled sweetly as he waited for Jin to respond.
“This place is dead. It’s Friday night and no one’s here.”
“I’m here!” cried a voice in the back as soft scuffs gradually revealed a petite blond with a stack of books in his arms. Jin smiled. “Besides Jimin, our fateful employee, no one’s here.”
“We are a bookstore cafe, hyung. You can’t expect a crowd to be lining down the street waiting to get in. We’re not a club or karaoke bar.” Namjoon giggles to himself as he returns to the book in his hand. Jimin giggles too but offers Jin a sympathetic smile before turning back down the row of bookshelves he appeared from.
“How about we hire a musician to breathe some life into this place? Some music would bring in a small crowd. Just a trial run to see if we can’t drum up more business.”
“Whatever you want, hyung.”
Clear eyes narrowed in doubt. “What did I ask for Joon-ah?”
A hum and a nod was Jin’s only response. Moments later a muffin flew across the space and smacked Namjoon in the face causing his glasses to fly off his face and the book to fall to the floor.
“What was that for!?!” questioned the brunette as he glanced down at the smushed muffin lying broken at his feet. He sighed in disappointment before mumbling to himself, “I was going to eat that.”
“You still can.” commented the other as he turned away. Two distinct laughs filled the empty space as Namjoon sighed to himself. He picked up both the book and the muffin. He paused wondering if he could still eat the carrot muffin but shook his head in dismay. He tossed it before returning to his stoop eyes already scanning the page in front of him.
~~~
Jimin has always loved the smell of books. Didn’t matter if they were newly printed or spent years in hands being read and reread. There was just something about it that brought comfort and calm to his life. When he was surrounded by ancient texts or fictional tales, he was home.
It was only a natural progression for him to fall in love with a bookstore and start to spend all his free time there. Between graduate school and working on his thesis, he barely had time to sleep and eat, let alone browse the shelves of a bookstore. However, after one 24 hours study session that might have melted his brain a little, he had taken a wrong turn somewhere on his journey home from the library and ended up standing in awe of Kore52.
Kore52 was a bookstore café situated under a hair salon nestled between a bank and a grocery store on a quiet nondescript street. The big windows contained obscure titles with daily baked treats displayed along them. Soft music drifted through the open door and caressed Jimin like a blanket pulling him in. The intoxicating smell of buttery pastries filled his nostrils and instantly he was salivating.
How could Jimin say no that night when he was blurry-eyed and hungry. He wandered in and promptly grabbed a fried chicken croissant, a honey ginger green tea and the most recent issue of One Piece. Within minutes after eating he passed out, the tiredness overtaking his frail body.
When Jimin woke up that night, he was covered in a fleece blanket and his glasses were folded by his numb arm on the table. He quickly sat up in panic and looked around trying to gain his bearings. He was comforted by a dimpled smile that shone from across the space. He smiled in return before rubbing his face to clear the haze of sleep away. A tickling laugh followed soon afterward and he couldn’t help but laugh in embarrassment. Moments later a cup of chamomile landed in front of him. He looked up to meet a soothing smile. “On the house.” spoke the slender man before he walked over to the front register and kissed the man sitting here on the cheek. Another dimpled smile. Another tickling laugh. Jimin could only smile.
Now, seven months later, he was a happy employee of his favourite bookstore. He had gotten to know the owners, Namjoon and Soekjin very well in such a short time. So well in fact, that he now considered them some of his closest friends. He was surrounded by wonderful company.
“Jimin, can you help me set up this stage?”
“Of course hyung.” Jimin puts down the pricing gun and makes his way to the front of the store. He finds Jin rearranging some seating that sits in front of the giant brick fireplace that no longer functioned. Instead, the large firebox was filled with books and the mantle as well. He smiles to himself as he helps Jin pick up the two top table and move it off to the side. They continue arranging and rearranging the furniture till Jin is happy with the floorplan.
Jin sighs in satisfaction and promptly shoos Jimin back to whatever he was doing.
Minutes later Jimin can hear another voice drift through the stacks. His ears perk up but he continues sorting the books in the back storage room. Laughter fills his ears and he smiles before his eyes focus on the new collection of poems by a young up and coming poet. Instantly, he’s captivated by the words on the page and just can’t believe his luck.
Lost in poetic verse and colourful description he soon finds himself distracted by the soft strumming of a guitar. He looks up, his attention fully somewhere else now. Soon, a faint melodic voice fills the space and Jimin is captivated.
비가 오면 우산이 되어줄게
When it rains I’ll become your umbrella
깜깜하면 등대가 되어줄게
When it’s dark I’ll become your lighthouse
The music floats enticing Jimin from the back storage room. He slowly walks towards the front, his fingers grazing the spines of the Classics section along the way. He stops just before the performer comes into view. He leans against the bookshelves just out of sight and closes his eyes.
And I know and I know and I know
And I know and I know and I know
너 슬픈거 I know
That you’re sad I know
Rooted in place and unmoving, Jimin allows the soothing voice to wash over him. He smiles imaging lovers running towards each other. A silent embrace being blessed by the rain.
무거운 짐 내가 들어줄게
I’ll carry your heavy load
하루하루 how do you feel today
Day by day, how do you feel today
하나하나 there’s something I wanna say
One by one, there’s something I wanna say
He finally turns the corner to stand before the musician. His eyes focus on the jet black hair swept to one side, the bold yet elegant brows, the long bridge down to a prominent nose, the perfect Cupid’s bow and a lush lower lip. Jimin smiles in a daze at the captivating man before him. He briefly wondered what shade of brown the eyelids were hiding before his attention returned fully to the strumming maestro.
And I know and I know and I know
And I know and I know and I know
너 슬픈거 I know
That you’re sad I know
You know you’re safe with me
You know you’re safe with me
He knew he was staring but he refused to turn away. Drawn to this man’s melodic song, he felt like a fisherman that was being lured by a siren. His smile grew at the conjured image dancing in his mind’s eye. He shook the thought away as he pulled his focus back and locked eyes with the boy sitting before him. Deep chocolate eyes stared back at him.
니가 있는게 너무 좋아
I really like that you’re here
함께라서 난 너무 좋아
because we’re together you’re so good
And I know it’s on your mind
And I know it’s on your mind
Galaxies swirled in those wide cosmic eyes. Jimin couldn’t turn away. Not that he wanted to. He was caught staring. A small eternity or seconds passed before the embarrassment became too much. He glanced away, his cheeks warm and fingers white as they gripped his sweater’s hem.
Baby now I’m never
Baby now I’m never
ever leaving by your side
ever leaving by your side
내가 너의 노래가 되어줄게
I’ll become your song
Two breaths and a conscious effort to relax his hands was all it took for him to glance back up at the musician. Their eyes locked again and his flushed face got even more pink as a smile graced the other’s visage. Shyly, Jimin returned the smile.
And I know and I know and I know
And I know and I know and I know
너 슬픈거 I know
that you’re sad, I know
You know you’re safe with me
You know you’re safe with me
‘Was this really happening’, thought Jimin as he unknowingly tilted his head to the side as he continued watching the performance. His heart fluttered ever so softly in his chest. That boy’s smile endeared him to Jimin and he didn’t know why. Just something so bewitching about this stranger with the silken vocals.
니가 있는게 너무 좋아
I really like that you’re here
함께라서 난 너무 좋아
because we’re together you’re so good
And I know it’s on your mind
And I know it’s on your mind
“Jimin-ah, could you help me on the bakery side?” Jin’s docile tones pulled him from his trance. He turned to smile sweetly at his boss. “Sorry Jin-hyung. I was...distracted.”
“Clearly.” A knowing laugh caused Jimin’s embarrassment to flare up once again. He turned to follow his employer.
As he made his way across the store, he could feel eyes following his movements. He smiled to himself as he thought of those dark chocolate eyes trailing behind me. He grabbed an apron and stood behind the cake display. He took a deep breath and glanced up to find the other boy smiling at him. He returned the gesture before turning around pretending to wipe the counter. He could feel his cheeks heating up again.
Baby now I’m never
Baby now I’m never
ever leaving by your side
ever leaving by your side
내가 너의 노래가 되어줄게
I’ll become your song
노래가 되어줄게
I’ll become your song
The song came to a gentle end and all Jimin wanted was for him to continue. He was almost saddened to not have that voice wrapped around him like a plush blanket.
“Thank you Jimin-ah. My bladder felt like it was going to explode.” Another giggle. “Not a problem, Jin-hyung.” He went to remove his apron when a hand stopped his movements. Jimin looked up inquisitively. “Why don’t you make a mocha and bring our troubadour a scone as well before heading back to the storage room?” He smiled endearingly before starting up the espresso machine. He turned to pop a blueberry scone into the toaster. It felt like muscle memory as his hands went about making the drink. Almost mindlessly, he placed the small plate on the tray and the mug securely beside it. He grabbed a small pad of butter and a tiny packette of jam before reaching for the warm scone. He paused for a moment before grabbing a small jar of honey as well.
He picked up the wooden tray and carefully made his way towards the musician. The boy was currently adjusting his well-loved guitar. He was enthralled by the way his slender fingers caressed the smooth surface of the instrument. Jimin wasn’t even aware of when he reached his destination till the other looked up at him and smiled. He returned the smile shyly before placing the tray down beside the performer.
“Thank you.” Jimin’s smile grew and he bowed his head slightly before turning around. Those same slender fingers encircled his wrist causing him to turn back towards the other boy.
“I’m Jungkook. 21.”
“Jimin. 23”
“Nice to meet you, Jimin-sshi.” He blushed in reply. “Nice to meet you too, Jungkook-sshi.” Unspoken moments shared between them as they stared into each other’s eyes. Jimin could feel his cheeks dust pink as the other’s gaze dipped to linger on his lips before dragging back to meet his eyes.
“Excuse me. May I make a request?”
The trance was broken. Both turned towards the female speaker. Jimin ducked away as Jungkook replied to the question. As Jimin slowly made his way back to the cafe to return his apron, he couldn’t help overhearing the light giggles and corresponding chuckle of the pair he just left behind. He sighed softly as he turned to leave, his eyes instantly finding the scene before him all too common; a boy meets a girl and the chemistry is just right.
From this distance he can tell she’s interested. Long strands are being twirled around slender fingers, soft sighs and melodic giggles fill the air and that’s enough. Jimin turns away and makes his way back to the storage room. He still has a small mountain of books to sort. Any distraction from this all too familiar tale is appreciated.
~~~
The petite blonde had finished sorting about 40 minutes ago but couldn’t bring himself to go back out to the bookstore floor. Instead, he found himself lost in the poetry of his discontent youth as the background melodies of the beautiful musician became the soundtrack of the night. The words were familiar and comforting as he read over sonnets and haikus.
His favourites were odes to those loved and lost.
So lost in those rhyming prose, he didn’t notice the tall figure leaning against the frame of the storage room door.
“Hello.”
Wide eyes glanced up from behind rimmed frames. An almost look of panic is etched across the delicate features of Jimin’s face. “Hi…” he responds slowly before putting the book down across his lap.
“May I?” Jungkook asks vaguely. Jimin nods not quite knowing what he agreed to. The other boy pulls away from the door and walks in casually as if he’s done his before. He maneuvers himself around the piles of books and seats himself across from Jimin. He removes his beloved guitar and meets Jimin’s gaze with a smile. The blonde easily returns the gesture.
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
A look of surprise is the only reply Jungkook receives. He chuckles in response and continues on. “Yes, Jimin. I’ve been waiting for you.”
A blush rises quickly as Jimin just blinks not knowing what to say.
“You had fallen asleep atop of a One Piece manga. I was wandering through the bookstore working up the courage to say hello.” Jungkook ducked away feeling too vulnerable revealing his story. A small silence and a deep breath was all the male needed to continue. “When I finally worked up the courage to approach you, you had fallen asleep. I didn’t have the heart to wake you so Joon-hyung allowed me to borrow one of his reading blankets to drape over you.”
Jimin slowly recalls the memory. That was the night he knew this place was home. He’d just always thought that one of the owners had been the one to offer him the blanket. “That was you?” A confirming nod and smile that changed his world.
A dazzling smile framed with crescent eyes was all Jungkook desired before leaning in to kiss those tempting lips. A small gasp in surprise and a second later, Jimin was returning the affection. A chaste press of lips. Both pull away but not too far. Foreheads meet instead and growing smiles fill the void.