Work Text:
Everyone is very busy again after the group just released a new song last week. A love but thought-provoking song to be exact. A love song that cannot be placed in just one box. A song that is outside their spectrum but proud to have made it work in spite of the pandemic.
Of course, no “me” time for side hobbies for now. But everyone expected it. They are used to it after several years of promoting and touring together when a new song or album is out. They have no choice but to endure it. Even though tiring and they already miss the fans, they are enjoying every minute of it.
All interviews are done remotely for now. It is harder though as everyone is extra cautious to keep everyone safe. But an extra measure is better than none at all.
It is about 5 minutes past 10 in the morning and the group is on their way to the studio to record different segments, one after another for varying channels. Ranging from an entertainment portion on an American network to a famous local radio station.
The interviews go by smoothly as practiced and they are on the end stretch of today’s agenda.
For the closing spiel of the last interview for the day, the host asks everyone for any advice since their song is about a general form of love. They already have pre-answers with these types of questions but the company gave them the liberty to modify them to their liking (as long as they still follow the rules).
Since the hyung line is seated in front and Namjoon is already in the middle, he starts. "I'll keep it simple. Love is a sacrifice." Everyone nods in agreement.
In a typical Jin fashion, "If you are not feeling well, take vitamin ME." Jin's eyes wrinkle and everyone laughs with him.
It is Yoongi's turn and he seriously says, "Be with someone who's stupid about you."
He blushes when the others mock him for his cheesy answer. Hoseok even smacks his arm. As others tease him, Jimin just looks at the back of Yoongi's head and smiles sadly. After a few seconds, he snaps back when Taehyung secretly nudges him. Afraid that other people might notice, Jimin fake-laughs instead.
When the teasing dies, everyone else say their pieces. Hoseok's advice is high-spirited and positive.
When Taehyung sees Jimin is still not ready to answer, he eagerly raises his hand. "Let me answer first!" Taehyung's answer is uniquely-V yet endearing.
Jungkook's is very timid and unsure. They jokingly disapprove of his answer. "Yah! I am the youngest. Cut me some slack!"
Namjoon mildly hushes everyone.
Jimin gives Yoongi's answer more thought that he did not realize that everyone but him is done answering. Too long of a thought that he did not notice that he was staring again at the back of Yoongi’s head. Everyone is waiting for him to answer. Taehyung nudges him again. In a hurry, he spurts a line from the last Nicholas Sparks movie he watched, "I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough."
Everyone is confused as Jimin's line does not really match the answers of the group. But nonetheless, it piques the host's interest.
He returns to Jimin, "Have you ever been in love, Jimin?"
Jimin looks lost. Taehyung is quick to help his bestfriend. He answers for him, "Of course! Jiminie loves the fans! We love ARMY!" And throws an awkward heart towards the camera.
Most of them are grimacing, Yoongi just smirks.
The host responses, “Very well said, V! Surely, the hearts of the fans are on fire once again!” The host claps once, his cue that the interview is at the end. “With that said, as much as I would not want for this interview to end, thank you so much guys for your precious time. I know you are very busy but I sincerely wish you luck on the new song and that I hope everyone will love it! Because I do! And always be safe.”
Namjoon replies on behalf of everyone, “Thank you, Sung-min sunbaenim. Be safe as well and we hope to see everyone soon, especially the ARMY!”
A few seconds after BTS bows to the camera, the director then shouts, “That’s it for today! Thank you everyone!”
The boys stand one by one to bow to everyone in the staff. As everyone goes around to thank the members of the crew, Jimin tries to stay as far away as possible from Yoongi. As far as he knows, only him and Taehyung knew what happened during the last interview. And he does not want to further embarrass himself.
Looking for someone to tag along, he saw Taehyung far away from everyone else. He is talking with one of the editors. He approaches them and taps Taehyung's shoulder.
Taehyung tells the editor, “Thank you, noona. I am counting on you.” They move back towards the group of people.
“Pray tell.” Jimin is curious as they approach the other members.
Taehyung answers him, “I asked a favor. A surprise gift actually. Trust me? And don’t ask anymore. You will find out eventually.”
“Ohhkay… I wonder who’s it for but I believe you. But do know that I can kill you if something goes wrong.” Jimin sticks his tongue out playfully.
The members concur that they rather go home and rest than to have dinner outside. All of them are silent in the vans, too tired to even hum after several hours of talking.
When everyone is inside their home, Yoongi announces that he will cook ramen and rice for dinner while the others wash up. “If anyone wants it, say aye.” No question, everyone shouts “aye” in unison.
Everyone else retreat to their own rooms as Yoongi goes to the kitchen to boil a pot of water for ramen and prepare what he needs for the rice cooker. Yoongi pulls a chair near the stove and browses his phone silently.
After a while, he sends a message to everyone. “Ramen done. Already ate my share. I will just shower.” Yoongi goes to his room.
He has not been in the shower yet when Jimin personally sends him a picture of his ramen with a steaming cup of rice beside it. Captioned: Thank you, hyung.
Yoongi smiles at himself and waits for several seconds before replying, "바보 don’t mention it. Enjoy and rest well later.”
Jimin’s phone pings. As he reads the message, he chokes on the noodles. Jungkook pats his back. “Are you okay?” Jimin gives him a thumbs up as he drinks his water. “Food. Just hot.”
Jimin finishes dinner in a trance. It has been a while since Yoongi called him “stupid”. Maybe it is not intentional? How can he “rest well” after this? Maybe he is just overly thinking about everything? Or maybe he is just tired?
He finally decides to put it to rest as the day was long and they still have plans for tomorrow. Overly thinking almost always does not do him good.
---------
Luckily, their dance practice starts at little before 2 in the afternoon. They have an ample amount of time to sleep and prepare in the morning. As Jimin goes to their dining table, cup and coffee pot on both hands, he notices that all are present but Yoongi.
He asks Hoseok who’s eating his cereal, “Hobi hyung, where is SUGA hyung?”
“Left an hour ago. In his man-cave, again. No surprise there. But he said he will join the dance practice around 4.”
Namjoon tells everyone that he also need to leave at 12 to talk to the manager but promises to be at the dance studio on time. Everyone else leaves at 1 and proceeds to meet their choreographer.
The dance steps are miraculously easier than the previous ones but still difficult for anyone. Not as fast as the choreography of “Dynamite” but still as powerful. Like a quiet energy. They already ran through the steps last month but they were advised that there are minor edits.
As the choreographer and his assistant are done showing them the changes, they start practicing in front of the mirror. As expected, Hoseok and Jimin absorb the new steps quickly. As the choreographer tells Hoseok to assist the others, Yoongi arrives in the studio.
The choreographer calls out, “Jimin-ah, show Yoongi the steps please while Hoseok helps the others. Thank you.”
Jimin does not expect the remark but he has no choice. Yoongi is already approaching him. He is still an idol anyway and a helpful member of the team. Taehyung looks at Jimin and gives him an assuring smile.
He tells Yoongi that they should distance themselves from the group so that he can focus teaching him the new moves. And also to lessen the distraction from possible overlapping music. Yoongi follows. Jimin instructs Yoongi to sit first. As the song starts, Jimin shows Yoongi the changes before they can start working together.
“Can we start practicing?” Jimin asks, looking at Yoongi in the mirror. “Yeah, sure.” Yoongi replies. As Yoongi stands, he stumbles a bit.
Jimin holds Yoongi’s arm to balance him, “Are you okay? Did you even eat lunch?”
“Of course, I ate.” Yoongi objects. “I may have skipped a meal before when we started to debut but I changed my ways. I learned my lesson. I am just still tired from yesterday’s schedule, I guess. I did not sleep much last night though.”
“Why?” Jimin gives him a questioning look. Yoongi just shrugs off. Yoongi gives an inaudible “바보”.
Jimin is not sure if he heard “stupid” again from Yoongi. Did he hear him right? Or he is now starting to imagine things?
Whether or not his ears tricked him, they still need to practice. The choreographer and Hoseok will scold them if they do not learn the new steps on time. He does not want it to be his fault if he will not teach Yoongi the correct choreography. He is a dancer, he needs to keep his cool even if Yoongi is just a few inches away from him.
Hoseok calls for a 10-minute break after a while.
As Jimin places the cold water bottle on his face, the choreographer probes beside him. “How are things with you and Yoongi?”
Jimin raises his eyebrows, nervous. Does he also know? “What do you mean, Sung-deuk hyung?”
“Huh? The practice. How’s the practice with Yoongi? What else would I mean with my question?” Sung-deuk equally raises his eyebrows.
“Oh… Everything’s good so far. Uhh… We all know that even if he complains during dance practice most of the time, he still tries his best.” Jimin wipes his face with a towel to hide his burning cheeks.
The choreographer’s eyebrows are still raised. “Hmm. That’s good to know.” They continue with their practice as a group.
The choreographer tells everyone to wrap up at 8 in the evening.
They want to object but their manager will not take a no for an answer and reserves them a nearby Chinese restaurant. They do not have a schedule tomorrow so they can relax for the meantime.
There are small talks and laughs in between meals. Jungkook points at Jimin chuckling, “Hyung, be careful of the jjajangmyeon. You might choke on the noodles again.”
“I know! No need to remind me.” Jimin places his hand over his mouth.
Yoongi casually asks, “What happened?” Then Jungkook recounts what happened yesterday while they were eating the ramen Yoongi cooked for them. Yoongi catches on and just makes an “oh” mouth.
Individually, they open their fortune cookies. Jimin secretly reads his.
“Happy life is just in front of you.”
He glances at the person in front of him. It’s Yoongi. The world must think that his life is a joke right now.
Yoongi suddenly looks at him and smiles. He eats his cookie in a hurry, looking away.
With full stomachs, Namjoon tells everyone that during his meeting earlier, the manager told him that one of the local interviews from yesterday will be uploaded on the station’s social media platform, the day after tomorrow. The one from their last interview.
“That was fast! I thought they would take a long time to edit the videos?” Jin asks.
Namjoon retorts, “I honestly don’t know. Maybe, that’s how tech works nowadays? We literally can’t keep up! Do you remember one of the Dallyeora Bangtan episodes we had? A meme with your face on spreads like wildfire that your brother sent it to you just a few minutes after the episode aired?”
“Can’t blame them! My face is that famous!” Jin counters, his laughter infectious.
----------
Still high with Jin's dad jokes, they return to their house. Jimin went straight to his room’s shower.
Jimin looks in the mirror above the lavatory and screams.
Hoseok knocks at the door. “Jimin! Are you okay there?”
Jimin replies, “Yeah, hyung. Just tired.” He adds a whisper just to himself, “...of loving someone who will never love me back.”
Hoseok calls back, “Okay. If you need anything, if you want to talk about it, I am just here.”
Jimin decides to drown his worries in the shower. As he gets out of the shower, Hoseok gives him a worrying thumbs up. He nods, Hoseok understands. He is glad that Hoseok did not ask further questions when he took a bath longer than usual.
Lights are turned off a little after midnight. As soon as Jimin’s head hits the pillow, he falls asleep within 30 seconds. He is tired indeed.
----------
Since it is rare for everyone to have a free day, they take advantage to talk to their families and reconnect with their fans by reading the posts on different social media sites. Taehyung and Jimin even posted a selca together.
Their rest day went by in a blur but everyone agrees that they should at least watch an episode of Running Man before the day ends. They want the day to at least end on a comical note, to not think of their worries for more than an hour.
As the episode finishes, the others decide to rest for the night except for Hoseok and Jimin. They want to watch a different show.
As Jimin lies on the couch, he takes his moment to finally speak. When he is sure that it is only him and Hoseok in the area, out of everyone else’s earshot, he calls him. “Hyung?” Jimin is careful with the question.
“Yep? What is it?” Hoseok lowers the volume of the television but his eyes are still focused on it.
Jimin takes a long time to answer, “What were you thinking when you added your lyrics to our new song?”
Hoseok contemplates, “Hmm… I was thinking of the love I felt from the eyes of our fans during our last tour. Like, how they gave me happiness at every concert. Even though we were too tired, they gave us the energy and love I did not know existed. Too magical. Something like that. Why’d you ask?”
“Nothing specific really. I am just curious.” Jimin responds.
“It’s not “nothing” when it is out of nowhere. Really… what’s up? If you are shy, don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. We haven’t been mates for the longest time for nothing. Pabo!” Hoseok chuckles at the end.
Jimin sounds worried but replies, “Stupid… Maybe I am...” Jimin pauses. Jimin is struggling between telling Hobi the truth or he will just tell a lame lie. It is now or never. “I was thinking of someone when I lent my lyrics to the song.”
Jimin hums a portion of the song and continues singing a verse which is his.
“You became my favorite person in the world. I love you in my lifetime.”
Hoseok faces Jimin. “I know who you are talking about.” Jimin is surprised. “Really? How? I only told Taehyung. Well, more of... he figured it out.”
“Ouch! And here I am thinking that it is me who knew first who it was!” Hoseok snorts and goes to Jimin’s side. “It is too obvious, Jiminie. I may have scolded everyone every dance practice but I observe. With the way you look at him dearly behind the lines… Ugh. I want someone to look at me like that as well! My gut is usually correct and I got my confirmation from yesterday’s practice. I was watching you getting flustered while teaching him.”
Hoseok touches Jimin’s face. “It will be okay. I know it will be. Be patient. It will be worth it. He will come around eventually. Trust me.”
“First, Tae told me to trust him. Now, you. As much as I want to be in control of what I feel, things go out of my grasp.” Jimin sighs.
Hoseok is still optimistic. “I should talk to Taehyung-ha. Maybe we can sort something out? Hmm. How did Taehyung find it out anyway?”
Jimin recalls, “Remember how Taehyungie always fools around before, calling me “Jiminie pabo” most of the time? The others sometimes made fun of me as well but I just laughed it off. Well… Tae noticed that my laugh became affectionate giggles when it was Yoongi hyung who calls me “pabo”. He said that I was only like that with hyung, not with anyone else. I became conscious after Tae pointed it out so I tried to laugh louder than usual, so that the others would not notice. But then, Tae once again said that even if Yoongi does not call me 바보 anymore, I still laugh harder at Yoongi’s jokes that my already small eyes become smaller when I laugh. Tae made me realize something I didn't know I was doing. Made me realize something I didn’t know I was feeling.”
Hoseok approves. “Wow. I did not notice that! Good for Taehyung-ah.” After a while, Hoseok adds, “We will help you. We want you to be happy.”
“Hyung, I want to be happy too. But I am the only one with feelings here. It does not add up. Namjoon hyung is right. Love is a sacrifice and maybe this is my share of what he said. I did not understand at first what he meant but maybe it is directed to me. Either I need to sacrifice my happiness for a love that’s one-sided or I need to let go for me to be happy. I don’t know.” Jimin trails off, almost crying.
Hoseok does not know the right words. He just hugs Jimin. “We’ll think it through, okay? But for now, let’s rest. We have a long day tomorrow.”
----------
The next day is another (almost) full schedule. Dance practice starts in the morning, but Yoongi and Taehyung will leave in the afternoon for a meeting about an upcoming event in Daegu.
When they arrive at the studio, Hoseok tells Jimin that he will talk to Taehyung after the practice. He was firm when he said it. Jimin thinks that Hoseok just wants to help so he agrees, appreciative.
The choreographer tells everyone to scatter and practice in groups. “Jimin, practice with Yoongi-ah like last time.” Jimin panicky looks at Hoseok in the mirror.
Hoseok raises his hand and grins widely, “Hyung, I will do it instead. I volunteer as tribute!” As everyone hoots at his corny joke, Jimin mouths his “thank you”.
Before Taehyung leaves for the Daegu event meeting, he approaches Jimin. “Jiminie, sorry. I want to approach Hobi hyung but he is talking to Sung-deuk hyung right now. We will meet later at the other studio but I forgot my phone at home when I charged it this morning. Maybe Yoongi hyung has his. Can I tell him to call you once we are done with the meeting. Are you okay with that?”
Jimin just shakes his head. “Why not tell him to call Hobi hyung directly or send a message to the group chat? Why does it have to be me?”
Taehyung just bows and does not answer Jimin’s question.
Jimin sighs. “You’ll be the death of me. Okay, fine. I don’t have a choice, do I?” Taehyung flashes his box smile.
Yoongi and Taehyung leave at 2 in the afternoon to meet with their manager while the rest continue practicing.
----------
After the Daegu event meeting, Taehyung tells Yoongi that he forgot his phone at home. He asks Yoongi if he can call Jimin, to tell him that they are done with the meeting.
Yoongi says, “Aish! Taehyung-ah… Don’t leave your phone at home like that. What if there’s an emergency? Okay... Wait up.”
“Thanks, hyung.” Taehyung shows his charming box smile for a second time today.
Yoongi pulls out his phone and browses through his contacts. A mere second before Yoongi places his phone on his right ear, Taehyung sees the name of the contact person whom Yoongi is calling.
“Jiminie 바보”
Taehyung’s eyes are gleaming. He tells himself, “Interesting.” Never thought, in a million year that he would flash a box smile to himself.
“Hyung, thank you for making me look forward to something lovely and unexpected.” Taehyung mumbles to a confused Yoongi while the older is talking to Jimin over the phone.
----------
As Hoseok meets with Taehyung, the rest of the members return to their home.
Namjoon announces, “I will just order dinner. Anyone want something specific? Fried chicken?” Jimin replies, “I am not hungry.”
Jungkook asks Jimin, “You sure, hyung? You love fried chicken. We will order beer.” Yoongi’s eyes follow Jimin who’s already walking to his room.
“Yeah, Kook.” Then Jimin slams the bedroom door.
“Is there something wrong with him?” Namjoon intrigues. “I don’t know. I talked to him over the phone earlier after our meeting, he sounded okay.” Yoongi responds.
After an hour, Hoseok and Taehyung return to their home and to a good smell of chicken in the air.
“Where’s Jiminie?”, Taehyung asks. Hoseok is looking for Jimin as well.
Jungkook tilts his head toward their rooms, mouth full of food. “Inh ‘is rooom.”
As Hoseok joins the others at the dining table, Taehyung goes to Jimin’s room and knocks. “Can I come in?”
“Yeah”, Jimin says back. Taehyung opens the door and approaches Jimin. Jimin is lying on his bed, looking at the ceiling. Taehyung lies beside Jimin so that his left arm is touching Jimin’s right.
“How are you?” Jimin does not reply.
“Jiminie, promise me that you will hang in there? I am not saying that you should trust me and Hobi hyung for the sake of just trusting someone. But believe me when I say that it is going to be okay.” Jimin holds Taehyung's hand beside him. Taehyung squeezes his hand back.
----------
The first video of their interview the other day will be uploaded online in a few minutes. Not that Yoongi does not care, he just rarely watches their interviews online. He is too conscious of himself. Either that or he watches them several days after they are uploaded online. But for some strange reason, Hoseok keeps insisting him to watch the video once it is up.
Hoseok pushes, “Please? For me, Yoongi-ah. For our old Hwagae’s sake?”
Yoongi gives up. “Gah! Just this once, okay? After this, no more. I will watch the next interviews whenever I like it.”
“Deal! Thank you, hyung.” Hoseok claps excitedly.
After an hour, Yoongi is in his room when hears a notification on his phone. It is his signal that the interview has been uploaded. Thank the heavens, the video is only ten minutes long. He plugs his earphones on his phone and watches the video in silence.
He is already on the last part of the video where the interviewer asked them for advice. Usually, the camera focuses on the person who’s currently speaking but it is unnaturally spanned so that everyone is shown on the screen. Maybe the editing team made a mistake? Maybe the editor noona thought it is better to show the reaction of the group when someone is answering the question? Maybe he will know the reason when he watches the video?
As he hears his answer, he notices that as the others mock him, Jimin is just staring at him, looking dejected then is suddenly laughing awkwardly after a few seconds. “That’s weird.” He scrunches his forehead but continues with the video.
It is Jimin’s turn to answer. He remembers that it took Jimin a long time to answer. A minute after seeing first Jimin’s lost face, he catches the same regretful face looking at the back of his head. He paused the video after hearing Jimin’s answer. Yoongi also feels lost. He looks at the clock, it is past midnight. To enlighten himself about what happened, he rewatches the same scene in the interview.
He rewatches the interview a few more times. More than what he promised Hoseok. He pauses the video, at the moment of Jimin’s sad face. He looks closer at the screen. He mumbles, "Fuck! This is frustrating! Jimin, you're confusing!"
He removes the earphones from his ears after a while, turns off the phone screen and sets it on the bedside. He reaches for his pillow, places it on his face and silently screams.
When he feels that the room is suffocating, he goes out of his room to get water. The hallway is already pitch black but he is careful not to stumble at the scattered shoes. As he reaches the kitchen, a figure is rummaging through the fridge. To his surprise, it is Jimin.
Yoongi mumbles Jimin’s name so as not to give the younger one a shock. But Jimin still jumps, turns around facing him while holding a drumstick. “Aaaah-hyung! Don’t be like that! You scared me!”
“I’m sorry but please don’t stab me with what’s in your hand. The chicken is too precious.” Yoongi still jokes in spite of Jimin's horrified state. “What are you doing out here?”
“I got hungry. Good thing you guys left some chicken for me.” Yoongi can’t believe that the Jimin looking at him right now is the same Jimin that looked mournful in the interview a while ago.
Yoongi approaches the fridge. He is about to get a water bottle when he sees the beer cans. He reaches for two. “Reheat your chicken and join me at the rooftop after.” Jimin is about to decline the invite as Yoongi walks away but he does not want to be disrespectful. They may have been like family but he is still older than him. He quickly reheats the food, balances it on a plate and hurriedly follows Yoongi.
Yoongi is already sitting as he taps the space beside him. Jimin sits and carefully places the plate in front of them. Jimin notices that Yoongi is already on his second serving of beer. Jimin points at the crumpled empty can. “You’re fast. You did not even wait for me.”
Yoongi shrugs. “Thirsty, I guess.”
They are silent for a while. It is Yoongi who breaks it first.
“The weather is good for beer tonight. Not too hot, not too cold.” Yoongi halts for a few seconds. “Did you already see the video of our interview?”
“Not yet. I was about to watch it while eating but you gave me a shock that I forgot about it.” Jimin smiles as he takes a piece of chicken.
“Do you have your phone with you?” Jimin nods. “We can watch it right now as you eat, and I drink. What do you say?”
Jimin wipes his greased fingertips in his pants. He fishes out his phone from his pocket, unlocks it and gives it to Yoongi. He lets Yoongi open the link Namjoon sent on the group chat. Yoongi puts the volume on the loudest setting.
Jimin inquires, “Did you watch it already?” But the video already plays before Yoongi can answer.
When the video reaches the part where Yoongi already knew by heart, he glances at Jimin. He waits for Jimin’s reaction.
Jimin just freezes on the spot, the food he was holding earlier is now on the floor. He feels like a cold water is poured over him, he is getting goosebumps. He does not know what to do. What has he done? This is very embarrassing.
Still staring at an already finished video, Jimin's voice is shaking, “Hyung, let me explain. Uhh, yeah, uhm, I love you, okay? God. What am I saying? Shit.”
What Jimin does not expect are the next words Yoongi asks him. “What if I am stupid about you, too? What if I love you, too?” Jimin faces him rather quickly. Even if only the dimmed phone screen is their light source, Yoongi knows that Jimin’s face starts to turn red. His face starts to heat up as well. Yoongi partly blames the beer.
Jimin’s heart is about to burst. “I thought I was the only one who felt it?” He shakes his head. “No. You are kidding, right? Hyung, it’s not funny. Did Taehyung-ah or Hobi hyung say something about me?”
“Jiminie, first of all, I am not that drunk to spurt jokes right now. I have not finished my can yet. Second, neither Taehyungie nor Hoseokie know that I already watched the video before I went to the kitchen earlier. And third, you are not the only one allowed to have feelings for someone, okay? Don’t be selfish.” Yoongi looks at Jimin, hopeful.
“But… how? When? Why? Slap me, hyung. Am I still dreaming?” Jimin is still in denial.
“Jiminie pabo.” Yoongi just laughs at Jimin’s disbelief remark. Jimin missed the way Yoongi calls him 바보. “To be honest, I am not sure. It just happened. Like “poof!” Isn’t that what makes emotions special? No need to find any right reason. I just felt it. I started to care more about you. I started to notice you more than anyone. You are too kind, too nice to everyone. Even your smallest actions make me smile. I do not know the correct answers to your “how”, “when”, and “why”. Music is second nature to me but this feeling is, I don’t know, foreign. Damn. I can’t even look straight into your eyes.”
Yoongi sees Jimin’s smirk but continues to speak anyway. ”I may not look like it but I am happy that you just confirmed a while ago that you feel the same way, too.”
Jimin takes the beer can Yoongi is drinking from and finishes the drink. “I should have taken the other beer can in the fridge. My mouth felt dry for a while there.” Jimin starts to relax a bit.
Yoongi asks, “How about you? About my “how”, “when”, and “why”, do you have answers?”
Jimin tries to remember. Racking his brains for any answer. “I am not sure as well. Maybe during our first Bon Voyage trip? That is my first recall actually. It felt different. You felt different. But it is something I really cannot put my finger on. I don’t know. But Taehyung said that it was before that trip. When he told me that it was when I started to change and act differently every time you call me 바보. But he also told me last month it was during the pre-debut days. Now, I am not sure anymore if he was just making fun of me. But remind me to thank Tae tomorrow. Or rather later.” Jimin chuckles, his eyes smaller than usual again.
Yoongi turned serious. “Jiminie, I know that it took us a long time to figure this out. We're both stupid. But we also have to remember that, even if we have sort-of realized our own feelings individually, together, this is new to us. As much as we don’t want to go through the same phase, we have to re-assess everything as a “we”. Do you get what I mean? I don’t want to rush. Let’s take it slow.”
“I understand, hyung.” He holds Yoongi’s hand. “But I guess it won’t be as hard as we will work on this together, right? We have the rest of our lives beside each other.”
“Yah! I just said no rushing and here you are already talking about the future.” Jimin places his head at Yoongi’s neck crease. His cheeks start to heat up again.
“Hyung, as far as I know, only Taehyung-ah and Hobi hyung know. What are we going to tell others?” Jimin sounds worried.
Yoongi assures Jimin and himself, “We can talk to Joon first, then Jin hyung and Jungkook-ah after. Don’t worry, they will understand.”
It is already getting late. As much as they wanted to stay this way, they still have responsibilities to the team. They decided to go back to their rooms and talk more about what happened some other time.
As they climb down the stairs, they notice that the lights are open inside the house. When they open the door leading to the living room, everyone is sitting on the couch except for Jungkook who’s in the kitchen munching on his sweets stash. Everyone looks at them eagerly. Taehyung is already beaming widely.
Yoongi is the first to ask, “What’s going on? What are you all doing here?”
It is Hoseok who speaks for everyone, “Hyung, I texted you earlier asking if you already watched the video. When I did not get any reply, I also noticed that Jimin’s bed is empty. I texted Tae immediately asking if Jimin is with him. When he said that Jimin is not in his room, I panicky knocked on everyone’s bedroom. When we got in the living room, that is when we heard a sound coming from the rooftop. We realized that it was from the interview. We also heard some voices and figured it might be the two of you. And then we just waited.”
Everyone patiently waits for Yoongi and Jimin to explain everything. They are so thankful that all the members are very understanding of their situation.
Taehyung reveals that it was him who talked to noona on the editing team and with the help of Hoseok, Yoongi was coerced to watch the interview right away. Jimin is shocked by what his best friend can scheme evilly. Taehyung just shakes with laughter.
Jin tells them, “It is okay. Your secret is safe with us. Joonie can help you out when you need help with the management.” Jin winks at Namjoon.
“Did you just throw me under the bus?” Namjoon clicks his tongue. “But seriously, if you both need help, I am more than willing to do anything.”
“Thanks, Joon. But I think it is better if we explain the situation to the management ourselves. It will not be easy. Just give us more time. But if the time comes that we really need your help, we’ll call you.” Yoongi smiles at Namjoon.
Jungkook, still eating, gives both Yoongi and Jimin an enthusiastic thumbs up. Showing his toothy grin, he calls everyone’s attention. “I am very happy for the both of you. I really am. But don’t make babies yet. I still want to be the youngest here.”
Yoongi deadpans, “Soon, Kookie. Sooner than you thought.” Jimin blushes and gapes his mouth at Yoongi.
Namjoon just scratches his head. “How can I unhear what you just said, hyung? Aish! I think we just all need some sleep. We can celebrate next time. And no babies yet, okay?”
Jimin and Yoongi tell everyone that they will just clean up their mess before going back to bed as Jin literally pushes everyone back to their rooms.
As Jimin is washing the plate, Yoongi approaches him and playfully pokes Jimin’s butt.
Jimin says, “Did you just contradict your “no rushing” lecture earlier? Now, talking about making babies in front of everyone? Don't keep my hopes up.”
Yoongi raises his hands as if surrendering. “I think it’s the beer… Yep. It’s the beer.” He shows his gummy smile.
Jimin bops Yoongi’s nose with soapy hands, “Pabo!” Jimin flashes his small eyes.