Work Text:
Happiness does not exist. It's just this unreachable idea that people on top invented so people on the bottom would work their asses off just to have a small glimpse of it. It was just another capitalist tale that made everyone believe that that light in the end of the tunnel was a thing and hope would actually never die.
If happiness was really a thing, Jimin wouldn't have just burned the second cookie batch in a roll.
Jimin looks at the dark, burned cookies, and he really hates himself. First of all, it was a holiday, he shouldn't have opened the bakery. Second, it was a gray day and people don't really like to go out on days like this. And finally, he didn't check the stove temperature while baking his cookies. Twice .
Maybe it wasn't that happiness did not exist, maybe Jimin just wasn't worth of it, maybe he should just give up and accept that he would always be a failure.
It starts to rain, a really heavy rain because of course , and Jimin is officially done. He goes to the bakery entrance and starts to lower the door, thinking about how much money he can make when he sells this place. It'll hurt his heart, sure, but at least it'll prevent Jimin to fuck up.
"Wait, don't close!" he hears someone screaming, and Jimin barely has time to process what is happening and how this voice managed to overcome the rain noise when a silhouette gets inside the bakery.
"What" Jimin jumps one step back, trying to process what just happened.
"Sorry, I need somewhere safe from the rain and this bakery is the only place open" the person breathes heavily, like he just ran a lot. Probably did.
Jimin takes a look at him. The guy is really tall and big, like one of those people that Jungkook is trying to become. His hair is short, really short, wet and going in all directions. He's wearing a blue sweatshirt and hugging himself like his life depends on this.
"Who are you?" Jimin is not judging the man, of course not, but he just entered his bakery in such a hurry…
"Name's Kim Namjoon. Sorry to scare you like that" Namjoon seems to be finally able to breathe again. Then he stops hugging himself, taking two books from under his sweatshirt. "I am a little far from home and I have nothing to protect these guys from the water."
When it hits Jimin, he smiles. That giant of a man just wants to keep his books protected. It's kinda cute.
"You're welcome to stay inside until the storm goes away, but I'm closing anyway." Jimin finishes lowering the door, and now the sound of the rain seems a little far away.
"Oh, I…" Namjoon looks confused, but then just smiles and two cute dimples pop on each side of his mouth. "Thank you so much. Are you the owner?"
"Yes. I'm Jimin, nice to meet you."
They look at each other and there's a weird moment where two strangers have no idea what to do. Then Jimin realizes the guy is still dripping right in front of him, probably cold, and Jimin is a terrible person.
"Oh my God I'll get you a towel!" Jimin runs to the back of the bakery while Namjoon tries to deny the offer, but it was not really an option. Soon Jimin is handing him a pink hand towel (it's the best he can get in the bakery), with flowers hand-painted, courtesy of Jungkook.
"You are very kind, Jimin-ssi." Namjoon says while drying his hair.
"Just Jimin, please. You can sit, make yourself at home, I'll just finish throwing all my cookies away."
"Why? Everything here looks so pretty and tasty…" Namjoon looks at the pastry, where Everything That Didn't Go Wrong is exposed.
"Not these, the forty ones I just burnt because I suck at baking."
"Aren't you the one who did all these?"
"It's not the point, Mr. Stranger."
"I see" Namjoon smiles again and puts the towel over his shoulder before sitting in one of the chairs. "You must suck really well, then."
Jimin raises his eyebrows, not believing that this guy would say something as forward as this terrible pickup line. But then Namjoon seems to realize what he just said and the purest desperation crosses his face.
"No! It's not what I meant! I swear it's not this, I just phrased it wrong, really, sorry!"
"What did you mean, then?" Jimin can't help but tease. The guy, Namjoon, is obviously desperate about what he just said, his face getting red, and sue Jimin, but Namjoon is too cute for his own good.
"It's just that everything here looks and smells amazing, and I know for a fact that it tastes delicious, so it's just not possible that you suck " Namjoon seems more confident once he succeeds in explaining without stuttering.
"You know for a fact?" Jimin smiles while taking another chair to sit next to Namjoon. He should be mopping and throwing his cookies away, but this stranger is being too interesting to be ignored. "I've never seen you here before" it's true. Jimin is pretty good with faces, especially clients' faces, and he's sure Namjoon is not one of them.
"Well I actually don't come here often because sugar is not really my thing, but!" Namjoon says before Jimin even has the opportunity to open his mouth. "My best friend loves strawberry cake and it was his birthday in February and I brought some for him here. I ate with him and that's why I can say that your baking is incredible. Even for someone who doesn't really like sugar."
Two months ago. Jimin tries not to smile, but he can't, so he hides it by covering his mouth with his hands. Two months ago Namjoon bought a cake from Jimin's bakery and still hasn't forgotten its taste. That really makes Jimin tear a little.
"Wasn't I the one in the cashier that day?" Jimin changes subject, trying to pretend it didn't make him so emotional.
"Unfortunately no" Namjoon's dimples pop out again and Jimin feels like he should poke them. He doesn't. But he really wants to. "But the other guy was really sweet, too. He looked like a happy bunny."
"Yeah, that's Jungkook," they smile at each other for a while.
Jimin wants to talk more, to know everything about this stranger, this Namjoon, but he is too fascinated to even think straight. Namjoon is still smiling at him, and it makes Jimin feel good.
Too fast the rain goes away and Jimin has no excuses to keep Namjoon inside his bakery. He accompanies the guy to the door and they smile awkwardly at each other.
"Thanks for sheltering me, Jimin."
"It was my pleasure, really. If you… start liking sweets, I hope to see you again."
"Oh, don't worry. You will."
***
"I swear to God he said that." Jungkook pouts while finishing cleaning the pastry. The bakery is empty, all clients today are buying to go , so they got to loosen up a little.
"You are too dramatic, Kook. Plus, your boyfriend is a Saint."
"You didn't just say Kim Seokjin is a Saint. You did not say that."
" Anyone who puts up with you is a Saint. That includes me." Jimin laughs while Jungkook swears under his breath.
A silhouette appears at the bakery's door and Jimin and Jungkook instantly enter the professional mode.
"Welcome!" Jimin smiles while the customer comes closer and after two seconds, he recognizes Namjoon.
The man is wearing simple clothes, just like the first time, with a black cap. He carries in one arm a small-medium vase with purple and pink flowers, perfectly arranged. His face is also pink, but he sustains a beautiful smile.
"You came!" Jimin doesn't really contain his happiness while Namjoon stops in front of the cashier.
"I told you I would. I brought this for you" Namjoon gives him the vase and Jimin feels like he could die anytime now. "I don't know if you understand about flowers, but these are sweet peas, they are good for saying thank you."
Jimin looks at the flowers. He doesn't know if Namjoon arranged by himself, or if he bought the beautiful vase like that in some flower shop, but he feels really touched by the gesture.
"It's… you didn't have to… really…" Jimin will not cry. He won't .
"I can't believe you're giving flowers to Jimin, he'll totally cry." Jungkook laughs.
"I will not!"
"If you do, I hope they're happy tears" Namjoon shrugs, smiling adorably. "Also I'll have a strawberry donut, please."
"Eating sugar now?" Jimin registers the order while feeling incapable of stopping smiling.
"No, I'll take that to my friend, he's craving strawberry flavor."
"He seems to really be a strawberry person." This is horrendous, Jimin sucks on making small talk. He knows this because Jungkook isn't even trying to pretend he's not laughing at them.
"It gives me more excuses to come to your bakery."
Jimin will probably combust while Namjoon pays with a credit card. He wants to say something but there's no voice inside him. Fuck .
"Here, I'll get your order, your flirting with Mini probably broke him."
That's not what is happening at all. Jimin wants to protest so hard but his voice is completely incapable of working. Jungkook gives Namjoon his donut and they say goodbye, dimples shooting directly at Jimin's heart.
"You are so pathetic, hyung."
"I'm pathetic?!" Jimin says, basically screams, his voice coming back with full force. "Do I need to remind you about the 'I need to date Seokjin' saga?!"
"Stop."
" Oh if just Seokjn would look at me… hyung do you think these pants make me look desperate? " Jimim mocks while Jungkook covers his own ears and starts to sing " lalala " in the most childish way.
While smiling, Jimin looks at the door and wishes Namjoon can come back soon.
***
"Oh my God!" Jimin suddenly stops walking and holds Taehyung's arm. Hard.
"You're actually hurting me."
"Taehyung, it’s the handsome man that buys strawberry shit for his friend!"
“Jimin, we talked about this. You can't refer to your own work as shit . Now, let’s repeat with me: I’m an amazing baker and my shit is awesome .”
“Not now! Look at him!” Jimin points to a bench where Namjoon is sitting, reading a book, a bicycle seeming long forgotten by his feet. A cap protects his eyes from the weak sun but Jimin swears that he shines so bright. “What do I do? Do I talk to him? Should we just go?”
“You’re worse than JK was with my brother, you know that, right?” Taehyung laughs and Jimin hits him. "What did you say was his name again?"
"Namjoon."
"Nice. Hey, Namjoon!" Taehyung screams Namjoon's name, making him turn his head in the duo's direction. Jimin sees the exact moment when his soul leaves his body, not even bothering to say goodbye. Namjoon smiles and gets up, walking to them. "Holy shit, he's handsome! And he's coming our way!" Taehyung suddenly starts to panic.
"Of course he is, you moron, you called him!"
"I didn't expect him to come to-"
"Hello, Namjoon!" Jimin tries his best to smile when Namjoon finally arrives. "Fancy seeing you here."
"I could say the same" Namjoon's smile seems shy while he looks at Jimin, and Jimin's soul will never ever again come back.
"This is Taehyung, he's Jungkook's brother-in-law and also my best friend."
"Nice to meet you" Namjoon smiles at Taehyung now, who still seems in a stupor looking at how handsome Namjoon is. Jimin can't blame his friend for that. "So… are you guys…?"
"Busy? No!" Taehyung answers quickly. "Actually Jimin was just walking me to my… favorite cafe, yes. Where I… have coffee. And paint. Sounds strange but it's true. Thank you for the walk, Mini. Nice to meet you, Namjoon. See you guys later."
And then Taehyung just leaves.
He is lying so hard. Jimin and him were supposed to go to Taehyung's together, have an afternoon full of snacks and bad movies. It was questionable movie day . Also there is no cafe where you can actually paint nearby. Taehyung hates coffee. And he is clearly a snake dressed as a person.
Jimin looks at Namjoon and thinks that, if he will someday experience being abducted by a hole in the ground that opens out of nowhere, now would be an excellent time for it to happen.
"I don't know any cafes around here, and I've been living here for twenty-two years now" Namjoon puts one hand inside his jeans pocket and takes a deep breath. "Is your friend incredibly lost or was he just trying to let us talk alone?"
"He was- shit" Jimin covers his right eye with his hand. He wants to cover both eyes but his fucking hand is not big enough. "Second option. Sorry."
"Please, don't apologize. I'm really glad that I got you all to myself" then Namjoon realizes what he just said and looks desperate again. "In a completely non-creepy way, I swear to you. Let's… sit and talk?"
As awkward as it started, soon they are talking about the most random things, laughing together about work stories, friends' shenanigans, their own lives.
It's too easy talking to Namjoon. He knows how to talk about everything, and even when he's not an expert at it, like when Jimin starts a monologue about baking, Namjoon smiles and looks him in the eyes, asking the right things at the right time.
Jimin doesn't even see time pass, forgets that life exists besides talking with Namjoon at a bench in the park. When the sun starts disappearing, he jumps from his seat.
"I completely forgot that I was going to watch a movie with Tae, Jin and Kookie!" He curses under his breath, knowing damn well that the couple will never leave him alone if he ditches them. "Sorry, I really need to go."
"That's alright. You live nearby?"
"Not really, but I'm going to Tae's, he lives like four blocks from here." Jimin points to Taehyung's house general direction.
"I live there too! I can give you a ride" Namjoon says while getting up and picking up his bike.
Jimin looks at Namjoon. Then at the bike. Namjoon. Bike. It doesn't even have a carrier.
"Really?"
"Yes, you sit here," Namjoon points to the bike frame and waits. Jimin blinks twice before silently sitting where Namjoon told him. "And I'll ride. Just be careful with your legs."
Namjoon sits behind Jimin and then there's arms around him. Namjoon is basically hugging Jimin to reach the handlebars and Jimin may or may not start panicking any moment now.
When Namjoon starts to pedal, Jimin gasps and instinctively holds the handlebars, next to Namjoon's hands. He knows he can't hold them tight or Namjoon won't be able to control the bike, so tries to trust the guy and prays they arrive at Taehyung without scratches.
After the first block Jimin feels more at ease and actually enjoys the feeling of riding a bike. It's been really long since the last time he's done that and he feels like he should do this again soon. It's liberating, even if he's not the one really riding it.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" He hears Namjoon asking, and since Jimin is sitting sideways, he can see Namjoon smiling sweetly while following Jimin's next direction.
"A lot."
Unfortunately they arrive too fast, and Jimin feels a little bit sad when he gets off the bike. But he smiles at Namjoon anyways, feeling grateful for the amazing day they spent together just talking.
"Thank for today. And for the ride."
"It was my pleasure. Do you…" Namjoon doesn't end his phrase, suddenly becoming all red.
"Do I?"
"Do you think we could meet each other again sometime? But on a real date?" Namjoon doesn't look at Jimin when he asks that.
Jimin feels his heart beating faster and his entire face becomes too hot. He also wants to jump and cheer and laugh, but he doesn't want to look pathetic just because the most handsome man in the entire world just asked him on a date. He has an image to maintain.
"I guess it would be perfect."
When they say their goodbyes and Namjoon leaves, Jimin hops all the way into Taehyung's house, feeling like the happiest person in the world.
***
A tiny, yellow duckling stumbles two times before finally reaching its siblings in the lake, where the happy duck family swims together. Jimin smiles, finding them the cutest thing alive, and sighs before lowering his head a little, the back encountering Namjoon’s shoulder.
They’ve been sitting in the grass for a long time now, Jimin between Namjoon’s legs, feeling his arms around him. They’re mostly quiet, just enjoying the view, making some comments. They already ate and talked a lot, like they always do on their dates, and now they’re enjoying nature. Namjoon loves nature, and Jimin loves when Namjoon smiles with his entire body, like there’s not a single worry in the world.
“How can ducklings be so cute?” Jimin asks as he closes his eyes, completely at peace around Namjoon. Since their first date Jimin feels best when he’s with Namjoon.
“I’m sure it’s their beaks” Jimin hears a soft laugh and a fast kiss on his exposed neck. “Their beaks are the cutest thing.”
“I think you’re right.”
“I often am” Namjoon laughs again and kiss Jimin’s neck a bit more, slowly starting to spread them on Jimin’s face. When he feels kisses on his cheek, Jimin turns his head a little, making it easier for Namjoon to lock their lips in a sweet, slow kiss that matches the weather and their feelings.
This has been their life for over one month now. It’s sweet, slow and makes Jimin feel like he just baked the most perfect cookie batch all the time. Namjoon is kind, ridiculously intelligent, a little clumsy and overall the most lovable person Jimin has ever met.
“It’ll get dark soon, maybe we should go?” Namjoon asks after they kiss for a long time.
“ Mm ” is the only thing Jimin can say, not moving one single muscle to get up so Namjoon can get up too. It’s too comfortable, sue him.
“You’ll spend the night at my place, right? I promised Hobi you would come, he was excited to show you a new choreography he’s working at” Namjoon sounds pleading. Jimin doesn't know why. He would never refuse an offer to spend time with his boyfriend.
"Of course I'll go" Jimin steals a long kiss from Namjoon again, almost losing himself.
"You need to get up so we can go."
"Don't wanna. Comfy here."
"You can be all over me again once we're home."
Just because it's a very good promise, Jimin gets up and they leave the park, Namjoon riding them both on his bike. Jimin loves feeling the wind when they ride, loves the way Namjoon arms are around him, protecting.
Jimin loves everything about Namjoon, and he loves even more how Namjoon is willing to share everything with him.
***
Jungkook is mopping the floor while Jimin is finishing to close the cashier. It was not the best day in sales, but they had worse. It's OK, he'll get to pay the bills, pay Jungkook and keep the bakery going on. It's an OK life.
The bakery's door is only half closed, a clear message that they're not selling anymore for the day, but if someone wishes, they still can come in.
Like Namjoon, who always visits after shift.
And always bangs his head against the heavy door.
"Hyung!" Jungkook whines, feeling bad for Namjoon.
"Honey…" Jimin kinda wanna laugh because this is the biggest Namjoon thing. "Please be careful."
"I'm fine, Mini" Namjoon smiles, rubbing the spot in his head he just hit. "I was trying to protect my bonsai, I'm hoping it'll bloom soon."
"Isn't this the one who was supposed to bloom last week?" Jimin goes back to closing the cashier and the system.
"Why are you hurting me? What happened to our love?" Namjoon speaks overly dramatic, like he's in a real bad drama movie.
"I'm forbidding you from talking to Jin again" Jungkook says before Jimin can even answer. "You're acting exactly like him."
"Your boyfriend understands my struggles, Kookie," Namjoon laughs and stops by the cashier, showing his dimples to Jimin. "Hello, my love. You look beautiful."
"Why are you like this?" Jimin giggles, his face instantly burning with the warm feeling inside. "It's not like you have to woo me. I'm already yours."
"You are cute."
"You two are gross," Jungkook sings with a smile on his face.
"Get out" Jimin frowns to his friend, who just laughs and keeps mopping the floor.
"Anyway, can I invite myself to your house today? Yoongi is in the city for a surprise visit and Hobi is on cloud nine. I want to give the happy couple some time alone. They haven't seen each other for over a month."
"Of course. Can you wait just a little so I can close the bakery and we go home together?"
"Sure, I'll disturb Jungkook a little."
"Hyung, don't!" Jungkook whines as Namjoon hugs him, making it really hard for the younger to finish mopping.
Jimin just laughs, trying to finish everything as fast as he can. Soon he and Namjoon are leaving the bakery holding hands, Jungkook walking by their side.
"Jinnie said we should go out with Yoongi-hyung since he's in town for the weekend. Are you guys up for dinner tomorrow?"
"We don't have any plans, do we?" Namjoon waits for Jimin to confirm before continuing "Then it's a triple date. Plus Taehyung."
"Do you see the way Taehyung looks at Hoseok and Yoongi? If the couple is game, I don't think Tae will be single for long…" they all laugh because that's completely true.
Jungkook says goodbye and they follow separate ways. Jimin is silent, just enjoying the feeling of Namjoon's hands against his, how sometimes he feels so little by his side, but Namjoon never makes Jimin feel small.
Once they're home, they cook dinner (Namjoon just watches because he's not a great cook) and after eating together and Namjoon cleans all the dishes, they cuddle while watching a new episode from the series they're both obsessed with.
Inside Namjoon's arms, Jimin thinks about how the rain brought Namjoon into his life when everything was gray. People usually associate rain to sad days, to tragedies. He used to agree, but now, to Jimin, the rain is growth, life, happiness.
Namjoon is like the rain.
"Why are you laughing all by yourself?" Namjoon pokes his waist.
"I'm happy. I love you."
"Love you" Namjoon kisses Jimin's lips and he can feel his boyfriend's smiles, so Jimin smiles too.
It feels like rain. Tastes like happiness.