Work Text:
Park Jimin aged 17
Min Yoongi aged 19
The day that Park Jimin realized that he had feelings for his long time best friend, Min Yoongi, was on the day that Yoongi gets into a relationship. Between the two of them, it wasn’t surprising that Yoongi would be the one to get into one first. He was two years older than Jimin, and in Jimin’s opinion, Yoongi was pretty lovable especially once you’ve gotten to know him, which was another reason why it wasn’t hard for Jimin to accept the fact that he had feelings for his friend. Why wouldn’t he fall for Yoongi? It wasn’t a matter of whether it was going to happen or not, but instead, it was a matter of when it was going to happen.
It was today, sadly.
Jimin forced himself to clap and look happy, as Jung Hoseok wrapped his arms around a stunned Yoongi while laughing. Jimin was aware that the two of them had something going on, but he wasn’t sure what it was exactly. To be honest, for the past few weeks, he had been feeling left out and angry. He associated it with being jealous that his best friend was hanging out more with someone else, but when Hoseok announced to the 15 people he invited tonight that he and Yoongi were officially dating, Jimin knew that the jealousy and anger he felt was not friendly. He wasn’t happy for his friend, but he offered his sincere congratulations to the new couple despite of his feelings.
“Thanks, Mimi.” Yoongi replied softly. He glanced at Hoseok who was chatting rather loudly with Namjoon and Seokjin (Hoseok’s friends). “Sorry I didn’t tell you. Hobi wanted to tell everyone at the same time so no one feels left out, even I had no idea he was going to tell everyone today.”
“It’s okay,” Jimin tried to smile, “I’m happy for you guys.” He awkwardly patted Yoongi’s shoulder before licking his lip. “I’ll go hang out with Kookie and Taetae, okay? They wanted to do Karaoke on the second floor.”
“Darling!” Hobi beamed, hopping over to where Jimin and Yoongi. He smiled at Jimin. “Jiminie! I’m so happy you could come.” He grabbed Jimin’s hands. “You’re Yoongi’s best friend, so please, I hope you’ll come to like me. I want to be your friend too!”
Jimin blinked. There wasn’t anything wrong with Hobi that would be the reason for Jimin to not want to be friends with him, maybe aside from the fact that he was dating Yoongi, but Jimin wasn’t petty. He wasn’t the type to be mean to the person his best friend was dating. He smiled back. “I like you, Hobi! I hope you two will be happy for a long time!” He cheered, “Excuse me, Taetae and Kookie are waiting for me.”
They weren’t. Jimin was sure the two didn’t care whether Jimin would follow them up the second floor or not.
Hobi gave him a quick hug before dragging Yoongi over to talk with Namjoon and Seokjin. The four of them were the same age so they probably had things to discuss that Jimin can’t relate to. With one last glance at his best friend, Jimin frowned before running up the stairs, hoping Taehyung and Jungkook were already singing their hearts out.
“What’s wrong with you?” Taehyung asked after finishing a song. Jimin had been sitting at the side, eating and just staring at the food on the table. “Jiminie, you look like you failed getting into a university.”
Jungkook glanced at Jimin. “Give him a microphone, Tae.”
“But it’s still my turn to sing.” Taehyung protested.
Jungkook rolled his eyes. He handed his own microphone to Jimin. “Here, you sing the next song okay?” He patted Jimin’s head before slumping back to the futon.
Taehyung grabbed Jimin’s hand to help him stand up. “Let’s do a duet, Jiminie.”
The song started to play. Taehyung was singing most of it, but Jimin was participating. He mostly sang the chorus and the hook, but at the end of the song, he started to cry. Taehyung and Jungkook hurried to hug him tightly.
“It’s going to be okay,” Taehyung kept on repeating even if he didn’t really know why Jimin was crying.
Park Jimin aged 20
Min Yoongi aged 22
When Min Yoongi realized his feelings for his best friend, Park Jimin, he was still in a relationship with Jung Hoseok. The two of them had been dating for three years and are even talking about moving in together in a few months, once they find the perfect apartment. Yoongi hasn’t seen Jimin for a while because life kept getting in the way and both of them were busy with university life. Jimin had just started while Yoongi was in his junior year, which means internship would be starting soon.
It was Jimin’s birthday so as tradition, they would meet up and celebrate it.
Maybe it was because Jimin’s vibes were different that day. His hair was pink. He was giggly and he wasn’t wearing baggy clothes. He seemed happier than he was back in high school. “Are you happy in your school?” Yoongi asked, raising a brow. He had an amused look on his face.
“Yes!” Jimin replied, mirth dancing in his eyes. Yoongi’s eyes kept on being drawn to his full glossy lips as he spoke. “I’m glad Taehyung went to the same university, else I would've been a friendless loser.” He giggled, “Though, I think it’s because I’m finally able to do what I love the most: dancing!”
Park Jimin had always loved to dance, in fact he was dancing when Yoongi had first met him back when he was 10 and Jimin was only 8. He knew Jimin but they weren’t friends. He would see him around the village and around the school, because they went lived in the same village and went to the same elementary school. Their parents would sometimes stop and talk with each other when they passed each other in the market or in the streets, and Yoongi and Jimin would just be there behind their backs. However on that day, Yoongi had spotted Jimin dancing in the middle of an empty lot atop a hill. He was on his way back home but he stopped to watch. The younger was too engrossed in his dancing to notice Yoongi which pleased the elder. He didn’t want Jimin to catch him staring anyway which was why he was hiding behind an electric pole watching. Jimin did a leap and a spin before swaying his body to the music again.
“What kind of dance is that?” 10 year old Yoongi mumbled with a frown. He wondered what music Jimin was dancing to in his earphones. But Jimin’s dancing was interrupted when Bang Si-Hyuk, one of the bullies in their school, passed by and disrupted Jimin’s dancing.
So Yoongi had to do what he had to do which was to land a fist on Si-Hyuk’s face after he said mean words to Jimin making the younger boy cry. Yoongi will never forget how Jimin looked at him that day, like Yoongi had just saved him from the death row.
“Hello? Earth to Yoongi hyung!” Jimin was saying as he snapped his fingers in front of Yoongi’s face in an attempt to bring him back from whatever daze he was in. “Are you okay?” He asked, tilting his head a bit to the side which Yoongi found very adorable. When was Jimin adorable?
“Sorry, I was thinking of something.” Yoongi replied, clearing his throat. “Anyway, let’s blow your cake.” He lit the two candles on the duck decorated cake he bought for Jimin. “Congratulations on being 20!”
The two of them sang happy birthday before Jimin closed his eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candles.
Jimin smiled at him. “I hope my wish comes true.”
“What was it?” Yoongi asked.
“Not telling!” Jimin replied, playfully sticking his tongue out.
Park Jimin aged 20
Min Yoongi aged 23
The next time they met was during Yoongi’s 23rd birthday. Jimin had an idea that something was going on when it wasn’t Hoseok who sent him a message about Yoongi’s birthday, but it was Yoongi himself. The text message just contained the time, date, and venue for a small dinner to celebrate his birthday. Yoongi had said that he could bring friends so of course Jimin brought Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jungkook with him. When the three of them arrived at the venue and didn’t see Hoseok, Jimin knew something was seriously wrong.
“Yoongi hyung,” he called as he approached the elder, who was drinking soju with some of his university friends. Yoongi smiled at him and introduced him to his friends. “Hello, hi! I’m Jimin. Nice to meet you,”
They exchanged pleasantries until Jimin was able to drag Yoongi away from them. “Where’s Hobi?” Jimin asked as he watched Yoongi take out a box of cigarettes from his coat’s pocket. “I didn’t know you smoke.”
Yoongi smirked. “There’s lots of things you don’t know.” He replied, his cheeks flushed. “And Hobi… We, uh, broke up a month ago.”
“WHAT?” Jimin exclaimed, stepping in front of Yoongi. “What? Why? How? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m telling you now, aren’t I?” Yoongi snapped. Jimin blinked; Yoongi had never snapped at him before.
“Sorry, I was just surprised.”
Yoongi shrugged. “Just didn’t work out,” he replied as he lit up the cigarette stick that was caught between his lips. “There’s really nothing else to tell.”
Jimin remained quiet. He shoved his hands inside his coat’s pocket. Even if spring was coming fast, the breeze still carried the winter’s chill. “I’m sorry that happened,” he said softly, glancing at Yoongi who puffed out smoke from his mouth. “How are you holding up?”
“Fantastic.” Yoongi replied. He sighed. “Don’t worry about it, Jimin-ah. It was time.” Silence lingered between the two of them for a while until Yoongi spoke up again. His cigarette done. “You seeing anyone?”
Jimin nodded. “Someone from my class.”
Yoongi looked surprised. He chuckled but Jimin knew it wasn’t a happy one and he wasn’t sure why. It was dry and Yoongi’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s great. Good for you.” Yoongi replied, sounding bitter.
Jimin frowned. He thought Yoongi shouldn’t be acting like this, but he could understand. Maybe it’s because Yoongi just broke up with Hobi. He decided to ignore it. “I’ll introduce you to him soon,” Jimin started, “He’s really nice. We would often head to the park and do freestyle dancing, during the weekends.”
Yoongi shrugged, “Well, as long as you’re happy. I’m going in,” He started to walk towards the door, “You coming? It’s cold.”
Jimin followed the elder inside but they didn’t talk anymore after that. Jimin wondered if they were still best friends.
Park Jimin aged 21
Min Yoongi aged 23
It was December and Jimin was sure that he and Yoongi weren’t best friends anymore. The frequent texts had been reduced to one or two texts a week, sometimes nothing. Yoongi often liked Jimin’s posts and stories on his social media account but he never comments so Jimin did that too. He didn’t want to be the only one doing the effort. Taehyung thought he was being silly, but Jungkook agreed.
“Friends need to take time to water friendship,” Jungkook had said, “Or it dies.”
Tonight, Jimin sat across from Yoongi and he was sure that he didn’t know Yoongi anymore. He wasn’t the Yoongi hyung who had defended him from the bully or the one who stayed up to talk to him in the phone because he was too afraid to sleep after watching a horror film. They didn’t even meet during Jimin’s birthday, even if Jimin had invited him out. Yoongi was busy with internship but Jimin knew that was a lie because someone had tagged Yoongi on a post where he was having samgyupsal with his university friends. Kim Namjoon was there.
Yoongi’s parents had invited five households in their village and hosted a dinner part as an advance celebration for Christmas. Just a get together, Jimin’s mom had said, because Yoongi’s mom was idle most of the time after she had divorced Yoongi’s father. Jimin didn’t even know that Yoongi’s parents had divorced. Yoongi was right, there were a lot of things that Jimin didn’t know. He wasn’t sure if that was his fault or Yoongi’s shortcomings.
The two of them glanced at each at the same time during the meal. Yoongi offered him a polite smile so Jimin smiled back. After dinner, Yoongi had approached him. Everyone was clustered in groups, talking and catching up. Jimin was sitting by himself as he gave Taehyung and Jungkook a play by play of the dinner through text.
“Hey,” Yoongi greeted. He was holding a glass of wine. He sat on the empty space on the bench Jimin was sitting on. “Haven’t talked to you in a while,”
“Yes,” Jimin agreed, putting his phone away. “How have you been? I’m sorry about what happened with your parents.”
“It’s fine. It was heading down that road anyway,” Yoongi replied before he took a long sip from his glass. He glanced at Jimin and seemed to study his faace. “You’ve matured. Your hair isn’t pink anymore and you’ve lost your baby fats. Your blond hair suits you.”
“Thank you, hyung.” Jimin said, glancing down. “You’ve matured also, and you’re drinking a lot.”
“Alcohol is my new best friend,” Yoongi joked, not noticing that Jimin had flinched. “I invited Namjoon to come, but seems busy. You still remember him? Hobi’s friend?”
Jimin nodded. “Yes, he likes poetry.”
“Seokjin? You remember him? Hobi’s friend also.”
Jimin nodded, unsure where Yoongi was going with this conversation.
“They’re together,” Yoongi shared, resting his chin on his palm. His eyes on Jimin’s face and a smile on his lip. His cheeks were red. “I was surprised. Did not see that coming,”
“Have you talked with Hobi recently?” Jimin asked. As far as Jimin knows, Yoongi hasn’t dated anyone else after he and Hoseok broke up. He guesses that Yoongi must still be devastated about it.
“We’re friends,” Yoongi replied, his gaze moving to the ground now. He crossed his leg. “We move around the same circle so it can’t be helped.”
“Are you getting back together?” Jimin pressed.
Yoongi chuckled. “I never noticed that you’re a bit nosy.”
Jimin gasped. He has never been called nosy before. “I’m just trying to catch up with you,” Jimin pointed out. “It’s been a while since we last talked.”
Yoongi snorted. “Do you want me to send you a weekly report or something?”
Jimin bit his lip. “No, that’s not - never mind.” He stood up, “I’ll go poke my nose around somewhere else. Excuse me.” He headed towards the washroom and locked the door. Jimin stared at his face in the mirror; his eyes slowly becoming red as tears threatened to spill, his lips quivering from trying to contain his sobs. He turned on the faucet and silently cried. He didn’t understand why Yoongi was being mean to him. Did the elder miss him? Because he did. He didn’t even miss Yoongi because of a romantic reason, he just missed having the elder around and talking with him. For years, Jimin had pushed his pathetic feelings inside his subconscious, knowing that it won’t ever happen and he didn’t want it to be awkward between the two of them so he pretended the feelings were there which was working.
He cried his eyes out for twenty minutes before washing his face. He texted his parents that he was leaving first and sped straight out of Yoongi’s house. That was probably going to be the last time he was going back there.
“Jiminie!” He heard Yoongi calling as he was about to turn into a corner. Yoongi was jogging towards him, stumbling a bit which told Jimin that the elder was a little tipsy already. “You’re leaving?”
Jimin clenched his hands. “Yes,” he answered, “I got tired of poking my nose in other people’s business.”
Yoongi raised a brow then he laughed. “Are you mad? About what I said?” He grabbed Jimin’s arm and pulled him closer. “Don’t be mad. I promise to send you a weekly report.”
Jimin pushed him away. He reeked of alcohol. “Yoongi hyung, go back inside.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re drunk.”
Yoongi glanced behind him. “The party’s boring already.” He grabbed Jimin’s arm. “Don’t go. Let’s catch up.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to do until you called me nosy.” Jimin sneered at him. “I don’t know what happened to you but I’ve always tried reaching out and keeping in touch. Now you’re just mean and drunk.”
Yoongi’s eyes darkened as his grip on Jimin’s arm tightened. “Not everyone gets a happy fairytale life like Park Jimin,” He snapped, “You don’t want to be friends with me anymore because I’m drunk and mean?” He laughed dryly before he grabbed Jimin’s neck and kissed him.
Jimin was surprised. Yoongi’s kiss was rough and it tasted like alcohol and Jimin didn’t like it at all. It took all his might to push the elder away. “You’re such an asshole,” Jimin yelled, “What the heck was that? Who are you?!”
“Let’s not be friends anymore then,” Yoongi was saying. He stumbled a bit before leaning on a parked car. “We can be friends with benefits.” He had a smirk on his lips.
Jimin glared at him. He didn’t want to be friends with Yoongi anymore. He didn’t even know what to say to him so he just ran away. He could hear Yoongi calling him to come back but he kept on going.
That night, Jimin cried his eyes out as he hugged his pillow tightly. The next days, Yoongi didn’t even text him to apologize. Life went on as if it never happened.
Park Jimin aged 23
Min Yoongi aged 25
Min Yoongi had graduated. He didn’t want a celebration but his parents had insisted and they insisted on inviting Park Jimin as well. Yoongi couldn’t remember what happened during the first Christmas after his parents had divorced. He was drunk almost 80 percent of the time, but he knew something happened between him and Jimin that caused them to not be friends anymore. He knows he did something to upset the younger and honestly, he had been too ashamed of himself so he wasn’t really expecting Jimin to come to his celebration tonight.
He had sent Jimin two birthday gifts for the younger’s last two birthdays but he received no response. Jimin leaves his messages on seen so he hasn’t messaged the younger again. So imagine his surprise when Jimin came to his graduation party with his parents.
Park Jimin stood there, smiling and giving his congratulations to Yoongi’s mom and dad, who had gotten together just for tonight, just to celebrate Yoongi’s graduation. His hair wasn’t blond anymore, it was back to his natural black. He was lean and his features were softer. Yoongi thought he looked so cozy in his orange knitted sweater, skinny jeans, and leather booths.
Slowly he approached the group. He bowed a little before greeting them. “Thanks for coming,” he said to Jimin and his parents, but his eyes were on Jimin.
“Congratulations, Yoongi dear!!” Jimin mom chirped, a big smile on her face. “Never doubted you for a second!”
“Thank you, Auntie.” Yoongi replied. The parents walked away to talk about something else, leaving Yoongi and Jimin alone in the foyer.
“You came,” Yoongi started, offering Jimin a small smile.
Jimin handed him a small gift box. “For you,” Jimin said, “It’s a small congratulations gift. It didn’t feel right coming here with nothing.” He wasn’t smiling. “I like wearing accessories these days so I got you one also. You can keep it or throw it away. It doesn’t matter.”
Yoongi held the box tightly. “I’ll keep it and wear it.”
Jimin pursed his lips. He shrugged. “Well, congratulations again. See you around.”
Yoongi watched Jimin walk away, but he didn’t know what to say to make the younger stay and talk with him some more. It didn’t seem like Jimin wanted to stay and talk with him. He looked uncomfortable but Yoongi knew he had to make things right between them again so later he approached Jimin again.
Jimin was sitting by himself, which wasn’t really surprising to Yoongi. Jimin was never close with other kids from their village. He was only close with Yoongi. “Jiminie,” Yoongi greeted, using the nickname he used to call Jimin, hoping it will somehow help ease things between them. “Can we talk?”
Jimin looked up from his phone. He glanced around the other guests who were busy. “Sure,” he replied, “What’s up?”
Yoongi licked his lips before he talked, “I’m sorry about how I acted the last time you were here at home,” he glanced at Jimin but couldn’t read the expression on the younger’s face. “You were right. I was mean and drunk most of the time. I’m sorry.” He sighed, “When I sobered up two months after that night, it kept replaying in my head… what you said about me being drunk and mean… and I, didn’t like who I had turned into so I made some changes. I stopped drinking, had therapy, and well, I try not to be angry at the world anymore. I didn’t have the courage to text you or face you, until I fixed myself. I felt ashamed.”
“That’s good,” Jimin responded, his eyes still not meeting Yoongi’s. “Good for you,”
Yoongi inhaled deeply before reaching out to hold Jimin’s wrist. “Can we be friends again? I’m sorry and I miss you.”
Jimin looked conflicted. “Let’s just do it slowly.”
“Sure, I’m cool with slow.” Yoongi quickly agreed. He had a small smile on his face. “So what are you up to these days? Are you still seeing that dancer guy?”
Jimin snorted. “No, it was just a casual thing. I’m surprised you still remember.”
“Of course,” Yoongi replied. He played with Jimin’s earring with his finger. “This is cute.”
“Are you seeing anyone?” Jimin asked.
Yoongi shook his head, “No.”
“I’m not seeing anyone too.” Jimin replied, meeting Yoongi’s eyes this time.
“That’s great!” Yoongi exclaimed, then quickly corrected himself, “I mean, not great great, but just great because I’ll have lots of time to catch up with you.”
Jimin cracked a smile for the first time that night. “Right. So tell me what you’ve been up to for the last two years.”
Yoongi began sharing with him what had happened after their big fight, how Namjoon and Seokjin had helped him find a therapist, how he and Hobi got back together but eventually broke up after six months of dating because it just wasn’t working, and how his internship went including the struggles he had during that time. He gave Jimin some tips on how to handle his own internship since Jimin was about to start his own but Jimin wasn’t nervous. He was eager for it to start. Yoongi had shared with him where he planned to apply for work as a music producer. It had always been his dream to work with music so Jimin was glad. He even shared some snippets of his work with Jimin that night.
The night ended on a good note, and unlike before, Yoongi had texted Jimin good night.
Park Jimin aged 23
Min Yoongi aged 25
Two weeks later, they met again for a movie. They were keeping in touch better now, though Jimin couldn’t reply instantly because he was busy with school stuff, but Yoongi was quick to reply. Jimin thinks it’s because the elder was still currently unemployed. Jimin was just wearing a plain navy blue shirt, dark skinny jeans, and his favorite leather loafers for a casual look but Yoongi was wearing an all black ensemble from his black button down, black slacks, and black slip ons.
“Why are you in black?” Jimin asked, sounding amused. “Taehyung and Jungkook are running late.”
Yoongi briefly glanced down at his outfit. “Black is my favorite color.”
“I know, but we’re going to watch a movie not attend a funeral.” Jimin pointed out. “Never mind! Come on, let’s get tickets. Taehyung wants some popcorn.”
Yoongi followed Jimin around that afternoon. He was quick to anticipate what Jimin needed and was always paying attention to what Jimin was telling him. He even interacted a lot with Jimin’s friends, Taehyung and Jungkook, who Yoongi was sure were dating, but Jimin didn’t want to believe him.
“They’re just close, hyung.” Jimin argued. Yoongi smiled; Jimin had started calling him hyung again. When they started talking again, Yoongi noticed that Jimin didn’t call him anything but two days ago, Jimin started calling him Hyung again.
The movie ended. Taehyung and Jungkook had to do some grocery shopping so Jimin and Yoongi tagged along, mostly because Jimin wanted to tag along.
“They live together,” Jimin continued as he watched Taehyung and Jungkook argue about which fabric conditioner to buy. “Plus, they’ve been friends for a long time. Probably longer than you and me.”
“Friends can have develop feelings for each other,” Yoongi pointed out, staring at Jimin, whose eyes widen a bit. “There’s a thin line between love and friendship.”
Jimin cleared his throat. “I guess, but I don’t think so. I’ll observe them and let you know.”
“JUNGKOOK!!!” Taehyung shrieked as Jungkook playfully picked him up and dumped him inside the grocery trolley. “Get me out!!! Jiminie!!! Help me!”
Jimin sighed before he hurried towards the two. “Okay, okay! Calm down, kids!” Jimin scolded, pulling Jungkook away. “Just go get your fabric conditioner already.” He helped Taehyung out of the trolley. “Seriously, you two always make a scene.”
After finishing their grocery shopping, the four of them ate some ramen at Taehyung and Jungkook’s apartment. They played a game, but Yoongi refused to drink any alcohol. “I’m cutting down on it,” he said so in the end, Jimin, Jungkook, and Taehyung ended up finishing six soju bottles by themselves.
Yoongi walked a drunk Jimin home. With his hand around Jimin’s waist, he supported the younger as they walked the now empty streets of Seoul. There were some passersby every now and then. “Hyung,” Jimin spoke up, briefly glancing at Yoongi. “My head is spinning.”
“Let’s stop by a pharmacy before I drop you off.” Yoongi replied, “I’m glad you had fun. Maybe next time we can go out… just you and me. Not that I didn’t enjoy hanging out with Tae and Jungkookie, but it would be nice, if it’s just you and me.”
“Why’s that?” Jimin asked, leaning his head on Yoongi’s shoulder. “I think- hiccup- that we would.. run out of things.. to talk about.”
“I think not, Park Jimin.”
The walk was silent until they arrived at a pharmacy two blocks away from Jimin’s apartment. Yoongi sat him down on an empty seat. “Stay here, Jiminie,” he warned, “Don’t wander off, okay?”
Jimin nodded.
Yoongi went inside to buy some water and hang over medicine, but Jimin being left outside was a bad idea. Soon, Jimin felt antsy that he stood up and walked towards an empty playground. He sat on an empty swing, laughing before he tumbled back. “Ow,” he muttered as his body hit the soft sand of the playground. He didn’t bother standing up. He was too tired to do so.
Yoongi had a mini heart attack when he saw Jimin’s seat was empty but he quickly spotted Jimin’s legs which were still elevated in the swing. “Jiminie!” He called, looking down at his friend. “Did you fall off?” He bent down to help Jimin sit back on the swing again. “Did you hit your head? It’s full of sand now. You should shower when you get home.”
Although he said that, he wasn’t sure how Jimin would be able to shower himself. He handed Jimin some water. “Hydrate yourself,” he stated, patting some sand away from Jimin’s hair. “I don’t think you’re going to be comfortable sleeping with sandy hair.”
“Do you think…” Jimin began to say after he drank half of the water bottle. “Do you think… friends could like each other?”
Yoongi’s hand stopped moving. He glanced at Jimin, who was looking up at him; cheeks flushed, lips pouting, and eyes heavy.
“Yes,” Yoongi replied.
“Do you think that you could… like…” Jimin started to say but he trailed off. He glanced down at his feet. “I feel like vomiting. Can we go home now?”
Yoongi grabbed his hand and they both walked towards Jimin’s apartment in silence. Jimin stared at their hands together and sniffled. He felt like crying but not tonight. His head was spinning but he was aware of what was happening. He could feel the warmth from Yoongi’s touch and he knew that Yoongi was dragging him because if not, he would probably find some gutter to sit on.
It still felt unbelievable to Jimin that he and Yoongi were able to reconnect despite their falling out two years ago. True to his word, Yoongi had been sincerely showing Jimin how sorry he was and how much he had missed hanging out with the younger. He would send Jimin texts and sometimes he would even call during the day. He would send Jimin food by delivery when Jimin had been too busy during rehearsals. On days when Jimin was too busy to respond to him, Yoongi would knock on his apartment the next day with food, talk for a while, and then leave. It was weird at first, but soon, it felt easier like coming back to a job you like after a long vacation. On the first few days, it feels like you’ve forgotten how to things, but soon, you remember and it starts to come naturally to you. That’s what it felt like for Jimin.
Yoongi had cleaned the sand out of his hair with a damp towel the moment they got settled inside Jimin’s apartment. He placed an extra bedding on the mattress in case Jimin’s hair still had sand on it. “Get some sleep,” Yoongi was saying as he covered Jimin with a thick blanket. “You’re lucky it’s Sunday tomorrow.”
“Hyung,” Jimin looked up at him. His bare face still looked fresh. “Just sleep here. It’s four in the morning.”
Yoongi bit his lower lip. Jimin knew he was thinking about it but was probably going to decline.
“Friends have sleepovers,” Jimin pointed out.
Yoongi chuckled. “What are you ten? How could you call it a sleepover?” He sighed, “I’ll change into one of your shirts and sleep in the futon.”
“Why?” Jimin exclaimed, sitting up. “The bed is big enough.”
Yoongi glanced back at him and smirked. “I don’t think you’d want me on the bed.”
Jimin blinked. “Why not?”
“Go to sleep,” Yoongi grabbed a random shirt from Jimin’s closet before walking out of the room. “Good night, Jiminie. Call me if you need anything.”
The next day, Yoongi left breakfast for Jimin on the table when he woke up. On the side was his hangover medicine.
Park Jimin aged 23
Min Yoongi aged 26
Min Yoongi had work now so he couldn’t hang out with Park Jimin anytime that he wanted to, which sucked. The good thing was that he and Kim Namjoon worked in the same company, and the company that Jimin interned for was only ten minutes away on foot.
“Is Jimin seeing someone?” Kim Namjoon suddenly asked one day. The two of them were stuck in the studio, trying to perfect a melody which was going to be sung by one of the popular singers in Korea tomorrow. Yoongi didn’t understand why Namjoon would be asking him about Park Jimin’s love life now.
“Not that I’m aware of,” Yoongi replied, “I think not.”
Jimin hasn’t mentioned anyone to him. He tried to recall but he doesn’t really remember Jimin mentioning dating someone. The last time they’d seen each other was during Yoongi’s birthday two months ago. They keep in touch but Jimin’s been busy and so has Yoongi. He still makes sure to call, text, and randomly visit Jimin if he can though. He didn’t want their friendship to get broken again.
“Why’d you ask?” Yoongi inquired, glancing at Namjoon who looked like he was concentrating hard on whatever he was doing in his laptop.
Namjoon let out a sigh. “A friend of mine is interested in him,” he confessed, “He saw Jimin tag me in something on social media. My friend checked out Jimin’s profile and has developed some sort of crush, wants to ask Jimin out.”
“Ah,” Yoongi replied, now glaring at his laptop’s screen.
“I thought you and Jimin were seeing each other,” Namjoon stated, raising a brow. “I always thought you guys had some kind of sexual tension hanging in the air.”
Yoongi snorted. “I don’t know about that,” he replied. Truth be told, Yoongi had always felt the tension between him and Jimin and it has increased when they rekindled their friendship a year ago but he wasn’t sure what he should do about it. Would Jimin like him back? He wasn’t sure. In a way, Yoongi was aware of Jimin’s feelings towards him… back when he was still dating Hobi. Actually, it was Hobi who first noticed. He said that Jimin looked at Yoongi like Yoongi was the sun which was funny to Yoongi because one usually squints when looking at the sun.
Hobi kept on repeating it over and over again about how Jimin probably likes him that Yoongi started to feel uncomfortable, not that Jimin wasn’t attractive. Hell, he was one of the most attractive boys Yoongi has ever encountered, but it was because Jimin was Jimin. So he texted Jimin less and less because if it was true, that the younger did have feelings for him, it could only lead to Jimin being hurt because Yoongi was with Hobi, and during that time, Yoongi could only see himself with Hobi even if he did think Jimin was adorable and cute. Plus Hobi would sulk if Yoongi would hang out with Jimin because he believed that Jimin liked Yoongi.
“Can I give Jimin’s number to Taeyang then?” Namjoon asked, raising a brow. “He’s really taken with Jimin. He even watched Jimin’s dancing videos - all 24 of them.”
Yoongi pursed his lips. “If you feel that you have to,”
“What kind of answer is that?” Namjoon chuckled. “It’s just a yes or no, yoonie.”
Yoongi shrugged. He didn’t want to be the one to decide that. Who was he to decide that? Namjoon should ask Jimin himself, but at the same time, he didn’t want Namjoon to ask Jimin, scared that Jimin would say yes.
Later that night, Yoong called Jimin, who immediately informed him of a trip to the ocean with Taehyung and Jungkook. Turns out, Yoongi was right. The two were dating each other, and they promised to bring Jimin to beach to make up for the fact that they kept it a secret. Yoongi nodded smugly.
“I told you, Mini.” Yoongi said, smiling into the camera. Jimin stuck his tongue out. He was eating dinner with calling Yoongi. “You can see it in the way they looked at each other.”
“No need to rub it in,” Jimin rolled his eyes, “Anyway, are you coming?” He briefly glanced at a calendar. “That’s next Saturday. Please come, I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“I know. I’m sorry, I’ve been really busy adjusting and album release is coming up fast,” Yoongi replied, frowning, “I have to prove myself. It’s Joonie and I’s first album production. It’s a big thing.”
“I know, hyung. Let me know, okay? I do miss you.”
“I miss you too,” Yoongi grinned. “By the way, did someone text you or call you today? An unknown number maybe?”
Jimin raised a brow. “I don’t think so?”
Yoongi’s smile got even wider. “Great!”
“Why is that great?” Jimin giggled.
“You’re not eating anymore,” Yoongi scolded, “Eat your dinner.”
“I’m too full, hyung!”
The beach day came fast, and luckily Yoongi was able to wrap up his tasks earlier. He spent five days doing overtime so he could finish up before the Saturday beach trip with Jimin. Namjoon had given Jimin’s number to Taeyang which irritated Yoongi a lot, since he and Jimin had become some sort of text mates.
“Hyung!!” Jimin called to him, running towards him from the short. Jimin’s eyes had turned into crescents as he laughed, trying to pull Yoongi closer to the water. “The water won’t eat you! Come on!”
Taehyung and Jungkook were making out on their beach towel at the side. Now that they were free from their secret, they were shy to show public displays of affection anymore. Jimin hates it, and so does Yoongi.
“Jiminie!” Yoongi exclaimed as the waves hit him, soaking him. “I can’t believe you!”
“Sorry,” Jimin said, before he splashed some water towards Yoongi, who quickly covered his face. He returned the favor and was soon chasing Jimin around. “You look like a wet cat!”
Jimin was giggling as Yoongi tried to catch him but Jimin was fast and light. Yoongi was no match for him so he just gave up. They went inside the beach cabin first since Taehyung wanted to make out some more.
Jimin was showing him some photos he had taken earlier that day. “Jiminie, you’re getting the floor sandy,” Yoongi scolded, “Go take a shower.”
Jimin frowned at a picture of Jungkook’s kissing Taehyung’s cheek. “Now that they’re out in the open, they’ve become disgusting,” He commented, putting his phone down. “Maybe I’m just jealous.”
“Why? You like Taehyung?” Yoongi asked, looking surprised.
Jimin laughed, “What? No. I’m jealous because they have each other.”
“We have each other,” Yoongi pointed out, grabbing a towel and putting it around Jimin’s shoulders. “Don’t catch a cold.”
“You know that’s not what I meant, Yoongi hyung.” Jimin pouted, bopping Yoongi’s nose. “I’ll take a shower first, okay? Don’t get sand on the bed.” Jimin stepped inside the bathroom and locked the door.
Yoongi stood there, lost in his thoughts. He approached the bathroom door and knocked. “What is it?” Jimin asked from the other side.
Yoongi just knocked again, forcing Jimin to open the door.
“What is it, hyung?” The younger asked, trying to cover himself up with a towel. He was shirtless. “Did you need something?”
“We have each other, Jimin,” Yoongi repeated, slowly pushing himself inside the bathroom. Jimin backed away, covering himself up even more. “Is that not enough?”
Jimin blinked. “Hyung, what I meant was that, we’re not lovers. Taehyung and Jungkook are lovers.”
Yoongi knew what Jimin meant. He wasn’t stupid but he didn’t know how to express how he felt for the younger. He knew he liked Jimin more than a friend since the younger’s hair was still pink, but he wasn’t sure if Jimin felt the same way. What if Hobi had been wrong? What if Jimin never had feelings for him? What if it was all in their head? But Yoongi was sure that he didn’t want to stay in a platonic relationship with Jimin especially with all the time he had wasted. But he couldn’t read Jimin anymore. He was more mature now, and he doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve anymore.
It’s been a year since they’ve become friends again. It’s been three years since they’re falling out, and everyday during that Yoongi wanted nothing more but to be deserving of Park Jimin, of being his friend and maybe something more if destiny gives him a chance. In the end, Yoongi concluded that no matter what he did, he would never be deserving of Park Jimin so he just prayed that Jimin would look in his direction as well. He tried keeping their interactions friendly, but it was getting harder.
Well, it was now or never.
“Do you want to be?” Yoongi asked, locking eyes with Jimin. “Do you want to be lovers?”
Jimin’s eyes widened in surprise and he almost dropped the towel he was using to cover himself. Luckily, for him and Yoongi, he had caught it halfway down his torso. “Hyung,” he breathed, “What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying that I like you,” Yoongi replied, clenching his jaw. “I like you so much. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship again,” He was about to reach for Jimin but dropped his hand. He didn’t know if it was okay for him to touch. “But I will probably hate myself forever if I don’t, at least, let you know.”
Yoongi stepped away. “You don’t have to say anything or change anything. I just wanted to let you know. I’m not expecting anything back so don’t worry about it. If you don’t like me that way, it’s fine. I’ll do my best to get over you, but it’s probably impossible. I’ve tried before.”
Jimin grabbed his arm as Yoongi was about to leave the bathroom. “Did you have to do it while I’m naked though?”
Yoongi smirked. “Sorry,”
Jimin pulled Yoongi closer to him. “Hyung, I’ve liked you since I was 17.”
Yoongi’s smirk grew wider, his gums were showing. “Yeah?”
Jimin nodded as his eyes landed on Yoongi’s lips. “Are you a better kisser now? You were rough before.”
“Sorry,” Yoongi whispered. “I’m sorry,”
“Although I like rough too,”
“Jimin,” Yoongi hissed, glaring at the little tease. He licked his lips a bit before he captured Jimin’s already half-parted lips. He couldn’t believe he was kissing Jimin, who was currently naked. His hands grabbed the towel and covered Jimin up, much to the amusement of the younger because he could already feel Yoongi getting hard as their tongues continued to dance together.
“Such a gentleman,” Jimin breathed, smiling.
“It’s still our first kiss,” Yoongi replied.
Kim Taehyung smirked at his boyfriend as he presented his palm. “Pay up, dork,” he whispered as they quietly walked out of Jimin and Yoongi's room. “I told you, they’d get together.”
“We’re not even sure if they were making out or exercising.” Jungkook countered.
“Don’t be dumb,” Taehyung gritted, “You just don’t want to pay up! Who exercises in the bathroom?”
Jungkook rolled his eyes before taking out some cash from his wallet. “Dang it,” he muttered.
End.