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Jimin has a problem.
(Well, the others call it a problem. Jimin calls it a quirk.)
Jimin loves kissing. Like, a lot.
And not in the “make out with random strangers in the club” type of way. But something that she likes to share with only those closest to her.
It first started with Yizhou. One day, while Yizhou was cooking, she cut her thumb. It was a small, shallow thing, but Jimin fretted over it, nonetheless. After cleaning and bandaging it, Jimin placed a small kiss on Yizhou’s thumb.
“Better?” Jimin had asked, still highly concerned.
She watched as a small, teasing smile appeared on Yizhou’s face.
“I don’t know, Jimin. I think I might have hurt my lips, too.”
Yizhou cackled at her joke, but Jimin was serious. She wanted Yizhou to feel better. So she leaned in and placed a small peck on Yizhou’s still laughing lips. Yizhou’s laughter ended abruptly, and a blush rose on her cheeks just as quickly.
Jimin was enamored by this, and felt a strong urge to kiss her again. So, she did.
And again.
And again.
It became a routine for them. They kissed in the mornings between bites of breakfast. They kissed greeting each other back home from work. They kissed after Jimin got out the shower, Yizhou waiting on her bed, eyes half closed and lips puckered. Each kiss was no more than a peck. Short, sweet, and filled with an affection that only they share.
Next was Minjeong. Jimin wasn’t exactly sure when it started with her, but it had somehow become a routine for them, as well.
The two of them would find themselves tangled together when life just gets a little bit too rough. Their routine would start with a full body hug, no space allowed between any part of their bodies. What would happen next depended on the day. Sometimes it would be tears, unable to be held back any longer. Other times it would be incredulous laughter at just how cruel and absurd the world could be. Most times, however, it would be a relieved sigh at being able to be in each other’s arms again, releasing all the day’s pressures and worries.
Whatever the case, it would always be followed by a kiss. Not the same small pecks she shares with Yizhou. Their kisses were a little more charged, lips pressed firmly together, contact ending only when whoever needed it is feeling better. Their kisses were grounding. Comforting. The perfect way to bring each other back when they felt lost.
Kisses for Jimin and Minjeong spoke when words failed.
I’m here, one kiss would say.
I know, another would answer.
And then…there’s Aeri.
Aeri isn’t any less important to Jimin than the others. She doesn’t love her any less. But the thought of kissing Aeri makes Jimin feel…different.
The thought of kissing Yizhou brings a warmth to her chest.
The thought of kissing Minjeong brings a sense of comfort.
The thought of kissing Aeri brings an irregular heartbeat, sweaty palms, and a warmth far lower than her chest.
Jimin doesn’t want to kiss Aeri.
She doesn’t want to kiss Aeri when she smiles, adorable bunny teeth on full display. She doesn’t want to kiss Aeri when she stumbles out of her bedroom in the morning, half awake, hair stuck up on one side and drool staining her cheek. She doesn’t want to kiss Aeri when she’s producing music, gaze intense and focused on her work.
And she definitely doesn’t want to kiss Aeri in this exact moment, when she’s sitting next to her on the couch, sunlight pouring in through the window and landing on her just right, illuminating her like some sort of goddess.
No, Jimin needs to kiss her.
But she can’t.
Jimin knows that kissing Aeri will absolutely change the trajectory of her life. She just isn’t sure in what direction.
And she also knows that Aeri knows that something is up with her.
She looks over at Aeri, existing like the goddess she is, only to find her already looking back at her.
Aeri raises a brow and gives her a teasing smirk.
“Something wrong, Jimin? You look tense.”
Jimin shakes her head, not trusting herself to speak. She can feel her heart beating double time in her chest, and she’s afraid if she opens her mouth, Aeri might hear it.
“Ah, I know,” Aeri continues, “Ningie forgot your morning kiss again, didn’t she?”
That was another thing. Aeri was the first to bring attention to Jimin’s “problem”. The first time Yizhou rushed off to work without kissing her first, Jimin pouted and sulked until Yizhou came home. Aeri, observant as she is, noticed Jimin’s propensity for kissing the others, but she believed it was only to make the younger ones happy. She found it a bit funny when she realized Jimin needed it more, and made it a bit of a habit to tease her for it.
Aeri doesn’t tease her too often, though. She embraces this part of Jimin like the others do, and she even tries to help out when she can.
”Ning knocked out when she got home, so you’ve missed your kiss tonight, babe.”
”Minjeongie’s on the balcony, honey. Give her a kiss for me.”
Jimin appreciates the acceptance. She just longs for it to come in a more…intimate form.
Jimin shakes her head again, to both answer Aeri’s question and center her thoughts.
“No, she didn’t forget.”
Jimin internally winces as her voice cracks partway through her sentence. She knew she should have kept her mouth shut. Aeri gives her a concerned look.
“Oh, do you need Minjeong? I don’t think she’s coming back ‘til late, baby.”
Jimin feels her cheeks redden at the pet name. God, Aeri has no idea what she’s doing to her. Jimin sighs, closing her eyes and running a hand through her hair.
This is getting ridiculous, she thinks.
She’s about to get up and flee to her room when she feels soft lips against her cheek, making her freeze in place.
“There. Does that help, love?”
Jimin opens her eyes and slowly turns towards Aeri. She’s expecting to see that teasing smile of Aeri’s that she pretends not to love, but there is no smile. Only genuine concern, most evident in the furrow of her brow that Jimin wants to kiss away.
“Jimin?” Aeri questions again as Jimin silently stares at her a bit too long.
Jimin doesn’t answer with words. Slowly, as if handling something precious, she reaches out and cups Aeri’s cheek, her thumb reaching out to trace along her bottom lip.
Aeri lets out a soft gasp at the sensation. Jimin thinks it’s the sweetest sound she’s ever heard.
“Jimin.”
Correction. That’s the sweetest sound she’s ever heard. Never before has her name been said with such softness, such awe, such longing. Jimin thinks she might combust if she holds back any longer.
So, she doesn’t.
The press of her lips against Aeri’s is soft, delicate, like the moment would shatter if she moved too quickly. But she didn’t need to worry.
Jimin shudders as she feels Aeri’s hand cup the back of her neck, bringing her closer. Her breath stutters as Aeri adjusts them, slotting Jimin’s bottom lip between both her own. She nearly faints at the introduction of Aeri’s tongue.
She doesn’t know how long they stay like this. All she can focus on is Aeri, Aeri, Aeri. The feeling of Aeri’s front against hers as she throws her arms over her shoulders, bringing Jimin impossibly closer. The scent of Aeri’s body wash, something citrusy but also uniquely her. The soft, seemingly uncontrollable sounds of pleasure that slip from Aeri as their lips meet again and again.
It soon comes to an end, and Jimin curses the need for oxygen.
Aeri looks at her, panting slightly, lips red and swollen. Jimin thinks she’s never seen anything more angelic. Aeri gives a soft, shy chuckle, and Jimin wants to get on her knees and just worship.
“I was wondering when it would be my turn.”
Jimin doesn’t respond. She can’t. She’s afraid that if she moves, she’ll wake up.
Aeri looks into Jimin’s eyes, curious, questioning. Whatever answer she finds in them must be hilarious, as she throws her head back and guffaws.
Jimin wants to claim the column of her throat.
“Guess you were wondering, too. Huh, baby?”
Jimin happily answers her with another kiss.