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"Sorry about this," Hoseok laughs, voice weak as he sags against the bench. It’s been a long day - their troop of seven taking the amusement park by storm and subsequently leaving Hoseok shot to shit. He managed exactly two rollercoasters before he called it quits. Snagged the back of Jimin’s shirt and begged him to take care of hyung. The rest had run away, fingers on noses, refusing to babysit.
Jimin just smiles, unbothered, "Don't worry about it, hyung." Easy as ever. Hoseok's own smile becomes a little more genuine.
"But you actually like these rides," Hoseok says, rolling his head forward. “Even though you scream like a little girl.” Jimin's fingers come up to the nape of his neck, digging in just how he knew Hoseok likes it. Soothing little circles, easing the tension he carries so tightly in his body. "Traitor."
Jimin snorts. "I'm sitting here with you instead of having fun with the others and you call me a traitor?" false offense colors his voice, "I should just leave you then."
He pretends to get up, is only halfway out of his seat before Hoseok's clinging onto his waist. Arms wound around Jimin like an octopus. The smirk on Jimin's face is smug, makes Hoseok pout, triangle shaped and all.
"Sit," Hoseok's order sounds more like a whine.
Still, Jimin sighs and reclaims his spot, now with the added benefit of Hoseok slumping against his side. Head tucked into the curve of his neck and hand tapping against Jimin's knee. Jimin pats Hoseok's hair, runs his fingers through it just to hear the satisfied hum.
They separate soon enough. A pair of women walk by, giggling about how they make a cute couple. Hoseok clears his throat, Jimin tries to desperately ignore the flush that burns down his neck.
"So," Jimin says, focusing in on the fingers that remain on his knee, tap, tap, tapping away. He barely notices it now, so used to Hoseok's touch. Almost wishes he could go back to the first time, when the smallest graze made him jump out of his skin.
"So," Hoseok sighs, smiling softly at the way the sun shines behind Jimin. Somehow, even against the light, he remains brighter. "We should probably find the others. They'd be done about now, yeah?"
"Yeah," Jimin nods, standing up and wiping his palms off on his jeans. He gives a cursory glance around, hand running through his hair. Hoseok catches it before he can do it a second time, linking their hands together and swinging them back and forth, back and forth. Jimin can't bring himself to look at Hoseok just yet, remnants of embarrassment sticking to his skin like the flossy, unwanted mess of the cotton candy they'd had earlier.
"Oh, hey!" Hoseok pushes forward, pressing his chest against Jimin's back, pointing somewhere off in front of Jimin. He thinks he can feel Jimin's heartbeat fluttering to the same beat as his own. Has thought this many times in the past. But can never be sure. In his chest his own heartbeat kicks up a notch, toying with an idea that's made itself a home in his mind by now. He’s not so sure what he's feeling at all anymore. Anxiety, maybe? Unsure of whether he wants to do this at all? The common theme of the day.
"Isn't that Taehyung?" He needs to buy time.
Jimin follows the path of Hoseok's finger into the crowd, eyebrows furrowing as he tries to pick out his friend. To no avail, of course, since Taehyung isn’t there. His lips form that pout they always do when things aren't working out for him. Confusion has him leaning back against Hoseok, completely unaware of his own actions until he starts to turn.
"I don't see him--" Jimin's words come to an abrupt halt, piling up in his throat, when he realizes just how close they are.
Hoseok has less than a split second to make his mind up, body moving before his mind can chicken out. Tell him no. Tell him this is a bad idea. He gasps even as he propels himself forward. All instinct and last chances, no finesse whatsoever.
It's more of a peck than a proper kiss. A press against the plush of Jimin's lips, barely parted in surprise. They're still close when Hoseok pulls back, close enough that he can feel the way Jimin's chest collapses, his breath leaving him a rush. Hoseok's does as well, lungs squeezing in on themselves. There's no taking this back now.
Jimin raises a hand to his lips, blinking wide. Trying to make sense of what just happened. Waiting for an explanation. One doesn't come. Jimin's hand drops back to his side, he steps back, even when his body wants to crowd into Hoseok’s space again when he sees the way Hoseok's shoulders droop. The way the tips of his ears turn scarlet. His gaze turn down to his shoes.
"Of all the ways to kiss someone for the first time," Jimin says, a smile curving along his lips, "This is definitely the stupidest."
Hoseok's head snaps up, affronted, and the small smile blooms into a grin. Jimin can't even begin to believe the words coming out of his mouth. But there's excitement curling around the disbelief, the astonishment. Excitement and joy, tickling against his nape, making him feel lighter.
"Oh." Hoseok squints.
There is still that shame and fear hissing at him, but Jimin looks breathtakingly happy. Hope sits in his chest, a chance that he didn't ruin their friendship. A chance that maybe, just maybe, this doesn't have to stay a friendship.
He takes a deep breath, takes the plunge. "I'd like to see you do better then."
"I always do better," Jimin says, taking that step forward again, pushing up against Hoseok until all his senses are flooded with him. His hands come up to cup Hoseok's face, thumbs sweeping over the swell of his cheekbones, taking it in for a second. Hoseok's smile is soft, easier than ever, his hands curl tight into Jimin's sweater. Jimin feels himself melt. This is for him, all for him, and it's with that thought that he leans forward and presses a kiss to Hoseok's lips.
It's soft, sweet. No rush to it. Just the gentle slide of their lips and that faint reminder of cotton candy on the tips of their tongues.
Jimin pulls back, a glint in his eye, even as their noses brush. "Well?"
It takes Hoseok a moment, his eyes still pressed shut. The kiss was innocent but his breathing comes heavy. His smile stretches, lashes flutter, fists tighten as he yanks Jimin impossibly closer.
"Not bad," Hoseok says, a quick peck placed against the corner of Jimin's lips, laughing loud and bright. "But I need to do a more thorough evaluation."
Jimin's responding giggles get swallowed up by Hoseok, where they flutter down to his stomach and bloom into a million ecstatic butterflies.