Park Jimin appreciated the little things in life.

Perhaps one of the most distinct attributes of his was that he takes the time to enjoy every moment and never rushes – which leaves him with extremely poor time-managing skills and thus the need for a proper schedule. With great effort and constant nagging from his furious lecturers, Jimin eventually found it a common routine to wake up at exactly eight in the morning, take a hot shower, get dressed, have a simple breakfast and do his laundry within a precise 45 minutes before finally heading out for his morning classes. This went on for days, weeks, months and eventually a year before his body registered the cycle.

And it was by spring that Jimin came to learn that despite the dreadful need to wake up early, he loved the serenity of silent morning walks. Sure he was a bubbly and fun sophomore enjoying his prime time and being a reckless teen, but still he adored the breaths of fresh crisp air, the soft rays of sunlight warm on his face that never ceased to render him humming a soft tune as he counted the steps taken to reach.

Jimin was, in simple terms, always slow and steady.

Thus, one can only imagine the annoyance and pain he felt when he woke up to five blaring alarms and a ringing phone by his soon to be deafened ears one morning.

“W-what…on earth.” Jimin, who had strands of hair sticking out everywhere and heavy lidded eyes bolted upright as soon as the sudden noise resonated across his room. After spending a few dazed moments staring into thin air, Jimin ran a hand through his tousled hair to ease the frustration and also to stop himself for breaking anything within reach. He had yet to receive his pay check for the month so his wallet did not permit him any furniture casualties.

Groggily, Jimin quickly reached and switched the alarms off one by one, almost knocking down the bed lamp in the process of fumbling for the irksome gadgets. The last thing he needed was his neighbours pounding on the front door and filing for a complaint considering how thin the walls of his apartment were. It was barely the break of dawn - when no one should be awake yet - and the poor male fought the urge of flopping back onto his bed and burying himself under the warm blankets.

Realising that his phone was still frantically ringing and vibrating, he hesitated as soon as his fingers grazed the smooth surface and contemplated the idea of picking up, as he was approximately 99.99% certain who the caller was at such hour – and only his best friend Kim Taehyung would do something as absurd as such.

“…Hello?” It was hard to mask the sleepiness and slight annoyance as a familiar voice booms through the speakers, causing Jimin to inch the phone away from his stinging ear. How Taehyung could muster such energy while Jimin was still barely awake was a question that Jimin deemed to have no other appropriate answer to, other than Taehyung being abnormal.

“Good morning, Park Jimin! Isn’t it a lovely day?”

“Jeez…Can you please stop yelling? It’s only-” He eyed one of the ticking clocks by his bed, “-4.30 in the morning for goodness sake. And were the five alarms really necessary, Tae? I’m taking back my spare keys from you.”

“Sorry about that. Are you still sleeping?” Taehyung bounced in excitement, choosing to ignore his friend’s obvious displeasure. After two cups of espresso with extra added sugar, a chocolate muffin and pancakes dribbled with maple syrup for breakfast, Taehyung was feeling too much of a sugar rush to stay calm anyways.

“What do you think?”

“I just wanted to make sure you don’t end up late today considering the pace you get ready, and the times you turn up for classes 10 minutes before it ends.”

“I hate rushing,” Jimin hoped Taehyung felt his eyes rolling because he honestly wondered how they ended up as friends. “and waking up at an ungodly hour.”

It was somewhere along Jimin being extremely shy on his first day at college, Taehyung deciding that Jimin looked fairly decent to be his friend and too adorable to sit alone, both of them discovering that they had common interests, constantly hanging out at each other’s apartments watching movies and playing video games that they had grown close. Despite the occasional bickering and small fights over trivial matters, they had against all odds become best friends. And Jimin found that he had gradually opened up to Taehyung - who was an extremely good listener when he isn’t being exceptionally loud.

“Well I don’t care, Jimin. You better get your ready because I swear I’ll burn your apartment down if you dare turn up late for such an important occasion today.”

A dreadful sigh escaped Jimin’s lips as he recalled just what the ‘important’ occasion was. Taehyung - the master of all terrible plans – had forcefully signed them both up as volunteers for the college’s orientation programme, and are assigned the tedious task of having to welcome the freshmen and help get them settled in. His best friend had spouted something about contributing to the institute and many more noble aspirations in which Jimin paid no heed to. Because he knew well enough that Taehyung was just a desperate sophomore trying to earn credit hours in order to survive the semester, and that a certain upperclassman by the name of Jung Hoseok was volunteering as well.

“It’s important to you, not me. Seriously if you wanted to meet Hoseok-hyung you could just join the dance club with me instead of waking me up at four-freaking-thirty in the morning, Tae.”

“You know I can’t dance even if my life depended on it.”

Jimin couldn’t suppress a snicker at the memory of Taehyung attempting to ‘dance’, “Don’t be silly, you dance pretty well for a three-legged dude.”

“Ha,ha, really funny.” Taehyung scoffed, mentally cursing at the fact that he couldn’t find a stronger insult seeing how Jimin was a dance major. “Besides, who said anything about wanting to meet him? I mean sure we’ll be meeting and maybe even exchange a few words. But nope, I’m not in any way excited at all.”

“Tae.”

“Oh come on, Jimin. Don’t be such a spoilsport.”

“Remind me why am I always going along with your crazy ideas again?” Jimin massaged his gradually aching temples.

“Because we’re partners.” Taehyung whined, “I need you.”

To stop me from blabbering nonsense such as how Hoseok has beautiful arms and that he should marry me, Jimin silently added.

“That’s what you always say.” Jimin breathed into the phone, head slightly woozy from the lack of sleep due to the sheer amount of time spent on practicing his choreography for his semester assessment. And after many laborious hours taken to perfect the challenging moves, the sleep-deprived lad was awakened as soon as he managed to doze off.

“Look it’s easy peasy, alright? We just have to bring a freshman around and introduce them to the campus, show them how warm and friendly we are for a day, yada yada yada and we’re done. There. No biggie. Mission accomplished.”

Silence fell between them and if it weren’t for Jimin’s steady, rhythmic breathing heard over the phone Taehyung would have thought his best friend had fallen back asleep. Jimin was thinking, considering the situation; hard.

“Jimin?” Taehyung pouted, “Please?”

“Jiminnie?”

“…I really, really hate you.” The older of the two gave in eventually (as always), “You owe me a week’s lunch, Tae.”

“DEAL!” Taehyung screamed in joy, causing Jimin to wince at the outburst. “I’ll see you then! And don’t be late!”

With just that Taehyung hung up and left a sleepy, dishevelled, frustrated Jimin to sulk in the silence for a good ten minutes before reluctantly leaving the comfort of his bed to get dressed; all the while muttering small curses at himself for being too kind and unable to reject anyone (as well as being friends with a knucklehead).

……….

It was quiet and still fairly dark outside the café as Seokjin clocked in for his morning shift. Thus the jingle of the doorbell sparked the young Barista’s curiosity as he wasn’t expecting any customers; given how it was barely seven. The usual zombie-looking crowd that rendered him working to exhaustion only stumbles in after.

“Good morni-” Smiling, Seokjin placed the newspaper in hand down before turning towards the door to greet his very first customer for the day, only to stop mid-sentence as soon as he took in the sight of a familiar figure. He’d instantly recognise that head of bouncy black hair and soft brown eyes no matter how many customers he had attended to, and no matter how sleep-deprived the young male looked.

“Jimin?” Seokjin surveyed said male from head to toe as if he couldn’t believe he was real, surprised that Jimin arrived earlier than usual – something that has never happened before over the year Jimin patronized the café.

“Morning, Jin-hyung.” Jimin gave a lazy smile before flopping down onto the counter, resting his cheek on the cold surface before yawning, “Need…coffee…”

“Rough night, huh? One Americano coming right up.”

“Make it a double shot, please.” Jimin added, “I’m going to need the extra caffeine to stay awake today.”

Seokjin couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of a sleepy Jimin struggling to stay awake as he worked fast to prepare the latter’s beverage; hands nimbly dancing across the machine and brewing a cup of fragrant coffee after years of experience. “And may I ask why?”

“Taehyung.”

“Ah…I see.”

All Jimin needed to do was state a certain male’s name and the barista got the rough picture, grinning at the thought of the duo bickering. He recalled the day Jimin and Taehyung came stumbling into the café to escape the pouring rain, and how they were blaming one another for not listening to the weather forecast and bringing an actual functioning umbrella while ordering their coffee.

Ever since that faithful day, the duo had been making frequent visits and soon grew to love the homely, comfortable atmosphere at the café. Jimin had even taken it upon himself to come in for a cup of steaming hot Americano before heading to classes every morning.

“The boy has certainly got a youth’s vigour I must say.” Seokjin chuckled, placing the lid onto the cup.

“He’s downright crazy.”

“Isn’t that exactly why you two make a perfect pair?” The barista offered Jimin his coffee along with an additional smile.

Muttering a soft thank you, Jimin took a sip and instantly felt alive once the liquid hit the back of his throat. “I guess so.” The younger male shrugged, but was unable to suppress offering a small smile back.

“You should enjoy the crazy times, Jimin. They’re the memories that stay with you for life.”

“You sound like an old man giving life advice and you’re only twenty-five, hyung!” A hearty laugh escaped Jimin’s lips as he teased, still enjoying his cup of Americano very much.

“Well…I’m not exactly that young anymore.” Seokjin scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.

“So tell me how your date went,” Jimin took another careful sip, “with that dude. What was his name again? Namboon? Nam-Namvoon?”

“Namjoon.” Seokjin sighed as he instantly recalled his date with said male a few nights ago, an obvious frown carving a fine line across his usually smooth forehead.

“I take it that it didn’t go well?” Jimin’s tone was cautious, as if he was afraid that Seokjin’s frown might become permanent.

“It did go well. I mean it wasn’t bad. It…it was okay.”

“Define okay.” Jimin perched on the counter with both ears perked and ready to listen to his hyung’s vent. Seokjin was probably one of the closest people he had. The barista was always there to offer him advice and encouragement (and good coffee). Even though Jimin wasn’t as wise as he was, the least Jimin could do was offer a listening ear. And that, at many times, was more than enough.

“Well he was nice and we had fun talking over dinner, but…” Seokjin lowered his eyes to study the ground, “I…I don’t think he likes me that much.”

“What?” Jimin felt his eyes widen and jaw dropping as he was utterly flabbergasted, “Hyung, he practically comes to the café every day for hours to stare at you. And he nearly had a panic attack when he finally asked you out for a date. He even bought you a gigantic teddy bear that couldn’t fit through the freaking door! Don’t you think he likes you a little too much?”

“But he hasn’t shown up here since our date. We even exchanged numbers and I thought he would at least text me.” Seokjin’s voice was taut with evident disappointment, and Jimin had to pat his shoulder in attempt to cheer him up.

“Don’t worry, hyung. I’m sure he’s just recovering from the shock that you actually went on a date with a weirdo like him. He’ll come around eventually.” The younger grinned, earning a small smile from the older.

“We’ll see.” Seokjin sighed, feeling much better after sharing his troubles with Jimin – who always made sure to offer a smile to anyone in need of a little joy. He made a mental note to treat the younger to more free coffees and freshly baked cookies in the future.

“Be glad you have someone who actually goes through all the trouble to ask you out, hyung.”

“Who knows,” Jin arched his brow, “Maybe you’ll meet your someone soon.”

“Me?” Jimin pointed at himself. “Thanks but no thanks. I’m busy enough as is at the moment. The last thing I need is falling head over heels over someone.”

“You never know.” Seokjin smiled, “You just might.”

Jimin tilted his head in confusion, “Might what?”

“Fall.”

……….

A sharp breeze brushed through Jimin’s cheeks, causing him to shiver as he ran for his life down the streets of Seoul, praying to the gods above that time would move slower. It didn’t work. Because no sooner Jimin gave a brief glance at his watch, he realised that the bright numbers were passing even quicker and the screen was already showing: 7.51 a.m.

“.” The panting lad muttered as he quickened his pace, practically running faster than his strained muscles allowed. Jimin was supposed (repeatedly reminded by Taehyung more than ten times) to arrive at eight, but somehow he had lost track of time chatting with Seokjin. And his best friend was sure to nag him for a week should he be even a minute late – something he was not looking forward to at all.

Jimin’s strides came to a halt as soon as he reached a crossroad, and he took a brief second to debate whether he should take a left or a right turn. If he took the left – which he usually does – he would reach his destination in less than ten minutes. However Jimin was postitively certain that the friendly old lady who lives down the street would stop him for a chat. Jimin loved spending time talking to her every morning, but just not this particular one.

Breaking his standard routine, Jimin thus made up his mind to take a right turn instead. Even though he would have to trudge up a hill and sweat buckets, causing him to flush bright red like a ripe tomato, at the very least he would make it to college in less time than the alternate option.

If Jimin had hesitated for a second longer instead of running without thought, if he recalled that the hill always rendered him panting and being on the dangerous verge of passing out, he would’ve realised that the left turn was a more strategic choice; and that there was also an innocent passerby just around the corner about to be knocked down.

But it was too late.

Jimin found himself coming into contact with said someone and he instinctively shut his eyes tight, bracing himself for the impact of landing on solid ground and possibly, passing out from the fall. To his surprise, instead of a pang of sharp pain, Jimin felt a pair of strong arms engulfing him into an embrace. And he had somehow landed on a stranger’s body that shielded him from most of the fall.

“Ow.” Wincing, Jimin looked up to take in the sight of his saviour and realised that he was sprawled across a man’s chest, face buried at the crook of his neck, his entire body crushing onto the poor passerby. Despite the awkward situation, Jimin found the man’s scent to be quite pleasant. It reminded him of a sunny day out – the earthy smell of lush green grass that brought warmth.

“Are you alright?” The stranger’s voice was deeper than he expected.

“O-oh my god,” Upon realising that he was still bearing Jimin’s body weight - which Jimin was secretly rather conscious about - the flustered lad instantly peeled himself off the male and apologised, “I’m so sorry! I wasn’t looking and I’m sorry-oh my god-I should be the one asking you if you’re alright.”

Inching backwards, Jimin could finally study the stranger properly and realised that said male was about his age; with black tousled hair, a sharp nose and fair skin. But what caught Jimin’s attention the most was the fact that his eyes were as dark as the night, yet they were extremely captivating to gaze into. The pair of dark orbs was somehow warm and inviting despite the lack of brightness to it.

“It’s okay, I’m fine.” The young male gave a small smile as he brushed the lingering specks of dirt off his jacket, stood up and offered a wide-eyed Jimin a hand – in which Jimin took hesitantly, considering how he had just tackled the innocent male down.

“Thanks.” Jimin muttered and quickly got on his feet to bow politely.

“No problem.”

“You have-” Jimin’s eyes widened in shock once more as he noticed a patch of red on the other’s palm, pointing towards the wound with a shaky finger,“-a cut.”

The young man glanced at his palm and to Jimin’s surprise, was extremely nonchalant; as if the oozing droplets of blood trickling down his palm were no big deal. “This? It’s just a scratch. Don’t worry about it.”

“Don’t worry about it?  It’s freaking bleeding!” Frantically rummaging through his backpack, all Jimin could find was his measly handkerchief and he mentally slapped himself for not bringing a bandage along in case of an emergency as such.

“I’m sorry but this is all I have.” He handed the piece of cloth over and the stranger was fairly amused, tilting his head sideways to observe it. “If you don’t mind, please use it.”

“Thanks.” He hesitated a moment before finally accepting the handkerchief, wrapping it around his blood-stained palm to stop the bleeding. It took a few minutes, but Jimin was beyond glad that the blood eventually stopped and he could finally sigh in relief.

“Really, I’m fine.” The stranger chuckled upon looking at Jimin’s relaxed features and waved his injured hand a little to reinforce the fact that all was well. “I’ve got worse cuts before. This is nothing.”

“I can’t help but feel bad since I’m the one who caused it.” Jimin breathed; amazed that he was unfazed by the fact that the handkerchief was practically stained red.

“If it makes you feel better,” The stranger pointed upwards, a soft and sheepish smile played across his lips. “I wasn’t really paying attention while walking just now. I was uh-kinda looking at the sky.”

Jimin tilted his head sideways, “The sky?”

“Yeah.” With hands tugging at the strands of hair behind his neck, voice taut with a slight mixture of mischief and embarrassment, the stranger looked like a child caught red-handed; and Jimin couldn’t help but crack a small smile at the sight.

“I have a habit of looking at the sky all the time, especially when I’m feeling down. It somehow…makes me feel better I guess. I tell myself that the sky is my limit.” He reached a hand upwards, long fingers gently sweeping across thin air as if to touch the blue oceans above. “That anything is possible, you know?”

“I see.” Jimin found himself unconsciously craning his neck upwards to admire the different shades of blue in awe too, before offering another small smile which the young male returned. Jimin - though the timing was hardly appropriate - concluded that he had an extremely beautiful smile for a guy.

Just as Jimin was about to compliment him, a quick glance at his watch and realising that it was already 8.01 a.m. rendered Jimin’s mind blank. And the only thing he could think of at the moment was: run.

“Oh , excuese me!” Jimin bowed politely once more before turning on his heels, “I’m sort of in a rush! I’m really really sorry about running into you!”

Picking up his fallen backpack in a swift motion, Jimin ran even faster than before in fear of Kim Taehyung’s rage. It was too late to reach on time, but somehow the later Jimin was the more trouble he feared he would be in.

“Hey!” A gradually faint voice came from behind and Jimin vaguely recognised that it belonged to the stranger – who still stood rooted at the same spot.

“What’s your name?” He asked, with voice slightly raised so that Jimin could hear him.

“Jimin!” Said male replied without looking back and both his feet continued working hard to bring him to his destination. Oh, Taehyung was not going to let him live to see another day’s sunlight, and Jimin was far too young, with too much left to be accomplished to die.

“Jimin.” The young man repeated the name softly, smiling at Jimin’s retreating back before raising his voice even louder to speak.

“I’m Jungkook by the way. Jeon Jungkook!”

Jimin didn’t think it mattered to know or remember his name, considering how this was their one and only encounter. And it was a pretty embarrassing incident which Jimin decided was best buried in a hole and never spoken about again. With legs still running and back facing him, Jimin merely gave the male a quick, final wave and continued down the path; neither of them knowing that it wasn’t their last encounter at all.

Notes:

Thanks to my besties who have been feeding me with so much BTS feels lately, I finally wrote my first AU Fic :D Thank you for reading!! I'm a hardcore Jikook shipper, but recently I've began to pay more attention to the other BTS ships and omg... they are all cute AF. I just can't help myself. I hope you enjoyed reading despite any mistakes! <3