#85/35  - “This looks… appetizing?”   “How am I supposed to forget it like it never happened?”

MinJoon

Word Count: 1185

Two broken plates, one broken glass and perhaps a ruined pot later, there was dinner placed on the dining room table. The tall dark haired man wiped his brow and tossed the remaining burned portions of japchae down the kitchen sink disposal. The grinding noise was too loud that he didn’t hear the door shutting nor the,

“I’m home.”

Ringing through the apartment as his lover shrugged off his raincoat, shoes and tossed his keys on the little dish they had by the door. He jumped at the light touch to his shoulder, whipping his head around in the direction of the feeling.

“Joonie, uh… what’s all this?”

The shorter male, muscular arms hidden beneath his suit for work waved an arm around the kitchen that was… Well, it was a disaster. It looked like every cabinet and drawer had been opened, the dishes in the sink were piled high and the smell of burnt indistinguishable food still lingered lightly. Smiling weakly, Namjoon turned around fulling, placing both hands on top of his lovers shoulders and turned him around, guiding him into the dining room.

“Jimin-ah I made dinner. Sit. Eat.”

He encouraged the younger, who did follow the instructions and take a seat at the table. His eyes went wide when he looked at the only two dishes on the table which were rice and a pile of noodles… Maybe? The chef of the night started piling a heaping portion onto the plate in front of Jimin unable to meet the younger's eyes. They kept darting every which way, it was a nervous habit Namjoon had.

“This looks… appetizing?”

Jimin attempted at sounding genuinely excited but it fell flat, and the deepening of wrinkles along Namjoon’s brow made the younger realize he had already disappointed him. Back pedalling was need.

“Hyung, you really didn’t have to go through all of this trouble. I would have cooked when I got home but I appreciate this, uh, the meal.” He smiled too brightly, it made Namjoon grimace but he pushed it away, scratching the back of his neck. Quickly he took a seat and picked up his own chopsticks.

“I know but you always cook and I’m in between jobs right now so  I just feel like I should do something for you. You’re always so tired when you get home Jiminie. I just wanted to remove some of the burden and my mom said the recipe was pretty easy, even for me. Um, I’m sure it tastes better than it looks.”

He rambled but with a hopefulness that Jimin couldn’t help but smile softly at the man who he called his boyfriend. He had unfortunately gotten laid off as the company Namjoon had poured his heart and soul into just crashed and was dispersed within only a few months. He wasn’t the only one who lost his job, a lot of good people did. Finding another job took time and Jimin understood that which is why he didn’t mind at all supporting the two of them until his boyfriend could find something knew. He understood that it bothered the elder, partially because he was the older one but life happened and you just had to keep moving forward.

Leaning over, Jimin pressed his lips briskly against Namjoon’s cheek, eyes sparkling with love.

“Thanks hyung, this was really thoughtful of you.” Finally picking up his chopsticks, Jimin attempted to pick up the overly gooey and discolored glass noodles. Taking a big bite, the moment the noodles touched his tongue, Jimin wanted to gag. It took a lot of willpower but he chewed and swallowed carefully. He couldn’t bare to hurt the other's feelings when he had very clearly tried so hard to make the long day easier for him. His eyes had raised but other than that no indication of him disliking it crossed his face.

He couldn’t deny that a part of him shuddered at using his chopsticks to pick up another bite but he did it anyway.

“It’s actually good?!” The excitement and hope blossomed over Namjoon’s expression even his adorable dimples were showing and now Jimin really couldn’t let him know the truth. He nodded as enthusiastically as he could and then began shoveling the food in. Trying to finish this quickly. Quick and painless right? That’s what he was telling himself. It took Namjoon a moment because he was so captivated watching the younger eat something he had cooked.

Not even thirty minutes later, Jimin was sitting upon his porcelain throne hunched over in an aching pain. A nervous and extremely guilty boyfriend fluttering around him, bringing him water, pressing a damp cloth against his forehead only to have his hand slapped away.

“Joon-ah, just forget about it. It’s okay tom-” he groaned as another pain ripped through his stomach,

“How am I supposed to forget it like it never happened? Babe, you’re in so much pain. I’m sorry, so-” He said in the mopiest voice that the younger had ever heard, as Namjoon ran his hands through Jimin’s hair, pushing away some strands from his forehead that had beaded with a sheen of sweat.

“T-tomorrow I’ll be just fine. Thank you for, ugh, making dinner but, oohh, uh, don’t step foot in that kitchen again.”

Raising his head, Jimin looked up at his very sweet boyfriend who tries too hard. Even with him emptying out all of his insides he still couldn’t help but have an overwhelming love for the man in front of him. He was so worried, when it wasn’t as if he was death's door even if the pallor of his skin grew a shade lighter.

“But Jimi-”

“Shhh.” A shaking finger pressed against Namjoon’s lips to silence him.

“I’ll be fine. I just need a little longer in here preferably without you, it’s awkward and I know it smells horrible. Ah! Shh, and cuddles, lots of cuddles tonight. Can you do that? For me?”

Namjoon frowned not wanting to agree because he wanted to stay with Jimin and take care of him but he also didn’t deny that it certainly wasn’t the pumpkin spice potpourri that Jimin set out during fall in this bathroom. After another moment, he nods, slow but sure. Running his fingers through Jimin’s hair one more time, he slid his hand down until it caressed Jimin’s cheek and he leaned forward pressing the softest of kisses against his forehead, eyelids, cheeks, nose and finally his lips. Soft and sweet with so much care in the world that Jimin knew he had the best boyfriend in the world. Despite the current circumstances.

“Okay, okay, please go before I ruin the moment. Like now.” Jimin weakly shoved the elder away and covered his face in his hand so embarrassed and trying his hardest to keep it all in until the door shut. Namjoon chuckled but stood up and took two long yet quick strides to the door. Shutting it behind him he called through the wood,

“I love you, Jimin-ah.”

Sorry was still laced throughout but Jimin would take a confession of love any day.